On August 3, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Military Spouse Commission. According to the White House, the commission is intended to strengthen military readiness by improving the quality of life for military spouses and families. It will advise and assist the President on policies affecting military spouses and military families.
Commission Structure and Duties
The commission will be chaired by the spouse of the Secretary of War. The President will appoint an Executive Director. The spouse of the Secretary of Homeland Security and 20 other military spouses of the Service Secretaries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and each Service’s senior enlisted leader will serve as members.
The Executive Order directs the commission to engage directly with military spouses, identify challenges affecting military families, and develop policy recommendations. The areas identified in the order include housing, employment, healthcare, education, child care, and deployment-related support. The commission is also directed to provide annual recommendations to the President to improve the quality of life for military spouses while supporting the highest standard of military readiness.
Policy Context
The fact sheet states that frequent relocations, lengthy deployments, and the unique demands of military life create significant challenges for military spouses. It says that addressing these challenges will help strengthen military families, improve retention, and ensure that the armed forces remain ready to meet any challenge.
The White House also cited prior actions concerning military families and service members. During his first term, President Trump expanded employment opportunities for military spouses by improving occupational license portability, increasing remote and flexible work opportunities, and enhancing access to Federal employment. In 2018, he signed the Veterans and Transition Act, which allows military spouses to keep the same state of residency as their service member to reduce challenges associated with frequent relocations.
The fact sheet states that in January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order expanding education freedom for families, including greater flexibility for military families to use Department of War education funds. It also states that a January 2025 Executive Order reinstated service members dismissed for refusing the COVID vaccine, with full back pay and benefits, and that 345 service members had been reinstated as of the fact sheet’s publication. In December 2026, President Trump established the $1,176 Warrior Dividend to recognize service members’ sacrifices and provide financial support to families who serve alongside them.