MFAN Applauds Executive Order on Military Spouse Employment

WASHINGTON (June 9, 2023) — MFAN President & Executive Director Shannon Razsadin issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s Executive Order to support the economic security of military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors.

“The Military Family Advisory Network applauds today’s Executive Order. Military spouse employment is a national security issue, and as we honor the 50th anniversary of the all-volunteer force, this comprehensive set of directives provides a clear, purposeful step for interagency support and lays the groundwork for replication in the private sector.

Military spouses have long been recognized as the ‘force behind the force’ enabling the service member to fulfill their mission of serving our country. Military spouses also have career goals and aspirations of contributing to the financial well-being of their families. At a time when most American families rely on two incomes to sustain their household—and the fight for talent persists—military spouses have been an underutilized resource in our labor force. And, as we explore the issues of food insecurity and overall financial insecurity, data show us the intersection between spouse employment and a family’s ability to thrive.

Military spouses are diverse, loyal, and talented. However, the realities of military life, specifically frequent moves and difficulty obtaining childcare, present barriers that interfere with spouses reaching their professional potential. This Executive Order demonstrates the power of leading by example by removing barriers and establishing a solid foundation for workforce readiness and retention. It also allows military spouses to realize their full potential and affords the government the opportunity to gain the immense talent this community brings.

More specifically, the Biden administration’s robust set of actions will better recognize and support military spouses in their career journeys, make childcare more accessible, ease the burden of PCS moves, and streamline interagency collaboration—ultimately delivering on promises to better care for our men and women in uniform and the families who serve alongside them.

We recognize these historic steps would also not be possible without the leadership of Dr. Biden and the Joining Forces initiative and remain steadfast in our commitment to better understand and amplify the needs of military-connected families.” 

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About MFAN
The Military Family Advisory Network envisions a world where all military- connected families are empowered to thrive. MFAN’s mission is to understand and amplify the needs of military-connected families and inspire data-informed change. To learn more, visit mfan.org.

Contact

For more information: Derek Doyle, doyle@mfan.org, (202) 991-1381