President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order establishing the President’s Military Spouse Commission, a new advisory body focused on addressing issues facing military families and their impact on military readiness. The commission will be chaired by Jennifer Hegseth, wife of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and include spouses of senior military and civilian defense leaders.
The commission will provide annual recommendations to the White House on policies affecting military spouses and families, including childcare, employment, housing, health care, education, and the challenges of repeated deployments. The order was signed during an event at the White House attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, and several military spouses.
Commission Structure and Membership
The President’s Military Spouse Commission will include 22 members, including the wives of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and other senior defense officials. The commission will advise the president on quality-of-life improvements for military families and submit recommendations aimed at strengthening military readiness. An executive director will also be appointed to oversee operations.
According to the Blue Star Families’ 2024 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, military spouse employment and pay are the top concerns for active-duty military families, followed by time away from family, childcare, housing, and children’s education. The survey notes that an estimated 1 million children have at least one parent serving on active duty.
Purpose and Goals
The executive order frames the commission’s work as part of a broader effort to integrate military family needs into national defense priorities. The White House has described the commission as a direct line to the challenges faced by military spouses, emphasizing the link between family stability and military operational readiness. The commission’s recommendations will be submitted annually to the president for review.