It’s been a crazy few years. Between unpredictable ops (Covid! Afghanistan!) and high inflation, day-to-day living has become increasingly difficult for many. There are a lot of statistics I could share, but one I find really fascinating is that 37% of military families would not recommend military service. Our military is facing a retention and recruitment crisis because military family well-being is suffering.
However, a few weeks ago in response to these challenges, the DoD announced its plan to strengthen military families. The whole thing can be read HERE. But I will break the news with some tips and links to help guide you through the word soup that is the memo!
Immediate Changes for Housing and PCS
What’s happening? Housing allowance is automatically increasing for active duty families in 28 of the most expensive housing markets. Check the memo here to see if your base is included.
How might it affect me? If your base is on the list, ask your spouse to see how large the increase is, depending on location and rank. Think about how that increase can support your family. It went into effect in October, so keep checking your paycheck. We all know Finance can be slow!
What’s happening? Temporary Lodging Expense has been increased 14 days for CONUS moves and 60 days if you’re moving to an area with a housing shortage.
How might it affect me? If you’re in the middle of a move or about to move, this will impact how many days of paid lodging you get upon arrival. Check the memo to see if your new base is considered to be having a housing shortage!
What’s happening? Dislocation Allowance has increased for E-1 to E-6, to help offset the cost of moves. Additionally, Dislocation Allowance will now be paid before your move, so you don’t have to pay for your move expenses out of your savings.
How might it affect me? This has already gone into effect, so if you’re moving this month and qualify, again, check with your spouse and the Finance office. These are big changes to processes, so there will likely be some delays during the first few weeks or months of the change.
Immediate Changes for Childcare
What’s happening? Bases will standardize a minimum 50% discount for the first child of Childcare Development Program direct-care workers, helping to attract more talented staff and to increase capacity.
How might it affect me? This will look different based on the branches, but if you’re interested in working for a military-funded childcare program, talk to your local CDC or go to this website for more information. Long term, this will hopefully expand options for your own children.
Other Changes for Economic Security
What’s happening? The DoD is going to review all the 2023 housing allowance tables to make sure that they’re up to date with the current housing markets.
How might it affect me? In addition to the 28 bases seeing immediate BAH increases, more bases might see increases in BAH in 2023. Keep your eyes peeled for news!
What’s happening? To tackle food insecurity, commissaries will be getting more funding, which means that prices will be cheaper. The goal is a 25% savings compared to local stores. Additionally, certain service members will be eligible for a Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) starting in January 2023 to help cover expenses.
How might it affect me? For the commissary, get ready to see more stable prices or decreased prices. If your household is struggling with basic expenses, starting in January, talk to your spouse about whether they’d be eligible for the allowance. It will be an application process based on household income.
What’s happening? We’re all getting a 4.6% pay raise in January!
How might it affect me? Talk to your spouse about what it will look like, how to make sure it’s on your paycheck (again.. Finance makes mistakes…) and start thinking about how it will fit into your budget or expenses.
Other Changes for Families
What’s happening? The DoD will be investing in Child Development Program facilities to expand the capacity of care and extend their hours, while also expanding access to community-based care facilities.
How might it affect me? These changes might take longer to implement. Childcare waitlists will still be long in some areas. However, ask the representative on your base about what new community-based childcare options might be available to you in 2023.
What’s happening? The pilot program of in-home child care fee-assistance will be expanded in additional states and more families.
How might it affect me? This one is a little vague. Basically, the program gives financial assistance to those who have in-home childcare. This website describes the program as it exists now. It only currently exists in 5 places, and the DoD has not released more details on the expansion yet. If this interests you, check the link above in a few months to see if there’s more information.
What’s happening? The DoD has made updates to its New Parent Support Program, which you can read about at this link.
How might it affect me? If your spouse is a breastfeeding service member, one of the new policies is to reimburse the cost of shipping breastmilk. Yup, super niche, but interesting. Read more at the link to see what in the program might benefit you.
Other Changes for Working Spouses
What’s happening? The DoD is working to add seven new occupational licenses to the list of those that will be accepted inter-state.
How might it affect me? If you’re not aware, the first five were: teaching, social work, cosmetology, massage therapy, and dentistry. The new seven should be released soon, likely as a DoD memo, or on Military OneSource.
What’s happening? Expanded jobs and telework opportunities for military spouses applying to roles within the DoD.
How might it affect me? If you’re in a DoD role, ask about what changes might be made to telework in your position. If you’re looking for a DoD role, applications through USA Jobs for military spouses should be easier, thanks to “non-competitive, direct hiring.” (Fingers crossed, right?)
What’s happening? New programs for military spouse employment! One will be a brand-new career-accelerator that will match military spouses with paid private fellowships starting in January 2023.
How might it affect me? There’s very little information about this so far, so definitely keep googling “military spouse career-accelerator” if you think that sounds like an interesting opportunity, especially if you’re at the beginning of your career.
What’s happening? The DoD is expanding the partners in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership by 10% before January 2023. You can learn about the existing program here.
How might it affect me? It’s basically a giant job board of companies committed to hiring military spouses, with tons of telework opportunities. And in the next few months, you’ll see more job options!
I know this was a lot to process, but to thrive as WAFs we need to advocate for ourselves, and part of that is staying informed. Some of these might look like small steps compared to the issues you’re facing at home, but some might be saving graces.
Many of these changes came about due to the hard work of organizations that do research for military families. Those include: Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, Military Family Advisory Network, Institute for Veteran and Military Families, and National Military Family Association.
I encourage you to check them out and get involved. Your voice matters – since our collective voice is why the DoD has turned its attention to our well-being.
Meet Sarah
Sarah has been with her Air Force husband for eight years – five long distance, three while married. So far, they’ve been stationed in Charleston, SC, and Tacoma, WA. Sarah works in education policy but has developed a passion for military family research and policy since she started learning about the challenges spouses face in the workplace. She is currently finishing her Doctorate of Law and Policy at Northeastern University.
