The Why

Military family quality of life has strategic implications for our military and national security as it directly impacts recruitment, readiness, and retention.

The Plan

The 5 Lines of Effort

  • Advocate for Quality-of-Life Improvements
  • Foster Community Partnerships
  • Consolidate Quality-of-Life Resources in 1 Convenient Location
  • Educate Military Families, Leaders, and Community Partners on Existing Efforts and Best Practices
  • Promote the Exceptional Value of the Military-Connected Spouse
Meet the Thrive Team
A family poses together outdoors in Washington, D.C., showcasing a joyful moment.

The Bottom Line: Five & Thrive strengthens our national security.

The Model

Military Community Quality-of-Life Experience (QX)

A positive QX builds a stronger Total Force, improving readiness, recruitment, retention, and resilience. Through collaboration with military leaders, military-connected families, and community partners, our model helps create solutions that empower military members and their families to thrive.

Five and Thrive logo featuring a stylized design representing growth and community support.

In the trenches of our mission lies a fundamental truth, the strength and readiness of our military families are not just essential components of our societal fabric, they are critical pillars of our national security. – Marian Wilcox

All Military Families Should Have Access To:

  • Safe and affordable child care.
  • Quality education, seamless educational transitions during relocations, and equitable resources for special education and other essential services.
  • Quality healthcare, including mental health services for the whole family.
  • Safe and affordable housing.
  • Equitable and meaningful employment for every military-connected spouse.
A woman and 3 children joyfully building structures with colorful blocks on a play mat.

The Statistics

80%

Over 80% of active duty families have difficulty finding child care.1

6 – 9

Most military children will attend 6 to 9 different schools during their K through 12 education.2

30%

Almost 30% of military families reported a lack of spouse employment as a contributing factor to their financial stress.

4.3%

Military spouse unemployment rates are nearly 5 times higher compared to the national rate.

40%

Two out of five military spouses reported that child care is too expensive as the top reason they are not working.

44%

44% of active duty military families indicated that finding an available provider was a reason they did not receive care. 3

60%

More than 60% of military families are burdened with paying more than they can comfortably afford for housing. 3

Out of the 60%, 80% reported monthly housing expenses not covered by their BAH were in excess of $200 out-of-pocket per month. 3

~25%

Nearly 1 out of 4 active duty military families report they do not receive mental healthcare, but would like to.

Although the order and degree of these 5 issues vary from installation to installation, they consistently rise to the top according to feedback from military families and surveys from multiple organizations. Note: Members of the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) are impacted in unique ways by each of the “Five & Thrive” Quality of Life issues.

  1. 2021 Military Family Advisory Network: Military Family Support Programming Survey Executive Summary

  2. Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3): Guide for Parents, School Officials and Public Administrators

  3. Blue Star Families: Military Family Lifestyle Survey 2022 Comprehensive Report Executive Summary

  4. National Military Spouse Network: Solving the Military Spouse Employment Puzzle: Seven Recommendations for the Future of Work

Sources current as of October 2024.