May 12 is National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, a day to honor and celebrate those who support our troops during deployments, temporary duty assignments and the day-to-day responsibilities associated with military service.
Of the more than 1.1 million military spouses, an overwhelming majority are women (93% active duty, 87% reserves component). The Department of Defense reports that as a group, they are twice as likely as their civilian counterparts to finish high school. More than 50 percent have completed some form of higher education. And 12 percent also serve.
Beyond the numbers, research indicates that deployment, frequent moves and overarching characteristics of military employment shape the relationships between spouses and service members. That’s why we invite you to join us in thanking the nation’s military spouses. Explore our How to Help issues to see how you can make a difference in the lives of the silent heroes – not just on May 12, but on every day of the year.