Award Recognizes Rogers’ Leadership on the House Armed Services Committee and His Pivotal Role in Advancing Historic Quality-Of-Life Reforms in the NDAA
Washington, D.C. — Blue Star Families, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military and veteran families honored U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, with the Military Family Champion Award. This award celebrates Rogers’ steadfast commitment and exceptional leadership in advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen and improve the lives of military families across the nation.
The recognition honors Rogers’ leadership in elevating quality-of-life issues as a priority of the House Armed Services Committee, empowering the Congressional Quality of Life Panel and ensuring that critical support was included in the H.R. 5009, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025.
“Chairman Rogers’ leadership has led to impressive gains for military families, most notably through last year’s landmark NDAA resulting in major wins for the quality of life of junior enlisted and military families,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Leadership matters. My organization presents this award in recognition that Chairman Rogers’ dedication continues to strengthen our force, uplift our communities, and honor the enduring spirit of military service.”
Informed by the Blue Star Families annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey and engagements with the Quality of Life Panel, provisions included in the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA were:
- A substantial 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted, which will impact approximately 500,000 service members E-4 and below, and a 4.5% increase for the rest of the force
- Expansion of access to and capacity of military child care programs with child care fee assistance programs and competitive staff salaries
- Increase of the Basic Needs Allowance for low-income families meant to address food insecurity
- Employment support for military spouses including expanding child care for job searches, making professional licensure transfers easier, and codifying the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot Program.
Chairman Rogers has led the HASC since January 2023. Staff members of Blue Star Families and military and veteran family members presented the award to Rogers.
“I’ve been privileged to have the chance to support America’s service members and their families. The men and women in our armed forces selflessly serve and protect our nation, and they are able to do that because their families are standing beside them and enabling their service,” said Rep. Rogers. “The House Armed Services Committee recognized the sacrifices being made by these great Americans and worked hard to improve their quality of life and give them the support and resources they deserve. I’m proud of our achievement and honored by this recognition from Blue Star Families.”
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About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human-centered design and innovative solutions. A “blue star family” is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts. For more information, click here.
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