Published: July 15, 2026
By Jillian Johnson
Every day, military and veteran families make sacrifices that rarely fit into a neat headline.
Between frequent moves, missed milestones, financial strain, spouse career disruption, and the ongoing challenge of trying to build stability in a lifestyle designed to be unpredictable, it’s these stories that deserve to be told. Why? Because they matter, and when shared, they drive real change.
At Blue Star Families, we believe that finding the most effective solutions to these challenges starts by listening. The Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) is how we turn lived experience into action by informing programs, shaping advocacy priorities, and influencing policies that impact military and veteran families nationwide.
From Lived Experience to NDAA Policy Change: The MFLS Impact
The MFLS is the largest and most comprehensive survey of military and veteran families, with more than 113,000 responses collected since 2009. Each year, the data tells a powerful story — one that policymakers, military leaders, and community partners use to guide decisions.
Insights from previous MFLS responses helped shape key provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including:
- A 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members (E-4 and below), positively impacting approximately 500,000 service members.
- Expanded childcare programs, including fee assistance and competitive wages for providers.
- Increased access to the Basic Needs Allowance, helping address food insecurity among military families.
- Stronger employment support for military spouses, including expanded child care during job searches, improved professional licensure portability, and the permanent establishment of the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot Program.
Previous surveys also fuelled initiatives like the 4+1 Commitment, launched in partnership with Hiring Our Heroes and the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership, encouraging employers to adopt more inclusive and flexible policies for military spouses. MFLS insights have also helped shape Blue Star Families programs such as new Blue Star Families Chapters and Blue Star Families Outposts, Blue Star Support Circles, and Blue Star Welcome Week — all designed to strengthen connection, support, and belonging across the military community.
These outcomes are proof of what happens when military families speak up and are heard.
Make an Impact: Participate in the 2026 Military Family Lifestyle Survey
By taking the MFLS, you’re helping to define what military and veteran family support should look like, both now and in the future. Your experience adds both depth and data to the direction in which decisions are made. We make a point to publicly share the results of these surveys, so when you take it, be sure to be on the lookout for the results release event early next year!
Take the 2026 Military Family Lifestyle Survey
Your story matters. We hope you will share it and help drive change forward for families like yours.
To participate you must be military-connected, 18 years of age or older, have access to a device with Internet, and provide consent. The survey is for research purposes only and should take about 20 minutes to complete online. When you share your experiences, you can choose to enter a drawing for 1 of 10 $100 Amazon gift cards. If you
have any questions about this research, please contact Dr. Emily Becher at [email protected].
Posted In: Family Life, Military Family Lifestyle Survey, mfls