Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (aMFLS) provides a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and challenges encountered by military families. It remains the largest and most comprehensive survey of active duty, veterans, and their families.

This seminal survey provides a yearly “snapshot” of the state of military families, offering crucial insight and data to help inform national leaders, local communities, and philanthropic actors. Most critically, the publication and widespread use of this survey create opportunities to support the health and sustainability of our all-volunteer Force by increasing dialogue and understanding between the military community and broader American society.

Blue Star Families conducted its 9th annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey in April-May, 2018 with over 10,100 respondents including military spouses, active duty service members, veterans, and their immediate family members participating in the survey.

In collaboration with the DoD, the National Endowment for the Arts, and museums across America, free admission for the nation’s active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families.

Provides active-duty, veteran, and Gold Star families free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests with the America the Beautiful par

Honors, recognizes, and supports military, Veteran, and family caregivers by hosting social events, online support groups, and providing opportunities for communities to engage with our caregivers.

Connects military spouses to meaningful career resources, employment, certifications, and more through our virtual community, Spouseforce.

Created for families to establish connections to their local communities, pursue new adventures, and broaden their horizons through educational and fun activities during summer break.

Since 2009, we have relied on the efforts of dedicated volunteers to achieve our mission of empowering our military families to thrive through strong communities of support.

Welcome Week provides fun and creative opportunities for military families to meet and engage with members of their new community, helping ease their transition and create a greater sense of belonging to feel at home.