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Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 12, 2017.

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Note: This event has already passed.

May 12 2017

May 12 2017

May 12 is #MilSpouseAppreciationDay. Around the world, we will recognize and appreciate the positive impact spouses have on our Soldiers and the Army.

Facts:

  • In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared May 23 as the first Military Spouse Day in Proclamation 5184.
  • The U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger standardized the date by declaring the Friday before Mother's Day as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
  • In 1999, Congress officially made the observance a part of National Military Appreciation  Month.
  • As of FY16, the military spouse population includes:
    • Army Active-Duty:  268,447
    • Army  National Guard:  131,790
    • Army Reserve: 90,026

The Army recognizes and appreciates the positive impact spouses have on our Soldiers and the Army. Spouses are an essential part of the Army Family and contribute to readiness by allowing Soldiers to remain focused on their missions.

Army spouses are the "force behind the force" and support Soldiers with courage through difficult circumstances,  including numerous household moves and stressful deployments. Spouses are vital to the strength, resilience, and readiness of our Soldiers and military communities. They are actively engaged in our local, civilian communities while helping our Soldiers serve, reintegrate, and remain strong. The strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their Families, and the Army spouse is the backbone of that support and strength.

  • The Army is indebted to Gold Star spouses for their sacrifices. Gold Star spouses are influential members of our military communities, and the Army remains committed to supporting them through programs including Army Survivor Outreach Services.
  • Total Army Strong is the Army's commitment to improving Family readiness through Soldier and Family programs, youth services, childcare, and spouse education and employment  opportunities.
  • The Army Employment Readiness Program (ERP) provides military spouses assistance to acquire skills, networks and resources to join the workforce. Spouse employment increases the financial stability and readiness of the Family.