The National Military Family Association Together We’re Stronger

1. The National Military Family Association Together We’re Stronger Christina Jumper Volunteer Services Director AWAG - Germany

2. Our Mission To fight for benefits and programs that strengthen and protect uniformed services families and reflect the Nation’s respect for their Service.

3. About Us • Founded in 1969 by military wives concerned about military widows • Has decades of expertise in family issues • Serves all Services, ranks, components • Works nationally, but responds to grassroots • Uses all program work to support advocacy mission • Acts as the go-to group for Congress, Department of Defense, the White House, and millions of military families

4. Our History of Success for Military Families1969-1979 • 1969 Military Wives Association begins and seven years later becomes the National Military Wives Association • 1971 Survivor Benefit Plan becomes law • U.S. Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration become part of Association • In 1976, Association holds first Issues Workshop to educate families on benefits • In 1979, Association President, Rosemary Locke testifies before the White House Conference on military families

5. Our History of Success for Military Families1980-1989 • Association testifies in favor of suitable division of military retirement pay in divorce settlements - two years later the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act passes • In 1981, the Association recruits new Volunteers to visit more than 150 legislators in the new Congress to “re-educate the Members of Congress on the needs of the military family.” • In 1982, the Association’s first comprehensive survey, “Final Report, Military Spouse and Family Issues, Europe 1982” leads to creation of DoD Office of Family Policy

6. Our History of Success for Military Families1980-1989 • National Military Wives Association changes name to National Military Family Association • The Military Coalition is formed with the Association as a founding member. • The Association becomes first organization to testify before a Senate subcommittee on the critical issue of health care for military families - a year later Congress establishes Dependent Dental Plan • Association secures Supplemental Security Income benefits extension to military families stationed overseas

7. Our History of Success for Military Families1990-1999 • National Military Family Association transition plan for military affected by downsizing receives Congressional backing - one year later Transition Assistance Plan is enacted • Retiree dental program established • The Association highlights the importance of strong family support programs during Operation Desert Storm • To honor the dedication to military families of three Association Volunteers, the Sydney Tally Hickey, Margaret Vinson Hallgren, and Novella Gibson Whitehead awards

8. Our History of Success for Military Families1990-1999 • Association releases innovative health care plan for military families, which include recommendations that were later incorporated into TRICARE • By the end of the decade, the Association has 10 paid employees and the directors of all the departments are full-time Volunteers

9. Our History of Success for Military Families2000-Present • Association leads the charge to end the Social Security offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan, gets Women, Infants and Children (WIC) funding overseas authorized, and increases the benefits provided to survivors of all active duty deaths • TRICARE for Life begins • Association creates the Joanne Holbrook Patton Spouse Scholarship Program and publishes the Military Spouse Education Resource Guide • In 2004, Operation Purple® Camp begins

10. Our History of Success for Military Families2000-Present • Association publishes Serving the Homefront: An Analysis of Military Family Support and the Cycles of Deployment reports paving the way for our large-scale research project on military children, caregivers, and deployment • Post 9/11 GI Bill passes fulfilling an Association dream that began in 1981 when we first supported a provision to the GI Bill permitting a service member to transfer educational benefits to a spouse or child after 10 years of service

11. Our History of Success for Military Families2000-Present • Association is a member of the drafting team that created the Interstate Compact for the Educational Opportunity for Military Children covering more than 430,000 military children and is an ex-officio member of the Interstate Compact Commission • One third of the Association’s current employees are former Association Volunteers • MyMilitaryLife mobile app is released to help military spouses through navigating the military lifestyle • Research continues of the effectiveness of the Operation Purple® program

12. How We Serve Our Community • Advocacy • Policy Development • Research and Surveys • Training • Outreach • Direct Service Programs • Operation Purple Program® • Spouse Scholarships

13. How We Serve Our Community • Direct Service Programs • Operation Purple Program® • Summer camps • Family Retreats • Healing Adventures (Wounded Families) • Spouse Scholarships • Almost 600 in 2012 • $2.3 million since 2004 • GED and ESL • Mental Health Internships

14. Drowning in a Sea of Goodwill • 58% military family members at a loss where to find answers to benefits and services questions • 3400+ official military websites • 10,000 DoD and community support websites

15. MyMilitaryLife

16. Joanne, Marine Corps Spouse • Joanne is a respiratory therapist at the hospital in Jacksonville, NC. She just found out that her husband received orders to move to San Antonio, TX in four months. • Accessing the Spouse Employment life path on the Association’s app, Joanne finds out that Texas does accept some professional licenses but she must take specific actions to transfer her license so she can begin to work immediately after moving. The App provides the link to the appropriate website with instructions.

17. Leda, Army spouse • Leda is an Army spouse who just moved with her family to Ft. Hood. She is re-entering the work force and hasn’t interviewed in years. • Using the Spouse Employment life style, she is alerted to a Hiring Our Heroes job fair for military spouses and veterans in Austin, TX. She is given the link to register, gets directions, and reviews the interview tips to prepare.

18. Issues Facing Military Families Now • Nation still at war • Legacy of ten years of war on military families • Behavioral Health Needs • Reintegration – for real this time! • Family Sustainment • Economy in downturn • Uncertainty with the downsizing of the force • Pressure on military families and the Nation

19. Focusing on Enhancing the Strength of Military Families Ending the wars won’t end military families’ need for strong support systems Focus on the legacy of over a decade at war on military families, especially the children Recognize cuts may be inevitable, but military families need sustained support Don’t be quick to civilianize, but be mindful of the gap Remember, this is not a one-size-fits-all population Elicit private sector can support but not take over government responsibilities Fund what works, protect most vulnerable, value service

20. Cuts in overseas programs and services • What are you seeing in your Community? • What is the most effective? • How is that measured? • What are the 2-3 MOST important things to your family?

21. Be a guide for families looking for answers Speak up for your military community Influence policies and issues that matter to you Inspire your family and friends to get involved Expand your skill set through professional training Make An Impact on Your CommunityJoin our Volunteer Corps

22. Check Out our Website and Write to Us! www.MilitaryFamily.org • CJumper@MilitaryFamily.org • Info@MilitaryFamily.org • facebook.com/militaryfamily • twitter.com@military_family • twitter.com@nmfachristina