Public Health Service joins the Military Wives Association
1973
NOAA joins the Military Wives Association
1976
Military Wives Association changes its name to the National Military Wives Association
Association holds first Issues Workshop to educate families on benefits
1979
Association President presents testimony before the White House Conference
1980
Association testifies in favor of equitable division of military retirement pay in divorce settlements, paving the way for the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act
1981
Association supports a provision to the GI Bill permitting a service member to transfer GI Bill educational benefits to a spouse or child after 10 years of service
1982
Association conducts the first comprehensive survey of military spouses in Europe and publishes report with findings and recommendations
DoD implements many of the report's recommendations
Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act passes
1983
National Military Wives Association changes its name to National Military Family Association
Association testifies in favor of increased VA benefits for survivors
1984
Association receives nonprofit status and is included in the Combined Federal Campaign
Defense Appropriations Act includes funding for overseas student travel, a recommendation included in our 1982 European Report
1985
National Military Family Association becomes the first organization to testify before a Senate subcommittee on the critical issue of health care for military families
Association is a founding member of The Military Coalition
1987
Association's survey of families in Hawaii again leads to action on the part of DoD
1988
Association testifies on in-state college tuition for members of military families
Association persuades the House of Representatives to defeat an Overseas Teachers Act that would have prohibited military spouses from teaching in the DoD school system
Congress approves the first increase to the Permanent Change of Station Household Goods Weight Allowance in 20 years—a long-time Association goal
1989
Association testifies on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and secures SSI benefits extension to military families stationed overseas
Congress passes the Military Child Care Act
1990
First funding of DoD Supplement to Impact Aid
Association transition plan for military affected by downsizing receives Congressional backing
1992
Association proposes "Health Benefits Program for Military Beneficiaries," giving families reliable health care coverage and choices—elements of proposal are now included TRICARE program
1994
Association backs DoD Domestic schools boards' fight for continued oversight role
1995
First Very Important Patriot Award presented to military volunteers
TRICARE program begins
1998
Senate designates May as National Military Appreciation Month
Association champions the reinstatement of DIC after dissolution of a survivor's second marriage
1999
National Military Family Association publishes "Silver Bullet" on need to increase trust that Nation's leaders want to improve the quality of life for military families
Congress designates May as Military Appreciation Month
2000
Association works to increase BAH (basic allowance for housing) and reduce military families' out-of-pocket housing expenses
DoD holds first Military Family Forum at the Pentagon
2001
Congress passes the Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance to assist military families on food stamps
Congress allows payment of Survivor Benefit Plan benefits to spouses of all service members who die in line of duty
Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom mark large-scale mobilization of Guard and Reserve members and beginning of war in Afghanistan following 9-11 attacks in New York and the Pentagon
2002
Association briefs Reserve Forces Policy Board—highlighting needs of families of activated National Guard and Reserve members
National Military Family Association is honored in Hollywood at American Veteran Awards
Congress gives DoD authority to provide additional family assistance to meet deployment-related needs
2003
Association begins collaboration with InCharge Institute on Military Money quarterly magazine
DoD and Department of Labor sign Memorandum of Understanding to promote military spouse employment
Congress acts on Association's recommendation to increase Family Separation Allowance from its current rate of $100/ month to $250/month
Operation Iraqi Freedom begins
2004
Association successfully fights for increased benefits for survivors of all active duty deaths
Congress passes legislation to end age 62 offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan
First Operation Purple® camp season, 1,000 military children attend summer camp for free
Military OneSource debuts
Association publishes study results, Serving the Homefront – An Analysis of Military Family Support September 11, 2001 –March 31, 2004
Association works with Army Disabled Soldier Support System (now Army Wounded Warrior Program) to take care of wounded service members and their families
Association awards first military spouse scholarships
National Military Family Association Family Award first presented
2005
Association testifies in support of expanded programs for wounded service members and their families
Association supports expansion of child care programs through Operation Military Child Care
2006
Association publishes Cycles of Deployment—the organization's third assessment of military families' quality of life
Association publishes the first edition of Military Spouse Education Resource Guide
Congress passes Military Lending Act, cracking down on predatory lenders in military communities
Association testifies before DoD Mental Health Task Force
2007
Operation Purple program is honored at White House event and camps are featured on the Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and in USA Today
Association hosts Military Spouse Education Symposium—experts discuss military spouse education obstacles and solutions
2008
DoD begins full replacement value reimbursement for goods damaged in military moves
Association hosts its First Reserve Component Family Program Symposium
Operation Purple Program marks milestone of sending 20,000 military kids to free summer camp
Association expands scholarship program with awards for foreign-born spouses and spouses of wounded or fallen service members
Association's Public Service Announcements produced in partnership with Uniformed Services Family Health Plan win Emmy
First changes to the Family Medical Leave Act in 10 years accommodate military family members
2009
National Military Family Association celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Association unveils new logo and “Together We’re Stronger” tagline
