On the Hill
The National Military Family Association regularly meets with members of Congress and their staff to discuss issues of importance to service members, retirees, their families, and survivors. Our Government Relations staff is called upon in all stages of legislation. When a Member is considering a bill they may ask us to review the language. We are often asked to participate on panels that testify before Congress. We are invited to roundtables and forums where lawmakers discuss matters with stakeholders from military and veteran organizations. Once legislation is introduced we may write a letter of support to the sponsors of the bill.
We tell the story of military families and we need your input to help tell that story. When we see a problem that is affecting many families we can raise awareness of the issue and ask lawmakers to address it. When we hear that a program is working effectively and answering a need for our families we endorse it and recommend it to the Services to make it available for all military families.
You can tell your own story—members of Congress want to hear from their constituents. Read our testimony for background on issues. It is important to communicate with your members of Congress on issues that are important to you. Issues arise where we may ask you to contact your member of Congress on a bill or subject that the National Military Family Association feels strongly impacts the quality of life for our uniformed service families.
To find out who your members of Congress are visit http://thomas.loc.gov—click on House of Representatives in the left column and enter your zip code or click on Senate and find your state. Use the contact us button to find the form to send an email or mail a letter to the Congressional office.
Tell us about problems affecting military families in your community:
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Posted: April 10, 2013
Comment: Providing programs for pre-school children to include movement/exercise classes. Let's Move is a great program and very vital to the health of our children. Creating eating and exercise habits have to begin young. I've asked our local MWR if they can have a kids in motion class but do not seem to get anywhere. I've talked to my daughters base physician and he is on board with pushing for programs that instill exercising and healthy eating for pre-school age kids. All programs for military child start at the Youth Center Age which is 1st grade. "Let's Move" to start with our pre-school age children. I currently live in the Annapolis Area.
Posted: March 18, 2013
Comment: finding the balance between opsec & letting people know so they can support our troops----how do we do that?
Posted: March 4, 2013
Comment: The problems affecting us military families is the uncertainties. I'm a spouse who lives overseas I work at our DODEA School, I volunteer in our little comunity, I'm a Girls Scout Leader here overseas, and I'm the president of our PTSO at our School. All these things happening are clouding common sense. We are possibly going to have to move, I told my husband to put an extension in thinking it was best for our family and one less soldier to pay to move at the end of his career. The Government doesnt think about common sense actions, they miss handle funds all the time. I heard someone speaking on Having Military stablize atleast 6-8 years, he was explaing that it would help on cutting cost and then someone else said that would be too easy for the Gov't to grasp. I do not have a problem as a civilian give my 22 days in fourlough, but why can they be smart and leave us where we are to also save them more money. WE PCS, I not only have to change my kids lives now that they are schoolage but I loose my job and have no hopes of getting another one in this economy. I will be another number added to the Statics of Unemployment. THANK you for putting this awful stress on a Loyal Military WIFE and Supporter of our Military and it's community. 21+ years what a way to be rewarded.
Posted: January 31, 2013
Comment: Duck, Thank you for expressing your concerns. We believe you have some questions about the Former Spouse Protection Act. http://www.militaryfamily.org/your-benefits/marriage-divorce/divorce/what-you-need-to-know.html Please call our office at 703.931.6632 and ask to speak with a subject matter expert.
Posted: January 31, 2013
Comment: For the life of me I can and never will understand, that spouses, like me, will have suffer, not have military benefits, most of all our health care... I have been married since August 1979, my husband joined in the Army, November 1976... I been married nearly 34 years... I volunteered in all aspects in the Military for our troops. I as an Army Wife served as well so did my Son's... Because of my husbands affairs, abundance after our Son's passing, a retired, disabled Veteran, my husband behind my back 1 day before my birthday, I caught him moving out..Surprise I came home to early from work... Who ever changed the law from 10 years to 20 years, us spouses have to be married on active duty to our Sponsors certainly didn't think about us the SPOUSES, Men or Women and the sacrifices we made... I served the Army faithfully as an ARMY WIFE and still am.. So you are telling me, if I should get a divorce because of my husbands wrong doing, I am going to be punished and I will loose the only life I knew, my Military Family... I am not the only one, there are 1000s of us... I know of women who suffered the same faith.. A friend of mine was to sick and didn't have the money to have an operation, she waited 4 years till it had to be done... Needless to say, all of you in congress, senators, including our President... You don't care about us, because your are taking care after serving your terms in every aspect... Most Military Spouses at my age, didn't have carriers, I for one gave up mine for my husbands in every aspect... I received the Commanders Award for Public Service in the Military... If I shall get a divorce, which I never thought I would I loose everything most of all Tricare Prime... I don't have job, my husband is cruel, mean, has no sympathy or empathy and our Son died because he was a disabled Veteran.. The law needs to be changed... I didn't do anything wrong... I think if you are married over 20 years active duty or retired, we as spouses should keep our benefits... What are you going to do about that... I guess nobody care, as you are taken care of and most of you up on the hill are already rich... I am speaking for every SPOUSE that served over 20 years active duty or retired... This law needs to changed... I see so many spouses who have and had been married over 20 years and in my case it will be shortly 34 years... And all because my husband is a selfish human being, that cheats, lies and the list could go on... For once you can do something for us Spouses... We served, we moved, I moved with the Military at least 13 times... As I said, I volunteered in every capacity for the Soldier, for the Army and you are telling me everything will be taking away from me... Congress and Department of Defense needs to change that law.. I am unemployed... I devoted my life to my husbands carried in the Military... I supported him from the day we started dating 1978 till the day he moved out behind my back... And my Son is dead, buried at a National Cemetery on his own merritts... I deserve nothing, no more commissary, no health care, nothing? I worked hard as well not just my Sponsor... I am ashamed of him for all he has done and being a MP Military Officer.. Hypocrite! Doesn't live by the Army Values... Cheating, lying, etc... and I and many others have to suffer for it.. It's not fair and you need to change that law... Thank you for your time,if anyone even read it...
Posted: January 30, 2013
Comment: NO ONE IS FIGHTING FOR EQUAL RIGHTS OF BENEFITS FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED LESS THAN 90 DAYS HONORABLY DISCHARGE BECAUSE OF INJURY OR MEDICAL PROBLEMS.
Posted: January 30, 2013
Comment: hearing the unnoticed tiny voices of the Non-us citizen spouses.....we grieve for our soldiers like the others, but yet, our right is limited because we are not us. citizens. Thanks a lot.
Posted: November 21, 2012
Comment: What about the plan to change people over to tricare standard instead of prime. eventually it effects everyone on active duty that is going to retire.
Posted: November 20, 2012
Comment: Dear T. Grant: There are some nonprofit organizations that provide financial assistance to recently separated veterans. Please call us and we can provide you with a list of available resources. Or you can search the National Resource Directory to find a program in your community.
Posted: November 20, 2012
Comment: Dear T. Grant: Upon retirement, the service member has the option to not elect coverage SBP coverage. However, this means should the service member die; the survivor would not have this coverage. The SBP provides an annuity to designated survivor(s) based on a specified dollar amount of the service member’s retired pay. Some families have life insurance policies, investments, or other savings and elect not to have this coverage. Each family must decide what works best for their financial situation.