DoD’s 2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey Results Are In: What We Know So Far

The Department of Defense just released the 2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey (ADSS) results, offering a comprehensive look into the experiences, concerns, and well-being of military spouses. Conducted roughly every two years, this survey is one of the most significant tools available to understand the real-life impact of military service on families. NMFA is still digging into the data, but so far this year’s results paint a sobering picture of life on the home front. The findings from the latest ADSS highlight growing concerns among spouses that go beyond household stress and reach into the very core of military readiness and retention.

Here are five key takeaways every military family and policymaker should know:

1. Spouse Support for Military Life Is at an All-Time Low

This year’s survey revealed a record-breaking number of military spouses who favor leaving the military over staying in. 1 in 3 said they’d rather their family separate from service. That number matters. Spousal support has long been recognized as a leading factor in a service member’s decision to stay or leave military service. When families are unhappy, retention suffers, and ultimately, so does readiness on a national level.

2. Less Than Half of Spouses Are Satisfied with Military Life

Satisfaction with military life among spouses has been steadily declining since 2012. While service members may wear the uniform, the entire family serves, and this downward trend reflects a growing strain on military households. More spouses are carrying the burdens of service without the support or opportunities needed to balance those challenges. Most strikingly, spouses who reported dissatisfaction with military life were six times more likely to favor their service members leaving active duty. That makes one thing clear: military spouses may hold the key to sustaining our all-volunteer force.

3. Most Military Families Have Young Children

The data confirms what many of us already know: 67% of military spouses have children. That means policies affecting child care, education, PCS transitions, and emotional well-being are central to the lives of most military families. These aren’t fringe concerns: they’re core to family readiness.

4. Financial Struggles Continue to Impact Families

While 60% of spouses said their family feels financially comfortable, that leaves 40% who are struggling (either “having some trouble getting by” or not comfortable at all). Even more concerning, that comfort number dropped 10% since the last survey. 13% of spouses reported using nutrition assistance programs like WIC and school meals, but notably, the survey didn’t ask any direct questions about food insecurity. That’s a missed opportunity to gather critical data on a growing concern.

5. Anxiety and Stress Are Taking a Toll

61% of military spouses reported experiencing anxiety symptoms within the previous two weeks of taking the ADSS. This points to a deeper undercurrent of stress that’s impacting health, family stability, and a spouse’s perspective on whether continued service is worth it. It’s clear: the strain of military life is starting to outweigh the support structures meant to sustain it.

What Happens Next?

As we continue digging into this latest round of ADSS data, we know we’ll have more questions—and we’re sure you will, too. In the coming weeks, NMFA will share more findings and insight, along with what it all means for military family policy. In the meantime, we encourage you to read through the findings yourself and reflect on how your experience aligns.

Now, We Want to Hear from You: Does this sound like your military life?

Your voice matters more than ever. Help us turn these numbers into meaningful change by sharing your story with us today.

Together, we can make sure policymakers understand what military families are really going through.

Together, we’re stronger®