Military Wives Association created

Association’s first major initiative results in the Survivor Benefit Plan becoming law

Military Wives Association changes its name to the National Military Wives Association

First Issues Workshop held by Association to educate military families on their benefits

Association President testifies before the White House Conference on military families

Association’s first comprehensive survey leads to the creation of DoD Office of Family Policy

National Military Wives Association is renamed the National Military Family Association

The Military Coalition is formed with NMFA as a founding member

NMFA is the first organization to testify before a Senate subcommittee about health care for military families—a year later Congress establishes Dependent Dental Plan

The Military Child Care Act is passed as a result of NMFA’s advocacy efforts

Association testifies before Congress; Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits extended to military families stationed overseas

NMFA’s transition plan for military affected by downsizing receives Congressional backing—one year later Transition Assistance Plan is enacted

Association fights for military kids in civilian schools, helping pass the first funding of DoD’s Supplement to Impact Aid

NMFA releases innovative health care plan for military families, with many recommendations later incorporated into TRICARE

Congress designates May as National Military Appreciation Month

NMFA leads the charge to get WIC funding overseas authorized

Association advocates for health care; results in Congress creating the Extended Care Health Option

Joanne Holbrook Patton Spouse Scholarship Program created

Operation Purple® Camp for children of deployed service members begins

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

Social Security offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan eliminated, an initiative NMFA fought for since 2001

Benefits provided to survivors of all active duty deaths increased after NMFA provides testimony and rallies Congressional support

NMFA wins Emmy for Public Service Announcements produced in partnership with USFHP

Operation Purple Family Retreats® and Healing Adventures® launch

NMFA helps draft the Interstate Compact for the Educational Opportunity for Military Children

RAND releases the first research on the wellbeing of military spouses and children, commissioned by NMFA

#EndSequestration: Association Staff and Volunteers storm Capitol Hill to illustrate harm caused by sequestration

NMFA defeats ER Misuse Fee proposed by the Department of Defense

DoD creates Urgent Care Pilot program as a result of NMFA’s advocacy

The DoD changes it policy on concurrent hospice for children after NMFA speaks up for families affected

Operation Purple® Buddy Camp launches

Education Revolution campaign launches to bring awareness to military kids’ education

The National Military Family Association celebrates its 50th Anniversary

The Widow’s Tax is repealed thanks to the aid and advocacy of NMFA

The Military Spouse Scholarship Program has a record-breaking year awarding $1,162,012 to 923 spouses

NMFA’s COVID-19 FAQ hub is the go-to source for military families

$1.5M in child care fee relief stipends are given to dual-working families affected by the pandemic

Coast Guard families are given equal access to CDC’s thanks to NMFA’s push for policy change

Operation Purple Program goes virtual to bring camp fun to families at home

NMFA launches Research & Insights department

NMFA conducts first-ever Military Teen Experience Survey to research their wellbeing

Operation Purple Camp Junior is created with adapted curriculum for kids ages 3-7

NMFA welcomes Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen into the NMFA family and together strengthen the voice of military teens

Hosted two new Operation Purple programs focused solely on parents and teens

Military Spouse Scholarship Program hits $8.2M in awards to military spouse recipients since its inception in 2004

NMFA represents military families at the United Nations

NMFA honored at the Congressional Club’s 109th First Lady’s Luncheon for our longstanding commitment to military families

NMFA celebrates surviving families receiving their first full Survivor Benefit Plan payment

The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts benefit extended to military families after years of NMFA advocacy

Operation Purple Summer Challenge launched as our newest digital offering for military kids

The Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Scholarship Program awarded 535 military spouses

14,000 military families were reached in our surveys to develop key research and insights

Released Military Teen Experience Survey (MTES) findings from 1,634 military teens and young adults

FY2025 NDAA incorporated key provisions championed by NMFA and the House Armed Services Quality of Life Panel

Launched the Military Family Action Center to expand support and advocacy for military families

Launched Operation Advocacy to train and empower military spouses as community advocates

Generated 113,000 letters to Congress in support of the Pay Our Troops Act

Reached 70,000 Operation Purple® campers served since 2004

Awarded the 10,000th scholarship and surpassed $10 million in funding distributed