Find Readiness Support for Military Life

Read the original article by clicking here. (Link opens in new window.)

(All below links open in new windows.)

The Military Family Readiness System is a network of support services provided by the Defense Department to help you manage everyday life, navigate change, build resilience and boost your overall well-being. Programs cover areas like relocation, finances, spouse employment, deployment, parenting, counseling and more.

Access or get referrals to these services on installation at your local Military and Family Support Center. Centers are open to all service members and their families, regardless of the service member’s branch. Military OneSource can also connect you to support or information 24/7 by phone, or log in to start a secure live chat.

Military life events

Whether you’re deploying, PCSing or retiring, connect to at-the-ready resources for your major military milestones.

Deployment

• Contact your local deployment assistance office for expert support in navigating stress and adjustments, relationships, logistics, parenting and family separation, finances and your return home during the deployment cycle.
• Use the Plan My Deployment Checklists tool to create a custom deployment checklist that can help you organize and prepare your predeployment, deployment, and reunion and reintegration.
• Get trusted support and resources to help you through every phase of your military deployment.

Relocation assistance

• Contact your local relocation assistance program to help you navigate your military move, including managing moving costs, housing options, spouse employment, school transitions, building community, settling in at your new duty station and more.
• Connect to helpful relocation tools, expert support and up-to-date information from Military OneSource.

Transition assistance

• Contact your local Transition Assistance Program to separate and retire from service with confidence.
• Learn more about reentering civilian life and the support services available to you — from education and career coaching to financial planning and more.
• Whether you are 12 months out from retirement or separation or within 365 days of your last day of service, you are eligible for personalized transition support through Military OneSource.

Strong foundations for well-being

Focus on your mental and physical well-being with personalized coaching, counseling, and fitness, healthy eating and food security programs.

Confidential individual and family counseling

• Connect with your installation Military and Family Support Center to locate free, short-term, solution-focused, confidential counseling services to help address relationship conflicts, stress management, parenting issues, coping with grief and loss, and managing deployments.
• Use the Military and Family Life Counseling Locator to find local, in-person support for adults and youth, and to talk out everyday challenges and stress.
• Military OneSource counseling is also available to individuals, couples and families by phone, video, secure online chat and in person.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation

• Relax, recharge and have fun through your installation MWR programs.
• With nearly 5,000 leisure and support programs, MWR offers something for everyone — bowling, aquatic sports, travel opportunities, recreational lodging, digital libraries and more.

Nutrition readiness and food security

• Your installation Military and Family Support Center is your one-stop shop for family readiness, including helping you gain access to affordable, quality food.
• Find a wide range of nutrition readiness resources and support on Military OneSource, available to anyone in need.

Growth and stability

Invest in your education and personal growth, and explore career stability and financial management strategies.

Financial readiness

• Connect with your local finance office to discuss healthy spending habits, budgeting, debt reduction, retirement and education planning, savings, investments, and more. Get help managing key financial events in military life—from job transitions and career growth to maximizing entitlements and preparing for a move.
• Achieve your financial goals and navigate challenges with support from a financial counselor.

Spouse education and career services

• Your installation spouse education and training services can help you get started on achieving your education and career goals.
• Explore career opportunities, tap into education and training, ensure employment readiness and expand your network through the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program.

MilLife Learning

MilLife Learning provides free online courses designed specifically to enhance the quality of life for military families.

Parenting and family support

Find personalized parenting support and child care referrals, and help your youngest family members thrive with assistance from youth and parenting programs.

Child care resources and parenting support

• Your local child development center can help you explore on-installation child care.
• Get local parenting support through your installation New Parent Support Program to access playgroups, parenting education classes, home visits, child care and more.
• Tap into the Military Parent Resource Center to get stage-specific support for all of your parenting challenges, from child care and early learning to school transitions and more.
• Chat with a Military OneSource New MilParent specialty consultant to get 24/7 answers and support.

School Liaison Program

• Contact your installation school liaison for help with transition and deployment support, college and career readiness, and more.
• Learn more about how school liaisons support military-connected families at any time with all education-related matters pre-K through 12th grade.

Exceptional Family Member Program

• Find local support services for families with special medical and/or educational needs, including assistance with Exceptional Family Member Program enrollment, assignment coordination, nonclinical case management, relocation support and more.
• Learn more about how Military OneSource and your local installations can support your child with special education or medical needs.

Adoption and foster care

• Reach out to your installation adoption support specialists for assistance with your adoption and foster care questions.
• Explore resources offered through Military OneSource if you are looking to start or grow your family through adoption and foster care.
• Call Military OneSource to speak with an adoption specialty consultant to learn more about legal support, financial assistance, parental leave, military benefits and more.

Emergency assistance and personal safety

Tap into reliable, confidential support and emergency assistance when you need it most.

Emergency family assistance

• No matter where you are or what you need, contact the installation Emergency Relief Services office nearest you.
• Prepare and plan for disruptions and return to a stable environment after an emergency with disaster preparedness services.

Domestic abuse prevention and response services

• Contact your installation Family Advocacy Office for more information about services available to all service members and military families, including spouses and children.
• Learn how to build healthy and safe intimate relationships to reduce the occurrence of domestic abuse and address domestic abuse if it occurs.
• Explore services available to help promote positive parent-child relationships, prevent child abuse and address abuse if it occurs.
• Need immediate help? Find contact information for your nearest Family Advocacy Program office and domestic abuse victim advocates by using the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator.

Ways to access support services

Visit, call or log on to one of the Military Family Readiness System access points listed below. Regardless of your service branch or geographic location, you will find the support and resources you need.

Your Military and Family Support Center, National Guard and Reserve Component Family Program, and Military OneSource Consultants can connect you to non-military community providers that support service members and military families.