Presentation of BSF's 2010 Military Family Lifestyle Survey results presented to a joint session of the Senate and House Military Family Caucuses on September 22, 2010.

1. 2010 Military Family Lifestyle Survey Findings and Analysis Funding for the Military Lifestyle Survey and event was provided by Blue Shield of California Foundation

2. Blue Star Families partnered with many of the country’s most respected military service organizations to distribute our survey online via partner websites, member newsletters, and through physical locations.

3. Demographics

4. Top Military Life Issues What are the Top 3 military life issues that most concern you? % of Respondents Ranking Issue #1: Pay/Benefits Effect of Deployment on Kids OPTEMPO Kids’ Education Spouse Employment Moral Support for Families Spouse Education PTSD/Combat Stress/TBI Services to Off Base Families Practical Support for Families PCS Adjustments Family Reintegration Service Member Education Maternity/Paternity Leave 41% 34% 30% 26% 30% 23% 22% 12% 16% 21% 16% 14% 8% 6% % of Respondents Ranking Issue in the Top 3:

5. OPTEMPO: Breadth & Depth of Deployments Has your service member been deployed during your marriage? Since 9/11, about how many months has your service member been deployed? Yes 82% No 18% 7% 23% 21% 25% 14% 5% 6% Unsure Less than 6 months 6-12 months 13-24 months 25-36 months 37-48 months More than 48 months

6. During your service member’s deployments, how would you describe your personal stress level? 38% 1% 52% 0.3% Nearly all respondents report increased stress during deployment with over 1/3 citing much more stress Spouse Deployment Stress Level OPTEMPO & Spouse Stress

7. OPTEMPO & Spouse Mental Health During your service member’s deployments, how would you describe your overall personal mental health? 40% 18% 4% 8% Despite the fact that most spouses reported higher stress levels, nearly half indicate no problems with overall mental health 4%

10. Spouse Employment: MyCAA

11. The Military Child & Deployment

13. In 2010, fewer military spouses completely agreed that the general public doesn’t understand sacrifices associated with military service compared to 2009 % of Respondents: 71% 23% 3% 2% 1% 64% 28% 4% 3% 1% To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “ The general public does not truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families.” Community Engagement

14. Military Family Volunteerism Where have you volunteered?

15. Social Media: Informational Sources Jr. Enlisted E1-4 Warrant W1-W5 Co. Grade O1-O3 Field Grade O4-O6 Military.com Milspouse.com MilitaryOneSource.com What are the military-related sites that you visit on a regular basis to gather information about the military community or services?

17. Next Steps Military and Civilian Leadership: Involve non-traditional participants from both military and civilian communities Highlight potential of public-private partnerships Targeted follow up with specific legislation (i.e. spouse employment and children’s education) Blue Star Families: Continue research into specified and emergent themes: Increase in parental responses Volunteerism Best Practices for meeting needs of military families Compile diverse research from other DoD and independent agencies as it relates to military family life