Your Responses Help Us Drive Real Change

By Jessica Strong | Associate Director of Applied Research | Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families’ research drives real change for military and Veteran families. Over the years, more than 100,000 military and Veteran family members have shared their experience with us, and we’re using that data to make big impacts. We bring your life experiences to the decision and policymakers — Congress, the DOD, the White House, state and local governments, and many others to address the challenges that you find most important — spouse employment, child care, access to health care, housing and relocation costs, and finding belonging in your new homes. 

And your voices have driven action! For example, the DOD recently announced an increase in Temporary Lodging Expenses from 14 to 21 days, in line with our recommendations from the Relocation and Housing Pulse Check. You shared the challenges of the rising costs of temporary housing while you PCS, and it led to change! 

Your voices also drive our programming. You told us that being outdoors improved your well-being and resilience, and we expanded our Blue Star Outdoors programming, giving you more opportunities to adventure, connect with your family, and make new friends in your communities. You told us you worried about friends and family who showed signs of a mental health crisis, but you did not know what to do to help, so we created Blue Star Support Circles: Upstream Solutions to Crisis and launched the Combat the Silence campaign, giving military and Veteran families real tools to help their loved ones. 

Released just last month, our newest report in the Campaign for Inclusion Research Series, Unity in Diversity: Fostering Inclusive Communities for Military Families, explored three distinct military communities — Hill Air Force Base, San Antonio, and Hampton Roads — revealing challenges that military families of color and LGBTQ+ families face in feeling welcomed and included in their communities. With more than 500 participants across three communities, this research reveals powerful and practical solutions that help families feel like they belong. 

Last week, we published a brand new pulse check report titled "In Service of Our Democracy: Voting Trends and Civic Duty Among Military and Veteran Families." This report reveals how military and Veteran family members view voting and civic engagement as a critical extension of their purpose—to defend and protect American democracy.

Blue Star Families’ research — driven by the data and experiences you share — drives action, helping shape policies, programs, and community efforts that directly support military families. It’s more than just research — it’s the fuel behind real change, ensuring military families get the resources they need to thrive.