STANDING WITH MILITARY FAMILIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS

1969

Military Wives Association created

1972

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

1976

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

1979

Association President testifies before the White House Conference on military families

1982

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

1983

National Military Wives Association is renamed the National Military Family Association

1985

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

1989

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

1990

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

1992

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

1999

Congress designates May as National Military Appreciation Month

2000

NMFA leads the charge to get WIC funding overseas authorized

2001

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

2004

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

2005

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

2006

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

2008

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

2009

Operation Purple Family Retreats® and Healing Adventures® launch

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

2011

RAND releases the first research on the well-being of military spouses and children, commissioned by NMFA

2013

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

2015

NMFA defeats ER Misuse Fee proposed by the Department of Defense

2016

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

2017

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

Operation Purple® Buddy Camp launches

2018

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

2019

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

2020

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

2021

NMFA launches Research & Insights department

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

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

2022

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