Military Families

Military families are those in which one or more members serve in some capacity in the armed forces. Although there are certainly many military families worldwide, this discussion will be limited in scope, addressing military service members who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The unique role played by members of the armed forces necessarily affects their spouses, partners, parents, and children (if they have [Page 1411]any)—which means a life-span approach is essential for understanding military families. This entry describes the diversity found among military families, examines stressors encountered by military families, and highlights resilient family processes by exploring resources and support available to military families.