Our national security relies on the quality and commitment of the men and women who serve in uniform. Quality of life, including adequate housing, is an important component of military preparedness. Unlike their civilian counterparts, military personnel cannot unilaterally terminate their employment at any time they choose during their period of service. On average, about once every two to three years, military personnel receive orders to relocate to a new assignment.
Servicemen face very demanding schedules.
They are often called on to place the needs of the military above the needs of their families. In exchange for accepting this contractual arrangement, military leaders believe that there is a legal and ethical responsibility to care for servicemen and their families. By contrast, there are more than 233,000 officers. During FY 1995, approximately 60 percent of the military population were married, up sharply from a level of 51 percent that existed 15 years earlier. When the focus is placed on career personnel, typically senior enlisted and senior officers, the married population increases to 68 percent.