Virginia to California, States That Best Support Military Families

AUSTIN, Texas -- The 36th Infantry Division Headquarters officially cases their colors in preparation for their upcoming deployment at a ceremony Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex of Round Rock in Austin, Texas. The Arrowhead Soldiers and their families gathered for the ceremony and said their final farewells as the headquarters Soldiers loaded the buses to leave. When a unit cases its colors, the commander and senior enlisted non-commissioned officer rolled up the unit’s flag and sheath it for transport. This symbolically represents the official duty location change or forward deployment movement of the command of a unit and its Soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Giles, 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Military service members and their families sacrifice for the safety of the U.S. and face many challenges during and after their service, including repeated relocations, separation, accessing healthcare, mental health services, quality k-12 schools, unemployment, housing/homelessness, food insecurity, and higher risk of suicide.

Where military families live can determine which services and supports are available, impacting their quality of life. A 2023 report by the financial website WalletHub, found that states that voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election were more friendly toward military personnel and their families.