The Army needs to focus on providing greater career flexibility, stability, and predictability for soldiers and families, which could involve decreasing the frequency of moves, according to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference in Washington this week. Wormuth highlighted the need for changes to increase stability, predictability, and work-life balance for Army personnel. She also discussed potential restructuring of the force to reduce change of station moves, modifying officer career timelines, and improving financial compensation based on responsibilities and qualifications rather than rank. Pentagon officials have acknowledged the challenges of frequent military moves over the years.
A recent report by the Military Family Advisory Network raised concerns about the negative impact of frequent PCS moves on military families, including financial stability, spouse employment, and children’s education. During a health care panel at the AUSA conference, the issue of continuity of health care during frequent moves was raised. Lt. Gen. Mary Krueger Izaguirre emphasized the importance of honest conversations between soldiers and leaders to balance the Army mission and family needs. Izaguirre shared her own experience of prioritizing family stability due to her son’s health care needs, illustrating the personal impact of addressing these challenges.
Karen has extensive experience covering military families and consumer issues for Military Times, including discussions on the impact of frequent military moves on families’ quality of life. She has a well-rounded background in journalism and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by military families.
