Alt cause to military readiness – new executive order for multiple non-healthcare benefits encourage recruitment and strength

[C. Todd, “Biden Moves to Improve Opportunities for Military Spouses,” DoD News, June 9, 2023, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3423902/biden-moves-to-improve-opportunities-for-military-spouses/, accessed June 22, 2023, GDS-LL]

At Fort Liberty, North Carolina, today, President Joe Biden signed an executive order designed to strengthen economic opportunities for military and veteran spouses, caregivers and survivors.

President Joe Biden sits at a desk flanked by a standing, applauding crowd, including the first lady.

"This new executive order establishes the most comprehensive set of administrative actions in our nation's history to support the economic security of military families, veterans, spouses, caregivers and survivors," Biden said at a large gathering of military personal and spouses at Fort Liberty.

The actions of the executive order, he said, focus on three main goals: more flexibility, more support and more resources.

"This executive order encourages all federal agencies to do more to retain military spouses through flexible policies, policies like granting leave when their partner has to PCS [permanent change of station], improving remote work opportunities for military spouses — including when they're stationed overseas," he said.

The executive order enables more support to military families, for instance, by enabling spouses to seek advice on overseas employment issues through military legal assistance officers.

A man stands behind a lectern; behind him are dozens of people dressed in both military uniforms and civilian clothing.

"You also need support to navigate challenges unique to military families, challenges like juggling child care and work while your partner's deployed or when you're caring for an injured loved one," he said. "Too often, the people you work with, they just don't know ... they don't know what you're going through."

The executive order, he said, establishes new training for federal human resources and hiring personnel to ensure that those people fully understand the needs of military families.

The president also said the executive order provides resources — especially for things like affordable child care.

"Today, we're accelerating the implementation of the dependent care flexible spending account, which will give military families the option to receive a pretax benefit for daycare, preschool and summer camps, and much more," Biden said. "This order also focuses on providing resources … for military spouses who are entrepreneurs."

A man stands behind a lectern. Behind him are a U.S. flag and dozens of people dressed in both military uniforms and civilian clothing.

Included there are new funding options, including grants and loans to help military spouses start and sustain businesses.

The directions provided within the executive order, Biden said, are an important part of sustaining the all-volunteer force, which will next month turn 50 years old.

"All of you who raised your hand, all of you who volunteered are the reason that our military today is the greatest fighting force in the history of the world, bar none — that's the reason. And the reason we've been able to sustain that force year after year, decade after decade is because military spouses, caregivers and survivors have answered the call, as well."

Today's executive order supports those military spouses, caregivers and survivors who currently — or have in the past — provided support to U.S. military personnel.

"I'm here as commander in chief to sign this executive order because it matters. ... It matters to our military recruitment and retention, it matters to our troops' readiness and resilience, and it matters to our nation's safety and security. Supporting our military and veterans' families is not just a moral imperative, it's a national security imperative."

~President Joe Biden