MILITARY AND FAMILY READINESS

Military and Family Readiness is a network of programs and services operated by the Defense Department and other federal, state, and community-based agencies and organizations. The Military Family Readiness System promotes military family well-being by offering programs and services that enhance family readiness and quality of life. Collaboration and integration across the system promotes positive outcomes for service members and their families across the domains of military family readiness, including career, social, financial health and community engagement.

The Military Family Readiness System supports every service member and family member, regardless of activation status or location, in person, by phone and online. To locate your nearest center, please go to the Military and Family Center Locator.

For more information on services we provide, please select from one of the buttons below.  

Military and Family Readiness Services

Family Support

Child and Youth Programs The Department of the Air Force Child and Youth Programs assist military and civilian personnel in balancing the competing demands of the mission and family life by catering programs and services for eligible children and youth from birth through 18 years of age.

Spouse State Licensure Moving across state lines creates barriers to career longevity, and those obstacles are heightened by state and career-specific professional license regulations. Licensure portability refers to the ability to transfer a professional license from one state or U.S. jurisdiction to another so that a professional can continue their occupation after relocation.

Spouse Employment Fact Sheet Accelerating the development of interstate compacts to support professional license reciprocity for Military Spouses. 

Commissary Fact Sheet We are changing the commissary funding model to ensure the Defense Commissary Agency can provide the greatest savings possible to patrons. This action cuts grocery prices at the register to achieve at least 25% savings for commissary patrons.

Moving Fact Sheet The Military OneSource PCS & Military Moves page connects service members and their families to everything they need to master PCS moves, from making a move request to getting support for all areas of their move. 

Dislocation Allowance Fact Sheet Dislocation Allowance is a single payment intended to cover the cost service members incur when relocating their household for a PCS move. 

Expanded Military Parental Leave The Expanded Military Parental Leave Program builds on the Defense Department’s support of military families by streamlining and enhancing parental leave.

MILITARY AND FAMILY NEWS

  • Twin brothers compete for rank as they serve, deploy to Iraq together

    IRAQ -- Throughout the history of the military it has remained common for generations of men and women to follow in their family members’ footsteps and serve their country proudly. It’s also not unheard of for siblings to join together and serve together.For Master Sgts. Daniel and Scott Hose they

  • 70 years of air power: One family's service

    The need for unified airpower forged the foundation for the Air Force during World War II. Since its conception, Airmen have served in every major conflict and war requiring air support. This history is shared by one family in particular, the Thomases.

  • Airman drummer beats adversity with style

    Those who know him would normally describe him as soft-spoken and reserved, but life was and is anything but quiet for this musically-inclined Airman.Since birth Airman 1st Class Kyle Henaire’s parents believed he was destined to have an instrument in his hands.“When he was an infant, we took him in

  • The definition of Guard family

    What was supposed to be a celebratory time in the life of Airman Basic Corey Clendenin, who was celebrating with his new bride, Tierni, on the island of St. Maarten, turned into a life and death situation and rattled the members of the 130th Airlift Wing to the core when Hurricane Irma struck last

  • A&FRC offers ‘Heart Link’ program

    Heart Link is a quarterly event offered by the Airman & Family Readiness Center here designed to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness.

  • Sumter community supports Shaw

    This week’s flashback Friday is a reminder of the local community’s appreciation for Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

  • 20th CSAF portrait unveiled

    A painting of retired Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the 20th Air Force chief of staff, was unveiled during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Sept. 14, 2017.

  • Laughter is the best therapy

    Having suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse himself, Hines, now known as the Laugh Therapist, discovered the power of laughter when speaking about serious issues in his own life. He now uses his form of therapy to help others going through hard times. Although not his