By Amanda Huffman

Veteran & Military Spouse

Though they have not always been allowed to serve as active-duty servicemembers, women — including countless mothers — have contributed to our military and our country for more than 200 years. From traveling alongside the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, to caring for the wounded in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in WWI, all the way to today, when women make up more than 17% of our active-duty force.

There was a period of time after World War II, however, when women could not be moms and also serve in the military — until a law preventing their service was challenged in the 1970s. In today’s military, mothers can participate in all aspects of military life, and they often make it look easy to both raise their family and serve the nation, despite the challenges they may face. Here are tips and resources available to military moms who serve their country — and manage their families.

Don’t Try to Do It Alone

The challenges of military life will always include additional considerations for military families. Learning to rely on others will help moms thrive in their military careers. And, while building a network and finding a community can be harder for military moms since each PCS move requires them to build their community again, there are ways to connect with others quickly for those willing to put themselves out there and ask for help.

Use Your Resources

There are a lot of resources specifically designed to help military families, from organizations like Military Mom Collective, Military OneSource, and Blue Star Families to scholarships for military families, including those for children of women who have served, offered through the Army Women’s Foundation.

In addition, moms in the military have access to critical financial resources including the VA Home Loan, child care assistance programs, healthcare plans such as TRICARE, life insurance and emergency financial assistance. The current Blended Retirement System allows servicemembers to make contributions with matching, which enables women — who generally leave the military at a higher rate than their male counterparts — to benefit from retirement savings, no matter how long they serve.

Protecting finances for the future is also imperative for military moms. Think about what would happen to the family if one or both parents were no longer around to provide a livelihood for their children. From future college expenses, to daily needs, the family would be deeply shaken by the loss of not just a caretaker but income. Life insurance designed specifically for military members is one of the most important tools a military family can use to prepare for such a loss.

Maintain Open Communication

Life in and out of the military might look different for women, but they can thrive in motherhood and throughout their military career. However, it takes hard work and sacrifice, just like their call to duty. Open communication with family members will help support their success. When children are young, moms often focus on getting by day to day, as each phase and change in life can throw a loop to their planned or intended systems. As children grow older and are better able to understand the requirements of working as a parent, it’s important for military moms to embrace open communication, sharing their career ambitions and asking for their family’s active support.

When children are included in the decision-making process it can make it easier for them to understand the sacrifices, such as time, energy and attention, required. For example, before applying for a high-profile job after service, it’s important for servicemembers to discuss the opportunity so their families can get on board with both the opportunities and the challenges they might face.

Support for Military Moms

Mothers are an integral part of today's military. Their service contributes to the safety and security of our country, and the obstacles they and their families overcome don’t just make their service possible but can strengthen the family itself. As servicemembers, they have the full range of military benefits available to them, during and after service, plus the support and opportunities provided by organizations that serve the military community.

If you’re a mother in the military and wondering the best way to support your children’s future and your families finances, call 800-522-5221 to speak with an Armed Forces Mutual Membership Coordinator, or get a quote now.