RAND Study Shows COVID’s Impact on Army Families

January 24, 2023

Numbers from a new RAND Corp. study confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on a vast number of Army spouses. The report, “Today’s Army Spouse Panel Survey Results: Impact of COVID-19, August 2020 to May 2021,” was published last week.

Key findings include:

  • Most spouses reported that the pandemic affected their family life, from canceled vacations (70%) to having a special needs child lose access to services (12%).
  • Most spouses with children experienced a change in child care, and 40% of those working said that they had to quit their job or reduce work hours because of child care changes.
  • Those reporting the highest level of financial strain were unemployed and spouses of enlisted soldiers.
  • Household financial strain decreased over time.

The RAND data gives a peek into specific issues facing Army families, but it seems likely that spouses in other services – and civilian families – faced similar concerns, as Military Times reported.

Army photo by Leanne Thomas

January 24, 2023

Recent News

Phelan Scraps Navy’s 2030 Climate Plan

Phelan Scraps Navy’s 2030 Climate Plan

Navy Secretary John Phelan has rescinded a Biden-era plan to address climate change, as Breaking Defense reported. “Today, I’m focusing on warfighters first and I’m rescinding the Biden administration’s climate action program,” he said last week in a video posted to...

Report: House to Raise DOD Spending in Massive Policy Bill

Report: House to Raise DOD Spending in Massive Policy Bill

House leaders are shaping a spending and policy bill that will include a $150 billion boost in defense spending, matching a hike the Senate included in its version of the reconciliation package, according to Politico. The reconciliation package is the vehicle to pass...

Army Considers Expanding Barracks Privatization

Army Considers Expanding Barracks Privatization

The Army may look to privatize more buildings as it deals with aging infrastructure, much of it in poor condition, Military.com reported. “We’re looking at expansion writ large,” David Dentino, deputy assistant Army secretary for installations, housing and...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

Nebraska Base Hosts Students for ‘Open Hangar’ Career Fair At its second annual Open Hangar career fair, the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 55th Air Refueling Wing hosted over 300 local high school students, introducing them to potential career paths, according to a...

PAST STORIES