By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Military spouses are the backbone of our Armed Forces, embodying a spirit of resilience and commitment that profoundly enhances both our military capabilities and the communities they inhabit. On Military Spouse Day, we take a moment to recognize the extraordinary men and women who support this noble mission.
Every day, military spouses share their loved ones with a demanding, mission-driven lifestyle. However, their own challenges are equally formidable—constant relocations to unfamiliar places, heart-wrenching separations, single-handed parenting, and the struggle to maintain career stability in a life marked by unpredictability. The sacrifices they make are crucial to maintaining family morale, operational readiness, and retention within our military ranks. Without the love, selflessness, and unwavering support of military spouses, our nation would struggle to uphold its status as a formidable force.
Employment presents a particularly pressing challenge. Military spouses experience an unemployment rate of 21 percent—among the highest in the country—along with a 25 percent wage gap compared to their civilian peers. These frequent relocations disrupt job continuity, hindering career advancement and stability regardless of their qualifications and experience. During my first term, we made significant progress in addressing these employment hurdles by enhancing job opportunities within the Federal Government, expanding licensure portability, and increasing access to remote and flexible work options to provide military spouses with the stability they need. Earlier this year, I issued an exemption for military spouse employees from the return-to-office directive for Federal civilian staff, and we remain committed to pursuing innovative solutions to ensure military spouses can thrive professionally.
Standing alongside those who wear our nation’s uniform requires exceptional dedication and steadfast love. Yet, generation after generation, military spouses continue to embrace their roles despite the uncertainties, global threats, long hours, and lengthy deployments. They stand resiliently—not merely in the shadows of their loved ones in uniform, but as vital partners in our national defense and indispensable contributors to our military’s strength. The First Lady and I hold deep admiration for these unsung heroes—volunteer patriots and warriors. Military spouses have our unwavering gratitude, our prayers, and the respect of a grateful Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2025, as Military Spouse Day. I urge the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
