National Military Family Association’s Mission
Together We’re Stronger®
Our Mission
We work with families to identify and solve the unique challenges of military life.
Our Vision
Create a world in which military families are thriving.
What We Do
For 55 years, NMFA has been the go-to source for Administration and government officials, members of Congress, and key decision-makers who want to understand the issues facing military families. Between deployments, heightened operational tempo, military-mandated moves, financial challenges, the lasting physical and emotional tolls of war, and other uncertainties unique to military life, military families need more than a voice on Capitol Hill—they deserve our support.
In addition to our advocacy work, NMFA meets the immediate needs of America’s military families with programs designed to support their financial security, well-being, and quality of life, including scholarships for military spouses, support and skill development for military teens, and summer camps for military kids in areas with the highest financial stress.
We are proud to be the voice for military families, addressing critical needs and creating long-term solutions. NMFA serves the families of service members, veterans, retired, wounded, or fallen members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA.
Together, We’re Stronger
Our Story
In 1969, our Association was founded by a handful of military wives who wanted to ensure their widowed friends were properly cared for. Two short years later, the Survivor Benefit Plan became law, and the Association has been hard at work ever since. A small but determined group of spouses around a kitchen table has expanded into a strong force of military families representing all ranks and Services.
Programs
Operation Purple Program
The National Military Family Association offers a variety of camp experiences to meet the needs of military families wherever they are in the world. Our Operation Purple® programs are designed for all military families to create opportunities to enhance well-being through connection.
At Operation Purple Camp we embrace being “purple” and bring together military kids from all ranks and services, including National Guard and Reserve components, to a unique and memorable summer camp experience.
Military Spouse Scholarships
NMFA can help fund education, career, or business goals for military spouses.
The mission of this scholarship program is to help prepare military spouses for meaningful employment and to better contribute to their family’s financial security. Our scholarships are awarded to spouses of members of all Uniformed Services.
NMFA awards an average of $500 for career funding and $1000 for degrees. Up to $2500 is available for clinical supervision towards licensure in the mental health profession. Spouses are also eligible for funding, typically $1000, to build their own businesses.
Our scholarship program is named in honor of Joanne Holbrook Patton, a fifth-generation Army daughter and daughter-in-law of General George S. Patton.
Growing Together
We’re thrilled to welcome Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen to the NMFA family. Since connecting in 2021, NMFA and Bloom have been enthusiastic collaborators, amplifying the voice of military teens. Together, we’ll explore new ways to better support and understand military teens with innovative programming, research, insights, and policy solutions.
Check out The Field Guide to the Military Teen written by teens for teens.
