President establishes Military Spouse Commission by executive order
The order creates a commission of senior military spouses to advise the President on spouse-related policies, effective August 3 2026.
On August 3, 2026, the President signed Executive Order 14417, establishing the President's Military Spouse Commission. The commission binds the spouses of senior defense officials listed in the order and any other individuals the Chair or Executive Director may invite, and it requires cooperation from each executive department and agency.
Section 2 designates the spouse of the Secretary of War as Chair and authorizes the President to name an Executive Director. Membership includes the spouses of the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Air Force, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Commandant of the Coast Guard, senior enlisted advisors, and the Secretary of Homeland Security. Members serve only while their spouses hold the corresponding positions.
The commission's duties, set out in Section 3, are to advise the President on policies affecting military spouses and families, monitor implementation of the order, liaise with spouses to identify concerns, develop policies on housing, employment, health care, education, and deployment-related support, and submit annual and final reports to the President.
Section 4 requires each executive department and agency, to the extent permitted by law and funding, to provide information and assistance to the commission. Members serve without compensation but may receive travel reimbursement and per diem under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5707. The Department of War shall supply funding and administrative support, and may establish subcommittees. The Federal Advisory Committee Act applies, with reporting to Congress performed by the Secretary of War. The commission will terminate two years from the date of the order unless the President extends it.
Section 5 clarifies that the order does not impair agency authority, is subject to appropriations, creates no enforceable rights, and that publication costs are borne by the Department of War. The order is filed as FR Doc 2026-16125.