Documents › Executive orders › 14417
Executive Order 14417
Establishing the President's Military Spouse Commission
Signed August 3, 2026, printed at 91 FR 51059. 4 sections of substance, 1,197 words.
This order sets up a commission. The group is for military spouses. It will look at the problems they face.
Sec. 1. Purpose and Policy
Military spouses are intrinsically linked to the good order, readiness, and retention of our military. Their support and contributions to our Armed Forces are crucial to mission success. Yet the spouses of our Nation's service members face significant challenges due to the nature of military service. Frequent relocations and the long absences of service members--especially when deployed to combat zones--can negatively impact military spouses' quality of life and, in turn, that of their family. The repeated relocations and other aspects of military life may limit quality housing options, employment opportunities, and other resources available to families that are not obligated to move every 2 to 3 years, as military families do in service to our Nation. Prolonged service member absences also place enormous burdens on military spouses running households alone. During my first term, we
Military spouses are intrinsically linked to the good order, readiness, and retention of our military. Their support and contributions to our Armed Forces are crucial to mission success. Yet the spouses of our Nation's service members face significant challenges due to the nature of military service. Frequent relocations and the long absences of service members--especially when deployed to combat zones--can negatively impact military spouses' quality of life and, in turn, that of their family. The repeated relocations and other aspects of military life may limit quality housing options, employment opportunities, and other resources available to families that are not obligated to move every 2 to 3 years, as military families do in service to our Nation. Prolonged service member absences also place enormous burdens on military spouses running households alone. During my first term, we
This states the case the order makes. It says spouses matter to how the military runs. It says their support helps missions succeed. It says they face real strain. Frequent moves are named. So are long absences. Combat tours are named. It says housing and job options narrow. It says running a home alone is a heavy load.
Sec. 2.
Establishment and Composition of the President's Military Spouse Commission. (a) There is hereby established the President's Military Spouse Commission (Commission). (b) The spouse of the Secretary of War shall serve as Chair. The Executive Director of the Commission shall be designated by the President. If the spouse of the Secretary of War is unable to serve as Chair for any reason, the Executive Director shall perform the duties of the Chair until the President designates a new Chair. (c) In addition to the Chair, the Commission membership shall include the spouses of the following senior military leaders, if applicable: (i) the Secretary of the Army; (ii) the Secretary of the Navy; (iii) the Secretary of the Air Force; (iv) the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; (v) the Chief of Staff of the Army; (vi) the Commandant of the Marine Corps; (vii) the Chief of Naval Operations;
Establishment and Composition of the President's Military Spouse Commission. (a) There is hereby established the President's Military Spouse Commission (Commission). (b) The spouse of the Secretary of War shall serve as Chair. The Executive Director of the Commission shall be designated by the President. If the spouse of the Secretary of War is unable to serve as Chair for any reason, the Executive Director shall perform the duties of the Chair until the President designates a new Chair. (c) In addition to the Chair, the Commission membership shall include the spouses of the following senior military leaders, if applicable: (i) the Secretary of the Army; (ii) the Secretary of the Navy; (iii) the Secretary of the Air Force; (iv) the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; (v) the Chief of Staff of the Army; (vi) the Commandant of the Marine Corps; (vii) the Chief of Naval Operations;
This sets up a commission. It serves military spouses. The war secretary's spouse chairs it. The President names a director. If the chair cannot serve, the director fills in. That lasts until the President names a new chair. Other members are spouses of senior leaders. The service secretaries are named. So are the service chiefs.
Sec. 3. Duties of the Commission
The Commission shall advise and assist the President on policies that affect military spouses and families, including by: (a) monitoring the implementation of this order; (b) liaising with military spouses to determine common areas of concern; (c) developing policies that address challenges faced by military spouses in key areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, education, and deployment- related support; (d) recommending to the President practicable actions to help ensure the overall well-being of military spouses and to improve the quality of life of military spouses; and (e) providing the President with a report on the matters described in this section at the end of each fiscal year for so long as the Commission exists, and submitting a final report to the President prior to the termination of the Commission.
The Commission shall advise and assist the President on policies that affect military spouses and families, including by: (a) monitoring the implementation of this order; (b) liaising with military spouses to determine common areas of concern; (c) developing policies that address challenges faced by military spouses in key areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, education, and deployment- related support; (d) recommending to the President practicable actions to help ensure the overall well-being of military spouses and to improve the quality of life of military spouses; and (e) providing the President with a report on the matters described in this section at the end of each fiscal year for so long as the Commission exists, and submitting a final report to the President prior to the termination of the Commission.
This says what the commission does. It advises the President on spouse and family policy. It must watch how this order is carried out. It must talk with spouses to find common concerns. It must draft policy on housing and jobs. Health care and schooling are named. So is support during a tour. It must report each year.
Sec. 4. Administration
(a) Each executive department and agency shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of funds, furnish such information and assistance to the Commission as it may request. (b) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but may receive travel reimbursement, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as allowed under applicable law (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), consistent with the availability of funds. (c) The Department of War shall provide such funding and administrative and technical support as the Commission may require, to the extent permitted by law and as authorized by existing appropriations. (d) The Commission may establish subcommittees as appropriate to aid in its work. (e) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) (the ``Act''), may apply to the administration of any portion of this order, any functions
(a) Each executive department and agency shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of funds, furnish such information and assistance to the Commission as it may request. (b) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but may receive travel reimbursement, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as allowed under applicable law (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), consistent with the availability of funds. (c) The Department of War shall provide such funding and administrative and technical support as the Commission may require, to the extent permitted by law and as authorized by existing appropriations. (d) The Commission may establish subcommittees as appropriate to aid in its work. (e) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) (the ``Act''), may apply to the administration of any portion of this order, any functions
This covers the housekeeping. Agencies must give the commission help and facts. Members are not paid. Travel costs may be repaid. The war department funds the commission. It gives staff and technical help. The commission may form small groups. A law on advisory panels may apply. Its duties then fall to that department.
Sec. 5. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: [[Page 51061]] (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, August 3, 2026.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: [[Page 51061]] (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, August 3, 2026.
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
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