Daily life as an Armed Forces family: What’s it like?
Credit image
above: UK MOD © Crown copyright
If you’re married to – or in a civil partnership with – a member
of the Regular Armed Forces, you may have been invited to take part in the Ministry of Defence’s Families
Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS).
Here, you can share your views and experiences about daily
life as part of an Armed Forces family, including what you like and any
challenges.
Your feedback helps Defence’s policy makers understand how initiatives,
support and policies can better meet your family’s needs. Whether that’s with healthcare,
housing, training, employment, or childcare and education.
Can I take the survey?
Each year, a random, representative sample of civil partners
and spouses of Tri-Service Regular serving personal are invited to complete the
survey.
To check if you can take the survey, visit the online tool. To use
the tool:
·
Enter your partner’s Service number. This is
needed for security reasons only; all responses are anonymous and
confidential.
·
If invited, the tool will take you to the survey.
If you aren’t, you can still share some thoughts.
This survey takes around 30 minutes to complete and
closes on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
Making life better for Armed Forces families
Armed Forces families are the cornerstone of the Armed
Forces. By supporting serving personnel, you play a vital role in Defence’s operational
effectiveness. In return, it’s important that you feel heard, supported and
know that Defence remains committed to enhancing your experiences.
Recent progress
Improving military housing
Under Defence’s new
Defence Housing Strategy, £9bn will go towards improving more than 40,000
military homes – the most significant transformation in over 50 years.
Homes in the most need of refurbishment are urgently being
upgraded through the Consumer
Charter for Forces Families. A year since the Charter launched, 1,000
homes across the UK were completed.
Other improvements include making it easier to own pets, supporting
home-based businesses and giving more freedom to decorate houses.
Meanwhile, the recently launched Single
Living Accommodation (SLA) and Overseas Estate Review will transform the
living conditions of around 80,000 Service personnel living in single and
unaccompanied accommodation in the UK and overseas.
These measures demonstrate the Government's commitment to deliver
better homes for people in the Armed Forces.
£1 million awarded to projects that support Armed Forces partners
Funded by Defence, the Supporting
Partners Programme 2025/26 awarded almost £1 million to projects
that help Armed Forces families at work, to access vital services and improve wellbeing.
Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance
The PSACO scheme – which launched in January 2026 – helps
eligible Armed Forces families in overseas locations to claim back funding for
childcare used before and after school. It was introduced to overseas locations
where the Wraparound Childcare (Overseas) scheme cannot be used. To find out
more, visit: Discover My Benefits Navy, Army, RAF, webpage.
Empowering Armed Forces families to make informed choices
Last year, Defence launched the
Families Hub – a “one stop shop” digital platform which
signposts to a wealth of information, guidance and support – to help you
navigate life as an Armed Forces family.
If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please
email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk.
For useful signposting to information, support and
organisations to help navigate life as an Armed Forces family, visit the Families
Hub.
Suggested social media post:
Defence’s survey about life an Armed Forces family closes on
15 April. Partners of Regular serving personnel – see if you can take part
& share your views: Shorten
link