The Impact of Western Hemisphere Military Rebalancing on U.S. Service Members and Their Families
Introduction
A potential shift of U.S. military bases from Asia and Europe to the Western Hemisphere represents a significant strategic reorientation that would profoundly affect the lives of service members and their families. While military families are accustomed to change—relocating on average every 2.5 years—this geographic pivot would create unique challenges and opportunities beyond typical Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.
FAF article examines the multifaceted impacts such a strategic rebalancing would have on military personnel and their families.
Relocation Challenges and Family Adjustment
The Profound Impact of Geographic Transition
Military families already face significant stress during relocations, with approximately one-third of all service members receiving PCS orders annually. Each move necessitates what military family support organizations call “the full restart”—establishing new housing, schools, healthcare providers, and social connections.
A hemispheric shift would magnify these challenges, potentially requiring families to navigate unfamiliar cultural, linguistic, and environmental contexts.
Unlike moves within the United States or between established bases in Europe and Asia, relocations to newer or expanded facilities in Latin America or the Caribbean would likely involve more significant adaptation.
Families need to adjust to different cultural norms, learn new languages, and navigate unfamiliar community structures. As military spouses report, these transitions strain family resilience even in familiar settings.
Children’s Educational Considerations
Children of military families face particular challenges during relocations, including disrupted educational continuity and the emotional strain of leaving friends behind. Military children typically change schools six to nine times during their K-12 education. A shift to Western Hemisphere bases would potentially introduce new educational challenges, including:
Adjusting to different educational systems and standards
Potential language barriers in host nations
Limited availability of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools in newer locations
Changes in curriculum alignment and graduation requirements
Recent surveys indicate children’s education already ranks among the top five concerns for active-duty families. Relocating to less-established military communities in the Western Hemisphere could initially amplify these concerns.
Employment and Career Impacts for Military Spouses
Disruption of Career Continuity
Military spouse employment remains a persistent challenge, with spouse unemployment rates five times the national average.
Relocations significantly impact career progression, with more than 30% of military spouses citing frequent moves as the primary barrier to maintaining steady employment.
A hemispheric rebalancing would create new obstacles and potential opportunities for spouse employment.
The Army and Department of Defense have implemented various initiatives to address spouse employment challenges, including the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, which has connected spouses to over 610 employers and facilitated more than 258,000 hirings.
However, these programs would need to be expanded and adapted to accommodate the unique circumstances of Western Hemisphere postings.
Licensing and Credential Challenges
While recent progress has been made in easing professional licensing barriers through the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, international relocations present additional complications. Professional credentials often don’t transfer internationally, requiring spouses to navigate complex recertification processes or consider career changes.
The U.S.-Italy agreement allowing dependents to telework to U.S. employers provides a potential model for similar arrangements in Western Hemisphere nations.
Housing and Financial Considerations
Housing Availability and Quality
Housing remains among the top concerns for military families. During any significant rebasing initiative, housing infrastructure would initially lag behind personnel arrivals, potentially extending families’ time in temporary accommodations.
According to a recent Blue Star Families survey, housing concerns have risen to one of the “top five” issues for military families for the first time in the survey’s history.
The 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey found some improvement in housing affordability, with fewer families paying out-of-pocket costs beyond their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
However, establishing adequate housing in new Western Hemisphere locations would require significant investment and time.
Financial Impact of Hemispheric Relocation
PCS moves already impose substantial financial burdens on military families, with experts recommending savings of approximately $10,000 per move—an amount many families struggle to accumulate. International relocations typically incur additional expenses:
Higher costs for shipping household goods
Currency exchange considerations
Potential loss of spouse income during the transition
Expenses for climate-appropriate clothing and necessities
International travel costs for family visits to the United States
The financial strain would be particularly acute during the initial phase of any hemispheric rebalancing, potentially requiring enhanced relocation allowances and support services.
Health Care and Support Services
Access to Medical Care
TRICARE provides worldwide coverage for military families, but the quality and availability of care vary significantly by location.
While established bases in Europe and Asia have developed robust medical infrastructure over decades, newer locations in the Western Hemisphere might initially offer more limited services, particularly for specialized care.
Access to appropriate medical and educational resources would be a critical consideration in assignment decisions for families with special needs enrolled in the Exceptional Family Members Program (EFMP).
The Department of Defense must ensure adequate support services for these vulnerable families.
Mental Health and Family Resilience
Relocations place considerable stress on military families, affecting relationships and mental health. The emotional impact of moves includes stress, anxiety, excitement, and anticipation.
Mental health resources would be essential during any major rebasing initiative, particularly for families transitioning to less familiar environments.
Recent quality-of-life improvements reported in 2023, including enhanced mental health support and family programs, would need extension to new Western Hemisphere locations. Building resilience support networks would be crucial during the initial establishment phase.
Community Relations and Cultural Considerations
Host Nation Relationships
The success of any Western Hemisphere-based strategy depends partly on relationships with host nations. Recent tensions—such as Honduras threatening to expel U.S. troops in response to immigration policies—illustrate the potential political complications affecting military families stationed abroad.
Unlike long-established bases in countries like Germany, Japan, and South Korea, newer Western Hemisphere facilities might generate more community friction initially. Personnel and their families need cultural orientation and language training to navigate local customs and build positive relationships with host communities.
Environmental and Logistical Factors
Bases in the Western Hemisphere would present different environmental considerations than those in Europe or Asia. Climate differences would affect housing needs, recreational opportunities, and health considerations. Meanwhile, proximity to the United States could offer advantages for families:
Potentially shorter travel times to visit extended family
Similar time zones, facilitating communication with relatives
Possible reduction in culture shock compared to Asia placements
More significant opportunities for home leave visits
Conclusion
Balancing Strategic Needs with Family Welfare
A strategic rebalancing of U.S. military presence toward the Western Hemisphere would create significant adaptation challenges for service members and their families.
While military families demonstrate remarkable resilience through frequent relocations, the success of any rebasing initiative depends on comprehensive support systems addressing housing, employment, education, healthcare, and community integration.
Recent improvements in military family support programs provide a foundation for addressing these challenges.
However, a hemispheric pivot would require expanded initiatives tailored to the unique circumstances of Western Hemisphere postings. With appropriate planning and resource allocation, the potential benefits of proximity to the United States could partially offset the inevitable stresses of relocation.
Ultimately, the welfare of military families remains inseparable from national security interests.
As the Blue Star Families survey stated, “Addressing military families’ quality-of-life concerns is a matter of national security, as the country faces a pivotal decision on the continuation of the all-volunteer force.”
Any strategic rebalancing must, therefore, prioritize family readiness alongside operational requirements.
