MILITARY RECOGNITION OF FAMILY CONCERNS - REVOLUTIONARY-WAR TO 1993

This article explores the evolution of military recognition of family concerns from the Revolutionary War to the present, culminating in the development of a federally funded, worldwide network of military Fami ly Centers. Demographic change played a large role in the military cap acity to maintain itself as a dramatic influx of family members during the 1960s and the need to maintain a large volunteer force, in synerg y with a strong tradition of spouse volunteerism, led to the developme nt of the family center system. The military's relationship with its f amilies from 1775 to 1993 has been characterized by several trends: fr om neglect to concern; from informal mechanisms and an implied obligat ion to a formal, institutionalized policy response; and from locally d etermined, ad hoc, reactive measures to comprehensive, federally funde d, planned services. As work and family boundaries shift, both the mil itary and private corporate sectors are examining ways to better accom modate the needs of both family and workplace through programmatic and policy initiatives.