PCS Season
At this time of year — across the country and around the world — many service members receive orders for a permanent change of station, or PCS.
National Nutrition Month
During this month, Americans are encouraged to improve their health by making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child recognizes the unique challenges children in military families face —such as long separations and frequent moves — and honors their service to the military community.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse and neglect. During this time and year-round, we focus on providing resources to help military parents and their families thrive.
Financial Capability Month
During this month, service members are encouraged to improve their financial literacy, allowing them to make smart financial choices, protect their hard-earned income and set goals to build prosperity. Military Saves Week, an annual opportunity for military installations and organizations to promote good savings behavior, is observed during Financial Capability Month.
Gold Star Spouses Day
Gold Star Spouses Day honors military spouses who have lost a partner in the service of our country.
National Library Week
This week recognizes the contribution libraries make to our society and encourages people to visit their local libraries.
Air Force Reserve Birthday
Founded in 1948, the Air Force Reserve supports the Air Force mission to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space.
Purple Up Day
“Purple Up! For Military Kids” is a day for DoDEA communities to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices.
National Parks Week
During this week, people are encouraged to discover America’s natural treasures, our national parks.
Earth Day
On April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we’re making our world a happier, healthier place to live.
Army Reserve Birthday
Established in 1908, the Army Reserve includes civilian soldiers who continue to maintain their operational skills and can be called up for active duty. They account for 20% of the Army’s organized units.
National Military Appreciation Month
National Military Appreciation Month falls in May each year. As its title suggests, this observance is meant to raise awareness and encourage celebration and appreciation of those who serve — or have served — in the U.S. Armed Forces.
National Foster Care Month
May is National Foster Care Month. Learn more about support and resources available for your growing MilFam.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949 and raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of children, families and communities.
Month of the Military Caregiver
During this month, we honor the service and sacrifice of the 5.5 million people who care for injured and ill service members and veterans in the United States.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
This day honors military spouses for their support of the military’s mission by supporting their service members and keeping the home fires burning.
National Defense Transportation Day
This day recognizes the contributions of people working in the United States transport industry and their important role in supporting national defense.
Armed Forces Day
This holiday pays tribute to men and women who currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit the Military In Lasting Tribute online memorial to remember, celebrate or pay respects to those who have died while serving.
National Trails Day
National Trails Day encourages Americans to celebrate outdoor adventure by hiking the nation’s many natural and historic trails, such as the Appalachian Trail and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.
Flag Day
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
Army Birthday
Founded in 1775, the Army is the land warfare service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is the oldest and largest of the seven uniformed services, with 481,254 active-duty members in 2020.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday
Founded in 1939, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed auxiliary service of the U.S. Coast Guard. Its duty is to support Coast Guard missions except for roles that require “direct” law enforcement or military engagement.
PTSD Awareness Day
On this day, we recognize the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on those affected by it, including their loved ones.
Fourteenth-Year Anniversary of MSEP
The Military Spouse Employment Partnership, or MSEP, is a service of Military OneSource’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. MSEP has 600+ partners who are committed to hiring military spouses.
Military Consumer Protection Month
This observance focuses on the need to educate service members to make smart financial decisions and to protect themselves against fraud.
National Parks and Recreation Month
During July, people are encouraged to take advantage of local parks and recreation centers by getting outside, exploring local parks and enjoying outdoor activities.
Independence Day
The annual commemoration of the United States’ Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776 and its founding as a sovereign nation.
National Hire a Veteran Day
This day reminds employers across the country to consider hiring highly trained and qualified veterans.
U.S. Coast Guard Birthday
Founded in 1790, the Coast Guard is a maritime service unique among the U.S. military branches for having a mission that includes defense operations, maritime law enforcement, and search and rescue.
Boys & Girls Club Military Youth of the Year Ceremony
The Military Youth of the Year award recognizes military-connected youth, ages 14 to 18, for their commitment to community service, academic success, good character and citizenship, and establishing long-term goals.
Purple Heart Day
This day commemorates the creation of the oldest American military decoration for military merit, the Purple Heart, and honors the men and women who are members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
As U.S. involvement in World War I appeared more likely, the increased demand for warfighters warranted the formal creation of an operational reserve force, and on Aug. 29, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Naval Appropriations Act of 1916, which established the Marine Corps Reserve.
National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month is a reminder that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. The focus is on disaster planning and readiness.
Suicide Prevention Month
The goal of this month is to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideas to treatment services.
Library Card Sign-Up Month
This month reminds parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step toward academic achievement and lifelong learning.
September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance
National Day of Service and Remembrance, also known as Patriot Day, commemorates the memory of the people killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
Air Force Birthday
Founded in 1947, the Air Force is the aerial and space warfare service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Air Force’s core missions are air and space superiority, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day honors families who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the military. A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
During October, communities across the nation unite to prevent domestic abuse and provide resources and information to help those impacted.
National Bullying Prevention Month
During this month, communities nationwide are called upon to educate the public and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
Navy Birthday
Established in 1775, the Navy is the naval warfare branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. It consisted of 319,000 active-duty personnel, 282 deployable combat vessels and more than 3,700 operational aircraft in 2018.
National Day of the Deployed
This day honors all service members who have been deployed in service of our country.
Navy Day
This annual event salutes all of the women and men who have served, both past and present, in the U.S. Navy.
National Adoption Month
Adoption Month raises awareness of the value of adoption for building strong and loving families. November 22, 2025, is National Adoption Day.
National Veterans and Military Families Month
National Veterans and Military Families Month is a time to honor and celebrate the dedication and sacrifices of veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and the vital role they play in supporting a stronger force.
National Family Caregivers Month
During this month, we acknowledge the millions of family caregivers who are caring for loved ones with chronic health conditions.
Family Literacy Month
This month encourages families to build literacy skills by reading with their children.
Marine Corps Birthday
Founded in 1775, the Marine Corps is the U.S. Armed Forces combined-arms task force on land, at sea and in the air.
Veterans Day 2025
On this day, Americans honor everyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Children’s Grief Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the needs of grieving children and the importance of providing support to them. Grief is a natural response to the loss of a loved one, and it can be especially challenging for children to understand and cope with. Children’s Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to make sure that grieving children receive the support they need.
Pearl Harbor Day
This day commemorates the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry into World War II.
National Guard Birthday
Founded in 1636, the National Guard is a reserve military force composed of National Guard units of each state and the territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Most guardsmen hold civilian jobs while serving part time. National Guard units are under the dual control of the state and the federal government.
Space Force Birthday
Founded in 2019, the Space Force is the newest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It was established within the Department of the Air Force, meaning the secretary of the Air Force has overall responsibility under the guidance and direction of the secretary of defense.
