Military families are accustomed to sacrifice, but for a significant number of them, the pressures of service extend to something much more basic: having enough money for food and other household necessities.

The latest research underscores the scope of the problem.

In the 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey from Blue Star Families, 38% of active-duty family respondents said they were either “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by.” Thirty percent said they often or sometimes could not afford balanced meals, and 28% were categorized as having low or very low food security.

The strain is particularly pronounced among enlisted families. Fifty-one percent reported just getting by or finding it difficult financially, compared with 17% of officer families. Forty percent of enlisted families were categorized as having low or very low food security. Other recent research points to the same concern. The Military Family Advisory Network’s 2025 Military Family 360 report, based on 10,089 respondents, found that 41.2% reported low or very low food security.

What is driving financial strain among military families?

Military life can create financial pressures that are difficult to avoid. Frequent relocations can interrupt a spouse’s career and create out-of-pocket moving expenses. Child care can be costly or difficult to secure. Blue Star Families found 68% of active-duty families said having two incomes was vitally important to their financial well-being.

Help exists, but making sure families know about and can access it is a big challenge.

A 2025 review published in Military Medicine examined 13 studies representing more than 106,000 active-duty military families. It identified lack of program awareness, stigma, and logistical challenges among barriers to using available resources. The review concluded that educating service members about available resources is integral to addressing food insecurity.

Government agencies, nonprofits, and military-focused organizations offer programs addressing food, finances, employment, health care and other needs. Yet finding and navigating those resources can be challenging. 

CircleOne aims to address that gap by making it easier for military members and their families to connect with relevant programs, benefits and support.

Reducing daily expenses can provide more immediate relief.

CircleOne’s Commissary and Exchange loyalty program lets eligible members earn 5% back in points on qualifying purchases simply by uploading their receipts. Combined with member promotions and stacked savings opportunities, CircleOne estimates typical shopping patterns can put hundreds of dollars in points back into the hands of military shoppers each year. Points are redeemed for Commissary or Exchange gift cards. 

Programs like these will not solve military food insecurity, but they can help families stretch household budgets while broader challenges are addressed. The larger issue deserves continued attention. Families who serve should not have to quietly choose between balanced meals and other necessities.

Making existing support easier to find and access, while helping families reduce everyday costs, is an important place to start.

About CircleOne

CircleOne connects military members, veterans and their families with trusted resources, benefits, and savings designed to make military life easier. Through a growing network of partners, CircleOne helps families find support for education, jobs, finances, and other everyday needs. Its Commissary and Exchange loyalty program also helps eligible members save on qualifying purchases by earning points that can be redeemed for gift cards. Learn more at mycircleone.com.