DCUC Writes to Department of War Secretary Hegseth, Strengthening Military Family Stability and National Readiness

AVENTURA, F.L. — Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) formally requested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth incorporate financial readiness as a permanent pillar of the newly established President's Military Spouse Commission.

In a letter submitted to Secretary Hegseth, DCUC President and CEO Anthony Hernandez, Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, applauded President Donald J. Trump and the Department of War for establishing the Commission, recognizing military spouses as essential contributors to military readiness and force resilience. DCUC emphasized that while the Commission addresses critical issues affecting military spouses, including employment, childcare, housing, healthcare, education, and quality of life, financial readiness must serve as the foundation connecting each of these priorities. 
 
"Military families face financial challenges unlike those experienced by any other community," says Hernandez. "Frequent permanent change of station moves, employment disruptions, deployments, childcare costs, housing affordability, fraud, and periods of financial uncertainty all directly impact military spouse well-being. Those challenges do not remain at home; they affect servicemember focus, retention, mission readiness, and ultimately our nation's security. Financial readiness is military readiness." 
 
Representing more than 200 defense credit unions serving over 40 million members worldwide, DCUC requested an opportunity to participate in the Commission's activities and recommended the creation of a dedicated Financial Readiness Subcommittee to ensure financial considerations are integrated into every policy recommendation developed during the Commission's two-year charter. 
 
Drawing upon more than six decades of advocacy on behalf of credit unions serving military and veteran communities, Hernandez outlined DCUC and its member credit unions’ longstanding work supporting military families through financial education, military spouse entrepreneurship initiatives, housing affordability advocacy, fraud prevention, emergency financial assistance during government funding disruptions, expanded access to financial services on military installations, and responsible lending solutions tailored to the unique realities of military life. 
 
Hernandez also voiced that nearly every issue before the Commission carries a significant financial component. Military spouse employment interruptions can reduce household income. Childcare shortages may prevent career advancement or education opportunities.  
 
“PCS moves often create thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses, while deployments and overseas assignments introduce additional financial complexities. These cumulative pressures can undermine household stability, negatively affecting servicemember morale, retention, and operational effectiveness. Defense credit unions witness these challenges every day," Hernandez adds. "Our member institutions serve military families where they live and work, on installations across the United States and around the world. They provide trusted financial guidance, emergency assistance, fraud prevention resources, affordable lending, and personalized support during every stage of military service. That real-world experience makes defense credit unions valuable partners in developing practical, measurable solutions for military spouses." 
 
Among its recommendations, DCUC called on the Department of War and Commission leadership to: 
 

• Establish a Financial Readiness Subcommittee dedicated to evaluating the financial impacts of military spouse employment, housing, childcare, healthcare, PCS moves, deployments, fraud, and overseas assignments. 

• Include DCUC and defense credit unions as subject-matter experts in Commission meetings, working groups, listening sessions, and policy development. 

• Integrate defense credit unions into installation-level financial readiness, transition assistance, deployment planning, spouse outreach, and emergency preparedness initiatives. 

• Develop measurable financial readiness metrics alongside traditional indicators of morale, resilience, and retention. 

• Create a permanent coordination framework connecting the Commission, Department of War leadership, federal financial regulators, and military-serving financial institutions. 

• Pilot innovative financial readiness initiatives, including military spouse entrepreneurship programs, PCS financial planning resources, fraud prevention education, emergency savings initiatives, and digital financial wellness tools, that can be expanded across the Department. 

 
DCUC noted that the President's executive order establishing the Commission specifically authorizes participation by outside organizations and permits the creation of subcommittees, providing an immediate opportunity to incorporate financial readiness expertise into the Commission's work. 
 
DCUC also requested a meeting with Secretary Hegseth or senior Department of War personnel to discuss how defense credit unions can support the Commission's mission and help strengthen financial resilience across the military community. 
 
"Military spouses deserve more than recognition, they deserve policies that reduce the financial burdens associated with military service and strengthen the stability of military households," Hernandez says. "By making financial readiness an integral part of the Commission's work from the outset, the Department can ensure its recommendations produce lasting, measurable improvements for military families while strengthening the readiness of our Armed Forces." 
 
DCUC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Department of War, policymakers, and military leaders to improve financial security for servicemembers, veterans, military spouses, and their families, emphasizing that stronger military households contribute directly to a stronger, more resilient force. ​