Daily life as an Armed Forces family: What’s it like?
Credit image above: UK MOD © Crown copyright
If you’re married to – or in a civil partnership with – a member of the Regular Armed Forces, you may have been invited to take part in the Ministry of Defence’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS).
Here, you can share your views and experiences about daily life as part of an Armed Forces family, including what you like and any challenges.
Your feedback helps Defence’s policy makers understand how initiatives, support and policies can better meet your family’s needs. Whether that’s with healthcare, housing, training, employment, or childcare and education.
Can I take the survey?
Each year, a random, representative sample of civil partners and spouses of Tri-Service Regular serving personal are invited to complete the survey.
To check if you can take the survey, visit the online tool. To use the tool:
· Enter your partner’s Service number. This is needed for security reasons only; all responses are anonymous and confidential.
· If invited, the tool will take you to the survey. If you aren’t, you can still share some thoughts.
This survey takes around 30 minutes to complete and closes on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
Making life better for Armed Forces families
Armed Forces families are the cornerstone of the Armed Forces. By supporting serving personnel, you play a vital role in Defence’s operational effectiveness. In return, it’s important that you feel heard, supported and know that Defence remains committed to enhancing your experiences.
Improving military housing
Under Defence’s new Defence Housing Strategy, £9bn will go towards improving more than 40,000 military homes – the most significant transformation in over 50 years.
Homes in the most need of refurbishment are urgently being upgraded through the Consumer Charter for Forces Families. A year since the Charter launched, 1,000 homes across the UK were completed.
Other improvements include making it easier to own pets, supporting home-based businesses and giving more freedom to decorate houses.
Meanwhile, the recently launched Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Overseas Estate Review will transform the living conditions of around 80,000 Service personnel living in single and unaccompanied accommodation in the UK and overseas.
These measures demonstrate the Government's commitment to deliver better homes for people in the Armed Forces.
£1 million awarded to projects that support Armed Forces partners
Funded by Defence, the Supporting Partners Programme 2025/26 awarded almost £1 million to projects that help Armed Forces families at work, to access vital services and improve wellbeing.
Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance
The PSACO scheme – which launched in January 2026 – helps eligible Armed Forces families in overseas locations to claim back funding for childcare used before and after school. It was introduced to overseas locations where the Wraparound Childcare (Overseas) scheme cannot be used. To find out more, visit: Discover My Benefits Navy, Army, RAF, webpage.
Empowering Armed Forces families to make informed choices
Last year, Defence launched the Families Hub – a “one stop shop” digital platform which signposts to a wealth of information, guidance and support – to help you navigate life as an Armed Forces family.
If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk.
For useful signposting to information, support and organisations to help navigate life as an Armed Forces family, visit the Families Hub.