STRONGER DEFENCE.

Op SPOUSE

A nationwide initiative to strengthen Defence retention, readiness and resilience.

Family dissatisfaction is the leading driver in the Armed Forces retention challenge – and supporting spouses more effectively is critical to improving outcomes across Defence.

Op SPOUSE is the solution – it equips military spouses with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive, helping to sustain family stability and long-term commitment to Service life.

Delivered by RFS – the UK’s leading military families charity – this scalable initiative enhances existing MOD commitments to support Service families, and strengthens Defence outcomes by improving retention, readiness and cost-efficiency.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The MOD has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting military families, as outlined in the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-32, and the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. Recent AFCAS and FamCAS (2025) further underscore the vital link between family dissatisfaction and the Defence retention crisis. Identifying family-related attrition as a primary risk to Force retention.

With Defence spending at its highest since the Cold War, failure to act undermines investment.

Spouses in the RFS network say they no longer feel part of a military community or proud of Service life. When that sense of identity erodes, so too does the loyalty that once kept families in.

reason personnel leave the Forces is the impact it has on family/personal life

64%

of personnel cite family/personal impact as the main factor in intention to leave

48%

cite spouse/partner's career as third largest factor in intention to leave

55%

of spouses say Service life negatively impacts employment the most, and 44% feel this puts them at a disadvantage in relation to seeking employment

3 Core Pillars of Op SPOUSE

Employment & Talent

Positioning spouses as a strategic talent pipeline for UK industry, delivering portable employment support and unlocking more rewards and discounts for families

Wellbeing & Community

Expanding access to mental health and wellbeing, creating peer-led networks on every base and building micro-communities at each posting

Policy & Representation

Embedding family needs into workforce and posting policies, and formalising representation within Defence People Strategy forums

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Op SPOUSE is directly aligned with key Defence priorities on retention, workforce stability and operational effectiveness, and supports: Defence People Strategy, Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022–32, Covenant legislation and the remit of the Armed Forces Commissioner and, MOD-funded models such as the Military Coworking Network.

We are seeking partners to support Op SPOUSE and create positive, long-lasting change for the military, through:

Dedicated MOD funding to scope, pilot and evaluate delivery.

Senior endorsement and strategic sponsorship.

Integration into workforce planning and retention reform.

Formal representation of spouses within Defence People Strategy

Recognition of Op SPOUSE as a mechanism to deliver on Armed Forces Covenant pledges.

As a certified B Corporation, RFS are committed to using business as a force for good.

PROUD TO BE B CORP CERTIFIED

As a certified B Corporation, we’re committed to using business as a force for good. Our progressive approach goes beyond traditional recruitment, addressing the unique challenges faced by military spouses in their career journeys.