This chapter documents the design and implementation of the Joining Forces Initiative championed by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The campaign comprised three pillars: employment, education, and wellness, each aimed at supporting the needs of service members, veterans, and their families. By building public–private partnerships and utilizing the bully pulpit of their positions, the First and Second ladies attempted to bring attention to the unique challenges of veterans, service members, and their families. While many of the issues the initiative sought to address were functions of the mobile military lifestyle, other issues became more pressing specifically because of the high-operational tempo of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The author examines the lessons learned for those who will address the needs of veterans, service members, and their families in the future.

The author and the editors wish to express appreciation to Colonel Nicole Malachowski, United States Air Force and Executive Director of Joining Forces from June 2015 to May 2016, who presented about Joining Forces at the “Battle plan” symposium.

Authors and Affiliations

1. ScoutComms, Inc., Fredericksburg, VA, USA

   Rory M. Brosius M.S.W

Corresponding author

Correspondence toRory M. Brosius M.S.W.

Editors and Affiliations

1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Military Family Research Institute College of Health and Human Sciences Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

   Linda Hughes-Kirchubel

2. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Military Family Research Institute, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

   Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth

3. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

   David S. Riggs

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