The Pentagon has confirmed that it is conducting a review of the Defense Department’s current support of homeschooling for U.S. military families.
In a memorandum sent to senior Pentagon leaders earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness to “conduct a Department-wide review” of the Defense Department’s “current support for homeschooling military-connected families, as well as best practices, including the feasibility of providing facilities or access to other resources for those students.”
“Through these efforts, the department will uphold the directive to improve the education, well-being and future success of military-connected students, supporting parents in choosing the best educational options for their children,” Hegseth stated. “Ensuring that military-connected families receive strong educational support maintains morale and readiness, reinforcing the overall stability and effectiveness of our military communities. This is vital to the department and the quality of life of our service members, who deserve no less.”
According to the Defense Department, Hegseth’s recent memorandum on homeschooling for military families is in line with the Pentagon’s current effort to review options in support of expanding educational options for families connected to the U.S. military. The department noted that the Pentagon’s review of educational choices for military families was launched following President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14191 in January.
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In the executive order, Trump directed Hegseth to “review any available mechanisms under which military-connected families may use funds from the Department of Defense to attend schools of their choice, including private, faith-based or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the president describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them beginning in the 2025-26 school year.”
According to a recent study by Johns Hopkins University, roughly 12% of U.S. military families chose to homeschool their children in 2024 compared to roughly 6% of nonmilitary families in the United States. Military Times reported that many U.S. military families choose to homeschool their children due to the frequent moves U.S. military members and their families are often required to make.
In a Tuesday statement addressing the review of homeschooling support for military families, Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell said, “The department recognizes the vital role parents play in the education of their children and remains committed to providing military families with the flexibility and support necessary to choose the educational path that best meets their needs.”
Parnell added, “Through this effort, the DOD will strengthen support for military-connected students and reinforce the readiness and quality of life of service members and their families.”
