Back to School Tips for Army Families


As summer ends, Army Families worldwide prepare for the back-to-school season; a time marked by excitement, change and in some cases major transition. For military-connected children, starting a new school year can mean more than new clothes, new friends, and new teachers; it can include navigating unfamiliar environments, adjusting after a PCS move, and/or coping with a parent’s deployment. These experiences highlight the need for providing comprehensive support not only for students, but for the entire Army Family.

The Army emphasizes that resilience drives personal readiness, and sustaining personal readiness requires balance across five key dimensions: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and Family. These five dimensions, recognized by the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness, form the foundation of a Soldier’s ability to remain mission-ready and a Family’s capacity to thrive.

Back-to-school season provides a unique opportunity to reinforce these pillars.

  • Physically, students should return to routines that support healthy development, consistent sleep, nutrition, and physical activity.
  • Emotionally, children may face stress related to fitting in or adjusting to change, making it vital for parents and leaders to foster open communication and emotional awareness and support.
  • Socially, schools are key spaces for building connections, and Army programs such as Child and Youth Services (CYS) help children feel a sense of belonging.
  • The Spiritual dimension, often shaped by personal beliefs and values, can be strengthened through reflection, purpose, and access to chaplain support or community services.
  • Finally, the Family dimension is central to student success. Strong Family routines, encouragement, and involvement in your student’s school all contribute to academic and emotional resilience.

Leaders and Soldiers play an important role in promoting readiness across these five dimensions. By supporting Family engagement in school-related events, recognizing the challenges tied to PCSing, and encouraging use of installation resources such as Army Community Service, Child and Youth Services, Exceptional Family Member Program, School Liaisons and the School-Age and Youth Centers there are many programs services that help ensure Families stay strong and connected.

The return to school is more than a milestone; it is an opportunity to develop new interests, enhance and refine existing skills, learn about new ideas and places and to have fun with familiar and new friends. When we invest in the personal readiness of our Soldiers and Families, we invest in the strength of our force.

Visit the sites below to get connected and for more information:


By Dr. Carmen Leggett