Thank You & April's Conversation
Is School Choice a Good Choice for Military Families?
The Trump administration recently published an executive order, Educational Opportunities for American Families. This EO states:
“Sec. 6. Helping Military Families. Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall 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.”
In this call, I want to hear from everyone (parents, children, educational advocates, etc.) to better understand the possible impact of these proposed changes will have on military families. What are you excited about? What concerns do you have? What does the administration and DoD need to consider?
Register for the April Conversation
Date: April 9, 2025
Guest: Eileen Huck, Acting Director, Government Relations for the
National Military Family Association (NMFA)
Session 1: 12 Noon EST
Session 2: 8 pm EST
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Register and share with others in the community!
All about Eileen
Eileen Huck became Deputy Director in the Government Relations Department in October 2012 after previously holding positions in the Youth Initiatives and Development Departments. She assumed the role of Acting Director in October 2024. In her role as Government Relations Acting Director, Eileen monitors issues relevant to the quality of life of families of the uniformed services. Her primary area of focus is health care, including the Military Health System, TRICARE, and behavioral health care. In this capacity, she serves as the co-chair of The Military Coalition’s (TMC) Health Care Committee and as the Association’s representative on the TRICARE for Kids Coalition. Eileen also handles issues related to military children’s education, food insecurity, and military caregivers. She is a former co-chair of the TMC Personnel Committee and Awards Committee and serves as an ex officio member of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). She has been recognized for her work advocating on behalf of military-connected children by the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) and the Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA).
Prior to joining the Association, Eileen volunteered as a case worker with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in Mayport, Florida and served as adviser to the USS HALYBURTON Family Readiness Group. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Georgetown University and served two tours overseas as a Foreign Service officer. A Navy spouse, Eileen has lived in Virginia, California, Florida, and Rhode Island. She currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, CAPT Michael Huck USN (ret) and their two children.
Announcement
I’m incredibly honored to have been named the 2025 Armed Forces Insurance Navy Spouse of the Year. This recognition means so much to me, not as an individual accolade but as an opportunity to amplify the voices and stories of military spouses in the Navy, of course, and across all branches. We will find out the overall Military Spouse of the Year on May 8th, the day before Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
For those unfamiliar, the MSOY program celebrates the contributions of military spouses from all branches of service, highlighting their advocacy and leadership within their communities. It’s not just about recognition—it’s about creating a platform to address the challenges and triumphs that define our shared experiences. It helps bring more of us together and identify areas of shared hardship and also shared solutions!
My work has always centered on uncovering the narratives often overlooked in military life—stories of sacrifice, strength, and the gaps that remain in support systems. Whether it’s through my writing, speaking engagements, or advocacy efforts, I strive to bring attention to the realities military families face, challenging assumptions and pushing for meaningful change.
This nomination gives me a larger stage to continue that work. It’s a chance to ensure that the lived experiences of military spouses aren’t just heard but acted upon—to shine a light on the strength of our community and the systemic improvements still needed.