Military Family Appreciation Day – why RCAF families are unique

September 19, 2024 – Royal Canadian Air Force

Passed by Parliament with unanimous consent in 2019, Military Family Appreciation Day will be celebrated this year on Friday, September 20, 2024.

The day is set aside to recognize and honour the service and sacrifice made by Canadian Armed Forces families every day. Whether supporting the family for a planned six-month (or longer) deployment or taking on additional familial responsibilities due to a 90-minute notice search and rescue mission, CAF families live under very different circumstances than most Canadians. They do so in order for CAF members to successfully focus on operations, wherever and whenever they are called upon.

Royal Canadian Air Force families are particularly challenged due to the nature of RCAF operations, which demand extreme flexibility and resiliency.

Put simply, the way the RCAF operates is unique from the other environments, resulting in a different set of circumstances facing our families.

• The RCAF is operational 24/7 365 days a year, whether at home or abroad.
• The RCAF deploys differently – individually or as a small team, not normally as a whole unit with well-established rear party support.
• The RCAF operates differently with very short-notice missions including search and rescue, emergency and humanitarian response, and NORAD response.
• The RCAF has a large percentage of shift workers, which presents unique challenges including childcare outside regular working hours.
• Proportionally, the RCAF has the largest number of married service couples, thereby presenting posting challenges, including the need to quickly establish quality childcare arrangements when posted and forming a viable Family Care Plan.

• RCAF wings are primarily located in non-urban, semi-isolated settings, presenting challenges including spousal employment, access to health care, childcare, and affordable housing.
• Members serve longer in the RCAF. More mature families have different issues, including older children who may not wish to relocate during their later school years, older parents (elder care), and established spousal employment.

Today, we honour and celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and sacrifice of RCAF and CAF families across Canada. Your unwavering support and dedication play a crucial role in the success and well-being of our Canadian Armed Forces.

To every spouse, child, and family member, thank you for your unwavering support and for standing strong through the challenges. Your contributions are deeply valued and never go unnoticed.

Please remember that the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services is on your wing or on the internet and can provide resources and references to assist you if needed.