THE COST OF BALANCING DUTY AND FAMILY: AN EXAMINATION OF THE MILITARY CHILD CARE MODEL’S IMPACT ON U.S. AIR FORCE READINESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE SERVICES
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Authors
Morrissey, Molly A.
Subjects
military childcare
readiness
Morale Welfare and Recreation
MWR
Department of the Air Force
DAF
Child Development Centers
CDC
Appropriated Funds
APF
Non-Appropriated Funds
NAF
Air Force Services Center
AFSVC
readiness
Morale Welfare and Recreation
MWR
Department of the Air Force
DAF
Child Development Centers
CDC
Appropriated Funds
APF
Non-Appropriated Funds
NAF
Air Force Services Center
AFSVC
Advisors
Naficy, Siamak T.
Zefferman, Matthew R.
Date of Issue
2025-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Child Development Centers (CDCs) are essential to military readiness by providing quality, accessible, and affordable childcare for service members and their families. Currently categorized as a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activity, funding for CDCs is a combination of Appropriated Funds (APFs) and Non-Appropriated Funds (NAFs), with parent fees responsible for covering NAF operating expenses. However, the constraints of the current funding model, with fixed parent fees and rising NAF labor expenses, have led to financial instability. This study utilized fiscal data from the Air Force Services Center (AFSVC) to assess whether CDCs can financially break even under the current structure. The findings reveal that, at most DAF CDCs, parent fees alone are unable to cover NAF personnel costs without additional subsidies. This funding gap strains other MWR programs and forces installations to make operational decisions that impact childcare availability. To address these challenges, this thesis recommends reclassifying CDCs from a morale activity to a mission-essential program and restructuring the funding model to fully cover NAF personnel costs, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and support for military readiness.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.