FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2025
The Defense Department released the first set of findings from its most comprehensive study of adolescents ever, yielding insights into the health and well-being of military-connected youth ages 11-17.
The SOAR (Millennium Cohort Study of Adolescent Resilience) project examines the impact of military life on youth in areas such as psychological and physical health, academic achievement, and educational and career aspirations. Military youth make up a significant portion of the community; among the 1.5 million children of active-duty, Guard and reserve service members, close to 25% are adolescents.
The first wave of data, collected between November 2022 and July 2023, includes responses from 7,870 parents, 3,372 co-parents, and 3,771 adolescents. Key findings from the baseline survey include:
- Military adolescents reported a more positive than negative impact of being military-connected.
- Respondents were more likely to favor their parents staying in the military than leaving.
- Adolescents who changed schools frequently due to PCS moves were at higher risk for anxiety or depression.
- The number of times a parent was away for more than 30 days was associated with higher odds of their adolescent screening for anxiety or depression.
- Forty-seven percent of adolescents reported engaging in physical activity five to seven days a week. More physical activity was associated with lower odds of anxiety or depression.
Initiated in 2019, SOAR began collecting data during the 2022-2023 school year, enrolling adolescents whose parents participate in the DOD Millennium Cohort Study, a longitudinal study of active-duty, reserve and National Guard service members and veterans and their families. The Millennium Cohort Study is the first U.S. population-based prospective study to investigate long-term effects of military service among active-duty service members and veterans and includes over 260,000 participants enrolled since 2001.
“This generation is our future — their well-being is paramount to the strength of our military and our nation as a whole,” said Stephen B. Simmons, deputy assistant secretary of war for Military Community and Family Policy. “SOAR represents our commitment to military-connected youth and their families. Its findings confirm what’s already working and point us to the areas where we need to help our youth reach their full potential.”
SOAR surveys participants every two years until they reach emergent adulthood (approximately age 25). Tracking the same participants over time allows the DOD to identify patterns, risks and protective factors. This information is crucial for developing interventions and policies that support military-connected youth.
Follow-up survey data collection during the 2024-2025 school year is coming to a close, and researchers are preparing for the second data release to provide the longitudinal analyses DOD relies on to develop effective policy and programs for military families and youth.
“The children of our warfighters are intimately familiar with the benefits of military service as well as its stressors,” Simmons said. “This study is significant in that it will allow us to equip our youth to thrive in military life. Whether they grow up to follow their parents into the armed forces or enter adulthood as civilians who support the mission, SOAR is an investment in our nation’s future.”
Supporting military-connected youth and their families is a high priority for the Defense Department. The Youth & Teens MilLife Guide on Military OneSource provides an overview of programs and services that address this population’s unique needs.
Visit the SOAR landing page to view its initial findings and see infographics highlighting insights into adolescents’ relationships with peers and with their parents; their education, extracurriculars and aspirations; and more.
About Military Community and Family Policy
Military Community and Family Policy is responsible for establishing and overseeing quality of life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of more than 4.4 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. Access these DOD services 24/7/365 around the world.
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