Military Community and Lifestyle

This section provides an overview of the Canadian Armed Forces, the people who serve, and the families who stand with them.

Learn about the structure of military life, postings, relocations, and transitions that shape the CAF experience. Whether you’re part of the military community or someone who supports it, this information helps build understanding and connection for the realities of service and military family life.

Overview of the Canadian Armed Forces Lifestyle

The military lifestyle is unique, shaped by service, mobility, and a strong sense of community. It often involves frequent moves, periods of absence, and the realities of operational risk, all of which can influence daily life for CAF members and their families. At the same time, it offers meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and shared experiences. Understanding this lifestyle helps CAF members, families, and service providers navigate transitions and access programs and services designed to support their well-being.

Military challenges

Military families experience a series of transitions throughout the military journey, from training and postings to deployments and eventual release. Each stage brings its own adjustments, and these changes can affect a family’s well-being in different ways. Research highlights three common challenges that families encounter during these transitions, outlined below.

Geographical relocations

Frequent postings require families to relocate, often with short notice. These moves can disrupt employment, schooling, health care supports, and community connections, making each transition a significant adjustment.

Deployment Support

Absences due to operational tempo

Training, temporary duty, and deployments can lead to extended periods of absence. These separations can place emotional, logistical, and financial strain on families while also offering opportunities to build independence and resilience.

Supporting CAF Members and Families Facing an Absence

Illness, injury, or death

The nature of military service can expose members to risks that may result in illness, injury, or death. These situations can have profound effects on families and require significant adaptation as they navigate recovery, loss, or long-term care needs.