This paper focuses on the members of the military and their families who have served on behalf of the American public over the last ten years of conflict. Typically referred to as the “9/11 Generation,” this extraordinary cohort of young Americans has already made major sacrifices for the American people, yet has the potential for continued service as members of the academic, and broader American, community. Yet military families also face distinctive challenges that are not always considered under the rubric of civil-military relations. The paper focuses on these by outlining the military families initiative known as Joining Forces, and suggests steps that the academic community can undertake to strengthen the connection between the military and the public it serves.