President Trump recently told a White House Easter luncheon that the nation must choose between funding wars or child care — but the military tried this binary approach before and it failed. When the Army ignored child care needs after the draft ended in 1973, soldiers left toddlers sleeping in cars during training and stayed home when kids got sick. Readiness suffered.

In 1980, the Army hired child development specialist M.A. Lucas to build a solution. Over three decades, she constructed a system that today serves children from 6 weeks through age 12 across all branches. Over 97 percent of military facilities meet national accreditation criteria, compared with just 9 percent of civilian centers. The Department of Defense charges fees based on income and enforces rigorous quality standards.

The system faces its greatest threat yet. A 2025 civilian hiring freeze forced closures at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. With over one-third of active-duty service members now parents — and the largest cohort of military children age 5 or younger — waiting lists stretch for months. One study found the broader child care crisis costs $172 billion annually in lost earnings, revenue and productivity.

The author argues child care isn't what the nation sacrifices to stay safe — it's what keeps the country running.