The institution of the family is the foundation on which society is built. The importance of the family is reflected in its responsibility in the process of socializing children and instilling moral values that are reflected in the entire society. During history, traditional families experienced numerous changes within the organization, structure and relationships within the family. In the modern times, we can witness the development of new, alternative forms of family as a result of various factors. Within the framework of the military system, we can recognize a special type of family - the military family. The definition of military family includes immediate family members who are related by blood, marriage or adoption to an active member of the armed forces, including one who has died. In addition to the challenges that are common to all families, military families also face challenges that arise from the specific characteristics of military service during peacetime and operational tasks. Depending on the level of resilience and ability to adapt to specific challenges, there may be positive or negative changes within the dynamics of military families. The use of effective strategies for coping with stress and the existence and use of effective formal and informal support systems can contribute to diminishing the negative impact of conflict between work and family life and building the psychological resilience of military families. Most of the modern professional armed forces have recognized the importance of developing the psychological resilience of military families and are investing great efforts in achieving optimal family functioning, which is crucial for the well-being of soldiers, combat readiness and retention in the army. The paper will problematize the concept of military families and give an insight into several programs of foromal support for military families in modern Western armies.