About National Military Appreciation Month

How long until National Military Appreciation Month?

National Military Appreciation Month .

Dates of National Military Appreciation Month

2026 USA Friday, May 1stNational Military Appreciation Month

2025 USA Thursday, May 1stNational Military Appreciation Month

2024 USA Wednesday, May 1stNational Military Appreciation Month

2023 USA Monday, May 1stNational Military Appreciation Month

2022 USA Sunday, May 1stNational Military Appreciation Month

Summary

National Military Appreciation Month honors the current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom.

Every year, the month of May has been the National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM).

NMAM began in 1999 when the late Senator John McCain introduced legislation designating the month of May as National Military Appreciation Month. His legislation received bipartisan support and both the Senate and the House of Representatives adopted resolutions calling for the country to recognize and honor all of our service members during the month.

With many of our holidays becoming nothing more than three-day weekends for the majority of Americans, McCain’s vision was that this would bring a renewed focus on their original purpose. NMAM is designed to remind us all of the extreme sacrifice given by our military members. It is a time for members of the military, past, and present, to participate in local events that bring more public attention to the Forces.

May is also the Month of the Military Caregiver, which honors those who care for wounded, ill and injured service members.