Military families face challenges not found in other work environments. Shifting work schedules that are often longer than the typical 8-hour day, as well as the ever-present possibility of being deployed anywhere in the world on a moment's notice, require a child care system that is flexible but maintains high-quality standards. The U.S. Department of Defense child development system aims to accommodate the youngest members of the military community by providing quality, affordable child care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. This article focuses on the family child care component within the Defense Department's system of child care and the programs each military service branch operates to ensure that quality care is available to and affordable for the approximately 940,000 children (from birth to 12 years old) of military personnel. (author abstract)