Armed Forces Day, 2021

This proclamation designates the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day, honoring U.S. military service members across all branches. It includes policy language about military diversity, inclusion, anti-discrimination, combating sexual assault, and supporting military families through the First Lady's Joining Forces initiative, while directing the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to plan annual observances.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 27017

Impact dates

Date TBD
Annual Armed Forces Day observance (third Saturday of each May)

Key directives

Secretary of Defense to plan appropriate annual observances for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force
Secretary of Defense to solicit participation of civil authorities and private citizens
Secretary of Homeland Security to plan appropriate annual observances for Coast Guard
Governors invited to provide for observance within their jurisdictions
All Americans called upon to display U.S. flag at homes and businesses on Armed Forces Day

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation takes effect upon signing
Supersedes Proclamation 10034

Near term (90d)

Annual Armed Forces Day observance to be planned for third Saturday of May 2022

Long term

Recurring annual observance on third Saturday of each May
Ongoing Joining Forces initiative for military families

Risks & tensions

Policy language on diversity, inclusion, and 'driving out' ideological influences that undermine solidarity is vague and could be interpreted broadly
Anti-discrimination commitments lack specific implementation mechanisms or deadlines
Joining Forces described as ongoing collaboration without binding agency requirements