Endless debates have occurred here on SpouseBuzz and elsewhere about whether or not military spouses serve.

"God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."

Milton

Damn right, they serve. Saying they don't would be like saying housewives don't have real jobs!!!

You can debate this if you like, and be caught up in semantics about the language used.
I will say this - my wife sacrificed very much in order for me to do my duty and devote myself to the mission. She may not have enlisted, but I sure knew the difference when she ETS'd.

I am grateful for what she did for my family and I, and I very much regret that the price was too high for her to continue until I retired.

Serve? No. Sacrifice? Very much. I don't think that can be denied. Unless you want to include indirectly... For example, they "serve" in the sense that they give their spouses moral and emotional support to go on another day. I would hope so.

In my opinion the military spouse is the most taken for granted group in society.