What else can be done to support military spouses?

RallyPoint Team — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:36:50 -0400

There are more than a million military spouses. One in four spouses is unemployed and looking for work. Despite the various levels of education, 38 percent of female military spouses make less than their civilian counterpart.

The DOD has programs like the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program for tuition assistance and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) for career resources. Have you and your spouses taken advantage of these programs? What has been your experience with helping your spouse find employment?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2014 4:45 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:45:11 -0400

Utmost respect to military spouses who routinely have to uproot and start over again. My wife is one and its amazing her tenacity staying relevant and successfull. I don't have the answers, but GS employees around military installations are a great place for military spouses. Like any large government organizations the system is bloated and there are spouses which could offer a great and refreashing approach within the GS system on installations.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2014 4:58 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:58:09 -0400

I'm curious where the statistics are coming from. the fine print was a little hard to read, but those education income levels seem very low. I wonder if this was the average of all 50 states or a specific state or county.

Response by CW4 Richard A. Dropik made Oct 1 at 2014 5:46 PM

CW4 Richard A. Dropik — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 17:46:23 -0400

Treat and respect them as the hero's they are and must be.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Oct 1 at 2014 10:35 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 22:35:51 -0400

They deserve a lot more benefits and a lot more appreciation. It's always about us but we as soldiers have pulled them through hell and back. I have been with my wife for 14 years and been married to her for 11 on the 3rd of Oct. and she has stood by my side through every decision. I left her alone for bootcamp, AIT, Drill when I was Guard, and through a deployment. She never complained once. When I was hurt she left our first born baby so she could run to be by my side and practically lived at the hospital through my coma and then through my rehabilitation at another hospital. Now she lives with my injuries the same as I do. She still never complains and is always there to help me when I need her. In my eyes there is no reason for these great spouses to not be taken care of. They give up a lot don't you think? Don't you think they deserve more? I know I do.

Response by PO3 Anthony Farhner made Oct 1 at 2014 11:40 PM

PO3 Anthony Farhner — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 23:40:10 -0400

When relocating we have had to learn the resources available in the area we moving to. Most states have a work force development office that will assist in finding employment. Temp agencies abound.

Response by PO2 Joe Kunsch made Oct 1 at 2014 11:45 PM

PO2 Joe Kunsch — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 23:45:24 -0400

Military Spouses do have it hard. My wife hated seeing me leave for a year or so. I think if they had classes of some sort that they could attend that would help them emotionally and mentally through a deployment would be great.

Response by SPC Kent Tilley made Jul 17 at 2015 10:10 AM

SPC Kent Tilley — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:10:54 -0400

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/01/22/rand-spouse-scholarship-program-underused/22124443/?fb_ref=Default