The Defense Department's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program will co-host a virtual career expo with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Military Spouse Association Jan. 31, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.
The expo will connect military spouses looking for federal employment opportunities with potential hiring officials and get insight directly from more than 20 federal departments and agencies about the federal hiring process.
Federal jobs can offer flexibility and portability for spouses, helping them overcome barriers to employment caused by frequent PCS moves and other challenges of military life, said Amy Rodick, director of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy.
"Military spouses bring a strong work ethic, talent and versatility to the workplace. The entire nation benefits when military spouses can pursue a career and can help provide for their families," Rodick said. "The Federal Interagency Military Spouse Career Expo gives spouses access to the well-paying and meaningful work they deserve."
Currently, there are approximately 16,000 military spouses employed by federal agencies. In partnership with USDA, this expo is one of several efforts the department undertakes to close the 21 percent unemployment gap among the more than 594,000 military spouses. The Department's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program includes the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP) program, a 12-week, competitive, paid fellowship with industry. Since starting the pilot in 2023, more than 370 military spouses have completed the fellowship and 80% were hired into full time employment with the companies.
Spouse employment support efforts include increasing the number of Military Spouse Employment Program (MSEP) partner members. This increase expands the availability of spouse job opportunities and raises awareness of military families' economic security needs within corporate America. The Department extended the eligibility criteria of the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) financial assistance program to spouses of service member in the E-6 and O-3 ranks to support the career advancement of military spouses. Previously, the program was open to spouses of Service members in the pay grades of E1-E5, O1-O2 and W1-W2. This program also provides up to $4,000 in aid for eligible military spouses to obtain a license, certificate, or associate degree.
The expo will feature virtual booths where job seekers can learn about and network with agencies and departments hiring military spouses, network with hiring specialists, learn about open positions, and gain understanding of the federal hiring process.
Launched in 2022 to connect military spouses to federal employment, the USDA Military Spouse Association employee organization created and held the first ever Federal Interagency Military Spouse Career Expo. The virtual event involved 17 federal agencies and support programs to support military spouse hiring in the federal government. This is the first year the USDA and DOD jointly sponsored this event.
Military spouses can learn more and register for the event at https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/events/live/federal-interagency-military-spouse-career-expo.
About Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
The DOD established the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program to provide education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering free, comprehensive resources and tools to assist military spouses in meeting their career and education goals. This program also offers free career coaching services six days a week to eligible spouses.
About Military OneSource
Military OneSource is a DOD-funded program that is both a call center and a website providing comprehensive information, resources and assistance on every aspect of military life. Service members and the families of active duty, National Guard and reserve (regardless of activation status), Coast Guard members when activated for the Navy, DOD expeditionary civilians and survivors are eligible for Military OneSource services, which are available worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free to the user.
About Military Community and Family Policy
Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for establishing and overseeing quality-of-life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. These DOD services can be accessed 24/7/365 around the world.
