Military Strong: Pentagon Programs Support Spouses’ Careers and Child Care

Military families face unique challenges. Frequent relocations can disrupt spouses’ careers, making it difficult to build experience and secure stable employment. Finding reliable child care can be a constant struggle, especially when moving to new locations with unfamiliar options.

Nevertheless, the Department of Defense (DoD) and service officials are dedicated to improving their quality of life with various programs, from tackling spouse unemployment and child care shortages to offering a vast network of support services on base.

Helping Spouses Find Their Footing

Spouses play a vital role in military life; however, they might struggle to maintain their careers due to frequent moves. To help, the DoD offers a robust support system where spouses can get free career counseling and education assistance, including financial aid through the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship program.

What’s MyCAA scholarship program?

The MyCAA scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $4,000 (with an annual cap of $2,000) for spouses of active duty service members for licenses, certifications, and associate degrees.

However, there are some eligibility details to consider:

Rank Restrictions: The program is generally available to spouses of enlisted service members (E-1 to E-6), warrant officers (W-1 and W-2), and commissioned officers (O-1 to O-3).

E-6 and O-3 Expansion: In 2023, the DOD expanded eligibility to include spouses of E-6 and O-3 service members, but with a limit. Only the first 1,250 spouses per year in these two pay grades can participate.

Grandfathered Eligibility: If a spouse’s service member sponsor gets promoted beyond the eligible ranks (E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2, O-1 to O-3), the spouse can still receive MyCAA funds as long as they already have an approved education and training plan in place. This protects spouses from losing access to the program due to their sponsor’s career advancement.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Focus on Junior Ranks: The program prioritizes spouses of service members in the earlier stages of their careers, potentially because these spouses may have had less opportunity to establish their own careers before joining a military family.

Limited Slots for E-6 and O-3: The recent expansion for E-6 and O-3 acknowledges the challenges faced by spouses in these ranks, but the limited slots suggest there may be higher demand or fewer resources available at this level.

Rewarding Early Planning: The fact that spouses with approved plans can keep using MyCAA benefits even after their sponsor’s promotion incentivizes them to start planning early and take advantage of the program.

To learn more or see if you’re eligible for the scholarship program, check out the MyCAA website.

Expanding Opportunities: Connecting with Military-Friendly Employers

Finding employment is also more accessible thanks to the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), which connects spouses directly to more than 700 pre-vetted employers actively seeking to hire military spouses. Many of these employers offer remote work options as well.

Start your job search here.

In addition to MSEP partners, spouses can also get a free one-year membership to FlexJobs, a platform specifically geared toward remote and flexible work opportunities.

Spouse Reimbursement Program

One significant hurdle in military spouses’ careers when disrupted due to relocations is the need to re-license in a new state. This often requires exams, fees, and potentially even lost wages during the process. Recognizing this challenge, the DoD recently offered a lifeline through the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act (MSLRA).

Now, spouses can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for each relocation to help cover these costs, easing the financial burden and making it easier for them to maintain their careers and contribute to the family income no matter where duty calls.

Launching Careers: The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot

For those seeking an immersive experience, the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP) program places spouses with civilian companies for paid 12-week fellowships, often leading to permanent jobs.

The MSCAP program boasts a remarkable success rate, with a staggering 85 percent of participants landing full-time jobs with their host companies after the fellowship.

Open to spouses of active-duty service members across all branches, the program is a win-win for both spouses and employers. Spouses gain invaluable experience and launch their careers, while companies discover a talented pool of pre-vetted, highly motivated individuals.

Get your application for the MSCAP fellowship started here.

With these resources and innovative programs, the DoD is empowering military spouses to build fulfilling careers regardless of their duty station.

MilitaryOneSource.mil acts as a central hub, providing 24/7 access to everything from legal and financial aid to relocation assistance and mental health counseling. Whether you’re a service member on active duty or recently separated, these resources ensure military families have the support they need to thrive.

Ensuring Quality Child Care

Military families face a constant challenge: finding reliable, high-quality child care. The DoD recognizes this struggle and offers a comprehensive network of resources. Over 700 child development centers and hundreds more family child care homes on base provide nationally recognized care that adheres to strict safety and curriculum standards.

Thanks to recent efforts, these programs are even more accessible. In 2024, child care fees significantly decreased for many families, with some reductions exceeding 40 percent. Fees are based on a sliding scale, ensuring affordability regardless of rank.

The DOD isn’t stopping there. They’re actively building new child care centers and exploring innovative solutions like in-home care pilot programs (currently available in 11 regions). MilitaryOneSource even offers families free subscriptions to a service that helps them find hourly and on-demand child care providers.

With a focus on affordability, quality, and accessibility, the DOD’s child care network offers military families peace of mind, knowing their children are safe and well cared for while they serve.

Financial Relief Through Dependent Care FSA

Military families juggling child care costs can now breathe a sigh of relief with the DOD’s Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) program.

The DCFSA program lets service members set aside pre-tax dollars to cover child care expenses. Think preschool, summer camps, after-school programs – anything that helps with caring for eligible dependents under 13 or those with disabilities. This benefit significantly reduces the tax burden on families, as the money comes out of your paycheck before taxes are applied.

Learn more about the program or enroll your dependent here.

Enrollment only happens during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season or qualifying life events, but once enrolled, it’s a game-changer for managing child care costs.

Remember, use it or lose it – any unused funds by the deadline are forfeited, so plan your child care needs and maximize this valuable benefit.

MilitaryChildCare.com is a central resource for families to search for available child care options and apply for fee assistance.

Standing by Military Families

The DOD’s commitment to military families goes beyond just service members. By providing a comprehensive support system for spouses’ careers and child care needs, the DOD empowers families to thrive despite the challenges of military life.