Updated 2020
Career & Educational Support
The Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN)
MSCCN is a is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that focuses on Employment readiness training programs, Job placement solutions, and No-cost services to all military-affiliated spouses, retired military spouses and caregivers to war wounded heroes. MSCCN provides personalized service to military spouses pursuing meaningful career opportunities. Their services also include resume review, professional development courses, mock interviews, and connections to employers.
Learn more about MSCCN
eMentor Leadership Program
eMentor is a cutting-edge online mentoring program for military personnel, veterans and military spouses. eMentor connects individuals for dynamic mentoring experiences that powerfully move them forward in their personal and professional lives. eMentor is a Non-Profit organization and their mentoring services are Free!
Learn more about eMentor Leadership Program
Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network
The Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network provides military spouses with career development and networking opportunities in military communities around the world. An integral part of Hiring Our Heroes' Military Spouse Program, the Network will empower military spouses at a grassroots level year-round.
Around 80% of jobs fill by referral. Military spouses start from scratch each time they move, building career networks in new locations every couple of years. To address this need, the Network has more than 40 local chapters throughout the U.S. and Europe. Chapters connect military spouses with established networks, giving military spouses access to local business leaders, peers, and mentors, and support in their career development.
The Network also provides military spouses with online career development resources. Military spouses in similar occupations support each other in online communities and share career advice to enhance the career prospects of members of the community.
Find A Chapter
Be part of a supportive community of like-minded spouses who understand the challenges of balancing a career with the demands of a military lifestyle. Find your local Military Spouse Professional Network chapter here!
Learn more about Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network
The MilSpo Project
The Milspo Project is a global network of U.S. military spouses who believe entrepreneurship is a unique answer to the military spouse unemployment crisis in our country. Together we are embracing the unpredictability of this beautiful thing we call military life. We're redefining what is means to be a successful milspouse professional in today's world guided by our member-centered mission to empower and educate military spouses through group meet ups, online workshops, expert training, and monthly goal workbooks.
Learn more about The Milspo Project and find a local chapter
MyCAA Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Scholarship — Helping Spouses Pursue Higher Education
The MyCAA Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000 to eligible military spouses. Annual cap waivers are available for licensure and certificate programs if there is an upfront tuition cost that exceeds $2,000 (up to the maximum education benefit of $4,000). The scholarship helps military spouses pursue licenses, certificates, certifications or associate degrees necessary to gain employment in high demand, high growth portable career fields and occupations. Spouses may use their MyCAA funds at any academic institution approved for participation in the MyCAA Scholarship.
Learn more about MyCAA
The National Military Spouse Network (NMSN)
NMSN mission is to Educate military spouses on the diverse employment opportunities available to them. Empower military spouses to take charge of their own goals and give them the tools to work toward achieving them. Connect military spouses pursuing professional careers with like-minded people and employers looking to hire them. The Annual Military Spouse Career Summit is the signature event of the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN). It is the can’t miss event for any military spouse who is serious about their career. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, federal employment, corporate employment or volunteering, we’ve gathered the resources you need to explore the portable career options available.
Learn more about The National Military Spouse Network
Scholarship Opportunities For Military Spouses
National Military Family Association: Military Spouse Scholarships The mission of this scholarship program is to help prepare military spouses for meaningful employment and to better contribute to their family’s financial security. Our scholarships are awarded to spouses of all Uniformed Services members.
Pat Tillman Foundation: The Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships - building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others.
ThanksUSA: ThanksUSA is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides need-based educational scholarships to the children and spouses of U.S. military personnel, with special emphasis given to those who lost a loved one in service to America. ThanksUSA accepts scholarship applications in the Spring.
Military Spouse Support Programs
Naval Services FamilyLine
Naval Services FamilyLine is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to serving naval spouses across the country and the world. Our network of experienced, trained volunteer spouses allows us to mentor, consult, and guide families in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
OUR PROGRAMS AND PUBLICATIONS
We want to help you have positive experiences that you will treasure for a lifetime. With the right information, having a spouse in the service can be a unique and memorable time, but without the right preparedness and resources, this journey can be challenging. So, we have developed specialized courses that will provide spouses with a forum to dispel myths, answer questions, and alleviate fears. Learn more about their Programs: Compass, Command Spouse Leadership Course, Command Master Chief Spouse Leadership Course, Guideline Publication Series, and Compass Library.
Learn more about Naval Services FamilyLine
InDependent
InDependent's mission is to connect military spouses to health and wellness resources and support. They even have local groups so you can meet fellow military spouses in your area.
Learn more about InDependent
NextGen MilSpouse
NextGen MilSpouse is the online destination for today’s military spouse. We deliver fresh perspectives on current events, career advice, small business development, personal finance, and relationships from our dynamic team of military spouse thought leaders via our website, social channels, weekly newsletter, and podcast. Our writing team is working together to tell the story of what it means to be a military spouse today.
Learn more about NextGen MilSpouse
MilSpouseFest
MilSpouseFest2020! Over the next year, with the help of our presenting partner USAA and executive partner Armed Forces Insurance, we’ll be throwing these events in different military communities all over our nation. We’re talking fun, food, games, community, and some fantastic information from spirited guests and presenters. And it’s all free!
It doesn’t matter if you’re a “seasoned” spouse, a newbie, or somewhere in between. It doesn’t matter if you’re the most popular person on base or if you haven’t met anyone yet. MilSpouseFest2020 is for everyone at every stage of life.
Learn more about MilSpouseFest2020
Military Spouse
Military Spouse is both a print publication and online community of military spouses all over the world. Military Spouse® is the central hub for helpful resources and connections to help you conquer each day. Follow Military Spouse® on Facebook to get daily tidbits about advice, deployment, PCSing, relationships, spouse confessions, benefits, discounts, military families and so much more!
Learn more about Military Spouse
Join a Military Spouse Club at your Duty Station
New to your military base? Or, just looking to connect with fellow military spouses? Joining a Military Spouse Club might be a great way to meet new friends and connect. Many Military Spouse Clubs are often made up of many military spouses. There is often planned get togethers and activities. This can be a great way to find support and friendships.
Join a Military Spouse Facebook Group
Military spouse Facebook groups can be a great way to connect and meet other military spouses in your area. It seems as though most military bases have had someone set up a spouse group. These can be great places to ask military related questions, get recommendations, advice, and develop friendships. Do avoid the groups that are filled with drama as unfortunately some have fallen prey to this and that does not make for a positive support group.
Other Unique Opportunities For Military Spouses
Operation Deploy Your Dress
“ODYD began at Fort Bliss in late 2015, when founders Renee Chapman, Ronya Rendon, Yvonne Coombes, and Melissa Riely decided to organize a dress swap among their units’ spouses, as a way to defray the costs associated with purchasing formalwear for holiday balls.
It wasn’t long before the idea became an organization, run entirely by dozens of volunteers. ODYD is now a well-organized store, albeit one that “sells” its goods for free. Military servicewomen and military spouses can come to ODYD and select one dress and one accessory per year. They simply need to present their military ID card and sign the record book, and they can walk away without spending a dime.” – MILITARYSPOUSE.COM
Learn more about Operation Deploy Your Dress
Brides Across America
Heidi Janson is the founder of Brides Across America, a national charitable organization uniting military brides and bridal salons across the country for a common purpose by supporting our troops and their families. Military Brides don't always get their dream wedding. Some brides have to give up their wedding due to their fiancees
getting deployed quickly. In other cases, brides have a civil ceremony and then await years for their fiancee to return home to finally have their wedding day. Heidi wants to make a difference by giving those in need the and help those troops that are fighting for our country get the wedding they deserve. Brides Across America efforts is part of the Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network and support Patriot Rovers organization.
View all Upcoming Events for Brides Across America! If you would like to Donate a Gown or Host a Gown Giveaway at Your Salon click here!
Learn more about Brides Across America
The Star Spangled Babies Baby Shower Program
Expecting Military Moms~Operation Homefront has a wonderful program for expecting Military Moms called Star Spangled Babies~ Baby Shower Program. The Star Spangled Babies baby shower program, is in place to build morale by providing baby showers to our service members and their growing families. In most locations, the families who participate are of deployed service members, wounded service members, and other junior and mid grade service members and their families who just need that extra support for their new arrivals.
Learn more about The Star Spangled Babies Baby Shower Program
MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY
Every year on the Friday before Mother's Day, we as a country celebrate Military Spouses nationwide. Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day to recognize the strength, sacrifices and commitment of military spouses in the United States of America.
President Ronald Reagan recognized the profound importance of spouse commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members and declared May 23, 1984 the first Military Spouse Day with Proclamation 5184, dated April 17, 1984. The US Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger standardized the date by declaring the Friday preceding Mother’s Day as Military Spouse Day.
Each year, the US President normally commemorates this day with a ceremonial speech and proclamation. Military Spouse Appreciation Day also falls within the same month as Military Spouse Appreciation Month. A month long celebration of military service. It is not by coincidence that Military Spouse Appreciation Day falls within this month as Military Spouses are often considered the backbone of military families which enable service members to focus on their mission at hand.
We love to see all of these wonderful organizations that support our fellow military spouses. If there are any that we have missed that has been a huge help for you in this military life, please share in the comments below.
~THANK YOU TO ALL MILITARY SPOUSES FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY ~
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