Let’s appreciate the sacrifices of military spouses

  • Employers
  • Job seekers

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By Hannah Schoepp, Washington State Veterans employment representative; and Seth Maier, Veterans & Military Families program operator

Square camouflage border with words in the middle: Hire-A-Military-Spouse Month. Support the career growth of military spouses

May is time to recognize the unwavering strength, resilience and sacrifices of military spouses. Military Spouse Appreciation Month highlights their vital role in supporting service members and sustaining military communities. Their dedication often comes with unique challenges: frequent relocations, career interruptions and the emotional toll of military life.

May is also Hire-a-Military-Spouse Month, an initiative aimed at promoting career opportunities for military spouses. Despite their adaptability and diverse skill sets, military spouses often struggle with employment due to the uncertainty of military life.

In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) reported that 81% of military families experience at least one change of duty station, requiring moving their household. In addition, 67% of spouses say that lack of child care affected their ability to pursue a job or education.

For those reasons and more, the unemployment rate for military spouses in December 2024 was 21% — 5 times more than the current national unemployment rate of 4.2%. Read more about military spouses in this USDOL fact sheet (PDF, 1,269KB).

This month serves as a call to action for employers, policymakers and communities to actively support the career growth of military spouses.

The Military Spouse Initiative: Breaking barriers in Washington

Washington is leading the way in supporting military spouses. The Military Spouse Initiative is designed to remove employment barriers, provide essential resources, and advocate for spouses. This initiative helps spouses find meaningful careers by addressing job market challenges and connecting them with opportunities, resources and benefits.

Read about the program’s mission, vision and history on the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs website.

A key part of the initiative is the military spouse liaison, the first role of its kind in the U.S. It was established in 2021 to advocate for military spouses and connect them with resources. Washington’s liaison, Olivia Burley, communicates directly with spouses statewide. She hears their concerns and then brings those issues to federal, state and other partners to influence policies, practices and legislation.

You can schedule a virtual meeting with Olivia Burley through Outlook.

How we all can make a difference year ‘round

Honoring military spouses goes beyond appreciation days. It requires continuous support and meaningful action. Here are some impactful ways to help.

  • Everyone: To the military spouses you know, offer child care, help with errands, or just check in.
  • Employers: Embrace remote work, flexible schedules and hiring initiatives tailored to military spouses.
  • Community organizations: Create mentorship programs and clubs to help ease transitions and foster stability for military spouses.

Military spouses make countless sacrifices, and their dedication deserves recognition — not just in May, but every day. By offering support, promoting job opportunities, and advocating for positive change, we can help them thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Authors Hannah Schoepp and Seth Maier work for the Employment Security Department.