Unseen Pillars: Reinforcing the Strength of the Military Spouse

The role of the military and veteran spouse forms the foundational support that allows our service members to continue their commitment to our country. Yet, pursuing educational and career goals while navigating the frequent relocations of military life can be challenging. Often, the high costs of childcare, lack of career continuity, and difficulty accessing flexible programs become obstacles for military spouses striving to achieve personal and professional growth. However, by exploring flexible, portable career paths, taking advantage of online or hybrid educational opportunities, and utilizing available resources and benefits, military and veteran spouses can succeed while accommodating the demands of military life.

The Challenges of Military and Veteran Spouse Mobility

Military and veteran spouses often face unique challenges related to the frequent relocations required by military service, making it difficult to establish long-term employment and career continuity. With each relocation, spouses may have to leave established jobs, reapply for certifications, and adapt to new job markets, which can disrupt career progression and impact long-term financial stability. Additionally, the high costs of childcare can be a significant barrier to pursuing career and educational goals, especially when wages may not fully offset these expenses. This dual challenge—maintaining consistent employment while managing the affordability of childcare—often compels military spouses to seek careers that offer flexibility, portability, and adaptability. Jobs with remote work options or positions that allow for easier transfer across state lines can help alleviate these challenges, enabling spouses to sustain their careers and pursue personal development despite the demands of military life.

Finding Flexible, Transferable Career Paths

Careers in specific fields are well-suited for the unique lifestyle of military families. Here are some career paths that are both flexible and transferable across states or even internationally:

• Teaching and Education Support: Careers in education, particularly in online instruction or tutoring, offer flexibility and allow for transferring licensure across many states.
• Remote Customer Service and Administration: Many companies offer remote positions in customer support, administrative assistance, and data entry, allowing spouses to work from anywhere.
• Healthcare: Nursing and medical transcription positions are in high demand and often come with flexible schedules. Nursing is usually covered by licensure compacts that facilitate transferring credentials across states.
• Freelance Work and Entrepreneurship: Freelance writing, graphic design, and digital marketing allow military spouses to build portable businesses that can be managed anywhere.
• Information Technology (IT): Fields like software development, IT support, and cybersecurity offer remote and high-paying positions that can be worked on a flexible schedule.

These career paths provide continuity, flexibility, and the ability to work in nearly any location. This continuity reduces the risk of constantly quitting or restarting a career with each relocation.

?Educational Opportunities for Military and Veteran Spouses

Thanks to technological advancements and the rising demand for online learning, military and veteran spouses have numerous options for pursuing higher education and vocational training. Flexible education programs can be customized to fit busy schedules, allowing spouses to adapt their learning to suit the service member’s relocation schedule. Austin Peay State University provides these flexible opportunities to spouses while ensuring they receive the in-state tuition rate.

Consider these program types:

• Online Degree Programs: Most universities now offer complete online programs for various disciplines, from business and healthcare to technology and education.
• Hybrid Programs: Hybrid programs offer the best of both worlds, allowing students to complete most of their coursework online while occasionally attending on-campus sessions as required.
• Short-Term Certifications and Licensing Programs: Vocational schools offer short-term certifications in medical coding, personal training, IT, and real estate—fields that align well with military mobility.
• Customized Schedules: Many institutions offer part-time and self-paced schedules, allowing students to learn at their own speed, accommodating deployments, and temporary duty assignments.

Financial Resources and Benefits for Education

Military and veteran spouses have several resources available to help fund their educational goals:

• My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA): A program available for military spouses that offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance for pursuing licenses, certifications, or associate degrees in high-demand, portable career fields.
• Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Benefits: In some cases, service members may transfer their GI Bill benefits to their spouse or children, allowing for significant tuition assistance at eligible institutions.
• Scholarships for Military Spouses: Various scholarships, such as the NMFA Military Spouse Scholarship and the Spouse Education Assistance Program, provide additional funding for military spouses pursuing degrees.
• State-Specific Grants: Some states offer additional grants or tuition waivers to military spouses, allowing for more affordable access to state-run institutions.

Contact the Austin Peay State University Military and Veterans Affairs Division if you need assistance applying this benefit to your studies.

Employment Resources for Military and Veteran Spouses

Finding employment that aligns with military demands is crucial for spouses. Fortunately, several resources exist to help military spouses find employment that accommodates the challenges of military life:

• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): A program that connects military spouses with partner employers committed to hiring and supporting military families.
• Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO): A Department of Defense program offering military spouses career counseling, resume building, and interview preparation.
• Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program: This program provides fellowship opportunities for military spouses to gain professional experience and potentially secure employment with host companies.
• USAJOBS and Federal Employment Opportunities: Federal employment often provides hiring preferences for military spouses, and many federal jobs are portable, allowing spouses to transfer positions to new locations as necessary.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Career and Education Journey

1. Identify Goals and Strengths: Identify your career or educational goals and assess your strengths. Consider flexible fields that are in demand and align with your interests.
2. Research Education Programs and Career Paths: Research online or hybrid education programs, certifications, and licenses that align with your desired field. Look into MyCAA-eligible programs and other available benefits to find the right fit.
3. Explore Financial Aid and Scholarships: Apply for scholarships, grants, and programs like MyCAA that provide financial support for military spouses.
4. Seek Career Counseling and Support Services: Utilize SECO or MSEP to gain access to career coaching and resources specifically designed for military spouses.
5. Start Networking: Join local and online military spouse groups and professional networks to build connections that could lead to career opportunities or support along your educational journey.
6. Consider Flexible Work Opportunities: Begin applying for jobs that align with your skills, interests, and the flexibility needed for military life. Look for remote and portable positions through platforms like MSEP or Hiring Our Heroes.
7. Plan for Childcare Needs: Seek affordable childcare options by researching on-installation daycare services, military childcare subsidies, or family support programs. Many bases offer resources to help ease childcare costs, which can make career and educational goals more accessible.

Final Thoughts: A Foundation for Success

The strength and adaptability of military and veteran spouses make it possible for service members to focus on their missions. By pursuing flexible, portable careers and education paths, these spouses can contribute financially to their households and achieve their personal goals. With the right resources, planning, and support, military and veteran spouses can find rewarding career paths that accommodate the unique demands of military life, ensuring that their ambitions are not sidelined but are built upon and celebrated.

The Military-Affiliated Professionals Program

The MAPP provides all manners of career service to the military-affiliated students of Austin Peay State University. This population is estimated to be about one-third of its total student population.

In addition, the MAPP extends its services to all service members, veterans, military and veteran spouses, and military and veteran family members, regardless of their affiliation with Austin Peay State University.

Services can be provided virtually or in person under the MAPP. Let us know your needs, and we will tailor our services to meet them.

Austin Peay State University's commitment to our service members and veteran communities remains unmatched.

To take advantage of the services offered by the MAPP, contact us at,

Call or text: 931-221-7930

Email: [email protected] .

If you would like to donate to our program, visit https://give.apsu.edu/ . Select Newton Military Family Resource Center Fund of Excellence. The Military-Affiliated Professionals Program falls within that category.

Austin Peay State University

At Austin Peay, we proudly serve you during your academic career. We are invested in your success and have created a division dedicated to our Military-Affiliated Students and their families. The Military and Veterans Affairs Division comprises several offices and resource centers trained to help you fully utilize your education benefits. From offering condensed 8-week courses through the Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell to getting career advice from our Military-Affiliated Professionals Program, we are ready to support your success.

Apply Now!

https://www.apsu.edu/admissions/apply/military.php

Wisedoc Partners With The MAPP

The Military-Affiliated Professionals Program (MAPP) is excited to announce its strategic partnership with Wisedoc, which provides comprehensive support for transitioning service members, veterans, and their families. Through this collaboration, we offer access to a cutting-edge platform that simplifies resume-building while ensuring compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Our partnership with Wisedoc aims to develop additional resources that focus on understanding the intricacies of military roles and their wide-ranging responsibilities, ensuring that military experience is accurately translated and effectively communicated in civilian career applications. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to equipping our military-affiliated community with the tools they need for successful transitions into the civilian workforce.

Friends of the MAPP:

United States Army Transition Assistance Program: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/taphq/

Operation Stand Down Tennessee: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/osdtn/

50Strong: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/50strong/

RecruitMilitary: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/recruitmilitary/

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/tennessee-department-of-labor-workforce-development/

KY Valor: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/kyvalor/

SkillSyncer: https://skillsyncer.com/