Take a Stand!
Storm the Hill and take on that 24% Military Spouse Unemployment Rate
by Sue Hoppin
Military spouses from all walks of life are Storming the Hill in Washington, D.C. and in their own communities to speak to their legislators about expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses as a targeted work group. This would incentivize employers by providing them with a federal tax credit when they hire military spouses. Legislation has come so far in terms of military family support, yet we still have so far to go. We hope you'll join us on May 10th to help affect some real change.
Not convinced yet? Check out the personal reasons some members of the 2019 Storming the Hill Steering Committee have given for why they're Storming:
Nora Anderson
As an Army brat for over 20 years, I grew up watching the challenges my mom and her peers faced when trying to find meaningful careers. As entrepreneurship and remote jobs became the norm, I saw spouses being able to leverage their skills in a new way. It was a promising turn of events that was hopeful to those of us in the military community. When I myself became an Army spouse, I realized though, how much more needs to be done. I am storming the hill this year to bring awareness to the barriers still in place, like the need to include military spouses in the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. I will storm for the next generation of military spouses who have seen how far we've come but know the work to purposeful and meaningful employment is not yet done.
MJ Boice
Over the last 20 years, I have spent nearly about 1/5 of my husband's military career among the 24% of military spouses who find themselves unemployed and in a near-constant state of job-searching. I've spent an even larger portion of my time among the 55% of military spouses who find themselves under-employed. While my civilian counterparts were increasing their earning potential with each passing year (as is the ‘normal' trajectory), I was constantly starting from square one each time the military moved us. This has impacted my future earning potential negatively; lumping me in with yet another statistic.
I am among the 77% of military spouses who have experienced significant setbacks in my career due to my military spouse status. To be clear, my skills and abilities haven't been compromised due to my husband's career. Those setbacks I have experienced have nothing to do with a lack in qualifications, and everything to do with how my military spouse status is perceived by potential employers.
Once it becomes known or assumed that I am a military spouse, any interest in me as a potential candidate often fizzles out. I've tried to find ways to hide my military spouse status, but the gaps in my resume and my lengthy list of previous addresses usually gives me away. I could never understand it. I'm educated, resourceful, dependable and a go-getter. From my perspective, I'm the perfect fit! But in their eyes, why spend the time, energy and money into making me a part of their team when I'm just going to leave in a couple of years.
This is why I'm Storming the Hill with NMSN.
While expanding the WOTC wouldn't entirely “fix” all of the employment challenges military spouses face, it would at least make employers think twice before disregarding us as a viable candidate. Perhaps it could even be used to justify the initial investment of onboarding us; if only to consider it a monetary wash in the end. At the very least, the WOTC would help level the playing field enough for us to prove our worth (which is something every single military spouse professional is forced to do significantly MORE than our civilian counterparts).
This May 10th, I hope you'll join us to Storm the Hill on Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Even if you can't storm in DC, you can visit your local district offices. If you can't leave the house, you can send messages to your legislators. We can all do a little something to advocate for our community. For more information and to sign up, go to:
Let's change the conversation and work together to tackle that 24% military spouse unemployment rate
Sue Hoppin is the founder and president of the National Military Spouse Network, a consultant on military family issues and the co-author of, "A Family's Guide to the Military for Dummies". Before founding the NMSN, Sue served as the first deputy director for spouse outreach for a military affiliated non-profit with a 375,000+ membership. She is a recognized subject matter expert on military spouse and family issues and has spoken to audiences nationwide ranging from installation career events to leadership training sessions and national conferences. She holds a bachelor's degree in international studies from the University of Denver and a master's degree in international relations from the University of Oklahoma.
Have a question for Sue? Ask here. Your question/answer may be printed in a future issue.