(Updated Sept. 9, 2021)

A recent survey conducted by Hiring Our Heroes identified a key link between meaningful employment and overall well-being within the military spouse community. Not only does employment provide an oftentimes much-needed secondary income, it also offers a sense of purpose and directly impacts mental health and emotional well-being. But as we (in the milspouse community) are all too aware, this meaningful employment sometimes seems like the impossible dream.

Rather than becoming discouraged, get inspired by those who have sought out and achieved purpose within this nomadic lifestyle (and these are just 15 examples from a much longer list). Identify your professional goals. Network. Find a mentor. And don’t forget to take advantage of the numerous programs and resources designed specifically for military spouses.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of resources that might help you:

(While this list doesn’t cover all the resources available to our community, it’s a great start. If you see we’ve left one of your favorites off the list, email us at moaaspouse@moaa.org so we can update. These resources were created specifically for military spouses, so let’s put them to good use.)

Air Force Association (AFA): Find scholarship opportunities and transition support and services.

Association of the United States Army (AUSA): Source information on existing programs and find helpful guides to plan for retirement.

American Corporate Partners (ACP): This program hand-selects a mentor for each spouse protégé for year-long, customized, one-on-one mentorship.

Blue Star Families (BSF) Career Center: Build new skills, connect with fellow MilSpouses, learn facts and statistics about the issues military spouses face when it comes to employment, child care, and more, and see recommendations, tips, and resources for finding employment.

Easter Seals – Veteran Staffing Network: Find temporary to permanent, contract, and direct-hire placements on your way to a meaningful career path.

Education Resources for Military Spouses – Syracuse University: Scholarship and assistance programs, employment resources, and community blogs.

Elizabeth Dole Foundation: The Dole Caregiver Fellowship provides active military and veteran caregivers from across the nation to represent the Foundation in a formal capacity.

Hire Heroes USA: This organization's Serving Spouses Program is dedicated to helping military spouses find meaningful employment. Though their services, they have helped over 4,000 military spouses find employment.  

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH): Find local hiring and networking events exclusively for military spouses and access digital tools such as Career Spark or their résumé engine.

HOH’s Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN): find career development and networking opportunities in military communities around the world (there’s even a virtual group!).

HOH’s AMPLIFY: Attend an exclusive two-day event that leads a cohort of military spouses through intensive career preparation, professional development, and networking.

InDependent: Connect with career-minded military spouses and find inspiration and resources to improve your quality of life.

Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF): Offers educational and vocational training programs designed to build skills for success in business ownership, careers, and life.

Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN): Get tips on military spouse employment and education from an organization dedicated to promoting strong military families through education, empowerment, and support.

Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce: If you’re considering freelancing or entrepreneurship, you can sign up to access member’s only resources for free.

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN): Find job listings and ways to overcome hiring obstacles and secure employment while working toward future career development.

Military Spouse eMentor Program: Offers an information sharing, learning, and support community for military spouses.

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) Career Portal: Gives you access to a job search feature, you can learn more about the MyCAA Scholarship program and more.

MilSpouseFest: Offers online resources, modern military spouse content, and a witty take on life through a newsletter delivered to you in the comfort of your own home, no matter where the military has sent you. 

Military Spouse J.D. Network: Network with fellow military spouse attorneys and their supporters. Find helpful information regarding military spouse licensure.

Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY): Find inspiring stories of military spouses of all ranks and branches of service.

MilitaryOneSource: Check out employment and education resources available only to military spouses. You’ll find tips on going back to school, financing your education, résumé building, interviewing, and more. They also offer career counseling.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Program: Have questions about how to work for the federal government? Start here.

MOAA Career Center: Have your résumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed, view the job board, tune into webinars, and attend events.

MOAA Download: Get your FREE copy of MOAA’s Military Spouse Employment Guide here.

MySECO (Spouse Education & Career Opportunities): Provides access interactive tools and resources to boost your career search.

National Military Family Association (NMFA): Provides scholarships for military spouses of all ranks, components, and services for education, licensure, certification, and now entrepreneurial support.

National Military Spouse Network (NMSM): A great place for networking, mentoring and professional development resources.

Service-Specific Assistance: Each service has its own website just for you: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Squared Away: A fully remote team of chief executive assistants whose mission is to employ military spouses while giving people their time back.

The Rosie Network: Offers entrepreneurial programs and support services for military spouse and veteran business owners.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Find programs, educational assistance and support for those who have lost a loved one serving in the armed forces.

USAJobs.gov: You may be eligible to apply for positions using a non-competitive process designed to help military spouses get a job in the federal government.  

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development: Access tools and assistance necessary to establish a sustainable business that moves with you.