How do you build and maintain a career as a military spouse?

2016-05-10T19:54:11-04:00

As you know we just had Military Spouse Appreciation Day recently!

THANK YOU MILITARY SPOUSES!

This question is for the military family members - if your spouse isn't on RP then service members and veterans how did your spouse maintain a career as a military spouse?

What are some pointers and advice you can provide for other RP Member Spouses and Families?

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made May 10 at 2016 7:56 PM

2016-05-10T19:56:47-04:00

My wife was very up front with her employers during interviews that we only expected to be in any given location for 3 years. With the change in frequency of tenure at most positions these days, most didn't have a problem with it

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made May 10 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-05-10T20:25:12-04:00

I would not know Sir, but I do know that you have a keeper!

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 10 at 2016 8:38 PM

2016-05-10T20:38:06-04:00

Sometimes a military marriage is like music. When his career and life are going well you amplify to rock out. When things are not going to well you try to have a rhythm that cancels out his negative rhythm. When life kind of sucks you turn off the stereo and listen to the voices in your head. You need silence before you crash and burn, and possibly ask for professional help. I have seen PTSD soldiers and their wives unable to shut down the noise to think, which inevitably led to divorce. It was a shame as I told many married soldiers with PTSD, the framework of their mind and marriage; but they could not escape that somber fate of divorce.

Response by Nancy Cross made May 10 at 2016 9:13 PM

2016-05-10T21:13:01-04:00

Whew ! This is tough !!! I am a licensed photographer and every move I must start all over . I have to down size my studio before each move and then re build it . It's tough I won't lie . Getting clientele at a new duty station is never easy . The best trick I have found is start advertising a couple months out. Plan a special for when I get there . And be active in the community . Sitting around moping is a no go. You have to adapt and overcome all obstacles just as your spouse will .

Response by CPL Ricky Vasquez made May 10 at 2016 9:41 PM

2016-05-10T21:41:55-04:00

stripclub

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 10 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-05-10T21:43:44-04:00

My wife was honest with all of her potential employers when I PCS'd to Hawaii that she was a Navy wife and only expected to be there for 3 years. Because of her strong resume and work experience, she was hired by the second or third person who interviewed her at a fairly decent pay rate.

When I transferred back to California, she was so well respected at her old job (the one she had before we left California for Hawaii) she was actually hired back into the same position and a higher rate of pay.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made May 10 at 2016 10:27 PM

2016-05-10T22:27:03-04:00

This issue is tough. My wife makes more than I do and her job is not easily transferable. Moving is not an easy sell to say the least. The spouse subjugating themself in service is a known issue, and I'll definitely follow this thread to see the responses.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 12:21 AM

2016-05-11T00:21:17-04:00

Be supportive, don't push them to talk about things. Let them come to you when they are ready. Just ask simple question like how was your day?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 11 at 2016 10:01 AM

2016-05-11T10:01:28-04:00

I would to expand the thanks to both military and veteran spouses since military spouses who hang in there and stick it out become veteran spouses COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
Some jobs yield earthly pay and benefits while others yield eternal benefits. The most important "job" for spouses is being the spouse which includes helping build and maintain the family, maintain contact and raise the family sometimes alone in places from nurturing family members.
For out-of-the home employment, I have seen many who have healthcare or services skills seem to easily transition to local employment in many cases.
With home office capabilities I have seen others work remotely from wherever they are - this type of work is good for writers, editors, translators, and advertisers in some cases.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 11 at 2016 1:04 PM

2016-05-11T13:04:02-04:00

Well to be honest, my wife never really had a career to maintain. I've typically always been the primary breadwinner and she's worked odd jobs for a little extra cash flow. But before my children were born, she did land a job at the Marine Corps Exchange which I think is a great opportunity for spouses to earn some extra money because they understand that transition is all part of the military lifestyle.

Once my daughters were born, my wife used the "stay at home" time to go to school and work on a degree so that she'll be able to actually venture out and get a career of her own.

But personally, I feel the on base job opportunities are the best things for spouses to try and pursue simply because they are accustomed to high employee turnaround whereas the civilian and private sector may not be as understanding.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 11 at 2016 5:37 PM

2016-05-11T17:37:50-04:00

I pretty much built everything around my wife, my son, and my civilian job. I was ARNG.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made May 11 at 2016 6:14 PM

2016-05-11T18:14:49-04:00

It's been really difficult for my Wife to maintain a career. She blames me for her lack of career stability, but overall, she has not had a real problem getting employment, just having the accumulation of years is the issue. By me being close to retirement, she'll be able to get her own career while I embark on my endeavors of being a Playstation guru.

Response by SFC Wade W. made May 11 at 2016 6:23 PM

2016-05-11T18:23:56-04:00

My wife was a stay at home mom. More work than most out of home jobs require. We didn't have all the nice toys that some of my fellow soldiers had but we were both happy doing it that way. Once my kids were in High School my wife went back to school (she was a certified electrician, CNA and certified home health care provider) for a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. She completed that degree and is now a teacher. I believe we made a conscious decision at some point that she would get her career underway when we began our civilian life and would be stable. I am glad we did.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 7:07 PM

2016-05-11T19:07:16-04:00

I met my EX in the Army she was a SP4 personnel clerk. After we married she was with child, so she separated from the Army and Started working in the civilian world for sometime. She then applied for a GS job and has been with civil service now over 20 years. Now works in Department of HLS. DC

Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made May 11 at 2016 7:20 PM

2016-05-11T19:20:09-04:00

This requirement takes a back seat to the service requirements thats for sure. The Spouse needs to be career orientated to one that is highly mobile and easily transferable. My advice would be to look at the bigger picture. What you may lose in your career will be more than made up in the successful career as an Active Duty Military Member in regards to financial and health insurance aspects.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 7:41 PM

2016-05-11T19:41:04-04:00

I think this is a great question, COL Mikel Burroughs, with some heartfelt responses!! I'd like to give a shout out to my little brother who's in the Army (17 yrs) but can't join RP right now, due to his current duties, and also his wife of 15 years (God bless all Military spouses). They truly have one of the most significant careers by personally supporting our troops! Thank you all!

Response by Cpl Michael Crowley made May 11 at 2016 11:30 PM

2016-05-11T23:30:20-04:00

My wife had her own double business, 4 resident adult foster care and 8 room motel, as a single mother. Both businesses were part of the same building. Additionally, part of the building was also our house. She succeeded with it from the time that her parents retired until her death. She owned, managed, and operated it for 25/46 years of it's establishment. Her normal work day started at 0900 and ended at 0300, 7 days/week. Her efforts earned her a business woman of the year award but she couldn't appear in person to accept it because she was working and she's also listed in 'Who's Who'. She will always be the standard that I compare myself and every person, male, female, whatever whom I ever come into contact with.

Response by Jene Thorne-Bryant, CMVR made May 13 at 2016 8:56 AM

2016-05-13T08:56:14-04:00

Hello! There is a fabulous organization called MSEP (Military Spouse Employment Partnership) that works with organizations to help spouses identify and secure career changes as their spouses duty station changes. They help to educate employers on the amazing attributes a military spouse brings to the table and the environment for which we live day-to-day - which allows for an understanding of the special situations that may arise during our employment. MSEP currently has 96 partners, who have hired more than 10,000 military spouses.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/military-spouse-employment-partnership-msep-?trk=company_logo

Join the Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4159976/profile

Response by SFC Bayardo Reyes made May 13 at 2016 12:19 PM

2016-05-13T12:19:56-04:00

got me there sir...

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made May 15 at 2016 3:03 PM

2016-05-15T15:03:42-04:00

Thanks for the post COL Mikel J. Burroughs, but I'm leaving this one to the Subject Matter Experts.