Military Spouses In The Workplace 2017
Research
Overview
To better understand the military spouse employment landscape, HOH surveyed more than 1,200 spouses of active duty military service members and recent veterans to discover the challenges they face and the effects of military spouse unemployment and underemployment on military recruitment and retention.
Key findings included:
- Unemployment and underemployment continue to be significant challenges for most military spouses. Many are in part-time or seasonal positions when they would prefer full-time or permanent work.
- Military spouses with degrees face the greatest challenges in nearly every measurable employment category. They face the highest rates of unemployment and the most difficulty finding meaningful work.
- Moves between duty stations play havoc on careers. Not only do most military spouses have to quit jobs because of a move, they face long periods of unemployment after the move.
- Like most American families, military families want and need two incomes—something that is much harder for military families to achieve.
- The lack of employment opportunities creates stress and influences a family’s decision to stay in or leave the military—factors that ultimately hurt military readiness, retention, and recruiting.
