On ‘Military Spouses Day,’ a bipartisan effort to help spouses in their careers
President Trump declared Friday, “Military Spouses Day” as a way to recognize military spouses and the sacrifices they make.
Military life is no picnic for families as they move from base to base. It can be hard for spouses to find good jobs, even tougher to build a career. Members of Congress have introduced legislation to make it easier for military spouses to continue careers.
Brittany Boccher is a military spouse who works in education.
“I know the mission comes first, so we move roughly every two to three years,” said Brittany Boccher, a military spouse from Arkansas
Boccher lives in Arkansas but when her husband transfers from base to base, she has to leave her career behind.
“Sacrificing what I worked hard to achieve, and I am not the only one,” she said.
Second Lady Karen Pence’s son serves in the Marines. She said employment challenges hurt military spouses and their families.
“Spouses are the backbone of the military families, and they contribute directly to the strength and readiness of our troops,” Pence said.
Lawmakers said as a result of transfers, many military spouses are either unemployed or underemployed. There’s now a bipartisan effort to make it easier for families to make a living.
“It authorizes the Pentagon to help states create uniform standards for occupational licenses that military spouses need,” said Senator Tom Cotton, (R- Arkansas).
Senator Cotton and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) are co-sponsors of the “Portable Certification of Spouses Act.”
“It will ease the burdens that military spouses face as they practice their professions and move their businesses across the country,” Shaheen said.
The bill would establish a universal standard for fields like teaching, nursing and other licensed professions and help the spouses keep their careers.
“You are giving them the gift to have their family and fulfill their calling through their career.”
Defense Department officials said happy families help keep our military men and women focused on their jobs.
Next week, Second Lady Karen Pence is hosting an event with neary 50 companies to help connect military families with job opportunities.