Military Spouses Face Persistent Challenges in Finding and Keeping Jobs

Military spouses like Michelle Pasco are struggling to find stable employment after relocating for their partner's military assignments. Ninety-six days since arriving at Camp Pendleton, California, Pasco is still searching for work despite holding a teaching degree from San Antonio, Texas. Her journey highlights the broader challenges faced by military families in maintaining career continuity due to frequent relocations and complex state credentialing requirements.

Pasco’s experience reflects a wider trend of unemployment among military spouses. She describes facing repeated rejection during job interviews when disclosing her status as a military spouse. "The fastest way to get ghosted after a job interview is by telling them you’re a military spouse," she said, noting that employers often view such disclosures with skepticism and uncertainty about long-term commitment.

Military spouse employment has become an urgent concern for military leaders, lawmakers, and family advocacy groups. The issue is closely linked to financial stability, quality of life, and retention rates among service members. In response, Congress has advanced bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing barriers to employment for military spouses, including the Military Spouse Hiring Act, which would provide tax incentives for employers who hire them.

Despite these efforts, the situation remains challenging. According to the 2025 Military Family 360 Report by the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), unemployment among active-duty spouses actively seeking work rose to 29.9% in 2025 from 21.8% in 2023, indicating that existing initiatives have not fully addressed the problem.

Congress has been working on this issue for over a decade, expanding federal hiring preferences and supporting interstate occupational licensing reforms. However, Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia acknowledges that while progress has been made, legislation alone is insufficient to ensure better outcomes for military spouses. He emphasizes the need for more effective implementation and measurement of program impacts.

Frequent relocations, assignments in rural or economically depressed areas, deployments, and unpredictable schedules continue to disrupt career trajectories in ways civilian families rarely experience. These factors contribute to high rates of unemployment and underemployment among military spouses. Underemployment is particularly prevalent, with 55.9% of active-duty spouses reporting they earn less than needed, work fewer hours than desired, or hold positions below their qualifications.

Efforts by the Department of Defense to ease employment transitions through various programs have had limited success due to lengthy hiring timelines and complicated eligibility requirements that often hinder military spouses from fully benefiting. As a result, there is an ongoing need for more tailored support and innovative solutions to help military families maintain financial stability and career continuity amidst constant relocation.

The persistent challenges faced by military spouses underscore the necessity for continued legislative action and improved implementation of existing initiatives aimed at supporting these individuals in their pursuit of stable employment.