What Military One Source can do for you?

Being a Military Spouse is not an easy task, no matter what anybody says. I don't think any of us knew what we were getting into.

I've always said the Military Families are special and as such they have special experiences challenges and needs. Not only we deal with the daily challenges of the "normal" Families but also with the added challenges of the "Military Life". We relocate constantly, our children in fifth grade have been in more schools that a regular senior (and I mean college senior!), as spouses we change employment constantly, miss family events and to top that our Spouses are gone constantly adding their usual duties to our already busy schedule. But there is help around the corner.

There is a free (let me stress it FREE) 24-hour, 7-days-a-week, information and referral service available to active duty, Reserve, and National Guard military members and guess what? is available for their Families too!!! regardless or the Service and component so we are all included Army, Navy, Air Force Marines you name it!!

The name: Military One Source (MOS).
They can provide information from the day to day issues and concerns, deployment, retirement, financial readiness, education, child care, relocation, parenting, and many, many other topics. you can also visit their Web site at www.militaryonesource.com for additional information on many of topics, order FREE booklets and/or CDs (they will ship them free of charge too), and even reach proffessionals and even receive counseling online or by phone. What could be better than that?!!!

BTW they have an extraordinary bilingual (English and Spanish) Sesame Street DVD to help children as they cope with thedifferent challenges they experienced during different phases of deployment. They recommend it for children within the ages of 2-5 but I can promise you any child would benefit from this great resource. Even my daugther who is 12 and who's father has deployed many many MANY times found it usefull.

All of this at the touch of a button... or a few... 1-800-342-9647

Where to go when Unemployed

I understand first hand how it feels to be unemployed and don't know what to do. But there are may resources available in your community.

Lets start with the most known and most misundestood. The State Employment Office, (better know as the Unemployment Office). In this Office they can assist you with many issues or situations such as finding employment, education referral and assistance, filing an employment claim, orientation, veteran employment and training services and of course unemployment.

Every state has its own rules about unemployment and Military Spouses. It is important to check with your local office to make sure your eligibility to receive unemployment when you PCS is not jeopardized. In some states you might resign 60 days prior to your new station report date, but if by mistake you do it even a few days in advance you might loose you unemployment benefits.

For information about services and unemployment in each state and territories please follow link below.



http://www.dol.gov/esa/contacts/state_of.htm

http://www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm

Unemployment by State

Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (CAA)

CAA is a limited time program to assist military spouses get the training/education they need to improve their careers. The program is a result of the collaboration of Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Defense (DoD).

The CAA can be used to pay for tuition and education and credential-related expenses
of up to $3,000 per year. The CAA might be renewable for a second year.

For Spouses to be eligible the of active duty service member/sponsor must be assigned to one the following military installations:

• California: Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps); Naval Base San Diego Metro (Navy)
• Colorado: Fort Carson (Army); Peterson AFB (Air Force)
• Florida: Eglin AFB (Air Force); Hurlburt Field (Air Force); NAS Jacksonville (Navy)
• Georgia: Fort Benning (Army)
• Hawaii: Hickam AFB (Air Force); Kaneohe Bay (Marine Corps); Pearl Harbor (Navy); Schofield Barracks (Army)
• Maine: NAS Brunswick (Navy)
• North Carolina: Fort Bragg (Army); Pope AFB (Air Force)
• Washington: McChord AFB (Air Force); Fort Lewis (Army); Naval Base Kitsap (Navy)
  

For more information please visit the following link:
http://caa.milspouse.org/

Military Spouse Preference

The purpose of the spouse preference program is to to reduce the impact of frequent relocations on spouses careers. It applies to those military spouses who relocate to accompany their sponsor on a permanent change of station (PCS) move to an ACTIVE duty location. Section 806 of Public Law 99-145, "Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Act of 1986," directed DoD to increase employment opportunities for spouses of active duty Armed Forces personnel.
Eligibility: Spouses of active duty military members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the U.S. Coast Guard and full time National Guard .
The military spouse claiming the preference may register 30 days prior to the sponsor’s reporting.

Please visit the following links for additional information:

http://www.defenselink.mil/mapsite/spousepref.html
http://www.cpol.army.mil/library/permiss/6314.html

Military Spouse Portable Careers

In the video bar below the header of this blog you can find portable careers information for Military Spouses.
These videos offer important information for those of you who are interested in a work at home position. Now, keep in mind a working at home is not for everyone and it might be very challeging.
But I do believe is a great opportunity!

Check it out!!!

Employment Assistance

Did you know there is assistance to promote Military Spouses Employment Readiness in all Military branches? Well there is! You can access most of them by just going to the nearest Military Base (except the coast guard which is a web based assistance).

Army: Employment Readiness Program

Navy: Spouse Employment Assistance Program

Air Force: Career Focus Program

Marine Corps: Family Member Employment Assistance Program

Coast Guard: Access the Work Life Employment Assistance Program at
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wk/wkw/work-life_programs/Spouse_employment_assistance.htm

All these programs can assist you in your search for employment and other services to promote Employment Readiness.

Of Course we do not want to forget the State Department of Labor Regional Offices (commonly and mistakenly known as the Unemployment Office) which are a great employment resource.