Evaluation of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership: Progress Report on First Stage of Analysis

Abstract

Abstract : Military service places distinct demands on service members and their families (U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Department of Defense, 2012). In particular, frequent relocations can complicate military spouses career trajectories (Booth, 2003; Booth, Falk, Segal,and Segal, 2000; Harrell, Lim, Weber, and Golinelli, 2004; Lim, Golinelli, and Cho, 2007). It is well documented that these frequent moves can have negative effects on the spouses ability to find employment in occupations of their choosing, earn wages that match their skills, and maintain long-term careers (Cooke and Speirs, 2005; Harrell, Lim, Weber, and Golinelli, 2004; Lim and Schulker, 2010). Previous research has found that, compared with their civilian counterparts, military spouses are more likely to be unemployed (jobless, but actively seeking work) or underemployed (either working part-time involuntarily or having higher levels of education than required for their jobs) (Lim and Schulker, 2010; Maury and Stone, 2014).Recognizing the challenges facing military families (and military spouses in particular), the White House published a directive in 2011 ordering the Department of Defense to expand the Army Spouse Employment Partnership, which had recruited 52 employer partners since its inception in 2003 to assist military spouses seeking private-sector careers, to serve Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force spouses (White House, 2011, p. 17). The Military Spouse Employment Partnership was launched on June 29, 2011.(footnote)1 It is one of four initiatives under the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program.