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By Renee Bostick
There are more than 600,000 military spouses, of whom more than 90% are women. They are ten times as likely to move across state lines. The greatest challenge is finding meaningful employment for the spouse. More than 35% of military spouses consider themselves underemployed. (Sid Goodfriend, Wall Street Journal, November 12, 2018)
Unique.
Every military spouse has a story, a story of service that frequently includes balancing the daily (and myriad) challenges of being a mother-father, chauffeur-chef, tutor-caretaker, financial manager-banker, counselor-confidant, volunteer-networker often running a parallel course with a portable career and a resume that zigzags.
Resilient.
Throughout their lives as military spouses they experience life wrecks and safe harbors. Their resilience is inspiring and instructive, a source of “can do” spirit coming from a place of abundance, a fulness of strength for mind and body.
Perseverant.
When I think of the military spouses that I have known, the word perseverant perfectly describes them. Their actions and words reflect a firmness of purpose, commitment, resolve, steadfastness and enduring devotion to family, friends, and country.
Yes, military spouses also serve. They are unique, resilient and perseverant. Of those military spouses who seek employment and/or have sought employment with each move and reassignment, they have unique personal stories that reflect the challenges of a “on the move” resume.
So, what is my story? During my husband’s 38 years of active duty military service, we moved 27 times. Our son served, too. He moved 11 times in his thirteen years attending stateside and DoD overseas schools. I worked at 26 schools, in six states, on three continents in the role of teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal and principal. A career dedicated to children/students, families, soldiers and our country.
The question comes to mind: How was I able to persevere and build a career as an educator? The answer: mentors. The mentorship I experienced came in three forms:
- Mentored by someone, someone you trust (family, friend, colleague, boss)
- Observing mentorship in action/learned through professional development
- Mentored others
With my mentor hat secure, I offer the following points to ponder, food for thought (which you may know, but never hurts to repeat):
- When you know the location of your next duty station, research job opportunities as soon as you learn you are moving. Select/apply for jobs that you know you are qualified for, but also those that will be a bit of a stretch.
- When called for an in-person interview, if not able to physically participate in the interview, ask if Skype or Zoom are an option.
- Credentialing is different from state to state. 27 states will issue temporary or provisional licenses for portable jobs such as teaching, nursing, accounting, pharmacy and law.
- 45 states pay unemployment benefits if you must leave a job due to military relocation.
- The post 9-11 GI Bill transfers tuition dollars to children and spouses. The amount can be split among members of a family. Military spouses are eligible for instate tuition.
- National organizations such as American Corporate Partners (ACP) Military Spouse Mentorship Program, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), and the National Military Family Association (NMFA), sponsor websites that support military spouses, children, and families.
Valued and nurtured by the community and network of military spouses, mentorship provides an enduring gift: the beauty and satisfaction that one day I, you, or we can pay it forward.
