A new agreement signed by the military service secretaries intends to explore how military spouses can find jobs and have careers at overseas bases.
The memorandum requires each service assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs to support a team that would focus on understanding the challenges military spouses face overseas. The team will make recommendations on policies, programs and laws that would make it easier for spouses overseas to gain employment.
“Military service is a team sport that begins with the family," Army Secretary Mark Esper said in May 15 release. “Helping our spouses pursue their careers while they support their service members is not only the right thing to do, it improves the readiness of the force and our retention of top talent.”
The team is slated to update the three service secretaries on its progress by September.