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Civilian Transition Services for Military Spouses

Transitioning from service to civilian life does not just impact the service member. It’s a complex process, and your role as a military spouse is critical in creating a smooth transition. Thankfully, plenty of resources exist to support military spouses during separation, which we will outline below.

Active-duty service members prepare to separate or retire from the military one year out. There is a set of milestones to pass, which vary depending on the military branch.

The transition period is an excellent time for the military member and you as a spouse to work on your resume, build a professional network, and decide on your path forward. Whether you choose to go into the workforce directly after separation or further your education, many options are available.

 

>> For information on staffing and recruiting companies looking for military spouses to place in jobs, use our CareerRecon tool!

 

MySTeP Military Spouse Transition Program

The Defense Department has created the Military Spouse Transition Program (MySTeP) tool to facilitate a smooth transition. This program empowers spouses to understand and utilize the benefits, resources, and tools available through separation.

The MySTeP program is self-directed and has three stages based on the experience: Stepping In, Stepping Through, and Stepping Beyond.

Stepping In

The Stepping In segment of the program is for military spouses who are still learning about all the programs and benefits the military offers.

Stepping In includes:

• Trusted and reliable information designed for the military-spouse community;
• Engaging videos to help you find answers to common questions about military life;
• Links for quick and easy access to relevant information, tools, and programs; and
• Opportunities to easily share information to help others find the resources they need

Related: Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Strategies

Stepping Through

The Stepping Through segment is for spouses who are more familiar with the military and want to expand their knowledge, grow their personal and professional networks, and dive deeper into the available resources and programs.

In Stepping Through, spouses will continue learning about successfully transitioning from military to civilian life. The program includes information designed specifically for military spouses and links for easy access to relevant tools.

Stepping Through includes:

• Trusted and reliable information designed for the military-spouse community;
• Links for quick and easy access to relevant information, tools, and programs; and
• Opportunities to easily share information to help others find the resources they need.

Stepping Beyond

The Stepping Beyond segment is for those actively preparing for a spouse’s separation.

This segment helps military families identify any possible challenges in their transition process and make a plan to overcome them. Pre-transition topics include post-military benefits, health care, finances, and transition training.

Whether your spouse is preparing to leave the military after four years or forty years, Stepping Beyond will help you achieve your post-military goals.

Stepping Beyond includes:

• Trusted and reliable information designed for the military-spouse community;
• Engaging videos to help you find answers to questions about transition-related topics;
• Downloadable and printable fact sheets to equip you with knowledge, resources, and confidence to help yourself, your family, and your friends successfully transition from the military and
• Links for quick and easy access to relevant information, tools, and programs

Education Resources for Military Spouses

It is a great time to explore education opportunities during the transition period. The benefits of completing a college education may include higher wages, better job opportunities, and increased professional security.

Many colleges, universities, and training programs support military spouses with specialized services, support, and financial assistance. Do you need help learning about your education benefits as a military spouse? Are you looking for portable military spouse career options?

Benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill help military spouses receive education assistance. There are also spouse and dependent programs you can explore.

Employment Resources

Leading up to separation is a great time to identify the people who will support you and your family during your transition to civilian life. Your network is a great place to start if you seek a job. If you know what kind of work you want to do, find a mentor currently doing that work who is willing to coach you. If you’re open to different types of work, look for referrals within your network.

Get in touch with friends and fellow military spouses. The most valuable job search tool is a referral, so continue to build and expand your network.

Look for organizations committed to helping veterans and their spouses find good jobs. A few examples are:

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative
• Military Officers Association of America
• United Service Organizations
• CareerRecon

Military Spouse Employment Partnership

The Department of the Interior is an official partner of the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP).

MSEP connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouses. MSEP is part of DoD’s broader Spouse

The Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) initiative seeks to strengthen military spouses’ education and career opportunities. For more information, visit the DOI website.

Do Your Research

With your updated resume ready, start narrowing your job search to a few fields and research what to expect. Use the CareerOneStop website, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, for free skills and interest assessments and career exploration tools, including salary information.

They also have a section for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

Where to Find Job Listings

There are several avenues for finding and applying for jobs. Websites that act as job bulletin boards let you post your resume for employers to find, search for, and apply for jobs in various industries. These sites include Monster, Indeed, CareerBuilder, and ZipRecruiter. You can apply directly for federal jobs at USAJOBS.gov.

Read more: Get a free Education Benefits Guide