FY2024 NDAA: Military Spouse Employment Matters

The Department of Defense (DOD) provides certain benefits and services to military servicemember spouses as part of broader quality of life programs to support recruitment and retention. The unpredictable nature of military service, along with frequent permanent change of station (PCS) moves for military families, can make it difficult for spouses to establish and maintain meaningful careers.

Spousal unemployment and underemployment has been associated with increases in family and relationship stress and dissatisfaction with military service. DOD considers spouse employment to be a component of military family readiness, and Congress has endeavored to address employment challenges by authorizing support for military spouse education, training, hiring, and professional license portability, among other initiatives.