Blue Star Families Partners to Create Spouse Ambassador Network

Last week the United States Department of Defense deepened its commitment to helping military spouses find jobs by launching the Spouse Ambassador Network, which will be a new arm of the department’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. The Spouse Ambassador Network is made possible by SECO’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership and several military support organizations, including Blue Star Families, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Military Family Association. More than 200 businesses have joined the partnership as well, pledging to hire military spouses.

The Spouse Ambassador Network was created in collaboration with military spouses. “Well-networked” military husbands and wives were asked what career information and resources would be helpful to them when looking for jobs. As a result, the SECO website offers articles, links, networking opportunities, skill assessments and access to personality assessments that could guide spouses when making a career choice. The career center will be accessible 24/7 on the Military OneSource website and will even offer individuals the ability to transfer their LinkedIn profiles to the SECO site.

“[The partner companies] recognize the value of military spouses, and that they have the kinds of skills and talent that most employers are looking for in the 21^st century,” said Meg O’Grady. “They’re resilient, flexible, natural team players, and tend to be very local. Our employers have told us that bringing a military spouse into their organization creates a real value for that business.”