The Department of Defense and the Department of Labor have joined together to spend $32 million for a two year test program designed to open the doors to our military spouses of active duty junior enlisted and junior officers for more fulfilling careers. Under the program, spouses will be reimbursed for expenses directly related to post-secondary education and training, including costs for tuition, fees, books, equipment, and credentialing and licensing fees required for careers in education, health care, information technology, construction trades, financial services, and other “high-growth, portable” fields. The program also covers the cost of renewing existing credentials and licenses due to a military move.
According to an American Forces Press Service article, Beginning in January, the new program will launch at 18 military installations in eight states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, North Carolina and Washington. Spouses of active-duty servicemembers grades E1 through E5 and O1 to O3 will be eligible to participate. They must have a high school or general education diploma.
Coast Guard need not apply. Apparently we’re not elgible. Once again, Coast Guard families treated second to everyone else in the “military”.
Do you know what bases they will be trying this at exactly?
All active duty bases in the eight states mentioned. (See: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blstatefacts.htm.
How about the families overseas? When will this take affect for us? It is going to completely pay for the spouses college??
Any chance of Ohio being included anytime soon?
This is great leap in addressing readiness and retention. While this demonstration project in CONUS is important; it is much more important overseas since resources are not as readily available as in the CONUS. Overseas spouses should not be left out in such an important program.
After the education, licensing, and certifications – does this program also finance resume writing and career consulting? If so, we are available for transitioning military and/or their spouses.