New program opens doors for junior military spouses

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Angela Shepherd
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The military has extended yet another generous opportunity to spouses of junior enlisted and officer members. 

Thanks to the introduction of a new initiative called Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts, a total of $6,000 in the form of an educational grant is available to spouses of military members in the grades of E-1 through E-5 and O-1 through O-3. The grant helps lessen the family's financial burden for tuition, books, certification testing and licensing fees associated with programs in financial services, education, health care, information technology and skilled trades. 

"We are excited to have this opportunity to assist junior enlisted and officer spouses in the pursuit of their education and career goals," said Rose Caruth, education and base training flight chief. 

The base education office has the lead on the program at Hurlburt Field, but is working in conjunction with the Airman & Family Readiness Center and the local branch of JobsPlus One Stop Career Center to ensure these benefits are used by as many spouses as possible. 

"This is a huge effort between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor to offer funding to junior military spouses affected by frequent military moves and periodic setbacks in their career development," Ms. Caruth said. "We understand the sacrifices spouses make, so we are ready to assist them any way we can." 

The program isn't available to many people just yet. Only 18 military bases, eight of which are Air Force bases, are eligible to participate in the pilot phase of this program. Hurlburt and Eglin both made the cut. 

The grant provides the spouse $3,000 the first year and can be renewed a second year for an additional $3,000. 

Briefings are Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Commando Auditorium (formerly the base theater.) Staff from the education office, the A&FRC and JobsPlus will be on hand to further explain the program and answer questions. On-base and local colleges will also have displays during the briefings. 

For more information, call 884-5441 or visit www.milspouse.org and www.voled.doded.mil.