Written by: Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh, Founder & Executive Director, Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network (FMSN)
Military spouses are resilient, resourceful, and globally mobile. Yet, for those stationed outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) or foreign-born spouses living stateside, the path to employment can feel like an uphill battle – whether it’s navigating host nation work permits or translating foreign credentials.
Join me on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:00 am ET, where we’ll unpack the unique challenges and strengths of these two capable but under-supported groups and discover practical strategies to empower them toward meaningful employment. Even if you can’t attend the live webinar event, register to get access to the slide deck, resources, and receive a link to watch it on demand.
What You’ll Learn
This event session is designed for service providers, career counselors, family readiness professionals, and employers. Together, we’ll explore:
- Barrier Differentiation: Why OCONUS and foreign-born CONUS spouses face distinct employment obstacles, and how to tailor support accordingly
- Effective Interventions: Community-based programs and credentialing models that deliver results
- Employer Engagement: Tactics for showcasing global spouse talent to local and multinational organizations
This webinar is eligible for free continuing education credits through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as well as other credentialing partners.
Why This Matters
A substantial portion of military spouses face unemployment, underemployment, and barriers to employment due to frequent relocations – particularly when stationed overseas (Office of People Analytics, 2025). Foreign-born spouses often encounter additional challenges, including credential mismatches, immigration hurdles, and social disconnects (Blue Star Families, 2024). With the right tools, partnerships, and programming, we can reverse these trends and build clear pathways to career success for every military spouse.
Join us and help shape a future where no spouse’s talent goes untapped. Register today: https://oneop.org/learn/160107
References:
Blue Star Families. (2024). Military Family Lifestyle Survey: Comprehensive report. https://bluestarfam.org/survey
Office of People Analytics. (2025). 2024 Active-Duty Spouse Survey [PDF]. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Presentations/2024-active-duty-spouse-survey-full-briefing.pdf
Photo Credit: Thanthara | Adobe Stock 942360581
