Written by: Kim Butler Smith, MS & Kayla Reed-Fitzke, PhD, LMFT
Each year, Military Spouse Appreciation Day gives us a moment to recognize the resilience, adaptability, and contributions of military spouses. For military and civilian service providers who assist spouses with employment, it’s also a time to reflect on how we can strengthen the support we offer every day.
Unemployment and Underemployment Remain Persistent
Findings from the 2024 Active-Duty Spouse Survey (ADSS) continue to reinforce what many providers see firsthand: military spouses are highly skilled, educated, and motivated to work. Yet employment outcomes tell a different story. While workforce participation has increased, unemployment remains a stubborn challenge. Military spouse unemployment is holding at about 20% in 2024, virtually unchanged from 21% in 2021 (Office of People Analytics, 2023, 2025), and still roughly four times higher than the national average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
Even when spouses secure employment, the quality and alignment of that work remain a concern. Research shows that more than half of employed military spouses experience underemployment, often working in roles that do not match their education or experience (Hill et al., 2020). Additional federal research indicates that about one-third of employed military spouses work part-time, frequently due to the constraints of military life rather than preference (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2024). This is particularly striking given that many military spouses hold college or advanced degrees (Office of People Analytics, 2025). Earlier research found that 67% of spouses with college degrees and 70% with postgraduate degrees have experienced periods of unemployment, underscoring how education alone does not insulate against the challenges of military life (Hill et al., 2020).
Signs of Progress Amid Ongoing Barriers
Recent data continues to show incremental progress alongside persistent gaps. The 2024 ADSS notes 69% of civilian spouses were in the labor force, which is a notable increase from 64% in 2021 (Office of People Analytics, 2023). This signals strong motivation to work despite ongoing barriers. However, participation does not necessarily translate into stable or meaningful employment.
Military Spouse Employment Is a Readiness Issue
The challenges military spouses face are not just tied to the individual; they are systemic. And increasingly, they are being recognized as such. The newly launched Office of Spouse Employment reflects a growing commitment by the U.S. Department of War to address these barriers at a structural level. By focusing on policy alignment, employer engagement, and cross-sector collaboration, this effort reinforces what research has long suggested. Spouse employment is directly tied to military family well-being and overall readiness. In fact, the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness has emphasized that military spouse employment is not a peripheral workforce concern, but a core readiness issue (Office of the Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, 2025). Department messaging underscores that reducing barriers to spouse employment strengthens family financial stability, improves retention, and ultimately supports mission readiness by ensuring service members are not distracted by avoidable economic strain at home. This framing aligns directly with the intent behind the establishment of the Office of Spouse Employment, which reflects a growing shift toward treating spouse employment as a structural readiness priority rather than a standalone quality-of-life initiative.
Why This Matters for Service Providers
For providers on the front lines, whether in career counseling, workforce development, or family support, this context matters. Understanding the data behind these experiences allows providers to move beyond surface-level solutions and toward more informed, targeted support. It enables more effective conversations with spouses, stronger partnerships with employers, and more strategic approaches to overcoming barriers.
A New Learning Opportunity for Providers
To support this work, OneOp is launching a new Spouse Employment course in June 2026 titled A 360 View of the Spouse Employment Environment, created specifically for military and civilian professionals who support spouses in their employment journeys. Through real-world scenarios, research-informed insights from sources such as the ADSS, and practical application strategies, this interactive course is designed to help providers better understand and address the unique employment challenges military spouses face. We invite you to pre-enroll for the course by clicking here.
As we recognize Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let’s continue to move beyond acknowledgment and toward action. Grounded in data, informed by experience, and focused on impact.
References
Hill, M., Williams, R., Keyal, A., Mariani, J., & Routh, A. (2018). Military spouse unemployment: Exploring solutions to a local problem of national importance. Deloitte. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/government-public-sector-services/military-spouse-unemployment.html
Office of People Analytics. (2023). 2021 Active-Duty Spouse Survey [PDF]. Department of Defense. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Presentations/2021-active-duty-spouse-overview-briefing.pdf
Office of People Analytics. (2025). 2024 Active-Duty Spouse Survey [PDF]. Department of Defense. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Presentations/2024-active-duty-spouse-survey-full-briefing.pdf
Office of the Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness. (2025). Data shows that the unemployment rate for military spouses remains elevated and highlights readiness implications [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/office-of-the-secretary-of-defense-for-personnel-and-readiness_data-shows-that-the-unemployment-rate-for-activity-7447766946139426817-cBvS
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (February 2025). Civilian unemployment rate. https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-unemployment-rate.htm
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2024). Military spouse employment: Part-time workforce characteristics and perspectives (GAO-24-106263). https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106263
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