Qualified military spouses at 18 installations in eight states can now apply for up to $3,000 for up to two years in educational and training expenses under a new government program. The Department of Defense and the Department of Labor teamed to help military spouses build and develop portable careers in high demand fields.  Through the creation of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (www.MILSpouse.org/caa), the departments recognize the challenges a military spouse faces while trying to build a career bouncing from base to base.

The great thing about this program is that it is designed to keep money in the pockets of military families while helping spouses fund the training and certifications they need to boost their employment track in the fields of education, construction, health care, information technology and financial services.

"Service to your country shouldn't come at the sacrifice of your own dreams and goals or that of your family.  This initiative addressing the education and credentialing challenges of military spouses is a step in the right direction of helping many spouses live up to their potential while maintaining the home front," says Sue Hoppin, MOAA's Deputy Director for Spouse Outreach.  MOAA staff and members of the MOAA President's Currently Serving Military Spouse Advisory Council were in attendance for the program's recent kickoff at the Pentagon. 

Spouses at designated installations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, North Carolina and Washington who are married to an active duty E-1 to E-4, E-5, or O-1 to O-3 may be eligible for this financial assistance.  Other criteria and additional information can be found at http://caa.milspouse.org/Advance/FAQs.