DOD Now Accepting Applications for New Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot

The Defense Department launched a 12-week paid fellowship program to expand employment opportunities for eligible military spouses.

The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot program provides spouses of currently serving members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, to include active, reserve and National Guard components, with paid fellowships at civilian employers across various industries and locations.

This program directly addresses DOD's Taking Care of Our People directive to expand spousal employment. DOD continually reaches out to the force to better understand their concerns and improve how we can best support them and their families on a broad range of issues. It also supports the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program's overall goal of providing information, tools and resources to assist spouses in finding meaningful career opportunities.

"The military spouse career accelerator pilot is a game changer for career ready military spouses," said Patricia Montes Barron, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy. "The department has partnered with Hiring our Heroes to provide robust and meaningful fellowship placement that could lead to full-time employment. Military spouses have made it clear that meaningful employment is essential to their quality of life. We hope this program provides them a strong start to solid employment opportunities."

Expanding Spousal Employment Opportunities

Military spouses who are accepted into the program will be placed with host companies that match their location and work experience, among other factors. Spouses will receive in-person or professional training and mentoring. At the end of the fellowship, spouses who excel in the program may be invited to join the host company as a direct hire.

This program will run for three years, and applications will be accepted throughout the length of the program, with new opportunities available each month. The first cohort of fellows will be placed with their host companies starting in January 2023.

Spouses can find more information about eligibility and learn how to apply for this unique opportunity on MySECO, the website of the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program.

Connecting Employers With Skilled Talent

By partnering with the fellowship program, employers gain access to a pipeline of military spouse fellows that are equipped with education, transferable skills and experience in a variety of roles and industries. They represent a diverse population faced with challenges finding and maintaining careers due to frequent relocations. 

Employers who are accepted into the fellowship program will receive the following benefits:

• Early access to a diverse pool of a highly skilled and educated workforce
• Free opportunity to connect directly with military spouses – the program is fully subsidized by the Defense Department and is free to employers to participate
• Recognition opportunities through promotional activities and social media engagement
• Opportunity to bring military spouses who excel in the fellowship on board as a direct hire after the program is completed

Employers can apply to participate on a rolling basis throughout the length of the program. This program is provided at no cost to employers with the Defense Department providing compensation for all military spouse fellows.

Employers who are interested in hosting a military spouse fellow may visit the Hiring Our Heroes website to learn more.

Spouse and employers with additional questions about the program can contact [email protected].

About Military Community and Family Policy

Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for establishing and overseeing quality-of-life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission-ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. These DOD services can be accessed 24/7/365 around the world.