National nonprofit helps military spouses, veterans enter workforce

HOMOSASSA, Fla. — Military spouses are facing a challenge when it comes to being hired in the workforce.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, military spouses experience an unemployment rate of around 20% to 22%, which is about four times higher than the national average. Many are underemployed or forced to accept part-time work due to unpredictable schedules. One nonprofit is helping change that.

“We’re big kids. We just like to have fun.”

At the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park, Jasmine Then reflects on some old photos pictured with her husband.

“We just love exploring, going to different theme parks,” said Then. “We actually went to Disney Sea in Japan as well.”

Then is a proud military spouse. Her husband, Erick, serves in the National Guard. But because of frequent relocations and an unpredictable family schedule, Then experienced challenges when it came to finding work.

“It’s been much more difficult than I thought it’d be,” she says. “I think, also, factoring in that we moved to such a rural area — we’re about an hour north of Tampa and that’s where a lot of the opportunities are. I am seeking remote work because I’m still a military spouse and my husband does deploy from time to time.”

But help came when she discovered the nonprofit Hire Heroes USA. The national organization offers free career coaching, resume support and job search resources for veterans and military spouses.

“What we do is just be a coach for these veterans and military spouses in their employment search,” said Kelly Grivner-Kelly, the serving spouses program manager with Hire Heroes USA.

Through the nonprofit, Grivner-Kelly says, they have helped with more than 110,000 hires.

“Military spouses are really one of the most educated and resilient workforces but they really face unemployment around 21% to 22%, which is four to five times higher than the national average,” said Grivner-Kelly. “So this is really an untapped talent pool but they’re struggling to find meaningful employment. A lot of that deals with having to move every two to three years.”

Then fits that demographic. But there may be a solution ahead. 

“I’ve submitted hundreds of applications, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I’m actually moving on to my third round of interviews this week for a talent acquisition coordinator role.”

An opportunity that has come from the help of Hire Heroes USA and some self-perseverance.

“There’s so much out there,” said Then. “Just take the time, do your due diligence and be your own self-advocate.”