Second Service: Career Opportunities for Military Spouses After Military Retirement

For many military families, the end of active-duty life marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. While service members hang up their uniforms, military spouses often find themselves at a similar crossroads—ready to step into new roles, embrace stability, and reignite their professional ambitions.

The years spent moving duty station to duty station, managing households during deployments, and putting careers on hold are not wasted time. In fact, those years cultivated an incredible skill set that employers in the civilian workforce value. Post-military life offers military spouses a unique chance to pivot, grow, and launch a “second service” of their own—this time, focusing on personal career fulfillment.

A New Chapter for the Whole Family

Military retirement isn’t just a transition for the service member—it’s a shift for the entire family. With newfound stability, many spouses find they finally have the chance to plant roots and focus on long-term career goals that might have seemed out of reach during active-duty years.

Whether you’re re-entering the workforce after a long pause or seeking to change direction entirely, this next season of life can be the perfect opportunity to build a career that aligns with your passions and skills.

Industries That Value Military Spouses

Certain industries recognize the unique strengths of military spouses and actively seek to hire them:

1. Healthcare and Social Services
   • Nursing, counseling, social work.
   • Military spouse experience with caregiving and support roles can be a natural fit.
2. Education and Training
   • Teaching, tutoring, educational administration.
   • Military spouses often develop instructional skills through base volunteerism and community involvement.
3. Government and Federal Jobs
   • Spouses often qualify for military spouse hiring preferences.
   • Positions in administration, logistics, and human resources are common entry points.
4. Project Management and Operations
   • PMI (Project Management Institute) certification can boost job opportunities.
   • Relevant to industries like construction, healthcare, IT, and corporate sectors.
5. Technology and Remote Work
   • IT support, cybersecurity, software development, and virtual assistance.
   • Tech certifications (CompTIA, AWS, Salesforce) open doors for remote and hybrid roles.
6. Entrepreneurship and Small Business
   • Many military spouses turn their passions into businesses (consulting, creative services, online retail).

Actionable Strategies to Get Started

1. Update Your Resume

• Highlight skills, not just job titles. Emphasize leadership roles, volunteer experience, and project management.
• Frame gaps in employment as periods of skill development—PCS moves, caregiving, and volunteering count!
• Get free professional resume help at:
  • Family Support Centers (Airman & Family Readiness, Army Community Service, Fleet & Family Support)
  • Military OneSource Spouse Career Center (free consultations with certified career coaches)

2. Leverage Networking Events

• Attend Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Hiring Events—both virtual and in-person.
• Join local chambers of commerce or professional groups, depending on the position or desired career track
• Tap into military spouse organizations like In Gear Career or Military SpouseProfessional Network (MSPN) for mentorship and local networking opportunities.
• Use LinkedIn and request a free one-year Premium Career subscription through their military spouse program.

3. Get Certified

Depending on your career goals, certifications can give you a competitive edge:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) (for project managers).
• CompTIA A+, Security+, Network+ (for IT and cybersecurity roles).
• Human Resources Certifications (SHRM-CP or PHR).
• Teaching Certifications (state-specific, or TESOL for teaching English online).
• Medical and Healthcare Licenses (nursing, dental assisting, social work—check for portability programs like the Interstate Compact Licensure for nurses).

Programs like MyCAA (for eligible spouses of active-duty service members) and Military Spouse Career Advancement accounts can help fund certifications. Even after active duty ends, many community colleges and state programs offer military spouse discounts.

4. Explore Federal Employment

• Military spouses may qualify for Non-Competitive Appointment Authority, giving them hiring preference for federal jobs.
• Check USAJobs.gov for spouse-preference postings.
• Connect with a Family Support Center Employment Specialist for help navigating the application process.

Military spouses bring a wealth of skills to the table—skills forged by experience, sharpened by challenge, and ready for the next chapter.

Your second service starts now—and it’s one you can design on your own terms.