Military Spouse Appreciation Day is part of National Military Appreciation Month. It is one way the nation acknowledges the many sacrifices military spouses make for family and country.
Even when putting others first, it’s important for military spouses to plan for the future. One way to do this is to get a solid education, and fortunately the armed forces provide a variety of education benefits for those married to servicemembers or veterans.
Military Spouse Education Benefits
The education benefits are available to military spouses include:
- MyCAA: The MyCAA program can be used to pursue certificates, licenses and associate’s degrees in portable career fields. It offers as much as $4,000 in financial assistance to military spouses who qualify.
- DEA: Designed for dependents of veterans who were disabled or died while serving, The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program provides up to 45 months of education benefits. It can be used to pursue a degree, certificate, apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
- SEAP: The Spouse Education Assistance Program offers need-based scholarships to Army spouses pursuing bachelor’s degrees. Only applicants who are the spouse of an active-duty Soldier or an Army veteran, or the widow(er) of a Soldier who died while serving, will be considered.
- Scholarships and Grants: Each branch of the military provides educational assistance to servicemembers and their families through scholarships and grants. Additionally, state governments and civic groups also offer this type of aid to military families. Many of these benefits go unclaimed every year, so it’s important to seek them out and apply for as many as possible.
Portable Careers for Military Spouses
Because they’re often on the move, it can be challenging for military spouses to maintain a career. But the following fields are highly portable; they allow professionals to find new jobs in new locations fairly easily:
- Accountant: Accounting is both portable and in-demand. Accountants can specialize in specific disciplines and find work in both the public and private sector. Most accountants hold a bachelor’s degree and a CPA license, and many go on to earn master’s degrees as well.
- Business Analyst: A business analyst may work in all levels of an organization and be involved in a number of initiatives to help their company grow and remain competitive. Companies in all industries need business analysts, making it a very portable and stable job. A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum required education for this career path.
- Cybersecurity Professional: Companies of all sizes are constantly working hard to increase their defense against cyber attacks. The need for cybersecurity professionals is projected to grow over the next decade, as our society becomes increasingly digital. Most people working in cybersecurity have at least a bachelor’s degree, but some employers prefer a master’s degree.
- Event Planner: An event planner is responsible for coordinating a special occasion from conception to completion. This career path is a great option for military spouses, as talented professionals are needed to plan events everywhere. Most event planners have a bachelor’s degree.
- Internet Marketing Agent: An Internet marketing agent sells online advertising space and opportunities to clients. Work is typically completed online or over the phone, making it a great career path for a military spouse. Earning an associate’s degree can set the foundation needed to succeed in this profession.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a very important part of National Military Appreciation Month; military spouses sacrifice more than most people realize. Taking advantage of the available education benefits is a great way they can focus on themselves a little and prepare for the future. Military spouses deserve a rewarding career they can be proud of.