{"id":30458,"date":"2023-02-09T21:01:33","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T21:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/02\/09\/new-program-opens-up-more-jobs-for-overseas-military-spouses\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:19:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:19:12","slug":"new-program-opens-up-more-jobs-for-overseas-military-spouses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/newsletters\/2023\/02\/09\/new-program-opens-up-more-jobs-for-overseas-military-spouses\/","title":{"rendered":"New program opens up more jobs for overseas military spouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

More job opportunities may be opening up \u2014 and more quickly \u2014 for spouses of service members stationed overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force and Navy have implemented a new pilot program for locations outside the United States that allows Department of Defense organizations to hire qualified military spouses<\/a> more quickly for certain civil service positions, outside the competitive hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information was not available from the Army or the Marine Corps about the status of their programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A number of DoD organizations already prioritize hiring military spouses, and officials say this direct-hire authority will cut two weeks or more out of the hiring process for spouses. Defense Commissary Agency officials expect to have their plans and instructions ready for their overseas hiring managers within 30 days, said DeCA spokesman Kevin Robinson. And the Department of Defense Education Activity is using the program for the positions that qualify, said DoDEA spokesman Will Griffin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unemployment rate<\/a> for military spouses hovers around 21%, affecting the family\u2019s financial and overall well-being. Over the years, defense and service officials, as well as private groups, have worked on a number of initiatives<\/a> to help spouses find meaningful employment, especially portable jobs that can move with them during their many relocations with their service member. Moving overseas often brings even more difficulty for spouses to find jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe recognize that spouse employment is a fundamental quality of life issue for our airmen and guardians, especially for families in overseas locations,\u201d said John Carbone, director for civilian force management for Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services, in announcing the start of the service\u2019s pilot program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re hoping having access to this new hiring authority will open up greater opportunities for spouses, which in turn will positively impact military retention, the financial well-being of the family, and Department of the Air Force readiness,\u201d Carbone said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The direct-hire authority applies to General Schedule (GS) and Wage Grade (WG) competitive services positions within DoD components that are permanently located outside the United States, and in Grades 15 and below or the equivalent. Merit factors are the basis for selecting individuals for positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to DoD guidance implementing the program, which Congress authorized in the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, here are some details about the program and eligibility:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Spouses must be authorized to accompany their service member to the duty location on permanent change of station orders at government expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Spouses must reside with the service member in the same local commuting area of the member\u2019s duty assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Spouses must be applying for a position within that local commuting area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 The ongoing DoD Military Spouse Preference Program is separate from this appointing authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Appointments using this direct-hire authority are made on a time-limited basis, not to exceed two years. But the appointment may be extended for two additional terms of no more than two years each, for a total of six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Appointments will end when the term expires, at the end of the service member\u2019s tour of duty, or in the event of divorce from or death of the sponsor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 If the service member is relocated to another location outside the United States in a permanent change of station, the spouse may be eligible for a new appointment to another position using this direct-hire authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Appointments using this authority can\u2019t be made after Dec. 31, 2026, when the pilot program ends, unless future law extends the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\t