{"id":20443,"date":"2017-11-25T14:35:04","date_gmt":"2017-11-25T14:35:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/11\/25\/pilot-program-helps-overseas-military-spouses-work-from-home\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:12:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:12:02","slug":"pilot-program-helps-overseas-military-spouses-work-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2017\/11\/25\/pilot-program-helps-overseas-military-spouses-work-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot program helps overseas military spouses work from home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Congress wants to help more military spouses living overseas find work, even if that means telecommuting across an ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tucked into the annual defense authorization bill, which is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump later this month, is a provision for a new pilot program \u201cproviding telework facilities for military spouses on military installations outside the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effort, which could cost up to $1 million, is designed to broaden opportunities for military spouses whose careers are affected by out-of-country military moves. The pilot program would provide technical assistance and partnerships with private, U.S. businesses to examine how to better allow those individuals a chance to keep working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to National Military Family Association research, the average service member faces a new move in less than every three years. That frequent upheaval is one reason the unemployment rate among military spouses is estimated at around 23 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For families who receive orders to overseas locations \u2014 with new employment rules, new job certifications and new language barriers \u2014 the challenge of finding a job is even more daunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifics of the pilot program are still to be determined. But the legislation specifies that at least two military installations outside the United States will be selected for a three-year test, with a report due at the end to determine whether the effort should be expanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\t