Our military families are the backbone of American freedom. When a soldier, sailor, or airman puts on the uniform, the whole family serves. We see their sacrifice in missed birthdays and long deployments. But there is a hidden struggle that many of these families face at home. It is the struggle to find and keep a good job.
According to the 2026 Military Family Lifestyle Survey by Blue Star Families, 23% of active-duty spouses are currently unemployed. Other reports from the Department of Defense show this rate can feel much higher in certain areas. In fact, nearly 30% of military families say they struggle with food security. This often happens because the spouse cannot find a steady paycheck to help the family get by.
As conservatives, we believe in the dignity of work. We believe in strong families and limited government. Yet, our current system makes it very hard for military spouses to work. This is not just a family issue. It is a national security issue. If a family cannot afford groceries, the service member may leave the military. We must fix this to keep our military strong and our country safe.
The High Cost of Moving for Our Heroes
The biggest hurdle for military spouses is moving. Most military families move every two to three years. This is called a Permanent Change of Station, or PCS. According to a 2025 report from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), a move more than doubles the chance of a spouse being unemployed. It takes the average spouse about 19 weeks to find a new job after they move.
Imagine trying to build a career when you have to quit every two years. Employers are often afraid to hire someone who might leave soon. This “resume gap” makes it hard to get promoted or earn a raises. The MOAA report also found that spouse earnings drop by 14% in years when the family moves. This puts a huge financial strain on people who are already sacrificing so much for our country.
Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran herself, has spoken out about these challenges. Senator Ernst said, “Senior enlisted servicemembers carry a great responsibility… and we must ensure they receive appropriate compensation as we seek to retain them.” While pay is important, a spouse’s income is often what keeps a family in the middle class. Without it, many families fall behind on bills or struggle to save for the future.
Licensing Laws and Red Tape
Many military spouses work in jobs that require a state license. This includes nurses, teachers, and real estate agents. When they move to a new state, they often have to pay for a new license. They might even have to take new tests. This “red tape” keeps qualified people out of the workforce for months at a time.
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Congress has tried to help. The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act was a step in the right direction. More recently, Congressman Jimmy Patronis introduced the Veteran and Spouse Licensing Flexibility Act of 2025. This bill aims to cut the red tape. Congressman Patronis said this bill would “allow them the portability necessary to use their skills to serve their local communities.”
If a spouse is a licensed nurse in Texas, they should be able to work in Florida or Virginia without a long wait. We need more laws that respect the hard work these spouses have already done. Government should get out of the way and let these patriotic Americans get to work. This follows our conservative values of less regulation and more freedom.
The Childcare Crisis at Home
Even if a spouse finds a job, they still need someone to watch the children. This is a major problem for military families. According to the 2026 Blue Star Families survey, 86% of spouses say childcare costs are too high. Another 67% say the wait-lists for care on base are much too long. This leaves many moms and dads with no choice but to stay home.
Military life is unpredictable. A spouse might be called into work early, or the service member might be sent away on short notice. Local daycares often don’t have the flexibility these families need. When a spouse can’t find care, they can’t work. This is why 50% of active-duty families listed spouse employment as their top concern in the 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.
We need to look at common-sense solutions. This could include tax credits for businesses that provide childcare. It could also mean giving families more choices in where they send their kids. We should empower parents to make the best decisions for their families. Supporting military moms is a direct way to support our troops on the front lines.
How Congress Can Step Up
Congress has the power to fix these problems. One way is through the tax code. There is a bill called the Military Spouse Hiring Act. This would give a tax credit to businesses that hire military spouses. According to the MOAA, this credit could range from $2,400 to $9,600 per hire. This would give businesses a reason to look past the “two-year move” and see the talent these spouses bring.
We also need to keep pushing for remote work. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included rules to help spouses keep federal jobs when they move. This is a great start. If a spouse works for the government, they should be able to take that job with them to the next base. According to the Department of Defense 2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey, only 39% of spouses currently work for companies that allow remote work.
Finally, we must hold the government accountable. We spend billions on defense, but our families are struggling to buy eggs and milk. A 2025 Department of Defense report found that 57% of spouses feel their family pay is not enough to live on. Congress must ensure that military pay and benefits keep up with the cost of living. Our heroes shouldn’t have to rely on food banks while they protect our borders.
It is time to stand up for those who stand up for us. Supporting military spouse employment is not just about a job. It is about honoring the American family. It is about making sure our military remains the strongest force for good in the world. Let’s cut the red tape, lower the taxes, and help our military families thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the unemployment rate so high for military spouses?
The main reason is frequent moving, which happens every two to three years for most families. Employers are often hesitant to hire someone who may move soon, and spouses often lose weeks of work time while searching for a new job in a new state.
How does this affect military readiness?
When a spouse cannot find work, the family faces financial stress and food insecurity. According to Blue Star Families, this stress makes service members more likely to leave the military, which hurts our national security and keeps experienced leaders from staying in uniform.
What is the Military Spouse Hiring Act?
This is a proposed law that would give tax credits to businesses that hire military spouses. It is designed to encourage employers to hire these talented individuals despite the fact that their families move frequently due to military orders.
