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How to Make Your MilSpouse Resume Shine

Military Spouse

woman looking over notes on notepad smiling wearing glasses

By Kristi Stolzenberg

If you ever run an internet search for the phrase “military spouse resume,” you’ll be swimming in articles offering tips for a winning military spouse resume.

Now, if you are a janitor’s spouse, or a CPA’s spouse, you’ll probably come up short. To my knowledge, military spouses are the only group receiving specific resume guidance just because of their spouse’s career.

Ever read one of those articles promising the tips for a winning military spouse resume? The advice is not remotely exclusive to military spouses. We aren’t the only population with resume gaps, we aren’t the first to include volunteer work on a professional resume and we certainly aren’t the only ones changing jobs every few years (though we might have the best excuse).

But somewhere between the white gloves and military spouse employment revolution, someone cast the military spouse resume as complicated. We were told not to disclose our status as military spouses because it could lead to hiring discrimination.

Flash forward to 2022. We now have a federal military spouse hiring preference, employment partnerships, spouse license reciprocity legislation and — cherry on top — COVID-19 showed all the skeptics that personal and professional lives can actually coexist. We can now safely say there is no need to mask your status as a military spouse on your resume.

The great John Steinbeck once said, “Now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” “Good” in this case means allowing ourselves to be strong candidates on paper based on all our accomplishments whether or not they give away your military spouse status, especially in those occasional employment gaps. Let’s get into it:

The Resume Gap: I said it before, but it’s worth repeating. We don’t own the resume gap. Anyone who has ever left the office to be a stay-at-home parent or start a business or to wanderlust across the globe has a resume gap. Anyone who has ever been laid off has a resume gap. It is not unique to military spouses. Don’t let it intimidate you into not pursuing a fulfilling career or into taking a job that isn’t fulfilling just to avoid the gap.

No matter the why behind the gap, find an experience to fill the void — it doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment either. Volunteer somewhere that can be connected back to your lane of expertise. Take a class. Sit on a board for something.

The Spouse Club or Base Organization: Should you include the spouse club on your resume? It depends. Did you hold a leadership position in the club? Did you manage people or finances or plan major events? Were there any major accomplishments during your term? And do they apply to what you’re applying for? If yes, then include it!

The Volunteer: I reviewed a resume recently for a friend, and she had not included any volunteer work at all. Contrast that with my resume that is 50 percent philanthropic work. I know not every resume reviewer and prospective employer will agree with me on this, but experience is experience. Including philanthropic work not only shows that you give back to your community, but it also shows that you don’t just work for a paycheck — you do a job because you genuinely care about the cause. List current and relevant volunteer experience — period.

The Haiku: We all started somewhere. I’m pretty sure I included my high school job of ice cream scooper on my resume for my first “real” job post-college just for the sake of reaching the end of the page. And that’s OK. When you need to demonstrate that you possess certain skills for a job, include whatever you need to from your career thus far (paid or unpaid) to show you’re qualified. Did that job as an ice cream scooper in a tourist hot spot during the summer prepare me for my first job? You better believe it. Communication skills, performing under pressure (that post-dinner rush that had a line out the door was no joke), customer service, money management and so much more.

The Novel: To be clear, I no longer list my job from 20 years ago as an ice cream scooper on my resume. In fact, I’ve worked long enough in the content management, public affairs and legislative affairs lanes that I no longer even list my former middle school teaching jobs — not because they weren’t challenging, but because I have more targeted and recent experience to say what I need to say on paper. When you have more experience, be more selective.

The Hodgepodge: Ever look at your resume and wonder what you’re trying to accomplish? Like the theme is that there is no theme? That is OK, my friends. It’s OK because the job title and the employer are just two parts of what you’re going to include about the job. You are also going to list what your responsibilities were, what skills you used and any accomplishments. In the same way the short resume is temporary, the “little bit of everything” resume is temporary too. Eventually, you’re going to see a trend, and in the meantime, pull out the key components that will connect you to the job you’re seeking.

The Point: The absolute most important rule of resume writing is tailoring it for the job you want. You do this by reading the job description of the job you’re applying for. Print it out. Highlight the job expectations and required skills. Then, think back in your professional past (to be clear this is education, philanthropic and paid experience). Match what you’ve done to what the employer is looking for. Make sure the experience you list clearly demonstrates that you check those boxes.

If you can do that, your qualifications will speak for themselves — which is the whole point of the resume after all. Focus on what you’ve done and drop that undue stress of your military spouse status. If the reviewer can piece it together because you’ve only worked in small base towns no one has ever heard of, good for them. If you get passed over for an interview simply because they suspect you’re a military spouse, you don’t want to work there anyway. And, if you get offered a job, it will be — and should be — because of your own qualifications, not your marital status.

Source: Blog Brigade

Making the Most of a R&R Visit During Deployment

Military Spouse

Woman in military uniform with her family at home

By Lizann Lightfoot

For deployments lasting a year or longer, service members are often granted a week or two of leave near the middle of deployment. This R&R visit is a great opportunity to come home, rest and reconnect with family.

But it can also be difficult to cram a year’s worth of celebrations and memories into such a short break. Military families worry about how to make the best use of the limited days of the R&R visit.

Here are your tips for a successful R&R visit during deployment:

Focus on refueling

While R&R usually stands for rest and relaxation, during deployment it should mean refuel and recharge. You and your spouse are both stressed and exhausted from the challenges of deployment. Use this time to refuel physically, mentally and emotionally. The needs will be different for each couple, so take time to discuss this in advance and determine what each of you needs most.

Make plans, but not too many

R&R visits will always feel like they fly by too quickly. If there are essential activities—like a date night, celebrating a holiday or making a large purchase—then plan those out in advance as much as possible. Don’t let logistics get in the way of important events by waiting until the last minute. However, be careful that the visit isn’t too busy and structured. It’s supposed to be down time, with some lazy days and relaxing afternoons.

Make it a vacation to remember

Many families use R&R visits to enjoy a big vacation together. You’ve both worked hard, so this is your time to reward yourselves with a trip to Disney, or a beach or by taking a cruise. If you have kids, this big event can give them something to look forward to during the first half of deployment. It can be a combined celebration for all the missed birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. Depending on your budget, a once-in-a-lifetime trip might be a great use of your extra deployment funds.

Relax at home

Sometimes, quiet days at home are exactly what everyone needs. Don’t feel like the R&R trip has to be filled with big, expensive events. If your service member just flew halfway around the world to see you, they probably don’t want to travel anymore during this short visit. For couples who try to align R&R with the birth of a baby (always a frustrating challenge!), the focus should be on resting, recovering and supporting each other with household chores or projects.

Pull kids out of school

Yes, military kids are allowed to miss school during their deployed parent’s visit! Check with the school in advance, but most districts have clauses for excusing absences for family events. If children miss five days, schools are often required to provide a packet for makeup work. Communicate with teachers ahead of time to make sure kids won’t miss any important grades. Skipping school can be a memorable way to soak up family time.

Get some alone time

If you have kids, it’s natural that the service member has missed them and wants to spend as much time with them as possible. But it’s also important to get time alone as a couple. Plan ahead to get a babysitter or call-in favors so you and your spouse can go out a few times during their visit. Whether you have dinner at your favorite place, go hiking together or dress up for a show, make some time to date each other again. You might even want to arrange a night away at a local hotel or B&B.

Don’t try to visit family

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but R&R is not the time for the service member to drive for days and visit their hometown. They should be resting and reconnecting with their immediate family. If their parents or relatives want to visit, make sure you both discuss this in advance and get everyone on the same page. It’s important to agree to boundaries and ground rules for visitors, so everyone can have an enjoyable time.

Practice ways to connect

Finally, remember that R&R is a chance to build skills that will get you through the remainder of deployment. Discuss whether the communication so far has been working. What do you each want to do or receive more often? Can the service member pick up a new piece of technology or download an app that will help you both feel more connected when they are gone? Practice the connections together, so there will be fewer technical glitches when you’re apart. Think about the traditions you share now and brainstorm creative ways to enjoy them together during the rest of deployment.

However you choose to spend the R&R visit, I’m so glad you get one, and I hope it’s a refreshing break for you!

Source: Blog Brigade

Making Time for All the “Lasts” Before You PCS

LifestyleMilitary Spouse

article author and her two small children posing on beach boardwalk

By Kristi Stolzenberg

Monday night, 7:30, mid-April, along with half a dozen other parents I’ve never met, I’m sitting in one of the many metal folding chairs lining the mirrored wall of a dance studio. I’ve got a nice social distance around me because in order to make sure dinner happened before class, I postponed my desperately needed post-run shower. This isn’t unusual (the shower postponement), but because I completely forgot it was Parent’s Night at our daughter’s dance studio, instead of waiting for her in the safety and solitude of my car, I find myself awkwardly sitting amongst strangers trying to mask my sweat, smell and dry, prickly legs which are on full display thanks to the running shorts.

Feeling really great about my self-care and parenting, I enthusiastically jot down notes as the dance instructor outlines the details of the end-of-year recital—where to be and when, instructions on makeup and hair, song title—hoping the passion with which I take notes will help me earn back some parenting points and salvage the first impression I’m making. Then the instructor asks the line of parents for a volunteer to help backstage at the recital—essentially herd the sequin-clad cats, make sure they’re buttoned up in their costumes, and touch up hair and makeup.

Please understand that I am not “that” dance mom. Our daughter loves it, and she’s a brilliant dancer, but it is her own thing. I’m not the type to tell her to put more energy into her leap thingy on counts seven and eight. My ballet buns have never won awards. And I’m pretty sure when I did her makeup for photos last year, the instructor or another mom completely redid it. I’m not exaggerating when I say we showed up to her first recital with her ballet costume still wadded up in the bag it came in, and when I walked in and saw everyone else’s moms had fluffed their tutus, hung them in garment bags, and neatly bagged hair, makeup and tights in separate pockets, I knew I was the weakest link in that room.

I paint this three-paragraph story to explain why I did what I’m about to tell you. After three Mississippi’s of silence, I raised my hand. I volunteered to be dance mom or backstage mom or whatever it’s called. I did this not because I’m qualified. And I certainly didn’t do this because I have time just lying around—I didn’t even have time to shower on a routine Monday. In fact, there probably isn’t a worse time for me to take on a responsibility that is going to stress me out. The recital, as it happens, falls right smack dab in the middle of our PCS—literally right in the middle.

I absolutely did not need one more thing on my plate. But I did it, willingly. Why? Because after last year’s recital, our daughter begged me to be the mom backstage. It is something important to her, and she is important to me, so I am making time not only for her to dance in her last Virginia recital, but to get way out of my comfort zone to make it memorable for her.

And when it comes to those “lasts” leading up to a PCS—the goodbye parties, the “real goodbyes” to the close friends (which are becoming more dramatic with each year as we near the teens), and the last dinner at your favorite place, every parent will tell you that they run a tight race with all the lasts at the end of the school year—award ceremonies, field days, class parties, field trips, yearbooks, and thank you gifts for every last faculty member at the school (P.S. this last one should also be read sarcastically).

The packing and planning and house hunting and selling that go into a PCS—even one just five hours away to a place we’ve already lived once—take up a lot of headspace. And you know “a lot” is an understatement. When you have to dedicate so much memory and critical thinking to things as wild as, “Make sure to put a do-not-pack sticky note on the litter box,” or pulling the old towels out of the linen closet so you can use those after everything is hauled away and trash them on your way out, there isn’t a lot of brain power or energy left to dedicate to really being present (or presentable) at all these lasts. In fact, I just realized as I typed that last line, that I now need to not only figure out what a dance mom wears—recital-worthy dress or jeans and a t-shirt—but I need to also make sure whatever it is doesn’t get packed…along with all of our daughter’s dance costumes.

But here are a few lessons along the way that prove that while you might have 47 tabs open in your brain at all times during a PCS, it’s worth carving out time for the lasts before you pull away from your duty station for the last time:

Your kids will remember what you made time for and what you didn’t. If you’re doing it right, your kids don’t know a fraction of the stress and strategy that go into PCSing. They just know that you didn’t have time for their game or awards ceremony or to set up a last hangout with their friends.
You’ll always regret it if you don’t hit your favorite pizza place, curry place, park, running trail, or visit with a friend one more time. If you’re tempted to skip any of these, just remember how unfinished moves felt during COVID. If you didn’t move during COVID, ask someone who did. If I could travel anywhere right now for 24 hours, I would be back in Iwakuni eating eggplant curry, level six with garlic naan at Devi, and then I would spend the rest of my day buying up all the blue and white pottery in Yamaguchi prefecture.
You’ll miss it when you’re gone. I don’t care how badly you want to leave a place; you will always miss pieces of it—whether the people you knew, the places you frequented, or just who you were as a family there. Don’t be so set on leaving that you deprive yourself of just one more memory.

Maybe you’ll look like a living public service announcement for the importance of self-care, maybe you’ll be distracted, and you’ll definitely be exhausted and unsure of whether you’re coming or going but show up. Do all the lasts. Soak it up. Make the time, take pictures, give hugs, make a few more memories for the road, and, if I’ve taught you nothing else, prioritize showering before leaving the house whenever you can.

Source: MilitaryOne Source

How to support your spouse during your shift to civilian life

Military SpouseTransitioning

Happy military man with his family at home

By Blake Stillwell, Military Times

Guess what, your spouse and family are transitioning to new lives just like you are. Gone are the days where Uncle Sam dropped a bag of money on your homes on the 1st and 15th of every month.

With this in mind, your husband or wife will likely need the same separation help you’re trying to get, except they aren’t forced to take a TAP class as part of their separation outprocessing checklist – but that doesn’t mean the options aren’t available. It just means you haven’t looked for them.

So the next time your spouse makes you mad, go sign them up for one of these spouse transition courses your base 100 percent definitely has available. In the Marine Corps, they’re called STARS, Spouse Transition and Readiness Seminars, and they’re three hours long. Remind your spouse it’s full of good information they need for the coming years and then go watch the latest Avengers movie without them. Treat yourself.

After he or she has all the information they need, they will likely feel as overwhelmed as you did when first presented with it all. Maybe it will be a good idea to help them plan their transition as any number of people are working to help you plan yours. Without telling your spouse you’re as overwhelmed as they are, sit down in a relaxing environment and have a frank discussion about their goals. Maybe stop at the local Red Lobster (treat yourself) and find out what they want to do when you no longer attached to the military lifestyle.

They might want to go back to school or start their own business if they haven’t already. Maybe they want to live closer to their family and not yours. Maybe they’ll question the entire premise of your marriage, considering you didn’t know they were already an HerbaLife partner and has been for years, that they wants a brick and mortar store in St. Louis, and how dare you watch Endgame, they can smell the popcorn on your clothes. It’s about time you started thinking of someone else for a change.

After you and your spouse make up for your blatant lack of cinematic consideration, get copies of their medical and dental records, update all your legal documents, and prepare financially for the new life you’re building for yourselves, all that’s left will be taking care of your children, if you have them. Luckily all you need to worry about is child care while you’re at school or work because the good folks at Sesame Street have this covered.

The bottom line is your spouse needs all the same information you do. Your family will soon be the only unit of which you are still a member, so whether you’re the commander or just the director of operations, be sure you disseminate necessary information accordingly so he or she can be as prepared as you’re trying to be.

Besides, everything goes better with a partner. There are a lot of people doing this on their own.

Read the complete article and more from Military Times here.

Quick Tips for Settling Into a New Home

GovernmentMilitary Spouse

father in fatigues and young daughter carrying boxes

By Katelyn Nixon

What makes a house feel like a home if we can’t feel rooted where we are? We are constantly shifting. Sometimes it feels like the dust barely settles before we pick up all our things and transition again. A home means something else entirely when your surroundings rotate so often. It has to.

I asked every member of my family this question, and we all had different answers. My 10-year-old daughter said that once all our things are unpacked and put away, it feels like home for her. She dislikes the limbo and the moving process. It unsettles her. She feels better when her new home is set up. My husband said it’s just the people. The family being together settles him. He isn’t the type to get attached to places or things. My 5-year-old son said it’s the calm. When things feel calm, he feels at home. A safe place for him to unleash all his exuberance is what feels like home to him. I have to agree with all of them, and I love their answers.

Here are a few simple things that I like to do to help make a space feel like home:

Find something positive about the new house and appreciate it.

We all get to experience so many living spaces. We get familiar with making it work with whatever we have to work with. You undoubtedly have a mental list of everything you hated or loved about all your previous houses. There is always something different. We are currently settling in a new duty station with so much storage space. I’m literally so excited about all the linen closets because I actually have a place to put all our sheets, pillows and blankets. Even though this seems simple, finding something to appreciate starts your new relationship with your house on positive terms.

Find your new routine.

I like to evaluate our routines in the old house and make some adjustments. It’s like a New Year’s resolution for every PCS. We are changing the rules about screen time and focusing on cooking more in our new house. We also evaluate how the extracurriculars worked for our kids in our last place and change that up as needed. It’s fun for them to try new things and get excited about pursuing new passions. It also makes our life feel fresh where we are. Like we are curating our own stories in a new place instead of living Groundhog Day every day and every duty station.

Start building a community outside your home.

Connections and relationships mean more than belongings and to-do lists. A sense of belonging inside a community can make us feel rooted during constant transition. But it is by far the hardest thing to accomplish. It takes courage, energy and confidence. We all have negative experiences that can bring more fear into a new space. But every place is a new beginning. For me, it seems like the longer we stay in the Army, the smaller it gets. I always think a fun way to start is by pursuing a new hobby or exploring your new area to find all your new spots. It is a simple concept in theory, but this step always takes me the longest.

Feeling grounded is a process. We each have a priority of what it takes to feel settled. There are some simple things we can do to aid us in feeling at home in our new space.

Source: Blog Brigade

A Letter From the Editor–What’s Your Legacy?

CareerGovernmentMilitary Spouse

Retired Marine Paul Masi pauses by the name of his high school classmate, Robert Zwerlein.

By Danielle Jackola

As we honor the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I had the privilege of speaking with Jan Scruggs and learning about “The Story Behind the Wall” (page 12). Our conversation prompted some introspection, and I considered my legacy.

As a MilSpouse, I have dedicated my time and treasure to serve our military and military families. My husband retired five years ago. I have continued as a mentor and volunteer by connecting veterans and their spouses to employment opportunities.

There are many ways people are called to a life of service.

In our Veterans Day issue, we celebrate you and commend your service to our country. Many of you continue to serve our military, veteran organizations and your communities in various capacities, working to improve the world.

As The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley has had an enduring impact on music and his fans. When Presley was drafted into the Army in 1957, he was eager to prove to naysayers that he could make it as a Soldier. He was “proud of his service” and continues to be the most famous veteran. In our cover story, we reflect on Presley’s time in the Army on page 86 and recognize other “Famous Veterans Throughout History” on page 64.

In this issue, we share Hot Jobs on page 10 for those seeking employment or a career change. For business owners taking the “First Steps on the Road to Certification” to expand their business, visit page 60 to get started. The “PACT Act Passed,” and we share everything you need to know on page 126, including how to file a claim.

On Veterans Day and throughout the year, U.S. Veterans Magazine honors you. We stand in gratitude for your commitment, bravery and the sacrifices you have made in service to our country.

— Danielle Jackola
Editor, U.S. Veterans Magazine
Sr. Manager of Veteran Affairs

Image caption: Retired Marine Paul Masi pauses by the name of his high school classmate, Robert Zwerlein.
Photo credit: Tom Williams/Cq-Roll Call, Inc. Via Getty Images

Resources Every Military Spouse Needs

Military Spouse

As a spouse, you manage the unique challenges of military life. You may take on new roles and adapt to new schedules. Department of Defense has resources to help you and your family thrive.

The Military Family Readiness System

You may choose to live on or off the installation. Either way, your Military Family Readiness System is your go-to source for support. It’s a network of programs and services with resources to help you navigate military life.

Use it to find moving and relocation help, new-parent support, financial fitness content and career counseling.

Networking and Financial Programs

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program is free and confidential. It provides short-term, non-medical counseling for service members, their families and survivors. Counselors understand military life, and they can help you manage it. Reach out with questions about various topics, including parenting, moving, deployment, work or the death of a loved one.
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) offers services and resources for families with special needs. EFMP helps families navigate medical and educational systems. Visit or call your Military and Family Support Center for information and assistance.
The MilSpouse Money Mission offers a Money 101 course and a range of tips to educate and empower military spouses. Use it to elevate your family with smart money moves.
Branch-specific relief programs, such as Army Emergency Relief and the Air Force Aid Society, provide no-interest loans for financial emergencies. These programs must be applied for by your service member but can benefit the entire family.

Careers and Educational Tools

The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program provides education and career guidance for military spouses worldwide. Create and use your MySECO account for resources and tools for all career stages, including training, job readiness and career connections through the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship program can help military spouses get credentials to achieve career goals.

American Job Centers (AJCs) provide free help to job seekers for various career and employment-related needs. Nearly 2,400 AJCs, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, are located throughout the United States.
Skillsoft, in partnership with the USO, is offering active-duty members, veterans and military spouses full access to their collection of training and certification resources. Classes in business operations, DNI, management, sales and marketing, security and programming are just a handful of the many courses available.

Helpful Tools

Military OneSource is an excellent resource for information and services. It is available 24/7, anywhere in the world. Access it online or by phone at 800-342-9647 or use OCONUS dialing options.
Plan My Move at MilitaryOneSource.mil lets you create custom checklists and guides you through tasks.
Plan My Deployment at MilitaryOneSource.mil helps you prepare for deployment. It breaks down each phase and provides planning tools and helpful tips.
MilitaryChildCare.com is a website the Department of Defense sponsors. Use it to find military-owned or approved child care anywhere in the world. Fee assistance is available for those who qualify.
Homes.mil connects service members and their families with community housing rental listings near military bases.
EFMP&Me is a digital tool for families with special needs. It provides EFMP information 24/7 for busy military parents. Families can learn about support services, preparing for a move or deployment, education or medical needs and adjusting to new life situations.
Build A Sign is a business that makes sign and banner creations for “welcome home” events quick and easy. They provide their services free to military families, only requiring you to cover shipping costs. Visit BuildASign.com/troops for details.

No matter what stage your family is at in your military journey, you have someone in your corner, and there is always help when you need it.

Sources: U.S. Army, CareerOneStop, Military OneSource, Sandboxx, Skillsoft

7 Military Spouse Resume Tips for Career Opportunities

CareerMilitary SpouseResources

By Kristi Stolzenberg

If you ever run an internet search for the phrase “ military spouse resume tips ,” you’ll be swimming in articles offering tips for a winning military spouse resume. Now, if you are a janitor’s spouse, or a CPA’s spouse, you’ll probably come up short.

To my knowledge, military spouses are the only group receiving specific resume guidance just because of their spouse’s career.

The Volunteer: I reviewed a resume recently for a friend, and she had not included any volunteer work at all. Contrast that with my resume that is 50 percent philanthropic work. I know not every resume reviewer and prospective employer will agree with me on this, but experience is experience, reguardless if you use our military spouse resume tips. Including philanthropic work not only shows that you give back to your community, but it also shows that you don’t just work for a paycheck — you do a job because you genuinely care about the cause. List current and relevant volunteer experience — period.

Source: Blog Brigade

The Dos and Don’ts of Veteran Interview Tips

CareermilitaryMilitary SpouseResourcesTransitioning

A Military Veteran and his wife wrapped in an american flag in a field of tall dried out grass

Many civilian employers have admitted challenges when it comes to evaluating a veteran during a job interview – this is why these veteran interview tips will give you an extra edge. Often, veterans have difficulty explaining how their military experience relates to the needs of the civilian employer.

Additionally, while veterans will be quick to praise their team or unit, they are typically not self-boastful in interviews, so civilian employers can often feel like veteran candidates are not “selling themselves.” This where these veteran interview tips will come in hand

It is important to keep in mind that the concept of professional presentation is often different for former military personnel than for civilians. Military personnel (particularly those recently separated/discharged from military service) will often present themselves with eyes forward, back straight and using “Sir” and “Ma’am” vocabulary (often without much smiling). This behavior may be misperceived as cold, distant, unapproachable or demonstrating a lack of social skills. While this is generally not the case, these perceptions have caused many service members to be discarded early in the interview process.

Hire Our Heroes

Employers should recognize that former military personnel may need permission to “speak freely” to create a comfort level where they can appear in the most positive light. Heeding these veteran interview tips are essential for the process to hire our heroes. Hiring managers should be encouraged to be patient with these candidates and to “dig deep” with follow up questions to find qualities that are not apparent at first glance. It is worth remembering that veteran candidates, unlike many civilian candidates, may not be accustomed to interviewing and may require a little latitude.

Know What You Can and Should Not Ask During an Interview

First and foremost, interviewing a veteran or wounded warrior is no different than interviewing any other candidate. It is important to ask all questions of all candidates, without exception. A good interviewing practice is to ask all candidates the following question: “Have you read the job description? Yes or no — can you, with or without a reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of the job?” You are not asking the candidate to disclose whether or not they have a disability but are ensuring they can perform the essential functions of the job. In addition, you make it clear that as an employer you understand this process and are not likely to discriminate due to disability.

Great questions to ask veterans can include:

What is in the job description that interests you most?
Can you, with or without a reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of the job?
What type of training and education did you receive in the military?
Were you involved in the day-to-day management of people or supplies?

Questions you should NEVER ask veterans include:

What type of discharge did you receive?
Are you to be called up for duty anytime soon?
Did you experience any combat operations?
How could you leave your family while you were deployed?
Have you ever killed anyone?
Do you have post-traumatic stress disorder?

Making a Decision

If you feel like the veteran you interviewed for the position is simply not the right fit, you shouldn’t feel obligated to hire a veteran just because they are veteran. You should considering these veteran interview tips when when you feel to be inclusive to our heroes. However, you do need to take special factors into consideration when it comes to making a final decision on whether you should hire a veteran:

Did the veteran progress throughout his/her military career?
Identify the strengths such as leadership, accountability and team building
Look for compatibility — did the veteran match their military skills with the position?
Remember veterans have a myriad of soft skills, like leadership and flexibility
Veterans possess skills that can make them some of your best employees

Make sure that whatever your decision for hiring, that you hire the veteran because they are the best candidate. In the end, it will be the most beneficial to the employer and employee alike.

Sources: Obama White House Archives, Department of Veteran Services Ohio

“Who Moved My Couch?”: Minimizing Your Spouse’s Post-Deployment Stress

militaryMilitary Spouse

man in military uniform lying on couch looking pensive

By Danielle Jackola

Separation can be challenging for everyone, but service members and their families can respectively face unique situations that no one anticipates.

While the service member needs to focus on being mission-ready, their spouse juggles the myriad responsibilities of managing the home front, often including a job, parenting and taking care of the house. Both roles are essential, and it’s crucial to understand some of the challenges each person experiences in order to make the homecoming transition smooth.

As a military spouse who has a passion for serving other spouses and our military community, I have always been intrigued by which situations foster supportive communication and which ones seem to prompt reoccurring issues. A common problem that initially surprised me but, upon further reflection, makes sense is the conflict that can arise when a spouse redecorates during deployment. Who knew that some decorative pillows could be a source of contention?

Through many heart-to-heart talks with service members, I’ve learned that the stress of deployment is eased by the comfort of thinking about the people they love and their memories of home. They crave a domestic haven that looks the way they left it, where they walk in after a long day, sink into their couch and relax with a sense of comfort and security. They want to be surrounded by things that are familiar.

As a spouse, I also understand the need to stay busy and to find joy outside the reality of handling all of the responsibilities at home. The days of deployment seem to drag on endlessly, and time seems to move at a snail’s pace. Most of us have also experienced the certainty that the car will inevitably break down, the water heater will break then flood the garage and one of the kids will end up in urgent care, at least once during deployment. The natural desire to find distraction from the chaos via changing your home décor is understandable, for sure! However, what feels like a fun, needed upgrade to your home can actually cause your spouse distress, whether realized or unconsciously.

Perhaps the best compromise — a skill military families have mastered — is preserving the sacred space of home while making plans together for incorporating fresh and fun updates that you both enjoy. I encourage you to fill the deployment with activities that both make you happy and foster a sense of belonging and community, like volunteering with other spouses or trading playdates. Save the home revamp and HGTV binge watching, though, for post-deployment when you can update your home in a way that is reflective of you both, and you can enjoy the process as a team.

NASM Supports Military Families with Career Opportunities

BusinessMilitary Spouse

Young military couple kissing each other, homecoming

By Chris Billingsley

NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), a global leader in fitness education and certifications, supports military families – not only on days like the annual – Military Spouse Appreciation Day – but every day by providing 30% off all courses for military members and their families, as well as a free course on mental toughness.

Since 2017, NASM has been recognized as a Military Friendly School, and its Certified Personal Training (CPT) program is also eligible for military funding reimbursement.

Not only do NASM courses offer invaluable health knowledge, for military members and their spouses, NASM also offers flexible career opportunities perfect for a military family’s lifestyle, which can often include multiple moves and makes working in a traditional environment difficult.

Working as a NASM certified personal trainer, wellness coach, or nutrition coach offers the freedom to work wherever and whenever works best for your family, while offering the purpose and satisfaction that comes from helping others achieve their goals.

In fact, for those that want to coach virtually, now is the best time to get started. NASM is seeing a 23% uptick in graduates who are offering virtual services since 2017, with the online fitness industry projected to grow from $16.15 billion this year to $79.87 billion in 2026.

Military spouses looking for career opportunities can also apply MyCAA scholarship funding to specific programs, including a Group Fitness Instructor certification through AFAA (Athletics and Fitness Association of America).

Learners have many options for their course of study – whether they’re interested in offering clients nutritional support, fitness knowledge, or comprehensive wellness coaching. NASM even offers bundles of courses as well as specializations, such as virtual coaching, to help students create the best program for their career goals.

For more information on how NASM supports military members and their families, visit www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/military-support.