Optimizing 2026 Military Spouse Career Growth

A number of brand-new advancements could impact the employment of military service members and their households and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Changes range from proposals to increase incentives for working with military spouses to boosted employment securities for service members while on task. Military partner work opportunities and support stay a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Costs Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) presented an upgraded version of the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military partners. The WOTC supplies federal tax credits to employers that work with particular "American job applicants who have regularly faced barriers to employment." That proposed legislation resembles the Armed force Partner Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented previously in 2025.

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Regular Relocations Frequent relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more challenging for companies to work with and retain military spouses. Expanding the WOTC could develop brand-new rewards for employers to hire military partners and tap into this underutilized skill swimming pool.

What Are the Employment Options for Veterans?

The U.S. Congress has not yet used up the STAY Act this year, however if it is ultimately enacted, it could lead to reduced PCS moves that could impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently supplies civilian employment leave protections for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or voluntarily released for military service.

The Dole Act strengthened anti-retaliation defenses and allowed complainants declaring USERRA violations to look for minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' costs. Agencies and courts may continue to analyze and apply the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Company Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) released a program for companies to seek assistance for making sure compliance. The Support and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is a chance for employers to demand technical assistance on USERRA-related questions or specific concerns in their labor force before the beginning of a DOL/VETS problem or claim.

Priority actions consist of evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit continuation treatments, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly record brand-new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group combines a team of attorneys, much of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently encourage on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate application, and examinations and litigation.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Client Website covers brand-new laws and developments in Armed force Leave. All client-users have access to Snapshots and Updates. Premium customers have access to information, upgraded design templates, and other resources. For more details on the Customer Website or a Customer Website membership, please reach out to .

Comparing Top Benefit Paths for Families

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For 10 years, Employing Our Heroes has championed military partner work, producing pathways to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Armed Force Partner Employment Top will honor the tradition of development while charting a bold course for the future. This year's top focuses on Management & Tradition as we recognize the spouses, employers, and supporters who have actually changed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to prosper in a developing workforce.

Together, we will build on a decade of service and success to produce a future where military partners lead with strength, vision, and purpose.

Military partners deal with among the most persistent employment spaces in the American workforce. According to information from the United States Department of Labor, military partner unemployment has actually hovered around 20% or greater over the last few years. This far exceeds the nationwide average, which typically falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military spouse herself, shows how those obstacles play out in practice and how partners can browse them more effectively.