Overcoming Military Career Barriers in 2026

Numerous brand-new advancements could impact the employment of military service members and their households and employers' compliance commitments in 2026. Changes vary from proposals to increase incentives for employing military partners to improved employment defenses for service members while on responsibility. Military partner work opportunities and support stay a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Expense Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced an updated version of the Improve and Boost the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Chance Tax Credit (WOTC) to military partners. The WOTC provides federal tax credits to employers that hire particular "American job seekers who have regularly faced barriers to work." That proposed legislation resembles the Armed force Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented earlier in 2025.

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Regular Movings Frequent movings continue to strain military households and can make it more difficult for companies to work with and maintain military partners. Broadening the WOTC might create brand-new incentives for companies to hire military spouses and tap into this underutilized talent swimming pool.

Expert Career Success Tips for Veterans

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

The Dole Act reinforced anti-retaliation protections and enabled complainants declaring USERRA offenses to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' charges. Agencies and courts might 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' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) launched a program for employers to seek guidance for guaranteeing compliance. The Assistance and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for employers to demand technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or specific issues in their labor force before the start of a DOL/VETS problem or suit.

Concern actions consist of reviewing USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit extension treatments, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening processes to quickly capture brand-new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' new Military Workforce Practice Group unites a group of lawyers, numerous of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently recommend on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate execution, and investigations and litigation.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Client Portal covers new laws and advancements in Armed force Leave. All client-users have access to Photos and Updates. Premium subscribers have access to information, updated design templates, and other resources. To learn more on the Customer Website or a Client Website subscription, please reach out to .

Overcoming Spouse Career Gaps in 2026

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For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has championed military partner work, creating pathways to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Armed Force Spouse Work Summit will honor the legacy of development while charting a bold course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Management & Tradition as we acknowledge the partners, employers, and supporters who have transformed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in a developing workforce.

Together, we will develop on a years of service and success to create a future where military spouses lead with strength, vision, and function.

Military spouses face one of the most persistent employment gaps in the American labor force. According to information from the US Department of Labor, military partner joblessness has hovered around 20% or higher in current years. This far exceeds the national average, which normally falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Collaborations & Member Engagement at Armed Forces Mutual and a military spouse herself, highlights how those challenges play out in practice and how spouses can browse them more effectively.