UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) Military Spouses – The best choice for your next hire.

“We are redoubling our efforts to help military spouses pursue their educations and careers…We’re going to help spouses get that degree, find that job, or start that new business. We want every company in America to know our military spouses and veterans have the skills and the dedication, and our nation is more competitive when we tap their incredible talents.” President Obama January 24, 2011

Military Spouses – A Profile Population 95% of 1.2 million spouses are women 750,000 active duty military spouses – over half are under 31 years old 400,000 Guard/Reserve spouses – over half are over 35 years old Employment 85% want or need to work* 26% unemployment rate – 1 in 4 are unemployed and actively seeking work** Education 84% have some college 25% have a bachelor’s degree 10% have an advanced degree Earnings Military wives earn 25% less than their civilian counterparts** Military families relocate 14% more frequently than civilian families*** Source: * Military Family Life Study, DMDC, Dec. 2010, ** Segal, UMUC, Nov. 2010, *** Current Population Survey, 2007-2009

“Whole of Government” Strategy to Make Military Spouse Employment a Priority Priority #3 of Presidential Study Directive 9 – Develop career and educational opportunities for military spouses Increase opportunities for federal careers Increase opportunities for private-sector careers Increase access to educational advancement Reduce barriers to employment and services due to different state policies and standards

The Challenge There are barriers caused by the uniqueness of military life that impede military spouses from maintaining employment and establishing career tenure, and has resulted in high unemployment and a wage gap that adversely affect readiness, retention and well being of the military community.

The Solution – Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) A comprehensive “web-enabled” employment and career partnership solution that connects military spouses to employers seeking a 21st century workforce with the skills and attributes possessed by military spouses.

Key Features of MSEP for Spouses Vetted FORTUNE 500 “PLUS” employment partners with job opportunities military spouses seek Available to military spouses in all Services, including the Coast Guard Global 24-7 online assistance for all military spouses via Military OneSource Targeted Employment Solutions

Key Features of MSEP for Companies Provides a digital recruiting platform offering access to job seeking military spouses across the entire spectrum of DoD and the Coast Guard Simplifies “search and match” for companies looking to increase the rolls of skilled military connected employees Includes tips and trainings to improve workplace alignment between employers and military spouses Targeted Recruitment Solutions

MSEP Partner Commitment Co-sign Statement of Support with DoD Identify and promote career employment opportunities for military spouses Post job openings on MSEP web portal Post corporate HR employment page on MSEP web portal Offer transferrable, portable career opportunities to relocating military spouse employees Mentor new MSEP corporate partners Document and provide employment data on spouses hired

MSEP Launch - June 29, 2011 US Chamber of Commerce Hall of Flags Featured remarks: The Second Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden Mr. Tom Donahue, President of the US Chamber of Commerce Dr. Clifford Stanley, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Mrs. Deborah Mullen, spouse of ADM Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 15 new employment partners inducted to join the existing 57 for a total of 72.

Hiring our Heroes Los Angeles Hiring Fair 10 July 2011 Sponsored by the US and LA Chambers of Commerce 1000+ Veterans, 500+ Spouses in attendance 160 employers (private & public sectors) Special appearance by Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Spouses hired on the spot; 11+ potential new MSEP partners

Current MSEP Partners

New MSEP Partners As of Oct 10, 2011 24 companies became new MSEP partners at a signing ceremony at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual conference on October 10, 2011, bringing the total to 96 partners

MSEP website www.msepjobs.com

Military Spouse Employment Partnership MSEP Metrics Military Spouse Employment Partnership Goal Metrics FY10 Baseline How DoD will measure Reduce the unemployment rate of military spouses Military spouse unemployment rate (National rate 9.2% May 2011) 26% Biennial DMDC survey of active duty spouses Number of spouses hired by Military Spouse Employment Program (MSEP) 36,504 MSEP program database Number of spouses able to maintain same/similar position with employer upon relocating with active duty spouse N/A Close the wage gap between military spouses and civilian spouses Current wage gap 25% American Community Survey (US Census) Average monthly earnings of working Military Spouses (self-reported) $3,596* MSEP Program database & Social Security wage data Source: 2010 Military Family Life Project, DMDC

Projected Employment and Partner Growth

Projected Reduction in Military Spouse Unemployment Rate Fiscal Year Source: *Federal Open Market Committee, Apr 2011, **Segal, UMUC, Nov 2010

Projected Reduction in the Pay Gap Fiscal year SOURCE: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and Division of Occupational Handbook

Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) Non-DoD financial aid (FAFSA, University scholarships, Pell Grants) Addressing barriers to obtaining licenses/credentials Post 9/11 GI Bill MyCAA DoD  financial assistance My Education and Training Interest/skill inventories Career assessment My Career Exploration My Career Readiness Interview skills Resume preparation Work environment (part/full-time) Child care Transportation MSEP USAJobs.gov Regional and local employers My Career Connections Services are Spouse-Centric – Support all Education/Career Levels

Progress to Date (as of Feb, 2012) 200,000+ employer jobs posted on MSEP website 15,000+ spouses hired since June 29, 2011 launch 96 companies are current MSEP partners 200+ companies have submitted applications to become MSEP partners

Principles for Success and Sustainability It’s about empowerment, not job placement or paternalism Bake the metrics in at the onset; make it results-driven Include top leadership to achieve our goals faster Launch it quickly, re-vision it, and keep refining it Keep it simple and inexpensive; don’t over-engineer it Partnerships are key: multi-sector, multi-service, multi-federal, intergovernmental Reach out and listen to the community early; then have them help you build it

MSEP Program Next Steps Congressional Outreach Initiative “Top to Top” Outreach Spouse Ambassadors Program MSEP 2.0 web portal open Feb 1, 2012 Employer Stewardship Streamlined Vetting Process

“After all, hiring America’s vets and military spouses is not just about helping them – it’s about how they can help you. So I’m not asking you to do this out of the goodness of your heart – do it because it’s good for your bottom line and the success of your organization.” First Lady Michelle Obama September 23, 2010 “Military spouses have so many strengths…They can multitask and adapt quickly…we want businesses to see the strength of military spouses.” Dr. Jill Biden April 12, 2011