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

2. “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

3. 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,

4. “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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. Current MSEP Partners

13. 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

14. MSEP website www.msepjobs.com

15. 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: Military Family Life Project, DMDC

16. Projected Employment and Partner Growth

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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. “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