The Navy recognizes that moving every few years creates career challenges for military spouses, especially when stationed overseas or in remote areas. Our Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) offers family members a variety of resources to tackle those challenges.
Workshops have been created to help you plan a career, launch a job search, write the resume, learn interview techniques, find information on federal employment, conduct self-assessments, set goals and even take vocational tests. FERP also offers computer tutorial programs to help you build technical skills.
The goal of FERP is to help you learn how to get a job and maintain a career you enjoy, as a military family member. Let FERP help you today.
If you don't live near a Fleet and Family Support Center, many services, such as coaching and resume reviews, can be done via the phone or email.
Military Spouse Preference Program
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) is a Department of Defense (DOD) program that is intended to lessen the career interruption of spouses who relocate with their military sponsors. MSP offers employment placement preference in DoD civilian personnel positions to military spouses who meet the eligibility requirements. The program applies to DoD vacancies only. Get the facts.
Federal Employment
Employment with the Federal Government is an excellent option for military spouses. Family members may be eligible for non-competitive federal appointment. Military spouses who meet certain criteria may be eligible for military spouse preference when applying for DoD civilian personnel positions.
Professional Licensure Portability
Licensure portability allows military spouses to transfer a professional license from one state or U.S. jurisdiction to another so that a professional can continue their occupation after relocation. To be eligible for employment, military spouses in professions that require a license must navigate laws, policies, and regulations unique to each state.
Most states have adopted legislation to benefit military spouses, and there are efforts at the state level to expand on those endeavors. The Department of Labor developed the State Licensure Portability website to support military spouses by centralizing information and resources pertinent to military spouse professional license regulations. To view resources and state-specific information, click HERE.
Transferring Your Professional License: What’s Involved?
Moving help? You’ve got it!
Moving across the country – or around the world – can be a great adventure. Here’s some help for making sure your licenses and certifications travel with you during your next move. Start HERE.
Updated June 1, 2022