Military spouses (92% of whom are female) face unemployment rates of 24%—six times higher than the current rate for all adult women. And female spouses of active duty service members on average generate 37% less income than civilian spouses.

Why do military spouses incur such a financial penalty? And what can be done to change this situation for the better?

Booz Allen has a vested interest in finding answers to these questions. Roughly one-third of employees are veterans and/or military spouses. Since 2013, the firm has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative to connect veterans, service members, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities.

On March 4, 2020, this powerful partnership hosted two events focused on groundbreaking-research and on-the-ground connections and opportunities. 

Joining forces for military spouse employment in Tampa                      

In Florida, Booz Allen joined Hiring Our Heroes for a special meeting of the organization’s Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council. The Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence led special remarks for the event as speakers shared findings and recommendations from “A Collective Effort: Workforce Development Solutions for the 21^st Century Military Spouse,” the product of extensive research and discussion by the working group, which was co-chaired by Booz Allen.

These included challenges—and proposed solutions—related to:

• How employers and the government can support military spouses—and tactics military spouses can take on their own

• Licensing (which more than 25% of U.S. workers now need to practice their professions)

• Entrepreneurship

• Child care

Also during the event, speakers shared updates on the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program and spoke about leading change at the enterprise/C-Suite level as well as expanding employment opportunities through community engagement. 

GROW-ing careers in San Diego—and beyond

On the other side of the country, Booz Allen and Hiring Our Heroes partnered together for GROW, a free workshop for military spouses and employers.

Participants got the opportunity to hear from and talk to hiring managers, recruiters, and local employers, as well as other career-minded military spouses. Other benefits included an introduction to online tools, assistance with resumes, and free professional headshots.

Events like GROW are among the many ways Booz Allen helps military spouses advance their careers. In addition to partnering with organizations like Hiring Our Heroes and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the firm supports military spouses in its own workforce through employee-run Armed Services and Military Spouse Networks, a specialized talent acquisition team, dedicated HR employees, and a “military spouse handbook with helpful resources and policies.

Booz Allen has received several awards and recognitions for its work with veterans and military families, including Military Friendly Employer, Military Friendly Spouse Employer, and Military Times Best for Vets, as well as recognition by the U.S. Department of Labor and five years of perfects score on the Disability Equality Index.

Learn more about how Booz Allen supports the military community.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton

For more than 100 years, business, government, and military leaders have turned to Booz Allen Hamilton to solve their most complex problems. They trust us to bring together the right minds: those who devote themselves to the challenge at hand, who speak with relentless candor, and who act with courage and character. They expect original solutions where there are no roadmaps. They rely on us because they know that—together—we will find the answers and change the world.

We solve the most difficult management and technology problems through a combination of consulting, analytics, digital solutions, engineering, and cyber expertise. With global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, our firm employs more than 26,000 people globally, and had revenue of $6.70 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2019. To learn more, visit www.boozallen.com. (NYSE: Booz Allen)

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