On Thursday, August 17, 2023, the ASPIRE Coalition’s member, Terron Sims II of Merit, had the pleasure of participating in a Military Spouse Employment Roundtable, chaired by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves in Gulfport, MS. The discussion focused on improving resources for military spouses and families, sharing ideas to decrease the 21% unemployment rate for military spouses.
- The military spousal unemployment rate is 21%, costing the American economy approximately $1.07 billion in lost production each year
- Military spouses spend an average of 19 weeks seeking employment following a military relocation
- Approximately 38% of military spouses who find employment accept jobs that are not in their field of education or training
Hearing firsthand stories of the challenges faced by military families from Courtney Taylor, Fatina Brave, and Hilary Keatts put front and center the true necessity for states to provide licensing portability and tools to ease and make efficient the process for military spouses to work in their licensed and credentialed professional fields when they move across state lines.
Governor Reeves then signed a proclamation calling on his administration to decrease barriers to employment for military spouses, including those that come from out of state due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
The Governor’s Proclamation States:
“I, Tate Reeves, Governor of the State of Mississippi, and on behalf of all Mississippians, hereby thank our active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and military-civilian families for their sacrifices to our Nation and collective defense; reiterate Mississippi's support for military spouses and families; and reaffirm the state's commitment to recognizing professional licenses and work experience of military spouses and family members.
FURTHER, consistent with the Military Family Freedom Act and the spirit of the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licensing Act, I request that each occupational licensing agency, board, and commission in the State of Mississippi review its own rules and regulations to determine if there are any existing barriers to military spousal employment that may be alleviated.
FURTHER, I request each state agency consider ways to increase opportunities for military spousal and family employment.
FURTHER, the Office of the Governor stands ready to assist any occupational licensing agency, board or commission with any statutory or regulatory amendments that are necessary to eliminate unnecessary barriers to employment for military spouses and family members.”
Governor Tate Reeves
MISSISSIPPI
Terron Sims II said, “As a 4th generation veteran and the proud son of a US Marine, I personally know the sacrifices our military families make in service to our country. This is why we helped create the ASPIRE Coalition with leading military family organizations, along with our newest member, Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas. Our country needs the leadership of more governors like Laura Kelly and Tate Reeves to help solve this very solvable challenge.”
Read more about this on WXXV25 here.
ASPIRE Coalition: Aug 17, 2023
