Spouse Employment Department of Defense Policy

Although no current DoD Instruction or Directive specifically addresses the service-specific Employment Assistance programs, the following regulations address some spouse employment issues: 

DoD Directive 1332.35, "Transition Assistance for Military Personnel," 9 December 1993 This Directive authorizes the branches of service to prepare separating service members and their families with the skills, tools, and self-confidence necessary to ensure successful reentry into the civilian work force.  Required transition services include providing employment assistance to both separating service members and their spouses.

DoD Directive 1342.17, "Family Policy," 30 December 1988, certified as current 21 November 2003  This Directive establishes policies, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures on family policy for DoD personnel.  The extent and exact nature of the system of family programs and services is based on installation specific requirements and needs.  The Directive specifically cites "private and public sector employment assistance" when listing programs and services included in the family support system (paragraph 4.3).

DoD Instruction 1338.19, "Relocation Assistance Programs," 15 June 1990  This Instruction directs the military branches of service to provide relocation assistance programs to DoD personnel and their families who are undergoing a permanent change of station (PCS) relocation, including spouse employment assistance both prior to departure (paragraph 5.6.1) and post-arrival (paragraph 5.6.2).

DoD Instruction 1400.23, "Employment of Family Members of Active Duty Military Members and Civilian Employees Stationed in Foreign Areas," 12 May 1989  This Instruction establishes DoD policy, responsibilities, and procedures to improve employment opportunities for family members of armed forces personnel and civilian employees of US government agencies stationed in foreign areas by establishing preference for military family members in employment decisions in overseas locations.

DoD 1400.25-M, "Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual (CPM)," Subchapter 315, "Employment of Spouses of Active Duty Military," 19 September 2007  This Subchapter implements policy, delegates authority, and assigns specific overall responsibilities for improved employment opportunities for spouses of active duty military personnel stationed worldwide.

DoD 1400.25-M, "Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual (CPM)," Subchapter 1800, "Department of Defense Priority Placement Program," December 1996   This Manual implements policy, delegates authority, and assigns specific overall responsibilities for the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) for civilian employees.

DoD Priority Placement Programs (PPP) Operations Manual, Chapter 14, "DoD Military Spouse Preference Program," July 1998, Reissued February 2009  The Military Spouse Preference Program is a component of the PPP within DoD.  Chapter 14 of the Operations Manual prescribes registration, referral, and placement procedures for the DoD Military Spouse Preference Program.

DoD PPP Operation Manual, Chapter 20, "Air Force Civilian Spouse Placement Program," July 1998, Reissued October 2004  Chapter 20 prescribes procedures for the systematic referral of eligible DoD employees whose Air Force appropriated-fund civilian sponsor is involved in a PCS move.  It applies when Air Force activities are filling competitive or excepted service positions within the US or its territories.