Addressing Military Career Barriers in 2026

Several brand-new developments might affect the work of military service members and their households and employers' compliance responsibilities in 2026. Changes vary from propositions to increase rewards for working with military spouses to enhanced employment defenses for service members while on responsibility. Military spouse job opportunity and assistance stay a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Expense Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced an updated version of the Improve and Enhance the Work Chance Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Chance Tax Credit (WOTC) to military partners. The WOTC offers federal tax credits to employers that hire particular "American task seekers who have actually consistently faced barriers to work." That proposed legislation resembles the Military Partner Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented previously in 2025.

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Frequent Relocations Frequent relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more difficult for companies to work with and retain military partners. Expanding the WOTC might produce brand-new rewards for employers to employ military partners and tap into this underutilized talent swimming pool.

Accessing New Veteran Relief Programs

The U.S. Congress has not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it might result in lowered PCS moves that could affect recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military spouses. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law already provides civilian work leave securities for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or voluntarily deployed for military service.

The Dole Act strengthened anti-retaliation securities and permitted plaintiffs alleging USERRA infractions to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' fees. Agencies and courts might continue to interpret and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) launched a program for employers to look for assistance for ensuring compliance. The Support and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is a chance for employers to demand technical assistance on USERRA-related concerns or particular problems in their labor force before the onset of a DOL/VETS problem or claim.

Concern actions include reviewing USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit extension treatments, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly catch brand-new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Military Labor force Practice Group unites a group of attorneys, much of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who regularly recommend on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate application, and examinations and litigation.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Client Website covers brand-new laws and developments in Armed force Leave. All client-users have access to Snapshots and Updates. Premium subscribers have access to details, upgraded design templates, and other resources. For more details on the Customer Portal or a Client Website membership, please connect to .

Optimizing Spouse Employment Growth

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For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has actually championed military partner work, producing pathways to chance and driving systemic change. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Armed Force Spouse Employment Top will honor the legacy of development while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Leadership & Legacy as we recognize the partners, companies, and advocates who have actually transformed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to prosper in a developing labor force.

Together, we will develop on a decade of service and success to develop a future where military spouses lead with strength, vision, and function.

Military partners face one of the most persistent employment spaces in the American workforce. According to data from the United States Department of Labor, military spouse joblessness has hovered around 20% or greater over the last few years. This far goes beyond the national average, which typically falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military partner herself, highlights how those challenges play out in practice and how spouses can browse them better.