Employers from a variety of industries gathered in late January to pledge their commitment to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses while learning strategies to deliver on that promise.
The gathering was part of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Annual Partner Meeting – ENGAGE 2025, the Defense Department’s annual MSEP event.
At the event, the DOD welcomed its largest class ever – 234 new employer partners – during an induction ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Crystal City, Virginia. With the addition of this new group, the total number of engaged MSEP employer partners has increased to more than 950.
But for these employers, joining MSEP isn’t just about expanding their workforce — it’s about gaining access to a uniquely skilled talent pool.
“When it comes to being affiliated with this fine program, it’s wonderful to be thanked and recognized with a forum like this, but the truth is, we are the winners, because we are being connected with amazing, talented people,” said Bryan Garey, vice president and chief human resources officer at Virginia Tech, one of the new MSEP members.
“We know how flexible they are, how talented they are and the resilience that it takes to be a part of a family that’s committed to serving our country and all the demands that it takes,” Garey said of military spouses.
Part of the DOD’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, MSEP is a targeted recruitment and employment initiative, creating employment connections that provide direct access to military spouses seeking career opportunities and spouses with direct access to employers who are actively recruiting.
Despite their talent and adaptability, military spouses face significant career challenges, often struggling with high unemployment due to frequent moves and other demands of military life. Today, military spouse unemployment is 21%, according to the 2021 Survey of Active Duty Spouses. To address this disparity, the DOD established MSEP in 2011.
In the years since it was established, MSEP has grown steadily to include large and small businesses across industries as well as public sector organizations, including the federal government and municipalities throughout the country. Collectively, MSEP partners have hired more than 360,000 military spouses.
“More partners mean more job opportunities for our military spouses, which is wonderful news to every military family,” said Sharene Brown, Spouse of the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during remarks to MSEP employers. “You shift the narrative not just by hiring qualified and talented military spouses, but investing in them, developing them and advocating for them within your industries.”
MSEP members seeking to build on this success attended panels and sessions at ENGAGE 2025 that offered strategies to lower barriers to employment and invest in spouses’ careers.
Lee Kelley, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense, said in remarks during the induction ceremony, that employer support of spouses not only rewards organizations with skilled and adaptable employees, but it also contributes to a stronger military.
“The work we do here today and every day is vital, not only to the success of military spouses but to the continued strength and readiness of our nation. The contributions of military spouses are immeasurable. They support our military service members so they can better focus on the mission and our national defense,” she said.
Military spouses can learn about the new MSEP partners on MySECO and explore job opportunities through the MSEP Job Search.
Education and career guidance is available to military spouses worldwide through the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. SECO offers spouses free comprehensive resources and career coaching services designed to help them meet their career and education goals.
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