What Are the Best Employment Options for Veterans?

Numerous brand-new developments might affect the work of military service members and their households and companies' compliance commitments in 2026. Modifications vary from proposals to increase rewards for working with military spouses to enhanced employment securities for service members while on duty. Military spouse work opportunities and support 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 upgraded version of the Improve and Boost the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Chance Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses. The WOTC offers federal tax credits to employers that work with specific "American task seekers who have consistently faced barriers to work." That proposed legislation resembles the Military Partner Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), introduced previously in 2025.

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Regular Relocations Regular relocations continue to strain military households and can make it more challenging for companies to work with and keep military spouses. Broadening the WOTC might produce brand-new incentives for companies to employ military partners and use this underutilized talent pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Across Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), introduced in November 2025, seeks to restrict movings of active-duty servicemembers.

Navigating 2026 Military Spouse Career Strategies

The U.S. Congress has not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it might result in decreased PCS moves that might affect recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law already offers civilian employment leave protections for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly released for military service.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act), that included provisions affecting USERRA enforcement and remedies. The Dole Act strengthened anti-retaliation securities and enabled complainants declaring USERRA violations to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' fees. Agencies and courts might continue to analyze and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Company Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) released a program for companies to look for assistance for ensuring compliance. The Assistance and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for employers to request technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or specific problems in their workforce before the start of a DOL/VETS problem or claim.

Priority actions consist of reviewing USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit extension procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly catch new incentives for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Armed force Labor force Practice Group unites a group of legal representatives, much of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who regularly advise on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate implementation, and investigations and litigation.

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

Unlocking Specialized Veteran Aid Resources

Tax day is. Have you submitted with MilTax yet? Whether you're simply getting your documents together, struck a snag or require to submit for an extension, we've got your back with free filing software and tax pros ready to assist.

For ten years, Employing Our Heroes has championed military spouse employment, developing paths to chance and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Partner Work Summit will honor the legacy of development while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's top concentrates on Management & Tradition as we recognize the partners, companies, and advocates who have actually transformed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to thrive in a developing workforce.

Together, we will build on a years of service and success to produce a future where military spouses lead with strength, vision, and purpose.

Military partners face one of the most relentless employment gaps in the American workforce. According to information from the United States Department of Labor, military partner joblessness has hovered around 20% or greater over the last few years. This far exceeds the nationwide average, which generally falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Collaborations & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military partner herself, illustrates how those difficulties play out in practice and how spouses can navigate them more efficiently.