Federal hiring preferences under Title 10 U.S. Code 1784 provide a critical foundation for military spouse employment. To extend this support across the broader workforce, state-level action is essential to combat persistently high unemployment rates. This employment gap creates financial stress that directly impacts service member focus, retention and mission readiness. As one War Department official noted, a distracted service member “may not notice the new pile of rocks alongside the road” — a missed threat with life-or-death consequences. By actively removing employment barriers within their jurisdictions, states partner with the federal government to directly support warfighter effectiveness and total force readiness.
