Resources for military and Veteran family members
If you’re a military spouse or surviving spouse, find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for the Department of Defense’s Spouse Education Career Opportunities (SECO) program. And learn about other resources to help you build your career or start a small business.
Am I eligible for SECO services?
You may be eligible for these services if you meet one of these requirements.
One of these must be true:
- You are the spouse of an active-duty, National Guard, or Reserve service member in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, or Air Force.
- You are the spouse of a service member who has been separated from active duty, National Guard, or Reserves for less than 180 days.
- You are the surviving spouse of a service member who died while on active duty.
Through the Department of Defense’s Spouse Education Career Opportunities (SECO) program, spouses can use government-sponsored career and education resources, take advantage of networking opportunities, and work with employment counselors. SECO also partners with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship program. These organizations and others (such as Blue Star Families) offer assistance for spouses interested in the following:
- Connecting with employers committed to hiring military spouses
- Pursuing additional education and/or training
Go to the SECO website to learn more about the program
Go to the MSEP website for career and education opportunities
Download the MyCAA fact sheet to learn more about the scholarship program (PDF)
Go to the Blue Star Families' website to learn more about assistance for spouses
Other programs
- The Military Spouse eMentor Program links spouses to career-specific mentors.
Learn more about the Military Spouse eMentor Program - The Military Spouse Fellowship Program offers 50 spouses a year (at no cost to themselves) the opportunity to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® certificate.
Learn more about the Military Spouse Fellowship Program - If you are a surviving spouse, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors offers seminars, peer mentors, and other forms of support to help you complete your education or find a sustainable career.
Learn about the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - Spouses can attend Department of Labor Employment Workshops (DOLEW) online through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Virtual Curriculum on Joint Knowledge Online, on the Department of Labor website, or in person at some military installations. These workshops focus on building resumes and cover letters as well as developing networking and interviewing skills.
Learn more about DOLEW on Joint Knowledge Online
Learn more about DOLEW on the Department of Labor website
Start your own business
If entrepreneurship interests you, learn about everything from start-up costs to business, accounting, and financial assistance with three programs: SCORE, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Entrepreneurship Boot Camp.
Learn more about starting a business on the SCORE website
Learn more about starting a business on the SBA website
Learn more about starting a business with the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp program
How it works
You’ll use your DS Logon username and password to register for SECO. This is the same username and password you’ll use for online services like TRICARE. If you don’t have a DS Logon account, you can register for one now.