Top Career Success Insights for Veterans

A number of new developments could affect the employment of military service members and their families and employers' compliance commitments in 2026. Changes range from propositions to increase incentives for working with military partners to improved work protections for service members while on task. Military spouse job opportunity and assistance remain a focus for pending legislation.

, introduced earlier in 2025.

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Regular Relocations Regular movings continue to strain military families and can make it more challenging for companies to hire and keep military partners. Expanding the WOTC could develop brand-new rewards for companies to work with military spouses and take advantage of this underutilized skill pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Throughout Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), presented in November 2025, seeks to limit movings of active-duty servicemembers.

Addressing Military Career Gaps

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

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act), which consisted of provisions impacting USERRA enforcement and remedies. The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation securities and permitted plaintiffs declaring USERRA violations to look for minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' fees. Agencies and courts may continue to analyze and apply 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 seek assistance for ensuring compliance. The Support and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is a chance for companies to request technical assistance on USERRA-related questions or specific issues in their workforce before the beginning of a DOL/VETS complaint or claim.

Top priority actions consist of examining USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit continuation treatments, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to rapidly record new incentives for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Military Workforce Practice Group unites a group of legal representatives, numerous of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who regularly advise on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate execution, and investigations and litigation.

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

The Updated Approach on VA Retirement

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For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has championed military partner work, creating paths to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Spouse Employment Top will honor the tradition of progress while charting a strong course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Management & Legacy as we recognize the partners, companies, and supporters who have changed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in a progressing workforce.

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

Military spouses face among the most persistent work spaces in the American workforce. According to information from the United States Department of Labor, military spouse joblessness has hovered around 20% or higher recently. This far exceeds the national average, which typically falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Armed Forces Mutual and a military spouse herself, highlights how those obstacles play out in practice and how partners can browse them better.