WASHINGTON—The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) said it is supporting a campaign launched by Karen Pence, wife of Vice President Mike Pence, that encourages veteran and military
spouse employment, and is urging credit unions to look to veterans when making hiring decisions.
The campaign is called the “Hiring 100K Military Spouses Initiative,” and, as the name implies, has set a goal of moving 100,000 military spouses into jobs.
“Military families sacrifice and serve alongside their veteran servicemembers,” said Anthony Hernandez, president/CEO of DCUC. “Nowhere is this more evident than in our military spouses who have unique skills and abilities. In fact, many military spouses have college degrees in addition to proven experience and are ready to work in building our defense communities. This talent is in plain sight.”
Hernandez is a 25-year Air Force veteran himself, and noted that 50% of DCUC employees identify as military veterans and/or military spouses.
The DCUC said military spouses face unemployment rates four times the national average and that the association is committed to doing its part by assisting military spouses in securing meaningful careers.
DCUC noted it currently sponsors the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE) symposium by providing five military spouses the opportunity to continue their financial counseling education. Financial counseling careers are highly portable and provide military spouses the opportunity to find employment at any military installation or in the civilian sector, DCUC said.