Military Spouse Resource Guide for ABC's of Resilient Living
- Nasira Mukendi
- Sep 15, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 23, 2024
by Nasira Mukendi
Resource Guide Available!

To complement the resources and services mentioned throughout the ABC's book, this Resource Guide is made available on my website. This guide offers detailed information, additional support, and helpful links to further assist military spouses and families. You can access the full Resource Guide here.
As a military spouse, there are a variety of trusted, no-cost resources designed to support your unique needs. I've provided a list of resources that I’ve found to be incredibly helpful (not all inclusive). The best starting point is your local base's Family Readiness Center, which serves as a one-stop shop for essential services and can provide referrals and warm handoffs to additional support. For a convenient online option, Military OneSource (militaryonesource.mil) offers a comprehensive range of services. Local, in-person services are often the most effective way to access support, and your base may offer even more tailored assistance.
Here’s a list of service-specific resource centers:
· Army: Army Community Service (ACS) or Army Family Readiness Group (FRG) for spouse/family support
· Navy: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)
· Air Force/Space Force: Military and Family Readiness Center (MFRC)
· Marine Corps: Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) or Marine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB)
· Coast Guard: Coast Guard Office of Work-Life (CG SUPRT) or Coast Guard Family Resources
Health and Wellness
Health & Wellness Coaching (Military OneSource)
TRICARE
Health care coverage for military families.
Website: tricare.mil
Military OneSource Non-medical Counseling
988 Suicide and Crisis Line
Access free, confidential support 24/7, 365 days a year.
Phone: 988 (Press 1)
Text: 988 or 838255
Websites:
Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC)
Provides free, confidential non-medical counseling to service members, their families and survivors on or near installations.
Website: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/military-family-life-counseling-program/
DoD Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Assistance Programs are designed to cater to the diverse needs of federal employees across various agencies and departments.
Website: https://www.opm.gov/cclcontact/
Financial Wellness
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Website: consumerfinance.gov
Offers financial education, complaint resolution, and guidance on managing debt.
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
Website: https://www.dfas.mil/
Manages military pay, including salaries, allowances, and retirement benefits.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
Provides legal protections for servicemembers on financial and legal matters.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Website: milspousemoneymission.org
Offers financial education and resources tailored for military spouses.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Website: bbb.org
Provides business reviews, dispute resolution, and consumer protection services
Career Development
Act Now Education
Provides military spouses with access to educational resources and training.
Website: https://actnoweducation.org
Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO)
Provides education and career guidance, resume building, and career coaching.
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship
Provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for education, certification, or licensure.
Website: mycaa.militaryonesource.mil
Hire Heroes USA
Connects military spouses and veterans with job opportunities through career fairs, workshops, and one-on-one support.
Website: hireheroesusa.org
USAJobs
The official site for federal jobs, offering searchable listings and resources for applying to government positions.
Website: usajobs.gov
LinkedIn Premium for Military Spouses
Free one-year LinkedIn Premium subscription for military spouses.
Website: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/linkedin-premium-for-military-spouses
Google Career Forward
Description: Provides military spouses access to free Google Career Certificates in high-demand fields like IT, project management, and data analytics to help build career skills and enhance employment opportunities.
Website: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/career-services/fellowships/industry-focus/career-forward/
SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
Resources for military spouses interested in entrepreneurship.
Website: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/military-spouse-businesses
TEAMS Workshops
Department of Labor's Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses and Caregivers.
Website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap/teams-workshops
Military Spouse Licensure Reimbursement
Reimbursement for professional licensure and certification costs during PCS moves.
Website: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/licensure-reimbursement-pcs-moves
Reimbursement for Business Costs When Moving
Reimbursement for certain business costs during relocations.
Contact your Family Readiness Center for more information.
Onward to Opportunity (O2O)
Free career training and certification programs for military spouses.
Website: onward2opportunity.org
Military Spouse Fellowship Program
Opportunity for 50 military spouses per year to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® certificate.
Website: https://www.afcpe.org/certification/finra-foundation-fellowship/
The Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN)
Networking and educational opportunities for military spouses.
Website: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/career-services/education-networking/mspn/
MilLife Learning Courses
MilLife Learning courses are self-directed, user-focused courses on quality-of-life topics for military families.
OneOp (formerly Military Families Learning Network)
Provides free Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for military spouses and families through various online learning opportunities.
Website: https://oneop.org
Childcare Resources
Official Military Child Care Directory
Website: militarychildcare.com
Community Support/Engagement
National Military Family Association (NMFA)
NMFA offers a range of resources and support for military families, including community-building initiatives, educational resources, and networking opportunities.
Website: https://www.militaryfamily.org/
Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN)
Provides resources, advocacy, and support focused on education, employment, and wellness for military spouses.
Website: milspouseadvocacynetwork.org
Five & Thrive
Comprehensive resource, provides resources on childcare, education, housing, healthcare, and spouse employment.
Website: https://www.fiveandthrive.org
National Resource Directory (NRD)
A comprehensive online resource connecting veterans, service members, and their families with services and organizations at local, state, and national levels. It covers health, employment, education, and community support.
Website: nrd.gov
MyBenefits Sites for Each Branch
Branch-specific platforms providing military members and their families with information on benefits, compensation, and resources.
Air Force
Website: myairforcebenefits.us.af.mil
Army
Website: myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
Navy
Website: mynavybenefits.us.navy.mil
Marine Corps
Website: mymarinebenefits.usmc.mil
Coast Guard
Website: mycoastguardbenefits.uscg.mil
National Guard and Reserves
Website: ngb.army.mil
Service Branch Relief Societies
Supports service members and their families with emergency financial assistance, education support, and community programs.
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Website: aerhq.org
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
Website: nmcrs.org
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)/ Space Force
Website: afas.org
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
Website: cgmahq.org
Additional Resources
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Website: va.gov
Offers a range of services, benefits, and resources for veterans and their families.
Operation Homefront
Website: operationhomefront.org
Provides financial assistance, housing support, and other resources for military families in need.
Blue Star Families
Website: bluestarfam.org
A nonprofit organization that supports military families through community-building initiatives, resources, and advocacy, focusing on the unique challenges faced by military families.
American Red Cross
Website: redcross.org
Provides a wide range of support services for military families, including emergency communications, volunteer, financial assistance, and mental health resources.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Unmet Needs Program
Website: vfw.org
Provides financial assistance to veterans and military families experiencing unexpected emergencies.
Fisher House Foundation
Website: fisherhouse.org
Offers a network of comfort houses where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.
Spouse Resilience Toolkit
Website: https://www.resilience.af.mil/Resilience/Spouse-Resilience/
Features resilience training modules to develop skills for adapting to change and addressing life’s challenges.
Transition Assistance Resource Guide
Website: Transition Assistance Resource Guide
Provides resources and support for service members transitioning to civilian life, including guidance for military spouses.
Information current as of September 15, 2024
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