The multi-million dollar grant is part of a U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor pilot program dubbed Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative.

Money will be disbursed in January based on the number of eligible spouses and applicants at the bases.

Airmen and Family Readiness Centers, which will administer the initiative at Eglin and Hurlburt, are already preparing for what they expect would be a popular opportunity.

"I think there's absolutely a need for this program," said Jiri Crowder, director of the Eglin readiness center. "This is the most phenomenal program that I've seen ... in family support."

Naval Air Station Jacksonville is the third installation in Florida that will share the grant.

The program works by establishing accounts of $3,000 a year for eligible military spouses. An account could be renewed for a second year depending on the need.

Rank is one of the selection criteria. Spouses of troops in E1 to E5 and in O1 to O3 pay grades -- which is airman to staff sergeant and second lieutenant to captain in the Air Force -- can participate.

Eligible career fields are education, health care, information technology, construction trades, and financial services.

In announcing the program earlier this week, Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said, "America's military spouses quietly and courageously bear the sacrifices required of them and their families as their loved ones are serving our country. The (program) provides financial resources to help spouses develop their career goals and dreams."

For more information on this topic:
Military Spouse Career Center

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