Empowering Military Spouses Overseas
How to Improve the Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA)
It is evident that there are significant challenges associated with maintaining a dual-career household while navigating the unique demands of military life. Those who want to remain employed while living overseas (OCONUS) have a hard time navigating the opaque and dated Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA).
I held two Military Dinner Table Conversations in October aimed at understanding the employment challenges faced by military spouses stationed in Asia and Europe. They emphasized the need for increased understanding and support from military leadership while highlighting the importance of modernizing the perceptions cemented in international policy that minimize the importance of military spouses' careers.
While all participants had different experiences, representing a variety of career fields including engineering, data science, nonprofit leadership, project management, social media and health care, they all had similar challenges with the SOFA, namely a lack of clarity on multiple fronts including:
who to reach out to with questions upon their initial receipt of orders
base legal was unclear if/how they can help, or told participants they could not help them
policies are not centrally posted
resources for stateside employers lack clarity
This Conversation’s guest speaker was Beth Conlin, who shared her expertise with participants. Conlin shared that she was “personally victimized” by the SOFA while living overseas as an active-duty Army spouse. She shared how she struggled to get clear answers from relevant agencies when she tried to navigate the SOFA a decade ago. Her career was derailed for years due to this lack of clarity, leading her to advocate for better understanding and changes in SOFA policies
Beth has spent years researching and working with organizations like the American Bar Association to address the issue, resulting in positive changes in how future military spouses experience the SOFA (link to this update below).
Participants discussed big and small issues such as working across different time zones, not knowing if they needed work visas, or how to register a business on military installations. One participant, Brittany, highlighted an obstacle related to housing, stating, "There are no locks on the doors" in on-base housing, presenting challenges for those requiring a private space for sensitive work.
"The SOFA hasn't been updated since 1951. So right, like women couldn't even work, so much less talking about remote work," said one participant. Participants believe this outdated agreement is a hindrance, stressing the importance of modernizing it to align with current work and social dynamics, including remote work.
Participants also shared their experiences with assumptions that military spouses won't work while overseas. One participant mentioned, "Yes, I think the assumption is…you get to live in England, you won't work and you'll just do whatever your husband needs." This assumption underscores the need for a shift in attitudes and increased awareness of the desire and need for military spouses to pursue employment opportunities.
Although the SOFA posed significant confusion for those wishing to work overseas, the OCONUS experience was largely positive for many despite these issues. One participant cited her successful effort to navigate different policies and cultures while living in Japan, "I qualified for a subsidy with the Japanese government as a working spouse. I got my daughter's preschool tuition cut in half because of that."
It was clear from these conversations, that addressing the complications posed by relocating overseas under the SOFA, requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy advocacy, improved communication, and a shift in attitudes about how military spouses' careers are seen by those who write policies that govern their employment.
Resources for Military Spouses OCONUS
Updates from Italy (and how we can replicate this elsewhere)
Bidens EO on spouse employment with a call out for clarity of the SOFA
Italy Telework update: https://home.army.mil/italy/my-garrison-Italy/telework
Example of a good website provided by participant: https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/site/newcomers/passports-visa.asp
Bar Association resolution on SOFA
Mil Spouse Biz owner toolkit on military one source https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/milspouse-chamber-of-commerce-entrepreneur-toolkit
Other Resources
https://milspousechamber.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethconlin/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SyQCHfCTb_G_D59MW06p0yPREnnIHiui/view?usp=drive_link
Suggestions Made by Participants
Post Office - examine policies that prevent business being conducted via FPO/APO mailboxes
Office space - consider employment when assigning installation housing
Posting resources in a central location - posting SOFA regulations on a centralized website (Military OneSource)
Legal clarity - allow military legal offices to advise military spouses looking to work OCONUS
Military Mindsets - Understanding of the reality that spouses need to work and live in close proximity to their spouses. They don’t just want to go on a vacation.
Quotes
“I’m struck by the seeming simplicity and power in the suggestion to post the SOFA agreements to Military One Source. I imagine this hasn’t happened because of how nuanced and complicated each situation is, but perhaps if it were mandated to post them it might result in relooking these agreements! Am I dreaming?”
“I had our home office in a converted closet space in the master bedroom in Japan.” 🙂
Topics Families Want to Discuss in the future:
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Work-Life Balance for Servicemembers and Families: Would like to address the need for finding a balance between family life and work commitments for both servicemembers and their families.
Federal Employment for Military Spouses: Discussing the opportunities and challenges related to federal employment for military spouses.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Bringing attention to the financial implications of moving to a new station, including aspects that are not covered or compensated. Addressing the complexities and experiences related to PCS moves within the military.
USAJobs: Discuss the process and challenges of applying for Federal jobs.
Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: Highlighting the importance of advocating for oneself as a military spouse, especially when transitioning to a new workplace.
Utilization of Spouses as Volunteers: Discussing concerns regarding the overuse of military spouses as volunteers for activities that the military should hire people for.
Child Care: Highlighting concerns related to childcare and the specific challenges faced by military families in securing suitable childcare services.
Laws Supporting Military Spouses: Discussing laws and regulations that support military spouses, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and relocation.
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