Benefit Fact Sheet
The Employment Readiness Program (ERP), operated through Army Community Service (ACS) centers, helps Soldiers, spouses, surviving spouses, DoD Civilians, and family members gain the competitive edge needed for employment by providing employment information in the areas of job search skills, education, training, transition, and volunteer opportunities.
Army National Guard Soldiers on Federal active duty, their spouses and family members are eligible for the Employment Readiness Program.
The Employment Readiness Program (ERP) provides services to military spouses, active duty Military, Reserve and National Guard, Wounded Warriors, Retirees, DoD Civilians, and all family members. A professional job search trainer at the ACS center will help identify skills and assist in every step of the way during the job search. The ERP gives access to an unlimited number of automated databases on the Internet 
that list employers and employment opportunities. The ERP also provides access to actual vacancy announcements and employment information from state, local and government agencies. Visit the ERP Manager at your local ACS Center.
Assistance is offered in the following areas:
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Up-to-date resource information on available local, national and international employment opportunities, job market trends, and education and volunteer resources
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Information on spouse licensure reimbursement
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Classes and seminars on self-assessment and career exploration, resume writing, interviewing techniques, dressing for success, networking and entrepreneurship
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Resume critiques
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Career counseling and individual career assessments
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Information on Job fairs (in person and virtual) and other hiring events
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Entrepreneurial opportunities for Home Based Businesses (HBBs) allow families to work from their Army quarters, developing rewarding careers that follow them through PCS moves
* Not all programs and classes are available at all ACS facilities
ERP works with the installation Civilian Personnel Office, community agencies, and the Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to provide a full range of employment-related services and assistance to family members during their job search and career development. There are ACS Centers at Army installations worldwide. Call or visit the closest ACS office to make an appointment to begin the job search process.
The ERP Manager can provide information to the following Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) programs offered to military spouses:
SpouseWorks (formerly SECO): A program designed to address the unique employment challenges faced by military spouses, including frequent relocations, employment and skill gaps, and barriers related to licensing and credentialing.
SpouseWorks helps military spouses turn career goals into reality by providing access to education, expert guidance and employment opportunities. Through partnerships and direct support, spouses can build skills, navigate career shifts and find work that moves with them.
SpouseWorks Scholarship
The SpouseWorks Scholarship (formerly MyCAA) is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with up to $4,000 (up to $2,000 per fiscal year) in financial assistance for the pursuit of a license, certification or associate degree or for continuing education courses to maintain a license or certification necessary for employment.
SpouseWorks Scholarship Eligibility: Spouses of active-duty service members and spouses of National Guard and reserve service members on Title 10 orders in pay grades E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3 and O-1 through O-3. You can continue your approved education and training plan if your sponsor is promoted. Spouses who have completed high school or obtained a GED.
For more information go to https://spouseworks.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/spouseworks-scholarship
Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): An expanding partnership between military spouses seeking employment and corporate businesses committed to providing meaningful and portable careers. Military spouses are encouraged to visit the MSEP website at https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/ to find employment opportunities and post resumes.
For more information about ERP, please visit:
https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/employment-readiness-program
In addition, the link to the Employment and Readiness Program on Army installations may be located on the Resource Locator Library on MyArmyBenefits:
https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Resource-Locator
Army Regulation 608-1: Soldier and Family Readiness:
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN43851-AR_608-1-000-WEB-1.pdf
For more information about Army family employment programs please see the following fact sheets:
Army Transition Assistance Program
For information on government civil service jobs, visit:
https://www.usajobs.gov/