Education Related

MSCCN now has two special "insider connections" in higher education!



is now a supporting employer and stands by ready to help military
members and military spouses with education-related concerns.

MSCCN is also pleased to welcome Cachet Prescott, Air Force Spouse
and Former Army "Brat" as our Education Liaison Volunteer. Cachet
currently works as the Campus Center Director, Park University, at the
Vandenberg AFB Campus Center. Send an e-mail with "Education" as
the subject to askus@msccn.org to ask her a question.

Interested in becoming an adjunct faculty member at a local college
or university? Please read this highly informative article by Cachet!!

In-State Tuition

DANTES has posted information about the new law granting in-state
tuition to active-duty military families. Please review their information
and continue to follow-up with more education news at their website
linked here.

Post 9/11 GI Bill and Transferability (to military spouses)

Now is the time to start learning about the new Post 9/11 GI Bill and
option to transfer education benefits for up to 36 months to family members.

MSCCN recommends that applicants start with the Post 9/11 GI Bill here
and information about the transferability here

Career Advancement Account (CAA) Update

The Department of Defense's expanded Military Spouse Career
Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is now offering up to $6,000
to military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs,
licenses or credentials leading to careers in high growth, high demand
portable career fields.

Military OneSource has posted updated information about the Career
Advancement Account. Please review the newest information online
about the changes effective May 2009 at Military OneSource.

Read about spouse scholarships and more at:

NMFA's Military Spouse Education Resource Guide

Don't miss out on scholarship opportunities mentioned in the Guide and be
sure to check the NMFA page about In-State Tuition -- here

And don't miss these opportunities from Central Texas College:

Central Texas College (CTC) scholarships for military spouses at
http://www.ctcd.edu/militaryspouses/scholarshiplistapr07_spouses.pdf

and for spouses of Purple Heart recipients at
http://www.ctcd.edu/militaryspouses/wounded_warrior_spouse_scholarship_checklist-application.pdf

Other Important Initiatives

Executive Order Eases Federal Employment for Military Spouses

National Military Family Association (NMFA) recently posted an exciting
announcement for military spouses and federal employment. You can read
the official American Forces Press Service article, Executive Order Eases
Federal Employment for Military Spouses here.

UPDATED!! The finalized Rules in the Federal Register for the new non-
competitive appointments can be viewed here. The Navy Times posted
an article about it that we recommend reading here.


Where the Jobs Are

Where the Jobs Are is a website by the Partnership for Public Service that
lists "employment opportunities that will be available in the federal govern-
ment from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2012." Please review
the Partnership for Public Service website and then browse through the
Where the Jobs Are website to learn more about job opportunities in the
federal government.

Resumix To Be Replaced, But Not Yet

DoD halted the implementation of the new Enterprise Staffing Solution
(ESS) that will eventually replace the Resumix system. Due to the
Executive Order, many military spouses will be interested in federal
employment will still need to submit through Resumix for a while. When
ESS implementation does begin, then everyone will have to learn how
to use ESS, but right now, Resumix is used.

MSCCN urges applicants for positions requiring Resumix to inquire about
Resumix training offered through their local military installation. Each
Service branch has different requirements for the Resumix format and
attached information. Please pay strict attention to using the correct
keywords and following all instructions provided.

Military Spouse Residency Relief (MSRRA)

H.R. 6070 from the 100th Congress was re-introduced by Representative John
Carter (R-TX) on February 25, 2009 as H.R. 1182 of the 111th Congress (S. 475
for the Senate version) to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee
the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency,
and for other purposes.

The Blue Star Families report is recommended to read about support for the MSRRA.

Resume Assistance for Applicants at European GSUs

MSCCN is losing our great volunteer who provided resume assistance
to applicants in Europe who do not have access to a military family center.
Christine Brugman, located in Belgium, is PCSing back to CONUS. We deeply
appreciate the work Christine did for MSCCN and MSCCN applicants!

Help for Applicants

Tell Employer You Are a Military Spouse - Yes or No?

Many military spouses fear mentioning they are a military spouse during
an interview. The subject normally should not come up because it has
nothing to do with the qulaifications for most jobs.

Some spouses are so proud of being a military spouse, they want to tell
the world. Others fear that employers won't consider them due to their
frequent relocations, even though the job turnover rate for the general
population is about the same as for military spouses.

Karen Jowers, a military spouse who writes for The Air Force Times, recently
tackled the question about revealing or concealing that you are a military
spouse to a prospective employer. Read it online here.

Employers who sponsor MSCCN and provide jobs for our Gateway WANT
military spouses and need to be told that you found their position
advertised through MSCCN. Please remember to mention MSCCN as
your reference!

Partnership with Army Wife Talk Radio

Dearest MSCCN Applicant and Employment Partner,

It is with great honor that we welcome Army Wife Talk
Radio & Field Problems™ into the MSCCN network of
trusted organizations who walk-the-walk of military
spouse support.

"Tara E Crooks , Founder and President of Army Wife Talk
Radio runs a pristine operation," says Deb Kloeppel,
President of MSCCN. "The MSCCN performs due diligence
regarding the type of businesses we partner with and
display on our website. Tara's organization is a fine
organization that follows all business rules. We are
very pleased that Tara's Army Wife Talk Radio has entered into partnership
with MSCCN."

Tune in to the LIVE weekly shows at http://www.armywifetalkradio.com/
or listen to their latest show now by utilizing the player below.



MSCCN was featured on the February 23, 2009 talk radio show (#202).
Amy Rossi and Kate Midden discussed a variety of military spouse and
career topics as well informing listeners about MSCCN services.

Please also visit the Army Wife Talk Radio blog to see some great advice from
MSCCN about tackling some military spouse employment issues.



Military spouses, are you aware that the DoD has programs available
to help you find and pay for child care in your neighborhood?

The Department of Defense and the National Association of Child Care
Resource & Referral Agencies are working together to give military families
access to high-quality, affordable child care in their communities.

Two programs were created to supplement the high-quality child care
currently offered on military installations.    Click Here to Learn More

Don't forget to visit a nearby military family center for personalized assistance!

Talk to us!!  E-mail comments, suggestions or updates to Ask Us.