FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson honored 11 local employers and three community partners for recruiting, hiring and providing support to military spouses during the 3rd annual Employer Appreciation Ceremony May 2, 2023, at the 4th Inf. Div. Headquarters.
The purpose of this event was to focus on the partnership between Fort Carson and local employers who hire military spouses, as well as community partners who provide support and programs for the spouses.
Each employer and partner received a 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson certificate of appreciation based on their significant efforts in recruiting, hiring, training and retaining military spouses.
“We look at which employers have shown a tremendous interest in working with us by them sending job announcements and participating with in-person recruiting events that we hold,” said Lindsey Meek, Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program manager. “They really have to show a continuous effort and not just a one-time interest.”
Currently spouses are underutilized in the labor force by roughly 20% due to the military lifestyle of moving every couple of years to support their Soldier, Meeks said. Military spouse employment is one of the Army’s top five quality of life priorities.
Spouse employment success relies heavily on employers who not only recognize the amazing skills and experiences spouses bring to companies but have come to rely on their flexibility and grit.
“What’s really great about military spouse-friendly employers is that they provide that stability, that kind of financial stability that really mitigates a lot of the issues that military Families face today, like all families,” said Jessie Kimber, special assistant to the Mayor of Colorado Springs and Military Affairs & Community Relations. “If a military service member cannot focus on the mission because life at home is so tumultuous that puts our national security at risk.”
Currently several employers, such as the Colorado Springs Police Department, The Broadmoor and Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, have helped facilitate the employment of military spouses in Colorado.
“Having lived here for four and a half years in Carson, I know that the Colorado Springs community has established a reputation for providing outstanding support to Fort Carson and its Families,” said Brig. Gen. James K. Dooghan, deputy commanding general for maneuver, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson. “Here in Colorado Springs, the employers who we … recognize realize the value gained by hiring military spouses, creating a win for them, a win for our Army and a win for our community.”
In the past year, the Employment Readiness Program has assisted more than 220 Family members/spouses; hosted or participated in 140 workshops, hiring fairs, and briefings; and has more than 175 employers participating with the program.
“Our Employment Readiness Program helps the whole Fort Carson community. We focus on our military spouses, but we also help transitioning service members, veterans, retirees, even DOD civilians and military teens,” said Meek.
For more information on career preparation and enrichment assistance, contact the Employment Readiness Program at 719-526-0452 or visit https://carson.armymwr.com/programs/acs/employment-readiness-program to request an appointment and register for classes.
Employer Partners
Aramark
Colorado Springs Police Department
COX Enterprises
City of Pueblo
Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8
Myron Stratton Home
Premier Research
The Broadmoor
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
The Resource Exchange (TRE)
Valiant Staffing
Community Partners
Civilian Personnel Advisory Center
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Transition Assistance Program
Social Sharing