Army spouses face unique challenges, and successfully navigating them positively impacts Total Army Readiness. While there are resources available to assist Army spouses and families, research shows that spouses often rely on the knowledge of other spouses to gather information and may struggle to navigate existing resources which are underutilized for a variety of reasons. Research also shows that spouses, at times, feel disconnected from the Army community. However, spouse education courses provide the knowledge to efficiently utilize resources, foster a sense of community among spouses, and strengthens their understanding of Army culture.
The Army University established the Spouse Development Office (SDO) in 2021 to help define the Army of 2030 and to initiate efforts and strategies which directly correlate with the Army’s People First Strategy. The current mission of the SDO is to identify gaps within the Army’s spouse education capabilities, support established policies that impact Army spouses, and synchronize learning progression for approved Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) spouse education programs.
According to Dr. Christina Love, SDO Director, “The development of all our military spouses is imperative to our Army. The creation of this office highlights that our leadership understands that our Army spouses are central to military family readiness. “We know that when our spouses are connected, prepared to successfully navigate Army life, and have opportunities to pursue personal and professional goals, it positively impacts Total Army Readiness,” Love said.
While some programs currently exist across the Army that provide opportunities for spouse education during a servicemembers key developmental courses – such as the Army War College; the School for Command Preparation (Pre-Command Course); The Command and General Staff School; the Sergeants Major Academy; and other select centers and schools – these programs have previously operated independently from one another. The SDO is designed to synchronize learning progress to ensure spouses develop the right skills at the right time and increase opportunities across the Army and throughout an individual’s time as a military spouse.
According to Jessica Brushwood, SDO Training Program Specialist, “The Spouse Development Office is designed to collaborate with spouse education program leads to identify and eliminate curriculum overlaps and gaps in spouse education, increase efficiency, enhance readiness, support employment efforts, and improve personal well-being. It is important that we not only empower our spouses with knowledge of Army culture, but that we also provide opportunities to build readiness skills that will be beneficial in their personal and professional lives at every level of their careers.”
To support the development of new spouse education programs across TRADOC, the SDO has created a spouse mentorship guide, program template and lesson plans for spouse development and growth that will apply to all spouses, regardless of experience levels.
Among the resources being offered by SDO is the Army Spouse Learner Record (ASLR) which is a cumulative repository of TRADOC Army spouse education courses that have been taken. The ASLR is distributed through the Spouse Education Tracking System (SETS) and provides a tangible way to transfer knowledge and skills learned in spouse education programs into employability skills. The information contained in the ASLR provides spouses with contact hours and information to include on a resume that may potentially be used for renewing professional certification or licensure.
Dr. Love explained that as she reaches out to senior leadership across the Army, she is encouraged about their interest in the SDO program. “Our leaders are enthusiastic about this initiative,” she said. “They are excited that this program gives spouses recognition that what they are doing is important for our Army and vital to our readiness.”
For more information on the Spouse Development Program, contact the Spouse Development Office at usarmy.leavenworth.tradoc.mbx.armyu-spouse-development-office@army.mil; visit the SDO website at armyuniversity.edu/organizations/spousedevelopmentoffice/home; or follow the SDO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/armyuSDO
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