Q3FY24
Fiscal year 2024: Third quarter
March
- President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 14100 “Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors” on 9 June 2023 to enhance career stability and expand employment resources for the military community. Additionally, EO 14100 directed Department of State (DoS) and Department of Defense (DoD) when re-evaluating or entering agreements with host nations, shall consider work options for military spouses seeking to continue their private sector or self-employment.
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2024 included several provisions to provide additional support to military spouses and expand existing authorities. DoD considers spouse employment to be a component of military family readiness, and Congress has endeavored to address employment challenges by authorizing support for military spouse education, training, hiring, and professional license portability, among other initiatives.
USEUCOM has partnered with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to establish the Total Force Fitness framework as the first Combatant Command (CCMD) to have an embedded DHA Liaison Officer (LNO) for this pilot initiative.
Updates in a recent Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1315.19 identified a phased approach to instituting changes to enhance the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) in all three components (identification and enrollment, assignment coordination, and family support). USEUCOM is continuously working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to improve the EFMP process.
Overseas Civilians, Contractors, and their dependents experience a disparity in access to behavioral health resources. Efforts are underway, including proposed legislative changes that would enable access for these families to Military Family Life Counselors. More information will be distributed as this develops.
ECJ1 continues to serve as an advocate for our students and families in the European Theater. Most recently, our efforts prompted the re-formatting of the Dependents Education Council (DEC) enabling CCMD direct engagement with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ASD), Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the Director, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).