Robert L. Gordon III, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy)

Families play a crucial role in supporting our service members on the battlefield and at home.  We know that families also serve.  Military spouses work very hard to integrate their own education and career aspirations with the realities of military life.

Mr. Robert L. Gordon III, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy) discussed the policies, programs and services that expand the opportunities for military spouses to pursue their education and career goals in a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable on Thursday, September 29.

Topics included the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, efforts to streamline the process of obtaining professional licenses, and initiatives to expand the availability of childcare.

The White House Presidential Study Directive-9 Report “Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment,” published January 25, 2011, noted, “military spouses are part of an adaptable, resilient, educated, and dedicated work force.”  Priority #3 of the report “Developing career and education opportunities for military spouses” includes the increase of opportunities for private-sector careers as a specific need to address.

The Defense Department is working hard to build a foundation upon which military families can meet the challenges of these uncertain times, be fulfilled, and look to the future with optimism and hope.

Military Community and Family Policy is responsible for the policies, programs, and services that keep our military families resilient and able to thrive in military life. When our military families are supported and strong, our service members are better able to carry out their missions and to meet all of their duty requirements.

For more information about Military Community and Family Policy, like them on Facebook or follow Mr. Gordon’s weekly blog posts on DoDLive.mil.

Joining us on the call were Karen Francis, of MilSpouseMutterings; and Bryant Jordan, of Military.com.

Listen to the interview.

Read the transcript.

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