Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors

Overview

Purpose and Target Population

Executive Order 14100 aims to advance the economic security of military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors. This effort recognizes the unique challenges these groups face, such as high unemployment rates, frequent relocations, and barriers to career sustainability. Military-connected families often face hardships resulting from deployments, geographic instability, and the demands of military life that diverge from typical civilian experiences.

Employment and Economic Opportunity

The order addresses employment difficulties by emphasizing the importance of dual incomes for military families while acknowledging the high unemployment rate among military spouses. The initiative is designed to facilitate career development regardless of whether these individuals choose public service, private sector employment, or entrepreneurship. The federal government, as a significant employer, is urged to model inclusivity and accessibility, thereby offering better employment opportunities for the targeted demographics.

Federal Government Role

The federal government employs over 16,000 military-connected individuals, and this executive action encourages this employer to be a vehicle for diversity and economic support. By setting policies that enhance hiring and retention, the government aspires to be an employer of choice for military families, thereby supporting the readiness and retention of the military force as a whole.

Child Care Considerations

The executive order also acknowledges the critical role that access to affordable, high-quality child care plays in supporting military families. Recognizing child care as a military readiness issue, the directive calls on the Department of Defense to assess child care access and costs as part of its review of military benefits. The objective is to mitigate child care as a barrier to military service for spouses, thereby fostering an environment conducive to long-term engagement in military careers.

Gender and Military Cohesion

Acknowledging the predominantly female demographic among military spouses, the order aligns itself with the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. It also draws attention to the 75th anniversary of women's formal integration into the Armed Forces, reaffirming the administration's commitment to removing systemic barriers that disproportionately impact women in dual military marriages.

Legal and Policy Implications

Constitutional and Statutory Context

EO 14100 derives its authority from the President’s constitutional role and statutory obligations as commander-in-chief, presenting a comprehensive approach to improving military family welfare. The order has a statutory backdrop, seeking to build on existing laws like the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointment Authority while also contemplating potential legislative proposals to eliminate barriers to federal employment for military spouses and survivors.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

In the policy domain, the executive order aligns with previous efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, as articulated in Executive Orders 13583 and 14035. By mandating a Military-Connected Strategic Plan, the administration signals a formalized commitment to these values, translating them into actionable strategies for federal employment practices and training programs.

Interagency Coordination

Legally, the order necessitates coordination among various federal departments, enhancing their roles in data sharing, human resource training, and the implementation of flexible work policies. Agencies are mandated to innovate in areas critical to the retention and support of military-connected employees through directives that foster smoother transitions from military to civilian roles.

Impact on Federal Workforce Policies

The order impacts merit system principles by encouraging an updated understanding of hiring preferences and addressing specific barriers faced by military-connected individuals. It promotes transparency and accountability by incorporating data tracking and reporting, thus transforming military spouse employment from a peripheral consideration into a core focus of federal workforce strategy.

Policy Amendments and Innovations

This order triggers amendments to existing federal hiring policies, particularly expanding the eligibility criteria for federal employment programs. It also tasks agencies with developing common standards for the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) program, striving for coherence and accessibility in policy application across agencies.

Who Benefits

Military and Veteran Spouses

Military and veteran spouses stand to gain significantly from this executive order. Through targeted recruitment and retention strategies, they are positioned to access more stable and flexible career opportunities within the federal government. The order also sets the groundwork for greater access to entrepreneurial resources via the Small Business Administration, thereby supporting spouses seeking to start or grow businesses.

Military Caregivers and Survivors

Military caregivers and survivors are another group poised to benefit. The order ensures that they are included in federal hiring initiatives, gaining visibility and recognition within talent recruitment frameworks. Simplified processes for obtaining employment and employee resources aim to alleviate economic pressures typically shouldered by these communities.

Federal Agencies

Federal agencies, as employers, benefit from access to a pool of individuals with diverse skills and viewpoints, particularly relevant given the unique experiences military-connected individuals bring to federal service. The policy improvements and legislative recommendations aim to streamline hiring processes and cultivate a diverse and effective workforce.

Children of Military Families

Children of military families are indirect beneficiaries given the emphasis on expanding access to high-quality child care. Such measures support their well-being and development while enabling both parents, including service members, to engage more fully in their careers.

Women in Dual Military Marriages

Particularly women in dual military marriages may find improved career prospects as the EO targets barriers that disproportionately affect female service members. Enhanced access to child care and flexible work policies are expected to have positive employment and retention outcomes in this demographic.

Who Suffers

Potential Budgetary Constraints

While not directly disadvantaged by the order, federal agencies may face budgetary challenges in implementing some of its provisions. The push for enhanced hiring, IT infrastructure for tracking applications, and increased child care facilities may require financial resources not immediately available, potentially leading to resource allocation conflicts.

Private Sector Employers

Competition for skilled military spouses may marginally impact private sector employers, particularly in regions surrounding military installations. As the federal government enhances its role as an employer of choice, private entities may need to adjust their employment policies to retain their share of the workforce.

Opposition from Certain Legislative Bodies

Critics in legislative bodies might view the order's ambitious goals as overextension of federal influence, especially if perceived to impose additional costs or administrative burdens. Some policymakers could argue against federal interference in employment practices traditionally left to state governance or private enterprise.

Federal Employees Unaffected by Special Programs

Existing federal employees who do not benefit from the Military-Connected programs might perceive the focused initiatives as diverting attention and resources from other pressing workforce concerns. This perception may lead to tensions regarding equity and resource allocation within federal departments.

Resistance to Change in Federal Workforce

Within the federal workforce, resistance to the changes mandated by the order might manifest, particularly from staff unaccustomed to newly increased emphasis on telework and diversity hiring practices. Training initiatives and cultural shifts might encounter pushback from various stakeholders across the organizational hierarchy.

Historical Context

Comparative Executive Actions

Executive Order 14100 builds upon a legacy of executive actions designed to support military families. Prior efforts under the Obama and Trump administrations provided some groundwork, notably in areas like enhancing noncompetitive appointments for military spouses. The Biden administration, however, has expanded these efforts into a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy.

Gender Disparity Considerations

Historically, military spouses—predominantly women—have faced systemic disadvantages in employment. This order aligns with broader initiatives to address gender disparity and promote equity. The focus echoes ongoing national conversations around gender inclusion and the empowerment of women in workplaces.

All-Volunteer Force Milestones

The 50th anniversary of the all-volunteer force provides a contextual backdrop for this executive order. Over the decades, maintaining an all-volunteer force has depended not just on the service members themselves, but on their families' well-being. This order underscores the importance of familial support in ensuring military readiness and retention.

Shift Toward Holistic Support Systems

EO 14100 marks a shift toward treating military family welfare as an integral component of national security policy. It recognizes the interconnected nature of military and civilian lives and endorses actions that improve the socioeconomic conditions of military families as a matter of strategic priority.

Integration of Child Care in Military Readiness

The directive emphasizing child care access as a readiness issue draws from a wider societal recognition of the importance of family balance. This extends military policy into areas traditionally associated with civilian life, indicating a blending of military and civilian policy paradigms to better serve military-connected populations.

Potential Controversies or Challenges

Implementation Hurdles

Implementing the detailed directives of EO 14100 may present logistical and administrative challenges. Agencies must coordinate comprehensively in developing hiring plans, managing data, and adapting to new workforce policies. Training programs and employment initiatives require substantial organizational change, a process that may prove cumbersome and resistant to swift implementation.

Congressional Pushback

Despite its aim to support military families, the order could face scrutiny from Congress, particularly regarding budget allocations and the expansion of federal roles into traditionally state-managed domains. Lawmakers focused on limiting federal influence might argue against extensive government involvement in employment programs specific to military populations.

Legal Considerations and Compliance

Legally, some aspects of the order might face questioning regarding their alignment with existing statutes. Compliance with new data-sharing mandates and cross-agency initiatives might demand statutory revisions or clarifications, potentially posing legal and procedural challenges that require congressional involvement or administrative adjustments.

Equity Concerns

Potential equity concerns may arise, given the focus on military-connected populations. Critics might argue that the objectives outlined in EO 14100 place undue emphasis on select groups, possibly at the expense of other underserved populations within the federal workforce. Balancing inclusivity initiatives while maintaining equitable resource allocation presents a multifaceted challenge.

Cultural Resistance in Military Organizations

Institutional resistance within military structures could also emerge, particularly from entities unaccustomed to integrating family welfare into core military objectives. Bridging the gap between strictly military policy and broader social welfare programs necessitates a cultural shift that military organizations might initially resist.