Employment

The Fort Sill Employment Readiness Program (ERP) offers comprehensive support to military families navigating the unique challenges of employment. Our services include assistance with civilian and federal resume writing and review, job search strategies, interview preparation, and access to education and scholarship resources. We also provide guidance on overcoming common employment barriers faced by military spouses and family members. Through workshops, career fairs, networking events, and personalized support, ERP is dedicated to helping you achieve professional success—no matter where military life takes you.

Lawton Fort Sill’s economy is diverse, with significant employment in government, manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors. Major employers include Fort Sill, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Lawton Public Schools, and Comanche County Memorial Hospital. The average unemployment rate for the state is 3.2% and Lawton-Fort Sill tends to trend lower than the state and the national average, showcasing a relatively strong job market. Lawton-Fort Sill offers a notably affordable cost of living at approximately 15% lower than the national average.

Due to the mobile nature of the military life and frequent Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, it’s important to be aware of available resources and options that can support you during relocation. These include spouse licensure reimbursement and reciprocity, business costs reimbursement, potential eligibility for unemployment compensation, student loan forbearance, and options for job continuity – such as the Department of the Army’s Voluntary Reassignment Program or submitting a telework proposal.

For more information, stop by Army Community Service in building 4700 on the 1st Floor or call 580-574-4668.

Be sure to hand carry all employment records and documents, resumes, latest performance appraisal, transcripts, certificates and licenses. If relocating, remember to pack clothing suitable for job search and interviews.

Spouse employment is a priority at Fort Sill. We help military spouses design effective job search strategies utilizing expert resources from the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership, the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities portal on Military OneSource as well as local community partners. Set up an intake appointment by calling 580-574-4668

Fort Sill Army Community Service offers Employment Readiness Services for more information and service render please call 580-574-4668.

One of the first things we do to assist Military Spouses who come to ACS is ensure they’ve enrolled with a career coach! The SECO Career Coaches routinely advise that increasing ones skills will lead to better, higher paying jobs. That’s easy to do with free on-line resources like GCFLearnFree.org. A program of the Goodwill Community Foundation. GCFLearnFree.org offers more than 200 topics, including more than 2,000 lessons, more than 1,000 videos, and more than 50 interactives and games, all free. Call 800-342-9647. Coaches are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Transition is nearly a constant with Military Life. Military Spouses, whether transitioning into, through, or out of Military Life are encouraged to enroll in DoD’s MySTeP. Created by military spouses, MySTeP is a self-directed, online learning tool that guides military spouses through the available resources, benefits, programs and tools for your entire military journey. This program can be accessed through Military OneSource, My SECO.

Educational opportunities on Fort Sill can be explored at the Harry S Truman Education Center 580-442-3201, Mon - Thu, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

3281 Sheridan Road

Fort Sill awards local scholarships and additional information is available through Military OneSource.

For information on My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource.

If you are considering applying for unemployment benefits, contact your losing state's unemployment benefits' representative for the appropriate paperwork. When you resign your position, include a statement to the effect that you are resigning to accompany your military spouse on his/her Permanent Change of Station.

The payment of unemployment benefits depends upon what state you are transferring from and the policy in that state. A spouse transferring to Lawton from overseas will probably be able to receive unemployment benefits until he/she finds a job. The maximum amount of time for unemployment benefits is 26 weeks. Call the Oklahoma Works, 580-357-3500, for more information on unemployment benefits.

You can also visit the Oklahoma Works webpage, https://oklahomaworks.gov/, to determine what non-monetary unemployment benefits you are eligible for. 

The majority of employment opportunities available to Fort Sill family members will be either on Fort Sill or in Lawton, Oklahoma. There are many jobs available in retail sales, food service, childcare, and medical related occupations. The job market is tougher for those seeking employment in mid to upper level management and other professional arenas.

For more information. Please contact Army Community Service Employment Readiness at 580-574-4668.