Employment

Contact the Employment Assistance Program Manager at 575-572-7754 or DSN 312-572-7754 as soon as you receive your orders. Also, call and make an appointment as soon as possible after your arrival.  The current base can also assist with employment skills workshops as well as one on one consultations to prepare resumes and more!  Holloman offers Transition Assistance for Military Spouses workshops (TEAMS), such as Resume Essentials, Federal Hiring, Interview Skills, LinkedIn Profiles, Salary Negotiations, etc.  To sign up go to www.hollomanmfrc.com/classevents.

Spouse Licensure Reciprocity and Reimbursement: In July 1, 2020 House Bill 30 became law.  House Bill 30 states that military spouses can receive expedited re-licensures when moving from one state to another.  Teaching licenses shall take 30 days or less. All other licenses shall take 60 days or less to process re-licensure.  House Bill 30 also stated that the state would not charge fees to military spouses for re-licensure for 3 years.  The Department of the Defense also has a reimbursement program if your profession requires you to establish re-licensure or recertification in New Mexico.  To be reimbursed for these re-licensure/re-certification costs up to $1,000, contact the 49 Comptroller Squadron’s FMA office (Budget Office) through email 49CPTS.FMA@us.af.mil or phone (575)572-7016 for instructions and information on if spouse’s re-licensure/re-certification qualifies for reimbursement. The Military and Family Readiness Center has a detailed pamphlet that can be picked up or emailed.  Additionally, the Air Force has created a Licensure Portability tool that can be found here:

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/State-Licensure-Portability/

Some military members or spouses conduct commercial businesses, such as selling products or repairing things, out of their homes. Air Force has specific guidance and instructions for conducting these businesses on base. Housing occupants may operate limited business enterprises while living in base housing. In order to legally conduct any type of commercial business on base, base housing residents must submit an application to the housing office. The application then goes through various agencies and is approved on a case-by-case basis. Average processing time for an application is one month.

Alamogordo's labor market is reflective of a small community. The majority of opportunities are in services and retail trade with salaries at or near minimum wage. There are a limited number of jobs available in construction, manufacturing, finance/real estate and government. The professional positions in nursing, medical field in general and education are also prevalent. Otero County's unemployment rate is usually about 4.0%.  As of January 2023, Otero County's unemployment rate is 4.0%. New Mexico has a personal income tax which uses your federal adjusted gross income as its base. Residents and non-residents are taxed on the net income from property, employment or business in New Mexico. This tax will affect family member employment and non-resident active-duty members who have off-duty employment within the state.  Exemptions may apply for military spouses claiming residency in another state.

Some military members or spouses conduct commercial businesses, such as selling products or repairing things, out of their homes. Air Force has specific guidance and instructions for conducting these businesses on base. Housing occupants may operate limited business enterprises while living in base housing. In order to legally conduct any type of commercial business on base, base housing residents must submit an application to the housing office. The application then goes through various agencies and is approved on a case-by-case basis. Average processing time for an application is one month. 

New Mexico has a personal income tax which uses your federal adjusted gross income as its base. Residents and non-residents are taxed on the net income from property, employment or business in New Mexico. This tax will affect family member employment and non-resident active-duty members who have off-duty employment within the state.  Exemptions may apply for military spouses claiming residency in another state.

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

https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/get-started.

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information contact New Mexico Workforce Connection at 575-437- 9210 or the state office from which you moved from recently.

The most abundant employment opportunities are available in home day care, and fast food restaurants.

Poor Prospects:

Clerical, sales, banking, teaching, civil service, and non-appropriated funds employment is the most difficult to find.

Fair Prospects:

Retail sales, substitute teaching, health care, and construction employment fairly easy to obtain.