Employment

Employment Documentation for Relocation

If you plan to seek employment upon arrival at Holloman Air Force Base, it is highly recommended that you hand-carry or store secure digital copies of all essential employment records.

Having these on hand will significantly expedite your job application and onboarding processes:

• Updated resume and federal resume draft
• Undergraduate and graduate college transcripts and diplomas
• Professional state licenses or certifications
• References, previous supervisor contact lists and past performance reviews
• Form DD-214 and SF-50 (if prior military or federal civil service)

SpouseWorks Program

SpouseWorks is the official Department of War career and education initiative designed to help military spouses overcome employment challenges.

Spouses can access comprehensive, free resources to help them explore portable career paths, find education or licensing options, and prepare for job interviews:

• Career coaching
  • Spouses can connect with certified, specialty career coaches for one-on-one virtual consultations at no cost
• Phone support
  • Call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to speak with a SpouseWorks career coach
• Visit the online SpouseWorks portal for more information

Military Spouse Employer Partnership

The Military Spouse Employer Partnership connects job-seeking spouses with major corporate and federal employers:

• The MSEP Advantage
  • More than 1,000 partner employers have committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses in flexible, portable and remote roles
• How to access
  • Spouses can build an online profile, search active job listings on the SpouseWorks Job Board and submit resumes directly to hiring managers
• Visit the MSEP website for more information

Military Spouse Preference

Spouses relocating to Holloman Air Force Base may be eligible for federal civil service hiring preference.

To apply using Military Spouse Preference, you must select the "Military Spouse" hiring path filter on USAJOBS and upload the following mandatory documents with your application:

• Sponsor's permanent change of station orders
  • A copy of the active-duty sponsor's transfer orders to Holloman Air Force Base
  • Crucial: The orders must explicitly name/authorize the spouse's travel as a dependent
• Marriage certificate or license
  • Official proof of marriage to the active-duty sponsor
• Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD Form 3145-4)
  • This form must be filled out, signed and dated within 30 days of submitting each application
  • Available for download on the USAJOBS job announcement or the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service website
• Prior federal employee records, if applicable
  • If you have prior civil service experience, you must also upload your Standard Form 50 (SF-50) showing your highest grade held, tenure or leave-without-pay status
• College transcripts, if applicable
  • Required if you are substituting education for work experience to qualify for a specific job grade

Professional License Portability (SCRA Protection)

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA, 50 U.S.C. 4025a), military spouses who relocate due to military orders are legally permitted to use their out-of-state professional licenses in New Mexico, provided they meet federal criteria:

• Covered licenses
  • The professional license must be active, in good standing with the issuing state and free of any disciplinary history or pending investigations
• Scope of practice
  • Spouses must practice within the same scope of authority permitted by their original license
• Compliance
  • You must apply for portability to the appropriate New Mexico licensing board along with a copy of your spouse’s military orders
  • New Mexico state law such as House Bill 30 also provides expedited, fee-free licensing paths to ensure you can resume work rapidly

Air Force License Reimbursement Program

The Department of the Air Force will reimburse military spouses up to $1,000 for qualified occupational state licenses, certifications and exam fees incurred as a direct result of a permanent change of station move to Holloman Air Force Base.

Eligible expenses are:

• State licensing fees, certificate fees or registry costs
• Required examination fees to secure a reciprocal license in the state of New Mexico

Note: Recoupment does not cover ongoing annual membership renewals, professional organization dues or continuing education courses.

How to Request Reimbursement (Step-by-Step)

Spouses cannot file this claim themselves. The active-duty sponsor must submit the request digitally to the 49th Comptroller Squadron using the official, CAC-enabled portal:

• Gather required documentation
  • A copy of the PCS orders directing the relocation to Holloman Air Force Base (must list the spouse)
  • A copy of the newly obtained New Mexico license, certification or exam receipt
  • Proof of payment (itemized receipt showing the specific licensing or exam fees paid)
  • A copy of the previous, valid out-of-state license
• Submit electronically via the Comptroller Services Portal
  • The active-duty sponsor must log in with their Common Access Card to the Comptroller Services Portal and upload required documentation
  • For questions, contact the Holloman Finance Office at 49CPTS.FMA@us.af.mil

Program Overview

The Employment Readiness Program at the Holloman Air Force Base Military and Family Readiness Center provides comprehensive career support for service members, military spouses, transitioning personnel, retirees and family members. The program offers localized job market information, career skills development and specialized guidance for both federal and private-sector employment.

Core Services and Workshops

Customers can schedule one-on-one consultations for resume reviews, job search assistance, interview preparation and individualized career planning. Additionally, the center hosts regular employment workshops including:

• Resume Essentials (offered monthly)
• Marketing Me, LinkedIn Profiles and Career Credentials (offered on alternating months)
• Transition Assistance for Military Spouses workshops (offered on Teams)

Spouse Licensure Portability and Reimbursement

New Mexico House Bill 30 allows for expedited, fee-free professional re-licensure for military spouses for up to three years. Furthermore, spouses may be eligible for the Department of War Licensure Reimbursement Program, which covers up to $1,000 in qualifying re-licensure or recertification costs resulting from a permanent change of station.

To initiate a reimbursement claim, spouses must contact the 49th Comptroller Squadron Budget Office directly at 575-572-7016 or via email at 49CPTS.FMA@us.af.mil.

Contact Information

• Location: 749 West New Mexico Ave., Building 788, Holloman AFB, NM 88330
• Phone: 575-572-7754
• Email: 49FSS.MFRC.Services@us.af.mil
• Website: Holloman AFB M&FRC

Contact the Employment Assistance Program Manager at 575-572-7754 or DSN 312-572-7754 for more information on Employment resources or to schedule a one on one consultation to review resumes and more! Holloman offers Transition Assistance for Military Spouses workshops (TEAMS), such as Resume Essentials, Navigating USAJOBS, Federal Hiring, Marketing Me: A job search approach, etc.

Spouse Licensure Reciprocity and Reimbursement: On 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. 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 verity if a 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.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/transferring-your-professional-license/.

Some military members or spouses conduct commercial businesses, such as selling products or repairing things, out of their homes. The 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. 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. Many 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. Positions in nursing, medical field in general and education are also prevalent. Otero County's unemployment rate is usually about 3.5%. As of April 2025, Otero County's unemployment rate is 3.5%. 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/.

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.