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Air Force
Employment Assistance (Military & Family Readiness Flight)
1451 4th St SE
Consolidated Support Building 20245
Suite 126
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117
505-846-0741
505-846-0751
505-846-9889
312-246-0741
312-246-0751
312-246-9889
Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
It’s likely that employment will change when a move occurs, especially for military spouses. The information below will provide you with employment assistance information and resources available such as SECO, MyCAA and MSEP Portals.
There is a diverse work force in the Kirtland AFB and Albuquerque Community. The minimum wage for 2024 in the city limits of Albuquerque is $12.00 per hour and $7.20 per hour for tipped employees.
It is important to hand carry all employment records and documents, including resumes, SF 50, transcripts, certificates, licenses, and letters of reference rather than including them in your household goods shipment. Having these documents will greatly speed up your job search.
The Transition Assistance Program provides information and training to ensure service members transitioning from active duty are prepared for civilian life - whether pursuing additional education, finding a job or starting their own business.
TAP is a cohesive, modular, outcome-based program that bolsters and standardizes the opportunities, services and training that service members receive to better prepare them to pursue their post-military career goals.
The TAP curriculum is outcome-based and is designed to provide service members with the resources, tools, services and skill-building training needed to meet Career Readiness Standards. Shortly before departing the military, service members demonstrate achievement of these standards to their command through a verification process called Capstone. This process includes an opportunity to connect service members who may need additional assistance to agency partners who provide them with additional support.
Career Readiness Standards (CRS) are the foundation of TAP and are the Department of Defense’s tangible measurements of a service member’s preparedness for a civilian career. CRS encompass common and specific standards, with associated products, that must be achieved to demonstrate a service member is ready to pursue post-separation goals. The standards capitalize upon the skills and experience that a service member has gained during military service, and are aligned to employment, technical training, and/or education competency areas. Although meeting the standards cannot guarantee a service member’s success upon transition, these standards evaluate the level of preparedness a service member has achieved within the context of his or her post-separation career goals.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 authorized many significant changes to TAP. The purpose of TAP remains the same, but the FY19 NDAA requires a different TAP process. Here’s an overview of the updated TAP:
The new TAP process also includes service member selection of one or more of the two-day track trainings. Service members may attend more than one track but must attend at least one track, unless exempt.
The Capstone event is last TAP event and must be completed no later than 90 days before separation/retirement. Capstone is a one-on-one meeting with KA&FRF staff to review the service member’s verification/documentation of CRS compliance.
All transitioning service members must provide verification of compliance with the required CRS during the Capstone. Capstone is not complete until the service member's commander verifies completion of CRS and a viable ITP by electronically signing the service member’s eForm.
TAP Virtual Curriculum
The learning management system (LMS) provides service members who are unable to attend brick and mortar TAP training access to all modules included in the standardized TAP Workshop and two-day tracks.
Initial counseling, Preseparation Counseling and Capstone are not available online.
Service members and their families can participate in parts of the virtual curriculum at any time during their military career. Service members with more than 60 days of remaining military service should complete Transition GPS curriculum via classroom training at the A&FRF. Service members at remote/isolated locations or with less than 60 days of remaining in service when notified of separation, have the option to complete requirements virtually or via the classroom if time/schedule allows.
No one is automatically exempt from participating in the DOL one-day. Legislation identifies all eligible separating service members as subject to mandatory TAP elements. However, per the Operational Service Division and Air Force policy, some categories of personnel can be exempt from the DOL one-day. Service members qualifying for an exemption are encouraged to participate.
The only exemptions from the DOL Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition are:
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
For information on MyCAA and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR RE-LICENSURE / RECERTIFICATION COSTS FOR SPOUSES OF MILITARY MEMBERS
As of 13 May 2019, spouses whose positions require certifications will be eligible to be reimbursed up to $500 for re-licensure during CONUS to CONUS PCS/PCA moves. Contact the A&FRF for details.
Air Force Aid Society
AFAS education support and air force reserve tuition assistance is available to dependent sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 Reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty, retired, retired Reserve and deceased Air Force members, as well as spouses of active duty and Title 10 Reservists, and widows/widowers.
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program is the centerpiece of the AFAS education support initiatives, awarding competitive education grants to eligible Air Force dependents based on family financial need. This award is so integral to AFAS education programs, in fact, that the application process for the Arnold Education Grant serves as the platform to access other important AFAS education support opportunities.
AFAS MERIT SCHOLARSHIP: Each year AFAS awards a number of merit based scholarships as a complement to the needs-based support allocated through the hallmark Arnold Education Grant program. Scholars who are being considered for the Arnold Education Grant may also be evaluated on academic merit and considered separately for an AFAS Merit Scholarship.
AFAS SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM: This no-interest loan program – also offered as a complement to the main Arnold Education Grant – is designed to help Air Force families with those incidental college expenses. Scholars who are being considered for the Arnold Education Grant may have the opportunity to secure a Supplemental Education Loan.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
Post-9/11 GI Bill®
If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. Purple Heart recipients, regardless of length of service, are qualified for Post-9/11 benefits at the 100% level. Certain members of the Reserves who lost education benefits when REAP was sunset in November 2015, may also be eligible to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Whether you want to apply your GI Bill benefits to college classes or an on-the-job training program, the GI Bill Comparison Tool will help you make the most of them.
If you have eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and any other GI Bill program you must make an irrevocable election of the Post-9/11 GI Bill before you can receive any benefits. For more information see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has a few specific components that are unavailable in other GI Bill programs:
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) for dependents of Service members who died in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001 https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Fry_scholarship.asp
Types of Training and Assistance
The following is approved under the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
Benefits and Eligibility
For approved programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits.
If your release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for use of benefits. For individuals whose last discharge date is on or after January 1, 2013, the time limitation has been removed.
Institutions of higher learning participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program may make additional funds available for your education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. The following payments may also be available:
Some Service members may be eligible to transfer unused GI Bill benefits to their dependents.
Other Factors to Consider
Full tuition and fees are paid directly to the school for all public school in-state students.
For those attending private or foreign schools, tuition and fees are capped at the national maximum rate. Learn more here.
If you're attending a private or a public institution of higher learning (either private or public) as a nonresident, out-of-state student you may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program and entitled to additional education-related costs not covered by VA. Not everyone is eligible for this assistance.
The law requires the monthly housing allowance (MHA) to be calculated based on the zip code of the campus where the student physically attends the majority of classes, rather than the location of the institution of higher learning where the student is enrolled. This applies to the first enrollment in an educational program on or after August 1, 2018.
Please contact the VA Benefits Advisor in the M&FRF at (505) 853-1701 or Kirtland Education Center at (505) 846-8955/9933 for additional information.
Military spouses are covered by special legislation in 46 states, including New Mexico. However, you may not qualify for trailing military spouses benefits if you do not meet other rules.
To protect yourself and ensure your future benefits, you should try to give your current employer at least 30 days' notice before leaving your job. If you are forced to move on shorter notice, document this as well as you can to support your unemployment claim in your new state. If you are a military spouse, make sure you have a copy of your spouse's transfer paperwork to take to the unemployment office with you. File for unemployment benefits in your new state as soon as possible to ensure you miss no deadlines.
For more information contact the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions https://www.dws.state.nm.us
Unemployment rate for the State of New Mexico was 3.4% and for Albuquerque 2.7% in May 2023. Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information contact the New Mexico Employment Security Division. Median household income according to the US Census Bureau in Albuquerque is $56,366 (2017-2021) and $54,020 for New Mexico (2021).
MILITARY ONE SOURCE
SECO-Spouse Education and Career Opportunities provide military spouses one-on-one sessions with Career Counselors to reach their education and career goals. Career Counselors provide assistance with career exploration, licensing and credentialing, individual career plans and education guidance. https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil.
MyCAA Scholarship-Offers up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license/certification, certificate, or associates degree in a portable career field or occupation. Spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2 and O-1 to O-3 on Title 10 military orders are eligible for the scholarship. Call 1-800-342-9647 or visit https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx.
Employment Services
The Employment Services that Airman & Family Readiness Flight offers are monthly resume classes, federal and private sector, LinkedIn classes, and career path/resume workshops geared towards military spouses. Hiring events are offered monthly with employers that are federal, federal contract, local, and national. Resume reviews are also available by appointment. Contact A&FRF at 505-846-0741/0751.
NM Workforce Connections provides Employment Services geared towards veterans. Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) are available for assistance with employment.
Re-licensure for Military Spouses
Assistance with transferring a professional license is available for military spouses. In 2019 House Bill-30 was passed allowing for the expedited transfer of licensing for military spouses. Fees associated with the actual license transfer are waived for military spouses when the previous license is in good standing. For any other fees associated with the transfer, spouses can take advantage of the Military Spouse Re-certification for Re-licensure. This is a reimbursement of up to $1000 for fees associated with the transfer of a professional license from one state to another when all criteria are met. For assistance navigating this process, contact the A&FRF at 505-246-0741/0751.
License/certification requirements vary by state; however, some examples include but are not limited to teaching, cosmetology, real estate, or nursing. Learn more about licensing and certifications from your installation Airman & Family Readiness Center, the Department of Labor (DOL) website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/military-spouses, and the DoD Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) Program at https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil.