Employment

Spouses and family members may gain employment both on and off base. Contact Marine Corps Community Services’ Military OneSource at 800-433-6868 for more information. There are excellent training resources available locally for entry-level positions, career changes and career mobility.

Good Prospects:

Many positions are available for those with experience in clerical work, light industrial services, computer intensive secretarial skills, customer service, retail sales, technical fields, electronic assembly and those with advanced degrees in applied physical sciences, computers, electronics or management (Master of Arts degree, Master of Science degree, a Doctorate of Philosophy, a Doctoral degree in Education).

Fair Prospects:

Some positions are available for nurses, lawyers, medical and dental assistants, and in biotechnology.

Family Member Employment Assistance Program:

The Family Member Employment Assistance Program assists active-duty military family members, as well as reservists, retirees and civilians, on a space-available basis, to achieve their goals through employment, education or volunteerism. In 1985, Public Law 99-145 created the FMEAP. Section 806 of this act specifically addressed the need to increase employment opportunities for spouses. The military mobile lifestyle presents unique challenges to spouse employment due to frequent relocations. Additionally it is widely recognized that successful spouse employment assists in retaining the career active-duty service member.

• Resume writing: Learn types of resumes, essential contents and the most suitable format to present your accomplishments.
• Job interview techniques: Learn to interview effectively and confidently.
• Know how to prepare for an interview: Learn how to dress for success, what to say and what to ask, and find out employers’ commonly asked questions.
• Federal application information: Understand the complicated application process (including the resume system known as Resumix) and learn about federal employment opportunities.
• Staff-assisted computerized job search
• Education and training resources opportunities
• Other resources: ADECCO Career Accelerator

For information concerning employment, visit MCCS29palms.com or usajobs.gov.

Be sure to carry all employment records and information such as resumes, federal applications, a copy of permanent change of station orders for spouse preference, transcripts, certificates, licenses, etc. These will be needed when applying for employment at your new duty station.

Career Resource Office, Building 1526, 7th Street, 760-830-7225

The CRO offers employment transition assistance services for separating or retiring service members and their adult family members.  The 5-day Transition Readiness Seminar and Personal Readiness Seminar are administered by the CRO and its staff.  The CRO administers Microsoft Office Specialist training certification program and one-to-one assistance with resume writing and job interview techniques.  There is an Internet-ready computer lab with printing capabilities for job search and career development usage.  The CRO also hosts semi-annual career fairs and works closely with representatives from the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans' Administration, which provide counseling services information on programs and benefits.  All CRO programs are available at no-cost.

Family Member Employment Assistance Program, Building 1526, 7th Street, 760-830-4030

Family members who are seeking employment opportunities may obtain assistance through FMEAP, which provides information on seeking and obtaining employment within the local labor market.  FMEAP can help family members prepare for a successful job interview, draft a functional resume and learn to dress for employment success.  Participants can also complete Microsoft Office Specialist training and take the national certification exam at no-cost.  An Internet-ready lab with printing capabilities is available for patron job search and career development.  Spouses are encouraged to attend the quarterly Spouse Transition and Readiness Seminar to meet with subject matter experts (employment, relocation, financial, medical, the Distribution Management Office, etc.) who can support them as they prepare to transition from military service.

Tuition Assistance is the military’s financial assistance program and helps cover tuition costs for courses taken at an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical institution leading to a certificate, associate, bachelors, or master’s degree. The Marine Corps requirements to receive TA can be found in MCO 1530.5 and MARADMIN 218/19.

For the most up-to-date Tuition Assistance polices go to https://usmc-mccs.org/TAGuide/.

The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Education Center is staffed with knowledgeable personnel who can assist service members and their families in identifying education options and tuition assistance programs available to them. Contact the Education Center at 760-830-6881 to see if you qualify for tuition assistance.

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. Spouses can contact the Family Member Employment Assistance Program at
760-830-7225 or email at joanne.ferraro@usmc.mil.

For more information, contact the California Employment Development Department.

Family Member Employment Assistance Program assists active duty military family members (reservists, retirees, and civilians, if space is available) to help them achieve their personal and professional goals through employment, education, or volunteerism. FMEAP also acts as a force for retention as successful spouse employment assists in retaining the career active duty service member. Contact the FMEAP at 760-830-7225.