For those of you not stationed on Camp Pendleton, you may be unaware of a program that has been in place for the past few years to support the spouses of Marines stationed aboard Pendleton.  Marine Spouses are eligible for $3000 for training in easily transferable jobs such as:

  • Education
  • Technology
  • Health Care
  • Trade and Industry
  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Business Administration
  • Hospitality Management 
  • Homeland Security

The eligibility can be extended for 1 year for a total of $6000.

Who is Eligible?

Originally only spouses of Junior Marines (Sgts and below on the enlisted side and Capt and below on the officer side) it has recently been expanded to all ranks.  Marines must have at least one year remaining on station.  Also the  applying spouse must have a HS diploma or GED.

What do I need to do?

To get the 3 grand the spouse of a Marine stationed aboard Camp Pendleton must attend a brief at the Marine and Family Services Building13150 located on mainside.  The spouse needs to bring either a copy of the PCS orders to Camp Pendleton or the Marine’s unit or a phone number to the Marine’s OIC in addition:

  •  Military ID Card
  • Application forms if you have them, otherwise they will be provided.
  • Right to work in the United States; Passport or Driver’s License and Social Security Card.
  • School Information: If you have chosen a school that you will be attending, be sure to bring their information with you. Required information includes the school address, their phone number, the number of semester hours, quarter hours, or clock hours of the program you will be choosing, and the length of the program.

Where is the program available?

  • California: Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps); Naval Base San Diego Metro (Navy)
  • Colorado: Fort Carson (Army); Peterson AFB (Air Force)
  • Florida: Eglin AFB (Air Force); Hurlburt Field (Air Force); NAS Jacksonville (Navy)
  • Georgia: Fort Benning (Army)
  • Hawaii: Hickam AFB (Air Force); Kaneohe Bay (Marine Corps); Pearl Harbor (Navy); Schofield Barracks (Army)
  • Maine: NAS Brunswick (Navy)
  • North Carolina: Fort Bragg (Army); Pope AFB (Air Force)
  • Washington: McChord AFB (Air Force); Fort Lewis (Army); Naval Base Kitsap (Navy) 

Jarhead’s Thoughts

This is one of the best things that has been offered to a Service Member’s family since the Commissary and the PX.  With a spouse that has training that is easily transferable can make a change of station orders much less stressful.  A happy family at home makes for a happy Marine at work.

More information cabout this program can be found at the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (CAA) website.

 

Related posts:

  1. And Then the Fight Started
  2. Hope You Got It In