New Year, New Milestones for Military Spouse Employment Support
As Hiring Our Heroes’ Military Spouse team celebrates a decade of Amplify, a free career development program designed to empower military spouses with tools for professional growth, they mark an incredible milestone: supporting more than 10,000 members of the military community on their professional journey since the program’s inception 10 years ago.
Our Why
The employment journey for military spouses is uniquely challenging. Frequent relocations, rebuilding careers from scratch, limited local networks, lack of support systems, and the difficulty of securing reliable childcare, especially during periods of solo parenting, create significant hurdles. These obstacles often lead to career stagnation and feelings of imposter syndrome, causing military spouses to undervalue their experience and hesitate to pursue opportunities for which they are fully qualified.
To address these challenges, HOH launched Amplify ten years ago. The program focuses on career preparation, professional development, and networking, covering essential topics such as resume building, interview techniques, LinkedIn optimization, and salary negotiation.
One of Amplify’s most profound impacts lies in addressing the crisis of confidence that many military-spouse job seekers face. The program helps military spouses rediscover their strengths and value in the workforce. “Amplify lives up to its name. It amplifies and showcases the unique skills and talents military spouses bring to the workforce,” said Brian Alvarado, director of events and engagement for the Military Spouse Program at HOH. “Through this program, participants gain practical strategies to confidently communicate their career journey and aspirations. Military spouses embody resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic, all qualities forged through the distinct challenges of military life and highly valued by employers.”
From the Attendees: Turning Tools into Triumphs
While Amplify provides the resources, strategies, and confidence-building tools, the true success stories belong to the military spouses themselves. They put in the work, applying what they learn, networking with intention, and seizing opportunities to advance their careers.
One recent attendee shared, “I learned some great information that helped me get hired two weeks after attending Amplify.”
Another participant reflected on the program’s impact: “I had just quit my job AGAIN due to my husband’s service-connected constraints and I was in a very low place. I have hope and confidence on my path forward because of HOH and Amplify.”
For many, Amplify offers more than career tools; it provides reassurance that they are not alone in their journey. That sense of community also delivers an invaluable boost of confidence: “Thank you for all the information and letting us know we are not alone in this process.” These stories underscore a powerful truth: Amplify enhances and revitalizes the talents and skills that military spouses offer. Each resume polished, each interview aced, and each career milestone achieved is a testament to a military spouse’s resilience and determination.
10 Years, 10,000 Attendees
Amplify began in October 2016 as part of HOH’s In Gear Career program with a cohort of just 21 military spouses. By 2019, cohorts had grown to as many as 45 participants across 12 locations. When the pandemic struck in 2020, HOH adapted to ensure the continued support of military spouses by transitioning the program to a virtual format. The resulting blend of virtual and in-person opportunities allowed Amplify to grow and reach new audiences; in 2025 alone, the program hosted events in 30 locations worldwide and, together with virtual offerings, reached nearly 3,000 participants.
“When we launched Amplify in 2016, we knew military spouses deserved a dedicated space to focus on their own goals,” said Elizabeth O’Brien, senior vice president of Programs and Events for HOH. “What started as a small idea to provide community, confidence, and actionable career tools has grown into a movement powered by spouses themselves. Watching it evolve into a world-class workforce development program and creating lasting impact for our military community is something our whole team is proud of.”
As the program enters its tenth year, the HOH team proudly celebrates the more than 10,000 attendees who have taken action to build their confidence, refine their professional brand, and take the next step in their careers. This milestone fortifies HOH’s resolve to empower military spouses to transform obstacles into opportunities and create lasting career momentum.
