Comments on: The Special Case of Military Spouses Returning to Work After a Career Break http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/blog/the-special-case-of-military-spouses-returning-to-work-after-a-career-break Work and Family Blog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:52:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Blackpool B&B http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/blog/the-special-case-of-military-spouses-returning-to-work-after-a-career-break/comment-page-1#comment-1473 Blackpool B&B Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:00:43 +0000 http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/blog/?p=65#comment-1473 The same problems are present here in the UK although the system is somewhat different. We have now exited Iraq but still have up to 10,000 troops on 6 Months detachment to Afghan on permanent rotation (is is not unknown for 2 tours to have been completed in 2 years). Alongside all these operational tours the usual requirements to station British troops around the world still exists. For example we as are the US treaty bound to keep a number of troops in Germany and we have other obligations such as keeping the threat under control in Belize and the Falkland Islands. All that said the only tours that are accompanied (wife or partner and children travel) is Germany as clearly infrastructure such as schooling and medical facilities have to be provided. This is the only place this occurs mainly as we have been in situ in British Army On Rhine since 1945. The situation is not as bad as it sounds though. British soldiers receive separation allowances and Local Overseas Allowance which can add up to almost half the earned wage, at the same times mothers are entitled to child benefit which is paid irrespective of being in employment or not. The trend here is for mums to do the childcare thing until the kids are old enough to attend secondary school (at 11/12 years old), then a decision is taken where the couple will live when the service is exited. A house is bought with generous assistance from the service and the family take up post. Clearly this still has disadvantages in that a period of separation will still have to be negotiated perhaps up to 5 or 6 years but it does allow the spouse to put down some roots and look at career options. In some cases the couple cannot bear to be apart so will continue in married quarters (provided service accommodation) and rent out the purchased residence with a view to moving in when they exit the service. This however does not carry as great a financial advantage as both a mortgage and rent have to be paid although rental income will of course offset the mortgage payments. Anyway an interesting subject and one no one really speaks about.. The employment rights and pitfalls of service wife's..... The same problems are present here in the UK although the system is somewhat different. We have now exited Iraq but still have up to 10,000 troops on 6 Months detachment to Afghan on permanent rotation (is is not unknown for 2 tours to have been completed in 2 years). Alongside all these operational tours the usual requirements to station British troops around the world still exists. For example we as are the US treaty bound to keep a number of troops in Germany and we have other obligations such as keeping the threat under control in Belize and the Falkland Islands.

All that said the only tours that are accompanied (wife or partner and children travel) is Germany as clearly infrastructure such as schooling and medical facilities have to be provided. This is the only place this occurs mainly as we have been in situ in British Army On Rhine since 1945.

The situation is not as bad as it sounds though. British soldiers receive separation allowances and Local Overseas Allowance which can add up to almost half the earned wage, at the same times mothers are entitled to child benefit which is paid irrespective of being in employment or not.

The trend here is for mums to do the childcare thing until the kids are old enough to attend secondary school (at 11/12 years old), then a decision is taken where the couple will live when the service is exited. A house is bought with generous assistance from the service and the family take up post. Clearly this still has disadvantages in that a period of separation will still have to be negotiated perhaps up to 5 or 6 years but it does allow the spouse to put down some roots and look at career options.
In some cases the couple cannot bear to be apart so will continue in married quarters (provided service accommodation) and rent out the purchased residence with a view to moving in when they exit the service. This however does not carry as great a financial advantage as both a mortgage and rent have to be paid although rental income will of course offset the mortgage payments.

Anyway an interesting subject and one no one really speaks about.. The employment rights and pitfalls of service wife’s…..

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