Trump Signs Order to Boost Military Spouse Hiring Across Federal Agencies

President Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order calling on federal agencies to better recruit the spouses of military personnel, also tasking them with developing new strategies to remove barriers to spousal employment. The order does not create new hiring incentives but says agencies should promote those already on the books. Trump also said the Office of Personnel Management should educate agencies on those processes. Currently, military spouses have a couple of options when applying for federal positions. They can apply non-competitively to vacant positions, or, when moving with their spouse to a new duty station, take advantage of the Priority Placement Program. That program gives spouses a leg up when applying for the position at their new locations, though it does not supersede veterans preference.