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Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com

Military family members run into trouble when they hunt for jobs

By Bill Sheets, Herald Writer

EVERETT — Melissa West had college degrees in marketing and psychology, but wound up digging ditches and installing sprinkler systems.

In 22 years and nine moves as an Air Force wife, West was able to use her education and background only twice to land a job. The rest of the time, she took whatever odd jobs she could land.

"It was because my husband was in the military," and employers believed she would not stay in the area very long, said West, now a Marysville travel agent. Her husband is now retired.

She was once told, " 'When he dies, you will leave.' "

Such is the stigma military families face when trying to land jobs.

West shared her personal story at a summit Wednesday that launched an effort to encourage Snohomish County employers to hire family members of military personnel. The event, attended by about 110 officials and business people from around the county, was held at Naval Station Everett.

West also works as military affairs committee chairwoman for the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, which is leading the hiring effort, the Military Family Friendly Employment Partnership Initiative.

Caldie Rogers, president and CEO for the chamber, said she decided to focus on the issue when a friend of hers faced problems similar to those related by West.

"We want to make sure this is not happening in our military community of Snohomish County," Rogers said.

The effort involves enlisting local governments, colleges, chambers of commerce and others to get the word out to businesses about the benefits of hiring military spouses. Employers were asked to sign a nonbinding agreement to increase job opportunities for families of military servicemen and women.

A window sticker that reads "Military Family Friendly Employer" will be given to businesses that sign the pledge.

A new Web site, www. militaryspousejobsearch.org, provides a place where jobs and resumes of military spouses may be posted.

The biggest obstacle military families face is not only the perception, but also the fact, that many are moved from base to base, speakers said.

"It's because we move. We understand that," said Rear Adm. Robert Passmore, deputy commander for the Navy Region Northwest office in Bangor.

But military families are no more likely to move than nonmilitary employees are to change jobs, West said.

The average employee stays in a job now only about three to four years, while the average base assignment is about three years, according to West. Plus, military departures are more predictable, she said.

Hiring military family members helps both the businesses and the military, speakers said Wednesday.

Military families are more likely to be drug-free, they're flexible because they're used to change, many are multilingual and more than half have a college degree or other training. Also, they already have health insurance, West said.

"Right there you can save a whole kit and caboodle," she said.

Best Buy, a nationwide company that recently opened a store at Lakewood Crossing in Marysville, offers flexible schedules and transfer options for military family members, said David Walters, general manager for the store.

"They bring a sense of family to the store," Walters said. "They're some of the hardest working and team-oriented people I have employed."

Costco also has several policies that help military families, said Jim Dominguez, merchandise manager for the Lakewood Crossing store and an Army reservist.

For military spouses, being able to find a job helps them feel more a part of the community, Passmore said. It's good for the community as well, he said.

"The more they're plugged into the community, the more likely they are to give to the community," he said.

Also, if sailors don't have to worry about their families' finances, "it makes better sailors," Passmore said. "This is a military readiness issue."