During this week’s address, President Barack Obama paid tribute to the men and women who serve the U.S. in the military and their families by highlighting the Joining Forces initiative set up by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.
The new program was set up to help military spouses have an easier time with professional licensing when they move from state to state. It’s difficult for military families who often have to move around the country, as a spouse might have to get re-certified to continue working in their profession.
“A nurse with years of experience might have to take entry-level classes, or pay a fee, or wait months for paperwork to be processed before he or she could get back to work on the job they love and that lets them support their families,” Obama said. “It didn’t make any sense. So we changed it.”
Obama said that his administration will keep working with the states to make it easier for qualified people to get licenses they need.
“That’s what this is about – serving our men and women in uniform as well as they have served us. But you don’t have to be a governor or a First Lady to make a difference,” Obama said. “So this holiday weekend, take a look at JoiningForces.gov to find out how you can serve the troops, veterans, and military families in your community.”
Earlier in the address, Obama also said that the First Family will once again host military families on the South Lawn on July 4th. It’s a tradition and will be the last time Obama will get to do it while in office.
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