What is MyCAA?

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is a financial assistance initiative from the U.S. Department of Defense. It offers up to $4,000 in funding for eligible military spouses to pursue education, training, and certification in high-demand career fields—including birth work.

The goal of MyCAA is to make it easier for military spouses to build portable, sustainable careers. It’s designed to reduce the financial burden of starting a new profession and help spouses achieve long-term success, despite the challenges of deployments, frequent moves, and limited childcare options.

If you’ve ever had to restart your career with every PCS or put your goals on hold because of military life, this program was made with you in mind.

Why Doula Work is a Great Fit for Military Spouses

Doula work is one of the few professions that naturally complements the realities of military life. It’s flexible, deeply rewarding, and always in demand—no matter where you’re stationed. Many doulas take only one or two clients per month, which means it can fit around your family’s needs and your service member’s schedule.

You’re already doing so many of the things doulas do: supporting others through uncertainty, adapting quickly to change, and building strong community ties even in unfamiliar places. Doula training gives you the tools to turn those existing strengths into a fulfilling and portable career.

How to Use MyCAA to Become a Doula

If you’re ready to explore doula work as a career, here’s how the MyCAA program can help fund your training:

1. • Check Your Eligibility
     MyCAA is open to spouses of active-duty service members in specific pay grades (E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2). You must be able to start and finish your training while your partner is on active duty. You can confirm your eligibility on the official MyCAA site.

• • Pick a MyCAA-Approved Doula Training
    Choose a training that’s approved by MyCAA and recognized within the birth community. I offer a DONA International-approved training that’s fully virtual, flexible, and built to support the unique needs of military spouses.

• • Create a MyCAA Account
    Head over to mycaa.militaryonesource.mil and register for an account. This portal is where you’ll upload your education plan and manage your funding.

• • Work with a MyCAA Career Coach
    You’ll be connected with a career coach who will help you create an Education and Training Plan that outlines your chosen doula program and how it aligns with your goals.

• • Submit Your Education Plan
    Once your plan is approved, MyCAA pays the training provider directly. That means no out-of-pocket tuition for you—just a clear path forward.

• • Complete Your Doula Training
    Enroll in the course and begin your training. My program is built to work around military schedules, family life, and unexpected changes—because I’ve lived them, too.

• • Get Certified and Launch Your Practice
    After completing training and certification, you can begin working as a doula. Many military spouse doulas also go on to become TRICARE-credentialed, offering support to families who qualify under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration.

Whether you want to attend one birth a year or build a thriving doula business, this is a career that grows with you. And with MyCAA covering the cost of your training, there’s never been a better time to get started.

If you’d like to learn more about my MyCAA-approved doula training, visit LearnToBeADoula.com.