I never set out to become a doula—it happened by accident. It started with a simple request from my next-door neighbor. She was about to be induced, but her husband was away at BNOC (Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course), leaving her to face labor alone. She asked if I could bring in her mail while she was in the hospital, and I gladly said yes. But as we talked, I realized she wasn’t just worried about her mail—she was nervous about giving birth without a support person by her side.
That simple favor turned into something much bigger. Instead of just checking her mailbox, I found myself sitting with her through labor, offering encouragement, and witnessing firsthand how much of a difference continuous support makes during birth. That experience changed everything for me. It opened my eyes to the power of birth support and, more importantly, to the unique challenges military families face when navigating pregnancy and childbirth far from their usual support systems. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of this work in a bigger way.
Why Military Spouses Make Great Doulas
Military life is unpredictable—frequent moves, time apart from loved ones, and building a career that works around deployments and PCS orders can feel nearly impossible. But doula work is one of the rare careers that fits seamlessly into military life. Here’s why:
✔ It’s Portable – No matter where the military sends you, people will always need birth support. Doulas can work anywhere, making it an ideal career for spouses who relocate frequently.
✔ It’s Flexible – You choose how many clients you take on and set your own schedule, allowing you to balance work with family life and military responsibilities.
✔ It Builds Community – Military spouses know the challenges of navigating birth and postpartum far from family. As a doula, you become a vital support system for other military families, creating meaningful connections wherever you’re stationed.
✔ It’s Rewarding – There’s nothing quite like helping someone feel supported, informed, and confident as they bring a baby into the world. Whether you support one birth a year or make it a full-time career, doula work is incredibly fulfilling.
TRICARE and MYCAA: Helping Military Spouses Start Their Doula Career
One of the most exciting developments in recent years is that TRICARE now reimburses doula services for eligible families. This means that more military families have access to doulas, which creates more opportunities for military spouse doulas to serve their community while earning a steady income.
Additionally, some military spouses may be able to use MYCAA (My Career Advancement Account) funding to help cover the cost of doula training. MYCAA provides financial assistance for career programs, making it easier for spouses to invest in portable careers like doula work.
How to Get Started as a Doula
Becoming a doula doesn’t require years of school or a costly degree. Many training programs offer in-person and online options, allowing you to learn at your own pace and gain hands-on experience. Once trained, you can start supporting families in your community right away.
If you’re a military spouse looking for a career that moves with you, offers flexibility, and provides deeply meaningful work, becoming a doula might be exactly what you’re looking for. The support military families need is already in you—doula training simply gives you the tools to channel that passion into a career.
Robin Elise Weiss, Ph.D., MPH, CLC, BDT/AdvCD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE is a veteran, childbirth educator, and seasoned doula trainer with over 30 years of experience. As a former service member, she deeply understands the unique challenges military families face, especially during pregnancy and birth. Passionate about equipping others with the tools for success, Robin has trained thousands of doulas, helping them build sustainable careers while providing essential support to birthing families. Learn more about how to become a doula at LearnToBeADoula.com.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market.
She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.