There was a time I wanted a career in front of a camera, behind a news desk. That was before I discovered my love of serving military families.
Actually, I had accepted a job as a news anchor in Maine when my life took an unexpected turn toward military support volunteerism. My husband was working on his Ph.D. when the Navy recruited him—to borrow a line from the movies, “it was an offer too good for him to refuse.”
I’m on an airplane right now, looking out of the window and marveling at the beauty of the clouds up here, above it all. Truthfully, I’m one part in awe and one part ready to not feel anymore turbulence as I admire the expansive sky. But as we all know, if you take a journey by air, turbulence is usually an unwanted part of any long flight on a plane.
Over this last week, I’ve spent my time in Germany. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of spending every day at Ramstein Air Base and U.S. Army Garrison Rhine Ordnance Barracks. While there, I supported American Red Cross teams as they selflessly and tirelessly provided relief to Afghan evacuees who are making their way to America.
For this week’s MEM Joelen shares ways that you can help Afghan refugees. It’s difficult watching the news and feeling helpless, here are ways to get involved.
In this week’s Milspouse Empowerment Moment Chrissy explains why volunteering is so great. She discusses the benefits of volunteering that you receive.
On this episode of Army Wife Talk Radio, we are featuring AFI Army Spouse of the Year, Yvonne Coombes, cofounder of Operation Deploy Your Dress (ODYD).
Meet Jill Waters, recently sworn in Military and Family Readiness Council (MFRC) member who is positioned to collaborate, strategize, and meet quarterly in Washington, D.C. for the next two years.
The MFRC is comprised of spouses or parents of service members, higher officials, and service members from each branch of the armed forces to discuss policies, procedures, plans, and initiatives that globally support military families. Meetings are open to the public, and the last meeting of the year holds a vote on which council initiatives to put in place.
“Thanks to the Helpers. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other.”
Fifteen days ago this message was like a blinking sign speaking directly to me.
Tom Hanks posted it as a nod to Mr. Rogers’ original message about looking for helpers in the midst of catastrophes. It aligns with Mr. Rogers’ entire ethos of helping children process big feelings in healthy ways. Even more, it is a call to both look for the good in humanity and be a good neighbor.
I tend to write a lot about leadership. Maybe it’s because it’s in my DNA? Or maybe because I’m extremely fascinated by the intricacies of effective and non-effective leadership. But, my gut tells me that it is because I am genuinely invested in the growth and development of leaders, especially among our military spouse network.
About half of the family programs that I’ve been exposed to in the Army for the past 15 years have been volunteer-led. ACS (Army Community Service), Soldier and Family Programs, and a slew of other beautiful resources the Army provides are on the chopping block as they are not being used.
One organization that I’ve always been actively involved in is the Soldier and Family Readiness Group, now known as SFRGs, but formerly referred to as Family Readiness Groups, or FRGs.
If you enjoyed last month’s post, you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off as we focus on the relationship between the leader and the follower.
If you were able to evaluate whether or not you have the right stuff to lead, one of the most defining tell-tale signs of your leadership effectiveness is if you have followers.
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