Aja Moores

Share your military spouse story:
My name is Aja Moores. I was almost 30 years old when my husband, Keith joined the Army, and I became a military spouse. Our two girls were 8 and 4 years old at the time. Keith and I were legal separated, when he joined. His first duty station would be in Germany. I couldn’t imagine him being so far away from his young children. I offered to leave my job, family, friends, and home to keep our family together. Here we are 10 years later. THANK YOU to the military for bringing my family back together. I took in all the military had to offer. I started to learn the military life and jumped in head first. When I was asked to run the FRG (Family Readiness Group) my response what the heck is that. Little did I know it would change my life. We even became the adapted parents to many single soldiers away from home for the first time. I had spent countless time enjoying the FRG with my all of my husband’s units. When we learned we had orders it was hard to say goodbye to my new family, but exciting to know I would grow more family members. I soon meet the commander’s wife Vicky Scalise who would change my life in so many ways. She had taught me so many things and became part of my new family. We did so many great things together as the FRG team and touched so many lives. It was at Fort Bragg that I had branched out beyond the military. I started to partner with NC Packs For Patriots along with other organizations. With this I was able to help with supply care packages across JSOC, 3rd Group and the 82nd. I have meet so many amazing people in the military and get to learn from each and every one of them. With countless deployments, training and whatever else takes my husband away from home. I have another spouse here Aja Pino that is in the same boat and we have become more like sisters than friends. She and I help each other every day. The best thing I have learned is to gain that friends and with will last for a lifetime.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I met captain Mayo, former commander of E Co., 307AEB/ 3BCT/ 82nd ABN DIV, while volunteering with the Salvation Army. She lamented that her FRG was without a Leader, and worried that an imminent deployment could be troublesome without a proper family network and liaison. After working with Captain Mayo I was asked to join the FRG. We organized meetings where spouses could network, and ensured they had all the right points of contact for whatever life events occurred during deployment. It was a short-lived partnership, but unexpected and rewarding all the same. I feel great that we were able to ease some of the stress that I know was felt by some of the 1st time deployers and their families. Through my contact with NCPacksforPatriots, I provided 95 Christmas care packages to the single Soldiers of the battalion who did not have family in the area nor the opportunity to travel home for the holiday. Additionally, I delivered care packages to another company prior to their deployment.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
2010-2013 FRG Leader, 515th Transportation Company, Manheim, Germany. Organized car wash and pie-in-the-face fundraisers, planned holiday, pre-deployment and welcome home events. 2013-2015 FRG Co-leader, A Company, 96th Combat Aviation Brigade Navigated fundraising restrictions of CONUS duty stations with successful results, Hosted events at our home. 2016-2017 FRG Treasurer, Special Operations Logistics Support Element (SOLSE), Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).Revitalized nonexistent FRG, Co-planned golf scramble fundraiser the primary annual fundraiser 2017-2019 FRG Leader, SOLSE, JSOC. Planned two annual golf scramble fundraisers, Organized 9 morale events for Soldiers and families 2017-2020 NC Packs for Patriots. Recruited Soldiers for volunteer hours, Delivered over 2,000 care packages 2018-2019 FRG Leader, E Co.,307AEB. Joined a unit completely unaffiliated with my husband’s unit.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Operation Turkey provides home cooked meals during the Thanksgiving holiday to the underprivileged and homeless community in North Carolina. A friend of mine Venassia Gunter one of the organizers of Operation Turkey, asked me to help. My 1st year 2018 I spent more than 200 hours on this project I don’t think I slept more than 5 hours in those 3 days, and it was worth every minute. In 2018 we fed more than 15,000 people in 3 counties. In 2019 I was one of the lead people helping run the 3 day event, again no sleep and loved it. Both years my youngest daughter was there for the full 3 days with me. Next year, I look forward to her taking on even more responsibility. Following my husband’s last deployment, he took 2 weeks of leave. During that time, we volunteered together for the Salvation Army during their Red Kettle Drive and Angel Tree Drive. Each of us volunteered over 100 hours assisting the Salvation Army in any way possible.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I come from a difficult childhood. I was neglected as a child, and as a teenager, I rebelled. I had one role model who made all the difference in my life – my grandmother, my Oma. Regardless of the trouble I caused, she let it slide and focused on the message she wanted to pass on. She understood that she alone could not be the director of my life. Rather, she accepted that her example and her words just may be the voice I needed when it came time for critical decisions in my life. She only stood as a strong example of decency. Becoming a mother at age 19 tempered me quite a bit and opened me up to her lessons. Although she passed before I married, I know marriage has fully brought me down to earth. Now, all her words resonate within me and through my acts. She never judged a person. She just tried to love everyone. I advocate for decency. If it is too broad to be a platform by itself, it is certainly the foundation for any worthwhile platform one may chose.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I spread the message of decency the way my Oma (grandma in German) did. I have opened my home to strangers. I have fed the homeless. I have turned the other cheek. I listen to and consider both sides. I show my children and those close to me that I am kind. I not only encourage them to be kind, I invite them to opportunities where they can express it. We volunteer together. We challenge each other to mend fences. We seek out new avenues of networking. In the end, if I have influenced people the way my Oma influenced me, the world will be a more decent place.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I am hoping to open the eyes of other spouse and their families on the positive experience they can get from an FRG. I also want to open there eyes of the need with in the community in volunteering. Just a few hours can make a vast difference in a person’s life. Sometimes all it takes is a kind smile a warm handshake or a few encouraging words could impact someone’s day or life.