Kaylee Tackett

Share your military spouse story:
I'm an Army spouse of 6 years and a mother of one son. I have packed and moved cross-country, made new friends and built friendships that will last a lifetime. I'm resilient, adaptable, dedicated, independent, supportive and resourceful. I’m a mom of one sweet little boy who has taught me to appreciate life’s greatest gift. I fell in love and started a cross-country romance that eventually led me down the aisle to marry a man who serves in the Army with pride and integrity. I’ve always had a heart to help others. I wear many hats in my life. I am a wife, mother, housekeeper, chef, event planner, teacher, bookkeeper and chauffeur. I've always wanted to help people. I volunteer at the Chapel on Ft. Eustis with PWOC and AWANA. I am also a board member at Fort Eustis Spouses Club.It warms my heart to share my knowledge and experience with other military spouses. The last 6 years have been exhilarating; we've endured two deployments and three new assignments! Today, we are humbled and blessed to call Fort Eustis, Va, our home and we look forward to where God chooses to place us next because we know, "Home is where the Army sends us."

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Since becoming a military spouse I have occupied several leadership roles within the military and local community. I have served as a Family Readiness Group Leader three times and was responsible for providing fellow military spouses with resources and pointing them in the direction of helping agencies. I have served as the spouses club activities coordinator responsible for managing subordinate social clubs Within the SCFE. Finally, I serve at the chapel as a board member for PWOC, and as an AWANA Leader responsible for teaching children about God.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I believe in leaving a place better than you found it and this is why I find it important to be involved in my community inside and outside of the installation gates. I also believe in finding balance for myself and my family and recognize that different seasons in life may affect my involvement level within the community. I attend installation sponsored events such as coffee club, monthly spouses club socials, play groups and I volunteer at the Operation Deploy Your Dress. I’m also involved in my local community participating as a volunteer at the Chapel, as a board member of PWOC.

Describe how you support your community:
I’m passionate about encouraging, helping, working with other military spouses to pursue their passions and what makes them happy within the unit. Regimental Memorial Chapel is a very important part of my life where I know I can encourage new military spouses/sisters in Christ and support them through our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Despite the ever changing military life I hope I can bring love and guidance to all fellow military spouses. I believe you get what you pour into any community whether on post or off. Community has always been a big priority for me, I want people to know that we can come together to support each other in a time of need and do what is right.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I have been a military spouse for 6 years and have volunteered, created and have been requested to represent the military spouse and military family community on numerous occasions.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I volunteered to speak at the Ft Eustis housing town hall meeting about living conditions and issues. I have been selected to attended a Fort Eustis round table meeting with Secretary of the Army Mark Esper.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
To be an advocate and inspire other military spouses to do what they are passionate about. I want them to know that they can do anything they put their mind to. The impossible is possible.