Lindsey Schiro

Share your military spouse story:
My story began when I met my Green Beret husband, Matthew, who deployed a few short weeks after we met. On his second deployment, he was shot in combat operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. That is when my involvement, compassion, and desire to support the military spouse community began. I began volunteering with the Green Beret Foundation as he recovered and returned to Active Duty. Through their program, the Steel Mags, I was able to meet and confide in hundreds of Special Forces spouses, mothers and sisters, each with their own compelling story of strength and perseverance. This past year, I created and submitted an Armed Forces Family Action Plan entitled, "The Purple Heart Initiative". After my husband was wounded, he decided to stay in theater to recover and be with his teammates. The little support our family received was paramount, especially because I had no family close-by. This plan will create a much needed support element for the families at home. Currently, I am the Steel Mags Program Manager for the Green Beret Foundation, advocating for spouses, mothers, sisters and daughters of our Nation's Green Berets, while also attending school for Non Profit Management and Leadership. Lastly, and certainly not least, I am a mother to three beautiful kids, and a spouse to an Active Duty Green Beret.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Currently, I am the Program Manager for a program under the Green Beret Foundation - the Steel Mags. The Steel Mags are comprised of hundreds of Gold Star, Silver Star, Active Duty, Retired and Separated wives, mothers, and sisters of America's Green Berets. These women know no bounds, they are steadfast, brave, loyal and compassionate, and they continue to teach me so much about the Special Forces community and life itself.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My involvement in the military community started years ago, when I co-founded a chapter of the Green Beret Foundation's Steel Magnolias at 7th SFG (A). Since then, I have lead the Ft. Bragg Chapter of the Steel Mags, volunteered with Blue Star Families, submitted an Armed Forces Family Action Plan, co-founded a Q&A for wives who are transitioning from the Q Course to Active Duty Special Forces life. I am currently a Care Team Leader, and advocate for spouses under the Care Coalition. Recently, I have created and implemented 501(c)(3) Care Teams within 3rd Special Forces Group, with hopes to spread the initiative throughout the regiment. Additionally, I sat on the Board of the Seriously Injured Soldier Initiative with the American Red Cross here on Ft. Bragg. This initiative was created to better support single soldiers being treated at WOMACK Army Medical Center.

Describe how you support your community:
My Armed Forces Family Action Plan is inclusive of all branches of the Military, garnering support for the families at home of our nations wounded-in-theater service members. I am also a member of our local schools PTA, helped organize a toy drive for children at a local hospital, and volunteer as a hospital advocate. As a survivor of sexual assault myself, advocating for fellow survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking is a huge part of my heart.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for families of those injured in theater. This past year, I sent out an anonymous survey to families of Purple Heart recipients across all branches. This survey asked what support services were offered to them following their family members injury. Surprisingly, 98% of respondents received little to no support following the injury. With the data collected, I submitted an Armed Forces Family Action Plan to create an advocate for the family so they are able to receive services and support from government mandated 501 (c)(3) organizations. Additionally, to add a check box in the service members Personal Affairs Worksheet if they would like their next-of-kin to be notified of medical services the service member receives in theater. Lastly, it included that there would be mandated follow-up with a medical professional for the service member, in regards to their injury, every year until separation or retirement.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
In my six years of being a military wife, I have been invited to speak to hundreds of spouses, service members, and civilians on behalf of the Green Beret Foundation. Additonally, I have been interviewed for newspapers and radio stations, worked with the American Red Cross, and advocated for families through USASOC, FRG's, 3rd and 7th Special Forces Groups, the Care Coalition, United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, and locally within my community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to be able to advocate and support families of the wounded who stay in theater to recover, I have been working on bringing this awareness to the Congressional level. These families go through a life-changing event, one that often times changes their service members dynamic and health. These families then support their service member again as they deploy repeatedly following their injury. I hope to bring those struggles, and the successes that follow into the limelight. I hope to give them a voice, and a supportive warm hug, so they know they are never alone.