Rebekah Thomashunis

Share your military spouse story:
Although my husband and I went to high school together, it was a whirlwind romance of 3 months before we tied the knot. I didn't come from a military family, so I had no idea what I was in for when I married into the Air Force. The EOD career field is a tight knit community and I could feel that from the start. As we encountered numerous combat deployments and countless TDYS, I felt myself unprepared for the role I had stepped into. It didn't take long for me to get involved in our Key Spouse program and as the years went on, I felt it was my duty to help educate and inform fellow spouses. I took "the things I wish I knew when I was a new spouse" and got to work trying to bridge the gap for the new spouses coming after me. As social media has streamlined communication we've lost more and more of the personal contact it takes to build those relationships. Volunteering has been a major factor in my spouse story. All the things from the base spouses clubs and squadron holiday parties, to the American Red Cross, the USO and everything in between. Ive learned so much about the military in my volunteer roles and it has helped me to better understand the mission and the importance of my service members job. Ive gained real world job experience, helped to raise money for charities, been able to sit in on trainings to gain career skills and most of all, Ive met amazing people doing it. I hope more spouses will feel the pull to volunteer their time and talents in their communities and build those relationships. The military spouse should be a job title, we support our country and the service members who defend it with pride. I strongly believe that a successful career service member has the support of their family behind them. Being a military spouse is the hardest things Ive ever done, but the most rewarding - everyday.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
While stationed at F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming, I noticed it was the first base we had been to that didn't have a Thrift Shop. Usually the Thrift Shop is operated by the spouses' clubs and after looking into it, I found that the shop was closed down long ago. There seemed to be a desire to have a shop on base and I decided I was going to advocate for that. This project landed me as the President of our spouses club and I began immediately working with base leadership to move forward with this project. Countless nights were spent writing By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures, researching consignment software systems, following up on site location options and juggling a budget to make it all happen. After months of dedication, I'm proud to say the Thrift Shop reopened at F.E. Warren and I was able to help operate it for several months. It is one of my greatest achievements for the military community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Getting out and getting involved is military spouse 101, or it should be! At every new installation I get out and volunteer to meet new people and learn about the base. Ive orchestrated an international Holiday Bazaar for our spouses club overseas, planned and executed a charity auction for another spouses club, reopened a base thrift shop and served as President on a spouses club executive board. I have had the opportunity to Key Spouse at several bases, put together shop holiday parties, work with base leadership to improve Air Force policies as well as large organizations like the American Red Cross, USO and The Military Spouse Advocacy Network. Expanding my reach beyond a local area, I advocate on a national level to educate spouses and give them the tools and resources they need to navigate this lifestyle with a non-profit organization.

Describe how you support your community:
We live in a social media world and so much information we have is distributed this way. I thrive on spreading information to others. Sometimes that comes in the form of becoming a Resilience Training Assistant, a squadron Key Spouse, a spouses' club member or even just belonging to so many social media groups that I'm able to pass along information from them. I am the Air Force Branch Mentor for a private organization that advocates for military spouses on so many levels. It is important to me to help educate and inform spouses on the resources available to them and how the military operates. Knowledge is power and I strive to teach others how to harness that.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for our spouses everyday! The basic idea of volunteerism is the foundation of so many success stories we hear. But what starts that spark for a "professional volunteer"? At what point does someone go from lending a helping hand to spearheading policy changes that effect thousands...its the experiences. When you experience something and know you would give all you can to change it and make it better for the people coming after you, this is what that spark is made of. When someone finds their passion through volunteering, makes a lifelong friend, raises money for a charity or feels more confident in themselves and their purpose in this world, thats the spark. I advocate for the volunteer in us all and try to help people find that within themselves.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
Call me crazy but leading by example never fails. I go out there and volunteer. I meet new people, learn new things, find ways to connect the dots and make the world a better place one small way at a time. I enjoy speaking to spouses at briefings about the importance of volunteering, communicating with leadership about ideas on how to boost participation at events and encourage spouses to utilize their volunteer experience on their career resumes. I believe in supporting each other in our endeavors, learning and growing from our experiences and creating a positive ripple effect in our community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
We are fortunate that we are living in a world where information is at our fingertips and all we need to do is ask the question. I would like to encourage spouses to do just that, ask those questions, gain that knowledge and get to work on making the world a better place. The kindness you show a stranger, the help you lend for an event, the children you raise, the people you meet, the time you give...it all makes a difference. Be the difference you want to see, build others up, take time for yourself and be your best you. We all struggle, I want people to know that struggle is real and its everyday...but there is a light at the other end and we can all get there if we go together.