Kristin Miller

Branch: Air Force

Duty Station: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Number of Deployments: 4

Number of PCS's: 5

Share your military spouse story:
My husband and I met while I was in the Air Force, and then we started dating 8 years after we met. We have a beautiful 3-year-old daughter named Madelyn. While Adam was deployed in 2019, I took care of a newborn (who spent 6 weeks in the NICU), finished up my MBA, and continued to work part-time virtually. My degree and my experience in the military continue to help me on a daily basis in my current role. In 2019, I attended an Amplify event through Hiring Our Heroes. At this event a fire was lit inside of me and I knew that I wanted to work with military spouses and veterans. Shortly after I became involved in the local Military Spouse Professional Network as a board member and the president sent me information on MilSO Box, a company that was for sale. I jumped at the chance to be a part of the next chapter of MilSO Box (a monthly subscription box for the significant others of military troops - and we expanded to include first responders back in May 2020). At MilSO Box, we take our role of delivering joy very seriously. We've sent out over 4,000 since 2015. We also donate boxes to spouses of a deployed military member every month, made donations to support the local spouses club, military units for holiday parties, key spouses groups, silent auctions and giveaways for military spouse organizations such as Milspousefest, Pride and Grit, Freedom Sisters Magazine, My Military Savings, Military Wives Savings, The Rosie Network, and many more. MilSO Box is much more than a subscription Box. It is a community that provides mentorship, support, joy, training, etc. We also feature items in our boxes from veteran-owned, military spouse owned, and American companies helping to spread awareness of military affiliated businesses through marketing, etc. Most of the vendors we work with have had their largest order come from MilSO Box. MilSO Box also has/does employ military spouses (locally and internationally since we can work remotely).

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
An example of leadership within the military community would be providing trainings and one-on-one consultations (without compensation) to military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs. I've provided training on marketing, thinking outside the box when it comes to marketing, entrepreneurship and overcoming limiting beliefs, and website design/branding. I am actually conducting website audits and training on January 15th for a military spouse entrepreneur retreat and donating the welcome gifts for the retreat. I've been featured in Freedom Sisters Magazine, Freedom Sisters Podcast, Moments with an MEO Podcast, Confessions of a MilSpouse Podcast, Military Families Magazine, Retail Me Not, Wine Down Podcast, My Military Savings, Military Wives Savings, The Rosie Network, MilSpousefest, Daily Mom Military, MilMomAdventures, Seasoned Milspouse, Spouse-ly, The Robinson Reporter and will be on KOFE Confessions Podcast, I'M Possible Podcast, and The Military Spouse Show with Krista Wells.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I have been on the board of the DM Chapter of the Military Spouse Professional Network, currently a board member of the DM Spouses Club (Secretary last year, and Programs Chair this year), provide mentorship and training through various events for military spouses, own MilSO Box which provides a community for military spouses, employ military spouses through MilSO Box, assist with marketing for small businesses that are veteran and/or military spouse owned, donations, etc.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community through uplifting spirits, especially during deployments, through the subscription box and donations. We also have very open communication with our community on social media. Military spouses reach out through Instagram and Facebook as well as having a Facebook Support Group. I am also the Programs Chair for the DM Spouses Club, so I organize the programs/events that we have each month.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am a big proponent of the belief that there is room for everyone at the table - community over competition. This believe is inclusive and I think it is important for military spouses to feel supported within their community and know that they can chase their passion. MilSO Box provides an inclusive community for spouses where feelings, concerns, frustrations, etc. can be shared in a safe space without fear of judgment.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
We have spread this message through our social media platforms and email. It is also evident in personal communications.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® title?
I am hoping to be able to help more military spouses and build an even larger community. It would be wonderful to be able to work with a sponsor so we can get boxes delivered to even more spouses of deployed military members.

Nominations

Kristin Miller should absolutely be the next MilSO of the Year for Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson Arizona because she continues to go above and beyond for military spouses here. Her business, MilSO Box, not only sources items for her subscription box from military spouse and veteran owned businesses, but is designed for those holding down the fort at home. She also provides employment for military spouses on base through her business. She is also an active participant in on base spouse club events and prides herself on her dedication to the base and to her community. Kristin would be an inspirational Military Spouse of the Year and would offer the community a lot in knowledge, experience, and grace. I couldn't recommend her enough.
- by Brittany Lanza

Being prior service herself, Kristin understands all sides of military life. She easily adapts to any situation so that she can help other military spouses. She also owns a monthly subscription box for military spouses/significant others, that procures items from veteran owned businesses. She also employs military spouses within her company. Kristin supports her husband, his unit, and many others by volunteering her time and talents whenever needed.
- by Erin Weiland

She’s the best and deserves to win
- by Aubri weiland

I cannot think of a better person to nominate for this title. Kristin has a heart for service, is a USAF Veteran, has a love for our military community, and is a mentor to all military spouses on a global scale. She is the founder of Milso Box that sends themed boxes to the significant others of military members and first responders worldwide. She donates theme boxes to spouses of deployed military members. Milso Box facilitates a community of support, welcoming, and mentorship to all. Kristin was a crucial team member in combining the Davis Monthan Spouses Club into the All Ranks organization. She serves the DMAFB community in many different facets, as a board member on the Davis Monthan Spouses Club, and inspires military spouses worldwide. Kristin also continues to mentor and support military spouses with entrepreneurship. She has blessed so many with her kindness, support, and friendship.
- by April Golden

I have had the honor of knowing Kristin Miller over the past year and have consistently been graced with her unconditional spirit to help those in need. Our relationship began in the middle of 2021 as our small businesses both moved into the same mall area. She started by supporting my store as a customer and that soon leaded to friendship through small business ownership. I soon then wanted to support her business by participating as a vendor in her subscription boxes. As we continued to support each other as business owners and friend our relationship developed stronger and we have became part of each other’s family and support network.
- by Virginia Poczulp