Amanda Hattie

Share your military spouse story:
In 2004 I met my husband Dan when he was McGuire Air Force Base. We got married in 2007 and have spent countless months and years apart. We have 2 teenagers who are our world. During these years, we have had 4 deployments and my husband went on a remote tour to South Korea. It was hard adjustment to our 2 children, but we made it through each time. We have been to FL, AK, GA, and back to FL. I have been a Key Spouse since 2015.I love making sure families all over the base get the information, they need to make their time at the base special. I love getting involved within the military community and outside the community.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I have been a Key Spouse for 8 years. Over those 8 years I have won awards helping others and my volunteer time. It makes me happy when I know families that are either a part of my husband's squadron or families of others that the answers they need.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I am in charge of Cinderella's Closet on base. I loan out formal dresses to those who would like to wear a dress to formal events. Those events include proms, the Air Force Ball, Annual Award ceremony, etc. I was handed this role in 2019 when the other manager decided that I had more time to engage with customers and give my time to open the Closet when the appointment is made. I am also the Co-President of the Space Coast Military Spouse Events. Me, along with other military spouses create events for other spouses to do. We want to make sure friends are made and for other spouses to meet each other. I also volunteer the ID card section on base. I make sure all the customers that come in are checked in so they can get their new id card to access base. I have also volunteered at the lab at the base clinic. I would fax blood work results to the patients' doctors. I am a Key Spouse for the 45th LRS. I make sure new families that arrive to PSFB get all the information they need.

Describe how you support your community:
I love to make sure the spouses and families enjoy their time here at Patrick Space Force Base. I do my best to find answers if I don't have them right away. I have attended retirement ceremonies for families and promotion ceremonies. I believe the spouse and if they have children should have support for them as well. I also like to make sure new families that come to PSFB are involved with activities on base as well as off.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am the PTO President at the middle school my children attend. I advocate for students and parents during the school year. I want students and teachers to have an enjoyable school year. Planning dances, teacher appreciation week is done. In the past the PTO has supported at least 1 child to the gradventure the 8th graders go to, to enjoy their last time has middle schoolers before the head off to high school.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have used social media to get support for the middle school. We have asked for donations for the PTO so we can utilize those funds towards school activities. We have a big community outside the base that help when we need it.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to spread my knowledge and advice to others and vice versa. We all can learn a lot from each other. I hope this nomination that I can represent my base and other spouses.