Brooke Childers

Share your military spouse story:
I knew better. Growing up in Hinesville, GA home of Fort Stewart, I have been an active member of a military family and community my entire life. When I met my husband in college, I knew that I didn't want a life as a military spouse, love had other plans. A decade later I was walking down the aisle joining my life with that of a GA Army National Guard Soldier. No big deal, "its just the Guard". So began my journey as a military spouse.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I have been blessed to have my dream job for 15 years now. As a Congressional Staffer serving the First District of Georgia, taking care of people is my calling. We do incredible work on behalf of our military and their families. I am on the front lines helping our communities support our local bases, as well as advocating for our Veterans with the VA.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I am an active member of my community. AUSA, Rotary, Kiwanis, Methodist Woman, I believe that you should support and represent the military community in more that pure military organizations. Being a military member, spouse or child is a lifestyle, not an extracurricular. I believe our involvement should mirror that life, I am always a military spouse and advocate, in every organization that I am an active with.

Describe how you support your community:
I have been blessed to have my dream job for 15 years now. As a Congressional Staffer serving the First District of Georgia, taking care of people is my calling. We do incredible work on behalf of our military and their families. I am on the front lines helping our communities support our local bases, as well as advocating for our Veterans with the VA.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for our military members and families at all stages of service. If you are within earshot of me at the beginning of your career, I am encouraging you to make copies of every piece of paper with your name on it and to document everything. If you are mid-career, I am checking on your support system and making sure that you feel supported and appreciated. Veterans are a huge part of my job and I work very hard to support them and provide resources.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have dedicated much of my professional career and personal interests to helping area military. Currently in my second term as the President of the AUSA Marne Chapter, I find great joy and fulfillment working with others to support our local soldiers and families. Our Chapter goal is to Put Soldiers First. We do that through outreach and support to young troops as well as their support members.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I would like to break the stigma of our National Guardsmen. They are not "just the Guard". They are a well-trained and frequently utilized fighting force that works right alongside our Active Duty without the same support or recognition. Many, even within the military community, think that National Guardsmen help after national disasters and direct traffic when called upon by their Governors. My husband has been away from home 6 of the last 10 years. Training, schools, deployments, mobilizations and drill truly add up for Guard and Reserve members. In many cases, reserve families are isolated away from any military communities without anyone to understand the sacrifice and stress.