Nicole Crowley

Share your military spouse story:
My name is Nicole Crowley I have been a Coast Guard Spouse for 6 years. My husband and I have 2 children. We have a 2-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son. Life can be very crazy in our home, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Before I met my husband, my only connection to the military was through my grandfather who served in the Korean War. When I met my husband, he had been honorably discharged from the Navy. I would hear his stories but never experienced Military life firsthand. We married in 2016 and shortly after my husband decided he wanted to return to military life. I supported his decision of enlisting in the United States Coast Guard and promised I would follow him to the ends of the earth with nothing but love and support. Although I had no idea what I was getting myself into. in 2017 I packed up our house and moved to Charleston, South Carolina. This was my first experience living away from my family and friends. Since that first PCS we have also lived in Coos Bay Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. While stationed in Coos Bay, Oregon my husband was accepted to Officer Candidate School, upon graduation we were then transferred to the Marine Safety Unit Portland Oregon. I genuinely enjoy my life as a military spouse and the opportunities I have been given to support other military Spouses and families.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Upon our arrival to Coos Bay, I became a member of the Coos Bay Oregon Coast Guard Spouse Club. It was there I realized that connection and support was vital to the success of military families. At that point myself and other military spouses began collaborating and facilitating functions in the area to ensure that no one felt isolated or alone. When arriving to our current unit in 2021, I immediately began serving as the Ombudsman for Marine Safety Unit of Portland. As the Ombudsman I am the Liaison between the families and the Command at the unit. This would also include provide resources to families when needed. I have a passion for helping military spouses and families. As the Ombudsman, I can be a part of the Military community where I can make a direct impact to those in need.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
As a USCG spouse I have a strong desire to be involved in the military community. While in South Carolina I took part in coordinating an evacuation plan with other military spouses due to a hurricane. During the Government Shutdown of 2019 I coordinated the donation of hundreds of Hockey tickets for USCG members and families to provide moral and support. As part of the spouse club in Coos Bay OR, I helped organize meal trains for families. I currently serve as the Ombudsman for MSU Portland. I also help plan activities for the spouse group, such as park days, spouse dinners, and a Christmas party for spouses. I was also involved in facilitating hundreds of dollars of grocery cards for the unit families from the Columbia River Military Officers Association of America. With each PCS I have found a way to be involved whether with an official spouse association, as Ombudsman, or in a capacity to which I am able to help support and connect with other military spouses in my area.

Describe how you support your community:
While supporting the Coast Guard community when and where I can since 2017, I have also volunteered in my home state as the director of a statewide service project for the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, which is part of the Masonic Family. I coordinate and facilitate 100 girls between the ages of 12 to 21 to pack “Blessing Boxes” for the elderly. We have also made hygiene bags for girls in Africa as well as packed over 1700 backpacks for homeless youth in Southwest Missouri.

What do you advocate for? Why?
In my role as the Ombudsman, I advocate for the families in our unit by acting as the liaison between the command and the families. I am passionate about ensuring that no one feels alone or isolated and that they have someone to reach out to if and when they need help. I have been in situations where I did not know where to turn for support and that is why it is so important to me to advocate for others in this way.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
To spread my message of support for others I have made it a priority to attend our unit's family events, and I am always present and available to the spouses. I am active on our unit's social media page, as well as correspond via email regularly with families in our unit. Whenever possible I attend the spouse group events and make sure the Coast Guard spouses know who I am and who they can reach out to for help.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As Military Spouse of the year, I believe I can help to empower other military spouses to have an impact of their communities. I also feel that with this title I will also be able to connect and support other military spouses on a much larger level.