Amy Charest

Share your military spouse story:
I'm a Coast Guard spouse of 12 years, mother of 4 active kids, and a loving friend to many. I am a unit ombudsman, coffee enthusiast, animal rescue volunteer, and passionate about keeping military families connected. I have a desire and drive to serve others! My hobbies include reading, puzzles, kitten snuggles, and making others laugh even in “crummy” situations. I married my high school sweetheart at 23 and he enlisted shortly after. At 24 years old with a baby on the way we packed up our life and headed for our first duty station; Newport, Rhode Island. There is nothing scarier than being in a new state, with a new baby, and knowing nobody. I quickly joined a local church, connecting with other moms in a bible study but I still felt this disconnect with the military community. I ended up making several trips back home where things felt comfortable. After 2 years we moved to Southwest Harbor, Maine where I learned the importance of connecting and building relationships within the Coast Guard community. With 4 PCS moves and more deployments than I could count, I have had the opportunity to spread my wings and grow on many levels. Military life isn’t easy and is not for everyone, but I have strived to be there with a listening ear, smiling face, and a joke for encouragement to spouses, families, and the service members. I’ve experienced the moments of loneliness and anxiety that comes with the territory and struggled to find happiness away from family. I have learned to create family wherever we are, to embrace the local community, and to remember we all stand in lonely shoes sometimes. Though this life presents challenges at times: it has opened so many doors, given me opportunities that many could only dream of, and has defined the values of our family. Our children know the value of friendships, leaning on prayer for comfort, how much a smile and laugh can change a person’s day, and that sacrifice isn’t always a bad thing.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Spouse connection is important, whether you get it from the Ombudsman, spouse club, or just living in housing. Many civilians, while their relationships are important, don’t always understand the struggles we face therefore we need a “tribe” within the military realm to lean on. I pride myself on being a friendly face and being able to connect them with another spouse/service member that shares their interest. I attend as many military connected events as I can, finding ways to engage with new faces and making sure they know there will always be someone cheering them on.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
When my husband PCS’d to the Hampton Roads area the door to be involved swung right open. Between spouse club events, coffee chats with the USO, volunteer opportunities with Operation Homefront and Operation Deploy Your Dress I have built a reputation of “Amy will travel any distance to connect and build relationships with military families.” Serving as the Ombudsman for my husband’s command I have had the opportunity to sit on committees to help bring forth change and build relationships with members of leadership, along with connecting our families with appropriate resources. I am constantly building my “toolbox” with up to date and accurate information and resources for not only Coast Guard Families, but military families all around me.

Describe how you support your community:
I believe that we are the representatives for the military both when our spouses are present and absent. When we arrive at a unit and make it home, we aren’t just making the house a home but also the town in which we reside. I am involved in our local church, hosting Vacation Bible School at our home, as well as assisting with my daughters American Heritage Girl troop. As a former dancer myself, I partake in my daughter Ballet programs, and our sons Cub Scout Troop. I believe it’s extremely important that we represent our Active-Duty Members and the Military with a positive and goal-oriented mindset in every community we live in. If the military presence is seen and known for the greater good, the community opens their arms wider.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I strive for every spouse whether they be new or well-seasoned to feel like they have a place within this community. I want them all to know they have support and someone to lean on. I can’t be everyone’s person, but making myself available to build relationships, I can help connect people to find their “person”. I have been that person who had an emergency and needed a place for my children, only to quickly realize I didn’t have a tribe and I don’t want others to feel the loneliness and desperation I felt in that moment.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I am present as much as I can be, not only in person but on social media platforms as well. When I see someone new coming to our area, or someone who has been here awhile and is looking for connection, I make sure they are aware of all the local events and opportunities to be included with other spouses. I attend when and where I can even if it means driving an hour plus to be there. I just want spouses to know “they matter” so I find any opportunity to make it happen.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I look forward to new doors and opportunities to connect with spouses of all branches, but also build relationships with organizations that I may not already be aware of. Filling my toolbox with prospects for career opportunities, scholarships, financial assistance, and family support is important to me. I believe that having the support of not only AFI, but the previous winners and organizations connected to the program I will be able to help and support our families on a higher level.