Dru Anna Jackson

Branch: Army

Duty Station: Joint Base Langley-Eustis

Number of Deployments: 5

Number of PCS's: 10

Share your military spouse story:
My military spouse story is likely not to different: “I wanted to let you know orders have been cut, and we are not getting the assignment we thought. We are going to ‘X’ location instead.” These were the words I heard from my husband regarding our permanent change of station (PCS) orders after a year of marriage. It was no surprise we were going to be moving; however, going from location A, which was about 90 miles away, to location B, which was over 1,000 miles away, became overwhelming from alarm, excitement, and fear. To gain control of my anxiety, I looked at the small tattoo on my wrist that said BREATHE and did just that. I knew we would make the best of the situation. I focused on the positives and told myself, “I can transition my career there. I am eager for the new journey.” We got to this new location, and I took leave to search for jobs in the new location. At that time, I had hit 13 years as a general schedule (GS) federal workforce employee. I finally got placed in a new position after seven months of applying and being on unpaid leave. I downgraded from a GS-14 to a GS-11. After about two months of starting this new position, I got a call about a career opportunity over 1,770 miles away, which meant geographical separation again. We discussed the pros and cons of the job as a family. My husband was scheduled to be deployed in roughly eight months after this conversation. After several ups and downs in planning and a few challenging moments, a decision was made, and things started falling in place. I was to move and start the new position as a GS-14. I drove from northern New York to central Texas to start this new position in a new location after just doing the same a year before. This position got my career back on track, but where did that leave my family? These events changed my focus of my dissertation I would later do as part of my doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
My leadership in the military community has not been in the military spouse community only, but as an Army civilian employee leadership roles, which has varied from Missile and Aviation roles, but also included a deployment to Iraq for our drawdown and base closure. I am currently in a senior career position supporting International Military with GE Aerospace. I have also served as treasurer in the SFRG at Ft Drum. Additionally, I am assisting in setting up a remote Veterans network for our organization. Currently, I support varying efforts with my husband's unit, such as the Christmas Party at the local boys and girls club we sponsored with the Soldiers. Assist with setting up of promotion ceremonies, and varying events. As a military spouse, I have continued to work full time, advancing my career, but also my education, completing my doctorate in Organizational Change & Leadership in 2022. I love connecting with other spouses to learn about their lived experience.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My involvement ranges from supporting SFRG events, more held pre-COVID, attending Coffee Connections, and becoming a volunteer with the USO at Ft Eustis. The reason of becoming a USO volunteer is supporting the hosting of "coffee connections" in the evenings for military spouses who work full time during the day. I attend varying events with my husband and focused on donating items to the Ft Eustis thrift store. While this sounds minimal, I believe it helps spouses obtain items at a cheaper cost. I have also assisted in planning and setting up unit military ball. My involvement does vary based on our duty location, some areas I can develop new skills, create new support systems, and hopefully mentor younger spouses in adapting to changes and remaining resilient. I also like to connect military spouses that are of similar ages and experience to grow their support network as well.

Describe how you support your community:
While I mentioned coffee connections above, I am fortunate to be in an area where I can attend Navy, Air Force, and Army coffee connections. I love attending all services and hearing the voices of the military spouse. I will say during my doctoral studies I was less involved directly with my community, as I was focused on my research, 'Military Spouse Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic'. My research goals were to see if the well-being and military lifestyle varied during a global pandemic. For my dissertation, data was collected from an online survey completed by 597 military spouses of active-duty service members. Quantitative data included demographics and Likert style items about perceived stress scale, military, and COVID-19. Qualitative data were collected from four open-ended question and analyzed thematically. Quantitative and qualitative findings were documented in the final analysis.

What do you advocate for? Why?
As mentioned with my dissertation focus, I advocate for the military spouse wellbeing. A main finding in my research was military spouses have higher-than-average levels of perceived stress. There were slightly higher average scores among the military services with Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard spouses. While Navy and Marine spouses were slightly below the high level of stress, they remained well above the average level of stress for a general population. Two primary themes evolved from the analysis of the open-ended question for contributors to stress: employment and loneliness/separation. The military has emphasized the enhancement of resilience through programs and support organizations and in empirical evaluations of resilience-related interventions. Though these programs offer many to foster resilience, little research has been conducted to identify the characteristics associated with resiliency among military spouses, and I believe more research and focus is needed.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
Most recently it has just been with publishing my dissertation and sharing my findings. However, I would like to share more in the Military Spouse journal and other forums. While working for Army Futures Command I gained a great deal of experience in public relations from advocating social media post, designing videos, hosting VIP visits, and assisting in publications. I would like to take that experience and apply it to advocating for military spouses to improve un/under employment, supporting well being, and sharing lived experiences of military spouses.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
Raising the voice of the military spouses, from support in career, home, moves, the list could go on. Some are as simple as identifying your state for claiming state income tax with their employer. For instance, when I took my current job, HR could not understand why my mailing address was VA, but my drivers license was NY, and I was trying to claim TN as my state taxes. I provided them with the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act. Recently I have assisted a new military spouse with the information and the form required to provide to her HR so she can stay consist with state tax with each move. I have several recommendations from my research that I would like to seek avenues for as well, such as networking with military spouse more to gain a targeted/expanded research population to learn more of their lived experience. Look into resources that can be communicated more to military spouses to improve education and career options. Frankly my list could go on.

Nominations

I met Dru through our doctoral program at USC. She was a mentor and big sister type support through my research. Her research on the impact of COVID and mental health for military spouses was groundbreaking and inspired me to continue with my own research. She is always a warm and friendly face and message of encouragement. She embodies the best qualities of the military spouse community.
- by Elizabeth Franklin

As a retired Marine with 22 years of service, I have worked with many military spouses. Dru not only takes care of her home, she also assists new spouses to the military making sure they are taken care of. Always putting others before herslef, Dru also assisted many doctoral students through their dissertation process as she was working through hers. I cannot think of a more deserving spouse for this award.
- by Madehania Baheta

Dru Anna has not only exemplified what it means to be an excellent spouse in the services but also has demonstrated fantastic leadership in the arena. In completing her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership and focusing on spouses in the military, she has brought outstanding awareness to many issues and has positioned many fantastic points to many in high leadership. All of the administrative issues aside, Dru is a fantastic and motivated individual that the world is lucky to have.
- by Matt Christensen

Dru Anna Jackson is an outstanding individual and one of the best colleagues within the military community that I have ever worked with in my 20 year career.
- by David Nguyen

Dru served her country as a n army civilian employee. She left the safety of home and the US to serve in Iraq. That service along with her current international employment with GE supporting military programs gives her a very well rounded understanding of what both spouses and families go through. Dru’s husband is active army. They work together in community activities such as working with children's programs Dru’s doctoral dissertation was on the well being of military spouses. She is very supportive and cares for all of the military spouses. She inspires everyone around her. I think that Dru is very deserving of this award.
- by Connie Frank

Since meeting Dru Anna I’ve quickly come to admire her leadership, her passion and her endless energy. Thanks to Dru, I have an understanding of military life and military families. She has shared her experiences with me resulting in a greater understanding and appreciation of our military and the sacrifices that military families make. Dru’s dedication to making a difference in the lives of military families and spouses is admirable and for that reason, and countless others, I wholeheartedly nominate Dru Anna for the Armed Forces Military Spouse of the Year.
- by Sharon Sullivan

I am thrilled to recommend my friend and USC colleague, Dru, for the Military Spouse Award. Dru's journey alongside her husband, an Army serviceman with over 26 years of service, is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Her commitment extends beyond her family; as an Army civilian for 17 years and now a senior leader at GE Aerospace, she's been pivotal in supporting military programs. Dru's heartfelt involvement in community events showcase her compassion and community spirit. Remarkably, Dru completed a doctoral program (during covid !!) focusing on the well-being of military spouses during COVID-19, addressing their unique challenges and resilience. This research, vital in understanding the stresses faced by military spouses, demonstrates her profound empathy and commitment. Dru is not just a supportive spouse; she's a pillar of strength, and an inspiration to us all. Her unwavering support and dedication make her more than deserving of this honor.
- by Nikisha Johnson

Dru is very involved and shows her support for the community. She goes above and beyond.
- by Brianna Turner

Dru is very involved and supportive when it comes to the community and other military spouses. She shows her passion and thoughtfulness by supporting events to help those in need as well as being there for other branches military spouses. Dru is very hardworking and goes above and beyond.
- by Brianna Turner

Dru Anna is committed to the elevation of our world. I am a former USC classmate of Dru Anna. Dru exhibits the values of the Army and military with her commitment to serving others faithfully and researching the lived experiences of military spouses. Dru research and be safety olsn
- by Coretta King

Dru Anna is an amazing advocate for military spouses. She recently completed her research dissertation exploring the lived experiences of military spouses during COVID-19. Dru Anna’s research demonstrates her zeal to ensure the best support and engagement for military dependents. This is thhe kind of energy and promise that will encourage military spouses to find their own niche as within the military community for connection !
- by Coretta King

Dru is married to an active-duty Army service member, and he has over 26 years of Army service. Dru was an Army civilian employee for over 17 years and is now a senior service leader for GE Aerospace, supporting military programs. Additionally, she has served as treasurer at their previous duty location for the Soldier Family Readiness Group (SFRG). Supports varying events such as sponsoring Christmas parties and gifts for the local Boys & Girls Club. Attends local coffee connections, not just Army, but also Navy and Air Force, to hear other military spouses' experiences and connect. Completed doctoral program in Organizational Change and Leadership completing her dissertation on the well-being of military spouses during COVID-19 to access the lived experience during a pandemic; military spouses face many hardships day to day, was a global pandemic any different for military spouses. See: https://digitallibrary.usc.edu/CS.aspx?VP3=DamView&VBID=2A3BXZ8Y9ERTU&SMLS=1&RW=1856&RH=844
- by Susan B Padernacht

She is a devoted spouse -so much so she dedicated her doctoral research to examining stress on military spouses during Covid.
- by Chris Grivas

Dru is a committed military spouse...professionally, academically and personally. Personally: Served as treasurer for previous duty location for the Soldier, Family Readiness Group (SFRG). Supports varying events such as sponsoring of Christmas party and gifts for the local boys & girls club. Attends coffee connection in the local area, not just Army, but Navy and Air Force to hear other military spouses experiences and connect. Professionally: Senior leader at GE Aerospace, supporting military programs Worked as an Army civilian employee for over 17 years Academically: Completed doctoral program in Organizational Change and Leadership completing her dissertation on the well-being of military spouses during COVID-19 to access the lived experience during a pandemic; military spouses face many hardships day to day, was a global pandemic any different for military spouses.
- by Stephanie McLeod Diaz

Dru has been dedicated to the Army and DOD since I have met her. Not only through her support as a spouse, but her continued commitment to technology development. I worked with her while she was Director of University Technology Development Division at Army Futures Command and she always put the needs of the Army in front of her own. In parallel, her husband was deployed and she was always stoic and there for her family.
- by Seth Wilk

Dru Anna Jackson is a shining example of a military spouse who has successfully (and with great love and unwavering commitment) combined family, career, and the military life style. She has such deep respect for military spouses that the theme of her doctoral dissertation focused on the well-being of military spouses during COVID-19, their lived experience during a pandemic—was the global pandemic any different for military spouses. Dru completed her dissertation and graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California (USC). Dru’s active duty spouse has served over 26 years in the Army. They have a son who also serves in the military. Career-wise, Dru was an Army civilian for over 17 years, and is now a senior service leader for GE Aerospace, supporting military programs. As a fellow military spouse, USC classmate, and friend, I unreservedly support Dru Anna Jackson’s nomination.
- by Renee Y Bostick

She's a very organized, dedicated, loyal person!
- by Traci Gaston

As a classmate in Dru’s doctoral program, I am familiar with her dissertation research and deep commitment to supporting military spouses. Her husband was deployed during much of our program, and she relied on the network of military spouses to navigate single parenting and relocation, while working and completing a doctorate from USC. She was a leader among our cohort—an adept researcher, strategic thinker and persuasive speaker. She consistently worked to advocate for Military families and spouses. When faculty tried to dissuade her from researching military spouses (due to more complex IRB approvals required), she expertly navigated the process, secured appropriate approvals and conducted her research; she was among the first in our program to publish her dissertation and complete her degree. Dru is a passionate advocate, effective spokesperson, highly organized collaborator, compassionate leader, and excellent communicator. She’d be an outstanding ambassador as MSOY.
- by Janet Swiecichowski

As a friend and former colleague, I can confidently say that Dru Anna Jackson is one of the most incredible individuals I've ever known. Her passion and dedication to helping others always evident, shining through in everything she does. Her ethics are unwavering, and she is quick to stand up for others', and stand up for what she believes in. She isn't boastful or quick to use authority to lead others. She leads by example, she empowers everyone around her, and more importantly - she INSPIRES those around her in two ways: to become better versions of themselves, and to serve others. I've never had a more respected and admired colleague, or friend. She is a powerful force, dedicated to making the lives of military spouses and families better every single day.
- by Kimberly McCrum

Ms. Dru Anna Jackson is married to an active-duty Army service member. Ms. Jackson has been an excellent leader for the Army Futures Command (AFC) while she performed her duties as an Army Civilian. Ms. Jackson being a military spouse has always showed compassion and empathy towards military spouses and was a role model for many at AFC. She provided guidance to several military and civilian workforce on dealing with hard times during deployments. She has attended coffee connection in the local area, not just Army, but Navy and Air Force to hear other military spouses experience and connect. One unique quality of Ms. Jackson was that she reached out to many military spouses in the Austin, TX area whiles she was at AFC to connect them to each other. She was a people person and thrived with discussing difficult topics with individuals to show them a path to success. She has also helped mentor many military spouses to gain valuable skills that allows them to be marketable for employment.
- by Ani Abraham

I worked with Dru for over a decade in the Army Civilian workforce. She started out as a work colleague, but over the years we became good friends as well. I have never met anyone as dedicated to the Army Mission as her, she embodies Army Values both while at work and in her personal life. She has a heart of gold and has shown time and time again that she is a servant leader both at work and in the community. Dru is always ready to jump in and help out, no questions asked. Dru has proven herself to be a life long learner and provided a unique perspective in her doctorate dissertation centered around the pandemic impacts on military spouses. She continues to help shed light on the struggles faced by military families and engage in ways to better support each other.
- by Michelle Chiles