Elizabeth Birk

Share your military spouse story:
I've been asked over the two plus decades "How do you do it?" too many times to count, especially by my non-military friends. They struggle to balance life and work and kids when their husbands have a week-long business trip. We military spouses however, rarely have the luxury of a mere 5-7 day absence of our partner. We endure 9 month, 12 month, and 15 month separations where our loved ones operate in austere and dangerous environments. The way we get through it is by finding small wins. Every day we knock down 25, 50, and 100 meter targets. We take care of our family. Some days your family is your kids; some days your family are your co-workers; some days your family are those other spouses who are drowning and struggling to cope. No matter which family needs you that day, you've just got to step up and do it. Q: As a spouse, what is the most important step you can take? A: The next one. Keep yourself moving, find small wins, and remember that you are not alone.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I always liked the show "Dirty Jobs." Around the military community there are a lot of unglamorous, under-appreciated, but vital jobs to be done. Since joining this community, I've stepped up. I was a young FRG leader Fort Drum, a playgroup orgnanizer at each duty location, and a fundraiser and spousal employment advocate. Any time something comes up and no one is willing to do it, I step up. FRG leader, that's me. Spouses Club Treasurer, yep, I took that job. President when almost the entire 24 person board was PCSing. You guessed it, me again. No one helping out the HBBs on post? I'll start an HBB market. If there is a job that needs someone to head it up, I'm willing to give it a try. I may not always do things the way others would, but I give it my all each and every time.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I am very involved in the community, from PTA volunteer, to Spouses Club board member, to FRG Leader for the biggest unit in Stuttgart. I started as a volunteer with the school PTA, and was quickly asked to become the FRG leader. That involves helping coordinate large EUCOM family events at least quarterly, as well as information dissemination monthly. My first year in Stuttgart, I was also asked to be on the board of the Stuttgart Community Spouses Club. I was in charge of all Special Interest Groups within the club. I coordinated with each of the leaders on the calendar, communication methods, event ideas and production, as well as reported to the board monthly. The next year, I was elected to the Executive Board as the Operations Treasurer and serve as a member of the Community Leader Information Forum. Although I live in a small German town, if you're looking for me, you'll find me on post most days.

Describe how you support your community:
I also own my own Home Based Business, and have helped work with the other HBBs to create opportunities for growth in Germany. I created the HBB Market that occurs at least once per month, and for special events. All the HBBs can set up their goods and services for sales and marketing to the Stuttgart Community. I handle the coordination, marketing, and communication between the HBB Owners and the Community. I meet with the Garrison leaders to provide guidance on the regulations and work with the community to promote HBBs and help prospective and new HBB owners work through the process to get approved and follow all the local laws.

What do you advocate for? Why?
There are many issues that I have advocated for in this OCONUS location. Activities and jobs for teens who already are "behind their peers" because they are not able to easily get their drivers' license, or a job where they don't have to pay Foreign income taxes, or dual enrollment classes while in HS are some examples. However, spousal employment is the most important battle for me at this duty station. It is extremely difficult to get a job overseas. I own a business, but actually working that business in Germany is beyond frustrating. The rules about using your USAREUR vehicle, or APO box, let alone taxes, are extremely hard to understand, and not consistent across german states, or US bases. I have read the regulations, Military Memos from Washington DC, and more. The presidential focus on Federal Spouse's opportunities is itself a vehicle for change. With presidential backing, now is the time for new intiatives to update archaic policies especially for OCONUS spouses.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I travel throughout Europe participating in MWR Bazaars and as an AAFES Vendor. I get to know the local communities, and the local national vendors and how they are able to work their businesses. I share my story about owning a Home Based Business in Europe, specifically Germany. I meet with garrison and other community leaders frequently to discuss ways to provide opportunities for home based business owners. I keep the conversation going when other want to let it slip to the side. I meet with the other HBB owners to see what change they would like to see and help communicate that to the leadership on the base. When I am told that "that is not the way things are done", I ask "why?" I ask to see the regulation that says I can't. I'm a rule follower, but I need to know what the rules are. So, I ask.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to raise awareness about opportunities that do exist, both in the career field, and access to services. Remind spouses that they are part of a team and that there is a whole community of knowledge here for them. Let people know it is ok to not know something, but that you should always ask why or to see the regulation. I hope to hold others accountable to help improve the quality of life for military families, especially spouses, while being so far away from the things they are comfortable with (family, friends, language, etc). I don't mind doing the hard stuff if I feel that it will get results. Sometimes it takes a while, especially in the military, but waiting around for change doesn't work. You've got to take steps even when you can't see the endpoint.