Falicia Hartman

Share your military spouse story:
My journey as a military spouse began with a right swipe of my finger in 2018! I met my husband 2 weeks before he left for his 3rd deployment. 2 dates turned into 6 months of phone calls, texts, letter's and a million care packages! Through it all not only did I find my husband, but my very best friend! We were married in 2020, and I have had the honor of supporting my husband as he proudly serves in the USSF ever since! I have always had a passion for inspiring, empowering and supporting people! Whether it be a school function, team dinner or after prom for our beautiful daughters, I truly enjoy connecting and giving back anyway I can! In 2021, my husband was selected to attend the advanced instructor course with the 328th weapons squadron. Little did I know the opportunities this would create for me as a military spouse! This was the beginning of my journey…I met an amazing group of women who supported me during his time in this course! This was our first separation as a married couple and there were plenty of challenging moments to say the least! The Weapons Family Supporters created a sense of community and Family I did not know existed for spouses! They celebrated our birthdays, sent words of encouragement and often just checked in to see how we were doing! I knew once I met them, this is something I want to be involved in! In 2022 I started with the Weapons Family Supporters to pay forward the same support I was so graciously given the year prior! The collaboration and support created by this involvement has created a desire to become more involved at our local base and to make an impact here at home!

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Joining the Weapons Family Supporters gave me such an opportunity to be able to connect with families and spouses of servicemen and women. To create connection, community and an additional level of support! As a spouse, speaking from experience, it’s often scary and intimidating! My goal is to continue to get involved and becoming someone who can provide the support and guidance and to help advocate for spouses!

Describe your involvement in the military community:
After getting involved with the Weapons Family Supporters I had the opportunity to get volunteer with Military Hearts Matter. This non profit is committed to making an impact for service members with family members who suffer from heart disease. The non profit sends comfort items or items not covered by medical insurance for the spouse or child in need. We wrapped them all in red wrapping paper with big blue bows and bought a fun family gift to share with this little heart hero’s family! It was so beautiful to give back to a family so deserving!

Describe how you support your community:
Through the Weapons Family Supporters I was shown the true impact of leadership and community. It exposed me to a support system I had no idea existed. My hope is to continue that involvement and create a community of inclusion, support and Family here at home! Creating change in how we as military spouses show up for, include and support each other each and everyday!

What do you advocate for? Why?
If this year has taught me anything it’s that there is a place for everyone! The kindness, collaboration and relationships built through the women I have met over the past year have encouraged me to create opportunities for Military spouse to connect and support each other at a higher level! I plan to get involved in the spouse groups here are home to create connections, build relationships and grow our community!

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
Part of leadership is not only what you do, but also how you do it! I have always had the gift of enablement! To rally people around an idea, help them to get excited, and get things moving! My time with the Weapons Family Supporters gave me the opportunity to connect with other spouses utilizing social media. Sending messages, easy collaboration and guidance with the tap of a finger! Our community and support is so much bigger than our own back yard! But I think the most impactful thing is just to share it, spread the word and celebrate those serving and the families who support them! I hope by sharing my involvement and story of my journey encourages other spouses to say, “I want to do that!” We are all stronger together!

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I want to continue to recreating the sense of community and support that was shown to me. To continue to build long lasting relationships and friendships to support one another in our journey as a military spouses and create a community of collaboration, inclusion and understanding. Together we are all stronger!