Jamie Schneider

Share your military spouse story:
When I married Lance in 2014, I had no idea what it meant to be a “military spouse.” From four years of dating and our engagement, I knew what separation meant, with our respective careers moving us apart after meeting. I knew what deployments meant. I knew the fear, loneliness and heartache. But when we got married, I learned the good. And there is more good than I ever imagined, not just in our love but in this life. Now a couple months into our ninth year of marriage, I have discovered that being a military spouse is more than being married to someone who serves. It’s an invitation to an incredible group of women and men who selflessly work not just for a strong family but a better community. My favorite part of being a military spouse is seeing so many answer the call, not of our nation, like our spouses, but of spouses and families who need assistance, encouragement and support. When you marry a service member, you are not “just” a spouse, but a vital part of the community that thrives on the spirit and the volunteerism of those who take the challenge. Every day, it is an honor to watch Lance serve, and it is an honor to serve alongside him in a different capacity, creating a community that allows our military spouses and families to thrive so our service members to focus on what they do best. It took me awhile to get here. Like many, I had to be uncomfortable, and find my way. But other spouses supported me. Becoming involved in the Offutt Enlisted Spouses Club is what helped me realize the importance of the military spouse—as everything the organization does is built on “spouses supporting spouses.” It is the place where I have received mentorship and guidance, whether it’s with navigating the military world or personal life, and learned how to serve others. In 2023, at 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my village showed up for my family in so many ways. I believe now more than ever that the community is the most important part of this experience.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
While many of my leadership roles are traditional opportunities like being the spouse club president, an unexpected opportunity began in March 2019 when Offutt was hit with devastating floods. Within days, I created the OESC flood relief fund with over $10k in corporate donations, which helped fund morale events on base, clean-up and rebuilding on base and elsewhere, and the personal needs of Offutt’s flood impacted families in the aftermath of the flooding. The fund was just one of the many ways I was able to give back during this time. In the early morning hours when sandbagging began, I built morale by bringing snacks to those working through the night. In the aftermath, I volunteered for flood clean-up, transporting items from flood ravaged areas. I organized supply and toy drives. I also volunteered to run the Sarpy Flood Facebook page, a cooperative between local organizations and Sarpy County EMA, serving as a central place for victims and volunteers to be updated.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Long before becoming a military spouse, I worked with wounded, ill and injured service members in my professional role at U.S. Paralympics. In two-terms as Offutt Enlisted Spouses Club President, I grew it to a then high 70+ members (up from 20 when I joined). Before becoming president, I was twice the chair of Winter Wonderland, an event for 800, and have served on other committees. I became a key spouse for the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron in Feb. 2017, serving as a liaison between approximately 30-40 spouses and squadron leadership. I am the 2020 55th Wing Key Spouse of the Year. I help maintain our squadron Facebook group and an unofficial group for all Offutt key spouses, which I created. I also run the Offutt Spouses & Family Facebook group, promoting a positive environment for over 4,500 spouses to connect with each other. I was the first Chief Marketing Officer for the Council for Military Spouse Clubs. I am a volunteer for Military Hearts Matters and Military Marriage Day.

Describe how you support your community:
Every spouse needs to feel a part of the military community. Whether it is online or in-person, they need to have a place where they are welcomed. Daily, I support the Offutt community as an admin on the Offutt Spouses & Families group, where I aim to promote a positive environment for spouses to connect with and learn from each other. The group has over 4k members and 1.5k posts made each month. I post not just about events and news, but personally promote important messaging like suicide prevention and Military and Family Life Counselors. My inbox is open for those who need help but are uncomfortable asking in a group. I am involved in the spouse club and a key spouse. In both roles, I promote one-on-one relationships, and making group events inviting. I took the lead on events like Winter Wonderland, created an all-base resiliency event and an all-base cookie exchange, and helped Offutt launch a Military Spouse Appreciation Day. “Spouses supporting spouses” inspires me daily.

What do you advocate for? Why?
In 2020, when I was recognized in the MSOY program, my platform was spouse employment. And while this is still an important issue that needs our attention, I have pivoted to the spouse community following the COVID-19 global pandemic. My main priority is rebuilding the community that was lost during those 2-3 years, including reinvigorating military spouse clubs, many of which lost members from 2020-22. Every spouse needs to feel like they belong and that the military community serves them. Simply put, my platform is rebuilding the community of our community.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I spread this message every day online because today’s military spouse lives on the Internet, not in the base gathering areas of the past. Facebook groups and other online platforms are where military spouses are. The first step to rebuilding our in-person community is making our online communities safe spaces. In my role as the first-ever Chief Marketing Officer for the Council for Military Spouse Clubs, I spent two years with the organization, rebuilding what military spouse clubs are and how they can remain relevant. Within my spouse club, I have helped modernize the organization for today’s military spouse, which includes child-friendly events and evening events.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If I received the 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year award, I would hope to make strides for military community. As a military spouse who juggles this lifestyle with a professional career and service in non-military organizations, I hope to serve as an ambassador who can show the value of being involved in the military community, event when you have other avenues of interest. Being a military spouse is not something to be embarrassed about. Neither is being involved in our community, whether it’s a spouse club, an family readiness group or any of the opportunities given to us. We need a major rebranding on the value of our community, and I hope to do that work.