Jennifer Hall

Share your military spouse story:
I'm a proud mom of three amazing kids, a passionate career woman, and a loving fur mom to five adorable pets plus a foster dog. I've been a MilSpouse for 19 years (almost 20 in 2024). My story began when I moved across the country and met my soulmate, who happened to be in the military. Soon after, he was transferred back to the east coast, and we had to keep our romance alive long distance. We got married quickly, before he was deployed, and I had to stay behind as a new wife. Being a military spouse has not been easy, but we have overcome many challenges with dedication and love. In the last decade, I have also been more active in supporting the squadron as a key spouse, especially during deployments. I work very hard in making everyone feel welcome within the squadron and a part of the family.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
My leadership is shown through the power of communication. I believe that communication is the key to effective leadership. I always strive to communicate to all squadron members clearly and respectfully. I also listen actively to the needs, concerns and ideas of the members and their families to ensure their needs are met. By communicating well, I can build trust, motivate others and achieve our shared objectives.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I'm passionate about helping service members and their loved ones (girlfriends, fiances, relatives) with anything they need. I've organized family events and kids activities to keep the squadron family connected. I've helped with sending flowers for service members families in times of illness or loss. I'm a strong supporter of including anyone who is close to the service member, no matter what their relationship status or level of commitment. No one is left out.

Describe how you support your community:
My motto is “no one left behind”, because I know that we are stronger together, and we need each other’s support and encouragement. We are a tribe of military families, and we have the power to uplift each other, to advocate for each other, and to cheer each other on.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for the respective needs and wants of the military families. For me, the focus is about communication. It can be as simple as ensuring that information is shared, to collaborating and networking with others to create, modify or effectively communicate the need of the families, information that can benefit the families, and information that is impactful to our military community as a whole. The diversity of our families require us to proactively adapt and change the 'what' we advocate for, but communication is constant. Some examples: Information on tax assistance, I just stumbled across the MilTax site which allows us to complete our taxes for free. We've been paying for those services. Another example: education, I found that I (a spouse) could obtain free education for a certification I needed- I never knew. These findings are fom me taking the time and effort to research- where these items should really be shouted from the rooftops for all to know!

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I'm passionate about keeping our squadron connected and informed. That's why I've set up private websites for our members and their families. Here, you can find everything you need to know about our squadron, such as news, updates, family readiness, education, events, discounts, and more. You can also share your own stories and experiences with the group. I know that being a military family can be challenging, especially when we are spread across the country. But we are more than just a squadron, we are a community. And whenever we meet, it should feel like a reunion of old friends. That's why I'm committed to strengthening our support system and making sure everyone feels welcome and valued.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
My passion is to support my squadron family in any way I can. I search the web tirelessly to find the best resources, contacts, and opportunities for our needs. Whether it's fixing something, raising money, organizing fun events, or helping someone in trouble, I'm always ready to lend a hand or a smile. I love what I do and I want to keep making a difference for these amazing families. That's why I'm always looking for new ways to expand our network, access more benefits, and guide our members along their journey.