Nellie Rodriguez

Share your military spouse story:
My spouse has been in the military for 18 1/2 years. We have been childhood sweethearts since we were 12 years old. My spouse knew when he was 14 years old that he wanted to be a Marine. We have been married for almost 18 years and have moved 5 times to 5 different states. In that time, we have had two boys to join us in this military journey. Throughout all the moves and changes in our lives we have learned that the only constant thing we can count on in our lives is our family. As long as we keep our family values and foundation strong we’re able to handle anything that gets thrown in our way.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
During our duty station in Florida and Illinois, I was the Room Mom in both of my kids' classroom. As a Room Mom I was in charge of assisting the teachers with projects and field trips for the class. I have always chaperoned for their school field trips. I was the point of contact for other parent volunteers during class parties and class projects as room mom. I often encouraged other parent's to participate in school events. While in Illinois I volunteered to read in my son’s Pre K classes once a week. Currently I am a substitute teacher for the Quantico elementary school.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My kids are involved with team sports on base so I usually am a volunteer for their teams and help bring team commodary with the children as well as the parents on the sidelines. Currently, I was a pitcher for our Military Spouse Kickball team and always try to recruit military spouses to join in on the fun. This past season I was also chosen for the All-Star team where I got to represent my team in All-Stars. Our kickball team was awarded the best sportsmanship award due to our welcoming and hospitable personalities. Our kickball chapter raised close to $10,000 for 10 different communities in the Northern Virginia area.

Describe how you support your community:
Quantico is more of a transient base due to the special training programs and Marine Corp College programs that the Marines go through. These programs/trainings are usually less than a year long so we have more families coming in and out then on other bases. I would make sure to meet the spouses as they came in cause I know as a seasoned spouse how hard it is to adapt to a new base. I meet military spouses through base spouse groups such as Bunco, Military Spouse Kickball and through my children's sports teams. I volunteer for school events such as Book Fairs, Fun Runs and special school events. Our kickball team also made care packages for children in the Stafford community hospital so that they had toys and books to keep them distracted while they are in the hospital.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for growing roots wherever the military sends you. We are our kids biggest advocates and we always try to help them adjust to the transitions. This means that we always put our kids in sports to help them find new friends and be open to building a new support system and circle friends wherever we go. The kids sports and my military spouse groups/activities are how we socialize and keep busy when we arrive at a new duty station. We like to show our boys that we need to be flexible and resilient with what the military throws at us. Always grateful for all of the friends and chosen family we make along this wonderful journey.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
In our military spouse social media groups I always make sure to give out information for upcoming kids events, sports or activities that are happening on base. At our kids sports and school events I always try to meet other parents and get them involved with the sports team activities or the school functions.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
With the AFI Military Spouse of the Year title I would want to show other spouses how important volunteering and being an involved parent is to our children. Our children have to deal with the changes that military brings and it is our duty to be the one constant in their lives. To spouses that do not have children I would want them to see that a marriage in the military can survive all the obstacles that the military throws at you just as long as you have a good strong family foundation.