Alyssa Ruffin

Share your military spouse story:
I have been a proud & supportive Military spouse for 16 years. I met my husband in 2006 while he was at his first duty station in Minot, ND. We were great friends first, and went on a couple of dates in 2007, and he deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. He came home from Afghanistan in January 2009, and we have been together ever since. We got married at the courthouse 6 months later, had our first child together in 2010, and he deployed 2.5 months after she was born. I learned instantaneously what it meant to be a Military spouse. New city, no family, no friends, just me, and my newborn baby. At times, I wouldn't hear from him for 3 weeks while he was away on a mission. This was before facetime and instagram. We relied solely on handwritten letters, skype when it would work, and the old timed 20 minute phone calls from a phone he had to share with everyone else. We have been through 3 overseas tours, 8 PCS's, multiple Tech Schools, OTS, WUGS and hundreds of TDY's together. We have 3 beautiful daughters together, and I have two older children in college. My husband served active duty in the Air Force for 15 years, and transitioned to the Space Force in 2020. He is prior enlisted, he graduated from NIU in 2013, commissioned as an officer in 2016, and graduated Weapons School in 2022. We've missed out on countless birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries together. All that to say that the Military lifestyle can be summed up in a few words; constant change/moving, flexibility, resiliency, patience, and pride. It is not for the faint of heart. Additionally, my dad served in the Marine Corps, one grandfather served in the Army, the other grandpa in the Marine Corps, my great-grandmother served in the Air Force and I'm told was a part of the NASA hidden figures, two of my great uncles served in the Marine Corps, and my cousin served in the NAVY.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I recently became a Key Spouse for the Delta 4 at Buckley SFB after learning that we did not currently have any. I want to ensure that our Military families coming and going, those deployed overseas, and their families here back home have someone that can provide resources to meet their families needs. Vandenberg SFB, though I was not a Key Spouse I stepped into that role on my own. Several folks were seeking help getting their deployed loved ones a care package. I went to work and was able to have 37 care packages & more than 250 letters and drawings from children delivered to our service men & women deployed overseas. I also did this on my own in 2011/2012 at Scott AFB. I am passionate about spreading awareness and lending a helping hand in an effort to make a difference in the world. I do my best to make sure I teach my children to do the same. While at Maxwell in 2022, my family was nominated for Volunteer of the Year for our involvement in the military and local community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I was part of the planning committee for the 2024 Delta 4 Holiday Party. I was in charge of creating the invitation and flyer, setting up, decorating, creating the potluck signup, and making dishes/desserts. I took it upon myself to add a children's section, photo booth area, and wrap & string ribbon on each of the custom made ornaments to make it just a little more special for those attending. In 2022, I was invited by Nellis Air Force Base to perform the National Anthem for the United States Air Force Weapons School. I performed for my husband's graduating class 22 Bravo at Bally Hotel & Casino for more than 1500 Military professionals. In 2021, I performed the National Anthem for the United States Space Force - Space Delta 13 Activation & Assumption of Command Ceremony, at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, I performed the National Anthem for the Scott Air Force Base, Headquarters Air Mobility Command A2 (Intelligence Directorate).

Describe how you support your community:
I am passionate about giving back and lending a helping hand in my community. Some of the organizations I've worked with include; Mattersville & Pack 22, Operation Check Six, Stop Soldier Suicide, Mission 22, Toys For Tots, the American Heart Association, Lions Club, Global Green, Hands On River Region, Reality Truth Ministries, Musicares, Central Coast Rescue Mission, One Warm Coat, Project Angel Heart, African Water Project, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, I also volunteer at churches and schools. In 2021, I performed along with Grammy award-winner Lisa Loeb, Taylor Dayne, Jody Watley, Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls, Paula Cole, Vassy, and Vanessa Bell-Armstrong in the first ever Global Green "Music For the Planet" benefit concert to help raise funds to protect our beautiful people, places and planet. Proceeds from the event helped support the partnership between Global Green & the city of West Hollywood to build the first ever Global Green Climate Controlled Park.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am a multi-trauma survivor. I advocate for many of the topics I have personally experienced to include; Suicide Awareness, PTSD, Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Child Abuse, Homelessness, Education, the Creative Arts, Equality, and diversity. I am passionate about giving back to the community, and doing what I can to make a small difference in the world. My newest single "The Sacrifice" I wrote for Military families, to tell our story. Whether you are a spouse, a child, or Military member. This song received nominations at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards, Mississippi Music Awards, Elite Music Awards & the International Red Carpet Awards in Europe. "Enough" is a song about surviving abuse. I am a Domestic violence survivor, this song is about walking away. "Unbreakable" is about suicide awareness. I am a 2x attempted suicide survivor. I have lost friends (veterans) to suicide. This song is about having faith, and finding your strength.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I use my platform in music to help provide hope, healing, empowerment, encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to others. The Josie Music Awards are the largest Independent Music Awards show in the world, with more than 59,000 submissions for 2023. I won Song of the Year and used my speech and time on stage at the Grand Ole Opry to advocate for suicide awareness. My single "Collateral Damage" is an inspirational power anthem. I partnered with Operation Check Six to write a song for a female Military Veteran. In an effort to highlight women, I hired an all-female musician/production cast, and had a Behind The Scenes video made to tell the story behind the song. It was produced by Grammy Voting member Audrey Martinovich. I dedicated it to all Sexual Assault survivors. As a thank you, OCS built me a custom guitar that was on display at a Museum Exhibit for Operation Check Six for 7 months, along with the BTS video at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorehead, Minnesota.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As a military spouse I have experienced many different things throughout my husband's military career. From difficulties within our everyday lives, to navigating challenges that come with relocating around the world. I hope to teach other spouses to leverage chain of command with any needs. I hope to be an advocate to develop the guardian spirit & culture among military families. I would love to help facilitate necessary conversations to start a program for spouses and families to utilize during a duty station change and more. I hope to connect with other spouses and provide resources that benefit all family needs, share my stories & ideas, and inspire others. I hope to continue being a voice for the unheard, empower others to advocate for future generations, and I hope to continue supporting previous military spouses of the year successes, in order to show support of their ongoing efforts to all military/guardian families and so much more.