April Beatrice Dingle

Share your military spouse story:
My Military story starts out with me being an only child not from a military background at all and living outside of what is now JBAB in our Nations Capital. On my way home from the city my family's commute would have us riding along i295. The exit we would take home put us at the light outside the front gate. Back then the Swimming Pool was along the gate and I would always daydream about being on the other side of it. Something unknown about that community was quite intriguing. Many years later I met my husband. He was stationed in Idaho when we began dating. Once married my first introduction to military life was at McGuire AFB. And there I began to learn the Military Spouse ropes. The first lesson I learned is that Military Spouse life can seem lonely. I crave connection and a sense of belonging. My mission was to find Community. Since I was raised in the Christian faith I knew the 1st place to look was the Chapel. I found the Sunday Chapel Services but after that not much. My peace started to become unsettled and I then became a PeaceMaker. I was compelled to go into the neighborhood and 1 neighbor at a time I began to build what I call Real-ationShips based off our Common-Unity (The Military Lifestyle), creating Authentic Friendships where together we would navigate the waters of this new military lifestyle. Over the past 22 years I have been blessed to be apart of several military communities. The gain is that I have so many wonderful relationships filled with a variety of beautiful people from all walks of life. We share amazing memories and even some sad, hard memories. However, the blessing in all of it, is that we didn't have to go through any of those seasons alone because we intentionally made Community. Being a Military Spouse has helped me learn so many things about doing life apart but together. It has taught me how to become a Bridge Builder and the importance and value of seeing the person who feels unseen. A simple hello my name is____ goes far

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Over the years of being a Military Spouse I have been privileged to be invited to become a Key Spouse at all my husband's assignments. I was employed as a MDSS CC's Secretary. I won Civilian of the Quarter. I was awarded FCC Provider of the Year. I performed the National Anthem for Distinguished Ceremonies. I am an Ambassador for the Planting Roots Military Women's Ministry. I was handpicked by Chaplains to serve on the Protestant Women of the Chapel board. My husband & I were contracted as the Protestant Religious Education Coordinators for the chapel. A specific example of Leadership within the Military Community is that when I am involved in anything, even to only be a participant, my peers seem to choose me to be the voice if one is ever needed. To me it says a lot about their trust in my abilities, competency & zeal to do my best. My leadership approach is there's no I in Team. Whatever I'm doing I'd rather do it shoulder to shoulder with the people in my community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
As a Family Child Care provider I am able to use that as an opportunity to build relationships. Forming relationships and communicating with parents helps me find needs within the community. One of the biggest needs I found is that Single, Dual and Extended care members don't have many childcare options afforded to them. I have turned my FCC focus exclusively to the needs of such families. Taking children in the early mornings, after dark, on the weekends and holidays while their parents are on duty I'm able to provide them a safe and comfortable home away from home. This minimizes the stress of the parent to execute the mission effectively. I'm also involved in my community by standing up a Women's Ministry for those desiring that form of Fellowship. Bi-weekly I attempt to create a safe space for women to grow in Christ by way of Bible Study. I coordinate meal plans, choose curriculum, facilitate & listen to the hearts of women living out military life from a Christian perspective.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community by finding holes that I'm capable of filling and doing just that. For example in 2023 plans were being made for the NCR AF Ball. I heard many people wanted to attend but were unable due to lack of childcare. I decided with help I could stand up an onsite child watch if the space could be provided. Fortunately the venue allowed it. I was then able to coordinate and execute on site Child Watch for over 52 families which totaled to 125 children inside the Air and Space Museum. This support maximized participation, boosted ticket sales, spurred Morale and also INCLUDED the children of serving parents. My best support to the military community is finding ways for the "whole family unit" to serve together. Within the year my brand Special Ops Child Watch has stood up 12 events served 169 Families and has watched 225 MilKiddos. Families get to attend events confidently & leave encouraged feeling like "we all did this together" and indeed they did

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for Togetherness. I advocate for the MilSpouse. I advocate for the MilKiddo. I advocate for the Single MilParent. I advocate for the Dual MilCouple. I advocate for the Essential MilMember. I advocate for the Extended Duty MilWorker. I advocate for the MilFamily Unit. I believe with every fiber of my being that Together is better. There's so many things in this world fighting to pull families apart. Even more so within the Military Community. Celebrations should be for all Parties who serve. Military Children should be afforded opportunities to celebrate in their own way in their own space alongside their parents who serve. I believe MilKiddos serve too. They wake up early in the morning so Member can guard gates, and assist in medical crisis, they are away from the home and care of their parents for 13 hours or more a day while the Member serves. They are up at night in the home of strangers while Member is down range. They deserve to celebrate the Highs as well TOGETHER.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have been able to brief Special Ops Child Watch at NewComers Orientation, created a website sharing details on what we offer and why. By way of the Planting Roots Ministry I have been able to sit on panels during conferences and discuss MilWife lifestyles and issues. I have been chosen for several media outlets explaining Military Transition and OverComing Hardships. I use every opportunity as a means to highlight the MilSpouse and experiences we may encounter. I attend base town halls and speak up when no one else does. I voice ideas and not only concerns. I enter into networking opportunities to meet people, learn and grow.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
My hope of accomplishment with the AFI MSOY is to raise awareness amongst the Spouses reminding them that they are not alone. There's a whole big community of people looking for someone to do life with. Encouraging them to focus on all the things we have in common and building Real-ationShips from there. I want to bend down and look a MilKiddo in the eye and assure them that there are safe spaces for them within our community and inform them that due to their Member's careers, they are not deemed Cast Asides. Making real that they are in this picture, that they serve too and can be celebrated before the RETIREMENT!