Brittany Bauman

Share your military spouse story:
14 years ago, I met husband in my hometown, near Scott Air Force Base, and after a short courtship we were married. This set the stage for what has been, and continues to be, an incredible journey. Just 3 months after we welcomed our first child, we moved across the country to Las Vegas. As a new military spouse and mom I had no idea what to expect and was left feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Thankfully, some new friends reminded me that I was not alone. Five years later, we arrived at Robins Air Force Base. Once settled, I actively sought connection, fully immersing myself in our community. I served as a Key Support Liaison and on the board of the Robins Enlisted Spouses Club. This allowed me to experience the deep impact of a supportive network, especially as I navigated life during deployment. This experience ignited a passion within me to support military spouses and our military community. After a short 3 years in Georgia, we were wheels up, moving to Maryland. Being stationed at Fort Meade brought blessings and challenges. We excitedly welcomed our second child in the midst of COVID, experienced the joy of remote schooling our 10 year old, and I decided to finish my Bachelors degree. In 2022, we PCS'd to beautiful Northern Ontario. North Bay gave us lifelong friends and a new favorite vacation spot! Sadly, our assignment in Canada was cut short due to an EFMP oversight and we moved back to the States just 9 months after arriving. These experiences further fueled my dedication to advocating for military families. We are now settled at Joint Base Langley-Eustis where I, again, serve as a Key Support Liaison and finished up my MBA. Professionally, I am in a role focused on empowering military spouses and supporting military spouse employment. My mission is to connect military spouses to resources that help them achieve their goals. I am committed to building connections that empower our military families to thrive and flourish on their journey.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
During our time at Robins AFB, I was privileged to serve as the Key Support Liaison (formerly a Key Spouse) and as Vice President and Treasurer of the Robins Enlisted Spouses Club. As the Key Support Liaison, I coordinated immediate responses for families in crisis, volunteered at unit events, and created a monthly newsletter, always focusing on providing a sense of community and readiness. At the same time, I was voted onto the Robins ESC board, where membership had dwindled. Together as a board, we worked to revitalize the club. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of was launching the Blue Boutique which provided military spouses free access to professional and formal attire for interviews, military balls, and other important occasions. My experiences have taught me valuable lessons about leadership, resilience, and the importance of community. Witnessing the impact of connections in the spouse community continues to inspire my support for military families.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My involvement in our community has evolved as I have grown as a spouse. My journey began with unit- and base-level volunteering, where found my passion for uplifting families navigating military life, particularly those who are new or underserved. Currently, I still provide unit-level support, serving as the Key Support Liaison for the 83d NOS, while now also focusing on uplifting the military spouse community as a whole. I'm passionate about empowering spouses to pursue stable, meaningful careers. Having faced employment challenges due to military life, I focus on reducing employment barriers by connecting spouses with no-cost options for obtaining industry-recognized certifications and training. I am committed to empowering spouses by connecting them with invaluable resources for rewarding employment opportunities. My goal is to alleviate financial burdens and foster independence, ultimately strengthening our military families and community as a whole.

Describe how you support your community:
Our military community may be small, but it is filled with strength and resilience. I deeply understand the unique challenges that military spouses face, and I am passionate about ensuring they have the awareness and access to resources that will help them succeed personally and professionally. By working to connect military spouses with valuable career-building opportunities, I strive to create a nurturing environment where they can flourish. Both virtually and in person, I connect with spouses, share meaningful employment resources, and provide personalized one-on-one support. Developing and maintaining connections is my priority, as I know first hand how isolating military life can be. I want spouses to feel genuinely supported and empowered at every stage of their military spouse journey, and believe that no one should have to sacrifice their own ambitions due to the demands of military life.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for expanded resources focused on increasing military spouse employment. My advocacy is dedicated to fostering stronger and more resilient military families. By addressing challenges such as frequent relocations and constrained career paths, I strive to connect spouses with no-cost resources that enable them to develop meaningful, portable careers. By cultivating a spirit of community and connection, my goal is to ensure that military spouses have the essential tools and guidance to pursue their personal and professional aspirations. In tackling the high rates of unemployment and underemployment, issues that often impose both financial and emotional burdens on military families, my advocacy underscores the transformative power of quality employment. When spouses are empowered to secure meaningful career opportunities it not only enriches their lives, but also strengthens the broader military community, fostering resilience and unity for all involved.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
As a military spouse for 14 years (and counting), I have a deep appreciation for our community's unique challenges. I actively engage with fellow spouses in various settings, ensuring our diverse experiences are communicated effectively. Participation in virtual and in-person events enables me to nurture meaningful relationships within our broader military community. Additionally, I harness the power of social media to share my experiences and provide valuable resources to those in need. Through these various communication channels, I highlight the value military spouses bring to the workforce, as well as the challenges we face. Additionally, I want to emphasize the necessity for dedicated resources and the positive impact those resources bring to our community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As the AFI Military Spouse of the Year®, I envision a strategic collaboration with influential leaders, dedicated organizations, and media platforms to enhance awareness about the unique challenges that military life imposes on the career prospects of military spouses. I am committed to advocating for effective solutions, including current programs that cover the costs of professional development and certification, which are essential for enhancing skills and increasing employment opportunities. My goal is to support military spouse employment, empowering them to build meaningful, portable careers and relieving financial and emotional strain on families. This work isn’t just about jobs; it’s about strengthening families, fostering community, and ensuring military spouses have the tools to thrive. Through advocacy, connection, and action, I hope to create lasting change that enriches the entire military community.