Brittney Rabens

Share your military spouse story:
Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, I never planned on leaving, but the USAF had different plans for me. After marrying my childhood sweetheart post-college, we began our military journey together. Our first stop was Bethesda, Maryland, where my husband attended medical school, and we had our daughter Madison. Her complicated birth led to an emergency hysterectomy, prompting us to explore adoption, which we successfully navigated while stationed at Eglin AFB, adopting our second daughter, Jocelyn. With a degree in Elementary Education, I had the privilege of teaching at private Christian schools in Maryland, Florida, and North Carolina. The frequent relocations and state certification challenges were part of the military spouse experience. From the very beginning of our military journey, we committed to making the most of the limited time we had at each location. We set a goal to leave each place better than we found it, and I took that mission to heart. I have always sought to use my gifts and talents to make a meaningful impact. In Georgia, I served as a Preschool Director, and in Boston, I led our church community outreach at the largest low-income housing development in New England. In Alaska, I managed the Eielson Thrift Shop, served in multiple positions on the Spouses’ Club Board, and was honored to receive the Thrift Shop Volunteer of the Year award. I also founded and led the Eielson Youth Group at the base chapel, which resulted in the group winning the Alaska Spirit of Youth Visionary Award. My service was also recognized with the PACAF Spirit of the Four Chaplains Award for my dedication and selflessness. After 22 years, 10 PCS moves, 5 deployments, and sending our daughters off to college, we now find ourselves at Maxwell AFB. While my husband serves as the 42 MDG/CC, I continue to take every opportunity to serve where needed. The lessons I’ve learned, the people I’ve met, and the lives I’ve touched have made this journey one I would never trade.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I have served as an Air Force Key Support Liaison Mentor at the Wing, Group, and Squadron levels, providing guidance and support to fellow spouses. My involvement with Spouses' Clubs includes serving on multiple boards in roles such as Advisor, 2nd VP, Socials Chair, Thrift Shop Manager/Liaison, and hosting several mini clubs. I represent spouses at leadership meetings, contributing to decision-making that impacts the quality of life for military families on base. I lead the Volunteer Crossing Guard program, managing a team of over 13 volunteers to ensure the safety of military children as they travel to and from school each day on base. As the lead Service to Armed Forces Red Cross Volunteer at the 42d MDG, I oversee 20+ volunteers and work to support our military families and retirees. Additionally, I serve as the Maxwell-Gunter leadership spouse for the Alabama Military Spouse Advisory Council, further advocating for the well-being of military families across the entire state.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I firmly believe in being part of the solution and seek ways to improve the quality of life for others. I participate in installation-sponsored events, attend Spouses’ Club activities, and volunteer in various capacities, including at the Thrift Shop, as a Red Cross Volunteer, and as a Crossing Guard. Beyond the base, I serve as a leadership spouse on the Alabama Military Spouse Advisory Council. One of my most recent initiatives was partnering with Warrior Outreach Ranch and the Home Depot Foundation to provide 40 brand-new bicycles to military families—with a focus on single parents, EFMP families, and deployed members—free of charge during the holiday season. Plus, I coordinated the blessing of 15 Medical Group families with Angel Tree gifts during the holidays. Additionally, I led Operation Cookie Drop for the 42d Air Base Wing and its 43 mission partners, collecting and distributing over 600 dozen cookies to junior Airmen across the base to spread holiday cheer and boost morale.

Describe how you support your community:
My volunteerism extends beyond Maxwell AFB, reaching into the community where I’ve logged numerous service hours. Our family is active in our local church, attending weekly services, participating in small group Bible studies, and contributing to outreach events, such as the Taylor Road "Treats the Town" block party in October, bringing joy to our community while sharing the Gospel. I’m especially passionate about bridging the military-civilian divide, striving to foster understanding and build stronger relationships with local residents. A notable example of this commitment was when our military and church communities collaborated on a large-scale food distribution event, which supported over 572 families in need. I work to create a supportive network where both military families and civilians can come together, learn from one another, and pursue shared objectives. I truly believe that when we support one another, we strengthen the community as a whole.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for quality of life because I believe that when we prioritize the well-being of our service members and their families, we empower them to execute the military mission to the highest standard. My commitment lies in creating stronger connections and fostering collaboration, both on base and with our mission partners, the surrounding community, and the state. I am deeply passionate about ensuring that every military spouse feels seen, heard, and valued—regardless of their background, rank, or length of time in service. My focus is on creating spaces where military spouses can connect, share their experiences, and support one another. I aim to empower military spouses by helping them navigate the unique challenges of military life, ensuring they thrive in every season. Through my work, I have become a catalyst for fostering deeper connections and building a sense of community—making sure that every voice is heard and every individual is included in the conversation.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have the privilege of sitting at the table with senior leaders, advocating for the quality of life issues that military families face. Recently, when FLOTUS (Jill Biden) and SECDEF (Lloyd Austin) visited Maxwell, I had the honor of participating in a spouses' roundtable with Mrs. Austin, where we discussed the challenges facing military families. I believe in the power of storytelling and using my voice to raise awareness about the unique challenges and triumphs of military life. By sharing my personal experiences and those of others, I strive to foster understanding and bridge the gap between military and civilian communities. My ability to connect with diverse audiences has empowered me to advocate for critical issues affecting military families. I am committed to amplifying the voices of those who feel overlooked and advocating for change that benefits the community. Every opportunity is a chance to further my mission of ensuring that military spouses feel seen, heard, and valued.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to use this incredible honor to improve the quality of life for military families by addressing their unique challenges and advocating for meaningful solutions. My goal is to strengthen connections, foster collaboration, and build partnerships between military spouses, mission partners, and the broader community. This recognition will open doors and create opportunities to advocate for the critical issues that impact military families. I believe that each of us has the power to be part of the solution. Through this platform, I aim to inspire others to seek out ways to serve and contribute, using their unique gifts and talents to create lasting change. One person can spark significant progress, and together, we can build a more supportive and resilient military community. For me, true fulfillment comes from living a life of purpose. It is through service, compassion, and collaboration that we can create tangible change and elevate the experiences of military families everywhere.