Courtney Travaglini

Share your military spouse story:
Courtney Travaglini is a dedicated military spouse, mother to two incredible children, and a passionate advocate for military families, committed to fostering access to essential services and creating supportive community environments. Over her husband’s 10 years of service, Courtney has gained invaluable firsthand insights into the challenges and dynamics of military life. These experiences have shaped her unwavering dedication to supporting military personnel and their families, leading her to work as a contractor at the Military and Family Readiness Center and as a Key Support Liaison Mentor. Courtney is a tireless champion for military families, dedicating her efforts to strengthening family engagement and spearheading impactful community outreach initiatives. She has contributed to numerous organizations, including Air Force Families Forever, the Los Angeles Air Force Base Parent Advisory Board Action Group, and Operation Homefront. A strong advocate for leadership and community, Courtney values the importance of building connections and continuously seeks ways to make an impact. She represents both the Department of the Air Force and the Space Force, striving to make a difference wherever her family is stationed. Her dedication to service extends beyond her professional work; she consistently looks for opportunities to support and uplift military families and strengthen the military community. Courtney’s drive for personal and professional growth is evident in her academic achievements and career accomplishments. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Education from Arizona State University while working at Starbucks, utilizing their Military Spouse hiring initiative. This experience allowed her to balance her educational goals with her family’s needs, further fueling her commitment to supporting military families and promoting overall wellness.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Since 2023, Courtney has served as a volunteer team captain for Operation Homefront, leading five major events that supported over 1,110 military families in the Los Angeles area. Notably, she organized the first-ever Operation Homefront baby shower for Los Angeles AFB, benefiting 50 expecting moms in the community. Courtney also spearheaded a sensory-friendly backpack brigade for the Exceptional Family Member Program, supporting local military installations in the South Bay area. This year, she led her largest Holiday Meals giveaway, coordinating efforts to support over 200 families with gift cards, board games, meal and baking kits, and stocking stuffers, helping to ease stress and financial burdens for the base community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Courtney has contributed to numerous organizations, including Air Force Families Forever (AFFF), the Key Support Liaison Program, the Los Angeles Air Force Base Parent Advisory Board Action Group, and Operation Homefront. For AFFF, she helped plan the first memorial 5K walk, honoring fallen heroes with their photos displayed around the base track. Over the past three years, Courtney has also planned the AFFF luncheon, one of her greatest passions, allowing her to honor and support these families with pride. She coordinated tickets to the Huntington Beach Air Show, creating an unforgettable experience for surviving family members as they watched the show and connected with military members while remembering their loved ones. Drawing on her experience as a Key Support Liaison and Life Coach, Courtney has provided unwavering support to this community, reminding them they are forever part of the military family.

Describe how you support your community:
Courtney proudly served as the 2023-2024 Secretary for the Parent Advisory Board at Los Angeles AFB and dedicates her Fridays to volunteering at her son’s school. She coordinated a hands-on STEM program for his class, creating a memorable experience as the students witnessed the final Delta Heavy launch. Committed to fostering connections, Courtney’s volunteer efforts bridge the gap between military and civilian communities, promoting mutual support and understanding. As a Key Support Mentor, she provides guidance not only to her husband’s organization but to anyone in need, offering resources and encouragement. Passionate about empowering military families, Courtney actively advocates for spouses to utilize opportunities like the Bee Arnold Grant, MySECO, and Hiring Our Heroes. Through her dedication to education, mentorship, and advocacy, Courtney works tirelessly to strengthen and support her community, ensuring every member feels valued and equipped to succeed.

What do you advocate for? Why?
Courtney is collaborating with mental health professionals to develop a suicide prevention program tailored to the unique challenges faced by military families. Her goal is to create safe, supportive spaces for individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts, ensuring no one feels isolated. Courtney advocates for mental health resources because she recognizes that most programs on military installations focus on service members, often leaving dependents underserved. She believes that if the military is to be one unified force, it must care for all members, including dependents, ensuring service members are better prepared for duty. Courtney has strongly advocated for restoring vital resources like the Child Youth Behavioral Military Family Life Counselor program at Los Angeles Air Force Base. Additionally, she encourages military spouses to become certified in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) to empower them to provide peer-to-peer support within their communities.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
Courtney, as a Key Support Liaison, advocates for mental health resources for military dependents, recognizing that their well-being is crucial to the readiness of service members. While many mental health programs focus on service members, Courtney pushes for expanded support for spouses and children, who face unique challenges. She briefs base leadership on the growing concerns regarding the lack of mental health services for families, advocating for increased resources. Additionally, she has built relationships with South Bay Area organizations to offer support to military spouses and children. Courtney also collaborates with other bases to explore successful mental health programs that could be implemented at her base. She is ASIST certified and is pursuing Mental Health First Aid certification to further assist military families in crisis, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to thrive.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As AFI Military Spouse of the Year®, Courtney would use her platform to raise awareness about the urgent need for more support for military dependent suicide prevention and well-being. She aims to advocate for expanded mental health resources for military families, particularly focusing on children, who often face unique challenges due to frequent relocations and parental deployments. Courtney would work to ensure that military children’s mental health is prioritized, pushing for increased access to trained counselors in schools who understand their specific needs. She would also advocate for more specialized programs that address the unique stressors of military life, ensuring that dependents have the support they need to thrive emotionally. By using the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® title, Courtney hopes to create a broader conversation around the importance of supporting military families, especially children, in order to improve their overall well-being and readiness.