Elizabeth Peace

Share your military spouse story:
The day I first met Warren Peace, I never imagined he’d become my husband. At the time, I was a TV news anchor, deep in the middle of a difficult custody battle. I wanted to interview a female Marine for a local story, but after calling every contact, I kept getting referred to then-SSgt Warren Peace. I honestly thought everyone was pulling my leg. Who would actually name their son Warren Peace and he would become a Marine! When I finally spoke with Warren, I could hear him typing in the background, and it dawned on me—he was Googling me, just as I was Googling him. His first words to me were, "You can't interview the Marine." I didn’t back down, and we arranged to meet the next day. Because of my custody situation, I insisted on starting as friends. Warren didn’t give up, though, and months later, he went on a date with someone else. That was the tipping point for me—I couldn’t stand the thought of losing him. We started dating immediately, and the rest, as they say, is history. Over a decade later, we’re still married, and our son sees Warren as his only father. He’s in the process of adopting him, something I will forever be grateful for. This military life is challenging, but no other man has shown me the patience and unwavering support Warren has. Through every trial life has thrown at us, he’s been right by my side—standing firm, steadfast, and always ready to face whatever comes next. I did get that interview with the female Marine. So I got my story, and I got the Marine, too.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I served in the Air Force after graduating high school and cherished my short time in the military, only leaving when I became a mom, which I'm even more proud of. I’m proud to stand by my Marine husband as he continues his 20+ year journey in the military. Together, we've touched every branch of the military except the Coast Guard—through my civilian jobs with the Navy and the Army, and my service in Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. I provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to cadets, and have worked with two cadets to assist them in receiving appointments to Military Academies. I’ve led initiatives that promote leadership and discipline, including creating the first-ever Cadet Public Affairs Program for our Wing. I’ve demonstrated leadership through organizing food drives, military ball dress collections, and mentoring cadets, all while working to build a stronger, more supportive community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Each year, regardless of our base assignment, I organize a military ball dress drive to help service members’ families with the resources they need for special events. I've also participated in food drives at Camp Pendleton, supporting local military families. Through my creation of Sgt. BARK, I aim to protect children by teaching parents how to have age-appropriate conversations about sexual abuse. As a certified instructor for Darkness to Light, I offer child sexual abuse prevention classes to military families at no cost, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their children. Additionally, as a volunteer Lt. Col. with Civil Air Patrol, I contribute to the community by mentoring cadets, promoting leadership development, and advocating for service and discipline. My efforts are dedicated to strengthening the military community and supporting military families in meaningful ways.

Describe how you support your community:
As a volunteer as a Civil Air Patrol Deputy Commander, I dedicate my time to fostering leadership, discipline, and personal growth in youth through mentoring and advocacy. I volunteer a minimum of 20 hours a week, working closely with cadets to help them develop the skills they need to succeed both in the military and civilian spheres. By providing guidance and opportunities for growth, I empower them to become the next generation of leaders. My work promotes inclusiveness and community-building, career development and aerospace and emergency services education. Through my efforts in mentoring and community service, I strive to create a positive, lasting influence, not only within the Civil Air Patrol but across the broader military spouse and family network.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for combating sexual assault and child sexual abuse, especially in military communities, which I believe are among the greatest challenges we face today. With my husband, we co-created Sgt BARK to help parents have age-appropriate conversations with their children about these critical issues. Through our Sgt BARK coloring books and my certification as an instructor for Darkness to Light, I teach free child sexual abuse prevention classes, focusing on military families and providing the tools to protect children. My personal connection to this cause drives my passion to support and empower families. I also advocate for childhood trauma recovery, believing that addressing these issues early can pave the way for healing and resilience. My efforts aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of military families, helping them protect their children and build a future free from the scars of abuse.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I’ve spread the message of my advocacy through a combination of media engagement and public speaking over the last 15 years. I’ve participated in dozens of interviews, including high-profile appearances with Elizabeth Smart's podcast, HBO and CNN, where I’ve discussed the importance of preventing sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Through these platforms, I’ve been able to raise awareness about the unique challenges military families face and the steps parents can take to protect their children. I’ve actively worked with media outlets to highlight these issues, particularly focusing on childhood trauma recovery. Whether through interviews or public talks and working with schools to talk to children of all ages at age-appropriate levels. I also participate in pageantry to demonstrate that married women can use their platforms to amplify their voices, advocate for important causes, and empower themselves in the process.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
With the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® title, I hope to amplify my advocacy for military families, particularly in the areas of child protection and trauma recovery. I aim to expand the reach of Sgt. BARK and child sexual abuse prevention efforts, helping more families safeguard their children through education and support. Additionally, I want to elevate the conversation around the challenges military spouses face, from leadership opportunities to emotional resilience, and provide more resources for empowerment and connection. I also hope to inspire other spouses to use their voices for change and lead initiatives that make a positive impact within their communities. Ultimately, I seek to create a lasting legacy of support, advocacy, and empowerment for military spouses and their families across all branches of service.