Katie Prill

Share your military spouse story:
Becoming an Air Force spouse at 22 shaped every facet of who I am today. Now, almost 17 years later, I look back in awe at the journey. When I was 18, I earned an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Marquette University and planned to join the Air Force myself. But life had other plans—an autoimmune diagnosis in my second semester of nursing school shifted my path, leading me to support the military in a different way. I met my future spouse during that season of change, and together, we embarked on this incredible, unpredictable life. Through six PCS moves, two deployments, and countless TDYs, I’ve learned resilience, adaptability, and the power of community. One of the most challenging moments came when we navigated a PCS on short notice, just two months after my spouse returned from a deployment. And leading through difficult times, including the COVID era, required a level of strength I didn’t know I had. I’m proud of the ways I’ve turned challenges into opportunities. When we PCS’d during COVID, I reinvented myself by starting my small business, which has become a way to connect, inspire, and support others. As a former key spouse mentor, I had the privilege of leading and mentoring squadron spouses, helping them navigate their own unique journeys. These roles taught me that showing up for others is one of the most impactful ways to serve. I also know the value of persistence. Living with an autoimmune disease, I’ve had to navigate the daily challenges of an invisible illness while balancing the demands of military life. But I continue to show up for my family, my business, and my community. More than anything, I believe in collaboration. Whether cheering on fellow military spouse entrepreneurs, sharing resources, or answering questions, I believe that when one of us shines, we all do. This journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth every pivot, challenge, and triumph.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
As a military spouse, I’ve had the privilege of serving in multiple leadership roles. From 2020 to 2022, I supported my husband as a command spouse while he led a squadron through one of the more challenging times—COVID restrictions. Together, we found creative ways to safely unite our squadron families and maintain a sense of connection despite the physical distance. Toward the end of his command, the squadron experienced a difficult loss. With the guidance of other leadership spouses, I helped support the airmen and their families through that heartbreaking time, ensuring they felt cared for and not alone. As a business owner of 4.5 years, I lead by being transparent about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, offering guidance to other military spouse entrepreneurs both on social media and within the Spouse-ly vendor community. I’ve also volunteered for Blue Star Families to host Coffee Connect events and write for the Military Mom Collective.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I believe involvement in the military community begins with showing up with an open mind and being willing to help find solutions. Over the years, my roles have evolved, but my commitment to supporting the military community has remained constant. I continue to write for the Military Mom Collective, sharing my experiences to uplift and inform fellow spouses. Within the Spouse-ly Vendor Community, I actively engage by answering questions and mentoring other military spouse entrepreneurs, providing guidance and encouragement to those just starting their journeys. While I am not currently in active installation-based roles at this time, I remain dedicated to supporting the military spouse community through mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy. I look forward to volunteering again when we reach our next duty station.

Describe how you support your community:
I am passionate about empowering and supporting military spouses, especially through transparency and sharing my own journey. I recently released a product line for my small business called the “Unapologetically You” Collection that celebrates the power of showing up as your authentic self, reminding others that they are enough just as they are. I frequently share content that encourages spouses to strive for growth while also incorporating humor to lighten the mood. I also support military families by raising more awareness about the current PCS contract issue, using my social media to inform others and encourage action. I believe in the power of small, meaningful actions, showing that even if you’re not advocating on Capitol Hill, your efforts to uplift and support others can have a big impact. Whether through social media or my volunteer work, I strive to create a community where no spouse feels alone and everyone is empowered to take action.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am passionate about advocating for military spouse employment reform. After spending almost 12 years as a nurse, I faced constant challenges with every PCS, from being passed over for jobs to struggling with the complicated and expensive process of licensure transfer. I know firsthand the struggle of high unemployment and underemployment rates among military spouses and want to raise awareness about the need for change. I’ve shared my journey publicly, not only to show that entrepreneurship can be an alternative but also to demonstrate how companies can and should hire military spouses. Through my social media, I’ve recently featured 10 military spouses who chose entrepreneurship to support their families when traditional employment wasn’t their best option anymore. My goal is to encourage more spouses to consider entrepreneurship, while also advocating for companies to hire military spouses who show up every day to support their families.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I actively spread the message of my advocacy by being transparent about my journey as both a military spouse and entrepreneur. I’ve shared my experiences and insights through various platforms, including Military Families Magazine, where I was featured in the Entrepreneurship Toolkit issue. I’ve also contributed to blog posts, offering advice and perspectives on navigating life as a military spouse and pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. On social media, I consistently share the highs and lows of my journey, encouraging others to see that they’re not alone in their struggles. I’ve been interviewed for podcasts, such as Red, White, and Boo, Veteran Voices by Vets2Industry, I’mPossible Podcast, and The Unspoken Life of the Military Wife, discussing topics like military spouse employment, entrepreneurship, and career challenges. I’m also preparing to speak at an upcoming online event focused on entrepreneurship and careers during PCSing, continuing to amplify these important conversations.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If awarded the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® title, I would continue to raise awareness about the high unemployment and underemployment rate among military spouses. I aim to use this platform to pull back the curtain on the challenges we face and share resources that make entrepreneurship a viable, accessible option. My vision includes creating bite-sized, digestible content dedicated to military spouse employment reform, helping others understand the issues without feeling overwhelmed. I hope to collaborate with larger military spouse organizations and influencers to amplify this cause. While I don’t have the largest following, I know that small steps, like raising awareness and creating community, can lead to meaningful change. I want military spouses to know that they don’t have to hold big titles to make a difference—we can all play a part in advocating for each other’s success.