Kristin Gandy

Share your military spouse story:
If I had a theme for my spouse story, it's probably "jump in with both feet." My husband & I met in high school, dated each other's friends and kept in touch. When he came back to town with 20 extra lbs. of muscle in those air force blues, I was a goner. After a few years of on again/off again, when I graduated college, I moved into his apartment while he was still on his first deployment. We spent 2 years in Tucson, and I ran a day camp for young adults with special needs. In a span of 4 months we got engaged, got married, he deployed again, and then we moved to Okinawa. Back then, we could only talk for a few minutes every few weeks, so I learned about the PCS process all by myself. There I met my mentor, a brand new air force wife and commander spouse who encouraged me to embrace the challenges of this life. I'll never forget my first night in Oki. After dropping our bags and changing, we immediately met everyone in the squadron and ate fresh-caught fish on someone's porch. The 17th was incredibly tight-knit as we became each other's second family. Hanging off the back of a C-130, seeing the blue waters of Oki from my husband's plane is one of my top life experiences . I worked for DODEA until we had our first kiddo. Then we struck gold twice, and he caught orders to GK. Living on base versus living in "real" Germany was a big adjustment. For a year, we shared a car, so I had to deal with isolation and toddlerhood, and the darkness of German winters all at the same time. But there was also chocolate and Christmas markets and literally the most amazing windows ever created, the BEST AFRC staff, and the pure joy of walking all over the place. Most Sundays, we walked through our village under a beautiful canopy of trees to a little restaurant on the Dutch border and had the most amazing breakfast. We got orders to Georgia, and it grew on me. I found a local moms group (founded by milspouses!), and they've been my new second family for six years.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
As a key support liaison, I lead by example. But it doesn't come about in a big bang, but rather in the tiny moments: a meal during a rough time, making someone feel welcome, answering questions about things I've learned, and helping others find the humor in our way of life. Additionally, I encourage other spouses to soak up the culture of wherever they are: snorkel and eat sushi and do the tug of war in Oki, Live life outdoors in Germany (just bring appropriate clothing) , hike the desert beauty in Tucson, and embrace the shrimp n grits in Georgia (try it with cheese and red pepper). Even the worst places have something new you've never seen before and it's fun to step out of your comfort zone, even just a little. Authenticity is also key. I don't hide behind platitudes when I'm struggling with any of the things we deal with: loneliness, isolation, anxiety, frustration, limbo, anger.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Key Spouse/Support Liaison in 4 different squadrons across 3 different majcoms: AFSOC, ACC and AFDW (NATO) International Spouses' Club- NATO Airbase, GK- American rep. (1 year) DODEA- Interrelated Paraprofessional, Kadena High School

Describe how you support your community:
Through my work as a member and a part of the leadership team of MOMS Club of Warner Robins, we've created a community for 300 spouses over the span of my six years in the club. We have raised money for Rainbow House of Warner Robins, several children with medical complications and terminal diagnoses, and we operate a little free pantry that fosters community support for the food-insecure. Additionally, I was part of a team that sent meals home with food -insecure children over weekends and long breaks. Finally, as a woman with cerebral palsy, I've given several presentations about my life with CP to local elementary students, and written an article for The Mighty.

What do you advocate for? Why?
The biggest issue I've faced is access to the quality of resources we're supposed to have. I was particularly vocal about a military doctor who was a poor fit for several military spouses in my unit. I fought with more than A&FRC rep about making their space more friendly to families and spouses. I reached out to a local karate school who did Parents' Nights Out about partnering with the base when the CDC couldn't provide Give Parents a Break or Childcare for PCS. Working in DODEA, I knew fantastic milspouses who couldn't get full benefits as teachers because they were already command-sponsored as spouses. It's about more than just checking the box that "this base provides --- service," but that it's truly the same quality or more suited to our lifestyle than what someone could get comparably off base. As our military continues to privatize these services, we need to ensure that those receiving the contracts are worthy of them.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
While I haven't spoken or written directly with any media about access to resources, I have used my connections in the local community to find work-arounds for common problems, such as access to childcare. As a board member of MOMS Club, I leverage social media to encourage participation and raise awareness for our charitable causes. I have also written about MOMS Club in a local print magazine, and made presentations to other organizations as a representative of the club.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As a disabled woman, I hope to show the world that military spouses from any background can make an impact in their corner of the world. I also hope to work to change the mindset of "good enough for government work" to "we should prioritize the health and well-being of people who have chosen to serve their country," even if that means we have to think outside the box or offer choices from the local community when the base services fall short.