Krysti Pereira

Share your military spouse story:
My military story started back in 1998 when I was the 20 year old girlfriend of a Marine. After getting engaged, my spouse chose to move to the Coast Guard. Upon graduating boot camp we headed to his first duty station on the other side of the U.S.. This was all before cell phones and social media was still in it's infancy. I was in a new town with no friends, no job, did not know how to connect with resources and way too much time on my hands. Next duty station took us OCONUS and I knew I needed to find my way in the world as my spouse learned his rating and had a rotating schedule. It was HARD! I found friends and we decided to ask for an extension. Back to the lower 48 and celebrating my spouse working his way up the ranks. Our first child was born and I quickly realized I didn't fit in with my partying friends. Shortly after that we headed back OCONUS and I found my people through playgroups and mom's days out. I was finding my place in the world. Three years later and another kid on the hip we were headed California. I was just learning all the things that social media could do to connect families. I joined a local military spouse page and started creating events for spouses to get together. Having littles at home who also needed friends, I opened my home for Friday Coffee's and Playdates. Sometimes we stayed at the house so the kids could play in the other room while all the mom's connected. I found my tribe! I wanted to give back and make sure families were not feeling the struggles I felt in my early years and became the Base Ombudsman. Time to PCS to a year with the Army for school and I continued to open my home and create events for spouses and families to get together and make connections. Next duty station we are again with another branch and making the connections was important. Then Covid! I found an organization that allowed me to mentor other spouses. Now I work for a nonprofit supporting military families! I have found my place and my people.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I am currently a mentor to other Coast Guard spouses through Military Spouse Advocacy Network. This has been a great opportunity to learn about resources and share them with our spouses. I share on a regular basis encouraging connection with other spouses across the country and the world. I work to make sure our spouses feel supported.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I have been active with our local Coast Guard Spouses Club, including sitting on the board. I am also active in events across the 12 local bases and stations where I live. I have relationships with different commands, EFMP programs, Gold Star Families, and Veteran groups.

Describe how you support your community:
I chose to work for Blue Star Families. This allows me to connect with families across all the branches. As a Program Manager, my job is to provide opportunities and resources so families can thrive wherever they live.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for military spouse connection. I know how lonely military life can feel. Through connection families can feel supported and lead to increased retention across the branches.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I think I have spread my message through the job I chose at Blue Star Families and the way I support the families I come into contact with.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to spread education of resources to help spouses feel connected across the Coast Guard and other branches. We don't know what we don't know and having a friend share their knowledge can make or break how we feel about a duty station.