Melissa Purnell

Share your military spouse story:
As a military spouse for 11 years, my journey has been quite the adventure! It all started in Bethesda, MD, where I met my husband during the merger of Walter Reed Army Hospital and the National Naval Medical Center. Who knew that a night out with mutual friends would lead to a love story filled with excitement?! After we connected, we quickly became inseparable. Just as we were settling into our relationship, Justin received orders for his next duty station. I expressed my desire for commitment and a career that would allow me to follow him wherever the wind took him. Nine months later, during a romantic trip to New York City, he proposed. Shortly after, I landed a job in the Medical Device industry that supported my career while accommodating our military lifestyle! Luck was on our side! Our first duty station was NAS Jacksonville, where I learned all about military spouse life. Four years later, with a son and another child on the way, we received orders to Camp Pendleton. Here I joined a spouse moms' group, which helped me understand the importance of community and the type of role model I wanted to be as a military spouse—what a valuable lesson in camaraderie! Next, we were stationed at Quantico, where we fully embraced living life on base. Then with a quick return to Camp Pendleton, I learned about true friendship and discovered the joy of volunteering, advocacy, and cultivating community. Now at Naval Station Newport, my focus is on giving back and fostering a welcoming community. I actively volunteer at my kids' schools, take on leadership roles, and advocate for positive change with enthusiasm. I was even able to mentor a high school military kid for her senior project. I also work for our church part time and own a micro bakery where a majority of my clients are military affiliated. Every twist and turn of this military journey has shaped me into a passionate advocate, and I look forward to the next chapter!

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I have held various leadership roles within the military community, including serving as the resident advisory board member at Camp Pendleton, being the voice of our community, and as the Northeastern region Chapter Lead with the Rosie Network, teaching military entrepreneurs to create pitch decks. My most significant roles have been as the vice president and now president of the Military Spouses of Newport, where I focus on building community and camaraderie among the military spouses at Naval Station Newport. Leading by example, I ensure everyone feels included and supported, especially since many spouses face challenges in making friends during their short stay. Additionally, I have teamed up with another military spouse to help support military spouse entrepreneurs with educational meet ups. I also utilize my bakery to deliver orders to the Naval Academy Prep (NAPS) students and organize care packages, providing a rewarding way to uplift their spirits.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I have been devoted to fostering community and camaraderie among military spouses by volunteering with the Military Spouses of Newport. I’ve helped welcome over 131 new spouses this year, organized social events (now run by our new social chair), and organized 5 service projects this year. We will have hosted 94 events as of March 1, 2025, and 81 events in 2023-24, both a significant increase from 39 in 2022-23, all enhancing community bonds, achieving a 36.5% growth in our community for 2024. I also played a role in awarding $20,000 in scholarships for military dependents and $5,000 in community grants in 2024. Furthermore, I have actively served as a chapter lead for the Rosie Network over the past two years, and now collaborating with another spouse to launch a local entrepreneur group, creating a supportive network for military entrepreneurs.My commitment extends to my bakery, where I strive to make events a bit sweeter, particularly for military families & NAPS students.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community by fostering connection and community through many avenues. In September, our spouses club welcomed over 131 spouses new to the area at our annual welcome social with 21 community sponsors. We continue to organize a diverse range of events that allow spouses to connect & strengthen their community ties.Our club is inclusive of spouses from all backgrounds, including a few male members. I specifically lead activities such as coffee meetups, bunco nights, baking classes, & freezer meal events, all of which I try to tie in local businesses. Additionally, I support my community through my bakery by participating in farmers markets, teaching decorating classes, & serving military & NAPS families, having delivered treats for 80 NAPS students in 2024. I also dedicate my time to volunteering at my children's schools, serving as the team mom for my daughter's cheer team, teaching confirmation faith formation classes, mentoring, & working part-time in our church rectory.

What do you advocate for? Why?
Community & connection are vital in navigating the challenges & experiences that come with military life.The frequent relocations, long deployments, & unpredictable schedules can be incredibly isolating, making it essential for military spouses to have a strong support network.Having faced exclusion myself, I strive to be inclusive & ensure everyone knows they have a friend. I strongly advocate for community, camaraderie, inclusion, and supporting each other. We are all military spouses, and even if that’s our only shared trait, it should be enough to welcome others into our community. Camaraderie among military spouses also empowers individuals to advocate for their families' needs, engage in meaningful social activities, & build lasting friendships that provide support during both the highs & lows of military life.This network not only enhances the well-being of the spouses themselves but also contributes positively to the morale & resilience of the entire military family unit.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
Sharing the values of community and camaraderie has been rewarding, and I've used various methods to express this message. One way is by action: organizing local events, such as coffee meet ups, freezer meal meet ups, bunco nights, and service projects, which offer opportunities for spouses to connect and collaborate on common goals. Additionally, harnessing the power of email newsletters & social media platforms allows for the sharing of inspiring stories & initiatives that encourage others to participate in the previously mentioned community-building activities. Volunteering for the local schools & our church also sets a positive example & demonstrates the value of working together towards a shared purpose. Lastly, fostering open communication & inclusivity within my networks, whether in working in my church, my business, my children’s schools, or social circles, I try to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued & motivated to contribute to the community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As a community leader, my mission is to motivate, give back, and inspire others. Should I have the honor of the AFI MSOY title, my goal would be to help military spouses build their communities. I would strive to create a strong sense of community among all military spouses, promoting inclusivity for everyone. Additionally, I would like to organize welcome events, purposeful activities, and team building activities at different commands that help other spouses connect and build a supportive network, empowering others to build lasting relationships and find strength in unity. By establishing mentorship programs, I would encourage experienced spouses to share their knowledge and insights with newcomers, fostering growth and confidence within the community. By highlighting and celebrating the diverse talents and contributions of military spouses, I hope to create a culture of appreciation and recognition.