Meljun Kruk

Share your military spouse story:
I am a resilient military spouse of 22 years who developed resiliency through my challenges and failures, who loves to educate and support other military spouses, who loves empowering others to do better, and who loves to support my family and my surrounding community. I have always believed that "things happen for a reason" and through a mutual friend, I met my husband during my senior year of high school. We exchanged only a brief "Hi" and never saw each other again until seven years later—it was meant to be. Without hesitation, I put my college education on hold and moved to Oregon to support him through his architecture degree. Soon after he graduated, we got married, and he joined the United States Air Force. As a supportive spouse, I adapted quickly as we built our family. Despite the challenges of having no support nearby, I always maintained an optimistic outlook, making the best of every situation. Fifteen years flew by with our family growing from three to five and after putting my education on hold, I successfully earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Admin/Management. Initially shy and having a difficult time making friends, I became a Key Spouse, which allowed me to connect with the military community. These experiences have strengthened my confidence, resilience, and support not just for our family but also for the surrounding community. Throughout our military journey, our three children have embraced the military lifestyle and as they grew older, they have consistently supported me in my endeavors, bringing joy and happiness to military families. From having minimal support during my early years of military life to now being surrounded by my husband and three children, who stand by my side as we make a difference together, I couldn't ask for anything more. I have embraced my challenges and failures, which have led me to new beginnings filled with strength, confidence, and happiness that I never thought I could achieve.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I love meeting other military spouses and learning about their families, hearing their stories, and helping them connect with others. I have never thought of myself as a leader in the traditional sense; rather, I see myself as an influential guide who inspires, encourages adventure, values connections, and is passionate about supporting others. In 2018, I took on the role of Key Spouse Mentor for the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Space Force Base. As a people person, I recruited and mentored seven Key Spouses, more than we ever expected. It profoundly impacted both my husband and me when our time at Buckley came to an end. The entire unit and spouses expressed how they had always been told by other leadership that "we are family," but it never felt authentic until now. This was the first time they truly felt like a family. I never knew how much impact I had on those I met until that experience. It was a powerful reminder of the influence we can have on each other's lives.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I am actively involved in the military community, you could almost say it is my second family; from being involved in multiple branch spouses' clubs, executing events with the Force Support Squadron, hosting activities at the United Service Organizations USO, helping military families pack, and more! My goal is to provide impactful experiences for the military community that boost their morale, connect them with the local community, and help build their self-confidence to step outside their comfort zone. I found my calling at the USO, where I serve as a Senior Operations Specialist focusing on creating innovative and impactful programs for our service members and families. Since 2021, I have catered to over 100,000 military members and their families through my programs. I have connected and supported over 1,000 spouses, helping them access the resources they need, meet other spouses, and help them gain self-confidence and strength as they transition to this large city.

Describe how you support your community:
I am committed to educating and connecting my community through my work with the military. I strive to showcase the unique skills and qualities of service members and spouses. My center at the USO, is the largest center in the world dedicated to serving wounded, ill, and injured troops, also hosts the first Remote Workspace specifically for military spouses. Supporting my community comes naturally; I am always ready to lend a hand, both professionally and personally. I’ve built relationships with community partners, helping them understand our military community, and in turn, they have supported over 100 of my programs. From the beginning of my military journey, I’ve sought to strengthen our community by volunteering in various capacities. I have served as a Girl Scouts Troop Leader for a military Girl Scouts association and worked with military school liaisons from elementary through high school. In total, I have donated over 1,000 hours of my time to nurture and support my community.

What do you advocate for? Why?
Building strong connections among military families is essential for fostering resiliency. Many military families don’t know the programs and benefits that are in place to help them and many military spouses are just waiting to take that first step and looking for someone to cheer them on. Every military move we are challenged with adjusting to a new environment, forming new friendships, rebuilding a support system, and navigating the uncertainties of a new military job. This is why advocating for mental wellness, self-care, and connections is important to me. Coping with stress while caring for your family, relocating to a new city, and trying to remain resilient in front of everyone can be overwhelming. On top of that, finding time for ourselves to rejuvenate, maintain a healthy routine, or enjoy a hobby often takes a back seat. Every day at work and on my personal time, I aim to approach these issues in a thoughtful way that fosters support, kindness, inspiration, and motivation.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I know the feeling that many spouses go through when meeting new people as I too was apprehensive in the very beginning as a military spouse putting myself out there in an unfamiliar place and surrounding. With every program I plan at the USO, I strive to make them innovative, creative, and meaningful. My goal is to address mental wellness, self-care, and connection among the military community, without being too overt about it. One way I help spouses connect with their community is by teaching them how to navigate the Washington Metro Train. Moving to the DMV area can be intimidating, especially when it comes to driving. By educating them on Metro etiquette and how to ride the train safely, I empower them to explore the community and boosting their confidence to navigate their surroundings is more impactful than one might realize. I feel privileged to have the flexibility to tailor my work to make a meaningful impact on military families and to advocate for what I am passionate about.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected for the AFI Military Spouse of the Year title, my passion and goal would be to inspire military spouses about the opportunities and abundant resources available to them, while also fostering meaningful connections within the community. With 22 years as a military wife and mother, I have experienced many challenges, struggles, adventures, and uncertainties that come with military life. One of the biggest challenges I hear from spouses across all branches is finding connections within their military community branch, as well as navigating education, opportunities, childcare, and more. Regardless of our branch, we are all military spouses striving for what we believe in. I aim to be a source of inspiration, motivating them and helping them gain the strength and confidence to realize that no matter who they are or where they are in life, they matter. I want to encourage them to take full advantage of the beauty and adventure the military life has to offer them.