Nadine Rodriguez

Share your military spouse story:
I'm an Army spouse, mom, educator, and solopreneur whose journey began with a twist of fate. When I met my husband, I was adamantly focused on my plan to pursue my master's degree in the United States and wasn't looking for a relationship. In fact, I initially turned down his dinner invitation, worried that a relationship might derail my dreams. One date later, though, I found myself falling for someone who, contrary to my fears, would become my biggest champion and supporter. After years of long-distance dating, we married, and I discovered that military life, while challenging, opened unexpected doors. With my master's in criminal justice completed, I began a humbling career journey that included roles I never imagined for myself - from Corrections Officer to Prison Counselor and Crime Analyst, and yes, even returning to waitressing at one point. Looking back, every step, even the challenging ones, formed a crucial part of my path. These experiences led to founding Applied Justice Solutions LLC, where I help transform criminal justice and behavioral health organizations through data-driven solutions and professional training. My focus remains on evidence-based, trauma-informed practices that build safer communities. As we moved from duty station to duty station, I realized that self-employment offered the flexibility I needed. This journey inspired me to write "Create Your Own Mold: A Military Spouse Guidebook for Freelancers, Consultants, and Solopreneurs," born from my desire to help other military spouses who, like me, were seeking careers that could thrive amid military life's uncertainties. In 2020, I founded the Military Spouses in Criminal Justice Facebook group, creating a space for others in our unique field. Through one-on-one mentoring, I've found my calling in helping other military spouses navigate their own paths to fulfilling careers.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
My leadership is grounded in mentorship and fostering resilience. My book, "Create Your Own Mold: A Military Spouse Guidebook for Freelancers, Consultants, and Solopreneurs," was born from my desire to support military spouses on a larger scale when I could no longer maintain individual mentoring. When I volunteered with Vets2Industry, I helped organize networking events connecting military community members with valuable resources and mentorship opportunities. In 2020, I founded the Military Spouses in Criminal Justice Facebook group, which has grown to over 500 members, providing a supportive space for career development in the field. I also offered workshops for military spouses exploring self-employment, covering topics from building mobile careers to navigating licensing requirements. These workshops included practical exercises like pricing strategies and helping spouses develop sustainable businesses aligned with military life.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My involvement in the military community stems from a passion for helping spouses build meaningful careers. As a Vets2Industry volunteer, I helped organize networking events and supported the organization behind the scenes. I've guided spouses through countless one-on-one conversations through their career journeys and military life challenges. I founded the Military Spouses in Criminal Justice Facebook group to provide resources and networking opportunities for those in the field. When growing responsibilities limited my ability to mentor individually, I published "Create Your Own Mold" to help military spouses build flexible, mobile careers. I've also served in unit-level volunteer roles as Key Caller and Meal Train Coordinator. Throughout all these efforts, my focus remains on fostering connections and providing practical support to help military spouses overcome obstacles and thrive.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community by sharing knowledge, fostering connections, and providing practical tools for career success. My focus is on advocacy and education, helping military spouses discover available resources and find their unique path. Through my book, mentoring, volunteering, and the Military Spouses in Criminal Justice group, I help military spouses navigate career transitions and build resilience. I believe in empowering our community by ensuring they're aware of and can access the many resources available to them, while helping each spouse develop their own unique approach to building a sustainable career within the military lifestyle.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for military spouse career empowerment, focusing particularly on entrepreneurship and non-traditional career paths. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of maintaining a career while navigating military life, I understand that traditional employment often doesn't align with our lifestyle. I'm passionate about helping spouses discover flexible career options and build sustainable businesses that move with them. I also advocate for better access to and awareness of existing resources. Many military spouses don't know about the numerous free resources and opportunities available to them. Through my book, mentoring efforts, and the Military Spouses in Criminal Justice community, I help bridge this knowledge gap. I believe that with the right information and support, military spouses can build fulfilling careers that complement rather than conflict with military life.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I spread my message through strategic engagement across multiple platforms. My book, "Create Your Own Mold," serves as a comprehensive guide for military spouses seeking entrepreneurial careers. I foster direct connections through in-person mentoring and maintain an active presence on LinkedIn and Facebook, where I share resources and career development strategies. The Military Spouses in Criminal Justice Facebook group, which I founded, has become a community where spouses share opportunities and navigate careers in the field. I've also expanded my reach through an appearance on The (Humble) Warrior Podcast, where I share insights. Through these channels, I empower spouses to recognize their potential and create sustainable careers that align with military life.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
Having faced my own struggles as an international student turned military spouse entrepreneur, I know firsthand how daunting it can feel to build a career within military life. I want to show fellow spouses that their career challenges can transform into opportunities. Whether it's a PCS derailing their career plans or licensing requirements blocking their path, I want to help them find creative solutions. I've sat where many spouses sit now, wondering if a fulfilling career is possible while supporting their service member. Through this platform, I want to reach these spouses and show them that yes, it absolutely is possible - whether through entrepreneurship, remote work, or other non-traditional paths. I want to share the lessons from my own journey, connect spouses with existing resources they might not know about, and most importantly, empower them to write their own success stories. Every military spouse deserves to have both: a career they love and a thriving family life.