Selina Parker

Share your military spouse story:
Being a Navy spouse was not in my life plan. Actually, leaving Texas was not in my life plan. I intended to stay planted where God first put me, and while a scholarship to the University of Tulsa lured me across state lines, I was sure it was only temporary. Then I met my husband. We married midway through my senior year, just six days after his graduation from OCS and immediately before he left for his next training. I stayed behind to finish my nursing degree, then boarded a plane for VA. Far from returning to my home state, I embarked on a journey that would introduce me to new parts of the country, the world, and myself. Arriving in Virginia Beach at the age of 22, I realized I knew nothing about military life or how to “be” a military spouse. To change that, I barged into every support office I could find, shook a lot of hands, and asked a lot of questions. Though lacking subtlety, the strategy served me well. I left Virginia Beach with a greater understanding of the role I played and a desire to support other spouses entering the same waters. In the 12 years since, I have found many opportunities to serve fellow military spouses. I quickly jumped into volunteering with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, where I've served almost 9 years, including in 3 overseas duty stations. My professional work as a WIC nurse has also been direct service to military families. Ultimately, I’ve discovered my particular passion for guiding military families who are entering the ultimate uncharted waters: new parenthood! I became a Certified Lactation Counselor, and there is little I enjoy more than offering my expertise and compassion as mothers learn to feed their infants. (Now, I’m the one answering questions!) In 12 years, I have moved six times, given birth twice, and made countless friends. Being a Navy spouse wasn’t part of my life plan, but it has expanded my world more than I could have imagined. I am very grateful.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I excel in providing guidance to families and individuals in new or stressful situations. As Command Ombudsman for NAVCENT at NSA Bahrain I served as the source of emergency and crisis information to base community, most notably during a possible mass dependent evacuation. Through the American Red Cross I managed a total of 34 hospital volunteers at medical facilities at both Yokota Air Base and NSA Bahrain as Hospital Chairman, increasing the ability of the medical facilities while empowering military spouses to receive vital professional experience. I was recognized for my efforts and commitment through the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year award for the Mediterranean Region, along with the European Adult Volunteer of the Year. I have also been awarded Volunteer of the Quarter for the Far East Division on two separate occasions.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Most of my professional nursing career has been closely intertwined with the military community. I worked as a RN on the MSU- the only inpatient unit at Yokota Air Base Medical Facility- as both a volunteer nurse for 77 shifts and as a paid staff member for one year. I have most recently served as a WIC-O (Women, Infant & Children Program- Overseas) nurse at NSA Bahrain and CFA Yokosuka. WIC- O specifically works with DoD families, both military and civilian. I have been especially grateful for the the chance to advocate for military families to receive affordable and healthy foods and to provide a space for families to grow and celebrate becoming new parents. In addition to my professional nursing experience, I have also been involved in the military community as a dedicated American Red Cross volunteer and have previously volunteered as a case worker for NMCRS. I have given 2,000+ hours of my volunteer time to the military community. I cannot wait to see where my next 2,000 lead!

Describe how you support your community:
I have offered the majority of my professional nursing career (as well as the entirety of my volunteer life) in support of the military community. One instance that I hold very near to my heart was not as a paid worker or even as a volunteer, but simply as a friend. Immediately before I left Japan, I heard that a friend had gone into labor and would deliver her child prematurely, while her spouse was deployed. I went to visit her in the hospital and unwittingly walked in as she was mid-labor! Not only did the Japanese medical team let me stay, but I was able to act as doula for my friend. To me, staying by her side and getting to celebrate her as she welcomed her beautiful baby was the epitome of military community life. We all support each other through some of the hardest, biggest times in our lives while our spouses and loved ones may be oceans away.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for both military members and military spouses to have breastfeeding spaces, education and rights. Military families, especially overseas, have a limited number of options when it comes to breastfeeding classes and support. I advocate for breastfeeding rooms to be welcoming, comfortable, safe and private—more than just a small space to pump and nurse. I also advocate for parents who choose formula to have the access and support to feed their children with affordable and safely prepared infant formula.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
In Bahrain I was regularly interviewed on AFN radio regarding nutrition, including the promotion of breastfeeding and pumping. I hosted the first ever Breastfeeding Week celebration for CFA Yokosuka, inviting service members and families to celebrate, learn, and support each other. At Yokota, I wrote a grant letter and obtained funding to found a hospital lactation room. At Yokosuka I was subject matter expert in the creation of a breastfeeding/ pumping room in the base library, coordinating funding, providing guidance on room set up and features. I taught several focused and base-wide breastfeeding and pumping education classes at NSA Bahrain and CFA Yokosuka. I also coordinated between the commissary and families during worldwide formula shortages. While I have only been at Scott AFB since January 2025, I have already begun preparing to further my education as a IBCLC to better support my community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
Nearly a quarter of military households experience food scarcity, which impacts not only the service member, but also the youngest and most vulnerable population: infants. I hope to advocate for all military parents to have the choices, means, and support to safely feed their infants and children. I will represent both breastfeeding and formula feeding families. I will advocate for expanded support for military members and spouses to safely express milk at work. Many military installations still lack proper lactation spaces, often just a supply closet doubling as a "pumping room." The AFI Military Spouse of the Year title would compound my efforts, extending my reach and ability to support and connect military parents with the infant nutrition services they need.