Shaun Beal

Share your military spouse story:
When my wife joined the Military nearly twenty-four years ago. I desperately searched for someone that looked like me. As stay-at-home father "Mr. Mom" i was completely clueless about military life. In this crash course of making new friends, being a new father and the TOKEN guy. I learned that people are highly judgmental, mean and often terrified about their own relationships to allow a GUY to join in at Mom's Day out, Play Groups and the traditional "Wives Clubs". That feeling of being isolated and unworthy to be included or invited to join in tainted many years of life. I felt like the scary Monster that men where jealous of and women where scared of. In reality I just like many of them horribly lonely, stressed out and depressed. Eleven years ago, I was blessed to be given the opportunity to attempt to the leadership spouse, I wished would have invited me to the military spouse community. To be that person that welcomed new families, with a tour of the community, made cupcakes and birthday cards for every active-duty member and their loved ones. Holiday cards to make their squadron feel more like a family instead of just a job. Along that journey there have been a few that have taken the risk to ask who I really am. Some really disliked me. Many more now know that I will be there when they say "I need help." I personally feel there is nothing really special about me to justify the honor of being nominated as AFI Military Spouse of the Year. Yet, I made a promise to a Group Chief Master Sergeant years ago. He told me that if anyone ever takes the time publics recognize me ever again, I better accept and be humble. Because they see something in you that is worthy of their time to submit your name. So Chief! Here I am! Humbling asking for others to believe in me as you did years ago. For many years I have been afraid to share my story yet today I am comfortably uncomfortable and willing to take on a new adventure.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
The military spouse community is an incredible group of people that everyday go above and beyond to make a difference for others. My network was tasked to make a transatlantic uniform miracle. My team of spouses working across three time zones made sure kindness was paid forward. I served as a connector for two of my friends Kate and Heba to make sure a traveling military member would land and have the needed uniform piece to be in regulation. Without their help we would not have had the success of making this mission happen. My three keys to successful leadership have always been 1. Learn everything you can as often as possible. 2. Who you know is more important than, what you know. 3. Having the perfect timing of connecting the parts one and two make is all work. I am a flawed person and seldom the smartest in the room nor do I ever want to be. In my eyes leadership is about surrounding yourself with subject matter experts that you know and trust.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Over the last twenty-four years my level of involvement has changed based on each duty station. Some communities have needed more than others and some just need to know that I will answer the phone or text. I am most well-known for the nearly 10,000 cupcakes I have created as gifts of compassion and appreciation for the families that serve the bases we have called home. Sharing my appreciation for others one cupcake at a time. In addition to cupcakes, I create baby blankets, birthday, anniversary and Holiday cards. Every small batch of cupcake is crafted two dozen at a time in our home kitchen as my passion project. The cards are made with love by our crafting machine. Everything is created perfectly not perfect to inspire other to raise their own bar of performance. Time is short and my hope is everyone that has gotten a cupcake or a card knows that they are valued and cared about.

Describe how you support your community:
I believe in the thought process of a ripple effect. If my actions can create a ripple that other see and want to support. Their impact creates a larger ripple. Then a wave that more desire to be part of. As the wave of positive energy flows it absorbs and redirects while creating the bigger picture. Kindness is a choice; we all make the decision on how our response to things impacts our lives. When I choose kindness, it creates that ripple that become a wave every day in our community. That wave created in our community spreads across the world for all to see over time. Working together our ripples and waves make a far greater impact for others. As I look at the alumni icons of MSOY it is humbling to see the greatness they have achieved. Yet many of them have also said that they are just doing what they are inspired to do for the greater good of others. Maybe one day my name will be alongside theirs as someone that cares about making a difference.

What do you advocate for? Why?
In this crazy life I have lived I have heard people asking for seat at the table for their voices to be heard. There was a General in Air Mobility Command that spoke to a room I sat in. He challenged us all to be the voice for those that are afraid to speak out. Challenged us to ask questions and not to take NO as the final answer. No is easy answer. However, No is not always the answer. When someone takes time to research and present a new solution Yes is Possible. My journey has and will always be about being the person that is willing to hear and find out what people are really searching for. To be the person that asks the correct person those difficult questions. To be the person that stands next to others and support them in difficult moments in life. My advocacy and passion is supporting others that have outstands ways to improve life for all of us. For together our voices will be heard

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
People choose media platforms and set goals and numbers as a matrix for establishing how successful things are. Yet I have learned over time that spreading a message should be more like a lighthouse. Light houses mean different things to different people, yet the core principals are never changing. Have a message that is simple to understand. The light offers navigation through storms in our lives. The tower is built to stand tall for and offer a safe place that is easy to identify. The base is anchored securely to hold the towers weight and protect the light and message as it shines through the storms. People that know me have weathered many storms together from the death of my own son to the things I will never speak of we huddled together through. To me the best way to advocate is person to person. In the Military wife past we had teas to communicate and fellowship. The Spouse Coffee is our tea of today. My light is on and the coffee will be fresh. The door is open

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If chosen to share my story the goal is simple. Be someone that other can look to for a safe place. Be a person that speaks honestly and cares for others not just myself interests. The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year is opportunity to share a perspective that unites our communities, enriches lives, builds unity during the storms we all live on a daily basis. I am far from the perfect spouse; I make mistakes all the time. My grammar is not the best, I might offend someone or more. On a stormy day you may hear some less than PG friendly words. But I am real, you won't have to read to be the lines. With me I look for connections and will keep making a difference one person at a time. Together each of those people will make a positive ripple for others also