Ashley Brown

Share your military spouse story:
I have never known a life untouched by the military. Growing up as a military brat, I learned to say goodbye, start over, and find strength in uncertainty. That life continued when I married my high school sweetheart and became a military spouse. Almost immediately, he faced year-long deployments, and later rapid deployments where he could be gone within hours. Through more than 15 moves, living CONUS and OCONUS, and facing challenges many spouses know, including loss of identity, employment barriers, isolation, and long separations, I learned to hit the ground running, offering guidance and creating safe spaces for others. I love military life, of course, it is all I have ever known, but it is deeply rewarding when embraced. Experiencing the full arc of this life, from new beginnings to unexpected hardships, shaped my resilience, empathy, and lifelong commitment to supporting military families.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Over the past 15 years, I have dedicated myself to leading and serving the military community in meaningful ways. I have held SFRG positions from key caller to SFRG leader, supporting families through deployments and transitions, adapting my service as our assignments changed. For the past six years, I have been a part of Deployed Love, taking on multiple leadership roles and, for the last three years, serving as Executive Director. In this role, I lead a nationwide team of military spouses who create programs and initiatives that strengthen families, build resilience, and foster community during the most challenging seasons of military life. Through my leadership, I have expanded resources, connected families across the country, and mentored emerging leaders, while also co-hosting the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast and completing multiple MSAN leadership programs to further enhance my ability to advocate, inspire, and empower military families.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I volunteer as executive director of Deployed Love, leading a team of volunteers to create meaningful community experiences through in-person events and our online network. I mentor military spouses, build resiliency, and help them develop skills for future opportunities. Deployed Love serves as a bridge for spouses in every season of military life, whether seeking community, resources, or extra support during a deployment. I have served on advisory boards, including the Conan Clinic, and worked with other initiatives to strengthen programs and events. Though I have only been at Fort Benning a few months, I hit the ground running, planning events, fostering community, and advancing our mission locally. As co-host of the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast, I share stories, resources, and programs with military families, service members, and veterans, and I guest speak at schools, deployment briefs, and events, including MilSpouseFest this year.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Through Deployed Love, I have built an inclusive community for military spouses, providing opportunities to develop skills, build resumes, and expand networks that might otherwise be inaccessible due to relocation or childcare. We ensure programs, podcasts, and resources are accessible and relevant, supporting families no matter which branch of service they are in and across diverse locations. By prioritizing equity and accessibility, we create a space where all spouses feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive personally and professionally. This inclusive approach strengthens the broader military community by fostering connected, resilient families who are better equipped to navigate deployments, transitions, and challenges, creating a ripple effect of support, engagement, and stability that benefits service members and their families alike.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort is leading and growing Deployed Love, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families through deployments, transitions, and life’s most challenging seasons. As a military brat and spouse, I have experienced firsthand the isolation, identity challenges, and barriers that military spouses face. When I struggled to find purpose and connection during my husband’s time in service, I recognized how critical community, resources, and opportunities are to helping spouses thrive. Through Deployed Love, I have turned my personal experience into a mission, creating programs, leadership opportunities, and networks that empower spouses, strengthen families, and foster resilience across the military community. Now that my children are older, I hope to expand my advocacy by working with MSAN colleagues to ensure the challenges affecting military families are heard and addressed, bringing these voices to a national platform for lasting impact.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach strategy includes engaging military spouses and the broader community through public speaking, media involvement, and strategic partnerships. I have been invited to speak at events such as deployment briefs and MilSpouseFest at Fort Benning, sharing resources and insights to support families. I have appeared as a guest on multiple podcasts as well as cohost one to amplify military family voices. I collaborate with organizations like the RHF Now Foundation, FRG, Instateams, and MSAN, and lead a nationwide team of 35+ volunteers who deliver programs supporting families across the country. Our cornerstone initiative, Holiday Minis, has run since 2017, providing military families with deployed service members a day of connection, holiday photos, and community support, with several events gaining media coverage to further highlight military family needs. I also develop marketing and communication strategies to ensure our outreach reaches as many families as possible.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I am deeply honored to be nominated for the AFI MSOY. My hope with this recognition is to bring DL to more military families. Our programs provide community, connection, and support, and our volunteers dedicate countless hours alongside families every day. Though a small nonprofit, we are mighty, and I hope to expand to more installations, growing our programs to reach even more families. Beyond organizational growth, I aim to be a clear and consistent voice for military families, advocating for their needs, highlighting the realities and challenges of military life, and celebrating its rewards. Having been part of this community for nearly four decades, I understand both the hardships and the profound joys of this life. My goal is to ensure families know that support is available, that their struggles are seen, & that amidst the challenges, there is incredible resilience, connection, and fulfillment. I want to continue to be a resource and guide for families navigating military life.