Ashley Chavez

Share your military spouse story:
I met my husband, Pablo, in 2008 after returning home from Iraq, my future felt uncertain following a traumatic brain injury diagnosis. He quickly became my confidant and strongest advocate, encouraging me to push beyond my limitations. What began as a friendship grew into a lifelong partnership. After separating from the Marine Corps in 2012, I dedicated myself to supporting my husband’s career and raising our children Adrianna and Charlie. During years of long hours, frequent travel, and deployments, I balanced full-time studies, motherhood, coaching, and volunteer work. I also competed in the Warrior Games in 2011 and 2012, earning bronze medals in shot put both years, and graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services. Our family has lived at 11 different addresses and in 2022, we received our dream orders to Okinawa, Japan, where we now prepare for my husband’s retirement, closing a meaningful chapter in our military journey.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I am currently serving my third term on the Board of the Okinawa Enlisted Spouses Club as the Operation Ball Gown Coordinator. In this role, I manage an inventory of nearly 400 gowns and cocktail dresses through a free rental program open to all SOFA-status individuals across Okinawa. I oversee marketing, social media, and community outreach to ensure the program remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful. Operation Ball Gown is more than a dress program—it restores confidence, dignity, and joy to individuals navigating the unique challenges of military life far from home. Additionally, I serve as a board member supporting the Kadena Thrift Store, where proceeds are reinvested into the community through charitable grants, scholarships, programs, and island-wide partnerships that strengthen military families and foster meaningful connections. Beyond the club, I am a sixth-grade catechist, dedicated to shaping young minds and instilling values of character, compassion, and service.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Operation Ball Gown has quickly become an essential program within the military community in Okinawa. By providing no-cost gown rentals, the program eases the financial and logistical challenges of securing formalwear overseas, saving service members and their families hundreds of dollars. Over the past eighteen months, more than 660 gowns have been rented, reflecting the program’s significant reach and impact. Through thoughtfully coordinated pop-up events, hundreds of military spouses of all ranks and their families have come together to connect, support one another, and enjoy a confidence-boosting, inclusive shopping experience. Operated through the Okinawa Enlisted Spouses Club, Operation Ball Gown supports SOFA-status holders attending military balls, proms, homecomings, and special events, ensuring these important milestones are accessible to all while fostering confidence, dignity, and joy throughout the military community.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
My work with Operation Ball Gown has allowed me to build meaningful connections across the military community by bringing together spouses of all ranks and branches, civilian contractors, their children, and members of the local Okinawan community. At each event, I intentionally foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where women uplift one another through encouragement, shared experiences, and genuine connection. Seeing a room filled with women offering positive affirmation while discovering gowns that make them feel confident and beautiful is both powerful and inspiring. By offering a wide range of sizes, from 00–28, and providing this service without regard to rank, Operation Ball Gown ensures every participant feels valued and seen. These gatherings create a safe space for relationships to form, allowing individuals to connect with and support others they may not have otherwise felt comfortable approaching, strengthening unity and resilience within the military community.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort is leading and expanding Operation Ball Gown, a program dedicated to reducing financial barriers for military families and ensuring access to meaningful milestones. My personal connection to this cause began when I experienced the challenge firsthand while searching for a dress for my daughter. That moment reinforced my belief that no one should be excluded from special occasions due to cost or availability.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
To reach and serve the military community, I employ a multifaceted outreach strategy that includes advertising through the Armed Forces Network, maintaining active social media engagement, hosting pop-up events and private appointments, and participating in local speaking engagements and community partnerships. I continuously seek new and innovative ways to expand outreach and ensure Operation Ball Gown reaches those who need it most

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected as the AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I hope to use the platform to expand the reach and impact of Operation Ball Gown while elevating the mission of the Okinawa Enlisted Spouses Club as a whole. This opportunity would allow me to further advocate for programs that reduce financial and social barriers for military families, ensuring access to meaningful milestones regardless of rank or background. Through increased visibility and collaboration, I aim to strengthen connections within the military community and with our host-nation partners, build lasting partnerships,