Benjamin Saldana

Share your military spouse story:
I grew up in rural Idaho, graduating in a class of 22 people, never imagining my life would stretch far beyond that small town. I joined the Air Force and served six years as Security Forces across three bases. While stationed in Montana, I met a strong, inspiring woman who always stood up for what was right. Love and pride for my spouse led me to trade career stability for family stability, while supporting her work in Equal Opportunity. Together, we are raising three multiracial children, Lincoln, Alex, and Luna. Our journey has taken us through Montana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and now Mississippi. Navigating TDYs, career changes, and the challenges of being an interracial family in communities that were not always welcoming. As a male military spouse, I often hold down the home front while my wife serves. Being a military spouse has taught me that service starts at home, in how we support our family, face change without giving up, and give our children stability wherever we land.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I lead within the military community through my role at Blue Star Families, one of the nation’s largest military and veteran nonprofits, where I serve as their Cyber Manager. I guide the organization’s cyber security efforts, protecting its platforms so they can help military families through resources and events that build community. I led security planning for the largest junior-enlisted financial health survey, safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining member trust. I am also advising on a national survey examining how artificial intelligence affects military households, ensuring privacy and responsible data use. Beyond technical leadership, I focus on education and prevention. I hosted the “Pause to Protect the Military Community” webinar, teaching service members, veterans, and spouses how to recognize scams and digital threats, an area where military families are frequently targeted. My leadership is rooted in education, protection, and strengthening the military community.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I engage directly with military families through my work at Blue Star Families, where I actively support members in The Neighborhood, an online platform connecting spouses and families to resources, events, peer support, and opportunities that make military life more manageable and less isolating. I also created and led Mission: Fatherhood, a community space for military and veteran dads who often feel overlooked within traditional spouse networks. Through regular conversations and peer support, I provide a place where fathers can speak openly, build connection, and navigate parenting and transitions together. I have also spoken to Air Force and Space Force cyber warriors in training at Keesler Air Force Base, encouraging them at the start of their careers and reinforcing that their service and growth matter. My involvement focuses on connection, visibility, and support, ensuring military families as a whole feel valued, informed, and never alone on this difficult journey.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Some of the most meaningful moments of my military spouse journey have come from helping others feel they belong. As a male military spouse, I know what it is like to enter spaces not built for you. That experience led me to create Mission: Fatherhood, a community where military dads can speak openly, support one another, and feel seen instead of overlooked. Watching fathers form real connections has shown me how powerful simple inclusion can be. Through my work at Blue Star Families, I help active-duty service members, veterans, spouses, and caregivers connect in The Neighborhood, a space where families can share resources, find support, attend events, and build relationships across rank, roles, and life stages. My wife and I live this mission together. We rebuild our lives with every move and invest in people each time. We believe military life is hard enough without isolation. Our goal is simple: families should always find connection, dignity, and support when they need it most.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main advocacy effort is protecting military and veteran families from cyber threats and digital exploitation. Service members, spouses, and veterans are frequently targeted because of their predictable routines, frequent moves, and reliance on online systems during deployments and transitions. This cause is personal to me. As a veteran and a military spouse, I have seen how one scam or data breach can create stress that spreads through an entire household. Military families already manage separation, financial pressure, and constant change. They shouldn't have to fear being taken advantage of online. Through my work at Blue Star Families, I help create trusted resources, educational content, and research initiatives that improve awareness and shape how organizations support military households. Whether through safer platforms, meaningful surveys, or direct education, my goal is to reduce harm and make military life safer for those who sacrifice so much for this country.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach centers on clear, accessible communication with military families through digital and community-based platforms. I have led webinars such as Pause to Protect, educating the military community on recognizing scams, protecting personal data, and staying safe online. These sessions translate complex cyber risks into practical guidance families can use during deployments, PCS moves, and financial transitions. Through my work at Blue Star Families, I also help develop digital resources, member communications, and survey outreach that reaches thousands of military households each year. I collaborate with program teams to ensure messaging is accurate, culturally aware, and easy to understand for both technical and non-technical audiences. Whether through live events, educational content, or community discussions, my goal is to build trust, encourage participation, and make sure military families feel informed, supported, and empowered to protect themselves.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If given the honor of AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I hope to use the platform to widen the definition of what a military family looks like and who belongs in this community. My wife and I live this life every day. We know that not every family fits a traditional mold, yet every family serves, sacrifices, and carries the weight of military life. I want families who feel unseen to know they are valid, their service matters, and their story deserves respect. Our military is strongest when the families behind it feel valued, supported, and understood. And as a father, I want to shine a light on how vitally dads matter. Strong families build strong service members. What we create at home shapes the success of those who serve and the generations that follow. Our ceiling becomes our children's floor! Above all, I want this title to remind people that community, resilience, and inclusiveness are not side stories to military service. They are its foundation.