Bethel Trask

Share your military spouse story:
My military spouse story began at my birth, being born into a Navy family, at Tripler Army Medical Center, in Honolulu, HI. My childhood was spent PCSing across oceans and countries. I recall writing in a high school journal that I loathed the Navy for ruining my life. I attended 4 high schools in 3 countries, and it was painful each time I moved. But, it set off what could only be called the origin story of my military spouse experience. At 17, I would fall in love with the man I was going to marry. A man who also feels the pull of the sea. We dated for 5 years, married in 2010, and the following year he would leave for OCS. During the space in between, my father would transition into civilian life after 20+ years of active-duty service, my eldest brother would serve as a Marine combat veteran, and my little brother would commission in the Navy. Service to the United States has always been woven into my family’s story, and it naturally became part of my own when I married my husband.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Leadership has been a constant throughout my military spouse journey, driven by my commitment to build community, strengthen communication, and support families at every duty station. I have served as an Ombudsman in Everett, WA and now at the Navy Supply Corps Schoolhouse in Newport, RI. I have volunteered with NMCRS, supported veterans at the VA Puget Sound while completing my MSW, and served with COMPASS in Japan before becoming a New Parent Support Specialist with Fleet and Family. During the pandemic, I created a social group for the Supply Corps Fun Bunch in Monterey. I later served as the Spouse Liaison for the Mechanicsburg Supply Corps Foundation, in PA. In Newport, I co-lead a Daisy Girl Scout troop, serve on the Newport Navy Choristers board, and serve as the Wellness Director for Homefront Haven, supporting military spouses through wellness retreats.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am currently engaged in several programs that directly support military families and strengthen community well‑being. I am the Wellness Director of Homefront Haven, launching in April 2026. It is a charitable organization that hosts wellness retreats for military spouses experiencing the cycle of deployment. I hold the position of the command Ombudsman for the Navy Supply Corps Schoolhouse here in Newport, Rhode Island. It has been an honor to pour resources into our Supply Corps Sailors and their families just as they are entering the fleet. I am also the cohost of Salty Milspouse the Podcast, which is a platform where we get real about military spouse life and showcase how military spouses get salty about injustice and lack of services but do the work to bridge service gaps and fill the needs of our military families. I also find so much joy in serving on the board of the Navy Newport Choristers, a choir that uses the gift of song to raise funds for other charitable organizations.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
My impact is most visible in the moments when I have created connection and belonging for spouses who might otherwise feel isolated. During the pandemic in Monterey, I launched a social group for Supply Corps spouses that became a vital source of support during an unprecedented period of uncertainty. In Japan, my involvement with COMPASS and my work as a New Parent Support Specialist allowed me to welcome spouses navigating both military life and life overseas, ensuring they felt grounded, informed, and included. Across multiple duty stations, I have served as a Command Ombudsman, providing a trusted, accessible point of contact for families. These roles have allowed me to bridge communication gaps, advocate for spouse needs, and cultivate a sense of community within commands. Whether through structured programs or informal networks, I consistently work to ensure every spouse has a place where they feel supported and connected.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort focuses on strengthening the well‑being of military spouses by promoting connection, mental wellness, and access to supportive resources. This work is deeply personal. I grew up as a military child, moving frequently and experiencing the emotional strain of constant transition. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of how destabilizing military life can feel without a strong support system. As an adult, I married into the Navy and watched my father and brothers serve, reinforcing my lifelong connection to the military community. Today, as the Wellness Director for Homefront Haven, I advocate for spouse mental health and resilience, ensuring that no spouse feels alone in navigating the challenges of military life. My advocacy is grounded in my own lived experience and strengthened by the military spouses who have supported me along the way. Their encouragement has shaped my journey, and it fuels my commitment to pay that support forward.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach combines direct community engagement, leadership roles, and online communication. At every duty station, I have organized and supported spouse groups, facilitated educational programs, and supported command level communication as an Ombudsman. These efforts ensure spouses receive timely information, get connected to the community, and know where to turn for support. I use digital platforms to expand my reach. As the social media chair for the Newport Navy Choristers, I manage communication that highlights a military connected performing group and strengthens community visibility. Through Homefront Haven, I contribute to wellness programming, resource sharing, and community wide initiatives that support spouse mental health. As the cohost of Salty Milspouse the podcast, we use our online presence to raise the volume on issues that are important to military spouses and engage in meaningful conversations to promote organizations that serve our military communities.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to use the AFI Military Spouse of the Year title to expand visibility for the causes I am currently pursuing with Homefront Haven and Salty Milspouse. Visibility is one of the greatest gifts our community can receive. It shines a light on the real challenges spouses face and elevates conversations that are overlooked. When we acknowledge that spouse well being is directly tied to national security, we begin to understand that supporting families is not optional. It is ESSENTIAL. With this platform, I will amplify the voices of spouses who feel unseen, highlight gaps in support, and advocate for the emotional wellness of our community. When service members know their families are supported, they can focus fully on mission readiness. Meaningful change can only take root if these conversations are happening not just at command or community tables, but on the national stage. My goal is to ensure that the strength, resilience, and needs of military spouses are visible at every level.