Brittany Stevenson

Share your military spouse story:
My life has been shaped by the Marine Corps from the very beginning. My parents were both Marines who met after my father survived the 1983 Beirut bombing. They built a life rooted in service, and I was born aboard Camp Lejeune—where that legacy began. Years later, I returned here as a Marine Corps spouse, now watching my husband prepare to retire where my story first started. My husband and I have been married for sixteen years, traveling the world and growing our family through multiple deployments and PCS moves. We welcomed our daughter during a year-long deployment while my husband served in Afghanistan. Our son was born overseas in Okinawa, Japan. I cherish this lifestyle because it teaches that community is built, not given. If you want a village, you must be a villager.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I hold multiple leadership roles within the military spouse community. I was awarded the Molly Pitcher Award in recognition of years of faithful service to the artillery community, several years later founded Molly Meetups, an artillery spouse volunteer group created to turn that legacy of service into consistent, meaningful support for our families. I coordinate over 20 consistent volunteers each month. The group carries out recurring service initiatives and creates meaningful opportunities for spouses to engage and give back.I also founded and lead a monthly Deployment Support Group that provides connection for spouses navigating deployments. In addition, I serve as VP of Advancement for the Camp Lejeune Leadership Seminar, where I support organizational growth through event planning, donor engagement, outreach, and strategic development. I focus on empowering others, building continuity in frequently changing environments, and ensuring military families feel supported and connected.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I provide this support across three primary efforts: Molly Meetups, the Deployment Club, and the Camp Lejeune Leadership Seminar (CLLS). Through Molly Meetups, I lead recurring service initiatives that strengthen unit families, including Molly’s Closet, our giving closet that provides essential baby and family items to those in need. The Deployment Club offers consistent connection and peer support for spouses during deployments, helping reduce isolation. Through CLLS, I support military spouses through leadership development, event planning, outreach, and donor engagement. Together, these efforts create stability, preserve meaningful traditions, empower spouses to lead, and build resilient, connected military communities.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
The moments that best reflect my impact are not tied to titles or events, but to trust. When a military spouse feels safe enough to list me as their emergency contact, ask for help buying groceries or filling a gas tank, or trust me to care for their children while they take a spouse to the airport for deployment—that is true inclusion. Those moments matter most. They show that community has been built at the most human level. Over time, spouses from different backgrounds, ranks, and parts of the world have come to call me family. Inclusivity is not about visibility or recognition—it is about honoring every person, meeting them where they are, and showing up consistently. Trust is the foundation of belonging, and belonging is how strong communities endure.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort is supporting Marines and the families who stand behind them. I am deeply connected to this cause—both of my parents are Marines who retired at Camp Lejeune, and my father is a survivor of the Beirut bombing, an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of service, sacrifice, and resilience. I have watched my husband serve our country for over twenty years, giving me firsthand insight into the demands placed on Marines and families. When my family and I lived in Maryland, one of our most meaningful memories together was coordinating a grassroots effort to make care packages, and letters for wounded service members at Walter Reed, who had just returned from Afghanistan in 2021. I believe that when Marines are supported, they thrive—and when families are supported, they thrive alongside them. By empowering spouses to give back, we do more than provide support—we build lasting, resilient communities.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I communicate regularly in public and professional settings to advocate for military spouses and families. The organizations I am involved in and run, require me to frequently brief unit leaders, boards, and community partners. I also and speak at several scheduled monthly events to share needs, opportunities, and impact. I actively seek partnerships with local organizations and businesses, using in-person meetings, presentations, and follow-up communication to expand support for military families. I also engage audiences through email and social media to highlight spouse issues, promote events, and amplify real stories. Just as importantly, I mentor and support other spouses as they grow into leadership roles—encouraging them to lead, and represent our community with confidence. Through consistent relationship-building, I ensure military spouse voices are heard, respected, and included.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected, I would use the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® title as a platform for advocacy, visibility, and action within the military community that has shaped my entire life. As a military child and spouse, I bring a generational understanding of the needs facing Marines and their families. My family plans to remain rooted in this community, building a business dedicated to giving back to those who poured into us. The title would allow me to strengthen partnerships, elevate spouse-led programs, and develop initiatives that shine a light on real needs—family support, connection during deployments, and accessible opportunities for service. I would use this platform locally to amplify spouse voices, support Marines through their families, and build sustainable programs that reflect lived experience and long-term commitment.