Carrie Driver

Share your military spouse story:
I grew up as a missionary kid in Guatemala with my family, and met my husband while at the Law Enforcement Academy in Montana, I have been a Air Force Spouse for 14 years now, my husband has been in for over 21 years now, we met while he was stationed at Malstrom AFB, where I am from, we remained friends for several years before we decided we wanted to be more than that, we got engaged and married while he was stationed in Korea, he came home on leave, we had our wedding and he took me to Germany with me, I used to be in Law Enforcement before we decided to get married and was working on joining the Border Patrol, but decided I didn't want to have to be separated from him, so I chose to follow him and his career overseas, I got plugged in the chapel and military community to build friendships and relationships while overseas at my first base, became a stay at home/homeschool momma, and a community advocate, volunteering wherever I could.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Over the last 14 years, within the military community, I have been a worship leader, a youth group leader, led mission groups, a community outreach coordinator, a key spouse, a key support liaison, I have put on multiple chapel, squadron, group, and base events, potlucks, fundraisers, manage multiple social media pages for different military base spouse and family groups, been a Resident Advocate Council Member, a GivingTuesdayMilitary Ambassador, run a milonthly Military Family Vendor Market, different Mom's Coffee & Conversation weekly meet ups, been on the board for the Enlisted Spouse's Club, served on several spouse and parent panels, led an Adopt A Dorm program and served on our Dorm Dinners for our Airmen, I am always willing to jump in and do whatever needs to be done in our Community to make it a better place. It starts with us, and I always say lead by example! If we don't like something, then do something about it, let's all help make do our part to make it better.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Currently, I am the GivingTuesdayMilitary Ambassador for the State of ND and Minot AFB, I am on the Resident Advocate Council for our base Housing Community, work closely with the Dorm Council and run the Adopt A Dorm Program to support our single airmen in the dorms, I run a free monthly Vendor Market on base for our military families, I hold a weekly Coffee & Conversation for moms and spouse at the base Coffee shop/playground, I am a Key Support Liaison for the 791 Missile Security Forces Squadron, I work closely with the group and wing to help put on events for our families and community, I am also an admin and/or moderator for multiple spouse groups and pages who help spread communication, awareness, education, and positivity across Minot AFB. I love being able to connect people and help them get plugged in, making their time here at Minot AFB alittle easier.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
I think that if you looked up the definition of Inclusive here on Minot AFB, my name would probably come up! Haha I am always trying to bridge the gaps between organizations, resources, and groups, and people! I am a HUGE advocate for Community, this is our second time being stationed here at Minot and while this place can be a hard place for some and doesn't always get the best reputation, the people and the community here is what makes this place so incredibly special, and being able to help our airmen and their families come here and get plugged in, find resources, get connected, and feel like they belong while they are stationed here, is the best feeling the the world. I know that not everyone is going to love it here, and that's okay, but if we can help make their stay alittle better or easier and make them feel like they are not alone, like they have people in their corner, and a support system, then that's what it's all about!

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
Being kind and doing good, in a world full of anger and hate and division and bullying, I choose to show love and be kind... I choose to advocate for kindness. I love getting to be the GivingTuesdayMilitary Ambassador and getting to help spread kindness, not just one day a year, but everyday... Getting to be someone who gets to use her voice on this base to advocate for change, to fight for our families, and have the opportunity to bring things up to leadership to better our living conditions in our community, to help our families and our spouses, it's not something I take lightly, I am in awe and humbled by the position I've been put in here, and feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment at the work we've been doing, and the recognition I've been receiving for it. I never did it for the recognition, but I hope that the spot light will encourage others to step up and give their time and their talents to making their communities a better place.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I currently am managing as a Admin or Moderator I think 6 or 7 different groups and manage about 8 different informational pages for the base, I used my platform to promote volunteering, giving, kindness, and community. It's never been about self promotion, and because of that, my following within our military community has been insane and I've been able to be a positive influencer, and fostering working relationship along side of all the base entities to help build a positive community and reach so many with all the amazing resources our base as to offer.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I think I just want people to know that anyone can step up and do good, be kind, help out, volunteer, build community, you don't have to wait for someone else to do it, or for someone else to give you permission to do it. If you see a need and you have a way to fill it, then fill it. If you see something that needs to be fixed, don't wait around for someone else to fix it, if you are capable then be the one to step up and do it. Always aim to leave things better than you found them, as they say be the change you want to see! So I guess my hope would be that I can inspire others!