Chelsea Carlson

Share your military spouse story:
My military spouse story began the way many modern romances do—by swiping the wrong way on Tinder. That single moment led to six years of marriage, three incredible children, several dogs - fostered and adopted, and only a few moves so far. We were originally stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska, where I am from. Philanthropy has always been a passion, whether through fostering dogs, chaperoning service trips, serving on boards, advocating for education, or fundraising for local nonprofits. At our last base, I learned the importance of getting involved with the spouses’ club as a way to connect with the community—a lesson that carried over to the Maxwell-Gunter Spouses’ Club. At the annual bingo event, I walked in as a member and somehow left as the Second Vice. I now have the honor of serving as President. I have served as a Key Support Liaison, regularly volunteer at the Maxwell Thrift Shop, and am active with the base school's PTA. And this is only the beginning—

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I have served as the Key Support Liaison for the 24 TRS at Maxwell AFB, organizing monthly spouses’ dinners and collaborating with the booster club on family events. Last year, I served as Second Vice of the Maxwell-Gunter Spouses’ Club, overseeing the charitable initiatives and the Maxwell Thrift Shop. Today, I serve as President, where I have expanded the scholarship program, substantially increased membership, and strengthened community outreach and collaboration to better support military families and the surrounding community. We intentionally welcome service members and international spouses. By prioritizing inclusivity, we are actively breaking down outdated stigmas associated with spouses’ clubs. I regularly attend Community Action Team meetings to collaborate with base-wide organizations. Additionally, I volunteer with the Maxwell Elementary/Middle School PTA through events such as the Book Fair and Holiday Market and am currently working on the school yearbook.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
As Second Vice of the Maxwell-Gunter Spouses’ Club, I oversaw our annual college scholarship program and identified a critical gap in educational support for local families. Public education in Montgomery, Alabama is underfunded, and while the installation offers a DODEA school through 8th grade, many high school students must attend neighboring districts or pay for private tuition. To help meet this need, I expanded the scholarship program to include high school tuition assistance. After a successful pilot year, incoming families are asking how to apply for next year. It all starts with the Maxwell Thrift Shop where I love to volunteer. What may seem routine is a place of connection and purpose. Every transaction directly supports scholarships and charitable giving. The shop donates to the local humane society, supports Civil Air Patrol, offers monthly $0.25 Second Saturday Sales, and ensures unsold items are passed to local nonprofits—so nothing usable goes to waste.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
I feel most fulfilled when people feel welcomed and connected. Whether it’s inviting newly arrived spouses to monthly dinners or seeing the broader impact the spouses’ club has in bringing people together. At the start of the year, I spoke at multiple orientations to ensure newcomers knew they were welcome and wanted—no small task for someone who dreads public speaking. I'll attempt to use my Spanish major to bridge the communication gap and include international spouses. One of our signature fall events is Speed-Friending, designed so everyone leaves with at least one new connection. Through Community Action Team meetings, I learned of critical needs highlighted by SAPR and Mental Health data, which led me, as President, to launch a monthly newsletter centralizing key resources such as Mental Health, Family Advocacy Program, and SAPR. While limited as a private organization, we actively collaborate with base agencies to promote resources and events that strengthen our community.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to providing education and resources to those who need them most. I benefited from private education, but I also witnessed the sacrifices my parents made to afford it. As an adult, I transitioned from corporate finance to fundraising for my former high school while serving as Treasurer for the Ladies Guild at my elementary school. By applying professional skills, I introduced underwriting for the annual St. Nick Dinner and organized a church garage sale that generated enough funding to update the computer lab. When marriage, children, and relocation pulled me away from my career, I struggled with isolation and loss of purpose. After being in Alabama a year, we moved on base to be more apart of the community. I became involved with the school, thrift shop, and spouses’ club, where I found my ideal place advocating for education and expanding scholarship opportunities for military dependents.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I have worked intentionally to break the stigma of exclusive, outdated spouses’ clubs by building a diverse board that includes enlisted members and retirees. As a joint base, we also made a deliberate effort to ensure equal support and visibility across installations. Many were unaware that the Maxwell Thrift Shop operates under the spouses’ club or how its proceeds directly support scholarships and charitable giving, so we prioritized clear communication about who can join, what the club and thrift shop offer, and community impact. By connecting donors, shoppers, and consignors to the mission, we increased sales—and in turn, expanded scholarship opportunities—while using our newsletter to raise awareness of base resources and partner agencies. We expanded outreach to service members and international organizations and focused on collaboration across the base.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
Being named Military Spouse of the Year would be an incredible honor, but title or not, my commitment to service continues. I am advocating for more funding for education, childcare, and libraries across the country, but especially in Alabama. I strive to bring more awareness to mental health and suicide prevention resources. Improving the conditions in base housing is not a new issue, but one I would like to contribute attention to. Maxwell AFB has beautiful historic homes that are in disrepair and have legitimate health hazards - I know because I live in one. On a more personal level, I know being a military spouse can be so isolating. Every PCS cycle means possibly losing friends, community, and possibly ending a career. No matter what phase of life, it can be difficult to forge new connections and rebuild what you had at a previous duty station. I aim to create a safe environment where any spouse or service member knows they are welcome.