Contessa Larsen

Share your military spouse story:
I never wanted to be a military spouse. I implored my husband not to join. He enlisted when we were just 19 year old married kids. We spent his first tour in MS. When he would deploy I would leave to visit family or follow my interests wherever they took me. I spent the first 4 years of our military lives doing this. I wanted nothing to do with the job my husband chose. I was far more interested in my endeavors. At year five, we had had our first child and were happily welcoming a second when we received orders to Sigonella. I remember the conversation I had with my husband where he asked me to please be a part of his military life. When I agreed to I had no idea that it would lead me into caring so deeply for spouses, their goals, and how to help them reach for them. Through working as an Ombudsman and spearheading a family advocacy organization, I wanted them to know their interests were important even though they have to regularly push them aside for the military spouse life.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Within the military spouse community, I have advocated for spouses as Ombudsman in NAVFACEURAFSWA-Sigonella from 2018-2019. In 2017 I co-led a local park build in our Sicilian town. With some assistance from the mayor, my husband & I orchestrated spouses, service members, and locals to work together to rehab the park, making it safe for children to play there. It was a beautiful experience. In 2025 I spent 3 months coaching for CYP Sports which supports Naval Base Ventura County families with youth sports. That same year I volunteered 20 hours to the Food Share at NBVC which supplies families with free food and diaper supplies. From 2023-2024 I worked as Ombudsman for NMCB3 thereafter in 2024 switching roles to spearhead the very first Family Support Network, an organization that provides programs, events, and gatherings for military spouses and children with an emphasis on supporting spouses in their skill sets.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Currently, I am President of the Family Support Network for NMCB3. In 2024, my then CO was interested in rebranding the FRG, an organization that did not survive in our region. He sat on this idea for months given their rigorous training schedule. After another Ombudsman was onboarded I stepped into the FSN3 role expecting there to be some foundational work laid out. There was nothing. I built the framework, the elements, everything with the blessing of my CO. Together, we aimed to modernize spouse support groups. FSN3 serves to give community to the families of NMCB3. Additionally, our goal is to amplify the interests of spouses and their children by allowing them to host events pertaining to their interests and skill set. FSN3 is such a hit that NMCB5 has created one as well, FSN5.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
One moment easily comes to mind as it occurred recently. FSN3 hosts an annual Operation Christmas where we gather gifts from sponsors from our area and disperse them to the command families. This year, I spearheaded a joint NMCB3, NMCB4, and NMCB5 Operation Christmas. I had a team of 8 spouses who were either Ombudsmen, FSN3, Advisors, or eager helpers. Our team worked beautifully together even though we are from different commands, some of us prior military, some of us have children, and some of us don’t. We were ready to create something wonderful for the command families to enjoy and benefit from. I worked no less than 20 hours a week for 2 weeks for this event. We, along with about 100 additional volunteers, served about 90 families with Christmas gifts at the two day event. It was heartwarming to witness all of us working together to solve problems, advocate for our positions to the triad, supporting one another, and supporting the families. Now, it will always be a joint event.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main advocacy effort is to elevate spouses by giving them a platform to thrive and encouraging them to network, put their best foot forward, and create goals. When I started this military spouse life I thought supporting my husband meant I had to give up my interests. While my interests and how I make goals has changed, the military has afforded me a group of new interests and a new game board. I want spouses to see that these changes are opportunities to grow, thrive, and learn more about themselves. Not engaging with the military was not helping me or my marriage since the military, like it or not, is a large part of our lives. I want spouses to see that that does not need to be a negative, but a certain positive when it comes to opportunities.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I went to finishing school. Thrice, actually. I became certified as an etiquette consultant in hopes to not only better myself, but the many spouses I meet. Through this endeavor I have had the pleasure of speaking on behalf of Christian military spouses to various content creators on their channels. I have also spoken at sponsorship events like Yellow Ribbon America’s Operation Christmas at Newport Beach City Hall where I presented a plaque to the owner in front of several hundred onlookers. I have hosted private etiquette consulting for afternoon teas, and social etiquette to spouses as well as hosted youth social etiquette for our local homeschooling group. I have also spoken on the radio and had an article published regarding my park project in Sicily.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
My hope is to not only get the Family Support Network 3 name a broader audience, but to also illustrate to spouses that their efforts matter. Oftentimes, I see that spouses belittle their positions not just as spouses, but their volunteer work as well and as such do not take their roles seriously. This creates ineffective programs from the top down. Spouses need to see that they are important to the cause of supporting our service members as well as the support they can provide to their spouse community.