Esra Mills

Share your military spouse story:
I met my husband in Germany in 2011, and we married the following year as two young adults – he a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, me a college student. Soon after, military orders sent him back to the United States, and after 14 months of long-distance marriage during which I finished my degree and waited for permanent residency, I followed him to Fort Bliss, TX in 2014 where I took my first "Welcome to Army Life" class at the Army Community Service (I still proudly hold on to the binder and certificate!). Since then, we have navigated five PCS moves, welcomed two children, continued my education, and I became a U.S. citizen. Over the past decade, I was lucky to build a successful career in military higher education, but pivoted and after our last PCS to Germany, I joined the world of Federal Contracting. As a foreign-born MilSpo, I became a passionate advocate for military spouse education and career development while supporting my husband’s continued service.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I serve as an Operations Manager for a federal contractor in Germany. I feel blessed to be able hire and mentor military spouses stationed OCONUS, creating opportunities through meaningful employment. I also coach foreign-born military spouses by assisting with document translations, and educational pathways to support successful transitions stateside. Previously, I served as Senior Manager for Military Outreach with American Military University in Texas and partner institutions at previous duty stations, where I supported military students across multiple states. In these roles, I advocated for military spouse education, promoting the use of MyCAA, Pell Grants, and scholarships to expand access to higher education and long-term career success.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am currently involved with our SFRG in Baumholder, Germany where I help coordinate events that foster a sense of belonging and community. I also volunteer as a mentor with Military Mentorship Connect with the USO, a LinkedIn-based program where I coach veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses on career development and employment readiness. I also manage Army Community Service teams across Europe, composed of military spouse contractors, creating meaningful career opportunities. Through my global network on Instagram and LinkedIn, I provide employment guidance, help prepare candidates conduct mock interviews, and offer mentorship to military spouses worldwide—efforts that have helped many secure employment at their duty stations.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
A moment that best reflects my impact on building an inclusive community among military spouses is winning the 2024 American Public University Systems "Excellence in Service Award", highlighting my dedication to our community. I also volunteered with Hiring Our Heroes in Texas, assisting the Military Spouse Professional Network program where we partnered with the USO to hold workshops for military spouses and invited speakers. I remember one event particularly where our speaker was a Veteran spouse who shared her insight regarding transitioning into the civilian world. Events like these help connect military spouses with the right resources and build an inclusive community.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My advocacy centers on career development and higher education for military spouses. After moving to the United States in 2014, I faced uncertainty as my education and career path no longer applied. That experience shaped my guiding motto: “Be who you needed when you were younger”, and sparked my passion for mentoring other spouses. After navigating credential evaluations, PCS-related career transitions, and higher education, I became a Site Director with the University of Oklahoma at Fort Benning, completed my Master’s degree, and welcomed my first child. These experiences strengthened my belief that military spouses can pursue meaningful goals alongside supporting their service members – with the help of others in our community that believe in them. Now overseas, I advocate for spouses facing OCONUS challenges by using my experiences to help them overcome barriers, build confidence, and pursue education and career opportunities aligned with their goals.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
While working in Military Higher Education, I participated in many outreach events nationwide, including National Guard conferences and on-installation education fairs. I encouraged military spouses to pursue higher education and utilize benefits to advance their careers. At each duty station, I facilitated Lunch & Learn sessions for MilSpos & service members, providing guidance on academic pathways and resources. In 2024, I was invited to speak at two Centurion Military Alliance events at Fort Hood and Fort Bliss, where I presented on Military Higher Education and its benefits. Beyond in-person advocacy, I engage with my community through social media. I use my personal Instagram account to share my experiences as a working military spouse and mother overseas, offering mentorship and encouragement. On LinkedIn, I connect spouses to employment opportunities and professional resources.

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® platform to advocate for the unique challenges faced by families navigating frequent moves, deployments, and the demands of daily military life. My goal is to strengthen support for spouse employment, access to education, mental health resources, and family readiness programs that directly impact force readiness. I want to serve as a visible voice for military spouses, highlighting our resilience, adaptability, and contributions while working alongside our communities and supporting organizations to create practical, lasting solutions. Ultimately, I hope to empower spouses to engage, lead, and thrive because strong families are essential.