Jana Roman

Share your military spouse story:
Little did I know in 2001 that the cute guy I met at a high school leadership conference would become my husband just five years later and my partner through decades of military life. As military brats, we understood service early, navigating distance while he attended the United States Military Academy and I pursued an education degree in Texas. After we married, I placed my career on hold as we welcomed twins and later two more children. Twenty years later, with our tenth deployment approaching, I reflect on how each duty station—Fort Riley, Fort Benning, Fort Drum, Fort Leavenworth, and Fort Hood—taught me that home is something you build. Through roles in SFRG, spouses’ clubs, schools, and Protestant Women of the Chapel, I focused on supporting others. Twelve years ago, I found CrossFit, which became both personal purpose and community-building. Today, I lead a fitness community at Fort Hood where soldiers and spouses train, connect, and grow stronger together.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
From the beginning of our marriage, and now more than 20 years later, I have consistently served in leadership roles within the military community. I began as a key caller at our first duty station, later serving in multiple SFRG leadership positions and continuing as an advisor for several years. I also became involved in the spouses' club during our first year of marriage, serving on the board in roles including community outreach, scholarships and grants, fundraising chair, and currently as president at Fort Hood. Faith has also been central to my service. When our twins were one year old, I found PWOC, serving across multiple duty stations as a Bible study leader, VP, and president. While I’ve never felt fully equipped, each role has allowed me to build strong teams, empower others, and work alongside remarkable individuals to support and strengthen our communities.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am currently involved in several programs that directly support and strengthen military families. I serve as an advisor for our SFRG, where I focus on ensuring families are informed, connected, and equipped with resources, particularly during deployments. Clear communication and fostering connection during challenging seasons are priorities for me. I also serve as the Spouses Club President this year, following two years as secretary. The spouses club plays a vital role in building community, supporting spouses, and creating meaningful connections through sub-clubs and events designed to welcome both new and seasoned spouses. I am grateful for a dedicated board that brings this mission to life. Additionally, I lead a functional fitness program on Ft Hood for soldiers, family members, and authorized civilians. As a founding team member, I now oversee scheduling and programming, offering classes four times daily, promoting resilience, health, and community across the installation.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Community is built when people feel seen, valued, and cared for. At every duty station, I have made it a priority to show up fully where God has placed me and to intentionally love and serve the spouses around me. In each leadership role, I strive to create space for anyone willing to be part of the journey. I am deeply committed to breaking down traditional divides between officer and enlisted spouses by building teams that reflect the true diversity of our military community across rank, gender, age, and experience. I lead with the belief that everyone belongs and that every voice matters, often encouraging spouses to “pull up a chair,” knowing that inclusion begins with invitation. This approach has created a ripple effect—fostering mentorship, strengthening authentic relationships, and cultivating a culture of care that extends beyond individual organizations and throughout the installation. When we lead with empathy and inclusion, we create communities where everyone can thrive.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
Frequent moves make military life uniquely challenging, and over time continually putting yourself out there to build new relationships can feel exhausting. This reality drives my advocacy: connecting military spouses to meaningful community through resources, information, and opportunities that foster belonging. When I first entered Army life, mentors intentionally invited me in—welcoming me to spouses’ clubs, PWOC, and community events. That simple act of inclusion over 20 years ago shaped how I engage with the military community today. Those women remain some of my closest friends, supporting me through both joyful and difficult seasons. Because of their impact, I consistently advocate for programs that cultivate connection, mentorship, and support. I also advocate for building community through health and fitness, creating spaces where individuals of all abilities feel encouraged and supported. This strengthens not only physical health, but also families and overall readiness.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I engage in advocacy outreach through a combination of public speaking, media involvement, and consistent communication with the military spouse community. I have served as a guest speaker at events, participated in multiple spouse panels, and shared perspectives through interviews with local newspapers. While public speaking does not come naturally to me, I step forward whenever given the opportunity to advocate for a community I deeply care about. In addition, I regularly attend senior leader forums, council meetings, and both in-person and virtual events across the country to stay informed on evolving policies and initiatives affecting military families. I actively share timely resources, opportunities, and updates across multiple platforms to ensure military spouses are informed, connected, and empowered.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
It is truly an honor to be nominated for the AFI Military Spouse of the Year. If selected, I hope to use this platform to help build stronger, more connected military communities. Throughout my years as a military spouse, I have seen that there is an abundance of valuable resources available on installations, yet many remain underutilized simply because spouses are unaware of them or unsure how to access them. I want to use this opportunity to amplify awareness, bridge gaps, and help spouses find connection—at least one place, program, or purpose—no matter where they are stationed. This platform would allow me to invite more voices to the table, foster collaboration, and advocate for the evolving needs of military families. Military life is challenging, and it should not be navigated alone. I hope to engage with leaders at all levels to share insights, elevate spouse voices, and work together to create more inclusive, resilient, and cohesive communities wherever we serve.