Katie Schoepf

Share your military spouse story:
Konnichiwa from Okinawa, Japan! My name is Katie Schoepf and I am a Marine Corps military spouse. I am originally from University Park, Maryland and raised in an Air Force household. My husband and I met while he was stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 2016 and married in 2018. Our duty stations have included NC, RI and now Okinawa since October 2024. My professional background is in education - higher ed and teacher in secondary education (6-12th) in NC, MA and Okinawa. I've consistently served as an appointed Family Readiness Command Team Advisor (FRCTA) at three commands: MARSOC, 2d Intel and 3d MEB. I was an active member of the Camp Lejeune Officers Spouses Club & Book Club and the Military Spouses of Newport. Currently, I am a Board Member on the North Island Okinawa Spouses' Club (NIOSC) which is an inclusive all-hands club. In addition, I am surrounded by inspiring military spouses from DODEA, paddling with the Yasha Dragons, OIWC and much more.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Since 2019, I have served as an appointed Family Readiness Command Team Advisor (FRCTA) for three commands through UPFRP. My first two commands were based in NC. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 at 2d Intel, I coordinated and led a team for a Cookie Drop for the Marines in the barracks. We ensured over 300 Marines were given a handwritten note and bag of sweets from the command prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Spouses baked and donated dozens upon dozens of cookies and handwritten notes were crafted by spouses, children or students from the local school district. A year later, we celebrated a second annual Cookie Drop based on the success and outline from 2020. With COVID-19 ongoing and travel restricted in 2020, I led and organized a Holiday Party in the Barracks that made up for Marines not being allowed to travel home. The day delivered joy including a full holiday spread donated by the unit’s spouses, gifts and even my dog reporting for duty to cheer up the Barracks.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
At the recent recommendation of a unit spouse, I facilitated a 3d MEB Food Drive for the Neighborhood Food Pantry. This unit spouse expressed concern with the recent government shutdown and food insecurity surrounding the time before Thanksgiving and beyond. Despite being a smaller unit, we raised over 248.8 lbs of food in November 2025. With coordinating the logistics and marketing, it was very rewarding to have the unit commit during a challenging time. The 3d MEB was involved with a disaster relief effort in the Philippines but the unit leadership and military spouses were committed to the cause. Before departing for the December 2025 holiday season, my Co-Command Team Advisor and I collaborated together for a Command gift. All Marines and Sailors were given a Command holiday card and a unit ornament for their Christmas tree. We even partnered with a military spouse owned business.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
As a tour guide for NIOSC Tour of Homes in December 2025, it was special for me to see the various 20 military spouses part of my group. I marketed it on social media and shared through word of mouth for weeks in advance. My Jingle Jolly’s group ended up being a collection of connections. The group consisted of several spouses from 3d MEB, Book Club, DODEA, a fellow paddler on the Yasha Dragons and a military mentor spouse. Tour of Homes involved six homes and countless details. It was empowering to lead my group and celebrate the many connections made in Okinawa. As a Board Member on NIOSC, I am involved with event programming, support and promotion. In being across the world, it is hard to feel so far away from family and friends especially during the holidays. The club organized a Welcome Aboard event in August, Halloween Bunco in October, Friendsgiving Lunch in November and Tour of Homes in December. NIOSC raised 200+ lbs of food for the Neighborhood Food Pantry.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I advocate for keeping the Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program (UPFRP) as a priority and in a consistent role for the unit. Here in Japan, the majority of military spouses are in similar situations. We are far from family, friends, support networks and points of familiarity. I demonstrate compassion, kindness and care. Similar to when I’m teaching, I want spouses (as similar to my students) to be valued, recognized and heard. I consistently show up and step up where support is needed most. I work diligently to often triage questions from spouses and do my best to connect them to the right person, office and champion specific programs. While that has looked differently at the three commands, I adapt and modify my approach and always prioritize Marines, Sailors, spouses and their families. I recognize the influence associated with my role in the Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program (UPFRP). I share about my role with family and friends to promote greater awareness.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
In November 2020, I shared information about a unit initiative as the Family Readiness Command Team Advisor to my then school district’s (New Hanover County Schools - Wilmington, NC) Marketing team. 2d Intel’s story about the Cookie Drop event was later covered in a video clip and I was interviewed about the initiative. In October 2024, I was the Paul Harris Fellow Award recipient by the West Raleigh Rotary Club. It is one of Rotary’s prestigious honors and recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary work in community service. At the luncheon, I shared my military spouse story and spoke to my involvement in being a Family Readiness Command Team Advisor as well as maintaining my profession as a teacher. Finally, I like to celebrate my Marine Corps military spouse connection by celebrating the Marine Corps birthday both in my past and present classrooms. This celebration draws awareness to the stories of the Marines but the military spouses and families who support them.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I am truly humbled and honored by this opportunity associated with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year title. I hope to promote a greater visibility of the importance of Family Readiness programs as well as military spouse leadership involvement. I would like to see a stronger emphasis on sharing stories of military spouses who exemplify professionalism and unity at their command communities, specifically through the Family Readiness programs. There is incredible work being done. Military spouses manage significant responsibilities (seen and unseen). I'd like to effectively capture the meaningful unit events, strategic initiatives addressing issues faced by military families and collaborative community partnerships. There would be an emphasis on showcasing and promoting at the various USMC stations to promote greater awareness and understanding.