Keith Fields

Share your military spouse story:
I have been married to Command Sergeant Major Lutricia Fields, my high school sweetheart, for 24 years. She currently serves as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army The Old Guard (TOG) Fife and Drum Corps. We are the proud parents of identical twin sons, Julian and Joseph, born in 2011. In October 2001, I relocated to Arlington, Virginia, following my wife’s assignment to The Old Guard (TOG) at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) in December 2000. I provide continuous support to my wife and family by managing household operations, including meal preparation, home maintenance, laundry, and ensuring our children are fully prepared for their academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities. As a military spouse, father, husband, and entrepreneur, I remain deeply committed to my family and to serving my community

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
In college I served as the Assistant Marketing and Sales Director of a minor-league hockey team, gaining foundational experience in teamwork, coordination, and strategic planning. Joining the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall community in 2001, I built cohesion and trust in my wife’s unit by assisting with childcare; additionally, I volunteered with the USO, improving morale and strengthening community connections by assembling holiday care packages for Servicemembers. In 2013, I participated in the Joining Forces Roundtable with First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden, advocating for improved military health care and expanded employment resources for Servicemembers and their families. Since 2016, I have served as a Military Mentor for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), guiding young people and supporting their personal growth and resilience. In 2021, my family was honored as the Regional Volunteer Family of the Year by the George Washington Chapter of AUSA.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
My most significant impact has been through my work with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Since 2016, I have served as a Military Mentor, supporting children from early childhood through adolescence. As many of them now near high school graduation, I continue to provide steady guidance and encouragement. Through consistent mentorship, I have observed profound growth in their resilience, confidence, and emerging leadership. These relationships have reinforced my belief that consistent, compassionate support can help young people overcome adversity and establish a strong foundation for lifelong success.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Building on this foundation, my involvement with the military community began when I arrived at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall (JBM‑HH) in 2001. Recognizing a need within my wife’s unit, I assisted Servicemembers with childcare when duty requirements conflicted with family responsibilities. This support not only offered immediate relief to our military families in the battalion, but also helped strengthen trust and unity within our unit so that missions could be accomplished.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
As a TAPS volunteer, my primary advocacy efforts align with the organization’s mission to support military and veteran survivors through compassionate care and essential resources. My work centers on promoting youth mental health awareness within combined communities, advancing comprehensive suicide prevention and postvention initiatives for families, and advocating for increased understanding and policy reform related to toxic exposures affecting Servicemembers and their loved ones.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach efforts center on the strategic use of digital and social media platforms combined with targeted relationship‑building to increase awareness and strengthen recruitment for the organizations I support. Despite broader outreach, many individuals remain unfamiliar with programs Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers and often express appreciation once they learn more about its impact. By sharing relevant experiences, I aim to inspire greater participation in volunteer initiatives. Additionally, there are numerous ways individuals can contribute to the mission beyond direct mentorship within the TAPS program.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
Receiving the Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) award would represent a meaningful professional milestone. This recognition would fortify my ability to advocate for youth mental health awareness and to promote expanded mental health support and services within combined communities. It would also create opportunities for broader engagement as a representative for military and veteran families, reinforcing a continued commitment to service and leadership. I hope that the behavioral health initiatives I have supported locally can ultimately be advanced on a national scale.