Kristen Thoennes

Share your military spouse story:
Growing up, my family moved every three years, unrelated to the military. We even lived near USAG Stuttgart in Germany and Charleston AFB in South Carolina. I met my husband through Facebook my freshmen year of college, but at the time military service was not part of his life plan. After getting married and experiencing a year of unemployment due to the global recession, he had a choice between a civilian job or enlisting in the Air Force. Joining the military felt like the right move, so we embarked on that adventure! He has now served for 15 years and ended up accomplishing many things in his career including being accepted into Officer Training School and commissioned as an officer which has allowed us to experience both sides of active-duty life.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I have had the opportunity to hold several leadership positions within the military community. I started off small with my husband's squadron where I helped plan social events for the spouses and was eventually selected as a Key Spouse. I served on governing and executive boards for several spouses clubs including Beale Officers' Spouses' Club, Shaw Spouses' Club, and the Stuttgart Community Spouses' Club. While stationed at Shaw AFB, I served as the President of the Shaw Spouses' Club for almost two years, including through the beginning of COVID. I expanded my leadership to the Communications & Marketing Team with the Military Spouse Advocacy as the Marketing Coordinator and then Marketing Manager. That gave me the confidence to pursue the Public Relations Director position for Americans Working Around the Globe (AWAG), a position I held for two years. At work I serve as the Team Lead for our marketing assistants, mostly whom are military spouses.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
My volunteer experience throughout the years provided me the skills and confidence to pursue a paid position which led me to Stars and Stripes Europe as the Marketing Coordinator. Through my position, I actively work with community partners to elevate the programs and services they offer for military spouses and families. One example is my current project collaborating with the area spouses clubs to provide the Kaiserslautern Military Community with a Spouses Night Out, a fun event for military spouses. Living overseas can be extremely isolating and having a community event that all are welcome to attend is much needed. Through my work I also help to elevate the programs offered by the USO. The USO centers in Europe are extremely active and provide invaluable opportunities for connection for military members and spouses. By supporting their events, I am helping provide more people with these opportunities to build relationships and enjoy military life more.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Two years ago was my first year volunteering with AWAG. In the fall we hosted our area leadership and professional development seminars. In the spring, we hosted the Annual Seminar where US military-affiliated people from all over Europe and Africa come to Edelweiss Lodge & Resort in Garmisch, Germany for a four-day conference full of professional development, networking and fun. I was sitting at my little table, manning a slideshow during the closing ceremony. Seeing all the lights dance around the room and observing all the people who came together for self-improvement and to connect with others was so empowering. The AWAG Board had worked tirelessly all year to plan each detail to make an impactful event for our attendees. Watching the room during the closing ceremony, I felt the energy there and saw how our work had paid off and then some. That is one of my most recent moments where inclusive community was built.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I scroll social media too much. It is one of my passions and my work. One thing I've seen time and time again over my years of social media usage as a military spouse is spouses yearning for relationships and community, but they don't always know where to go. There are a lot of spouses struggling with hard things. Just this year, for example, I've noticed more and more military spouses asking for divorce resources and asking for help with abusive relationships. Because of all of this, my main focus for advocacy is simply being a light to others. I don't lead any big efforts. I don't spearhead any major initiatives. I simply offer kindness and a smile to the people I meet both in person and in online spaces.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
Communication is part of my daily life. It's a major part of my positions with Stars and Stripes and the Military Spouse Advocacy Network. I also have a passion for writing that I have been rediscovering over the last two years. One way I use this is to write articles for StripesEurope.com. Many of these articles are travel related. Military families stationed overseas love to travel to make the most of our short time in Europe! But I also use my platform as a way to shine a light on the amazing programs and services that other organizations in our community are offering military spouses. For example, I have recently written a few articles highlighting the AWAG Area Seminars. I hope other military spouses discover the organization so they can invest in themselves through their classes and seminars like I did.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I am honored to be nominated this year. I have been following the MSOY program for over five years and am always so impressed by the caliber of people that are nominated. As a MSOY, I hope to continue to provide a positive and encouraging voice to fellow military spouses. This life can be hard, but it can also be amazingly wonderful!