Lyla Arrick

Share your military spouse story:
My military story started out in Camp Pendleton, CA. My Husband and I were married just shortly after he graduated bootcamp in 2010. I got my first inkling of military life working for the Marine Corps Exchange. In 2017 we moved to Parris Island, SC where I found my passion for helping spouses as the Family Readiness Assistant. We moved to Camp Lejeune, NC and I continued my services as a Command Team Advisor for 2d AABN. In 2023, My husband joined the MSG program taking us over seas where I helped encourage the live of the Marines of Detachment Tallinn, Estonia. In 2025, we moved to Quantico, VA and I was able to take over my current position as the MSG Spouse Coordinator to help introduce new spouses to the MSG program and working with the State Department and overseas. I come from a long line of military service with both grandfathers serving for 20 plus years and my father serving during Vietnam.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I have held several leadership and advisory roles within the military community that focus on family readiness, morale, and spouse engagement. From 2018–2020, I served as a Family Readiness Assistant (FRA) for Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Bn, where I worked closely with company and battalion leadership to bridge communication between Marines and their families. From 2020–2023, I served as a Command Team Advisor (CTA) with 2D AAV Battalion at Camp Lejeune, supporting command initiatives, family programs, and morale-building efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In my current role as the Spouse Coordinator for Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG), I collaborate with the Department of State and train Detachment Commander spouses, preparing them for their roles and responsibilities towards the MSG detachment as well as engagement opportunities throughout their overseas assignments.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
As the Spouse Coordinator for MCESG, I support Detachment Commander spouses during their training. In this role, I help educate and empower spouses by providing guidance on day-to-day life overseas, volunteer opportunities, and ways to actively engage with their military and embassy communities. During the last day of training, they and their Detachment Commander Spouses get the chance to talk with other spouses and Detachment Commanders who have been to post, and give them real world examples of what their lives will be like. Sometimes, it is even for the same post. This helps ensure spouses feel prepared, informed, and supported as they step into their leadership roles alongside their Marines. It also fosters a community between those that attend the training to help rely on each other.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
As a FRA, I helped organize meals for Drill Instructors that allowed spouses and children to spend valuable time together during training cycles. I also participated in the Parris Island Spouse Club "Private Peppers" initiative that supported new Marines without family present on Family Day by offering snacks, phone calls home, and “mom hugs.” As a CTA, I co-developed “Coffee on the Ramp,” an initiative that fostered connection between Marines, leadership, spouses, and children, ultimately becoming a biweekly, multi-unit event. Overseas in Estonia, I helped build a community by hosting events for embassy staff and opening my home to Marines for meals, celebrations, and mentorship. This helped strengthen the bonds between the embassy staff and detachment of Marines far beyond the workplace.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort is promoting and supporting military spouses and families. I manage this through initial engagement, community building, education in resources available, networking, and empowering spouses on the importance of their role in the military family. As a Marine Corps spouse of 16 years, I personally understand the challenges of frequent moves, deployments, and the uncertainty it brings. My own transformation from a reserved, young spouse to an active leader and advocate, fuels my passion for helping others find their voice, confidence, and purpose within the military community.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My outreach strategies focus on direct engagement, collaboration with command leadership, and community-centered events. These include organizing family-focused programs such as Coffee on the Ramp, battalion holiday events, fundraisers, and toy drives. Overseas, I helped coordinate embassy and detachment events that helped strengthened relationships with local and international personnel. In my current role, I provide structured training and mentorship to spouses, ensuring clear communication, shared resources, and sustained engagement across the MSG communities.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
My hope is to be a strong voice for the military spouse community that advocates for the building of long-lasting relationships. To foster a community that gives them the tools they need to be strong voices for not only themselves, but other young military spouses. To be a mentor and positive role model that helps encourage spouse engagement within their own units that can grow and thrive. I want to give spouses the confidence they need to be strong members of their family and to volunteer in their units so they can help make a difference in the military community. And to bridge the gap between military units and the biases that revolve around military dependents, to showcase their importance and value to the unit.