Marion Strelke

Share your military spouse story:
I don’t have a single defining moment that defines my story; instead, it’s built on consistently showing up for a community I love deeply. I’m the average girl next door who believes that while watching what our active duty members do in their careers is inspiring, what inspires me most are the spouses who stand behind them, often quietly holding families and communities together. My support is simple and intentional. It looks like coordinating events that give spouses a place to recharge, checking in when someone feels overwhelmed, sending handwritten notes, or dropping off small reminders that they’re not alone. It includes supporting new spouses through orientation and family readiness efforts, sharing knowledge, and helping them find their footing during transitions. I believe it’s okay to be a little raw around the edges and still show up and lead. I look for gaps where support is missing and step in to help move initiatives forward. I may be the person everyone thinks they know, but my superpower is showing up in a capacity you didn’t realize you needed.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
My leadership journey began through volunteering with family readiness programs, where I supported spouses during high tempo deployments and helped new families navigate transitions through orientation and readiness efforts. As those programs evolved, so did my opportunities to grow through teaching, coordinating, and supporting spouses during demanding periods of military life. My leadership also developed in less traditional spaces, including serving in our local Cub Scout program while many active duty members were deployed. Since moving overseas, I have served in leadership roles within military spouse organizations, including Treasurer and board member, focusing on financial stewardship, governance, and sustainable programming. I manage budgets, audits, and fundraising oversight while prioritizing mentorship and systems building so organizations remain strong beyond any one volunteer.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I currently serve on the board of the Marine Officers’ Spouses’ Club Okinawa (MOSCO) as Treasurer, a role I have held for two years, and the American Welfare & Works Association (AWWA) as Financial Officer for the past year, supporting financial oversight, budgeting, and stewardship of funds that benefit military families. I am also a Culture Group Leader with the Okinawa International Women’s Club (OIWC), a position I have held for two years, fostering connection and cultural exchange between U.S. and host-nation communities. In addition, I serve with the Okinawa Leadership Seminar (OLS) as the Book Club Lead after a year and a half as Administrative Director. I assist at the unit level as a Family Readiness Team Assistant, serve as a neighborhood liaison, and recently began serving as an Advocate Specialist with the USMC PCS Advocacy Council, supporting families navigating transition challenges.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Inclusive community building has been central to my work as a military spouse, especially overseas. I focus on creating spaces where spouses at every stage of military life, new arrivals, seasoned families, working spouses, stay-at-home parents, and host-nation partners, feel welcomed, informed, and valued. I prioritize accessibility and clarity, recognizing that barriers often come from uncertainty rather than lack of interest. By sharing information openly, encouraging participation without pressure, and fostering environments where it’s okay to ask questions or show up imperfectly, I help reduce isolation and build confidence. Some of the most meaningful impact comes from quiet moments: a spouse attending their first event alone, a volunteer stepping into leadership with encouragement, or a family finding connection after a difficult transition. Inclusion, to me, is built through consistent presence, empathy, and follow-through.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort is empowering military spouses through clarity, access to information, and practical support, especially during periods of transition. I focus on helping spouses understand systems, processes, and available resources so uncertainty doesn’t become a barrier to engagement or well-being. This work is personal. I’ve experienced how overwhelming military life can feel when information is unclear or support feels fragmented, particularly during moves, deployments, and overseas transitions. I’ve also seen how quickly confidence grows when spouses feel informed, welcomed, and supported. Advocacy, to me, means reducing confusion, amplifying voices, and meeting spouses where they are. Whether that’s through education, connection, or one-on-one support. When spouses feel capable and informed, families are stronger, communities are healthier, and the military as a whole benefits.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach focuses on clear, approachable communication delivered through both formal and informal channels. I regularly share information through community meetings, orientation sessions, written guidance, and digital platforms to ensure spouses have timely, accurate, and accessible information. I use events and small-group settings to foster open dialogue, answer questions, and reduce confusion around systems that can feel overwhelming, particularly during transitions. In online spaces, I help moderate discussions, clarify misinformation, and communicate complex topics in plain language so spouses feel informed rather than intimidated. I also collaborate with organizational leaders and installation partners to ensure messaging is consistent, respectful, and supportive. My approach to communication prioritizes transparency, empathy, and credibility, allowing me to engage diverse audiences and positively influence conversations impacting military spouses and families.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected, I would use the AFI Military Spouse of the Year platform to amplify practical, inclusive advocacy that reflects the everyday realities of military spouses. I hope to highlight the importance of clear communication, sustainable volunteer leadership, and accessible support systems that meet spouses where they are. I would represent the role with humility and responsibility, focusing on collaboration rather than spotlight. My goal would be to elevate conversations around transition support, information accessibility, and community connection. Especially for spouses navigating change, uncertainty, or isolation. Most importantly, I hope to reinforce that military spouses are not a single narrative. We are diverse, capable, and resilient, and when spouses feel informed, supported, and empowered, families are stronger and communities thrive.