Megan Rhodes

Share your military spouse story:
I met my husband while he was serving as an Army Recruiter in Cincinnati, Ohio. With him by my side, I began volunteering as a culinary instructor at a local vocational school. Two years later we married and moved to Washington, D.C., where long trainings and frequent travel shaped our life. I built community by opening my home, hosting girls’ nights that became anchors of support. After four years of trying, we learned we were expecting, and in November 2020, during COVID, we welcomed our daughter Lorelei at Walter Reed. I worked as a homeschool teacher for a dual-military family before returning to Ohio, where my husband earned his commission. Life shifted again at Fort Carson, far from family, where I poured myself into service, fundraising, and leadership within the spouses club. Recognized for my work supporting deployed families. Today at Fort Knox, I continue building community, turning service into belonging, proving that military spouses lead quietly, powerfully, and together.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
My leadership contributions to the military community began during my husband’s time in recruiting, where I supported the company by planning family team building events. In an environment where everyone is geographically dispersed. I was recognized twice as Battalion Volunteer of the Quarter and once as Volunteer of the Year, and we hosted three holiday parties for the entire company. At Fort Carson, Colorado, I served on the board of the Mountain Post Spouses Club as the Mother Flocker, raising funds and morale, and was recognized by the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Commanding General as Volunteer of the Quarter. I also served as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group civilian advisor, planning and executing a holiday party, family readiness day, and numerous meetings, earning the Civilian Commendation Medal. At Fort Knox, I revitalized the Mother Flocker program, raising over $2,000, and as an assistant fundraiser helped raise over $15,000 for scholarships and grants.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am currently involved in several active programs that directly support the needs of the military community at Fort Knox. I volunteer regularly at the Fort Knox Warrior Wearhouse, a vital resource that collects donations and provides clothing, household goods, and essential items to Service Members and families at no cost. I also serve as the Mother Flocker for the Fort Knox Spouses and Community Club, where I help raise funds that are reinvested into the community through grants and scholarships. In this role, I have helped plan and execute the club’s two largest fundraisers, including one that raised over $28,000 to directly support military families. Additionally, I serve as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group civilian advisor for my husband’s unit. Together, we have organized four family-focused events that strengthen connection and resilience, including “Breakfast with Your Soldier,” which allowed families meaningful time together in a supportive environment.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Building an inclusive community has always been driven by my passion for advocacy and ensuring every spouse feels heard and valued. My journey began during my husband’s recruiting assignment, a demanding and isolating role for families. I actively gathered spouses’ concerns and took them directly to the commander, ensuring transparency and trust. At Fort Carson, while serving as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group advisor, I expanded this advocacy by hosting family discussions to help spouses understand training cycles, reducing fear through knowledge. At Fort Knox, I further strengthened inclusiveness by hosting a spouse panel that represented diverse perspectives: a recently retired spouse, an officer spouse, an enlisted spouse, and a spouse retired for over fifteen years. Together, we answered candid questions on topics impacting daily life and well-being. Through listening, representation, and open dialogue, I strive to build communities where every military spouse belongs.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main advocacy effort centers on clear, compassionate communication between command teams and military families. I am deeply passionate about ensuring there is an open, understandable line of communication from my husband’s command to the families. Too often, critical information becomes skewed by military jargon that is second nature to Service Members but confusing to spouses. I have personally experienced moments where I had no idea what my husband was explaining and had to seek clarity from other spouses. Those moments showed me how easily confusion can grow into stress or isolation. This personal connection drives my involvement in every family event possible. I attend not only to ensure families know about events, but to help translate the intent, expectations, and purpose behind them. By breaking down language barriers and encouraging questions, I help families feel informed, included, and confident, strengthening trust and resilience across the entire military community.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
As a military spouse, I engage the media primarily through encouragement, storytelling, and advocacy within my community. Although I have not personally engaged local or national media outlets, I have supported friends who were given those opportunities by encouraging them to speak about the real needs of military families that I have heard firsthand. I believe sharing authentic experiences helps shape understanding and positive change. I actively share good news stories on social media to highlight resilience, service, and community impact. Additionally, I have served as the emcee for every spouses club event I have been part of, a role I truly enjoy. Through this platform, I amplify the voices of spouses and families, honoring their sacrifices and dedication while ensuring their stories are seen, heard, and valued within and beyond the military community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If awarded the AFI Military Spouse of the Year title, I hope to amplify the true needs of military families and create a platform that reaches far beyond our local community, making a meaningful, positive impact on military communities worldwide. I aspire to serve as a trusted voice who can bring issues and concerns directly to the highest levels of leadership, ensuring that spouses’ perspectives are heard, understood, and addressed. I want to provide a space where military spouses can openly discuss challenges, share experiences, and propose solutions to problems we face together. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and advocacy, I aim to strengthen our small but resilient military community, inspire others to engage actively, and ensure that the sacrifices and dedication of families are recognized and supported at every level. This platform would allow me to turn concerns into actionable change for families everywhere.