Michelle Mills

Share your military spouse story:
My husband and I met 30 years ago as kids and were married in 1999. Our family grew quickly and within 2 years we were headed to our 3rd duty station with two children under five. Soon after, 9/11 changed everything and deployments began. Those years were a blur -trying to finish my degree, advocating for our special needs child, unemployment, and worrying for my husband's safety. By our next PCS, he had deployed three times. The following five years brought 4 PCS' and 2 deployments, and suddenly it was 2010. 2010-2014 we experienced a PCS and much-needed family time. In 2014, we were honored to serve in our first command role, pouring into the Airmen and families entrusted to us. Over the past 12 years we have served in three additional command roles and completed another deployment. We remain hopeful our AF journey is not yet complete, as we wish to continue to serve our country, Airmen, and families for a long time to come.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
On of my greatest accomplishments is I am graduate of The George W Bush StandTo Veteran Leadership (VLP) Program. I was selected to take part in the highly competitive program based on my efforts and advocacy for the military connected community. Additionally, I have served as the President of a Military Spouse Employment Resource Group (ERG) at one of the world's largest employers and also served on the global military board. At the Air Force level, I have served as the Command Spouse Mentor for Air Force Leadership Development Course twice and Squadron Officer Command Course. As well as, featured speaker twice at the Air Force Group and Wing Commanders Course and once at the Air Combat Command Wing Commander Spouse Conference. At the base level, I have served as a Command Spouse at the Squadron, Group, and Wing level. During each role I also served as the Key Command Liaison and Senior Mentor. I have served on many Spouses Club Boards in a variety of positions.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Military spouse employment continues to be a huge risk to our national security, and we have not seen positive progress in over 10 years regarding the high un/underemployment numbers. Frankly, there are a lot of bad actors in the space. Those who tout 'military/military spouse friendly' yet they have weak hiring, and even worse retention, numbers. These organizations use the military community as good PR, but it is for their benefit not truly to help. To combat the crisis, I work with organizations large and small to help them understand the unique aspects of the military connected life and build inclusive programming to meet the community's needs. Additionally, I partner with individuals and organizations to support their advocacy for our community. This has included meeting with local, and national, government officials to discuss and advise on how they can support from a programmatic approach.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
For years I have hosted informal networking events where anyone from the military connected community is invited to attend. They are meant to serve as a way for individuals to connect to others they might not otherwise interact with. These events have been hosted in a variety of settings to try and create a welcoming environment no matter what the person's background is. One of my favorites was a Holiday Cocktail Party at our home for deployed spouses. Spouses of all ranks, units, time as a military spouse, backgrounds, etc. attended - many on their own, not knowing a single other person. A couple retired spouses I knew attend as well and watching new connections form was powerful. Spouses that would not normally have crossed paths, were exchanging numbers. Many it was their first deployment, and they shared later it helped them not feel so alone. Very recently I named them 'Intentional Connection' events and am excited to have 3 on the schedule already for 2026.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
Military Spouse employment crisis affects the nation on many levels and has been added as an issue of National Security for the services. I struggled for years to find gainful employment in a role that I was qualified for and not something I had to settle for. Many times, during my journey, I was met with direct feedback that a company was not interested in hiring me because I was a military spouse. Even if I was the most qualified for the position. I was told that I could not grow within my field if I couldn't stay stationary, so I should be happy with a role I was overqualified for. I refused to accept that my spouse's commitment to our country, and our family's sacrifices, should be a viable reason for someone not to employ me or put me in a role that was in line with my experience. It caused a fire in me to fight. To be a vocal advocate and champion to help organizations see the incredible asset a military spouse is to a company and create career opportunities.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
We have to get people talking about military spouse employment and getting their support around REAL change. To do that, I seek out people I think have the capacity to make decisions that will positively help. Whether it is a government official or a corporate leader, I am not shy about asking for their time. Some highlights, 2025 I was recognized as the Distinguished Military Graduate for Western Governor's University based on my advocacy for veteran and spouse employment. I gave a speech at the awards and was featured on the WGU Alumni Podcast. In 2024, I spoke at leadership conferences and was featured in Amazon's 100K Hiring Pledge video. 2023 spoke at conferences, participated in Phillip Morris International's nationwide listening tour and featured by the local news regarding spouse's employment. In the near term, I am scheduled to meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Military Community and Family Policy in February to make a plan of how we can work together.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
The reach, and visibility, AFI Military Spouse of the Year gives to important topics affecting our military connected community is incredible. I have witnessed firsthand from friends and mentors who are AFI MSOY how being selected opened doors that would otherwise not been possible with people who could help. And that is what I hope. I want real change makers to sit down and listen. To make sound business decisions that will lift up the military spouse community and support careers that match the skills. My hope is that we will stop seeing families choosing between military service and stable careers. That with gainful employment for spouses, we see less food and housing insecurity for those who serve. That spouses are seen for the INCREDIBLE value they bring to an organization and companies are recruiting them like D1 Athletes, because they are!