Najeeba Gassel

Share your military spouse story:
My husband and I are college sweethearts, having met in the first week of school as freshmen at George Mason University. We have grown up together through college, first “big-kid” jobs, long distance, milestones and more. 13+ years later and we have 2 amazing little boys and a beautiful life together. Even though military life has been challenging at times and filled with uncertainty, my husband has always tried to put my career first and never let me lose myself. Sometimes I still can’t believe I found a partner who values family and service as much as I always have. I am so grateful we get to do this all together.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I currently serve as a Baltimore area Ombudsman, something I have thought about since the first spouses meeting I attended at his boot camp graduation weekend. I vividly remember hearing that word and having no clue what it meant at first! As I learned what the role was though I knew I would one day serve. Now, I have 6 area units and am honored to serve so many Coast Guard families in Baltimore. Much more informally, I have always offered my contact info to new spouses and families at the units we have been at because I know how scary a PCS can be (especially for the younger spouses like I was). I think community is so important in this lifestyle and I have always been eager and willing to bring people together.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
As mentioned, I serve as an Ombudsman, therefore I communicate regularly with all 6 of those commands, and communicate with their members. I speak at all-hands and various other meetings so I can share information and resources. I attend any morale events that are open to families as my schedule allows, to set a good example and be an active participant. Examples include coast guard day events, chief dinners, coast guard balls, and advancement ceremonies, to name a few.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
I recently accepted a role at work to co-lead our newest employee resource group for veterans and military families. This group is open to anyone at the organization that seeks a community with other military-connected individuals, from any branch and of any status. It is for spouses, parents, siblings, friends, reservists, veterans, anyone, and I am so proud to be getting this group officially started. This is a community I have been searching for at work and am grateful it finally came together. Turns out, there are a lot of us!

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I have worked for Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) for going on 7 years and am a passionate advocate for blood cancer patients and their families. Throughout all this time at this incredible organization though I have discovered how much our work positively affects other types of cancers, various diseases, and even veterans and first responders. My two areas of passion between military families and cancer advocacy have truly found a way to intertwine. It feels natural to be so committed to both of these areas. I have friends who have struggled as spouses with deployed husbands and friends who have battled blood cancer. Being able to offer support and first hand knowledge is my superpower.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I have not worked with the media in any military spouse capacity but I have done so for work, so I am not unfamiliar with media communication. I am comfortable with public speaking and do so often. As an ombudsman I speak to a large group several times a month. This space allows me to advocate for spouse resources that I find many people don’t even know exist.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I deeply believe in community and find so much value in finding “my people” everywhere I go. This does not come easily for everyone so I strive to create that space for all military spouses. This lifestyle is hard to explain to those outside of it but there is comfort in finding those within it. No spouse should ever feel alone. No one should ever feel like they have no support or resources. I hope to accomplish setting a golden standard for building communities of spousal networks to anyone who will listen.