Patricia Agard

Share your military spouse story:
I met my husband in 2011 and married four years later - just before he joined the military. Our first station was JBLM, where we spent three years navigating challenging schedules and growing as newlyweds. We then moved to Fort Sam Houston in 2019, Fort Campbell in 2020, and Fort Drum in 2021. After three years of moving annually, arriving at Fort Drum felt as close to “permanent” as military life allows. Five years in as a military spouse, I finally dove into the community, showing it’s never too late to find connection. By engaging, serving, and building relationships, I found support, purpose, and a sense of belonging that transformed my experience and strengthened my role within the military family community.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I have demonstrated sustained leadership and service within the military community through multiple elected and appointed roles spanning nearly a decade. From 2015–2018, I served as Unit Treasurer for our SFRG at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, ensuring responsible financial handlings and organizational accountability. With great fundraisers! I continued my commitment with the North Country Spouses Club (NCSC) as Reservations Chair (2023), Recording Secretary (2023–2024), and was honored as Fort Drum's NCSC Volunteer of the Year in 2024. I currently serve as NCSC Treasurer for the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 terms, where I oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance. In addition, I have led the club’s most active sub-clubs; Beer, Wine & Spirits (2023–2025) and Outdoor Pursuits (2025–2026). Here I foster engagement, connection, and community for military families through inclusive, well-organized programming, with an excited spirit and openness.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I currently serve as Treasurer for the North Country Spouses Club, where I am an engaged member of the leadership team supporting transparency, stability, and informed decision-making that benefits military spouses both on and off post. I work closely with the board to help ensure the club remains sustainable and responsive to member needs. I was honored as Volunteer of the Month in November for my consistent involvement, reliability, and willingness to step in wherever support is needed. Known as a trusted problem-solver and connector, I assist with planning, coordination, and creative solutions that strengthen both operations and morale. In addition, I co-lead the Outdoor Pursuits sub-club, organizing a weekly outdoor walk with regular participation of 5–15 members and a monthly activity that keeps military spouses engaged year-round. Through hikes, snowshoeing, bonfires, and other events, I foster connection, resilience, and a strong sense of community in every season.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
I am passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for all military spouses and actively work to ensure no one feels alone or overlooked. I intentionally connect with new faces in a crowd, am quick to exchange phone numbers, extend invitations, and encourage participation in Spouses Club activities. I often serve as a “safety person” for newcomers, easing anxieties, breaking down barriers, and helping others feel comfortable stepping into unfamiliar spaces. This advocacy is especially visible through my leadership in Outdoor Pursuits walks, where I create low-pressure, judgment-free opportunities for spouses to connect. Watching someone arrive unsure and leave with new friendships and a sense of belonging is incredibly rewarding. By consistently reaching beyond my own comfort zone to uplift others, I strive to positively influence the community by fostering connection, confidence, and community for military spouses at every stage of their journey.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort is fostering connection to community. When I arrived at a new duty station during one of the lowest points in my life, I quickly realized that finding community was essential. As an introvert, this required intentionally stepping outside my comfort zone—saying yes to new opportunities, asking uncomfortable questions so I could be prepared, and remaining open to forming new connections. Through the North Country Spouses Club, I found those opportunities for connection and belonging. I became deeply involved in board and volunteer roles so I could help create the same welcoming environment for others. Today, I strive to be the person I once needed—someone who reaches out, offers reassurance, and helps military spouses find their place. Supporting others as they build meaningful connections has not only strengthened our community, but has guided my own growth and helped shape a life richer and more fulfilling than I ever imagined.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach focuses on intentional connection, accessibility, and inclusiveness for military spouses. I prioritize in-person engagement through NCSC events and low-barrier activities such as weekly Outdoor Pursuits walks and monthly outings that encourage participation regardless of experience or season. I actively invite new spouses to events and foster environments where individuals feel comfortable building relationships at their own pace. Recognizing that not all spouses engage on social media, I have advocated for expanded communication methods beyond Facebook. These efforts include the use of WhatsApp groups, emailed newsletters, and sub-club invitations sent directly via email to ensure broader reach. By diversifying communication and offering consistent, approachable events, I work to make the club more accessible, welcoming, and supportive for all military spouses, both online and offline, strengthening community connection and engagement.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected as AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I would amplify my advocacy for connection, accessibility, and inclusion within the military spouse community. My goal would be to highlight the importance of creating welcoming spaces, both socially and organizationally, where spouses at every stage of their journey feel supported, seen, and empowered to engage. I would use the platform to encourage organizations to offer low-barrier, inclusive programming and to expand communication methods beyond social media, ensuring no spouse is unintentionally left out. I model how meaningful involvement can grow from simply saying yes, even when it feels scary, and to show that leadership does not require being the loudest voice in the room. By sharing my own experience of arriving at a new duty station in a difficult season and finding strength through community, I would advocate for connection as a vital component of readiness, resilience, and overall well-being for military families.