Tracy Gilbert

Share your military spouse story:
To tell this story, I must begin at the very beginning. The military has never been a chapter in my life, but it was been the setting. I was raised in a Navy household by two parents who served. When I finally met my spouse and he told me he was joining the Coast Guard, I didn't hesitate. I knew the life, and I chose it again. For. the past 11 years, I have been the spouse of an active duty CG member, building life on movement. Packing up homes, crossing the country 4 times, and learning to bloom where we were planted no matter how short of an assignment. While having the military family background, nothing could fully prepare me for stepping into the roll of a military spouse. This role is learned through experience, resilience, and most importantly community. Because of this, I have dedicated years to mentoring young spouses, and others wishing our community hoping to ease their transition and remind them they are never alone. Being a military spouse isn't just a title it is an honor.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Over the past year, I have been honored to serve on the Board of the USCG Spouses Club of Washington, DC as the Zip Code Connections Event Coordinator. In this role, I have led child-focused events across the National Capital Region to foster connection and community among spouses with young children. I also organize member happy hours, community building workshops, and events celebrating the Month of the Military Child. In addition, I volunteer with the local PWOC chapter at Fort Belvoir as a table leader and mentor, supporting and encouraging fellow military spouses. I also dedicate many Sunday afternoons to serving local youth through the AWANA program as a table leader for first and second grade students. Beyond these roles, I actively participate in food drives, clothing swaps, and other outreach efforts. Giving back to the military community is a responsibility I proudly embrace.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am involved in the following projects that support the needs of military families, USCG Spouses Club of Washington DC as an active board member. PWOC as a table leader and mentor. AWANA as a table leader and mentor to students in the 1st and 2nd grade. Lastly, Fort Belvoir ChapleNext as a volunteer.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
The moments that best reflect my impact are the times I've helped create spaces where military spouses especially those who are new, isolated, or parenting young children feel seen and supported. Thus why I intentionally designed a position for the USCG spouse club that focuses on events so that spouses with young children could participate without barriers. Watching new spouses build friendships is truly my passion. Supporting women as they navigate military life and personal challenges has reinforced the importances of listening, inclusion, and shared experiences. Inclusive and supportive communities are built through consistent presence and service which is why I passionately serve with PWOC and AWANA. Military life would be dreadful without the community that has been built around us. My commitment is to ensure military spouses around me feel welcome, connected, and valued.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main advocacy effort is building inclusive, accessible community for military spouses with a focus on those who are new to the military life. My personal connection to this cause is rooted in both my upbringing and lived experience. This lifestyle has showed me how isolating it can be without intentional support. Which is why I dedicate my time now to extend that intentional support to others. I have experienced firsthand how one welcome event, one mentorship, or one genuine connection can make a difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling grounded. I advocate for programs and spaces that remove barriers to participate, foster connection, and create a sense of belonging. My work organizing child friendly meet ups and events, mentoring spouses, and supporting community initiatives is driven by a desire to ensure no military spouse feels alone in a season that is already demanding.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach focuses on creating accessible, welcoming opportunities for connection and communicating consistently across multiple platforms to reach military spouses where they are. I organize and lead inclusive, family friendly events throughout the NCR, including child focused gatherings, community-building workshops, member social events, and celebrations such as the Month of the Military Child. These events are intentionally designed to remove common barriers to participation, especially for spouses with young children or those new to the military community. In addition to in person engagement, I support outreach through club communications and social media by promoting events, sharing resources, and encouraging participation from spouses across different duty stations and backgrounds. For example, I spent many hours sharing resources for all branches during the shutdown across social media, in hopes to help others.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected as the AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I would use this platform to amplify the voices of military spouses especially those who feel unseen, isolated, or unsure of where they belong. I aim to highlight the importance of inclusive and accessible communities, advocating for programs and policies that remove barriers to connection, particularly for spouses with young children and those new to military life. I also hope to elevate the narrative of military spouses as leaders, mentors, and changemakers within their communities. By sharing authentic stories, I want to foster collaboration across installations and organizations, strengthening nationwide support networks and showcasing the unique honor and value of military spousehood. Ultimately, I would use this title to inspire spouses to step into their strengths, cultivate meaningful connections, and recognize their own worth, while continuing to serve as a cornerstone of their military family.