When the moving truck pulls away, the new street feels oddly quiet. For military spouses, that silence can last unless someone steps in. But this pause carries a cost. Without proactive connection, readiness can drop, and new arrivals might struggle to find jobs or integrate. Usually, another spouse sends the first message, posts a welcome, or starts a group chat. These actions are crucial to break the silence and prevent the isolation that can challenge military families on the move.

Military spouses are building support networks not just through formal programs, but by leveraging creativity, leadership, and digital tools to connect across diverse settings. Christina Etchberger, Vince Afaisen, McKinzee Crow, and Jessica Manfre demonstrate that mobility empowers spouses to make a meaningful impact.

Christina Etchberger: Turning a Blog Into a Global Network

When Army spouse Christina Etchberger launched It’s a Military Life in 2018, it was just a personal blog. In a few years, it evolved into a nonprofit connecting thousands of military families and Veterans through storytelling, mentorship, and volunteer service.

Now in South Korea, Etchberger manages an online global volunteer team. She explained,

“Our goal is to empower service members, Veterans, and spouses by sharing real stories and resources that build connection.”

Her organization has partnered with initiatives such as the Veteran Pen Pal Project and It’s a Military Child Life, providing digital ways for families to support one another from anywhere.

Etchberger’s story leads to others who turned digital ideas into lasting support, showing how each move can help the community to grow.

Nobody Prepared You for Military Life

But we can help. Join over 100k spouses already getting the specific advice, resources, and military tea they need to thrive.

​

Subscribe

Always free. Cancel anytime.

Vince Afaisen: Cooking Up Connection

At Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Army spouse Vince Afaisen built a community through food. From Guam, Afaisen trained as a chef and shared his creations on social media while volunteering with spouse clubs. Those online posts became conversation starters for families new to posting.

Named the 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Fort Leavenworth Spouse of the Year, Afaisen told the National Military Family Association he sees cooking as a bridge:

“Food opens doors; it brings people together when words sometimes can’t.”

His digital following helped him rally volunteers for holiday meals, cultural events, and fundraisers, connecting hundreds of families.

Afaisen’s approach is another example of creative leadership in action. Sometimes, it’s not about official roles—it’s sharing a table that builds community.

McKinzee Crow: Mentorship in Motion

Air Force spouse McKinzee Crow remembers the loneliness of early military life.

“I wanted other spouses to feel seen and supported,” she explained.

That drive led her to create a blog and TikTok platform offering encouragement, job-search tips, and humor about military life.

Through digital storytelling, Crow built a mentorship model that moves with her. She’s among spouses who use social media for peer support, not perfection. Her posts, PCS tips, and self-care reminders spark conversations that lead to real-world meetups when followers land at the same base.

In her words, “You can start belonging before you even unpack.”

Jessica Manfre: Sustaining Purpose Across the Miles

For Jessica Manfre, the connection started with compassion. A licensed social worker and Coast Guard spouse, Manfre co-founded the nonprofit Inspire Up Foundation after years of moves.

Jessica said,

“My closest friends don’t live near me at all, but we stay connected through FaceTime, texts, and visits. That’s what community looks like in our world.”

Manfre’s sustained impact echoes the efforts of others highlighted here, supporting and mentoring all corners of the military community, no matter the location.

Why Digital Belonging Matters

Each of these spouses highlight how online networks fill the gaps between moves. Organizations like the Military Spouse Advocacy Network and Hiring Our Heroes’ Military Spouse Professional Network expand that model with digital mentorship hubs. These connect spouses before they arrive at a new installation and support the Department of Defense’s focus on family readiness.

The 2023 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey found 63 percent of spouses rely on social media for information and community during transitions.

Digital platforms now act as living base guides, peer support, and professional networks all in one.

What Commands and Communities Can Do

Commands can take simple, practical steps to support these community architects. They can identify and empower spouse-leaders who already run digital groups and invite them into official newcomer programs.

Leadership training can be offered through established models like the Army’s Spouse Leadership Development Course or the Association of Defense Communities’ Spouse Leadership Initiative.

Volunteer impact can be celebrated by highlighting social-media-driven efforts during town halls and award ceremonies. Digital onboarding can also help by encouraging families with orders to follow local spouse pages and mentorship hubs before they arrive.

When spouse-leaders are seen as force multipliers instead of side volunteers, entire units benefit.

A Legacy of Connection

Every relocation brings change, but thanks to spouses like Etchberger, Afaisen, Crow, and Manfre, military families keep their sense of community. This enduring web of support is the heart of the message: spouse-driven networks maintain connection wherever military life takes them.

They remind us that the real foundation of the military community isn't made of housing blocks or gates. It's built from messages, meals, mentorship, and shared moments. Their stories show that even with constant moves, the connection lasts.

As you read about their journeys, consider: What role can you play in building this network? Could you be the next 'community architect,' transforming challenges into opportunities? Take the first step and see how you can contribute to this legacy.

Suggested reads:

• Beyond "Resilient": What Military Families Really Want You to Hear
• Nervous About Therapy? You're Not Alone, Especially After a Big Move or Deployment
• Military Spouses: Navigating Holidays Without Service Members