MILITARY SPOUSES DO INCREDIBLE THINGS — LET’S MAKE SURE THEY’RE SEEN
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Military spouses are often the quiet force holding it all together. They lead nonprofits, advocate for better policies, volunteer, mentor fellow spouses, build businesses, and strengthen communities—all while navigating deployments, PCS moves, parenting for some, and for all—the unpredictability of military life.
As Army veteran spouse and MilSpouse in the House host Christie Nix put it, The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year program celebrates “the spouses who lead, uplift, innovate, advocate, and make our community stronger every single day.”
Does that sound like someone you know? Because right now, nominations are open.
What is the Military Spouse of the Year Program?
The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year Awards recognize spouses from every branch of service who demonstrate leadership, service, and impact—not just on the bases they represent, but in the broader community too.
AFI acquired the program in 2018 and has continued to expand it because they wanted to “showcase all of the good things that these folks are doing,” said AFI’s Vice President and Chief Growth Officer Lori Simmons, an Army veteran spouse herself.
The program has grown over time to include base-level winners, branch-level winners, and one overall winner – and Simmons emphasized that winning at any level is a big deal.
“You can carry that forever,” she said. “It’s your title.”
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Why This Recognition Matters
A lot of spouses might think they’re not ‘doing enough’ to be recognized —even when everyone around them clearly sees the impact they’re making.
That’s why this program matters.
“It’s not about perfection. It’s about someone else saying, ‘I see you,’” Simmons said.
2025 AFI MSOY Jaime Billert said it best when she talked about how her own military spouse journey began with one meaningful moment of welcome.
“I walked into my first spouse event and realized, these people are living it, they get it, and they’re going to meet me where I’m at,” Billert said.
That experience encouraged her to step up, serve, and “pay it forward to the next generation… the spouses that come behind me,” she added.
How AFI MSOY Winners Are Picked
The MSOY process isn’t a popularity contest—nominees are evaluated using specific criteria. Spouses are judged in five categories:
- Leadership (weighted most heavily)
- Involvement
- Community building
- Communication
- Having a compelling story
Nominations Are Open Now
If you’re thinking of someone right now—the spouse who runs the meal train, leads the fundraiser, mentors new spouses, supports families behind the scenes, or just shows up—for everyone—you’re probably thinking of the right person.
And here's the thing: being nominated alone can mean a lot.
“What feels like a thankless action can still deserve a thank you,” Billert reflected, encouraging spouses to accept recognition when it comes, even if it feels uncomfortable. “Take the genuine compliment.”
Nominations are currently open, but close January 16, 2026. Nominate a deserving spouse today.
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A Reminder to Military Spouses Everywhere
If you’re a military spouse thinking, “That’s not me,”—it might be.
Spouses don’t always see their own impact while they’re in the thick of it: the juggling, the volunteering, the kids, the work, the PCS planning—the chaos.
But your community sees it. And that’s the point of this program—to make sure the work spouses do doesn’t go unnoticed.
Because when military spouses lift each other up, it really is true: incredible things happen.
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BY TEAL YOST
Managing Editor at MilSpouses
BY TEAL YOST
Managing Editor at MilSpouses
Teal Yost is a Navy spouse, journalist, and managing editor of Military Brands, where she leads storytelling that connects and empowers the military community. With more than a decade of experience in military-focused media, her work blends...
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