Military Spouses Spark Legislative Change for NATO Families

Bri & Lisa

Advocacy in Action

In a powerful reminder that advocacy begins at home—and often in the hands of military spouses—a long-standing issue affecting thousands of NATO families in Texas has finally been resolved, thanks to a grassroots effort that began within the Sheppard Air Force Base community.

Last month, the Texas Senate passed House Bill 2757, a piece of legislation that promises to change the educational trajectory of countless children of our allied forces. Spearheaded by Texas Representative James Frank and shepherded through the Senate by the timely and passionate support of Senator Hagenbuch, the bill ensures that children of partner nation service members can now enroll in a school grade aligned with European academic calendars.

Until now, children of foreign military families stationed at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB often found themselves a year behind their peers upon returning to Europe. The misalignment in school years—U.S. vs. European calendars—meant they were forced to repeat a grade they had already completed, creating unnecessary hardship during an already challenging time of transition.
But this year, something changed.

The spark came from the 80th Flying Training Wing's Key Support Liaisons (KSLs)—a dedicated group of military spouses who listened to the concerns of NATO families and refused to let the issue go unresolved. Two of those advocates, Bri Shulman and Lisa Bradbury, stood at the forefront of the effort, bringing heart, persistence, and a deep sense of purpose to every conversation with lawmakers and leaders.

Their determination was infectious. In just nine months, what began as a community concern grew into a legislative victory—culminating in Governor Greg Abbott signing the bill into law on June 20th. The new law will take effect this year and benefit over 5,000 NATO families across Texas.

It’s a poignant moment for Sheppard AFB and a shining example of the power of community-led advocacy. Thanks to the insight and persistence of a few dedicated individuals, military families from partner nations will now leave Texas with their children’s education on track—and a reminder that their voices matter.

Who says military spouses can’t change the world? At Sheppard AFB, they just did.