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Air Force Spouse
Spouses in the Fight
Pivot & Persevere
We’ve all been there. When “needs of the military” trumps the needs of the family. Sometimes it's something big and sometimes something small. Regardless, what matters is what we do after.
Air Force spouse Kristen found herself in this situation when trying to pursue her ambitions of attending law school and becoming a lawyer. After spending more than $1,000 on the LSAT, applying and being accepted, including a full ride scholarship and a generous stipend, they found out that her then fiancé would be stationed at Vance AFB, a remote pilot training base. After having spent 4 years apart while he attended the Air Force Academy, they chose to prioritize their new family, and she put off law school due to location.
As her husband finished his time at pilot training, she again did the work to pursue her own career. This time, she chose law schools near heavy aircraft bases where her husband was likely to be stationed. She was accepted by 4 schools with scholarships totaling over $200,000, each close to a different base. Come to find out, her husband was 1 of 2 chosen in his class to be a First Assignment Instructor Pilot. This will keep Kristen and her family at Vance for an additional 3 years.
After taking some time to process and seeking mentorship, Kristen decided to pivot and bloom where she was planted. She got a job with the City of Enid, managing their Community Development Block Grant. She is using that position to create deeper partnerships between the city and the base, specifically supporting working spouses. She has turned her challenges into opportunities and is fueling a growing passion for advocacy for military families.
Check out Kristen’s article:
When asked what Kristen’s plans for the future are, she responded, “At this point, I still plan to apply for law school again in 3 years when my husband finds out his next assignment. I don’t know if this makes me persistent or crazy, or both. Either way, I know I have my family and my community’s support, because when we are stronger as a family, we are strong as a force.”