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Kristen Thoennes
Spouses in the Fight
Kristen Thoennes is a dedicated advocate for military spouses, blending her passion for volunteerism with a thriving career in marketing. A graduate of Winthrop University with a B.A. in Political Science, Kristen discovered her love for marketing through her involvement in spouses’ clubs—a passion that has led her to her current roles as Marketing Coordinator for Stars and Stripes Europe and Marketing Manager for the Military Spouse Advocacy Network. 
Early in her military spouse journey, Kristen struggled to envision a career she could pursue. “Options were limited, or I felt held back because I was a military spouse,” she admits. Her first overseas assignment at USAG Stuttgart offered few career opportunities, and she initially worked at the base thrift shop simply because it was available. But Kristen didn’t stop there—she leveraged her volunteer work and network to find meaningful opportunities, ultimately landing her dream role at Stars and Stripes.
Equally important to Kristen’s journey has been the power of deliberate connection and community building. At her first duty station, Wright-Patterson AFB, she felt isolated and unsure where to turn—there was no active spouse group in her husband’s squadron. Determined to overcome loneliness, she intentionally sought out opportunities to connect at their next station, Beale AFB. She joined the spouses’ club, became a Key Spouse, got involved with squadron spouses, and even participated in a book club. Through these experiences, Kristen discovered that building meaningful relationships requires purposeful effort, but the rewards—friendship, support, and personal growth—are immeasurable.
“That wholehearted commitment to community has shaped my work at Stars and Stripes and beyond,” Kristen says. Through her involvement with spouses’ club boards, MSOY, and the AWAG Board of Governors, she strives to show other military spouses the power of connection—how volunteering, attending events, and stepping outside your comfort zone can combat isolation and open doors to opportunity.
Though naturally introverted, Kristen has learned that military life requires intentional action to cultivate relationships and community. She encourages other spouses to try new experiences and get involved, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. “Spouses’ clubs aren’t for everyone, but giving it a chance might open doors you never expected,” she says.
Through her journey, Kristen Thoennes demonstrates how deliberate connection and community building can transform military life. By combining resilience, initiative, and purposeful engagement, she shows that military spouses can find both personal fulfillment and professional growth—while creating a lasting impact on the community around them.