By Jenna Moede

I know a lot of military spouses would introduce themselves as, a military spouse. But I like to tell people I’m a writer and a teacher, before I mention my husband’s career. 

I have built my own identity, and when people ask me about myself, I make it a point to talk about myself. It was something that was really hard to do, at first. While I’m proud of my husband’s active duty Air Force service, my role as his spouse doesn’t define me. I have many accomplishments and goals that are my own.

I earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in public administration, and I’m still pursuing a graduate degree.  I consider myself very lucky because I had nearly finished my degree by the time my husband and I were married.  

Now, as I continue my degree, I am so grateful for the opportunities this path has given me. I have formed connections and friendships with people that have no military affiliation, and those connections have rooted me in a community that I used to feel like a stranger in. 

I value my education, and because of that, I am passionate about sharing my experiences and helping other spouses find ways to make the most out of the opportunities available to them. 

When we first moved to Wyoming, I had an entry level job that made me feel replaceable, but I stuck it out while I finished my degree. After graduation, I had the opportunity to work with a law firm where I learned legal business and trained as a paralegal. 

That job was specific to my skill set, and it is what motivated me to embrace our new home and my talents.  In our time here, I have found that many spouses feel lost and put their goals and dreams on the backburner while supporting the military member’s career.  They forget to find their own identities outside of the military and pursue their personal goals. 

While my career as a teacher and writer is definitely something I’m passionate about, another thing I love is being outside.  Thanks to the military, we have loved getting the opportunity to explore this new place and we have decided to make the most of the time we have here. 

We live close to Rocky Mountain National Park, and we have hiked many trails there.  I am constantly searching the internet and pouring over my travel guides to find new trails and ideas for things to see.  In order to encourage other military families, I write a blog about interesting places we have found in the local area and fun day trips.  I believe in passing on good information so others can benefit from it.  

Basically, I am always striving to be better than I was yesterday, encourage someone who needs help, and assist people in reaching their educational goals.  I truly believe that you get out of something what you put into it, and it’s not possible to succeed without trying.  I’m really looking forward to sharing my experiences and ideas.