Military spouses often endure long periods of loneliness while their spouse is deployed; they are left to raise their children alone and find themselves
relocating and having to make new friends every couple of years. They ensure mortgages are paid, leaky faucets are repaired and homework is done;
they are the warriors of the homefront. They wipe tears, bandage scraped knees and lie awake at night, hoping and praying their loved one is safe.
Yet through it all they are still the loudest and proudest of their service member and the command in which they represent.
During the month of May, military spouses around the world are being recognized for their dedication and commitment to supporting their active duty
spouse and the military way of life. Although they might not wear a uniform or carry a weapon, they serve, just as their active duty husbands and wives
do every single day.
This year, Naval Station Everett Fleet and Family Support Programs (FFSP) honored Jeanna Currier, wife of Gas Turbine Mechanic 2nd class Alexander
Currier, as an outstanding military spouse and the embodiment of the selfless acceptance of the military lifestyle.
Currier is no stranger to the military way of life. Her father served in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years and she has since been married to a Sailor
for eight years. She and her husband have two children. Currier is currently deployed on USS Shoup.
“Jeanna is the kind of success story we want to shout from the top of our lungs,” Pamela Flemions, family employment readiness program manager
at the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) said. “She is the embodiment of the personal sacrifices military spouses make everyday. She has built
a support network around herself and has learned to take advantage of the programs and resources available.”
From the moment you speak with Currier, you can sense her inner strength and passion for the military lifestyle. Throughout her young 29 years, she
has moved ten times and now married to a Sailor, has endured three long deployments. She continues to cultivate a strong family unit, even with her
husband gone, and does so with grace and humor.
“My greatest challenge being a military spouse has been adjusting to new duty stations,” she said. “Just as I open and unpack our last household goods
box, it’s time to move again,” she said.
After speaking with a friend who told her she could lose things in life, but not an education, she immediately enrolled herself in college the following
day. She has since earned her degree in paralegal studies and is currently taking advantage of the free services available through the family employment
readiness program to land herself that dream job.
When asked what advice she would give to a new military spouse, she emphasized three key things: the importance of knowing who their Ombudsman
is, attending Family Readiness Group (FRG) meetings and staying informed.
“I’m proud to be a military spouse. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.”