Celebrating Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Each year, Military Spouse Appreciation Day is something we at Square Away love to honor. Recognizing the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses is something we do every day, but on this very special day, we want to make some extra noise around it. Established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, this day is set aside each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day. It acknowledges the critical support role military spouses play in maintaining the morale and readiness of our armed forces.
The Squared Away team knows the unique challenges of being part of a military family. We recognize the resilience and strength of military spouses — from managing households, handling deployment seasons, and building community while often pursuing their own professional and personal ambitions. Today, we want to honor their contributions and shine a light on the vital role they play both within the military community and in our society at large.
The Life of a Military Spouse
Every day, military spouses across the globe navigate a unique set of challenges that test their resilience. The reality of military life can often mean unpredictable changes are thrown their way, yet through these, they often discover their incredible capacity for strength and adaptability.
One of our assistants, Ashley Orians, shares a snapshot of her life when, unexpectedly, she had to adapt to solo parenting two young children. “Little did we know, that only 6 days after welcoming our sweet girl Kinsey into the world he was going to be deployed for 10 months, leaving me to solo parent 2 babies under two ALONE,” she recalls. Ashley found solace in establishing routines despite the overwhelming demands, her days filled with “love, patience, and copious amounts of coffee.” Her story is a testament to finding strength in the toughest times, remarking on the bittersweet reunion, “What a strange feeling that he left this baby when she was 6 days old…and then met her again when she was already 10 months old; she was like a whole little person already!”
Lawson Brandon’s experience highlights a different facet of military spousal life — dealing with significant life events during deployment. Lawson recounts the emotional rollercoaster of learning she was finally pregnant right before her husband’s deployment, a moment they had awaited through years of challenges. “We struggled to get pregnant for a few years and suffered through many doctors appointments, so this was the news we had been waiting for,” she explains, underscoring the mixed feelings of joy shadowed by her husband’s absence. Things looked up in her situation when her husband returned just in time for the birth, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military families. “He might’ve missed the pregnancy, but our strength during that scary deployment was rewarded by his perfectly timed arrival and our son’s debut 4 days after his daddy got home.”
These personal stories underscore the complex reality military spouses face — managing solo parenting and dealing with critical family moments in the absence of their partners. They navigate these trials with grace and fortitude, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and deepening family bonds. Their experiences enrich the tapestry of the military community, highlighting why recognition on Military Spouse Appreciation Day is both warranted and deeply necessary.
Supporting Military Spouses
Anyone who has been a military spouse can tell you that support and a network you can rely on give you the power to handle the unique challenges of military life. Things like the programs that allow military families to go to college no matter where they live via online courses and scholarships mean they don’t have to put their ambitions on hold when signing up for military life. Career assistance programs, such as resume-building services, networking events, and job placement programs designed for people with busy lives, are very helpful for keeping and advancing professional careers. While online and in-person counseling services offer important emotional and mental support that helps military spouses deal with the stresses of deployments and moving around a lot.
The public and military institutions can both do a lot to help military spouses get more help. People can get involved by supporting and taking part in community programs that help military families, like local job programs or housing programs that take into account the specific needs of military families. Military institutions can do a better job if they make sure that policies are open to all military families and change as the needs of military families change. They can do this by making it easier for military families to keep learning and find work and by offering more family support services.
How Squared Away Supports Military Spouses
We’ve been military spouses’ number one fan for a while. Founded by Michelle Penzcak, a military spouse herself, she recognized the talent and potential within this community to do great things. By actively seeking to hire them into our dynamic team, we are committed to creating career opportunities that are both flexible and rewarding and can accommodate the unique lifestyle of military families. Our company not only offers remote positions that allow military spouses to work from anywhere but also ensures stability and continuity in their careers despite frequent relocations. By focusing on the strengths and adaptability that military spouses bring to the workforce, Squared Away is dedicated to providing meaningful employment that supports their professional aspirations and personal commitments.
To further foster this commitment to military spouses, Squared Away has also established specific programs aimed at fostering their professional development and personal growth. Our mentorship program pairs less experienced spouses with seasoned professionals within the company, facilitating knowledge transfer and skill enhancement in a supportive environment. We also offer specialized training programs that focus on leadership development, technical skills, and business management, ensuring that our team members are equipped to excel in their roles and advance in their careers. Through these initiatives, Squared Away not only aids in the professional journey of military spouses but also contributes to their sense of purpose and community.
Conclusion
As we honor Military Spouse Appreciation Day, it’s good to recognize the resilience, strength, and essential contributions of military spouses. From their roles in enhancing military and community morale to their professional achievements despite numerous challenges, military spouses embody a spirit of dedication and adaptability. At Squared Away, we proudly support these incredible individuals through targeted hiring practices and empowering initiatives aimed at professional and personal growth. We encourage everyone to acknowledge and participate in this special day by attending local events, supporting military spouse-owned businesses, or advocating for policies that aid their welfare. Let’s come together to celebrate and support the vital role military spouses play in our communities and nation.
