JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Meet #IMSCFamily M. Katie George, spouse of Lt. Col. Brian M. George, a civil engineer with AFIMSC’s Detachment 3, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
She’s been around the military for 21 years, and a Department of Defense Education Activity teacher for six of those years.
We asked her to share a little more about her life with the military.
What’s your first memory as the spouse of an Airman?
Within days of arriving at our very first assignment, my husband asked me to meet him at a building on base (Robins AFB, Georgia). I had no idea what was needed, so I came as I was. I soon found out that it was to be photographed for my first military ID. Ok, no big deal, right? Out pops a grainy, black and white photo ID of me, in a perfectly blended-to-skin-tone-gray tank top. For four years, it appeared as if I was nude in my military photo ID, ugh!
What’s your best experience as the spouse of an Airman?
I was born and raised in Ohio, with very few travel experiences. My most favorite benefit of being a military spouse has been having the opportunity to go out and see the world. Seeing the beauty of new surroundings, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people that become fast friends are just a few of the perks of being a military spouse.
What’s a challenge you and your spouse overcame as a team?
When my husband took on a squadron command position, it was my first time being in a leadership role within a military context. I had attended large group “CE spouse meetings” in the early years, but things had changed since then. It was expected of me to somehow head up a team of key spouses, organize squadron family events and keep up with the well-being of families of deployed members, all while raising my two young daughters and working part-time. It was a daunting task and I was nervous! My husband and I decided to approach the spouse and family aspects of the squadron as a team and a family. We met monthly with key spouses and the first sergeant, on Sunday afternoons, to brief everyone. The collective children of our key spouses and our own children were welcomed and played or watched movies in another room, snacks were shared, and squadron family business was planned. I feel that it was a fun and relaxed way to approach the business of our squadron family, while not actually taking too much time away from squadron families.
What’s your best advice for other AFIMSC spouses?
Always be open to new experiences. Answer that text message from the person you just met yesterday doing errands. Accept that invitation from an acquaintance to get together with their friends. Welcome new people into your life. You never know when they will become the newest member of your “framily!”
Do you have a mantra that you live by and how does it help?
“The only constant in life is change.” – Heraclitus I can think of no better summation of the military lifestyle! Also, “Bloom where you are planted” is a good one too. I have learned to make the most of where I am while I am there. Assignments I originally dreaded, turned into fantastic experiences because I opened my mind to trying something different.
What’s something you cherish from your time as a spouse and why?
There have been many positive things that I’ve gained over the years, but I think the most important thing has been friendship. From the beginning, I’ve met and kept friends from all over the world. Coming from a large family myself, it was initially emotionally tough to be sent to a new assignment, either across the country or across the world. Friends are the family I choose, and I cherish every one of them.