Welcome to Ask Dr. Monica, a space where real questions from military spouses get honest answers from a licensed therapist who understands the realities of military life. Dear Dr. Monica,This is my first…
BTC Chronicles Collection
Spouse Spotlight: Brittany Stevenson
Brittany Stevenson USMC Spouse of 16 YearsCamp Lejeune, NC Meet Brittany Stevenson, a Marine Corps spouse at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune whose life has been shaped by service from day one,…
Spouse Spotlight: Melanie Brown
Melanie S. Brown USMC Spouse of 26 Years Meet Melanie Brown, a Marine spouse of over 26 years whose life and leadership are deeply rooted in service, resilience, and community. From battalion…
Giving Back – Neighborhood Pantry, Camp Butler
If you know anything about me, you know I love talking about Neighborhood Pantry–Camp Butler. Neighborhood Pantry–Camp Butler is a no-cost food resource serving military families across Okinawa, Japan. When…
Building Leaders by Building Community
I didn’t set out to be a leader or an advocate. Like many military spouses, I became involved in my community out of necessity, not ambition. I was navigating frequent…
Who Likes January? Not Me. (Okay… Sometimes Me.)
If you don’t like January-we get it! January gets a bad rap. And honestly, it earns it. The holidays pack up and leave. The lights come down. Credit card bills from…
Quitter’s Day and the Leadership Skill We Don’t Talk About Enough
By the second Friday in January the jokes start flying. Quitter’s Day. The gym is quieter. The planners are already half ignored. The big New Year energy has faded and…
DIY Military Traditions: Making the Marine Corps Life Your Own
Military life is full of traditions, some time-honored, some uniquely personal. From the crisp formality of the Marine Corps Birthday Ball to the tearful flag waves at homecomings, the rhythm…
The Next 250 Years: Behind the Camouflage and Beyond
This year, the Marine Corps celebrates its 250th birthday—a milestone that’s both humbling and awe-inspiring. Two and a half centuries of Marines standing the watch, from the halls of Montezuma…
2025 MCA Spouse & Community Award Winners
Official Announcement We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 MCA Spouse and Community Awards — honoring individuals whose dedication, leadership, and compassion strengthen the Marine Corps community. These awards recognize those…
Why I Believe in Military Spouse Volunteerism: How Giving Your Time Can Give Back Even More
Every so often, a conversation in our community makes me pause and reflect. Recently, it was a Facebook post about military spouse volunteerism and its connection to unemployment. While I…
What I Wish I Knew as a New Marine Corps Spouse
When I became a Marine Corps spouse, I didn’t fully understand the world I was stepping into. I knew I was marrying a Marine—strong, disciplined, and committed—but I didn’t yet…
