No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Military Spouse Leadership Development Program seeks applicants

Crystal Kupper
by Crystal Kupper
May 10, 2022
Military Spouse Leadership Development Program

This article originally appeared on our sister publication, Military Families Magazine.

The application period is now open for a leadership development program connecting military spouses to high-end training from reputable organizations like Harvard University and McChrystal Group.

In its second year, the Military Spouse Leadership Development Program (MSLDP) was designed by the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) — a nonprofit with a mission to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support. The four months of virtual training enables participants to learn fundamentals of leadership, service, advocacy, and mentorship. Additionally, they will also earn a leadership certificate from Harvard, professional communications training from the McChrystal Group, and micro-certifications in mental health allyship from Psych HUB.

“Being a leader can be overwhelming, challenging and frustrating,” said Verenice Castillo, MSAN’s founder and president. “But what this leadership development program does is provide opportunities for military spouses to learn and grow as leaders, to gain the skills to lead our communities and families.”

Competitive class

The MSLDP application cycle closes on June 10. Castillo expects the competition to be fairly intense, as the program only accepts 50 spouses from roughly 500 applicants. In the biggest change from its inaugural year, the program is now open to all spouses of currently-serving military members — including the National Guard and reserves. It is also open to post 9/11 Gold Star spouses, surviving spouses, caregivers, and spouses of veterans and retirees.

There is no-cost for successful applicants, thanks in part to sponsorships from Defense Credit Union Council.

“I think this program is good for everybody, from brand-new spouses trying to get more experience within leadership, to someone who is already a leader or has a great idea but doesn’t know how to develop it,” said Castillo, a former Air Force key spouse and key spouse mentor. “It’s not just for someone who wants to do big things like introduce a bill or change policy; it’s also for someone who wants to support their local community.”

RELATED: Survey reveals spouses’ satisfaction with military life

Carefully-selected judges from the MSAN board and influential military community members will whittle down the applicant pool to a top 100, then eventually the final 50. The first of the four modules will begin on Aug. 27, and graduation takes place on Nov. 19. All classes are held online and based in EST, allowing spouses from any location to participate.

Students will dedicate one to three hours a week for assignments, readings and team engagement on top of the five hours needed for monthly live virtual sessions. Topics covered include crisis leadership, high-impact collaboration, stakeholder support and engagement and more.

“Spouses often feel forgotten. We stand behind our spouses and, many times, forgo our dreams,” wrote a 2021 MSLDP graduate. “This program gives spouses hope, as well as an opportunity to dream big again.”

Limitless opportunities for the future

MSLDP finishers gain access to a diverse alumni network and the program’s library of recorded training videos for one year. Previous graduates have banded together to work on projects ranging from education to EFMP. Castillo, who will participate in sessions by sharing her experiences as a nonprofit founder, has already been asked for the required recommendation letters from several spouses.

“When you have someone who feels empowered and fulfilled, that reflects in your family, and that family is reflected within our mission in the military,” she said. “I love the potential that MSLDP has to give military spouses that platform and strong foundation to not only achieve their dreams and goals, not only empower future leaders, but improve the morale and welfare of our military.”

“It’s an unlimited thing, how we are providing military spouses with skills and knowledge and training for so many uses, even just to grow as an individual,” she added.

Visit MSLDP 2022 to apply for this year’s training.

Read comments
Tags: Defense Credit Union CouncilEFMPHarvard UniversityLeadershipMilitary SpouseMilitary Spouse Leadership Development ProgramMSANPsych HubVerenice Castillo
Crystal Kupper

Crystal Kupper

Crystal Kupper is a writer, photographer, runner, mom of (at least) four and Air Force wife currently stationed in Arizona. There's nowhere she'd rather be other than with her family or chatting about orphan justice.

Related Posts

Nonprofit helps Latino military spouses connect, get help

by Elena Ferrarin
4 months ago
0
Esposas Militares Hispanas USA

The Spanish-language nonprofit Esposas Militares Hispanas USA offers free services to Spanish-speaking military spouses.

Read more

National Guard Spouse of the Year encourages military families to learn from each other

by Allison Churchill
4 months ago
0
Spouse of the year

Cindy Meili has been named the Armed Forces Insurance National Guard Spouse of the Year for her dedication to military...

Read more

DIY dynamo: How a deployment project helped a military spouse gain millions of TikTok followers

by Nikki Davidson
4 months ago
0
DIY

A Florida DIY TikTok sensation used the year her Army Reserve husband was deployed to transform her house and her.

Read more

OPINION: Marine veteran addresses aftermath of going viral

by AmeriForce Exclusive
5 months ago
0
Going viral

Marine Corps veteran Richelle Futch reflects on what happened after going viral with one of her LinkedIn posts.

Read more

Infertility a ‘silent, sad battle’ for service members

by Crystal Kupper
7 months ago
0
Infertility

Several Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) winners are amplifying their voices around a common theme: infertility.

Read more

Reservists’ caregivers advocate for passage of Elizabeth Dole Act

by Allison Churchill
8 months ago
0
Elizabeth Dole Act

Military caregivers who were recently named Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellows advocate for passage of the Elizabeth Dole Act.

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

GET RESOURCES

  • VETERANS TOOLKIT

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • RESOURCES
    • VETERANS TOOLKIT
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW