Vicki Johnson —
Army spouse
Got the deployment blues? Kids driv-
ing you crazy?
Ms. Vicki might be able to help.
A clinical social worker, Army wife,
and mother, Vicki Johnson is the
Dear Abby of the military world. Her
column, “Dear Ms. Vicki,” appears in
several military newspapers and The
Washington Times and is a mixture of
José Torres-Reyes — Air Force spouse tough love and practical advice.
At fi rst glance, few would peg José Torres-Reyes as an active Vicki started writing the column
member in Air Force wives’ clubs — he’s a 6-foot-4-inch former as a volunteer for the Fort Campbell,
Marine Corps drill instructor, has a black belt in martial arts, and Tenn., newspaper as the 101st Air-
shoots competitively. borne Division prepared for deploy-
But this offi cer and gentleman is all about breaking down barriers, ment in 2004. When her column
challenging stereotypes, forging friendships, and helping others. He’s appeared, Vicki started receiving let-
part of a growing, yet small, group of men reshaping how the military ters from readers. The column quick-
community defi nes a spouse. ly became the most popular section
When José retired from the Marine Corps as a warrant offi cer of the paper and soon gained national
in 1992, he made a commitment to his wife, Laura, an Air Force media attention.
doctor and colonel, that he would support her in every aspect of Today, Vicki and her husband,
her career. “I don’t mind taking a backseat,” says José. “I support Lt. Col. Nathaniel “Skip” Johnson,
her career with every breath of my life. If you care for that indi- USA, are stationed in the Washington,
vidual, who is the most important person in your life, why should D.C., area. Her husband is a congres-
it matter?” sional liaison, and Vicki travels to
José, whose wife is stationed at Fort Detrick, Md., has used his military installations around the area
time as an Air Force husband to help others. He has taught free self- counseling servicemembers and their
defense classes on base and volunteered as a karate teacher. In 2007, families as a DoD contractor.
he raised more than $16,000 for the American Cancer Society by Her column complements her day
running in the Marine Corps Marathon. job, and for Vicki, that was part of her
“It was amazing to see how unselfi sh and caring everyone was,” plan: to gain as much mental health
José says. “I was truly humbled and learned how wonderful my experience as possible and write about
friends are. Military spouses do make a difference, and we are just it. “You have to fi nd a way to make
as committed to help our communities as anyone else.” your own opportunities,” she says.
But it’s José’s involvement with spouse clubs that gives his volun- Vicki hears from many people she
teerism a twist. Only once, as a new spouse in Okinawa, Japan, did calls “yes, but-ers.” As in: “Yes, but … ”
the wives not allow him to join their club. Since then, he’s served on “You don’t get anywhere [saying]
numerous Air Force spouse club boards as the charitable committee that,” she says. “You have to make the
chair and newsletter editor. military life work for you.”
“I’ve been blessed to be accepted and treated as an equal,” he says.
Functions, wine tours, socials, dinner clubs, luncheons, breakfast, and
WE WANT TO HEAR
shopping excursions — he’s done it all.
FROM YOU
“I did everything with the wives,” he said. If strangers ever stared
at the odd man out, he didn’t notice. “We never took note,” he says.
Do you know a spouse who
“We were too busy having fun. We were like family, all of us. Our
has made the most of the mil-
friendships are forever.”
itary lifestyle? Share your sto-
ries by clicking on Dreams at
www.moaa.org/discussion or
mailing them to MOAA, Attn:
Editor, 201 N. Washington St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
5 6 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R M AY 2 0 0 9
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