Okinawa seminar equips military spouses with leadership and support network

More than 30 military spouses on Okinawa completed a three-day leadership seminar at the Butler Officers' Club to develop leadership, communication and networking skills, and speakers highlighted community ties and professional development across services.

More than 30 military spouses on Okinawa completed a three-day Okinawa Leadership Seminar at the Butler Officers' Club on Camp Foster. The program brought together spouses from multiple branches to develop leadership, communication and networking skills. Organizers described the seminar as having evolved from a Marine Corps-focused volunteer program into a broader cross-service initiative supporting careers, entrepreneurship and education. Speakers also emphasized community and connection, noting the role of spouse networks when units deploy. Key details: - The three-day seminar concluded at the Butler Officers' Club and included participants from multiple services. - Carole Turner, wife of III Marine Expeditionary Force Commander Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, praised participants' flexibility, resilience and broad worldview and noted opportunities for spouses in Okinawa and beyond. - The event featured three speakers: Gregory Evans, a business professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus, who spoke about leading groups with different communication styles; Jasmine Johnson, a Marine Corps spouse, aerospace engineer and ballerina, who discussed education and professional development; and Syliva Maiko Black, an adviser to III MEF on southwest islands affairs, who spoke about connecting with the local community. - Evans noted that military spouses often face unemployment or underemployment overseas and emphasized they are "not alone." - Participant Jacqualine Chan Wong said the seminar prompted reflection about finding a personal foundation or anchor as she prepares to leave Okinawa. - The article notes about 2,500 members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in support of Operation Epic Fury, and U.S. Central Command released video related to operations involving the USS Spruance. Summary: The seminar reinforced community ties and provided tools and perspectives intended to help spouses pursue professional and volunteer roles across services, with several participants reporting personal reflection and clearer goals. Organizers positioned the event as part of an evolving, broader effort to support spouses' careers, entrepreneurship and education. Undetermined at this time.