Spouse of the year SOARs to success Published April 6, 2015 By Annette Crawford Air Force Recruiting Service JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Patricia Maxwell was only 12 years old when she learned how important it was to live life with purpose. It wasn't an easy life growing up in a single-parent home, but her determination has paid off in the years since then. She was recently named the 2014 Air Force Recruiting Service Spouse of the Year, and is the AFRS nominee for the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award. Maxwell grew up in New Jersey, and met her husband, Lt. Col. Timothy Maxwell, when he was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in 1984. Her first military move was 3,000 miles away from home, but that didn't faze her. "I found that military people were great at building relationships and bonding. They create extended family wherever they go -- an Air Force family, where everyone is welcomed and accepted. It was just like being home with extended family members," she said. "Because it really helps to have those relationships, it is very important to me to continue this for new spouses and family members joining the Air Force today." Maxwell credits her mother with giving her the resolve to succeed. "After the age of 12, I was raised in a single-parent home with five children by a mother who had been a stay-at-home wife and mother with only a high school education. We didn't have much and relied on government assistance; I watched her struggle financially," she admitted. But Maxwell's mother taught her family that education was important to improve their lives, and led by example as she went to nursing school. "My experiences kept me humble and I have a great respect for hard work, persistence, passion and integrity," Maxwell said. "If it were not for those who poured into my life, I would not be where I am today, so I am a firm believer in giving back." Her "giving back list" is extensive, and includes: · Established the first Key Spouse Program in the 338th Recruiting Squadron. She recruits and mentors key spouses and produced a continuity book for future leaders. · Created a spouse roster and maintains personal contact regularly. Because family and connection is important, Maxwell drove to several flights throughout the AOR to personally meet spouses. · Organized creative spouse activities for three days at the squadron annuals. Her teambuilding activities fostered unity, and open discussions with senior leaders created a family-like atmosphere. Perhaps one of her more noteworthy accomplishments is co-founding SOAR - Sisterhood Online Affirmative Resolve - in 2014. "We exist to empower women veteran entrepreneurs and military families with empowerment training, business and financial literacy skills, as well as peer-to-peer and peer-to-expert networking," Maxwell said. "The SOAR Mentoring Program strives to eliminate these business and financial education barriers facing women. Through a series of classes, we engage women in online training, mentoring, and coaching to give them the tools to navigate their business challenges, understand their financials, develop, reach, and prioritize their goals, and obtain capital," she said. Anyone wanting more information about the program can go online at www.soarmentoring.com/. "I am extremely proud of Patricia's accomplishments and this prestigious award," said Maxwell's husband, who serves as the commander of the 338th RCS. "She cares about all spouses, Airmen, NCOs, Senior NCOs, civilians, officers and joint military spouses." "Patricia took her spouses' training very seriously, always using confidentiality to the utmost level and continually reaching out to all spouses, especially the young spouses or spouses new to the Air Force's way of life," he added. "She loves the U.S. Air Force like I do and always wants to represent our most important and critical asset, the spouse. I know she is very happy about her contributions to a great cause and a chance to give back." "Our spouses do so much for their military members and the units they serve," said Brig. Gen. James C. Johnson, AFRS commander. "We definitely could not be as good as we are as an Air Force without the sacrifice, service, and devotion of our Air Force Spouses ... from the range of volunteer efforts to the leadership and inspiration they give to spouses around them and within their units. And, this year, Mrs. Patricia Maxwell clearly established her place as a servant leader who deserves our gratitude and congratulations as the AFRS Spouse of the Year."