Finding Strength in Service: Robin’s Journey as a Military Spouse and USO Volunteer

For Robin Mikel, becoming a military spouse opened the door to a community she now holds close to her heart. Her connection to military life began early, when her brother joined the Army when she was just five years old. That early sense of pride and familiarity stayed with her, and years later, it came full circle when her husband chose to serve in the same branch. When Robin was dating her now-husband and he decided to visit a recruiter after being laid off, she was ready to stand by his side. They married before he officially enlisted in 2019, jumping headfirst into a new chapter of their lives filled with new duty stations, long deployments and unpredictability. It was this new reality that eventually introduced Robin to the USO.

Today, Robin finds purpose and fulfillment in the many roles she embraces including military spouse, mom of two young boys, and dedicated USO Volunteer. Through it all, she’s become a powerful example of the resilience and strength military spouses bring to the fabric of the armed forces.

“Being a military spouse is emotionally all over the place,” Robin shared. “I’m always proud of my hubby, but at the same time, I worry about how much time we have as a family before the next rotation.“ Through her husband’s military career, Robin has learned to value time in a new way. “I used to always think we had more time to do things,” she said. “Now we take time to do family trips and make memories together.” Robin is intentional about capturing memories in the in-between moments, to hold onto joy even in times of uncertainty.

Robin and her husband have been through two nine-month deployments so far, each one with its own set of challenges. But over time, they’ve built routines to stay connected. “We do a countdown until Daddy comes home and a lot of scheduled FaceTimes,” she said. For her children, these countdowns and video calls are more than just a fun routine, they are cherished moments that keep them connected to their father even from thousands of miles away.

But even the strongest among us need support, and Robin found hers through the USO.

Three years ago, while struggling with postpartum depression, Robin walked into a USO and found a lifeline. “If it hadn’t been for the USO, I wouldn’t have friends,” Robin said. What started as attending a few events at the USO Fort Cavazos center soon turned into something more meaningful. When her husband deployed again, she chose to strengthen her support system by giving back, this time as a USO Volunteer. “Volunteering saved my sanity this last rotation,” she admitted. “Just knowing I wasn’t alone, that other spouses were going through the same stuff, it made all the difference.”

Now, Robin leads Storytime and Coffee Connections at USO Fort Cavazos, two programs that have become central to her family’s military journey. “My kids have made friends at Storytime and through Coffee Connections, I got to know several spouses. It helped my family so much.”

For Robin and so many others, the USO is more than just an organization – it’s a community. A place where a military family can build friendships, find stability, and hold on to joy, even when everything else feels like it’s constantly shifting. Since living on the army base, Robin and her family have enjoyed many family events at the USO. “My boys and I just went to the Purple Up Day! We had a blast. At Christmas we did breakfast with Santa! We love going for the fun time together plus it’s safe!”

Safety and community have become central to Robin’s sense of well-being, and the USO, in many ways, has become her anchor. It’s where she connects with other adults, finds comfort in shared experiences, and learns about all of the resources offered to spouses and families at the USO. “Being involved in the USO has helped me mentally so much,” she said. “It helps me feel like I’m not the only person going through this crazy military life.”

Rose Ruiz, USO Center Operations Specialist, shares that “Robin is the kind of volunteer our organization dreams of. She is dependable, powerful, and excellent in all aspects of her work. She not only takes on the responsibility of planning, running, and executing two separate programs for our center with enthusiasm and precision, but she does so while creating a fun, engaging atmosphere that draws people in. Robin’s energy, passion, and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact on everyone around her and elevates the entire USO community here, and the Fort Cavazos community.”

Robin is more than a military spouse, she’s a mother, a volunteer, a community builder and a source of strength for others navigating the challenges of military life. Every day, Robin is making a difference for others in her community. In lifting others through the USO’s Coffee Connections and Storytimes, she has found her own strength. And in sharing her journey, Robin is lighting the path for other spouses to do the same.