When navigating Navy life, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.

A new duty station, an upcoming deployment, an unexpected challenge, or simply a question about available resources can sometimes leave Navy families wondering where to start. That's where one of the Navy's most important family support resources comes in: the command ombudsman.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost is joined by Mrs. Angie Perryman, spouse of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and an Ombudsman-at-Large, for a conversation about the people who help connect Navy families to their commands, resources, and communities.

They also break down what an ombudsman actually does, the kinds of situations they can help families navigate, and why connecting with your command ombudsman before a problem arises can be an important part of staying informed and connected.

In recognition of Ombudsman Appreciation Day, this episode is also a thank-you to the volunteers across the Navy who answer calls, share information, connect families with resources, welcome newcomers, and provide a familiar point of contact when Navy life feels unfamiliar.

Whether you're a brand-new Navy spouse, a seasoned military family member, or someone considering becoming an ombudsman yourself, this episode offers a closer look at the people and connections helping strengthen Navy families and their commands.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Meet Angie Perryman: A Navy Spouse's Journey

Before discussing her role as an Ombudsman-at-Large, Angie shares her own experience navigating Navy life.

• Finding Community in Navy Life

Teal and Angie discuss the importance of finding your people, the individuals who helped Angie navigate Navy life, and how those experiences can inspire military spouses to support and encourage the families around them.

• What Exactly Does a Navy Ombudsman Do?

Military life can mean starting over again and again, making new connections at every duty station, and learning how to build community wherever you land.

Teal and Angie discuss the importance of finding your people, the individuals who helped Angie navigate Navy life, and how those experiences can inspire military spouses to support and encourage the families around them.

• Why You Don't Have to Wait Until Something Goes Wrong

An ombudsman isn't only there for families during a crisis.

Connecting with your ombudsman, knowing who they are, and staying informed about your command community can help families build connections and know where to turn before they ever need assistance.

• Could You Be an Ombudsman?

For listeners interested in becoming more involved in their command community, Angie shares the qualities that can make someone a strong ombudsman.

You don't have to have all the answers or decades of Navy experience to make a difference. A willingness to learn, listen, connect with others, and help families find the right resources can go a long way.

• Ombudsman Appreciation Day

Much of an ombudsman's work happens quietly and behind the scenes.

• It's the phone call.

  The email.

  The welcome to a new family.

  The information shared before a deployment.

  The resource referral.

  And sometimes, it's simply being the person who says, "Here's where you can start."

  In recognition of Ombudsman Appreciation Day, Angie shares what the day means to her and offers a message to the volunteers across the Navy who dedicate their time and energy to supporting fellow Navy families.

• A Message for Every Navy Family

Angie shares practical encouragement for families looking to connect more with their command community and explains why knowing who your ombudsman is can be an important part of family readiness.

Resources & Links:

• Naval Services FamilyLine Website

• NS FamilyLine Facebook

• NS FamilyLine Instagram

To the ombudsmen serving commands around the world: thank you.

Welcome back to Our Navy Life, today’s episode is a very special episode because we are honoring the stories of our Navy spouses who are also veterans. In this episode, we have several wonderful guests to chat with us about their time serving. We are better together, and the rich experiences that Veterans bring to our community only make us that much better and stronger as a Navy family community.

Show Links:

• Military Crisis Line
• Naval Services FamilyLine Compass
• Naval Services FamilyLine CORE

Show Takeaways:

Listen in as we hear from several veterans and current military spouses as they share:

• Why they joined the military
• Their decision to get out and how they made that decision
• Their transition from active duty to supporting their spouse still on active duty

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website
• NSFL Facebook
• NSFL Instagram

Show Notes

Summer is the perfect time for military families to explore new places, create lasting memories, and reconnect—but those adventures can quickly become expensive.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost is joined by fellow Navy spouse Vicky Perkins, Vice President of Programs at Blue Star Families, for a conversation about one of the military community's most beloved summer benefits: Blue Star Museums.

Together, they discuss how the program provides eligible military families with free admission to more than 2,000 museums across the country each summer, making it easier to experience everything from children's museums and aquariums to science centers, art museums, and historic sites. Vicky also shares her own military spouse journey, discusses the broader mission of Blue Star Families, and explains why museums play such an important role in helping military families connect with the communities they call home.

Whether you're staying close to home this summer, traveling on leave, or settling into a new duty station, this episode will inspire you to discover affordable adventures wherever military life takes you.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Inside Blue Star Families

Learn more about the mission of Blue Star Families and the many programs the organization offers to support service members, spouses, caregivers, and children. Vicky also shares how feedback from military families helps shape programs that address real community needs.

• What is Blue Star Museums?

Discover how the Blue Star Museums program works, who is eligible, and why more than 2,000 museums nationwide participate each summer. From world-class art museums to local history museums and children's discovery centers, there's something for every family to enjoy.

• Making the Most of Summer

Whether you're PCSing, vacationing, or spending the summer at your current duty station, Vicky explains why Blue Star Museums is more than just a financial benefit—it's an opportunity to explore new communities, encourage lifelong learning, and make meaningful family memories.

• Why Museums Matter

Military families are constantly adapting to new places. Teal and Vicky discuss how museums can help children feel connected to their communities, inspire curiosity, and provide enriching experiences that the whole family can enjoy together.

Resources & Links

• Blue Star Families

• Blue Star Museums

• Find a Blue Star Museum

• Blue Star Families Facebook

• Blue Star Families Instagram

• ⁠Naval Services FamilyLine Website⁠

• ⁠NS FamilyLine Facebook⁠

• ⁠NS FamilyLine Instagram⁠

If this episode inspired your next family adventure, share it with a fellow military spouse, service member, or military family looking for affordable ways to explore this summer.

From our Navy family to yours—happy exploring, and we'll see you next time on Our Navy Life.