Spouse of NASIC Airman wins AF-wide award

  • Published
  • By National Air and Space Intelligence Center Public Affairs
  • NASIC PA

Air Force officials recently announced Whitney Armstrong of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center as the 2020 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award winner.

The award, sponsored by the Air Force Association, recognizes contributions to the U.S. Air Force community by non-military spouses of U.S. Air Force service members.

Armstrong is the spouse of Capt. Mason Armstrong, Assistant Director of Operations, Ballistic Missile Analysis Squadron. In his previous assignment, Captain Armstrong served as the Chief, Tech Futures Branch, ACC/A29 Intelligence Data and Tech Futures Division, and it was during this time when Air Combat Command selected Whitney as their MAJCOM nominee for the Joan Orr Award.   

Armstrong, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in English Secondary Education from the University of Northern Colorado, started her professional career as a teacher. Traveling with her husband’s career, she taught in five schools in four different states. She later transitioned to an active role in community service as a Key Spouse/Mentor, non-profit advocate, and liaison for military and community leaders.

“Military families have a unique opportunity to relocate every few years and see the most rewarding and challenging aspects of our society,” said Armstrong. “It would be a disservice to our experience if we weren't taking what we've learned and using it toward improving each new location and the lives we touch along the way.”

Over the past two years, Armstrong served as the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base United Service Organizations Center Manager, leading a team of more than 200 volunteers providing services to more than 100,000 military and family members.

She was also one of sixty people chosen for the 2019 class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program. According to their website, the highly selective program brings together mid-career professionals to “collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.”

Currently, Armstrong serves as the Vice President of Development and Strategy for the Military Spouse Advocacy Network, a 501c3 nonprofit on a mission to educate, empower, and support military spouses through peer to peer mentorship, leadership development, and a virtual education and resource center. She was also recently appointed a position on the Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council of the Military Officers Association of America and recently completed the inaugural class of the Lyndon B. Johnson Women’s Campaign School through the University of Texas at Austin. Finally, Whitney is actively pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School through the Public Leadership Credential.

Armstrong lives in Beavercreek, Ohio, with her husband and their two boys, Holden and Torin.   

For more information about this award or other Air Force personnel programs, go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following the instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website.