Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh, Army Spouse

As a foreign-born Army spouse, Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to military life in a new country. Beyond the typical stressors of military life—frequent relocations, long separations from her spouse, and limited stability—she faced unique challenges. Upon relocating to the U.S., Lydiah learned that her law degree and professional experiences were essentially not recognized in America. She also encountered cultural barriers that made integration into both the military and local communities challenging. Personally, Lydiah faced the emotional strain of feeling disconnected from her own culture while simultaneously struggling to fit into military life in the U.S.

To turn these challenges into actionable insights, Lydiah conducted a survey involving over 200 foreign-born military spouses, documenting the unique obstacles they faced. Her research aimed to highlight issues like unemployment, difficulties in credential transfers, and limited job opportunities, as well as the added layer of cultural adaptation. As a DEPLOY Fellow with Blue Star Families, she leveraged this opportunity to formalize her findings and identify areas where intervention could make a difference.

Drawing from her own experiences, she crafted the Foreign Born Military Spouse Playbook, a comprehensive guide tailored to help spouses like her navigate their journey. It provides clear, practical advice on credential transfers, mental health resources, legal processes, and more, designed to meet foreign-born spouses where they are and ease the adjustment process. She also established the Foreign Born Military Spouse Network on Facebook, creating a supportive space where spouses could share experiences, exchange resources, and find a community that understood their unique challenges.

The Foreign Born Military Spouse Playbook has had a meaningful impact within the community. Lydiah's efforts not only resulted in a comprehensive guide but also fostered a sense of belonging and support among foreign-born spouses. The playbook has provided actionable advice and resources to help spouses overcome employment and credentialing obstacles, reducing the time and expense associated with navigating these issues. The measurable outcome is an increase in the number of spouses who report greater confidence in their ability to navigate military life, as well as higher engagement within the Facebook community, where members actively share experiences and support each other using the playbook as a reference. The positive reception of the playbook has attracted attention from military organizations interested in supporting foreign-born spouses, highlighting the value of Lydiah's advocacy.

This experience was transformative for Lydiah. It reinforced her belief in the power of shared experiences and collective advocacy. By confronting the unique challenges faced by foreign-born military spouses, she not only helped create practical solutions but also brought visibility to an underserved group. The data she collected has become an essential tool for advancing policies that improve the lives of foreign-born spouses, and her community-building efforts have provided a safe space where these spouses feel seen and supported.