Jess Brutzman

Photography by Bree Hulan

By Kier st in Gunsberg

Jess Brutzman has been going with the flow her whole life. Growing up in the 90’s and early 00’s, Jess would pack it up on the regular to make the 2,000+ mile trek from San Diego to Traverse City and back again, splitting time between her mom and dad and humming her favorite boy band hits along the way.

No stranger to changing scenery or the contrast of leaving a drought to arrive in a blizzard, she sharpened her independence and emotional flexibility, things that’ve no doubt benefited her as a Military spouse since she married her husband Chris in 2010.

Chris, who currently serves with the Michigan National Guard at Camp Grayling had recently joined the Marines when he and Jess first met on the West Coast at a bible study in 2009. Smitten, he asked her out

Keeping a family schedule is almost impossible,” she says, noting that even when Chris isn’t deployed, he’s still working 12-14 hour days.

and barely a year later they were tying the knot after his return from Afghanistan. Together they have two elementary aged sons, Hunter and Gunnar, a little yorkie and a mutual love for exploring northern Michigan’s great outdoors. A decade into their adventure they’ve hit their stride, but getting here hasn’t been a walk in the park.

As it goes for most families, keeping hers organized and on-task is a daily labor of love, but while most moms are filling in important dates and appointments on their calendar, Jess

has to write hers in pencil. “Keeping a family schedule is almost impossible,” she says, noting that even when Chris isn’t deployed, he’s still working 12- 14 hour days. And, when Chris is deployed, Operational Security policies prevent her from knowing where her husband is going, when he’s going there, or when he’ll be back. The comfort of these details is something a new military spouse may be unprepared to let go of, which is where Family Readiness Groups (FRG) come in. FRGs serve individual units and exist with varying names for each branch of

“It’s not easy but it is not something I would ever trade for a civilian life...I have learned so much about myself and my own strength.”

the United States Armed Forces but the mission is the same - aiding those who are married to active duty members. These groups provide guidance and social support to Military spouses who sometimes, “get lost in being just a military spouse without our own identity,” which Jess has proactively countered by staying focused on her own personal goals including pursuing a career in real estate. She’s also been involved with FRGs (many of which welcome volunteers) since the beginning of her marriage and serves with the Grayling unit where she’s using her experience to bring warmth and encouragement to others riding the same wave. “There is the common misconception that we knew what we were getting into when we got married,” says Jess, going on to say “It’s not easy but it is not something I would ever trade for a civilian life...I have learned so much about myself and my own strength.”

To find out more about how you can join or volunteer with your local Family Readiness Group visit Military Resources at Military.com