S5E8 USO Insights and Military Spouse Support

USO Insights and Military Spouse Support: A Conversation with Nicole Vogel In this episode of 'Ruckup Buttercup,' Ashley welcomes Nicole Vogel, the Senior Program Manager for the USO and a military spouse. Nicole shares her 16-year journey with the USO, starting from her initial experience at Ramstein, Germany. They discuss various USO programs designed to support military families and spouses, including Coffee Connections, USO Reading Program, virtual events, and more. Nicole emphasizes the importance of community and connection for military spouses and provides valuable insights into how the USO has evolved to meet the needs of service members and their families. The episode highlights the transformative impact of USO programs on the lives of military families and offers practical tips for military spouses seeking support and connection. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:36 Meet Our Special Guest: Nicole Vogel from USO 00:53 Nicole's Journey with USO 02:56 Ashley and Nicole's Shared Experiences with USO 04:14 USO's Global Presence and Support 05:41 The History of USO 07:20 USO's Evolving Role and Programs 08:25 Coffee Connections: Building Community 15:32 Virtual Programs and Support During COVID 18:53 Emotional Impact of USO Programs 22:08 Personal Stories and Experiences 23:59 Volunteering and Community Connection 26:23 USO Programs and Services 27:12 Gaming and Virtual Connections 31:29 Importance of Connection and Support 32:48 Final Thoughts and Encouragement https://www.uso.org/ Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagra m.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: [e-mail]