Behind the Camouflage Podcast

Happy 251st Birthday Marines! To celebrate, Behind the Camouflage welcomes a very special guest to the show this week, Mrs. Andrea Ruiz, spouse of the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. In a candid and inspiring conversation, Andrea shares her unique perspective as a retired Marine, federal employee, spouse, and advocate for Marine Corps families. Together, we discuss the importance of community, staying true to yourself, embracing every season of military life, and finding ways to thrive wherever you’re planted. 

From building meaningful connections and balancing personal goals to supporting the next generation of Marine Corps families, Andrea offers practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and a few laughs along the way. Give a listen!

The post Behind the Camouflage with Mrs. Andrea Ruiz – Behind The Camouflage Episode 9 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Military life comes with plenty of surprises, and hindsight is often the best teacher. In this episode of BTC Unscripted, the Behind the Camouflage team sits down for an honest conversation about the things they wish they had known earlier in their military spouse journeys. From navigating PCS moves and deployments to careers, parenting, friendships, and finding their place within the military community, they share the lessons, challenges, and perspectives they’ve gained along the way. Give a listen!

The post BTC Unscripted: Things We Wish We Knew – Behind the Camouflage Episode 8 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

What does it take to be a change maker? In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, we sit down with Dr. Soy Garvey, Marine spouse, community advocate, and the 2025 Behind the Camouflage Change Maker of the Year for the East Region. From supporting military-connected children and families to building partnerships across her community in Albany, Georgia, Dr. Garvey shares how compassion, courage, and a willingness to step forward can create meaningful change.

Through inspiring stories and practical advice, Dr. Garvey reminds us that leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about recognizing a need, finding your voice, and taking the first step. Give a listen and discover how your experiences, skills, and unique perspective can make a difference right where you are.

The post The Power of One with Dr. Soy Garvey – Behind the Camouflage Episode 7 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Marine Corps families have access to an incredible network of resources, but knowing where to start can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, we sit down with Gregory Goldstein, Director of the Marine and Family Programs Division at Headquarters Marine Corps, to talk about the programs and services available to support Marines and their families throughout every stage of military life.

From financial counseling and child care to PCS support, community services, prevention programs, and Marine Corps Total Fitness, Mr. Goldstein shares how these resources are designed to strengthen readiness, build resilience, and help families thrive. He also tackles common misconceptions about Marine and Family Programs and explains why there’s truly “no wrong door” when it comes to finding support. Give a listen!

The post “No Wrong Door”: Inside Marine and Family Programs – Behind the Camouflage Episode 6 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Building a career while navigating military life isn’t easy, but remote work is opening new doors for military spouses. In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, we sit down with military spouse and entrepreneur Mary Elaine Baker, founder of VA USA, to discuss her journey from classroom teacher to business owner and how she’s helping military spouses find flexible, meaningful employment through remote work. Together, we explore the realities of military spouse employment, the value of transferable skills, and the importance of community in overcoming life’s challenges.

From career reinvention and virtual assistant opportunities to finding purpose, connection, and confidence along the way, this conversation is packed with encouragement for spouses at any stage of their employment journey. Discover why the skills you’ve built through military life may be your greatest professional advantage. Give a listen!

https://hirevausa.com

The post Building Careers Beyond the Duty Station with VA USA – Behind the Camouflage Episode 5 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Mental health matters, and knowing where to turn for support can make all the difference. In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, hosts Krista and Heather sit down with LCDR Chelsea Larro to discuss the OSCAR (Operational Stress Control and Readiness) program and the many resources available to support Marines and their families. Together, they explore how stress impacts readiness, how OSCAR-trained personnel help identify and address concerns early, and why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

From practical stress management tips to mental health resources, chaplain support, counseling services, and programs available through the Marine Corps community, this conversation is packed with valuable information for Marines, spouses, and family members alike. Learn how small steps, strong connections, and the right support can make a big difference. Give a listen!

The post OSCAR: Supporting Mental Health and Readiness – Behind The Camouflage Episode 4 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

What does it mean to lead, serve, and build community as a military spouse? In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, we’re joined by the presidents of leadership seminars from Camp Lejeune, Albany, Iwakuni, and Okinawa for a conversation about volunteerism, personal growth, and the power of connection. Together, they share how these spouse-led organizations are helping military spouses discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, and find purpose through service and community.

From inspiring stories of resilience to the lasting impact of mentorship and volunteerism, this episode highlights the incredible work happening across the Marine Corps community and around the globe. Give a listen!

https://www.facebook.com/CLLSLejeune

https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaLeadershipSeminar

https://www.facebook.com/IwakuniLeadershipSeminar

https://www.facebook.com/DLS29

https://www.facebook.com/mscalbanyga

The post Building Community through Leadership Seminars – Behind The Camouflage Episode 3 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Welcome to BTC Unscripted, a new Behind the Camouflage series where the BTC crew trades the script for real conversations about life as military families. In this first installment, Marta, Krista, Heather, and Kayla share stories from years of school transitions, PCS moves, homeschooling adventures, and sending kids off to college. Along the way, they’re sharing laughs, lessons learned, and reassurance that no matter where this school year finds your family, you’re not navigating it alone.

Military kids are adaptable, military parents are resourceful, and every family finds their own way to make it work. Give a listen!

The post BTC Unscripted: Back to School – Behind The Camouflage Episode 2 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage is back! Season 7 is here, and we’re kicking things off with one of the most talked-about topics in Marine Corps life: orders. BTC sits down with Major General Fridrik Fridriksson, Director of Manpower Management, for an inside look at how assignments are made, what factors drive manpower decisions, and how the Marine Corps is working to better support Marines and their families through PCS moves and career transitions. From common myths about orders to new initiatives aimed at reducing family stress, this episode takes listeners straight to the source. 

Be sure to stay until the end for a sneak peek at what’s coming up this season. Give a listen!

The post Behind the Orders – Behind The Camouflage Episode 1 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage wraps up Season 6 with a special season finale episode of our summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank.

This week, the BTC team takes a trip down memory lane as we share our favorite (and least favorite) duty stations from throughout our military journeys. We talk about the places that truly felt like home, the communities that welcomed us, and the experiences that made each location memorable. We also reflect on some of the challenges that came with certain duty stations and how those experiences shaped us as military families.

To close out the season, we’ve also got a round of  “In the Box”. From finding the right fit for your family’s needs to balancing commute times, schools, amenities, and community connections, we share our thoughts and personal experiences navigating some of the biggest decisions that comes with every PCS.

Whether you’re reflecting on a favorite duty station, preparing for your next move, or looking for tips on making a new place feel like home, we hope you join us for this conclusion to our Season 6 journey. Give a listen!

The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Season Finale “In the Box” – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 12 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.