LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Military Spouse Appreciation Day offers Team XL an opportunity to spotlight the commitment and teamwork military couples bring to the fight—on and off duty. At Laughlin, several Airmen serve, not only alongside their teammates, but alongside their spouses.
Capt. Hannah Epperson, 47th Force Support Squadron operations officer, and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Velasco, 47th Comptroller Squadron Non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) financial management flight, are among those navigating both career and marriage in uniform.
Epperson met her husband, Capt. Collin Epperson, 434th Flying Training Squadron First Assignment Instructor Pilot, in Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Kentucky.
“We met when I joined ROTC as a sophomore and Collin was assigned as my peer mentor to help me get spun up on everything, “said Epperson. “We started dating towards the end of our fall semester and have been together ever since. We knew we wanted to get married and between COVID and my early Extended Active Duty (EAD) date, we threw together a wedding in one month and got married in July of 2020 after graduation to be able to pursue join-spouse options.”
While the Air Force brought early opportunities that temporarily separated them, the couple used the distance to strengthen communication and define shared priorities.
“I had the opportunity to be part of a data analytics program for my career field right out of ROTC,” said Epperson. “Taking this opportunity meant we would be living apart for a year while Collin was in pilot training. Being separated from one another was super challenging but we both learned so much from it. We strengthened our communication and set strong foundations for our relationship which helped us to better define the priorities that we have now as a dual-military couple.”
Now stationed together, the Eppersons focus on staying grounded through intentional time together and mutual support.
“Being one another’s confidant, biggest supporter and a listening ear without judgement helps us a lot,” said Epperson. “We also both place a high priority on our time together! On the weekends or after hours we focus on quality time with one another, whether that’s walking our dog, hiking or just binge-watching our favorite TV shows.”
Epperson emphasized that mil-to-mil life requires flexibility and compromise.
“It is a give and take for careers,” said Epperson. “Not every move can be the next big step for both careers. You may get some unicorn assignments, however, there are other times where a move is going to be great for one career, and not the other. You both must be willing to give and take from time to time and assignment to assignment.”
Like many dual-military couples, the Eppersons navigate fluctuating operations tempos, long hours, and leadership responsibilities—all while trying to stay present for each other. Communication, empathy, and grace play a key role in keeping their connection strong through high stress stretches.
“We get that it’s not always easy to just snap your fingers and leave your work problems at the door,” said Epperson. “We aren’t always going to be in the best mood and sometimes you just need to acknowledge those feelings for one another. We both have very different work worlds so being able to bounce things off one another with a fresh perspective is nice.”
Over time, that day-to-day support has grown into something deeper. Navigating military life together, through PCS moves, changing roles, and time apart, has shaped not only their careers but also the way they show up for each other.
“Being in the Air Force together has strengthened our bond with one another and helped us establish a foundation for our marriage which prioritizes our time together, communication and a strong support system for one another,” said Epperson. “Ask anyone, being in the military and away from family is not for the weak of heart! But being able to lean on one another in the good times and the bad or stressful times make them feel not as hard to handle. I wouldn’t want to travel this Air Force journey without my best friend by my side!”
With years of shared service behind them, the Eppersons have learned what it takes to keep a relationship resilient under pressure. That experience has shaped their perspective and the advice they offer to other military couples looking to build something lasting.
“At the end of the day the relationship you have with your partner is what will stand the test of time,” said Epperson. “There will always be more emails, more fires to put out, more hours to fly… but at the end of the day when you walk away from the Air Force after 4 years or 24 years, your family and partner will be the ones that are still walking beside you. We are always “Team Epperson” at the end of the day.”
While the Eppersons built their foundation during ROTC and early assignments, other couples began their journey in the thick of active-duty life.
Velasco met her husband, Staff Sgt. Carl Rumsey, 47th Operation Support Squadron NCOIC commanders support staff, at their first duty station Cannon AFB.
“Our friends introduced us, and we were friends for two years before we started dating,” said Velasco. “During that time, we both pinned on Senior Airman and we were discovering our different leadership styles.”
Velasco credits open communication and synchronized calendars with keeping their dual-service rhythm intact. As their relationship developed, so did their careers, and they quickly learned the importance of planning ahead and staying connected amid constant change.
“One of the biggest things that helps us manage the challenges of being dual military is open communication and flexible planning,” said Velasco. “We are constantly working through demanding schedules, deployments and TDY’s. We also regularly sync our calendars for the year, discussing our upcoming challenges and expectations.”
At home, the two take turns handling responsibilities and finds strength in teamwork—even when schedules clash.
“We are incredibly supportive and understanding of each other’s careers, we know how demanding military life can be,” said Velasco. “Sometimes that means taking more responsibilities at home with chores or errands. Being a good listener is another important aspect, sometimes during high stress situations they may just need someone to listen and offer a different perspective on situations. We're a team, and we get through those tough stretches by working together.”
Like many mil-to-mil couples, the two have weighed assignment options carefully to stay together.
“We have to ensure that we are both able to go to the location and start planning out how our schedules will look like,” Velasco explained.
Behind every PCS conversation or new duty assignment lies a careful strategy. One that balances professional goals with personal connection. But beyond the big decisions, Velasco noted that many people outside the lifestyle don’t always see the everyday effort it takes to keep pace as a dual-military couple.
“Conflicting duty schedules make simple things like having dinner together or trying to plan a date night difficult,” said Velasco. “Then there's the added layer of navigating two separate career paths within the military, each with its own demands, training requirements, and potential for deployments or TDYs. It's a constant balancing act, a relentless negotiation of schedules and priorities.”
Still, she sees the journey as one that strengthens their relationship.
“Every day in the Air Force brings something new,” said Velasco. “Whether it's a new challenge, a change in assignment, or just the shared experience of navigating military life, it gives us many conversation topics. The different TDYs and deployments, while difficult, have become opportunities for potential growth. That time apart forces us to grow more personally and it makes the moments we are together even more precious. It's a level of individualization and growth that most civilian couples don't experience, and it strengthens our bond in ways we never could have anticipated.”
Her advice to mil-to-mil couples?
“Mil-to-mil life isn't easy; it takes work, commitment, and a whole lot of flexibility. But you're together for a reason, and that foundation, along with a healthy dose of grim humor, is what will see you through. Go into it with an open mindset, understanding that there will be challenges – like trying to decipher each other's acronyms. Learn to communicate effectively, not just about the big things, but the daily stuff too. When negativity arises, and it will (usually when one of you is hangry after work), choose to see it as a chance to grow, both individually and as a couple. It won't always be easy, but the shared experiences, the resilience you build together, the inside jokes only you two understand, and the deep understanding you develop will make it all worthwhile.”