An Army spouse stationed at Fort Bragg has been named the 2026 Army branch winner of the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. The title, awarded to Isabel Schmitt, commends the leadership and advocacy of military spouses nationwide.
Schmitt was announced as the Army recipient March 6 by Armed Forces Insurance. The program, now in its 18th year, honors military spouses who support service members and strengthen military communities through leadership, volunteer work, and advocacy.
“At every duty station, I step into roles that build connection and stability,” explains Schmitt. “I’ve served as a unit family support leader, military youth sports coach, Scouts leader, and career management mentor.”
Schmitt was selected from hundreds of nominees representing installations across the United States and overseas. Branch winners now advance to the final stage of judging for the overall 2026 Military Spouse of the Year title, which will be announced May 7 in conjunction with National Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
The award program was established in 2008 and is administered by the National Military Community Foundation. It recognizes spouses who help families navigate the challenges of military life, including frequent relocations, deployments, and disruptions to careers.
“Military spouses are not bystanders to service. They are leaders within it,” said Lori Simmons, executive director of the National Military Community Foundation. “Their advocacy strengthens families, strengthens readiness, and strengthens our military community as a whole. We are proud to recognize the 2026 branch winners and the lasting impact they continue to make.”
Schmitt said her connection to military life began in 2004 when she met her husband, Peter, during a convoy while both were deployed to Iraq. The couple later reconnected in Germany and married in 2006.
Since then, the family has moved 13 times during Peter Schmitt’s Army career. The experience, she said, exposed her to the challenges military spouses face while maintaining households, careers, and family stability during frequent relocations.
As such, among her many roles and titles over the years, Schmitt also co-founded LOGSA Mil Moves, a moving company focused on helping military families during permanent change-of-station relocations. The company employs military spouses and veterans in quality control and operational roles.
“I aim to protect military families during PCS moves by fighting for accountability and quality in the household goods system,” says Schmitt. “I also ensure families are not financially burdened during a transition they did not choose.”
Schmitt also founded Guerrero Leather, a business that creates flexible employment opportunities for military spouses while supporting artisans in Mexico. Earlier in her career as a spouse overseas, she served on the board for Hiring Our Heroes in South Korea, where she helped connect spouses with remote employment opportunities.
Her advocacy work has also focused on improving the military moving process. Schmitt said she has hosted webinars, produced training sessions, and written commentary aimed at helping families navigate household goods moves and understand the system responsible for transporting military families’ belongings during relocations.
“My advocacy outreach focuses on improving the military relocation experience and expanding sustainable employment for military spouses,” Schmitt adds. “In 2025, as concerns grew around quality, capacity, and communication within the military moving system, I used my platform to elevate spouse voices and push for accountability through podcasts, newsletters, webinars, and trainings for moving professionals.”
The 2026 branch winners also include Shelby Bateman for the Marine Corps, Meg Graves for the Navy, Lyndsey Akers for the Air Force, Cassandra Kidd for the Space Force, Najeeba Gassel for the Coast Guard, and Nicole Gebhardt for the National Guard.
Feature photo: Isabel Schmitt. Contributed photo.
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Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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