Jennifer Smith, known to her friends as Jenn, works tirelessly in the Fort Lewis community to support soldiers and families not only in the 5th Stryker Brigade where her husband commands, but also as the president of the Officer's Spouses Club.

The Ranger sat down with her recently to get a little background knowledge.

Title: President of the Fort Lewis Officer Spouse's Club

Born: Amsterdam, New York

Spouse: Lt. Col.  Dennis Smith, 1-37 FA

Children: Owen 12, Sam 10, Jack 8, Natalie 6.

Siblings: Youngest of five girls

Q. How do you spend you free time?

A. I love to run.  I helped start a running club at Fort Lewis.  We meet three to five times a week.  It doesn't matter if we run one mile or six, we just run. Other than that, I am always doing something.  I am the PTO fund-raising co-chair for Clarkmore Elementary School, and the senior leader for my husband's battalion. There is always something to do. I want to be active.  I want to be proactive.

Q. What is your philosophy for running the OSC?

A. To build friendships and community.

Q. What is your dream?

A. My husband and I want to open a bed and breakfast on the East Coast when he retires.  We were both born on the East Coast and we love it there.

Q. What is your advice for spouses?

A. Get more involved in your community.  It's a different Army that it was when I was young.  With all the deployments, we're losing wives.  I'd like to see military spouses get more hyper and spastic about volunteering like me.

Q. What do you like about Fort Lewis?

A. Fort Lewis and the state of Washington have so much to offer.  We just got back from sledding at Snoqualmie.  We're outdoors people.  We love to kayak, and hike, and go fishing.  The food is good, the wine is good.  Fort Lewis is great.

Q. What don't you like about Fort Lewis?

A. There isn't things I dislike.  Some people might say the rain, but it doesn't bother me.  I still run in it.  I try to find the positive.  Back home it's snowing.  Today is bright and sunny here and it's just beautiful.

Q. Is there anything else that you want to do as president of the OSC?

A. I think I have done everything I can do.  I wanted to make changes and I have done that.  I started the Ways and Means Store, and created a volunteer coordinator position, and a community outreach coordinator position. If I had to do anything else, it would be to recruit younger wives to get involved.  I am at the halfway point in my term as president, and I don't know how to recruit young wives.  We need new energy, new blood.  My creative juices are trying to find new things to do.  It's time to pass it on to the younger wives.