When Amber Fadeyi and her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Jon Fadeyi, arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in December 2009, she had just found out she was pregnant with their fifth child. Fifteen days later, her husband was on his way to join his unit already deployed downrange.

As a seasoned Army wife, Fadeyi spent the next four months setting up house and battling morning sickness. She then turned to the unit family readiness group under his new major subordinate command, 4th Bridade, 2nd Infantry Division, to get to know some other Army spouses. After 20 months of FRG service, she was named by the Army Volunteer Corps Office September's JBLM Volunteer of the Month.

When the FRG needed a new leader in June 2011, Fadeyi stepped up to volunteer her time, which happens to be a valuable commodity in her household. Fadeyi is employed full time, attends school full time, and has three daughters under the age of 4. However, she believes the five to 15 hours a week she spends giving back to the FRG is worth it.

"I'm there to support the families when any issues come up," Fadeyi said. "I can help with resources, especially for the younger families because they are new to the military and don't know where to go or what to do. A new military wife doesn't really know what she signed up for most of the time."

This selfless aid to other military families is what earned Fadeyi the title of JBLM September Volunteer of the Month. She insists, however, service to military families is a team sport.

"It's definitely not something I did on my own," Fadeyi said. "I may set events up, but other wives come and work at those events, so they donate their time as well."

Fadeyi's work as an externship administrator at Everest College mirrors her work with the FRG, since she helps guide students through their education and sets them up with resources for job assistance and placement. Many of her students are military spouses or have prior service in the military.

At home, Fadeyi sets a good example for her 17-year-old daughter Ayshia, who assists with the FRG when Fadeyi doesn't get off work in time to make it to events.

Fadeyi's husband will be leaving soon for another nine-month deployment, and she'll be busy guiding families to the resources they need. As for her own needs, Fadeyi said she and her family have close friends at JBLM - friends that are more like family - who will be there to support her. And she'll have Ayshia.

"She's my right-hand ‘man,'" Fadeyi said.