Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Reconnect 2.0: Using The 5 Minute Check-In©, participants will learn to use this powerful tool to process some of their deepest needs, experience the power of community, and communicate assertively.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Leading The Next Generation: Pulled from over a decades amount of research, this new training on the impact of generational shifts on the military culture put a new perspective on leadership. Participants learned about generational differences, why families are not attending social and family readiness events, new ways to distribute information, and more.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

Strengths Event: A fun, interactive event using the Gallup StrengthsFinder. Participants discover their unique strengths, learn to release and manage weaknesses, and value the differences of others.

It has been an honor to create the new curriculum for couples and families that will attend Project Sanctuary retreats. I am proud of this organization and meeting/teaching the couples that will facilitate the new curriculum was inspiring & powerful. Getting to kayak down the Chattahoochee was just bonus (and a small taste of what PS does). If you are a family that is in need of respite and reconnection, Project Sanctuary’s retreats offer outdoor recreation, intentional care for kids and youth, and clinicians on hand for sessions when you need them. The new curriculum will launch 2022!!

Co-Sponsored with Heroes Challenge, a ministry that focuses on the emotional and spiritual wellbeing for our nation’s combat veterans, first responders, and their families. Heroes Challenge successfully deals with struggling individuals by providing mentors, strong support networks, and healthy goals. This conference is designed to honor our troops, first responders and their families and to provide a safe, relaxing environment with practical resources, supportive connections, and Biblical solutions.

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AMERICAN SNIPER WIFE EXPANDS FOUNDATION TO REACH U.S. MILITARY AND SERVICE COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19 CHALLENGING TIMES

•  The Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation – Service Family Strong, formerly known as the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, announced today that long-time foundation Ambassador, Corie Weathers has been named as the organization’s new National Clinical Director of Programming.
• Founded by Taya Kyle in honor of her husband ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle, the Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation is devoted to serving the nation’s defenders, veterans, and first responders, by creating unique programs designed to enrich the marriage and family.
• Executive Director, Taya Kyle enlisted Weathers at a pivotal growth point for the foundation, selected for her deep understanding of military and first responder culture as an advocate and licensed professional counselor spanning over 20 years. 

 “Corie brings an unmatched set of credentials to TACK-F and her own unique talents to serve the TACK-F mission.”, Taya Kyle shares.

• The addition of Weathers comes after an even more challenging year for service families and the country. The global pandemic and national tension towards first responders has significantly increased the need for mental health support and innovative programming for those who have continued to serve and protect the nation without pause.

“2020 was an incredibly difficult year for service families. Relocations, deployments, and the need for our first responders did not slow down for the pandemic.  If anything, it added more stress to an already exhausted community.” – says Corie Weathers

• With COVID-19 restrictions still in place for many service members, TACK-F will provide resources accessible from home or while deployed for couples to access together. That also includes programming that will specifically be tailored for the spouses at home juggling the family.  

“I am honored to join an amazing team that is dedicated to serve these families with evidenced-based resources that will restore and heal in some truly innovative ways. They deserve our very best and we aim to breathe life back into their home and family.” Weathers states.

To learn more about the TACK-F mission for marriage, visit www.ckffdn.org

To interview Taya Kyle or Corie Weathers, email: ANGELA BLAIR, ANGELA@CKFFDN.ORG W: 424.332.6319

ABOUT TAYA KYLE:   Taya Kyle is an American author and military veteran’s family activist. Known as the widow of US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, she was portrayed by Sienna Miller in the 2014 film American Sniper about her husband’s life. Kyle is the author of American Wife and American Spirit. She also launched a jewelry brand bridging fashion and faith in 2020, Warrior Collections.

ABOUT TACK-F:      The Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Taya Kyle to honor the life and legacy of her husband, “American Sniper” Chris Kyle. Chris and Taya knew first-hand the challenges military families encounter from their lives of service. They experienced their own trials as both individuals and as a couple and were blessed to know many other couples in both the military and first responder communities. Prior to Chris’ untimely passing in February 2013, he was developing his vision for TACK-F programs to support military and first responder communities. Today, Taya and the team are fulfilling Chris’ vision through the development and delivery of life-changing, impactful programs and services to support communities across our nation.

ABOUT CORIE WEATHERS:    Corie has spent over 20 years in the mental health field serving primarily military and first responder families. In 2015, Corie was named the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year where she advocated for mental health issues and served as a media correspondent writing online and print publications, consulting for command teams, and speaking to groups on issues like PTSD, grief, and marriage. Weathers also traveled with the Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter overseas in 2016 visiting troops in Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. Corie authored Sacred Spaces: My Journey to the Heart of Military Marriage and has devoted her time encouraging families through her inspirational podcast, traveling globally to speak to military spouses, and helping service organizations build sustainable, high quality, programming that makes a true impact.

With COVID changing many people’s plans, but 75th was still going to make date nights a possibility. 20 couples showed up virtually for a talk on Conflict reduction and Communication. The night ended with Q & A where additional topics like reintegration tips and personality differences were addressed.

75th continued to be bound and determined to not let their couples face COVID lockdowns without a date night. Chaplains got creative and set up a way to have couples go pick up food from a local restaurant and return home for a virtual event. The event lasted 2 hours where we covered reintegration tips for reconnecting after deployment and communication styles. We talked about the importance of setting boundaries in marriage and how to ask for what you need with assertiveness rather than resorting to aggressive or passive aggressive talk.

My recent partnership with MilspouseFest has been wonderful and honestly, full of FUN. Most events that I do are deep, meaningful, and leverage more of my clinical skills of processing. MilspouseFest invited me to join them for some events in 2019 and 2020 as a keynote speaker and emcee. The events are fast paced, full of resources, and so many giveaways! We move fast but have a great time. Events are in the evening and morning so spouses can attend what works for them.

San Diego was special because my Dad flew in from Georgia and surprised me. Like… he literally walked up during the lunch break and was like “Hey… You got lunch plans?” GAME CHANGER.

So we are currently stationed in Kansas and when I had the opportunity to join MilspouseFest in Nebraska for a keynote and emceeing I couldn’t wait. Spouses in remote locations are always in need of not only a good time, but some great self-care and fun. MilspouseFest is definitely that… Great prizes, resources, and the theme of “Why not Today” was all about finding your joy and talking better care of yourself starting TODAY.

Attending MSOY is like coming home. It is a place where so much began for me when I was awarded the Military Spouse of the Year 2015. Matt and I were asked to share our experience of my years as MSOY. My greatest passion has been in our aging military couples to take care of their marriage. This is especially important for those who are volunteering or working while also a military family.

Matt and I were very honest that winning MSOY was like a role reversal experience. It took a lot of communication and patience Between the two of us that year. It is always an honor to welcome the new Spouses of the Year and acknowledge their hard work and service.

I wish words could describe what it is like to be in a room with military and first responder families.  Some would think that they have little in common.  First responders are addressing the evil in our communities while military is going overseas where we can’t see them everyday.

But the Empowered Spouses Retreat through the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation brings these two together on a regular basis, which is why I LOVE working with them.  This program in particular takes the spouses of these heroes and gives them four days in the mountains with no connectivity to prove  just how much they are heroes as well.

We often see in the nonprofit space that there are a hundred and one services and programs for veterans, and sometimes the family.  But few, if any, address the spouse only.  And this where people get it wrong.  We think that veterans have all the influence, and they definitely bring in the donors.  But it is the spouse at home that manages the budget, signs kids up for camp, and makes sure the family is on track that holds incredible influence.  This is why empowering them to know that about themselves is critical.

So we, CKFF, take 24 military and first responder wives out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to build their confidence in new activities that they may not have done before- at least in the presence of each other.  They have never met each other and have to immediately do what they do best, be vulnerable in order to find support.  Their husbands are at home, watching the kids and perhaps getting to know Murphy’s law.

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It is a time of self-care, deep reflection, and for me- a chance to meet many of them in person.  Those that have been on one of Chris Kyle’s Revitalization Retreats as a couple have spent up to 5 hours with me in online coaching sessions tailored to their needs as a couple.  So to see them in person, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, honor, and humility to serve them again.

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The Tetons command respect and silence, so it is a perfect place for quiet, reflection, and for these women- a chance to hear their spirit speak again.  Long has the world and chaotic schedule of the service lifestyle drown out their internal voices.

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If that wasn’t enough, we take them out of their comfort zone (in front of each other).  Many pick up shotguns and archery for the first time.  Conquering the fear of kickbacks, loud noises, and even rewriting narratives of negativity associated with weapons.  Without their sweet husbands over their shoulder, they find the inner strength to try.  That, of course is rewarded by the cheers of those around them who know what they are overcoming. The staff at Safari Club International are not only the most amazing instructors, but have a teaching heart- filled with patience for all who come there.  They serve with grace, love, and even the chef and his wife love each person who comes through the door.

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Of course I try to get in a few opportunities myself to stretch out of my comfort zone:

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It wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t push them to a new level emotionally.  I guess that is my reputation now, which I had to laugh at.  Many of them were afraid of me in sessions, knowing that I would see behind the curtain.  Of course, it is in deep love and respect.  But I know that what I love is to see people I work with reach inside and discover new truths, break down lies that have long held them back, and find encouragement again.  Challenge, sometimes, is what breathes life into us and our family.  It may not be comfortable, but it is usually rewarding.  Many of these spouses let me dig deep along side of them.  Many of them did it on their own, truly embracing the opportunity that was put before them.  Every single one of them went home better.

My favorite part of all of it is to see them walk back just a little taller than when they came.

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I could not be more honored to serve along side the amazing staff of CKFF. We all have different talents and together, it is a force to be reckoned with.  Every detail is considered, every gift bag made with love, and the trust they have in me as a facilitator leaves me free to do what I love and I do not take that for granted.

Special thank you to Taya Kyle for sharing her vision and making it possible to serve these families.  We could each not do it by ourselves.  Today… I am thankful for a team I have long prayed for.

In the words of one of the spouses:

Last weekend I had the honor to befriend 29 beautiful, BADASS women… we laughed, we cried, and we laughed until we cried. We were vulnerable, completely out of our comfort zone, yet we shared some of the rawest and trying times we have ever experienced – not only in our marriages, but in any and every aspect of our lives. Corie dug deep and sometimes without trying. We learned that we have things we can internally work on within ourselves to better our relationships and who can and cannot be invited to a backyard barbeque; we also learned about self-love and that it is perfectly okay to take care of ourselves, as we, military and/or first responder spouses, have an enormous influence on our households, whether our husbands are home or not. Though, we found to have many things in common by the end of the weekend, one thing that stuck out for sure is that love conquers all (1 Corinthians 13) – we love our spouses unconditionally and given our circumstances, being a service member’s spouse isn’t for the faint; it requires strength and sacrifice, yet these women do life so gracefully. We all have a story. We all matter. You matter. Just remember to remind yourself periodically to practice grace, show gratitude, and always, always choose to forgive.