When navigating Navy life, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
A new duty station, an upcoming deployment, an unexpected challenge, or simply a question about available resources can sometimes leave Navy families wondering where to start. That’s where one of the Navy’s most important family support resources comes in: the command ombudsman.
In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost is joined by Mrs. Angie Perryman, spouse of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and an Ombudsman-at-Large, for a conversation about the people who help connect Navy families to their commands, resources, and communities.
Before diving into the ombudsman role, Angie shares her own Navy spouse journey—the moves, challenges, rewarding moments, and relationships that have shaped her experience with military life. Together, Teal and Angie explore how those lived experiences can help ombudsmen better understand and support the families they serve.
They also break down what an ombudsman actually does, the kinds of situations they can help families navigate, and why connecting with your command ombudsman before a problem arises can be an important part of staying informed and connected.
In recognition of Ombudsman Appreciation Day, this episode is also a thank-you to the volunteers across the Navy who answer calls, share information, connect families with resources, welcome newcomers, and provide a familiar point of contact when Navy life feels unfamiliar.
Whether you’re a brand-new Navy spouse, a seasoned military family member, or someone considering becoming an ombudsman yourself, this episode offers a closer look at the people and connections helping strengthen Navy families and their commands.
Key Topics & Highlights
Meet Angie Perryman: A Navy Spouse’s Journey
Before discussing her role as an Ombudsman-at-Large, Angie shares her own experience navigating Navy life.
From her introduction to military life to the rewarding moments and challenging seasons along the way, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her understanding of the Navy family community—and ultimately influenced the way she serves other military families.
Finding Community in Navy Life
Military life can mean starting over again and again, making new connections at every duty station, and learning how to build community wherever you land.
Teal and Angie discuss the importance of finding your people, the individuals who helped Angie navigate Navy life, and how those experiences can inspire military spouses to support and encourage the families around them.
What Exactly Does a Navy Ombudsman Do?
For new Navy families—or even seasoned families who have never connected with their command ombudsman—the role can sometimes feel unclear.
Angie breaks down the basics of the Ombudsman Program, including the ways an ombudsman serves as a communication link between the command and Navy families and helps connect families with information and available resources.
From deployment questions and new duty stations to resource referrals and unexpected challenges, Teal and Angie discuss the situations where reaching out to an ombudsman can be a helpful first step.
Why You Don’t Have to Wait Until Something Goes Wrong
An ombudsman isn’t only there for families during a crisis.
Connecting with your ombudsman, knowing who they are, and staying informed about your command community can help families build connections and know where to turn before they ever need assistance.
Teal and Angie discuss why every Navy family should know who their command ombudsman is—and why your question doesn’t have to be a crisis to be worth asking.
Could You Be an Ombudsman?
For listeners interested in becoming more involved in their command community, Angie shares the qualities that can make someone a strong ombudsman.
You don’t have to have all the answers or decades of Navy experience to make a difference. A willingness to learn, listen, connect with others, and help families find the right resources can go a long way.
Ombudsman Appreciation Day
Much of an ombudsman’s work happens quietly and behind the scenes.
It’s the phone call.
The email.
The welcome to a new family.
The information shared before a deployment.
The resource referral.
And sometimes, it’s simply being the person who says, “Here’s where you can start.”
In recognition of Ombudsman Appreciation Day, Angie shares what the day means to her and offers a message to the volunteers across the Navy who dedicate their time and energy to supporting fellow Navy families.
A Message for Every Navy Family
Whether you’ve never contacted your ombudsman, aren’t sure who your command ombudsman is, or wonder whether your question is important enough to ask, this conversation offers an important reminder: you don’t have to navigate Navy life alone.
Angie shares practical encouragement for families looking to become more connected to their command community and explains why knowing who your ombudsman is can be an important part of family readiness.
