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Month of the Military Family: Army wife turned Airman, Family Readiness program manager fills voids

  • Published
  • By Maj. Angela Walz
  • 162nd Wing

As a new Army wife, Mikie Hoeye came to the military 28 years ago with little knowledge, few expectations, and a lot of questions. After attending an orientation class for new spouses, she embarked on a journey that brought her full circle to fill the voids that she knew existed, and to be a resource for all military members and their families.

As the 162nd Wing’s Airman and Family Readiness program manager, Hoeye provides assistance, guidance, and support that enhances the quality of life for service members and their families during peacetime and upon mobilization. This includes personal, financial, family, and community readiness, deployment cycle support, crisis intervention, transition assistance, outreach, training, management, information, referral and follow-up, life skills education, review and analysis of program effectiveness, and volunteer program management.

The 162nd Wing’s Airman and Family Readiness program is an integral part of the wing’s CARE (“Connected Airmen Resilient Engaged”) Team, which also includes the Director of Psychological Health Services, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, chaplains and First Sergeants.

“I’m here to help. I don't want any military member or their families to ever think that they have a need that can’t be filled,” said Hoeye. “If I don’t have what you need, I know where to get it,” she said.

 

Want to learn more about Ms. Hoeye?  Checkout the Q&A below:

 

Q: What is something we might not know about you?

A:  I am a huge sports fan. My dad and I talk sports all the time. I don’t play many sports anymore, but I watch all types on TV and in person when I get the chance, especially U of A, GO CATS!!!

 

Q: Can you tell me about your family?

A: My oldest son, Guy, is in the Air Force and stationed in Germany with his wife and my 7-year-old granddaughter. My middle son, Kyle, lives in Minneapolis with his wife and my two grand cats. My daughter, Christie, lives in Scottsdale and she is working on her Masters in Social Work as well as working as an AZ Army National Guard Child and Youth Coordinator up at Papago Park. I get to go visit her and my grand dog, Odin, often. I live with my best friend Leia -- she’s my 1-year-old Havanese puppy.

 

Q: Do you speak any languages other than English?

A: No

 

Q: What is your favorite band?

A:  Toby Mac

 

Q: What song do you play to get you pumped up?

A: Cold Heart - Elton John and Dua Lipa

 

Q: What is the best movie to watch on a rainy day?

A: Beauty and the Beast

 

Q: What is your favorite Tucson restaurant?

A:  Dante’s Fire

 

Q: Do you have a parable or motto you live by?

A: Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

 

Q: What hobbies do you have?

A: Did I mention I love sports? If I’m not at the [University of Arizona] Cats’ football, basketball, or softball games, I am probably planning my next trip. I have taken up traveling as my new adventure, especially if Leia can go with me.

 

Q: What book has had the biggest impact on you?

A: The Bible

 

Q: Who is a historical figure you want to meet, dead or alive? Also, what would be the one question you would want to ask them?

A: Martha Washington. I would want to hear her story of being a military spouse during the war.

 

Q: Do you have any pet peeves?

A: It may be a hot debate but for me it’s people who recline their airplane seats.

 

Q: What podcast do you like to listen to?

A: My son Kyle does a podcast about military history, but I listen to everyone.

 

Q: iPhone or Android                       

A: iPhone

 

Q: Chevrolet or Ford?                       

A: Chevy

 

Q: Cats or dogs?                                

A: Dogs

 

Q: Chocolate or Vanilla?                               

A: Chocolate, especially anything dark chocolate!

 

Q: Phone call or text message?                     

A: Phone call

 

Q: Cake or pie?                                              

A: Pie

 

Q: Nice car or nice house?                

A: Nice house

 

Q: Sneakers or sandals?                                

A: Sneakers

 

Q: Beach or forest?                          

A: Beach

 

Q: Online or in-store shopping?                   

A: Online

 

Q: Ability to fly or read minds?                   

A: Fly, then I could travel even more.

 

Q: Coke or Pepsi?                             

A: Pepsi

 

Q: Musical theater or concert?                      

A: I love attending both.

 

Q: Iced coffee or hot coffee?           

A: Hot

 

Q: Singing or dancing?                                 

A: I am horrible at both.

 

Q: Snow or Sunshine?                                   

A: Sunshine

 

Q: Repair the car or buy a new one?

A: Repair

 

Q: Veggies or meat?                          

A: Meat

 

Q: Sweet or savory?                          

A: Sweet

 

Q: Do you wear socks to bed?                      

A: No

 

Q: What do you order on your pizza?

A: Canadian bacon and pineapple. Yes, I’m that person!

 

Q: Is Bigfoot real?

A: Well, the internet says yes, so he must be true.