Chaplain's wife named spouse of the year

  • Published
  • By Ryan Stark
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Kirtland's Dinah Dziolek is the base's Spouse of the Year through the Military Spouse of the Year program for 2016. 

Dziolek is one of 104 base spouses of the year across the armed forces. Military Spouse Magazine operates the program.

The wife of Chaplain Capt. David Dziolek, Dinah said she was notified by email of her selection and was very excited.

"I am just very humbled and honored," she said. "I want to take every opportunity I am given to advocate for our military and their families to improve quality of life for them."

The Dzioleks have been married for 14 years, 11 spent in the Air Force. They have two children: son Isaiah, 3, and daughter Iliana, almost 2. Their military life has been split between active duty and Reserves. Dziolek said the military life has rewards and challenges.

"There's uncertainty in military life with separations with deployment and the 24/7 demands of chaplain duty," Dinah Dziolek said. "However, we have a lot of great support from our military community. I have met wonderful people who have been very supportive and helpful."

Fellow Kirtland spouse Shana Grimes nominated Dziolek. While she was not selected to represent the Air Force in the national-level competition, Dziolek will attend Military
Spouse Magazine's national event in Washington, D.C., in May.

"I hope to bring back lots of helpful resource information and make great connections with some amazing spouses there," she said.

For more about the Military Spouse of the Year program, visit www.msoy.militaryspouse.com.