More Than A Spouse: Balancing Purpose and Career Dreams
When you meet Nikki Gallagher, you don’t just see a Space Force spouse. You see a veteran, a mom of five, a homeschool teacher, and a recent master’s graduate driven by ambition and pride.
Nikki is a powerhouse, quietly engineering a life filled with purpose, all while staying rooted in the ever-changing landscape of military life. She’s the backbone of her family, the brains behind a career reborn, and the resilience that fuels her next big move.
From Service to Support
Nikki began her journey in uniform, serving as an engineer in the Air Force right alongside her husband. But a few years after 9/11, she made the difficult decision to step away from her military career to support their growing family.
“Dual military was a risk due to the rapid deployments,” she explained. “We didn’t have family to support us and help take care of our children.”
Fast-forward 17 years and five kids later, and Nikki felt the pull to serve outside the home. During the pandemic, she applied for one job—and got it.
“It sparked a desire in me,” she shared.
That spark led to another bold decision: enrolling in a master’s program in Systems Engineering.
Balancing Military Life
Between working full time, homeschooling her kids, and pursuing her own education, Nikki kept moving forward—even when an unexpected PCS during her first semester threatened to throw her off course.
“What I’ve been able to accomplish outside of being a military spouse is commendable,” Nikki said. “But adding to it the rigors of military life, it seems insurmountable.”
Now, two and a half years later, she’s earned her degree—while still juggling the demands of high schoolers, young adults at home, and a younger child in elementary school.
“It is most definitely more difficult to have a career as a military spouse,” she admitted. “When applying for positions and not knowing if we will move… it adds another layer of uncertainty.”
Still, Nikki presses on. “I am excited as I take another major step forward. It is timed with my spouse’s career—because it has to be.”
Built-In Skills. Real Value.
When asked how she explains career gaps in her resume, Nikki encourages others to look through a new lens with sharper focus.
“I manage a home and family like a pro, even when the other adult in the home is deployed or on constant business trips,” she said. “I am highly adaptive, and I know how to find solutions to my problems.”
Her current employer took a chance on her by keeping her employed remotely after her PCS, even filing business paperwork in a new state to make it happen.
“They accepted that risk, and for me, that is honorable,” she said. “It’s given me every reason to remain loyal.”
It’s a powerful reminder that when companies invest in military spouses, the return is measured in talent, dedication, and unmatched work ethic.
Together We’re Stronger
Nikki reminds us that military spouses aren’t just supporting a mission – they’re building their own. With every PCS, every reinvention, and every balancing act, they define what it means to be More Than a Spouse. Nikki’s story is proof that even when the path isn’t easy, it can still be engineered for success.
Share your ‘More Than A Spouse’ story with us. We want to hear it!
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
