More Than A Spouse: Legal Expert Stands Firm for Military Spouses
NMFA’s 2025 State of the Military Family Summit℠ was followed by Operation Advocacy, an afternoon session dedicated to inspiring and educating military spouses on becoming their best advocates. It was a day of empowering conversations and heartfelt celebration, made even more meaningful by the designation of Military Spouse Day. To celebrate the amazing spouses brought together, we awarded a $500 gift card to military spouse attorney Nicolle Vasquez Del Favero.
Nicolle is a Marine Corps spouse, a mother, and an Assistant Counsel for the Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel. Her journey—marked by impressive career wins and challenging compromises—echoes that of many military spouses navigating an uncertain career path.
Celebrations and Setbacks
Attaining a law degree and bar license is usually met with celebration, joy, and personal affirmation of accomplishing something great! And while that was the case for Nicolle, it was also met with heartache.
“I have geo-bached from my spouse in order to jump start my legal career only to run into unemployment and underemployment,” she recalled. “I once accepted a job as a paralegal after practicing as an attorney in another state. The uncertainty of maintaining a career I worked so hard to attain has probably been the biggest struggle, and the lack of understanding from others in our profession can be disheartening.”
Like many spouses, Nicolle had heard the phrase, “Well, you knew what you were signing up for.” Instead of letting it define her or resigning herself to it, she used those words as fuel for change. Rather than accepting the status quo, Nicolle was determined to create something better for her military spouse community.
“We didn’t sign up to sacrifice our individual hopes and dreams, career aspirations, and sense of selves, leaving them at the door before walking up to the altar to marry the military,” Nicolle said passionately.
“Military spouses bring so much to the table. We are adaptable and resilient, innovative and determined, and all we want is to be given an opportunity to show employers what an asset we can truly be in our respective workplaces.”
Operation Advocacy
Today, military spouses still face a staggering 21% unemployment rate. But that reality isn’t stopping spouses like Nicolle from advocating for better policies and long-term solutions.
“In these uncertain times, I think it’s more important now than ever for organizations supporting military families to come together and support each other for the good of the military community,” she shared.
Nicolle was one of over 150 participants at our summit and advocacy session, and she was inspired by the collective energy that filled the room.
“I am always inspired by military spouses and what they are able to accomplish,” she shared. “In fact, I frequently tell people that if you want something done, you should probably get a military spouse to do it.”
This belief echoes the founding of NMFA, an organization built by military spouses who knew that the only way to bring about change was to stand up for one another.
Make Your Voices Heard
Military spouse employment challenges are real—but so is the strength of this community.
Nicolle leaves us with a powerful reminder: “First and foremost, you are not alone. As a military spouse attorney and someone who has been both under and unemployed, I know how hard and frustrating this life can be—but it’s also filled with incredible people and resources. This community will answer the call.”
Your story matters. Just like Nicolle, you are more than a spouse—and we want to help share your experience. Whether you’re navigating a career, starting something new, or advocating for change, your voice can inspire others and drive progress.
Let’s keep showing the world exactly what military spouses bring to the table.
Share your More Than A Spouse story with us because together we’re stronger®.
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
