More Than A Spouse: Multicultural Experiences Enhance Military Journey
Marine Corps spouse Leila Welton Punelli came into her military spouse journey with an advantage—global experiences. As a dual national of both America and France, she grew up speaking multiple languages and visiting international destinations. Her early exposure to different cultures shaped her worldview of being a lifelong learner and ignited a passion for music. Two years into her military life, Leila has continued to find ways to fulfill her passions through military spouse resources and networks.
Diverse Experiences Enhance Military Life
From Paris to Spain, India, and the United States, Leila learned about other cultures early on. “My first flight was when I was just ten days old!” she recalled. Traveling the globe and learning languages led to a passion for music. As an accomplished violinist, she has played at prestigious venues around the world.
While her musical achievements are impressive, she has also built an impactful career. Her career path is as diverse as her background, spanning roles in tutoring, retail, and social media before finding her true passion in outreach for higher education—where she helps others grow and succeed, much like the military community she supports. Leila sees no end to her pursuits of doing better for herself and setting a realistic example for spouses like her.
“Today, a master’s degree is the new bachelor’s degree,” she shared. “As a military spouse, there are so many wonderful programs out there that are free or offer full scholarships. We just have to go out there and pursue them.”
Currently, Leila is pursuing her master’s in business administration, using her spouse’s GI bill to finance it. “I want to encourage spouses to get as much education as possible. Take advantage of every resource,” she said.
If you don’t catch Leila spreading the word about resources with a can-do attitude, you’ll catch her at her local installation supporting military families. As a volunteer with the USO and active member of spouse clubs, she makes a lasting impression on everyone she meets—a characteristic she attributes to her unique global experiences.
Finding Purpose as a Military Spouse
It is no secret that military spouses make personal sacrifices to support their service members. They often face unique challenges that make finding purpose in the journey, including career instability, frequent relocation, and isolation. However, with increasing awareness and support, we can reach more spouses and be part of their journey to accomplish something that serves them.
“Go out for that bachelor’s or master’s that you have been putting off. You can do it!” Leila said with conviction. “Choose yourself, too.”
Leila’s story is one of many we celebrate through our ‘More Than A Spouse’ campaign, which shines a light on military spouses finding purpose, passion, and success beyond the challenges of military life. We want to see more spouses thrive and continue to celebrate them because together, we’re stronger.
Share your ‘More Than A Spouse’ story with us. We want to hear it!
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
