JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day set aside for us to pause and give recognition to some of the unsung heroes of our community, military spouses. Military spouses have an incredible impact on service members and the military community. This is especially apparent on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
On July 1, 2022, the Joint Base formed its first travel volleyball team with the help of JB MDL’s sports director, Chris O’Donnell, and the head volleyball coach, Allison Farmer, a military spouse with 18 years of volleyball experience. Farmer coordinated three days of tryouts and selected the team members. Once the team was created, they hit the ground running with practices 2-3 times a week. Farmer recruited two assistant coaches from the team, Joelle Koka, also a military spouse, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Germann, 621st Contingency Response Support Squadron Communications Security Responsible Officer.
The team competed in their first co-ed tournament at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, in December 2022, placing 4th out of 8 teams.
“The dedication, commitment, and trust that this team gives me is unmatched,” stated Farmer. “They persevere and push through every practice and the result shows when we travel and compete against other bases.”
The team’s second tournament took place at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina in March 2023. Farmer submitted four teams, a men’s, a women’s and two co-ed. There were 27 teams total, with the JB MDL men placing 3rd overall, women placing 2nd and one of the co-ed teams placing 3rd. Shaw AFB also gave four Most Valuable Player awards to those who stood out and JB MDL received two. Koka, one of the assistant coaches who’s the libero for the women’s team was one of the recipients and the middle hitter on the men’s team, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Parish Jones, 305th Maintenance Operations Qualification Training Instructor.
“It’s such an enjoyable and humbling experience to be part of this team,” stated Jones. “I get the chance to grow and compete with a truly amazing group of individuals while we consistently improve and motivate one another.”
JB MDL will be competing in a Championship tournament for all Air Force volleyball teams in the Continental U.S. June 9-11 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Farmer will submit one men’s team, one women’s and one coed.
“I want to recognize everyone on my team. I’m beyond proud of each person, but especially one of my assistant coaches Joelle,” stated Farmer. “She’s also a military spouse and this team wouldn’t be where it is without the coaching, support and patience this woman brings to the team.”
Our military spouses are the rock on which our families, communities, and national security depend. Farmer and Koka have increased morale, resiliency and support within the JB MDL community when bringing together these fellow service members and military spouses to share their common love and passion for the same sport.
“Being a spouse of a military member means I’m part of an amazing community of people who work to protect our country,” stated Koka. “I am so proud to be a military spouse and support my husband and our service members in any way.”