MILITARY OUTREACH INITIATIVE
WOMEN of the
MILITARY COMMUNITY:
Your commitment to service extends far beyond the call of duty. Channel that passion into civic leadership with The Policy Circle’s Military Outreach Initiative. We open doors for women of the military community by offering new avenues to lead and make a difference in their communities.
For those ready to take the next step in their civic leadership journey, we’re excited to offer a limited number of full Program Grants for eligible women within the military community. Learn more below.
READY TO LEAD? JOIN CLER
Do you envision innovative solutions to community challenges but aren’t sure how to turn those ideas into reality? Have you noticed gaps in local services and wondered how you could contribute? Does it seem like some things, from roads to schools, aren’t improving, leaving you wondering who’s in charge? If these questions resonate with you, it’s time to take the next step in your leadership journey.
The Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap (CLER) is The Policy Circle’s self-paced, experiential program that, over three months, takes participants from having general civic knowledge to becoming civic leaders. Our innovative curriculum is action-oriented, ensuring that you not only learn but also apply your knowledge to effect real change in your community. Through one-on-one coaching, mastermind peer groups, networking opportunities, and curated activities, you’ll forge connections with local policy leaders and decision-makers, amplifying your impact and influence. We offer three distinct courses, read more about them here.
CLER PROGRAM AWARDS AVAILABLE
Women of the Military Community who are current active duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and military family members – this is for you! The Policy Circle offers a limited number of Program Awards to eligible women within the military community for CLER. We’re committed to ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of your potential to make a difference.
The military family has an important voice, with a powerful perspective of service and dedication to our country – The Policy Circle serves to amplify that voice.
CLER provided the framework and the encouragement to get involved, to make a difference.
Caroline Fermin
RETIRED LIEUTENANT COLONEL, USMC
MEET our MILITARY ALUMNI
Caroline Fermin
Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, USMC
Joined a Task Force: Caroline, a member of her local Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Military Enhancement Committee, joined a task force to repurpose a 1940s Naval Hospital facing closure. Appointed as an ex-officio member, she brought her 25 years of planning expertise from the US Marine Corps to the table. Now, with the committee’s vision to repurpose the property, thousands of citizens will benefit from it.
Jessica Morera
Commander, Active Duty, US Navy
Appointed to Board: Jessica, a US Navy Commander nearing retirement, discovered The Policy Circle’s CLER program at the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium in July 2023. After completing CLER 1.0, she said, “I’m sharing my newfound knowledge with family, friends, and coworkers. Even long-time residents often have little understanding of how government works.” Through CLER, Jessica found her voice and was invited to apply for the Military Academy Selection Board. Her application was accepted in October 2023. Now, she’s considering a future run for city council, inspired by CLER and her military leadership experience.
Laura Stegherr
Active Duty, US Navy
Elected to School Advisory Board: Laura, a CLER Trifecta graduate, attended a PTO meeting for a CLER assignment. “Thanks to CLER, I understand that my active participation in my son’s learning environment is critical to him!” The experience led her to seek a role on the school advisory board to share her perspectives as an active-duty military parent. “I truly feel that my time in the CLER program empowered me to take on this role,” says Laura, who discovered a way to impact her community by supporting her local school and her child’s education.
Marjorie Eastman
Veteran, US Army
Appointed to Local Advisory Board: Marjorie is passionate about serving her community and her country. A combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Marjorie was the ideal candidate to connect the military community with The Policy Circle as our Leadership Fellow. To familiarize herself more with our organization, she enrolled in CLER. “CLER opened my eyes in a profoundly new way – the people who show up at the local level are the ones who make the decisions. Therefore, we MUST show up.” She applied to join her city’s Volunteer Advisory Board and now sits on the Economic Development Committee.
Wandaliz Turner
Veteran, US Army
Appointed to Local Advisory Council: CLER graduate Wandaliz applied for a city board appointment, but the limited number of available seats made an appointment difficult. Not giving up, she was accepted to a city-sponsored program to learn more about her local government, its people, and its processes. Due to a chance meeting with her mayor at a community event, she took the opportunity to discuss her nomination to the Community Services Advisory Council. Within weeks of reviewing her application, Wandaliz received her appointment.
Apply Today
CLER Cohort Courses:
CLER 1.0: Founding Principles & Local Government
CLER: Education Education Policy & School Boards
CLER Cohort Dates:
Spring 2026 (Feb. 1 – Apr. 30) – Application Deadline: Jan. 25
Summer 2026 (Jun. 1 – Aug. 31) – Application Deadline: May 17
Fall 2026 (Sep. 1 – Nov. 30) – Application Deadline: Aug. 30
Our Partners
Since the launch of our Military Initiative, we have partnered with incredible organizations to help us raise awareness on this important civic resource for women in the military community:
