Linda L. Repass

Biography

Linda L. Repass, a native of Wisconsin, has served our nation for more than 30 years both in the U.S Army, and as a leader of military family programs in communities across three continents. She enlisted in the Army in 1982, is a trained paratrooper, and served for 2.5 years at Fort Bragg, NC.

After departing the military, she became immersed in military spouse and family programs, and was among the original members who started the Family Readiness Group program at FT Bragg in 1984. She later served as the co-director of the American Red Cross hospital volunteer program at FT Campbell, KY.

Linda has been active in spouse groups for over three decades. Linda is exceptionally familiar with foreign cultures, community support structures, and the unique demands of military living. In Germany, she was involved in NATO international spouse programs, and was actively involved in German-American spouse exchanges and benevolent events for eight years. She served on community service boards to include a year as the southeastern regional director of American Women Around Germany, which promoted professional education and accreditation for military spouses. She also served on the outreach and welfare committee at the spouses club in Okinawa, Japan. She later served on the Stuttgart, Germany spouse club’s scholarship award committee.

Linda voluntarily served as a senior spouse in units ranging from 85 to 13,500 troops and their families. She led annual programs to identify statutory obstacles and methods to improve spouse employment, childhood education, and community welfare leading to Army and Joint Chiefs of Staff recommendations on military communities.

Most notably, Linda was a leading voice among the families of Special Operations Forces families. She started the Special Forces Gold Star Families program that uniquely recognizes the families of fallen Special Forces operators, and created a support network among the Gold Star spouses. She also initiated the annual Maggie Raye Award, which recognizes an outstanding Special Forces family volunteer for selfless service and excellence.

Linda’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Parachutist’s Badge, the Commander’s Award for Outstanding Public Service, and the Chairman’s of the Joint Chief’s Award for Public Service. She has completed the Disney marathon and the Paris half-marathon.

Two aphorisms summarize Linda’s outlook on military family life and public service: “Grow where you are planted,” and “Leave it better than you found it.” In recognition of her 30-plus years of selfless service to America’s military families and communities, the President of the United States awarded her the President’s Call to Service Award in 2013.