San Diego Council of the Navy League 'Spouse of the Year."

Jennifer Smit (center) accepts the San Diego Council of the Navy League's 2010 Military Spouse of the Year award at a presentation held at the Adm. Baker Golf Course Clubhouse. San Diego Council of the Navy League members Bob Kilpatrick (left) and Todd Eden (right) presented the award to Smit, who is the first Marine spouse to ever receive the award. Maj. Bradley W. Anderson, commanding officer for the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based Headquarters & Support Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group nominated Smit for the award. "Jennifer is the most selfless person I've met at this command and sets the example of what a military spouse can do," said Anderson. Smit, a 28-year-old native of Sacramento, Calif., devotes much of her time to supporting the families of I MHG as a family readiness assistant; Marine Corps Family Team Building mentor; and Lifestyles, Insight, Networking, Knowledge and Skills program mentor. The Marine Corps has many organizations that benefit family members, which are volunteer-based, according to Smit. "In order to keep these programs running we need people with hearts to serve that can give some of their time to our heroes that give so much to us," she said.