Melissa Stroh, Army Spouse

In 2004, as a dispatcher for the Idaho State Police, Melissa Stoker Stroh met her future husband, Staff Sergeant Eric Stroh, an Idaho State Police Trooper and member of the Army Reserve. In May 2006, after establishing a life together, Eric was deployed to Iraq where in October 2006 he was severely injured.

As Melissa recalls, “My world was turned upside down on October 26thwhen I got a phone call that Eric had been hit by an IED.” Having suffered serious damage to his lower leg, Eric was sent to Walter Reed Hospital upon his return to the U.S and began extensive rehabilitation.

All the while, Melissa ensured she was with him every step of the recovery process. It is during this time that Melissa and Eric were wed. And now, considering their joint future together and knowing that she will be the family breadwinner, Melissa has enrolled in the University of Idaho’s Executive MBA program through which she will gain an executive skill set that will allow her to fully support her family in the future.