Military Spotlight: Victoria Couch
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women throughout history and those who continue to make a difference. In the military, women have served with distinction, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. From the battlefields of the past to today’s leadership roles, their dedication and courage continue to inspire.
Women in the military have also made amazing contributions in their communities, serving on boards, getting involved in direct services, and pitching in to address specific community needs. Coast Guard Operations Specialist Senior Chief Victoria Couch is one of those women. This Girl Scout alum, who hails from California, volunteers as a Girl Scout leader and product program coordinator for her Girl Scout unit in Virginia Beach. She’s also the mom of a Girl Scout Daisy and a rising kindergartner who will be ready for the Girl Scout Daisy program soon.
“I love getting the girls excited about the Cookie Program,” she says. “It’s important to teach them about financial literacy — put simply, money doesn’t grow on trees! You have to work to earn it and take part in the budgeting and planning once you have it. The program really helps them with math skills. It also helps so many girls with their communication skills. They start to come out of their shells and are less shy. Another valuable lesson is the ability to keep going during times you might be having challenges or rejections, and understand it’s part of life.”
Victoria has had a long career filled with valuable lessons she can share with the Girl Scouts she mentors. She has been with the Coast Guard for twenty years, starting with Vessel Traffic Service in New York. She then went to Long Beach, California, where she managed the radio communications for Search and Rescue operations and later traveled to northern California to assist with security operations. While in San Diego on the Cutter Sherman, she became the Lead Petty Officer of the Radio Shop and then went to be an instructor for the Operation Specialist Schoolhouse where she taught new members of the Coast Guard wanting to become Operation Specialists. Victoria is now a Performance Analyst looking into the Human Performance issues across multiple programs within the Coast Guard.
“I’ve encouraged the Girl Scouts I lead to earn the Explore the Military patch series and am always looking for ways to introduce them to women in the military as role models,” she said. “I want to instill in them the ‘can-do spirt’ that every girl needs to have in today’s world. There’s so much to deal with that can overwhelm a girl, and it is our job as caring adults to be there for them. Maybe it’s a conversation circle at the end of a meeting, or having fun doing team work as we volunteer for the animal shelter — which we did!” Or maybe it’s time together building friendships while camping or having fun sharing pizza at a celebration for earning a badge — it all matters.”
Consider volunteering with Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and make a difference in girls’ lives. Not interested in leading a troop? No problem! There are so many ways adults can get involved; from training other adults in outdoor skills to being a cookie coordinator or providing a work day with your unit at one of the camp properties, there’s something for everyone.
