Mollie Raymond is a military community advocate, currently serving as a Military Spouse Ambassador with Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She is married to General John “Jay” Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations. She humbly and historically served alongside him
during the establishment of the United States Space Force, the sixth and newest branch of the United States Armed Forces.
Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, she first met her husband during his initial assignment in Grand Forks, ND. After graduating from the University of North Dakota, Mollie’s first relocation was to Vandenberg AFB, where she embarked on her journey as a military spouse. Since then, Mollie has traversed the globe, encountering over 19 relocations before her husband’s retirement in November 2022.
Mollie has long been an ardent champion for military spouses and families, dedicating tireless efforts to their support by fostering family engagements, forging genuine connections, and nurturing a strong sense of community. She wholeheartedly supports military families through her selfless service through various military support organizations, including Hiring Our Heroes, Blue Star Families, and the Air Force Enlisted Village.
As a staunch advocate for military spouse employment, Mollie has actively contributed as a member of the Military Spouse Career Coalition. This initiative aids spouses in accessing career resources and education. Mollie was also called upon to testify on behalf of military spouses before the Colorado House Education Committee. Her testimony played a vital role in the passing of HB18-1095, streamlining the processes for acquiring teacher certifications for military spouses moving to Colorado.
Mollie’s passion lies in working with Hiring Our Heroes to bridge the gap between American businesses and the military-connected community. She firmly understands that the economic stability of military families, achieved through sustainable employment, is closely tied to the recruitment and retention of the all-volunteer force. Thus, she fiercely advocates for dismantling barriers and creating pathways to success.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Mollie was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Public Service by the Department of Defense in October 2022. She was also honored with the 2023 Hiring Our Heroes Bonnie Amos Award for Lifetime Achievement. Mollie and Jay have been married for 35 years and currently reside in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. The couple of have three adult children.