MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- (Editor’s Note: This is the 2nd article of a 5 part series on 908th Airlift Wing Key Spouses)
Garrysa Caffey is the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Key Spouse. As a Key Spouse, she attends continuing education and support education training sessions to distribute information to 908th Airlift Wing service members and their families. She is responsible for providing referral information about base and community resources as needed and serving as a support system to families during deployments. The team behind the Key Spouse Program has organized and promoted family events at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., such as the Santa Letter Writing, pool parties and more.
Caffey has been a Key Spouse volunteer for four years, since her spouse asked her to represent their squadron. She said that she considers it an honor to be a part of the Key Spouse Program and will continue to be a Key Spouse volunteer because she “enjoy[s] working with my fellow Key Spouses and introducing families to the available resources no matter their stage of [the] military life cycle.”
Caffey demonstrates that she has had the heart and mind of a servant leader since she was young.
“I’ve always considered myself a servant leader because it was instilled in me as a child to always be of service to mankind,” said Caffey.
Besides being a Key Spouse volunteer, she works as a contractor that supports military spouses and volunteers at the River Region United Way, March for Babies and many more organizations outside of Maxwell AFB.
“[Caffey] truly cares about the Airmen of her unit and their families,” said Tina Harstad, 908th AW Key Spouse Mentor. “She is there to listen and make sure they have access to information anytime they should have a hardship in life and need a little extra help.”
Caffey is married to Maj. Arthur Caffey, 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron director of operations. They currently live in Tuskegee, AL, with their young son, Aidan, and dog, Daisy.
Caffey says that because of the nature of the job, it is important for Key Spouse volunteers to possess an empathetic ear and great instincts.
“You have to be willing to ask questions, listen for the response and act accordingly,” said Caffey. “As a Key Spouse, we may be privy to sensitive information regarding our families, therefore, it is imperative that [you’re] trustworthy [and have] high moral character.”
The Key Spouse volunteer position is open to any spouse or partner of a service member. They must be willing to volunteer and serve military families by becoming a resource and support system in conjunction with the Airman and Family Readiness Department.
The 908th currently has a few vacancies in the Key Spouse Program, if interested in becoming a Key Spouse volunteer, contact 908th AW Key Spouse Mentor, Tina Harstad, at 908awksm@gmail.com.