Key Spouse is here to stay

  • Published
  • By SMSgt. Martha Roy
  • 908th Airlift Wing MPF
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  Two years ago, it was determined that there was a need for a Key Spouse Program to help commanders and first sergeants provide assistance to loved ones left behind during deployments. The Family Readiness office manages the program and provides training and recourses.

In addition, Key Spouses work with the Family Readiness office to make sure that their member families have all the benefits to which they are entitled.

Key Spouse is a voluntary position that helps our families by providing information on benefits, entitlements and programs to ensure our extended members make the most of what the military has to offer. The program serves as a vital link between families and the programs offered on base. The Key Spouse will work hand-in-hand with the unit leadership, accessing needs of the unit.

To help jump start this program, there will be a spouse indoctrination held during the November UTA. At this time we will offer Key Spouse Training for anyone who would like to learn about the program. There is no limit to the number of Key Spouses assigned per unit; of course the more you have working within a unit, the easier it is to dispense information.

One example, The Herk (Helping Every Reservist though Contingencies) Group, consisted of several wives who got together in 2007 to help each other whenever their husbands were deployed. They began providing breakfast at the staging area before our Airman deployed.

In the 908th, there will be one Wing Key Spouse, Lori Sims, who will oversee the program and the unit volunteers will coordinate with her. She will be attending Spouse Indoctrination during the November UTA.

You don't have to be a wife to be a Key Spouse; just an extended member who wants to keep informed and would like to help others in their unit or group. It takes a village to raise a unit of well informed members. We hope that you will join us and be part of this amazing program which will benefit so many.