SOAR provides spousal support to WAFB newcomers

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Anyone who has ever moved to a new city knows that adjusting to an unfamiliar area can often be a challenge for military spouses. In an effort to ease the transition for dependents, the staff members at the Airman & Family Readiness Center implemented Spouse Orientation Acclamation & Resources, a new program at this Air Force Global Strike Command base.

The purpose of SOAR is to provide spouses who are new to Whiteman AFB with valuable information on resources and opportunities available to them. It also assists with acclamation to the military lifestyle here, according to Shannon Scott, 509th Force Support Squadron A&FRC specialist and SOAR program coordinator.

"Spouses' number one complaint has been information dissemination," said Scott. "Many don't know about the resources and opportunities available to them being a military spouse. So after brainstorming with the office and meeting with lodging we decided SOAR would be a perfect avenue to reach out to new spouses when they first arrive to the base."

SOAR is designed to be a one-stop-shop for everything spouses need to know to 'hit the ground running' and call Whiteman home, according to Scott. SOAR provides spouses with information on: spouse employment, education options, childcare options, Heart Link, 509th FSS programs, local area information, playgroups, networking, general base information and volunteering, to name a few.

"I believe any spouse who attends SOAR can benefit from the information," Scott said.

"My hope is that with the knowledge about the resources available spouses will feel confident and empowered to pursue their goals and get involved in the Whiteman AFB community and have an overall sense of belonging and satisfaction while being stationed here.

"Our overall goal is to give them the tools they need to succeed," Scott added.

SOAR is also a good way to meet other spouses who are in the same boat, according to Scott.

"Each week I get the privilege of meeting new spouses and hopefully making an impact on their first impression of Whiteman AFB," Scott said. "Spouses are likely to feel satisfied with the military lifestyle if they are informed and involved."

Stacy Olson, SOAR participant, said many of her questions were answered and that she is grateful that Whiteman AFB has a program that offers pertinent information to newcomers.

"Shannon had so much information available at her fingertips and was able to provide my family and me with valuable information," Olson said. "This is our fourth assignment and it was refreshing to meet with someone so knowledgeable about the base and surrounding area. It is really hard moving to a new area not knowing what that area has to offer. It also makes it easier when you have the information needed to accomplish your goals. It really doesn't matter whether you are brand new to the service or "seasoned", you will come away from this meeting more informed."

Although under different names, similar types of programs have been offered at other bases, but this is the first time it has been done at Whiteman AFB.

SOAR is open to Team Whiteman members, but the target audiences are spouses new to the base. SOAR is held every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m., (excluding holidays and base down days at the Whiteman Inn. For more information contact Shannon Scott at 660-687-7665 or on Facebook . Children are welcome.