Unlocking the role of a Key Spouse

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The life of a servicemember today requires multiple deployments to various areas of responsibility in support of wartime missions. While that Airman is deployed, the family is left at home to continue with their lives. To help smooth the transition a spouse can find support through the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Key Spouse program.

The Key Spouse program was developed as an initiative to enhance the quality of life for Air Force families and is an official representative.

Key Spouses are appointed by the commander and the first sergeant, and once chosen; go through initial training taught by the 509th Force Support Squadron A&FRC, before they are able to mentor according to Staff Sgt. Angela Gooden readiness NCO in charge.

"Key Spouses are important to the mission because they serve as conduits for base by providing community information and programs which help families deal with military life-cycle challenges," said Sandi Williams, Air Force Global Strike Command, 509th FSS A&FRC community readiness consultant.

The role of a Key Spouse is to provide peer-to-peer Wingman support, inform and refer family members to available resources. The commander and the first sergeant rely on the judgment, reliability and positive attitudes of a Key Spouse to accomplish those goals according to Mrs. Williams.
"Key Spouses are trained volunteers and conduits of information who are active, visible and a team player," Mrs. Williams said. "Instead the professionals we train are not counselors, babysitters, taxi drivers, gossips, fundraisers or assumed authority figures."

"Because they trouble shoot so many problems at a lower level, they prevent problems from becoming elevated and become a catalyst for change," she said.

The importance of their role helps Airmen focus on the mission down range by knowing their families have a support system.

"Being a key spouse is very important to assist the unit in caring for a member's family during a deployment," said Sheri Marler, a Key Spouse for the 509th Operations Group. "Spouses identify with each other and it is important to have continuous communication with the spouse to inform them of base activities as well as ensuring their family's needs are being met. It is also very comforting to the military member to know their family is well taken care of and it allows them to focus on the mission. It is just one of the many ways that Team Whiteman works together to take care of each other."

For more information about the Key Spouses program, contact the A&FRC at (660) 687- 7132.