Key spouses help bridge the gap

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Airman & Family Readiness Center is working with a variety of Malmstrom agencies to provide initial and update training, and serve as a referral resource for the revised and standardized Key Spouse program. 

The Key Spouse program is a communication network designed to enhance readiness and establish a sense of community among unit leadership, Airmen and their families. 

"Malmstrom has 19 trained key spouses," said Karan Hilliard, 341st Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant. "A key spouse brings the concerns, questions and ideas of spouses within the unit to the commanders' attention." 

The program's structure is designed so the unit commander, key spouse, first sergeant and key spouse mentor work as a team to unsure 100 percent follow-up with unit spouses and families, especially the spouses of the servicemembers who are deployed. 

As a duty, key spouses attend commanders' calls, and stay in contact with all spouses within the unit. 

A key spouse volunteer may be the spouse of an officer, enlisted, Department of Defense civilian or other qualified person connected to the unit. Unit leadership formally selects and appoints each key spouse. 

Volunteers must attend mandatory training to include initial and updated information about the Key Spouse program, a suicide awareness briefing, and Heartlink, an orientation class designed to educate new spouses on base programs, Air Force lingo, and chain of command. 

The updated program is a part of the July 2009 to July 2010 Year of the Air Force Family initiative, a program designated to focus on Air Force programs that highlight the importance, and commitment to the entire Air Force Family to include all Airmen, spouses, children, Air Force civilians, extended families and retirees. 

"The program is beneficial because it increases awareness of installation and community resources, identifies and resolves issues at the lowest level, prepares and supports families during separations and increases unit support by enhancing communication between families and leadership," Mrs. Hilliard said. 

For more information about the Key Spouse program, call the A&FRC at 731-4900.