Key Spouse Program trains 18, provides vital connection for many

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. C. Michaela Judge
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center, base first sergeants and numerous volunteers here have banded together to reinvigorate a program that will continue to ensure that families of deployed loved ones are not only supported but have an open line of communication with commanders.

Through the A&FRC, 18 Key Spouse nominees, 6 senior spouses, and 7 additional duty first sergeants completed intensive training March 17 and 24 on the Key Spouse Program for families of deployed personnel from Hanscom.

Key Spouses are volunteers that act as a communication link between first sergeants, commanders, families of deployed servicemembers and the A&FRC. Roles include contacting spouses of deployed servicemembers to offer support and information throughout the deployment.

"Key Spouses play an important role in enhancing existing formal family readiness programs at the A&FRC. As official representatives of the command, Key Spouses have the responsibility of using the appropriate chain of command to accurately pass on unit information to families in a timely manner," said Donna Schluckebier, wife of 66th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Tom Schluckebier and Hanscom Key Spouse advisor.

This Air Force-wide program, which was first tested in 1997, provides families with a peer focal point for information, referral and support during deployments or separations.

Some of the topics that were covered during the recent training here included information on Key Spouses' roles and responsibilities, crisis response, handling calls with family members, ethics and confidentiality and the emotional stages of deployments.

"Deployments and separations can often cause a great deal of stress for families - through the training, Key Spouses learned how to identify the stages of the deployment experience and how to refer families to appropriate resources. Understanding the emotions that many will likely experience also helps Key Spouses assure families that their feelings are normal, given the situation," said Marcia Bowlds, wife of Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds and Hanscom Key Spouse advisor.

As Key Spouses, volunteers will have an official appointment letter from the unit commander, will attend key spouse training held by the A&FRC and will serve as an official liaison for leadership and families. The commitment of volunteer time varies with need, but can be estimated at two to three hours per month.

"The classes held by the A&FRC go beyond just the initial training session. In addition to the six hour initial training, Key Spouses are required to attend once-a-month sessions to process their concerns and provide more in-depth training on different topics to enhance their expertise," said Dr. Sondra Albano, Airman and Family Readiness Center flight chief.

For instance, some of the training sessions will cover topics such as family readiness, suicide prevention, listening skills and grief and bereavement over the next several months.

The significance of the volunteer position was felt by many who stepped up to the plate and attended the training.

"The training session really laid out the importance of what Key Spouses bring to the overall mission of the Air Force. By giving just a few hours of our time every month, we have the opportunity to provide an informal network of support for families coping with deployments, and also to be the listener and helping hand that they might need," said Brandi Blake, 66th Mission Support Squadron Key Spouse.

Through the program, first sergeants will identify families who have loved ones deployed, and work with them to connect individuals with the appropriate Key Spouse volunteer.

For more information or questions on the Key Spouse Program, individuals should contact their first sergeant or the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 781-377-4222.