Base reinvigorates spouse programs

  • Published
  • By Maj. Patricia Traynor
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  In this "Year of the Air Force Family," Ellsworth Air Force Base leadership has sparked renewed interest in recognizing and supporting families by reinvigorating its spouse programs.

Close to 60 percent of the Air Force is married today, whereas 40 to 50 years ago, only about 40 percent of Airmen on active duty were married.

Each 28th Bomb Wing unit has identified and trained at least one "key spouse," who serves as an information resource, "friendly face or friendly voice over the phone" and "network for the whole squadron," said Jennifer Chrest, 28th Munitions Squadron key spouse.

"The key spouse is someone other spouses can call any time help is needed," said Ellie Taliaferro, wife of 28th Bomb Wing commander Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro.

The goal is to build those networks beforehand, so every spouse knows there is someone he or she can turn to when information or assistance is required.

Mrs. Chrest said she got involved because she loves "helping people."

"If I'm going to be at home with my two kids," she explained, "what better thing to do than to support the base."

The key spouse program, said Mrs. Chrest, is designed to be relaxed and "non-invasive. A key spouse is someone with whom you can feel comfortable asking questions and who will look into what we can do as a squadron to help. We stay connected with the commanders and group chiefs."

The program started as a way for spouses of deployed Airmen to keep informed during lengthy deployments, when communication channels were sometimes fuzzy or information perhaps not as timely as it might have been.

The program has evolved to be a "continual connection," said Mrs. Taliaferro, even when deployments don't beckon, so that all spouses might know and build relationships with their unit's key spouses.

"Spouse programs are designed for each and every spouse," she said. "We move around so often that the Air Force becomes your 'family' support. We recognize emergencies and special needs regardless of who is deployed or not deployed."
Anne Hiss, mother of three and wife of 28th Bomb Wing vice commander Colonel Steven Hiss, emphasized "how important it is to make those connections, to reach out and to be available for others.

"From the minute I married Steve and became an Air Force spouse," she said, "that's been my family network and support system, something not always available in the civilian world."

The Airman and Family Readiness Center trains key spouses to offer a great variety of help on all fronts, be it by telephone, in-person, mail or e-mail.

"We always need volunteers to be trained as key spouses to reach peers in their units," Mrs. Taliaferro said. "It's helpful to have a big pool of volunteers so we can find people who can easily relate to each other."

Mrs. Chrest and other 28th Munitions Squadron spouses have been involved in everything from making baby bundles out of blankets, pacifiers, hats, and booties so as to welcome new babies to the squadron, to pie-in-the-face competitions for squadron leadership.

They also help out with more serious matters, such as a call that came down about a suicide threat here while a spouse was deployed. The key spouse network helped make a link to the desert, where the deployed Airman was stationed, while here at home they drove to the Airman's house to support the family.

The spouse network helped provide that "quick and fast link to get connected with [the squadron and deployed] husband," said Mrs. Chrest, who said she hoped everything turned out all right.

"The Air Force mission includes taking care of Air Force families," said Colonel Taliaferro, "and that's important. We've focused on providing our key spouses with great training, and we deeply appreciate all of our key spouse volunteers."

Base leadership involved with spouse programs--and spouses themselves--are working hard to reach the entire audience of spouses, of all different ages, interests and genders--to plan activities "appealing to everyone," explained Mrs. Taliaferro.

In planning activities to involve spouses and families, she said, the Airman and Family Readiness Center has organized monthly events "tailored" for spouses, which are often free to those whose spouse is deployed, but open to all families of the Ellsworth community.

Babies "in arms" are always welcome at spouse events, and it varies by event whether child care will be provided for older children.

Many activities are planned with children in mind, but those without children are welcomed too, as the AFRC tries to target events appealing to everyone.