Key spouses open doors for military families

by Senior Airman Mary O'Dell
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

11/19/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash.- -- Every Airman knows his first sergeant is one of the best resources available when he needs advice or a helping hand, but who can spouses turn to?

Air Force members and their families will find a key spouse in most units with a first sergeant.

"I became a key spouse because it was something I've always wanted to do since becoming a military spouse," said Amanda Klodt, the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron key spouse. "I love being resourceful for other spouses and helping to strengthen the relationships between them and the squadron."

The Key Spouse Program is an official unit and family program designed to enhance and establish a sense of Air Force community.

The commander-appointed key spouse for each squadron provides partnerships with unit leadership, families, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and other community and helping agencies.

"I truly believe in the Key Spouse Program being such a useful tool to help spouses whether their husband or wife is deployed or not," Klodt said. "It also helps keep spouses in the loop during events around base and throughout the squadron."

Key spouses can be the first people new families meet upon arrival and are often the ones who help in times of crisis. Mostly staying connected through e-mail, key spouses work to establish continuous contact with spouses and families.

"These ladies and gentlemen are volunteers, which provides them with a great opportunity to give back to their Air Force community," said Sharon Lisby, Fairchild Air Force Base Key Spouse Program manager. "They are a point of contact for families in times of need, and have been a tremendous help to families going through a deployment or an emergency situation."

It is the key spouse's job to stay up to date on information about the base and the local community, or at least to know where to refer people asking questions.

"This program is a wonderful way for spouses to pull together and build a better community," Lisby explained. "They will ultimately be the face of the unit they belong to, so he or she should also be a good role model for the newer spouses joining the Air Force ranks."

Once selected, key spouses attend training at the A&FRC covering topics such as suicide awareness, sexual assault response, privacy act handling, resilience training and more. They continue attending quarterly training to keep current on the latest updates, such as social media awareness.

Members can find out who their key spouses are and get more information on becoming a key spouse through their squadron first sergeants and commanders.