Maxwell’s key spouse program connects Air Force families, commanders, A&FRC Published Oct. 12, 2009 By Senior Airman Melissa Copeland Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- A once voluntary Air Force program is now the latest quality of life initiative backed by Air Force leaders and the Air Force's top spouse - Mrs. Susie Schwartz, wife of the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz. The Air Force key spouse program was initially enacted in 1999 as a voluntary base or command-specific family support program after being tested at five Air Force bases between 1996 and 1998. In March 2009, the standardized key spouse program was launched as a result of spouse feedback at the 2008 CORONA. The mandatory reinstitution of the program gained support from the Air Staff, MAJCOMs, Airman and Family Readiness Centers, spouse volunteers, the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve and Mrs. Schwartz. The commander-directed program differs from other official spouse programs in that unit leadership appoints a volunteer to guide family members to family programs and support services specifically designed for them. The key spouse works closely with unit leadership - commanders and first sergeants - and the A&FRC to ensure families have an increased sense of unit support, to provide assistance when issues arise, encourage involvement in base, unit and community activities and to ensure families are prepared prior to, and have support during, a separation. The key spouse program is designed to promote individual, family and unit readiness and ensure regular communication between the key spouse and families. The program also reinforces the Wingman concept and aims to strengthen the leadership support team. "This is a great program because families have special needs during separations, and a spouse may be more comfortable speaking with another military spouse - someone who has been there before, rather than calling someone in uniform," said Mr. Andrew Tveit, the Maxwell Family Readiness coordinator. Since the training and monitoring of the key spouse falls under the installation A&FRC, continuity is one benefit to the program. Mr. Derrick Sanders, A&FRC's Family Support branch chief shared that with the same standardized training modules provided to each A&FRC in the Air Force, key spouses will not have to re-accomplish training when a Permanent Change of Station occurs. In compliance with a mandatory implementation date of Dec. 31, 2009, the initial key spouse training is scheduled for Oct. 21 at the Maxwell A&FRC. "Our plans are to provide training on weekends and evenings, as well as at Gunter," Mr. Sanders said. "The goal is to make it as convenient as possible to our key spouses." In order to gain maximum publicity for the program, the Maxwell A&FRC has actively attended First Sergeant's Council meetings, 42nd Air Base Wing stand-up briefings and deployment dinners. The staff has also met with Mrs. Deborah Beasley, the spouse of the 42nd ABW Commander Col. Kris D. Beasley and plans to meet with Mrs. Lynn Peck, the spouse of Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck, and Mrs. Schwartz. To better facilitate the flow of communication and support services, resources will be provided to the key spouses courtesy of the A&FRC. "The A&FRC has ordered laptops for the key spouses to use and is working on providing an email address for standardization and ease of transition," Mr. Sanders stated. "The A&FRC has also spent several thousand dollars on purchasing quick reference guides to assist the key spouses in identifying and referring individuals who are in need of specialized assistance." In the midst of the 'Year of the Air Force Family,' the key spouse program aligns under the Airman and Family Support pillar, one of four areas highlighted for enhancements by Air Force leadership. "It is the goal of the A&FRC to make sure that the families of the Maxwell and Gunter communities are provided the best possible support at all times," Mr. Sanders shared. "I see the key spouse program as another tool that commanders and first sergeants have at their disposal to make sure that happens." For more information on Maxwell's key spouse program, call the A&FRC at 953-2353.