Heart Link welcomes Gunfighter spouses to base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  More than 20 Gunfighter spouses attended the Airmen and Family Readiness Center's Heart Link class at the Gunfighter Club Jan. 11.

With a focus on military spouses with less than five years military experience, spouses new to Mountain Home AFB have the opportunity each quarter to attend the program to familiarize them with what the base has to offer while meeting new people.

The program, which began as an Air Combat Command initiative, was organized by Susan Rueger, master of ceremonies for the class; Marilyn Nevala, administrator for the class; and Laura Clagg, computer operator for the class. Now an Air Force wide program, the all-day event answers questions spouses may have about their role here while giving them information on military life.

With the class starting at 8:45 a.m., attendees met other spouses at their table before taking turns to introduce each other.

"That gets them engaged at their table," said Mrs. Rueger. "Plus you can tell if someone has similar interests or if they came from the same place. They find new friends that way, too."

After each spouse introduced someone they had just met, Col. James Browne, 366th Fighter Wing commander, joined them to talk about the mission and where spouses fit in.

Alison Browne, Col. Browne's wife and a Heart Link coach, then took the floor after a short break for the "Air Force Family" discussion to introduce a few base organizations in a talk-show format. Mrs. Browne introduced representatives from protocol, the Military Personnel Flight, finance and spouse clubs.

Tech. Sgt. Ebony Stepp, 366th Mission Support Squadron, Vanessa Fulton and Jenna Beaty, both prior attendees of the class, led "Married to the Military," a short discussion about the deployment cycle. Class members had the opportunity to ask questions throughout the presentation.

After a 45-minute lunch break, class members met representatives from the first sergeants group, family advocacy, mental health, the legal office, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, 366th Services Squadron, base chapel and the Health and Wellness Center.

To wrap up the day, participants took part in the "Mighty Spouse Game" to test their knowledge of what they learned throughout the day followed by the singing of the Air Force song and ending with graduation.

Major Roland Akins III, 366th Mission Support Group commander, led the graduation to congratulate the spouses and award them with an Air Force spouse coin.

After attending one class, spouses can return as coaches to help others.

"I'm a coach because there are always new people who don't know much about the Air Force," said Mrs. Fulton, a coach since November 2006. "Every time I come back, I learn something new."

Started by the spouses themselves, coaches are unique to Mountain Home AFB.

The coaches also help run the program, Mrs. Rueger explained. They sit with the new members to get to know them, but they also run some of the different activities such as Mrs. Browne's "Air Force Family" discussion and "Married to the Military."

"It was a lot of fun," said Celeste Goshorn, a member of the class. "I was nervous at first because I didn't know anyone, but everybody was nice and everyone fits right in. It's like a big support group to help and let you know that you're not on your own."

Since it's inception, the program has changed to encourage spouses to participate.

"It has evolved here from an all-day slideshow presentation to an interactive fun and game-filled event," said Ms. Nevala. "The program is great for spouses because they are unfamiliar with protocols and the military system and may not know where to turn for help, but the class gives them all that information."

"The Air Force is a lifestyle," said Mrs. Rueger, "and most spouses aren't born into it. Coming to Heart Link gives them a grass-roots understanding of what life in the military is like."

Class members received an Air Force spouse's handbook, which includes information on the Air Force history, support agencies, services available, common acronyms and phrases and a rank chart. Handouts from other agencies were also available.

The next class is scheduled for April 11. Interested spouses can call 828-2458 for more information or to register.