JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A program first developed in 1999 to help first-time Air
Force spouses learn more about the service and their installation continues to
provide those spouses with a sense of belonging and enhance mission readiness.
Heart Link is a one-day orientation session that focuses on
the Air Force mission, customs, traditions, protocol, resources and services.
“Heart Link educates new spouses on the military lifestyle
and culture,” Savannah Lohn, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military &
Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant, said. “It provides them
with a unique experience to learn the Air Force mission. Spouses are able to
meet and network with other spouses, see the honor guard in action, take a tour
of the Taj Mahal and receive their own Heart Link coin.”
Heart Link, which is held quarterly, is geared to first-time
Air Force spouses, but JBSA sessions are open to spouses of any service who
would like to attend, Criselda Guerrero-Smith, JBSA-Randolph M&FRC
community readiness consultant, said.
The most recent JBSA-Randolph session, Sept. 10 at the
M&FRC, opened with an introduction by Lohn and a presentation by the JBSA
Honor Guard, whose members discussed their mission and duties.
Lt. Col. Jason Campbell, 502nd Security Forces and Logistics
Support Group deputy commander, discussed the history, mission and unique
qualities of JBSA and Lohn and Smith addressed the topics “Air Force Life” and
“Understanding the Military Process.”
“'Air Force Life’ encompasses protocol, customs and
courtesies, acronyms and the Air Force structure,” Lohn said. “‘Understanding
the Military Process’ covers benefits and entitlements, including the ID card,
finance, leave and earnings statements, medical and dental programs,
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance, post-service benefits and community
support.”
Spouses also took a tour of the Taj Mahal and the 12th
Flying Training Wing headquarters and engaged in a painting activity. Heart
Link concluded with an overview of the Air Force’s health care benefits by a
TRICARE representative.
In addition, first-time spouses benefited by the presence of
spouses who are more familiar with the Air Force lifestyle and traditions, Lohn
said.
“Senior spouses provide a wealth of personal experience that
enables new spouses to learn and grow,” she said.
Mandy Jenkins, whose husband is an Air Force second
lieutenant, said attending Heart Link gave her “a feel for everything.”
“I learned a lot about JBSA,” she said. “I also learned from
all the people who have experience here. Just talking to people helped me.”
Jenkins said Heart Link gave her “a general idea of what to
expect” and showed her what volunteer and educational opportunities were
available.
“It’s important that you learn as much as you can about a
new place,” she said. “It sets the tone for the time you spend there.”
Another spouse, Sylvia Ramos, president of the JBSA-Randolph
Enlisted Spouses’ Club, called Heart Link “a good program that informs
newcomers who aren’t familiar with military life.”
Ramos, who is retired from Air Force Personnel Center and
whose husband is a retired Navy senior chief petty officer, said she wanted to
inform spouses that the enlisted spouses’ club is also available to help them.
Lohn said the spouses who attended Heart Link felt
“empowered.”
“They loved the tour and found Heart Link informative,” she
said. “The hope is that they feel a part of the Air Force family and are better
able to support their service member.”
For more information on Heart Link, call 652-5321.