JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Adjusting to military life can be a daunting and overwhelming process, especially for military spouses.
Heart Link seeks to ease this transition by introducing and explaining many aspects of military life to spouses.
According to the Air Force Aid Society, who funds the Heart Link program, the objective of Heart Link is to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness. Understanding that spouses play an important role in re-enlistment decisions, which ultimately impact retention rates, a major program goal is to help spouses, especially those who have been with the Air Force five years or less, acclimate to the Air Force environment.
The Heart Link program includes orientation activities consisting of presentations from base agencies, interactive games and exercises that should, by the end of the day, leave spouses feeling they are an important and respected part of the Air Force team. A program highlight is a visit from the wing commander who presents a coin to each spouse for completing the program.
According to Brandy Wright, Military & Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant, Heart Link is important because it normalizes the Air Force lifestyle for new spouses.
“Heart Link is a very special opportunity for spouses to learn so much about the Air Force,” Wright said. “I have been a military spouse for 14 years, and I still learned quite a few things when I went through Heart Link.”
“It’s a chance for spouses to meet and interact with other spouses, learn about finance, protocol, Air Force acronyms and other do’s and don’ts of the Air Force,” Wright continued. “We even teach them basic military protocol and the right attire for various Air Force events they may attend.”
Criselda Smith, Military & Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant, noted the impact of the military spouse.
“If you look at the Heart Link logo you’ll see a heart at the center,” said Smith. “In same way, the military spouse is the heart of the Air Force. They have a huge impact on their spouse’s career.”
Currently, only 19 percent of service members stay till retirement. A major factor in the decision to separate from the Air Force is typically the family.
“Often times, the military lifestyle of frequent moving and leaving family and friends can make spouses feel lonely or depressed, but the Air Force wants them to know how much they are valued,” Smith said. “They’re part of a bigger family now and this is their welcome home.”
Air Force spouses interested in attending the Nov. 9 event at JBSA-Randolph can call 652-5321. Air Force spouses interested in attending the Jan. 18, 2017, event at JBSA-Lackland can call 671-3722. Air Force spouses assigned to JBSA-Fort Sam Houson can attend at either of the aforementioned locations.