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Scott Air Force Base recognizes Key Spouses

  • Published
  • By Karen Petitt
  • 375 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Scott AFB paused Monday to recognize individuals from throughout the base who serve as Key Spouses for their squadrons and flights during a luncheon at the Club.

From training and mentoring people new to military life, to recognizing life events such as births, weddings or illness, to organizing service projects and helping with moves--Key Spouses are an invaluable asset to commanders and first sergeants, said Cathy Almand, wife of Col. David Almand, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander.

"The Key Spouse program is really a retention program for our families," she said. "We all know that we need to take care of our military members, and we do that by taking care of the families. We have many wonderful, excellent examples of the impact that Key Spouses have on morale and readiness within our squadrons. Every commander and first sergeant should be seeking out those who are willing to serve as Key Spouses and let them help integrate and expand their own outreach to their teams."

During the luncheon six women nominated for Key Spouse of the Year, which went to Lisa O'Connor, wife of Senior Airman Kyle O'Connor, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron. The other Key Spouses were Stephanie Wu, 375th Medical Support Squadron; Lagea Mull, Air Mobility Command Inspector General; Dusty Haskins, 38th Cyberspace Readiness Squadron; Michelle Reyna, 906th Air Refueling Squadron; and Meryl Glidewell, 375th Communication Support Squadron.

Collectively they were lauded for their support and distribution efforts of $6,000 in donations that supported more than 200 families, organizing charitable events, leading a new spouses orientation program, serving meals to families of deployed members, hosting unit gatherings and children's activities, and setting up social communication networks, just to name a few.

O'Connor, who's been a Key Spouse for just two years--her first time serving as such--said being a Key Spouse is very rewarding, especially since she's in a position to help out those who are new to the military. As a former military member herself and currently a civilian employee, she said she's happy to share her experiences and help new members navigate the acronyms and jargon associated with the military.

"Our squadron deploys a lot, and there is a big need to support the families within our unit, and one way I can help is by ensuring our families know what's available to them for assistance or just moral support," she said.

During the luncheon, keynote speaker and Key Spouse champion, Ricki Selva, wife to Gen. Paul Selva, AMC commander, highlighted some ways Key Spouses can be successful in their role. As a former military officer in the maintenance field, she said she knows full well what a spouse can do to help everyone "bloom where you're planted" and offered five observations for success.

First, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." She said Key Spouses have a lot to offer, but to remember that people need to be ready to be helped, and if they're not, Key Spouses can gently guide them into a place where they can receive help or just wait and let them discover it themselves.

Second, "what you focus on will expand." She explained how if you focus on problems, then the problems will expand, but if you focus on the positives, then that energy will expand. She advised the spouses to look for opportunities to tell people what they're doing well--and see how they will grow.

Third, "sometimes saying no is a great gift." Sometimes saying no to something means someone else will have the opportunity for growth and experience. "I say yes when I can, but no when I need to," she said. "This has helped me and those around me to share in the workload and to find some untapped resources within the unit that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Sometimes it's better to support others rather than to lead it yourself."

Along with that idea, is, fourth, "please put on your own oxygen mask before helping others." Oxygen supplies the brain with the ability to function ... you have to be able to take care of yourself and that is not selfish, she explained. "We need to hydrate, sleep, exercise and be able to handle the stresses in our lives. We need creative and spiritual ways to feed our souls ... and we need vacations. This builds our capacity so we in turn can serve as we want to. Neglecting these in our lives reduces our capacity, so remember to put on your own oxygen mask first."

And lastly, "not all superheroes wear spandex and capes." She said Key Spouses are people who are positive, willing and helpful and are force multipliers for all commanders. They are the real, behind the scenes heroes in helping a squadron, flight, group, wing ... and Air Force be successful.

Almand added that there is a need for more Key Spouses and for commanders to reach out and help establish them in their units. Training for Key Spouses is provided through the Airman and Family Readiness Center and those interested should contact Jere Jaline at 256-8668 or jere.jaline@us.af.mil.