JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Joint Base Andrews family consists of not only many military servicemembers, but also the spouses and family members who provide substantial support to those servicemembers on a daily basis. Just like servicemembers, they too have to endure the constant relocations and adjustments that come with the military lifestyle.
Heather Umstattd, married to Airman Steven Umstattd, 11th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron power production apprentice, has lived on Joint Base Andrews with her husband for a little more than a year.
"Like some if not most couples living on base, we hardly knew anybody until just a couple of months ago when I started getting active in the community," said Mrs. Umstattd.
"The inability to have a place to meet spouses, especially when my husband and I don't have kids or attend any religious services, was what prompted me to first create the Andrews Air Force Base Wives Facebook page."
"The Facebook page is a work in progress, but it's already grown beyond my simple idea of making a few new friends on base," said Mrs. Umstattd. "Already the Andrews Air Force Base Wives page has made a much bigger impact than I would have imagined."
"It's a dream of mine for the page to become sustainable and useful for future military spouses to count on for support in answering some of the most common or most difficult questions we face with life in the military, on Joint Base Andrews in particular," she said.
The page is a useful tool for educating new and experienced spouses about services might available to them on base. Also, the page acts as a forum for new ideas on how to make Joint Base Andrews a more fun and united community, she said.
The Facebook page is accessible to anyone with internet access, not just those with Facebook accounts. Just Google "Andrews Air Force Base Wives," and all posts and events are available for public view. Also the page can be found through the Joint Base Andrews Facebook page under "likes."
"I'm grateful to anyone who takes the time to read, post or take an interest in helping others through the site, and for the help that other page administrators offer," she said. "It's an honor that even our wonderful base commander Col. Rizer is an avid reader and participant of the page."
In addition to the Facebook page, Mrs. Umstattd along with a number of other spouses have begun to organize the Spouse's Club. Though the group remains unofficial, they are scheduled to hold their first meeting April 8 in the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 6 p.m..
In this initial meeting, they intend to discuss structure and future goals for the club, along with a few games and activities. The Spouse's Club meetings will replace the monthly "Meet and Greet" for spouses previously held in the AFRC, she said.
"The basic mission is to create a more spouse and family oriented base, and a more united community. Andrews should feel like a home away from home and not a pit stop on our long, arduous road of military life," said Mrs. Umstattd.
"The main purpose of the club will be to create a sense of unity among those of us who support the ones that put forth the dedication and effort to the defense of our country. There will be no segregation among rank or branch of service. Enlisted and officer spouses alike are welcome," said Mrs. Umstattd. "Since we share a similar lifestyle and face many of the same basic challenges, who better to support military spouses than other military spouses?"
"I would recommend to the readers that they keep lookout in the base newspapers, the Facebook page and the emails that our dedicated command spouses like Mrs. Cheri Rizer, Mrs. Debbie Brackett, Mrs. Than Brinkley and so many others take the time to send out to fellow spouses," said Mrs. Umstattd. "Regardless of rank, branch or command these ladies are willing to help get the important and fun information out to Andrews Spouses."
"Don't wait for the information, people or anything else to come to you, seek it out and you'll find yourself amazed at the possibilities. Second, be sure to check with and visit our Airmen and Family Readiness Center monthly or visit their Facebook page, 11th FSS Airmen and Family Readiness Center, and stay up to date on current happenings and services you as a military spouse are entitled to," said Mrs. Umstattd.