ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
It is known in the military spouse community simply as 'Murphy's Law,' and seen by some as inevitable.
As soon as the active-duty military member is "wheels up" and on their deployment or temporary duty, a major appliance is sure to break, kids are rushed to the emergency room, the car needs repair work or, in some wicked twist of fate, all three occur at the same time. Spouses just look to each other with deep understanding and whisper, "It's Murphy." For this and many other reasons, the Air Force Key Spouse program was born.
Key Spouses provide a connection between the squadron and the spouses of those who serve. "Key Spouses are appointed by unit commanders and serve as a liaison between unit personnel, family members, and leadership," said Tech Sgt. Erika Perrin, Airman and Family Readiness Center NCO. "They assist in supporting family members while the military member is deployed. This in turn enhances community support for unit personnel and their families and establishes a credible, informal support network."
The A&FRC will host the annual training orientation and refresher course for the program Thursday. The course will provide an overview of the program, requirements and responsibilities of a Key Spouse and available tools and resources. Sergeant Perrin explained that although Air Mobility Command members may know the program as the "Phoenix Spouse Program," the programs are the same.
"The official Air Force name of the program is Key Spouse and the two programs are basically synonymous," said Sergeant Perrin.
The Key Spouse concept came from the necessity for an organized 'military spouses help other military spouses' program. Modeled after the Navy's Ombudsman program, in 1997 the Air Force introduced the Key Spouse program at five high-deployment bases. Leadership quickly discovered that Key Spouses were a useful way to disseminate information and assistance to families. "Every unit can benefit from having a volunteer working on behalf of the commander and first sergeant to ensure important information and resources get to family members, especially during deployment which can be considered a very challenging time," said Sergeant Perrin.
Mary Babiarz, 316th Contracting Squadron key spouse and wife of Capt. Paul Babiarz, sees the importance of the Key Spouse program and has been the unit representative for one year. "For me, there have been deployments in the past where I've felt disassociated with everyone else and I joined the Key Spouse program because I didn't want others to feel that way. I think when it's another spouse, you're more likely to open up and ask a favor from a friend than from someone from your spouse's office."
Captain Babiarz agrees to the program's significance. "I think it's a great program and I am proud that Mary's participating in it. It's nice to know that there are folks out here caring for her when I'm out there."
Andrews currently has over 20 spouses in addition to Mrs. Babiarz serving in the Key Spouse Program who are donating of their time and talents. The Key Spouse is a non-paying volunteer position which assists the unit commander in meeting the goals and vision of the unit.
In order to insure Key Spouses are prepared, the A&FRC holds Key Spouse meetings monthly and provides quarterly training.
"It's just nice to know that there's someone else out there who knows what you are going through and genuinely cares."
The next annual training orientation and refresher course is Thursday at the A&FRC, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The A&FRC is located at 1191 Menoher Dr. For information, call 301-981-7087.