Key Spouses and FRGs offer support to families

  • Published
  • By Airman Valerie Monroy
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  A large aspect of the military is being separated from loved ones. Whether it's service members getting deployed or changing permanent duty stations, often times people are separated.

In a new home and a new place, things can be scary for families. Having people that spouses can turn to for support and encouragement is essential for making sure they feel comfortable.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson offers support for both Air Force and Army families.

"The key spouse program is an official Air Force unit family readiness program that's designed to enhance mission readiness and resilience and to establish a sense of community," said Jeri Romesha, 673d Force Support Squadron work-life consultant with the Military and Family Readiness Center.

The program was standardized across the Air Force to address the needs of all military families with special emphasis on support to families across the deployment cycle. It is a volunteer resource that is established and maintained within the unit by the commander.

Alexandra Olson, key spouse mentor and wife of Chief Master Sgt. Craig Olson of the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron, said the key spouses program is an avenue for leadership to get word out to families while also being able to get concerns from families to leadership.

"If there is an issue within the unit and you don't want to go directly to the commander you can go to the key spouse," said JoAnn Handy, wife of Lt. Gen. Russell Handy, commander of Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force and Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.

Much like the Air Force key spouses program, Army Family Readiness Groups are command-sponsored organizations.

Soldiers, civilian employees, family members and volunteers belonging to the unit are all involved in the program. The FRG provides mutual support and assistance along with a network of communications among the family members and the unit.

The FRG acts as an extension of the unit to provide official and accurate information, and help families solve problems at the lowest level.

"It's important because it gives the families someone to reach out to if they're in need of something and provides communication between command and spouses," said Lisa Williams, 673d FSS work-life specialist.
The key spouses and FRG leaders provide feedback to the command on the state of the families within the unit. During deployments they are there to stay in contact with people and make sure they are receiving all the information from the command.
When families have issues that arise, they can bring it up to their respective key spouse or FRG leader.
Spouses of service members are not the only ones who are allowed to volunteer for the position. Any family member the service member deems appropriate can be a part of the key spouses or the FRG.
The key spouses' team includes the commander, the first sergeant, key spouse mentor and the spouses which are appointed by the commander.
The FRG team consists of a senior advisor, FRG leader or co-leader, treasurers, key callers and a newsletter editor.

Training
The Military and Family Readiness Center provides initial and on-going key spouse training. Initial training includes information about key spouse roles and responsibilities, boundaries, communication tips, protocol, suicide awareness and resiliency training. Ongoing training is also provided to keep key spouses up to date.
The MFRC provides training for the FRG leaders on leader certification, key caller training, finances and fundraising, and care team training.
Spouses from both services are also allowed to attend training for courses offered by either branch.

"The training is important because when people have issues, the spouses need the credentials to be able to help correctly," Handy said.

Key Spouse Experiences
Many key spouses had their most memorable experiences with helping families overseas.

"It is a different culture and many people don't have the same family support that they would have elsewhere," said Olson. "That's why it's really important to be there for people during those times."

Natalie Fappiano, key spouse and wife of Air Force Maj. Francis Fappiano with the 673d LRS, said most of her experiences happened overseas. She explained how in Japan the key spouses would meet the rotator aircraft bringing service members in and out of the country, every week.

"We would provide them with enough food and supplies to get settled," Fappiano said. "It wasn't much, but anything helps."

FRG Leaders Experiences
Amy Jo Rotante is an FRG senior advisor and the wife of Army Lt. Col. John Rotante, with the 404th Army Field Support Battalion. She said she enjoys being able to empower spouses with information from all known resources throughout the community.

"We're all in the same environment and we are able to be there for each other and have people to bond with," Rotante said.

"As an FRG leader, you're responsible for taking care of your soldiers and their families," said Amanda Collier, FRG leader and wife of Army Capt. Joe Collier with the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion (Airborne). "I feel like it's extremely rewarding to reach out to families and help those who need it."

For more information on the Air Force key spouse program or the FRGs, contact the MFRC at 552-4943, or 384-1517 for the JBER-Richardson location.