Providing support to those who serve is an essential role that military spouses navigate in order to ensure success of the Air Force mission. It can be mentally overwhelming to coordinate permanent change of station moves, hold home life together during deployments, and be flexible with training schedules, making the need for support for those spouses and their families even more crucial.

At Moody AFB, the Key Spouse Program is designed to strengthen the family by providing the resources and education needed for spouses and their families to adapt and overcome any challenges they may face. 

“The key spouse program is a commander-led organization that provides military spouses with personal and military life guidance as well as enrichment services both on and off base,” said Kristi Donewar, 23rd Wing Key Spouse coordinator. “I find people are more comfortable reaching out when they need help because they know us and our importance to the unit.”

Every commander-appointed key spouse serves as a trusted agent, Donewar explained They’re trained to navigate challenges and life problems in the unit on a daily basis while protecting sensitive information. 

In order to support their unit, key spouses must complete a five-module training course including sexual assault prevention and response and suicide awareness training.

“The initial key spouse training is probably the single most useful training I have received as part of the program,” said Beth Gonzales, 23rd Medical Group key spouse.
One aspect of the training is a comprehensive look at all of the agencies and resources the Air Force and the base provide to all spouses and family members, she furthered. 

The Air Force Personnel Center now has a key spouse section on their website that offers valuable information for key spouses and commanders alike, no matter their current role in the program.

Resources aren’t the only means of support for spouses and families – to provide continued assistance and build trust, key spouses frequently attend and invite other spouses and families to base events to help with the transition into life at Moody. 

“One of the best tools the program has offered to me has been the ability to meet other key spouses,” Gonzales said. “Aside from making new friendships, I love how this network of spouses becomes its own resource of information.”