Military spouses pave way for successful careers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amanda Morris
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Each year the Air Force Aid Society gives back to military spouses through grants and scholarships. This year, the Airman and Family Readiness Center wrote a proposal to the AFAS requesting six funded slots for the Certified Nurse Assistant Program at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, La.

In the past, the grant program has provided assistance for classes in medical terminology and medical coding, and for the past three years the CNA course has been in high demand for spouses stationed at Barksdale. 

The ten-week CNA course prepares students to work with patients needing long term care. Students learn through instruction in medical terminology, patient care, on-site clinical and practice lab situations.

"The purpose of this program is to give military spouses an opportunity to develop skills that will make them marketable wherever the sponsor relocates," said Bev Ryles, A&FRC spouse employment program manager.

One of the many benefits the CNA course offers is that if the family permanently changes station the spouse can transfer his or her certification, allowing them to move frequently without sacrificing his or her career. 

"I have been a military spouse for four years now, and I am still learning about all the resources available to me, so my advice to a new military spouse is to take advantage of every opportunity you  can," said Jennifer Spitznogle, military spouse. "When you have to move around all of the time, you don't always have a job to go to like your Airman. It's nice to know I have a skill to take with me."

Along with learning a new skill, the program gives spouses an opportunity to meet others who understand what it means to be married to a military member. It also connects spouses who share similar goals and interests.

"It was great getting to meet other women who shared the same interest in the program as me," said Spitznogle. "It's funny that we all come from different places with different personalities, coming into the program being really shy and distant to the last day making jokes and being silly. I definitely enjoyed building relationships with everyone."

Being resilient and dedicated are important when learning a new skill. Having someone who can provide inspiration during difficult times during the course can be very helpful. Luckily for these students, one of their instructors knows first-hand the kind of challenges being a military spouse can bring.

"As a military spouse, I understand how difficult it is at times to go to school or have a job," said Shaunda Burns, BPCC CNA coordinator and instructor. "I myself was a CNA years ago and went to school with little children at home. It is hard, but it can be done.  Military spouses are the most resilient and tough people I know.  They are definitely up for the challenge and are certainly capable of doing it."

"The students in this past class were all very motivated learners," continued Burns. "They worked hard and are very compassionate.  They will be great CNAs. "