A&FRC holds Heart Link, Air Force 101 for Spouses Class

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sean Martin
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center recently held the Heart Link, Air Force 101 for Spouses Class July 25.

The objective of the class was to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness. It enables spouses to make better use of community resources, increase their knowledge of the Air Force mission, customs and traditions, help them acclimate to a new way of life and increase their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

"By giving spouses the knowledge of what their role as an Air Force spouse is, it will make things easier when deployments and temporary duties pop-up," said Stephanie Reyes, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief.

The class covers a variety of topics to include the Officer Spouse's Club and the Enlisted Spouse's Club briefings, finance, Tricare, protocol and the military personnel section. Spouses also walk away with information packets to help them better understand the Air Force.

"I came out of this meeting with a pretty hefty guide book about the basics of the Air Force," said Amanda Sloan, an Air Force spouse. "There's no way to cover all the questions that a newcomer has in one meeting, and it is very nice to have something I can refer to as we go along."

Any spouse who is new to the base or newly married can attend the Heartlink, Air Force 101 for Spouses class.

"This class is geared more toward military spouses who have been part of the Air Force for five years or less," said Reyes. "However, if there is someone who has never been, and there are vacancies, we would allow them to join. No matter how long you have been a spouse, you will get something out of this class."

Taking the class was not only a way to understand the Air Force, but also a way for spouses to network with each other providing a community they can rely on, said Sloan.

"It was a very worthwhile meeting and helped me to feel much more comfortable being an Air Force spouse in a military environment and understanding a bit how things are going to work while I am here," said Sloan.

Although the class did not cover every area of the base, it gave spouses the vital information for an enjoyable stay at Barksdale.

"Knowing what you should and shouldn't do on base makes for a very reassuring feeling," said Sloan. "It is going to make for a more enjoyable time for my spouse and me.

The next class will be held Oct. 24 at the Barksdale Club. For questions regarding the class or other classes offered by the A&FRC, call 456-8400.