Heart Link: Creating mission-ready spouses

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Capling
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Heart Link, the Air Force's orientation program for military spouses, has scheduled their next session for 8 a.m. to noon, May 9 at the Heritage Club.

The program is tailored toward spouses who have been a part of the military community for five years or less, but all spouses can benefit from this and are encouraged to attend, said Catherine Tarrant, 325th Mission Support Squadron's Airmen and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant.

The session includes breakfast, lunch, free gifts, door prizes, free childcare and lots of great information, said Ms. Tarrant.

The morning opens with a welcome from Col. Darryl Roberson, 325th Fighter Wing commander, followed by briefings from base agencies such as the chaplain, customer service, finance, Airmen Family and Readiness, legal and services. The session closes with Colonel Roberson presenting the attendees with a spouse's coin and a certificate of completion.

"What's important about this program is it helps spouses know how important they are to the Air Force mission," said Ms. Tarrant. "It also helps them to be aware of the mission, Air Force traditions and it helps new spouses understand what services and resources are available to them. This is especially useful for spouses of deployed members."

She also said one of the things that makes Tyndall's program unique is the briefing from Emergency Management, which was added recently due to the numerous storms that hit the area every year.

Randi Nayman, wife of Airman 1st Class Bret Nayman, 325th Air Control Squadron weapons technician, attended Heart Link a year and a half ago when she first arrived on base.

"I think it's definitely something every spouse at every base should go to. Not just their first base," Ms. Nayman said. "You get to ask questions to people form organizations when you otherwise might not know who to go to for certain things. It was an invaluable tool for me."

Ms. Tarrant said a lot of the spouses who attend Heart Link return to future sessions as a mentor and many of the bases senior leadership's spouses attend to show their support to junior spouses.

"At every table we have at least one mentor who has either been to a Heart Link or been around the military for awhile," she said. "The idea is that when they leave Heart Link, they will have not only information, but also new friends as well." 

The deadline to sign up for Heart Link is May 6 for anyone that would like to utilize the free childcare. To receive the childcare, participants must provide an Air Force form 1181 and immunization record for their child. The deadline for all others is May 8.

For more information or to sign up for Heart Link call 283-4205.