Key Spouses critical for mission success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Xavier Lockley
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
When servicemembers deploy, the need for a strong support system at home is vital to mission success. The Key Spouse program at MacDill Air Force Base, FL is just one example of how pivotal spouses are to the mission.

Key Spouses and Key Spouse Mentors serve as part of the Air Force Key Spouse Program and are selected and appointed in writing by unit commanders to act as official unit representatives. The Key Spouse Program is an official Air Force unit family readiness element designed to enhance readiness, strengthen personal and family resilience and help foster a sense of community among Airmen and families.

“The Key Spouses program is a volunteer team comprised of spouses that supports each unit within their spouses’ wing,” said Amy Stouffer, Key Spouse Program mentor with the 927th Air Refueling Wing. “Our goal is to support the needs of the 927th families and lead them toward any resources or information that they need.”

Key Spouses serve as an integral part of the commander’s support team that usually consists of the commander, first sergeant, unit superintendent or a senior noncommissioned officer. Key Spouse Mentors support Key Spouses by sharing their expertise, providing encouragement and advocating for the program.

As devoted volunteers, Key Spouses contribute with a myriad of from maintaining family contact rosters to organizing unit care packages for deployed squadron members.

“The Key Spouse program is truly a benefit to all military families,” said Jackie Kemp, key spouse for the 927th Force Support Squadron. “We are voices for military families and we also provide them with outstanding resources for anything they need.”

Key Spouses serve as the focal point for communication with local unit members and actively support the program at commander’s calls, various events and through social media.

“The Key Spouse program is very influential for the members of the wing and their families,” said Col. Doug Stouffer, 927 ARW commander. “They sacrifice a lot of their own personal time to assist with the needs of our wing and we often depend on the spouses to take care of things on the homefront when our Airmen are deployed, so we are truly grateful for their service because they keep the mission going.”