An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Helping spouses of the deployed feel more at home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Military life can be difficult at times, struggling with the various changes from civilian to military routines. This can be exceptionally difficult for the spouses of servicemembers to become accustomed to, especially when the military spouse is deployed.

For this reason, Fairchild's Top 3 organization, comprised of Airmen in the top three enlisted ranks, will host a dinner for the spouses of deployed members of Team Fairchild Nov. 16 in the base chapel beginning at 6 p.m. This is an event that will be held quarterly.

The theme for this dinner will be Italian. The menu for the event includes spaghetti, alfredo, garlic bread and salad, and there will be pizza available for the children.

Representatives from the base Airman and Family Readiness Center will be present at the dinner to hand out information on A&FRC services. A chaplain will also be present to give the invocation for the dinner, as well as to provide information to those interesting in the chapel's services.

The dinner will provide spouses an opportunity to come together with others who are in a similar situation, providing a network of support at Fairchild.

"The purpose of the dinner is to allow spouses of deployed Airmen to interact with one another," said Master Sgt. Tracy Flax, a Top 3 deployed spouses committee chairperson. "There are some spouses who have never experienced anything like this; there are others who are veterans. This gives them the chance to interact with other spouses in the same situation and to make new friends."

Taking care of the families of deployed Airmen is a major concern in the Air Force. Assisting the families at home aids in the success of the mission overseas, as it takes one worry off the shoulders of the deployed Airmen.

"We're not just here for the military members, we're here for the family members, too," said Chaplain (Maj.) William Constantine, 92nd Air Refueling Wing chaplain, who will be giving the invocation. "For Airmen to know that we are there for their families is important because it is one less thing for [the Airmen] to be concerned about."

It is possible for spouses to be overcome with stress as they try to adapt to a different lifestyle, learning the ins and outs of the military. Many of the spouses are away from home, family and friends, and may feel that they have no one or only their children to talk to.

"For some spouses, they only talk with their children. This dinner provides the spouses with more adult interaction," said Sergeant Flax. "This is really a time for them to relax."

It can also be a time for them to gain a new perspective on military life, to learn that they are not alone and to find avenues for support to continue living well as a military spouse.