Heartlink helps spouses Published Jan. 11, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Connie L Bias 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Ahhh ... You're finally at Fairchild, your new base. The end of moving stress is almost tangible, you have a new Air Force family and Spokane is waiting for your exploration. If you're the non-uniformed spouse in this picture, you may also be alone in your unfamiliar house, friendless, and clueless about military rules, acronyms, customs - in short, military everything. That's where Heart Link comes in. You're not the first military spouse challenged with adjustment, and a host of people and agencies on the base waits to direct and assist you. Originally designed for spouses who have "joined" the military within the past five years, Heart Link is now a welcome center for all spouses, rookie or veteran. "The class can help get rid of that 'sink-or-swim' feeling of being new to the military or an area," said Judy Isaak, community readiness consultant, who was also a military spouse for more than 20 years. "It's a good program ... I wish I'd had it when I first came in." The course covers a lot of information that may seem basic to active-duty members, but can take a bit longer for spouses to learn. "I learned how to read the LES," said spouse Hiromi Allen, referring to the military Leave and Earnings Statement, or Pay stub. "I also learned what TDY stands for (temporary duty); I didn't know that before." Ms Allen, who has been a military spouse for 12 years, said that one of the most useful outcomes of Heart Link is the connection with other spouses. She works at the BX and volunteers at the Airman's Attic now, but when she first arrived at Fairchild, she knew few people and her husband deployed about once a year. "If you're new as a military spouse or new to the base and don't know anybody. It's a good chance to meet other people," she said. She also said that Heart Link, which she had not attended at a previous base, taught her many of the benefits available to her when her husband leaves for those deployments, and where she can turn when she needs answers. "(Spouses) need to know where to get help. They need to know who the first sergeant is, who's in their squadron," said Mrs. Isaak, adding that in her experience. The next Heart Link Class, held at the Airman Family and Readiness Center, is Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. In the past, the center held the class over a two-day period, but cut that time drastically for the benefit of busy schedules. Because past critiques have suggested that financial information (learning to read the LES, budgeting, credit card use and abuse, education scholarships, etc.) is very helpful to spouses, the center has dedicated more time to the topic. Additionally, in an effort to enhance relationship-building, spouses are arranged in small groups of four and participate in ice breakers and interactive activities between briefings. Class participants will receive lunch at Club Fairchild free of charge, and can also take advantage of free childcare during Heart Link. Spouses needing childcare must register in advance to allow planning time. To register, call the Readiness Center at 247-2246.