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Program brings spouses closer together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Heart Link program, an orientation program for spouses married for less than five years in the military, was conducted Saturday to introduce 17 spouses to military life.

The Heart Link program is held twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Each spouse is provided with an Air Force 101 booklet which walks them through the parts of being a military spouse, teaching them everything from abbreviations to rank insignia.

The program featured an introduction by Col. Manson Morris, 436th Airlift Wing commander, a continental breakfast and information fair. There were also briefings by the legal, finance, protocol, readiness and TRICARE offices to help spouses better understand what it means to be married to a military member.

"We want to give you a sense of what goes on here and in Air Mobility Command," said Colonel Morris. "We have a lot of organizations here at Dover Air Force Base, and there is a lot involved in being in the Air Force."

Colonel Morris spoke to the spouses about the importance of the Air Force core values and what they would mean to the spouses.

"The three core values, Integrity, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All You Do, have stuck around through a lot of changes," said Colonel Morris. "They're foundational; every Airman should have all three of these things without compromise."

He also explained how spouses play a key role in the mission.

"When you are holding down the home front while your spouse is deployed, you are serving just as much as they are. You may not be serving in uniform, but you are serving," said Colonel Morris. "The longer you are around the Air Force, the more you'll come to find we're a giant family. We are very supportive of each other."

Sue Holliday, 436th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center director, spoke briefly on the purpose of Heart Link and the importance of supporting a military spouse.

"This program is really to show spouses ways to adapt to being married in the military," said Ms. Holliday. "Some are born into it, others marry into it. But really, it's about adapting to it and making this a good career for your spouse."

For more information on the next Heart Link program, call 677-6930.