Command names Smith as Key Spouse of the Year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. George Cloutier
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  The wife of a Westover reservist is Air Force Reserve Command's 2011 Key Spouse of the Year.

Ms. Smith, Key Spouse Co-Chair, is credited with revitalizing the base Key Spouse program by continuing to recruit and train new members. When reservists in the wing were mobilized in 2010, she worked with other program members to contact the families of deployed and mobilized reservists. Stephanie Smith is married to Lt. Col. Raymond Smith, a C-5 pilot in the 337th Airlift Squadron.

The Air Force will recognize Stephanie Smith and Key Spouses from other major commands in August at the service's annual Caring for People Forum at Joint Base Andrews, Md. There are more than 4,000 Key Spouse volunteers in the Air Force.

The Key Spouse Program helps family members deal with the emotional and practical challenges that come with deployments.

"We're a caring group, most of us military spouses ourselves, who understand family hardships during deployment," she said. "We have all experienced the pride mixed with anger, worry and exhaustion from having to hold it all together. We are so proud and so terrified at the same time."

Smith got her start with the Key Spouse Program seven years ago. She quickly went to work reaching out to families of deployed members.

"There's nothing like calling a family member of a deployed service member and making a real connection," Smith said. "We so often leave phone messages or emails because families are so busy. However, when I call and am able to give a family member some time to vent about the inevitable flat tire, washer flooding or sick baby that all happened the first week of deployment, it's satisfying for both of us."

Along with calling, Smith and other key spouses regularly attend base community functions, where they reach out in person to fellow family members.

"You will always find our volunteers along with the USO at the Children's holiday parties and family days," Smith said. "We also assist the A&FRC in providing family fun days at Westover."

Smith credits the success of the program to strong support from base leadership, --including the wives of the present wing commander, and two previous.

"We have support from our command," Smith said. "Mrs. Kim Farris chaired this group. Mrs. Diane Swain was a wonderful co-chair. Now we are thrilled to have the endless energy and enthusiasm of Katie Vautrain as co-chair."

But command support alone is not enough. Smith said that she and other key spouses are always seeking new members. Despite their best efforts, Smith says they also don't reach out to as many people as they'd like to.

"It is a small victory each time we are able to reach a new family," Smith said. "We are always looking for more volunteers. Our goal is to have a key spouse assigned to every unit."

Unlike active duty, Air Force Reserve Airmen are spread out across a large geographic area. This can make reaching out even harder for family members who need help. It also makes the work that Key Spouses like Smith even more important.

"It is often hard to take when your entire town is going about their normal day and your loved one is deployed in harm's way," Smith said. "You can tell your neighbor that you miss them but you often feel that no one but another who has gone through it will understand. Our program provides that outlet."