Misawa hosts COMPASS class for spouses

Photo By Samuel Weldin | 151021-N-OK605-004 MISAW, Japan (Oct. 21, 2015) Noelle Howitt and Johanna Lovendale, navy spouses, lead a COMPASS class for military dependents at Navy Air Facility Misawa. The COMPASS program is for navy spouses to familiarize themselves with all the Navy has to offer their Sailor and their family.  

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

10.22.2015

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Samuel Weldin 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

MISAWA, Japan -- Naval Air Facility Misawa hosted a COMPASS class this week for military spouses, both new and veteran.

Before joining the fleet, new Sailors spend months going through basic training, indoctrination, and rating schools so that they are prepared for Navy life. However, a Sailor's spouse often gets no indoctrination to being married to the military. But, there is a solution; the COMPASS Program.

COMPASS is a spouse-to-spouse mentoring program, explains Johanna Lovendale, the Navy Misawa COMPASS team leader and a 15 year Navy spouse, and Navy mom. She says the program offers the answers to the questions that spouses need to know.

Although COMPASS can point new Navy spouses in the right direction, veteran spouses can take something from the program too.

"I don't care if you've been married to your Sailor for a week or for 20 years," Lovendale says. "You will leave this workshop a whole lot smarter about Navy life."
Alongside Lovendale, several Navy spouses volunteer to help the program and speak on numerous topics including PCS, communication, naval history, pay and benefits, etiquette, and living in Misawa.

A spouse can learn from the COMPASS program, but they can also increase their network. The class explains that sometimes spouses can feel isolated or disconnected, but when they come here, they see they are not alone and that there are people here to help.
“The Misawa COMPASS Team now includes Japanese, Tagalog and Spanish translators/mentors in order to overcome the language and cultural barriers that some spouses may find when relocating away from home,” said Lovendale. “We are trying to make it as inviting as possible so that no one feels left out.”

• Date Taken: 10.22.2015
• Date Posted: 10.22.2015 01:10
• Story ID: 179560
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP