Base recognizes key spouse

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA, UNITED STATES

06.29.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Aubree Owens 

Space Launch Delta 30   

A full time wife and mother of two, what more might you ask? Not only is Jennifer Cline occupied with her family and wifely duties, she is also the key spouse lead in the key spouse’s program.
Married to Michael Cline for 19 years, Mrs. Cline joined the key spouse’s program in late 2016 after moving here. She joined to keep busy after her retirement from 20 years active duty and to stay involved with base and community activities.
With this program not being an inclusive group, each squadron’s commander has the authority to accept a husband or wife into the club. The chosen spouses are dedicated to helping the other spouses in the squadron communicate and adapt to an Air Force lifestyle.
“We’re seeing that a lot of our young spouses come in without a military background not knowing the lifestyle, so it may be a shock to them,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Cline, 30th Security Forces superintendent of operations in training.
Mrs. Cline and the other seven key spouses in her group support the largest squadron on base, Security Forces. With more than 500 active duty defenders and more than half being married, the group has their work cut out for them.
Although the key spouse’s program’s main focus is family of deployed Airmen, they also stay involved with the other families in their squadron, and on a monthly basis the key spouses reach out to all the spouses in their squadron.
“I love doing everything I do here, and I don’t do it because I have to, I do it all because I truly enjoy it,” said lead key spouse, Jennifer Cline.
Mrs. Cline was recognized for her superb efforts in the program this February when she was nominated and received the Key Spouse of the Year award as well as a Certificate of Achievement from Air Force Space Command.
“She and the other spouses took a program that was already there and continued to build upon it in the last calendar year,” said Cline. “The key spouses program has increased the morale events for these families, building comradery and connections.”
Outside being the lead key spouse, a mother of two and a wife for 19 years, Mrs. Cline also volunteers at her children’s school and plans events, setups church activities, base engagement, partakes in Relay for Life and other events.
Although Mrs. Cline is modest with all her doings, she has been giving her all into the key spouse’s program and her awards recognize that.
“Knowledge is power,” said Mrs. Cline. “After retiring from active duty, I now have the pleasure of just being the spouse and I just want to make sure the other spouses have all the knowledge they need.”

• Date Taken: 06.29.2018
• Date Posted: 06.29.2018 17:09
• Story ID: 282890
• Location: VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US