M&FRC sessions help spouses adapt to military culture

Photo By Scott Wakefield | To help Army family readiness, installations attempt to provide all the resources they can to make sure that spouses can find employment locally, but these typically do not develop into long term careers. (Photo courtesy of Military One Source)  

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

11.20.2020

Courtesy Story

502nd Air Base Wing

By Robert Goetz | 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Adapting to military culture can be a daunting task for military spouses – especially the spouses of young enlisted members and officers – but two upcoming Military & Family Readiness Center sessions can help flatten their learning curve.

Facilitated by Joint Base San Antonio M&FRC community readiness consultants at JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph, the Military Spouse Information Sessions will be offered virtually from 1-2 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9.

Attending both sessions is not mandatory, but will benefit spouses since different topics will be addressed each time, said Brandy Wright, JBSA-Randolph M&FRC community readiness consultant.

“In the first session, we will discuss the JBSA mission, military acronyms, protocol, dress and appearance, and provide an overview of the M&FRC programs and services,” she said. “The second session will consist of information about community resources, finances and resiliency.”

One of the topics that spouses are particularly interested in is employment, Wright said.

“Spouses will learn about the various employment classes we currently offer at our JBSA M&FRC locations such as Basic Resume, USAJOBS Navigation and Federal Resume, 10 Steps to Federal Resume Writing for Spouses, Salary Negotiation and Interviewing Skills,” she said. “Spouses will also receive information about our Air Force Aid Society Spouse Employment Program.”

Finances are another important topic that will be addressed in depth.

“During the financial section, our JBSA-Randolph M&FRC personal financial manager, Sarah Henson, will teach spouses how to read a leave and earnings statement,” Wright said. “Spouses will also receive information about resources that can help with budgeting, understanding credit, saving, investing and much more.”

To assist spouses with their mental, physical and financial well-being, facilitators will discuss a variety of community resources that are available on and off base, she said.

A related topic, resiliency and the value of gratitude, will be addressed by master resiliency trainer Hazel Wong of the JBSA-Lackland M&FRC.

In addition to hearing from M&FRC facilitators, spouses will be able to ask questions and interact with the instructors, Wright said.

“We want our spouses to learn as much as possible,” she said. “If we don’t have the answer, we will do our best to find the answer.”

To register for the two-part Military Spouse Information Sessions, call the JBSA-Lackland M&FRC at 210-671-3722 or the JBSA-Randolph M&FRC at 210-652-5321.

The JBSA-Fort Sam Houston M&FRC offers a virtual session for spouses called Newcomers 4 Spouses from 1-3 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month. However, because of the holidays, the next session is set for 1-3 p.m. Jan. 27, 2021.

For more information, call 210-221-2705.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2020
• Date Posted: 11.25.2020 13:33
• Story ID: 383800
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US