Photo By Jonathan Mallard | Speakers answered questions during the "Seasoned Spouses" panel Q&A session at Heart...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The JBSA Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) hosted a Heart Link presents “Arrive & Thrive” Spouses Expo orientation for new military spouses at the Freedom Chapel, May 15, 2025.
The half-day session offered newcomers an introduction to military life through presentations on TRICARE, military terminology, leave and earnings statements, and personal finance. The event also included a panel of “seasoned spouses,” who shared insights and personal stories from years of navigating the unique challenges of military life.
“This is a great opportunity to come together to support one another,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Preston Goodrich, 802nd Force Support Squadron commander. “Sharing information and knowledge, making connections—these things can lead to great outcomes.”
Wendy Council, a work-life specialist at JBSA’s M&FRC, spoke on the panel and reflected on how much support from fellow spouses meant to her early on in her marriage to a servicemember.
“We got married—I was 19—so it was my first time away from home,” Council said. “I was clinging to something that was what I saw as wiser. I was looking to the other spouses who had been through it. They knew more about it. I didn’t have a mom, mother-in-law, no one else around.”
For Brianna Kerber, who attended Heart Link for the first time, the event demonstrated how engaged the M&FRC staff are in supporting spouses.
“It was nice to know that the Readiness Center staff are getting involved with other programs. It’s good to make connections and do all the networking.”
The session also addressed financial readiness. Richard Gomez, M&FRC community readiness consultant—personal finance, explained how small administrative oversights on the LES can cost families significant amounts over time.
“We find service members still marked as single on their LES even though they’re married with kids,” Gomez said. “That’s money lost every month. Fixing that one line can mean hundreds of dollars back in your pocket.”
Although the funds can often be recovered later—such as during tax season—Gomez stressed the importance of making timely corrections to ensure families receive their full entitled monthly pay.
Heart Link is just one of many programs offered through the JBSA M&FRC, which supports active-duty service members, National Guard personnel, Reserve forces, retirees, surviving spouses, and DOD civilians. As part of the centers, operated by the 502nd Air Base Wing and the 802nd Force Support Squadron, provide one-on-one consultations, workshops, and briefings covering everything from employment and relocation to deployment support, volunteer opportunities, and transition assistance.
The goal of the program is to strengthen military families by connecting them with the resources, people, and knowledge they need to thrive.
Contact Military & Family Readiness
For appointments, workshops, or questions:
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: 210-221-2705
JBSA-Lackland: 210-671-3722
JBSA-Randolph: 210-652-5321
Visit: www.JBSA.mil/resources/military-family-readiness
Follow: JBSA Military & Family Readiness Centers on Facebook
Confidential Counseling Support
Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) offer free, no-record situational counseling for active duty families:
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: 210-421-9387
JBSA-Lackland: 210-984-1076 or 210-238-5528
JBSA-Randolph: 210-744-4829 or 210-996-4037
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2025 09:37 |
| Story ID: | 498765 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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