LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The transition from singlehood to married life can be a difficult process and marrying an Air Force member can pose its own unique challenges.
Heart Link is a program designed to familiarize civilian spouses with the Air Force and alleviate some of these issues.
From military protocol to traditions and lingo, Heart Link teaches civilian spouses what their Air Force counterparts deal with on a daily basis.
"We introduced the spouses to the military community," said Carla Diamond, Langley Airman and Family Readiness Center director. "They have an important role to play, which is keeping up the home front while their spouses are deployed and being a source of support for the Airmen."
Heart Link, which is geared toward newlyweds, is designed to help connect military members with their spouses, said Ms. Diamond.
"By integrating spouses into the Air Force, we also help to enhance mission readiness," said Lt. Col. Caroline Miller, 1st Force Support Squadron commander.
Participants will learn about military protocol and Air Force traditions including the role of coining and the Air Force song. Learning these things helps them understand Air Force culture, said Colonel Miller.
Learning about protocol teaches spouses how to conduct themselves during ceremonies and understand other Air Force traditions. They will also recieve a list of defined Air Force acronyms to translate lingo Air Force members use every day.
"It can be overwhelming for civilian spouses." Colonel Miller said. "We give them the basic tools they need so they're familiar and comfortable with the military and feel less like an outsider."
Senior spouses also volunteer to mentor new spouses. Volunteers are usually husbands and wives of wing and group commanders who share personal experiences and lessons they've learned, said Colonel Miller.
Spouses also receive information from agencies including finance, mental health, the child development center and the enlisted spouses' club.
"It's not only a good time, but a good place to network with other spouses in the same situation," Colonel Miller said.
The day is meant to be a fun social time, Colonel Miller said. Spouses play interactive games and also receive gift bags. Childcare and food are provided so participants will have one less worry, she added.
Brig. Gen. Mark Barrett, 1st Fighter Wing commander, begins the program with opening remarks. He returns at the end of the day to explain the tradition of coning in the Air Force and then presents each graduate with a specialized Heart Link coin.
"By coining the graduates, we're showing them how important their role is in the military family," said Ms. Diamond.
The next Heart Link program is scheduled for Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Langley Airman and Family Readiness Center. For more information and to sign up, call Ms. Diamond at 764-3990.