The U.S. Air Force Key Spouse Program (KSP) is an official Air Force Unit Family Readiness Program designed to enhance readiness and personal/family resiliency, and establish a sense of Air Force community. Key Spouses are Commander-appointed and serve as a vital resource to command teams in an effort to support Air Force families. The strategic vision is to increase resiliency and unit cohesion amongst military members and their families throughout the military life cycle.

This Commander program promotes partnerships with unit leadership, Key Spouses, family members, the Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), as well as other community and helping agencies. In March 2009, the KSP was standardized across the Air Force to address the needs of all Air Force families. The KSP provides service-minded volunteers an opportunity to contribute to their communities, with a special emphasis on support to families throughout all phases of the deployment cycle.

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Mission

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The mission of the Key Spouse Program (KSP) is to provide information and resources to military spouses, and supporting families in successfully navigating throughout the military lifecycle.

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Vision

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The Air Force Family - Empowered and resilient.

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Guidance

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Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-3009, Airman and Family Readiness Centers, paragraphs 3.9.2 - 3.9.2.7., provides guidance. In addition, this KS Guide provides further clarification on the roles and responsibilities of each KS team member.

The Commander’s Guide provides Commanders with information and resources to help units manage their official KSP. The guide is designed to provide a practical approach to develop an effective unit KSP, with tips and tools to assist Commanders in recruiting, interviewing and selecting unit Key Spouse(s) and Key Spouse Mentor(s).

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The KS and KSM Guides provide volunteers with guidance, information and resources on meeting the expectations of their role, and the vision set forth by their unit Commander. The Key Spouse Program forms below are required for the Military & Family Readiness Center and Squadrons.

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KEY SPOUSE PROGRAM FORMS:

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• Key Spouse Guide 

• Key Spouse Mentor Guide 

• Key Spouse Commander's Guide

• DD Form 2793 Volunteer Agreement Form 

• Key Spouse Appointment Letter 

• Key Spouse Mentor Appointment Letter 

• Key Spouse Statement of Consent 

• Key Spouse Statement of Understanding 

• Key Spouse Resignation Letter 

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KEY SPOUSE BINDER:

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• Military & Family Support Center Key Spouse Tri-fold Brochure

• Communication Log

• Operation Security (OPSEC)

• Privacy Act Cover Letter

• Volunteer Hour Tracking Log

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Key Spouse Training

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2023 Key Spouse Training Schedule

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Training is provided on a quarterly basis at a minimum, or as requested by installation leadership IAW AFI 36-3009.

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Provide 3 Required Standardized Training:

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• Key Spouse Initial Training: (8 standardized modules, 6 hours) *Key Spouse Virtual Online Training for "Initial Training Only" (used as a secondary option for GSU’s and must be coordinated and approved by both the Commander and M&FRC KS Program Manager, Lead or Director of M&FRC)

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• ​Key Spouse Refresher Training: (standardized, 1 hour, required recurring training only upon PCS-ing) Developed for KS’s and KSM’s returning to official KS/KSM duties (signed appointment letter by a unit Commander is needed) following a PCS to a new duty location.

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• ​Key Spouse Mentor Training: (standardized, varies from 1-2 hours in length/one-time mandatory training for all new KSMs and intended to be taken after Initial/Refresher Training) Held on a quarterly basis at least per guidance (training can be via in-seat, classroom or virtually).

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• ​Continuing Education Training: Has mandatory requirements and various topics covered on a quarterly basis. Training is facilitated via traditional classroom/in-person training, as well as other platforms, such as computer-based training (CBT’s), Webinars, Skype, Video, Podcasts, and via the online Military OneSource.

- Certificates provided to KS’s/KSM’s upon completion of training.
- Information and referral resources provided to KS’s/KSM’s.

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• ​Annual Training Requirements:

- Suicide Awareness Training
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SARP)

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• Suggested Continuing Education Training Topics:

- Heart Link (one-time attendance is recommended for all KS’s/KSM’s to gain understanding of the important role they play in recruiting and encouraging new AF spouses to attend Heart Link.)
- True Colors/Four Lenses Personality Assessments
- Deployment Readiness
- Air Force Personal Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS)

- Social Media
- American Red Cross
- Cyber Security
- Military OneSource Training/Podcasts
- Public Affairs
- Local Community Agencies

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*Click here for information on the latest Key Spouse training events and workshops.
 

 

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Resources

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• Key Spouse Facebook Page - LINK

• Military & Family Readiness Center Facebook Page - LINK

• Wingman Toolkit - LINK

• Spouse Resiliency Website/Toolkit - LINK

• Need child care? Please apply here - LINK

• Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Team - LINK

• Need to sign up for a Hearts Apart Event? - LINK

• Thrive Spouse Guide - LINK

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

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• The Chapel: (301) 981-2111

• Equal Opportunity: (240) 612-6345

• Family Advocacy: (240) 857-9680

• Military & Family Readiness Center: (301) 981-7087

• Military and Family Life Counselor: (to schedule an appt) (301) 232-8481 or (301) 232-8465

• Military OneSource 24/7: (800) 342-9647 - LINK

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 Hotline: 1-(800) 273-8255 (press 1 if you're military)

• Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: (877) 995-5247 - LINK

• American Red Cross 24-hour contact number: 1-(877) 272-7337 - LINK

• Military Crisis Line 24-hour contact number: 1-(800) 273-TALK (8255) (press 1)

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ADDITIONAL WEBSITES:

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• Joint Base Andrews Base Contacts

• Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPASS)

• Finances

• National Resource Directory

• Tricare

• Voting

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*For additional information, call (301) 981-7087 and ask for the Key Spouse Program Manager.

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External Links Disclaimer

 

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense of the external web site, or the information, products, or services contained therein. For other-than-authorized activities such as military exchanges and Services/Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the Unites States Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the purpose of the web site.

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<<  Back to the M&FRC's Personal & Work Life Program page

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