Senior spouses learn leadership tips at conference

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Bahret
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Twenty-seven spouses of senior leaders at McConnell attended a seminar at the Robert J. Dole Community Center Oct. 4, 2011, to build relationships and learn about resources available.

"This was an opportunity to help them create a network, provide leadership tools and teach them how to be a mentor to other spouses," said Charlotte Rupp, spouse of Col. Ricky Rupp, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander.

Mrs. Rupp, the event organizer, said due to the high changeover of leadership during the summer moving months, and because military families are spread among the surrounding communities, it's a challenge to gather all the spouses.

During the five-hour Senior Spouse Leadership Forum, eight subject matter experts from helping agencies informed the spouses about the resources they can draw from.

Experts discussed topics ranging from financial responsibilities to legal matters to deployment issues to community resources, said Rupp.

Through learning the resources available, the spouses will understand how they can plan for squadron events, said Rupp. She added that the topics she chose for the forum are topics that will aid the spouses in their leadership role. She said similar training will be held annually.

"The goal was to teach them to prepare and set goals, and help them fill their roles," she said. "As a squadron commander's spouse, people will come to you to look for answers."

Whether senior spouses are researching answers or coordinating events designed to enhance a unit's resiliency, Mrs. Rupp said she wanted to show them how to use the helping agencies such as the legal office, finance, A&FRC and the first sergeants. By doing so, the spouses can ensure they're operating within established guidelines while helping the unit feel like it's part of the family, said Rupp.

Andi Crouse, spouse of Lt. Col. Jeff Crouse, 350th Air Refueling Squadron commander, felt the conference was beneficial and helped emphasize the important role she and other spouses share.

"We need to keep people positive to keep the Air Force family together, and let them know we're there for each other even though our spouses may be miles apart," said Crouse.

She said the forum helped her stay current on the services available on base and in the community.

While the forum will ultimately help draw the community together, it met its primary goal for the spouses of senior leaders on base. "There is a support system for what they're doing," said Rupp. "They're important to the mission and to the base, and they're not alone - there's a network for them."