MILITARY & FAMILY READINESS

The mission is to provide targeted Airman and family support services by contributing to mission readiness and the well-being of the Air Force Reserve community.

The Military and Family Readiness Center is your one-stop for information and referral for family support. Staffed with a team of professionals with one goal -- to ensure your success!  The 403rd M&FR office serves our Reserve Citizen Airmen, retired Reserve military members and Department of Defense civilians. We also serve their family members. All services are free. For more information please contact the M&FR office at (228) 376-8253.

Employment Assistance

The M&FR office supports military, civilians, and family members in achieving short and long-term employment, by referring for education/training, and obtaining career goals in the private and public sectors. The M&FR office provides comprehensive services to ensure the Total Force is equipped with adequate knowledge and assistance to aid in their job search.

Family Readiness during Deployments

The M&FR office provides a variety of services and activities for individuals and families affected by deployment. They have pamphlets, books and videos that discuss how to prepare for a deployment, cope with separation and come back together as a family. Other materials help single people, who have different issues, prepare for deployment.  The M&FR staff work with units and  individuals to provide advice and help.

For more details contact your local M&FR office or the 403rd Wing M&FR.

COMMANDER'S KEY SUPPORT PROGRAM

The 403rd Commander's Key Support Program is an official command-sponsored Unit Family Readiness program designed to enhance readiness and establish a sense of community. This Commander's program promotes partnerships with the unit, Military and Family Readiness Center, and community agencies.

The Key Support Liaisons are here to support military families through every step of a family's military journey, from joining, to deployment, to retirement, and everything in-between. Key Support Liaisons are commander-appointed and serve as a vital resource to command teams to support 403rd Wing families.

The goal is to have a cadre of trained volunteers who can support the unit's military families in an official capacity. If you need assistance from your Key Support Liaison or would like to learn more about what we offer, contact us at 403familyinfo@gmail.com.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

  • Air Force spouses, family members, and community members
  • Service-minded volunteers who wish to contribute to a peer-to-peer support network focused on building resiliency within our military community
  • Knowledgeable individuals and dedicated to providing accurately researched and up-to-date information and resources
  • Facilitators of two-way communication between families and Group leadership

WHY IS THE KEY SPOUSE PROGRAM IMPORTANT?

  • Promotes individual, family, and unit readiness and resiliency
  • Establishes and maintains individualized contact with spouses and families at times and frequencies that work for each family's needs
  • Encourages peer-to-peer Wingman support amongst spouses and families allowing a self-sustaining model of resiliency
  • Builds family links to leadership and provides and informal sounding board allowing leadership to keep a pulse on the needs of the unit
  • Familiarizes new families with the military structure and support services available to them promoting self-sufficiency

WHAT ARE THE KEY SPOUSE PROGRAM OUTCOMES?

  • Increased awareness of installation and community resources
  • Identified and resolved issues at lowest levels
  • Enhanced up and down information flow
  • Prepared and supported families during separations and deployments
  • Increased sense of unit support
  • Improved quality of life amongst unit families
  • Increased readiness and retention
  • Enhanced individual and family resilience

Links

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF VOLUNTEERS?

  • As a command-sponsored volunteer position the time commitment can vary depending on the vision of each commander. This is generally no more than a few hours a month.
  • Key Spouse Liaisons should have:
    • A friendly and personable demeanor with a desire to work with military families
    • Ability to follow Privacy Act regulations and handle sensitive or confidential situations
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills
    • Good time management and organizational abilities
    • Timely completion of initial and annual compliance training
    • Internet and e-mail access and the ability to regularly check and respond to communications from military and family channels
    • Base access is strongly preferred
  • For more information on volunteering, please contact the M & FR office at (228) 376-8253 or the CKSP Key Support Mentor at 403familyinfo@gmail.com.