Balancing Reserve force discussed at Commander and Spouse Forum

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
WASHINGTON --  In order to gain increased awareness of the needs of Citizen Airmen, their families and the current issues they are faced with, Air Force Reserve wing commanders and their spouses attended the annual Air Force Reserve Commander and Spouse forum here July 6-8, 2011.

Along with speaking to chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., forum attendees were also engaged in a variety of topics including military benefits, military community & family policy and a Warrior briefing from Explosive Ordinance Disposal Airmen with personal stories from the field.

"At each forum we try to develop relevant topics, through feedback, geared toward helping Air Force Reserve spouses," Mrs. Dee Stenner, wife of General Stenner, said.

Mrs. Stenner said hearing things like the Warrior briefing makes the jobs of Air Force spouses more important, especially with the love and support they give to servicemembers.

"We have a great group of caring spouses here trying to make things better for those coming behind us," she said.

During the forum, spouses visited Capitol Hill and met with Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is also married to a retired U.S. Navy Commander. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers is also a co-chair of the Congressional Military Families Caucus.

"We recognize that when a servicemember joins the military, it's not just a job, but a family commitment to our country," she said. "The caucus also recognizes that the National Guard and Reserve have more challenges, especially with re-integrating into civilian life after deployments. We're focused now on putting a microphone in front of families and connecting them with leaders at the highest levels. "

While the spouses met with the congresswoman and listened to other briefings given by military officials, wing commanders were also engaged in separate discussions on issues their organizations and the Reserve are currently faced with.

"I thought the forum was an excellent opportunity to coordinate strategic-level policy with command leadership as well as my counterparts at other wings," Col. Russell Muncy, 459th Air Refueling Wing commander said.

Colonel Muncy also recognized the importance of having the spouses also participate in the forum and said it was a great opportunity for them to hear more about military programs and to network.

In his closing remarks, General Stenner summarized the topics covered over the three-day gathering. He stressed the importance of utilizing resources from the forum to help balance the Reserve's "three-legged stool" concept of family, civilian employer and the unit. He also said a status report will be provided to the commanders with an update on the issues brought up during the forum and at the Senior Leader Conference held earlier this year.

"During the forum we heard about all the different ways to balance the Reserve Component resource, which is a huge part of our national defense," General Stenner said. "We can use this information to assist us, and while situations are different at every location, know that resources are available for any circumstance."