ARPC reenergizes Key Spouse Program, opens aperture of support Published March 23, 2017 By Master Sgt. Beth Anschutz Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air Reserve Personnel Center commander, Brig. Gen. Ellen Moore, has reenergized the Key Spouse Program here and hopes to expand its mission. With the help of K.C. Erredge, Lead Key Spouse, Amanda Thomas and Keith Baber, also Key Spouses, the program will provide support, at any time, to anyone in the center and the people who love them. "It is so important we recognize and interact with our spouses, family members and significant others. They are the force multipliers in an Airman's life whether military or civilian," Moore said. The Air Force Key Spouse Program was standardized across the Air Force to address the needs of families, with special emphasis on support during the deployment cycle. Erredge and the other ARPC Key Spouses hope to create a network support system that is accessible anytime. “While the official name of the program is ‘Key Spouse,’ we truly support anyone that is special to the member, be it a partner, parent or sibling, not just spouses,” Erredge said. “We are there to support anyone in the unit at any time, but especially family members during deployments.” Erredge has been an Air Force spouse for 22 years. She has spent time as a part and full-time working spouse and a stay-at-home mom of three boys, who are now ages 10, 12 and 17. “What I have learned in my previous experience as a Key Spouse is that, if you are going through something, someone else has gone through it before you,” Erredge said. “First, I want to get to know the families that make up ARPC and I hope others want to do the same. Maybe you'll find out that someone you work with lives at the end of your block, your kids are in the same class at school or maybe your spouses will have similar interests. Having these connections make being someplace new, even if it is for a short time, a little easier and can perhaps make a big place feel smaller.” Erredge hopes to build an environment of support in which anyone can ask for help, even if it’s not in their nature to do so. “I personally am very independent and I tend to be pretty introverted, which translates to me not liking to ask for help -- even when I might really need it,” Erredge said. “I want to make sure that everyone knows they and their family are part of a great group and they have support, even if it might be difficult to ask for it.” The Key Spouses’ mission is to be available, even if someone just needs to talk. “Even if it's been a tough day and you just need to hear another adult voice and have them listen to you vent,” Erredge said. “Chasing a four-year-old around and turning your back for what seemed like a split-second, only to find your 18-month-old scaled the kitchen cupboards and is swinging from the microwave handle, makes for an exhausting day especially if you're doing it on your own … trust me on this one.” Erredge said one of the things she enjoys most about being involved is being able to share base and local events with her military family. “There are awesome events here on Buckley, such as the upcoming free movie night and Easter Egg Hunt, and in the Denver Metro area,” Erredge said. “There are also all sorts of benefits that you may not have known existed! We look forward to being a bigger presence at ARPC, so look out for us at future events.” The ARPC Key Spouses have set up an ARPC Buckley Key Spouse Facebook page and encourage everyone to look them up and send a request to be added to the group. “Please pass the word to your spouse, partner or loved ones so they can get connected with us,” Erredge said. “We’re very excited to get things started and we hope you are too!”