Heartlink seminar educates Airmen's spouses

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The Ramstein Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted its first, improved Heartlink seminar April 27.

Heartlink consisted of a full day of briefings, which has been cut down to a half day and now includes a tour of a few facilities on base.

Heartlink is a day-long seminar that begins with briefings and ends with a tour of the base intended for all Air Force spouses. The seminar is designed to help Air Force spouses learn about military life, etiquette and what the military has to offer.

"It's hard being in a foreign country, and as a military spouse, it can be even more difficult," said Jan Devitt, Airmen and Family Readiness Center lead community readiness consultant. "Moving away from friends and family is hard. We are here to give them all the information they need to start out successfully."

A protocol representative touched on dining etiquette and customs and courtesies; how to act, where to sit, which fork to eat with, etc., while a finance representative went over how to correctly interpret a leave and earning statement. A first sergeant was also on hand to explain his role in helping out all Airmen and their families.

Being here for only three weeks, the information shared was very helpful, said Lacy Nichols, whose husband works for the 721st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"We don't want our spouses to be overwhelmed," said Devitt. "We wanted to get them out and about, see the base and have a good time."

The spouses received a first-hand look at a C-130J Super Hercules, toured the fitness center, the Health and Wellness Center and several other facilities.

"It was great to come here, it refreshed my memory on some things I was told when we arrived over a year ago," said Tracy Duplantis, Heartlink attendee.

Heartlink is held once a quarter and the next two seminars are scheduled for July 27 and Oct. 19.

To register for the next seminar contact A&FRC at 480-5100 or 06371-47-5100.