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Key Spouses: Leah Simpson - 30th SFS
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- -- Team Vandenberg honors Key Spouses for their continuous service and dedication to military members and their families.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I'm from Southern California. This is the closest I've been to home in a long time so it's nice.
Q: How long have you been serving the military as a spouse?
I've been a military spouse for more than 15 years.
Q: What made you want to be a part of the Key Spouse program?
I believe in the program. I think that it has a lot of potential, especially in security forces. They deploy a little more than other career fields. I felt it was important and something that could do a lot of good.
Q: What is your role in the program?
I'm a Key Spouse mentor. My role is to support the Key Spouse team to troubleshoot questions. Some spouses don't know what avenue to approach and I help them get the information they need. I make sure that spouses have everything they need to support their families.
Q: Why is the Key Spouse program important?
I think that it's important because military life is hard and has its own culture. Most of the time, we're stationed someplace where we don't have family nearby, and it can be really difficult. If our Key Spouses can be that support for the spouses, we can alleviate some of that pressure from the military member. I feel like that trickles down. The military member is less worried so they can focus more on the mission.
Q: How does it feel to give back to the community on a regular basis?
I never thought of it like that. I know what it's like being a newer spouse, where you're somewhere new and you know nobody. I know what it was like to have wonderful people help me along the way and give me some wisdom. For me, it's all about doing that for our spouses and ensuring that they don't feel alone.
Q: What is your Key Spouse tip of the week?
Talk to people. Talk to your squadron and other spouses. Even if it's going with your husband to talk to other spouses at the luncheons or barbecues. Talking to another spouse and getting support from someone in a similar situation is invaluable.