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Key Spouse thrives on making a difference

  • Published
  • By Annette Crawford
  • Air Force Recruiting Service
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Brenda Anthony loves making a difference in the lives of Air Force spouses. Since becoming one herself 22 years ago, she has not lost her enthusiasm or excitement for the role she plays in her husband's career. Now, as the Key Spouse for the 319th Recruiting Squadron, she supports families from Vermont to Germany, and was recently named the Air Force Recruiting Service Key Spouse of the Year.

"My favorite part of being an Air Force spouse has been getting to meet and become friends with so many great people from all over the world," Anthony said. "Our list of friends spread all over the country. There are those that you will be stationed with one time and then you move on and don't hear from them again, but there are so many that no matter the distance you are still a part of their lives."

Anthony added that social media has been a big factor in reconnecting with many people, but even without it, there has always been a huge circle of friends who would be there for her and her family.

"We could drive across country and have a place to stay all along the way and the Air Force has given us that blessing," she said.

One of the challenges she undertook as the squadron's Key Spouse was launching 10 initiatives. Among them were 100 percent contact with spouses, which she accomplished in seven days, creating a monthly newsletter, and fusing spouse and booster club efforts. Whether it's organizing squadron morale events or making an impact on family programs at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Anthony knows the importance of involvement.

"I feel like (the Key Spouse Program) gives me a chance to get to know many great spouses and be there for them when they need someone the most," she said. "The Air Force takes us away from our parents, siblings and friends. So with that becomes isolation and that is what a Key Spouse is trained for; we give them the information and the opportunity to get involved with their new community and make new friends. It is a great program and I wish we had it when I was a young Air Force spouse."

Her husband, Chief Master Sgt. David Anthony, 319th RCS superintendent, is her high school sweetheart. The two met at Avalon High School in Avalon, Texas.

"Brenda has been with me every step of the way in my career and she has jumped in to help other spouses at each of our eight different assignments," he said. "She is very busy as a mother to our four sons and a full time formal training specialist at the education center, however, she makes time to connect with squadron spouses and plan activities to strengthen those bonds. There are many great Key Spouses in AFRS and I am honored that Brenda was recognized for her many contributions this past year."

Anthony's grandfather and uncle both served in the Air Force, so she was excited when her own adventure began.

"I grew up listening to stories about the many places my grandfather went and all the things he did for our country," she said. "I was a very proud wife when my husband decided to continue with his dream even though we were going to be separated for the first few months of our marriage. My impression of the Air Force has not changed much over the years. I feel the Air Force has been the best career for my husband and I have loved seeing many different parts of the world. The Air Force has changed in many ways, but it will always be the No. 1 branch in my book."

"Our Key Spouses provide critical links to the community, and are vital to maintaining contact with spouses and families, while also enhancing the Air Force's Wingman concept and strengthening the resiliency of our spouses and families," said Brig. Gen. James C. Johnson, AFRS commander. "Ultimately, Key Spouses are a force multiplier for improving Quality of Life and increasing readiness and retention. We should be very thankful of our Key Spouses, and we should offer a special congratulations to Mrs. Brenda Anthony for her leadership as this year's AFRS Key Spouse of the Year."