Wendell Berry wrote that, “a community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared.” Acquiring this sense of place is a process each military spouse must start anew when they first arrive at a duty station. Fortunately, a quarterly event called the ‘Spouses Welcome on the Road,’ targeted at new-to-base spouses is designed to accomplish just that. Providing more than a surface level welcome, it is an opportunity to get to know faces and places around the base.

The initiative, run by the Military and Family Readiness Center (MFRC), had been around for many years under a previous iteration known as ‘Heartlink.’ However, according to Suzanne Larson, MFRC Flight Chief, the format at the time was limited to a series of briefings to get base information and resources out to new spouses. In 2022, they decided to create a more dynamic experience with a post-lunch tour added on. The tour included stops at the base’s Library, Thrift Shop, Arts and Crafts Center, and Outdoor Recreation. It was designed not just to familiarize new spouses with where these FSS-led facilities are located, but to decrease any apprehension first-time spouses might feel at utilizing them. The message from beginning to end of this day-long event: Team Minot is a true community in every sense and spouses have a vital role to play in its daily life.

What can spouses expect at this event? Free childcare, for one thing. While spots are limited, spouses with small children who RSVP by the childcare deadline are able to utilize the base’s childcare program for the duration of the event, which runs from 8:30 to 2:30. After arriving at the MFRC, spouses were personally greeted at the door by MFRC staff then whisked along to a free continental breakfast, courtesy of the MAFB Spouses Club, and participated in an Information Fair. Here they received a taste of just some of the many helping agencies whose mission is to support them and their families to include the Exceptional Family Member Program, Family Advocacy, the Spouses Club, Education Center, and more. This fair was followed by a series of briefings that included a meet and greet with 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing leadership teams.

“Our leadership always takes time out of their busy schedules, no matter what they have going on to attend these events and make sure our spouses have everything that they need,” noted Mrs. Larson. The smaller group format lent itself to an informal conversation in which spouses were quickly put at ease, which helped set the tone for the rest of the briefings. Whether it was getting the word out about the Key Support Liaison (KSL) program, hearing from the Minot Area Chamber Economic Development Council about all the fun opportunities in and around Minot, or having their healthcare questions answered by 5th Medical Group leadership and Tricare, the conversation was wide ranging yet personalized. After these briefings, spouses enjoyed some lunch at the Dakota Inn and then proceeded on the base tour.

While the energy during the briefings was very positive, it was during the tour that this reporter saw individuals truly letting their guard down a bit more and coalescing as a group. As the event finished up numbers were exchanged, and excited exclamations of “I just called your number!” and “text me!” were overheard. When asked about her overall impression of the event spouse Bianca Williamson shared, “the tour was incredibly helpful and I learned a lot. My favorite stop was probably at Outdoor Recreation – I just had no idea that they had so much to offer. I also enjoyed hearing from leadership. They were really friendly and approachable.” Spouse Ryan Reid agreed that, “this whole event was great. As someone new to everything here, I enjoyed being able to get to know people around the base, the sense of community, and all these amazing resources.” When asked what they would say to a new spouse on the fence about signing up for the experience both had the same response: “Absolutely, yes. Go for it!”

For information about the next ‘Spouses Welcome’ visit the 5 FSS community events calendar at https://5thforcesupport.com/events/ or contact the Military and Family Readiness Center at (701) 723-3950.