Key Spouse of the Year Award opportunity to recognize Team Hill's supporters

  • Published
  • By Catherine McNally
  • Hilltop Times staff
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Hill's Key Spouses work nonstop to give back to the Hill community, seeking no recognition or rewards other than the feeling of satisfaction that comes from helping someone in need. This year, however, our Key Spouses deserve to be recognized for their contributions by being nominated for the Air Force's Key Spouse of the Year award.

"(Key Spouses) are an integral part of a commander's role to take care of their members in that they support both Airmen and their families -- whether new to the base, deployed, or just in need of a helping hand," said Tom Badman, Hill's Airman and Family Readiness Center director.

The Key Spouse of the Year award allows commanders and civilian directors to recognize and honor the hard work, volunteer hours and contributions their Key Spouses have made.

"Just like anyone who falls under their command, when they go above and beyond they deserve to be recognized," said Kim Taylor, Hill's Key Spouse coordinator.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to recognize the members of the community who have stepped forward to support our families," Badman added.

Nomination packages are due by April 1, and can be turned in to Taylor at the A&FRC. After all nomination packages have been collected, a review board will be gathered to choose Hill's official Key Spouse nominee. The nominees from each base will then be reviewed again and a winner from each major command will be chosen.

The MAJCOM winners will be awarded at the 2011 Caring for People Forum, which will be held July 18-21 in Arlington, Va.

Eligible Key Spouses will have served within a unit from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010, and must still be a current Key Spouse volunteer. The award is not intended to recognize a Key Spouse for just a single act and instead is intended to recognize a Key Spouse for their character, conduct and willingness to achieve unit goals, as well as significant achievements and performance.

For more information on nomination package guidelines or the Key Spouse program, please contact the A&FRC at (801) 777-4681.