Empowerment Through Orientation - Spouses Visit Headquarters
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (December 7, 2022) – Engaging family members of its workforce is pursuant to one of U.S. Transportation Command’s (USTRANSCOM) top priorities, empowering a competitive and resilient warfighting team.
The spouse orientation brought 43 husbands and wives of both military and civilian members of the workforce into the USTRANSCOM Headquarters building. For attendees, it was an opportunity to network, learn about the command’s mission, and broaden their understanding of the impact of their spouse’s work.
“Just know that your loved one plays a big part [in our mission], no matter what their role is, and I am very grateful for the support you give your loved one,” said Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander, USTRANSCOM, as she stood next to her husband, Alan Frosch.
The message resonated with Tyrone Gipson, who is married to a service member in the command.
“Without understanding and advocacy from the spouse, nothing at home works,” said Gipson.
To help educate the audience, the Commander’s Action Group (CAG) gave their signature presentation, USTRANSCOM 101. During the brief, spouses learned how the command uses the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) to move people and equipment in response to world events.
“If you want to know what we’re going to be doing the next day at work, all you have to do is turn on the news,” said CAG team member Ken Martin.
Later, the spouses went to USTRANSCOM’s Global Operations Center (GOC), where they were able to see the complexity of common operating picture in real-time and experience the gravity of all that takes place there.
“It’s funny,” said Vivian Rosario, who is a military veteran and the spouse of a USTRANSCOM civilian service employee.
“The general and her husband said sometimes we can’t talk about work, and there are those moments when your spouse is here, but not here,” Rosario paused, “now I understand, he’s busy trying to process the day.”
USTRANSCOM’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Fleet Master Chief Donald Myrick, gave spouses a due-out in his closing remarks.
“We’re going to do these quarterly, so think about a spouse who couldn’t be here today, give them a recap of what you heard, and encourage them to attend [spouse orientation] next quarter,” said Myrick.
The USTRANSCOM Protocol team is planning the next spouse orientation in March. For more photos of the event on the USTRANSCOM Flickr page, click here.
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