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McGuire Phoenix Spouse recognized - November

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McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Military families are unlike many other families. Frequent relocations - uprooting children from school and spouses from jobs - and the ever-present reality of overseas deployments, can cause stress for those families. Single servicemembers and their families, back home, also have to deal with the stress that accompanies the military lifestyle.

The Phoenix Spouse program, offered through the McGuire Airman and Family Readiness Center, provides military families with someone who can assist them in dealing with that stress before, during and after a deployment.

Each month, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will recognize a McGuire Phoenix Spouse for all of their hard work, dedication and commitment. We thank you all for what you do as Team McGuire members and Phoenix Spouses. 

Full name: Marlene Katz 

Unit assigned: 2nd Air Refueling Squadron 

How long have you been a Phoenix Spouse? Two years 

What activities have you taken part in as a Phoenix Spouse? I am proud to say that I was originally a Key Spouse, then later grandfathered into a Phoenix Spouse. Being initial cadre for the 2nd ARS was a great deal of responsibility with a lot of "needs" to be met. I am very pleased to see the program grow with other motivated spouses. 

I have attended many briefings and refresher courses to remain an active Phoenix Spouse, logging more than 600 dedicated hours to this program. We've organized many events to include a "Spaghetti Pre-Deployment Briefing" and a "Lunch with Your Spouse Day," to mention a few. One of our daily duties is the outreach we do with all of our 2nd ARS families--not just the deployed! 

What do you find most rewarding about being a Phoenix Spouse? When I became a Key (Phoenix) Spouse, it was a fairly new program to McGuire. Many didn't know what a Key (Phoenix) Spouse was and thought it was another "Spouse Group." Through time, and by leading a professional example, the 2nd ARS Phoenix Spouse Group has become recognized as an official position at our squadron. We did a great job in defining the difference between a "spouse" and a "Phoenix Spouse" group. We are part social, but our main focus is being a helping hand or lending an ear to our families. If we don't have an accurate answer, we will get it. Master Sgt. Michele Noggle, our first sergeant, does an amazing job keeping us in the "loop" of what the needs are for the squadron and anything that may be coming up so we can prepare with solutions. 

Personally, it is my goal for each spouse (or family member) to remember that wherever they may be, a Phoenix Spouse is someone they can turn to. 

What do you think about this program? I am an active member of the 2nd ARS Spouse Group and a board member of the McGuire Officers' Spouses' Club. I am especially honored to represent the 2nd ARS as a Phoenix Spouse because I was personally selected for this position. I am usually the one who volunteers, but to be asked ... it's a special feeling! 

Obviously, my husband is the active-duty member of our family. I embrace his/our career with open arms. I feel this is a way I can be part of the Air Force and serve. I am married to my high school sweetheart, and we have been through the trials of trying to stay in the Air Force and make a real career out of it. Nothing comes easy. I may not have all the experiences of the other Phoenix or Senior Spouses, but I do know how hard it can be. TDYs, deployments, long hours ... it doesn't matter; it is always hard when your family may not always come first. 

I am happy to work with a great team and find solutions to ease the pain or the demand on our spouses. I only hope for more participation and passion to make this group more successful!