18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

Kelly Barrett, spouse of the 18th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett, interacts with a student March 6, 2019, at Scandia Elementary School, Fairfield, California. Barrett visited the school to discuss the military-friendly enrollment policies that Travis Unified School District has instituted to accommodate as many military families as possible in a district with an increasing civilian population.

18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

Lanora Cox, supervisory librarian, briefs Kelly Barrett, spouse of the 18th Air Force commander, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett, during a base visit March 6, 2019 at the base library, Travis Air Force Base, California. The purpose of the visit was to show the various programs and opportunities available to both spouses and dependents at Travis AFB.

18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Erine Gallant, Airman and Family Readiness Center superintendent, briefs Kelly Barrett, spouse of the 18th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett; Courtney Nelson, spouse of 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Jeff Nelson and Tia Crowder, spouse of 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Derek Crowder, March 6, 2019, at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Travis Air Force Base, California. Barrett toured the facility as part of her focus on Air Force spouse programs.

18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

Pam Conklin, Travis Unified School District superintendent, converses with Mrs. Kelly Barrett, spouse of the 18th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett; Courtney Nelson, spouse of 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Jeff Nelson and Tia Crowder, spouse of 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Derek Crowder, at Scandia Elementary School, Fairfield, California, March 6, 2019. Barrett visited the school to discuss the military-friendly enrollment policies that Travis Unified School District has instituted to accommodate as many military families as possible in a district with an increasing civilian population.

18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

Kelly Barrett, spouse of the 18th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett; Pam Conklin, Travis Unified School District superintendent; Courtney Nelson, spouse of 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Jeff Nelson and Tia Crowder, spouse of 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Derek Crowder, pose for a photo March 6, 2019, at Scandia Elementary School, Fairfield, California. Barrett visited the school to discuss the military-friendly enrollment policies that Travis Unified School District has instituted to accommodate as many military families as possible in a district with an increasing civilian population.

18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Sam Barret, 18th Air Force commander, coins U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eric Wiltz, NCO in charge Simplified Acquisitions Flight, 60th Contracting Squadron, March 7, 2019, at Travis Air Force Base, California. During the visit, Gen. Barrett received a first-hand look at the Travis mission and engaged with Airmen who support the mission (U.S. Air Force by Airman First Class Jonathon Carnell)

18th AF leadership discusses spouse employment

Published March 28, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Jonathon Carnell
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett, 18th Air Force commander and his wife Kelly Barrett, recently visited Travis, where they observed the Team Travis mission and gained insight on the concerns that affect Airmen and their families.

As a military spouse of 30 years, Kelly was able to relate to military spouses while she visited Scandia Elementary School, Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Mitchell library and other stops where she addressed an issue that spouses are facing nationwide—license reciprocity.

For many spouses, arriving to a new state can be a stressful time. The professional license they hold to work in a certain state might not transfer to their new state, and it can take months and cost hundreds of dollars to become certified in the new state. This is an example of license reciprocity not working for spouses or their families.

“Travis spouses are facing many of the same issues as those from other bases all across the U.S. Education, childcare and license reciprocity are really needed, because when you wrap it all up, it’s about taking care of the family.”

Kelly said she is focused on helping those spouses who deal with license reciprocity issues.

“When (my husband and I) visit bases, we talk to civic leaders about license reciprocity to spread the word,” said Kelly. “This is an important issue, not just for military families, but to all families. Sam and I think about how to improve support; we were a young Air Force family once, too. We know family structure has an effect on the mission and retention decisions.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures July 2018 research, up to 35 percent of military spouses are employed in career fields requiring licenses, though non-military affiliated civilians in licensed professions were 36 percent less likely to move between states.

“For example, California passed a bill in 2012 requiring occupational boards to have processes to speed up license transfer for military spouses, that includes all career fields that require a state license,” said Kelly. “However, in the medical community, (the boards for Massage Therapy) will not expedite military spouses’ applications. It may be a matter of simply educating our families on what resources are available, which is what we’re hoping to do on these visits”.

“License reciprocity is important because it allows military spouses a smoother and shorter transition into the workforce,” she said. By removing this stress on families, it allows Airmen to focus on the mission.”

According to Kelly, it’s not just about informing civic leaders. She also encourages spouses to be proactive, talk with other spouses to discuss their experiences, and get plugged in with the key spouses program and the Military Spouse Network. These are platforms where spouses can voice their concerns, ask questions and ultimately network with fellow spouses.

Travis’ Airman and Family Readiness Center has many programs for spouses. For more information contact the A&FRC at 707-424-2486 or https://www.travisafrc.com/