{"id":27637,"date":"2023-09-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=27637"},"modified":"2023-09-16T06:40:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-16T06:40:50","slug":"daf-leaders-spouses-reflect-on-changes-for-military-families-at-afa-panel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=27637","title":{"rendered":"DAF leaders, spouses reflect on changes for military families at AFA panel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) — \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Department of the Air Force leaders and their spouses discussed changes and challenges that have impacted military families during a panel at the Air and Space Forces Association\u2019s 2023 Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 13.
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Participating panelists included Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.<\/strong><\/a> and his wife, Sharene Brown; Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman<\/strong><\/a> and his wife, Jennifer Saltzman; Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass<\/strong><\/a> and her husband, Rahn Bass; and Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman<\/strong><\/a> and his wife, Rachel Rush.<\/p>\n

Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller<\/strong><\/a>, Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services deputy chief of staff, moderated the discussion and asked panelists to share their perspectives on changes they witnessed over time as military families. She also engaged the leaders and their spouses on their personal experiences in leveraging on and off-base resources to improve their quality of life as military families.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to change, today\u2019s military family looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago,\u201d Chief Bass said. \u201cYou have more dual-working families, dual military, and single parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chief Bass also said leaders should continue to support initiatives and programs on military installations that help maintain family connections.<\/p>\n

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Sharene Brown said she witnessed several positive changes throughout her experience as a military spouse, especially regarding the availability of programs to support service and family members\u2019 mental health, as well as resources to ease transitions for military-connected students and resources to assist Airmen and Guardians enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that we can talk about this openly and connect to the resources out there is huge,\u201d Sharene Brown said. \u201cFrom my perspective, what\u2019s now available on and off our installations for our families is overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the resources highlighted included:<\/strong><\/p>\n