DOD spouse and family initiative gets underway at Arnold Published May 8, 2017 By Fred Kasper AEDC/PA ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- Well informed and resilient Department of Defense spouses and families are critical to our team, our culture, and more importantly, our success.It is through their support and encouragement that we are able to maintain a healthy balance and conquer the numerous challenges we face on a daily basis in one of the most unique environments in the Air Force. That’s why we are calling on all DOD spouses to volunteer for an opportunity to serve on a first-of-its-kind Arnold Air Force Base Spouses Council.This council will serve in an advisory capacity to the base Commander and leadership to explore ideas aimed at improving the support and quality of life for all DOD spouses and families.Enhancing our capacity and resources in support of our DOD families is a top initiative for the base Commander, Col. Rodney Todaro, who spoke to Arnold spouses in a recent “Caring for People” forum held on March 29. This forum explored areas of family life that can be improved upon across a wide spectrum of topics.Some of these topics included improving family communication processes, hosting a resiliency day for families, and ensuring continued improvements with support and assistance provided.The next step is to stand up a Spouses Council that can facilitate effective improvements and collaborate with various branches throughout the base to ensure our families receive the very best support possible. This council will be a combined effort of DOD spouses, community resources and base support functionals dedicated to supporting and improving the quality of life for spouses and families.Spouses interested in volunteering for this council should call (931) 454-5351 by May 30. The first council meeting will be held once volunteers have been identified and contacted.