Commander's Key Support Program

A new welcome mat graces the entrance for the 913th Airlift Group campus at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Oct. 31, 2016. Key 913 AG offices, from several locations around Little Rock AFB, have been consolidating into the newly remodeled building. Moving into the new campus, which is located in building 262, began on October 17, and is scheduled to be completed by November 8. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston/Released) — Commander's Key Support Program

The U.S. Air and Space Force Commander's Key Support Program (CKSP) is an official Unit Family Readiness Program designed to enhance readiness and establish a sense of community. This Commander’s program promotes partnerships with the unit, the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) and community agencies.

Best Practice Submission Form. This website provides information and resources to help unit leaders, Spouses and Mentors navigate the CKSP. If you would like to share your installations Key Support resources or best practices with other installations, complete the attached form for approval by Air Force Personnel Center, Military and Family Operations Branch. Once approved the information will be loaded to this webpage.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Key Support Program is to provide information and resources to military spouses, supporting families in successfully navigating throughout the military life cycle.

Vision Statement: The Air Force Family - Empowered and Resilient

WHO WE ARE:
Volunteers selected and appointed in writing by the Unit Commander to act as an official unit readiness representative.
The Key Support Liaison serves as a trusted agent between unit leadership and families.

WHAT WE DO:
The Key Support Liaison works with unit Commander’s Key Support Team to plan, coordinate and execute the unit Commander's Key Support Program through two-way communication and community information and referral.
The Key Support Liaison serves as the focal point for communication with spouses/families and actively markets the program through visibility at unit Commander's calls, unit or base events, and by deliberate communication through phone, e-mail or social networks.
Through leadership and community connections, the Key Support Liaison effectively communicates unit information and community resources to families. The Key Support Liaison is an advocate for families.

WHY IS THE KEY SUPPORT PROGRAM IMPORTANT?

Promotes individual, family, and unit readiness and resiliency
Establishes and maintains continuous contact with spouses and families
Encourages peer-to-peer Wingman support amongst spouses and families
Builds family links to leadership
Provides an informal sounding board to leadership
Strengthens leadership’s support team

WHAT ARE THE KEY SUPPORT PROGRAM OUTCOMES?

Increased awareness of installation and community resources

Identified/resolved issues at lowest levels

Enhanced up and down information flow

Prepared and supported families during separations/deployments

Increased sense of unit support

Improved quality of life amongst unit families

Increased readiness and retention

Enhanced individual and family resilience

The goal is to have a cadre of trained volunteers who can support your unit’s military families in an official capacity.

The Commander’s Guide provides commanders with information and resources to help units manage their official Key Support Liaison. The guide is designed to provide a practical approach to develop an effective unit Key Support Liaison, with tips and tools to assist commanders in recruiting, interviewing and selecting unit Key Liaison(s) and Key Mentor(s).

The KS and KSM Guides provide volunteers with guidance, information and resources on how to meet the expectations of their role and vision set forth by their unit commander.

Head Key Support Mentor: MSgt Alecia Lovci - 501-913-6910

While most reservists work one weekend a month and two weeks a year, there are several other categories of service in the Air Force Reserve. Some are part-time, such as Traditional Reservists and Individual Mobilization Augmentees, and some are full-time, such as Air Reserve Technicians and Active Guard Reserve Airmen. Regardless of duty-status category, all Reserve Airmen contribute to the Air Force Reserve by providing an integrated, flexible and combat-ready force that supports national security objectives.

Air Force Reserve categories of service break down as follows:

Traditional Reservists (TRs) - 69%

The majority of Reserve Airmen are TRs. They serve part-time, usually one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Most TRs serve at Air Force units that are close to home.

Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMAs) - 12%

A smaller but equally important category of TR is the "Individual Mobilization Augmentee" (IMA). IMAs are part-time Air Force Reservists who are assigned to active duty Air Force units and organizations, combat support agencies, Unified Combatant Commands and the Joint Staff to do jobs that are essential in wartime and/or during contingency operations, but do not require full-time manning during times of peace. They typically report for duty 24 to 48 individual training days per year and twelve contiguous annual training days a year but, like their Unit Program counterparts, many IMAs serve well in excess of the minimum military duty requirement.

Air Reserve Technicians (ART) - 15%

While the Air Force Reserve takes pride in offering great part-time jobs, approximately 10,000 Citizen Airmen serve full-time in Air Reserve Technician (ART) positions. ARTs are dual-status employees of the Air Force Reserve, which means they serve both as reservists and as federal civilian employees. They provide the day-to-day management, operations and administration for traditional Reserve units. ART positions are available in more than 100 occupations, including commander, ﬂight instructor, aircraft mechanic, aircraft maintenance ofﬁcer, nurse, loadmaster and human resource ofﬁcer. As dual-status employees, ARTs enjoy a benefits package that includes programs designed for both military members and federal civilian employees. Available ART positions can be viewed on www.usajobs.gov.

Active Guard Reserve (AGR) - 4%

Reserve Airmen who work in AGR positions provide full-time support to Reserve Component organizations for the purpose of leading, organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training. Unlike dual-status ART positions that consist of military and civilian statuses, AGRs are full-time military servicemembers without any ties to federal civilian status. AGRs receive pay, benefits and entitlements that are nearly identical to those of active-duty Airmen of the Regular Air Force. Prior military experience is required.

LRAFB Airman & Family Readiness Center
501-987-6801 (Monday-Friday)

American Red Cross
(24/7): 877-272-7337

Chaplain Base Services
501-987-6014

DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)
800-538-9552

Family Advocacy
501-987-7377

Mental Health
501-987-7338

Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC)
501-941-6686 or 501-366-7703

Military One Source (24/7)
800-342-9647

Tricare
800-444-5445

Walters Community Support Center
501-987-2667