JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - The career of a military spouse can sometimes be transient, but funds were made available at the beginning of 2019 to the Military and Family Readiness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to assist them.
The M&FRC received a $10,000 grant from the Air Force Aid Society, which was used to assist five recipients in earning a medical billing and coding certification.
One military spouse, Kayla Blanton, was awarded a $1,999 grant which covered the costs for Blanton to attend a four-month certification course, which a visiting instructor taught at the M&FRC.
“Everything was paid for,” Blanton said. “Even the books were paid for. All I had to do was bring notebooks, pens and pencils. It was an absolutely wonderful program.”
Through the program, Blanton was able to earn the medical encoding certification in May 2019.
These kinds of opportunities help military spouses become viable in the workplace, said Amy Maness, 802nd Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant.
“They’re young spouses and they work very hard and are committed not only to their service member, but to bettering themselves,” Maness added.
The certification provides spouses the ability to help support family expenses, regardless of where military life takes the family.
“It’s a portable career; spouses can take this anywhere,” Maness said
“This is something you can do from your home,” Blanton said. “If I were to go overseas with my husband, I would be able to work for companies in the United States and still provide for my family.”
Being able to assist in providing for the family can be satisfying for the spouses.
“It’s always nice to feel like you’re contributing in your family,” Blanton added.
For more information, call the M&FRC at 210-671-3722.