Commander's Corner

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Commander's Corner is a forum for the Dyess community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Dyess directly to Col. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing commander. Each week the Dyess Public Affairs office solicits questions via the official Dyess Facebook page, offering people an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers directly from the wing commander.

QUESTION

Elizabeth Anderson - Have a question that was being asked on the Dyess Wives page. Is it legal for First Shirts to do off base inspections? And second I was greatly disturbed due to all the incidents Dyess children that someone would leave their children outside in the rain while inside the shoppette. I think it was reported to SF but I would imagine that there would be more neglect on the parents part. I have included the picture that was posted of an older child and then a child in a car seat. My husband retired from the 317th and I was a key spouse also and care very much for what happens there at Dyess.
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Elizabeth - First Sergeants have many responsibilities including checking on the health and well-being of all those under their supervision, both on and off base. I expect our First Sergeants to be aware of what is going on with the Airmen they are supervising. I expect our First Sergeants to be in contact with their Airmen off base, but whether or not they can do off-base "inspections" is a complicated legal matter and the answer will depend on the particular facts of each case.

To answer your second question, I too am disturbed that anyone would think it's appropriate to leave a child of that age unattended regardless of the climate outside. In fact, it is considered neglect and I encourage anyone who sees this type of behavior to report it as immediately to our law enforcement. No child should ever be put in jeopardy like this, and I will not tolerate it while I am at Team Dyess.
 
QUESTION

I am wondering how you can send a military member on a deployment when his wife is pregnant with twins and will obvisously need help and there is no family or friends around to readily help if needed?

Nearest family is in AZ and they cannot just pick up and move out here for 6 months to help with the pregnancy while he is gone. Asking a bunch of strangers is not something I want to do.
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

As a part of a military family myself, I can certainly appreciate the hardships our spouses and children take on when military commitments require lengthy absences. My wife and daughter have both experienced my deployments and can tell you that it's no easy feat. I want to let you know you don't have to go through your husband's deployment alone. Your husband's squadron has a key spouse program, where spouses just like yourself are ready to provide help or find the assistance you need. If you or your husband don't know who your key spouse is, please let me know and I will make sure someone gets in contact with you. In addition to our key spouses, our military chaplains and the many resources available in the Airman and Family Readiness Center are standing by to help, and trust methey want to help. If you're not getting the assistance from your husband's squadron or the other services available here at Team Dyess, please let me know. Best of luck to you and your husband during his deployment and I hope you take advantage of the programs that we offer.