A Guardian’s first permanent change of duty station should be an exciting time in their career, but that excitement is often followed by anxiety and an overwhelming number of changes. This is especially true for our youngest Guardians, ages 18-24.
That’s where Space Training and Readiness Command’s Guardian Support Program (GSP) aims to help. Modeled after the United States Air Force Academy’s Cadet Sponsor program and Tinker’s Home Away from Home program, the GSP aims to build connectedness with Guardians by taking a holistic approach focused on quality-of-life.
Through the program, local community members volunteer to be "support families" for an assigned Guardian. Each support family will attend an hour-long in-person or virtual training session where they will be briefed by the chaplain’s office, Military and Family Life Consultants, and a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response representative. During this training, the GSP team will also review the Support Family Guidebook and answer any questions they may have.
After completing the required training, GSP support families commit to hosting a Guardian and provide a safe and welcoming environment with opportunities for homecooked meals and inclusion in events and activities throughout the year.
Guardians who voluntarily participate in the program must be in the Colorado Springs area at either Schriever or Peterson Space Force Base.
Once all Guardian applicants have been identified, the GSP team will match them to their support families living locally in the Colorado Springs area.
When the Guardian arrives at their first duty station the squadron commander will be notified that the Guardian is a volunteer participant and will be given information on how the program will work and the contact information for the team should they need anything.
The GSP team plans to host numerous events so that they can bring as many program participants together as possible.
Interested in participating in the Guardian Support Program? View the requirements and submit your application today!