Heart Link classes are offered quarterly at Beale AFB. Military spouses who sign up to these classes have the opportunity to learn more about resources at Beale AFB for military families, Air Force customs that military personnel take for granted and tours to different base facilities that they might someday need to access.
However, not all new military spouses want to attend Heart Link classes at Beale AFB for a variety of reasons. Some military spouses would rather access base services on their own terms and at their convenience rather than sit in a class with other military spouses while guest speakers go through what is available for them or be taught how to interpret their spouse's LES (Leave and Earnings Statement).
If this is how you feel, you should tactfully discuss your feelings with your spouse and let them know that while Heart Link classes can be a beneficial resource for some military spouses, you would prefer not to attend. It is all too easy for some to resort to belittling base services by assuming that Heart Link classes are childish or in some way demeaning. Remember that even if Heart Link classes are not to your liking, they are a useful tool for many military spouses who choose to take advantage of the free services available to them. Putting Heart Link down will not achieve anything.
Once you have informed your spouse that you will not be attending any Heart Link classes, you will need to consider how you will access any information about Beale AFB and aspects of military life that may come up in the future that confuse you. Will you take advantage of the official Beale AFB website and visit that whenever you need to learn more about the base? Alternatively, your spouse might be willing to personally answer your questions about the Air Force, acronyms, military etiquette and more. It is true that as time goes on, many military spouses pick up a lot about the military way of life and learn as they go. But if your spouse does not have the time or patience to teach you about their military lifestyle, it could cause frustration for both of you as you struggle to get answers to your questions. That is why it is important to weigh your options carefully before making any rash decisions.
