Last week, nine students graduated from the American Red Cross' Dental Assistant Program. They were recognized during a ceremony held Oct. 15 at Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel on Joint Base Lewis-McChord before an audience of their friends and family.   

The program is the first of its kind offered on JBLM and is free of charge to adult military ID cardholders. Training began in February 2015, and all members of the graduating class were military spouses.

The program provides students with basic dental education and the skills necessary to qualify for dental assistant positions both on and off base.

The women grinned widely as they accepted their certificates one by one from JBLM Dental Activity Commander Col. Shan K. Bagby and Red Cross Program Manager Ann Hampton.

Though the course is new to JBLM, Dental Assistant Program Manager Ed Huffman said that the Army has made good use of the program at installations both around the country and overseas.

"This a great opportunity for dependents," he said. "It helps give them skills and allows them to learn a trade."

It's also a great opportunity to include spouses in work that directly helps soldiers and the Army, Huffman said, adding that it's also helpful for medical personnel who are often overstretched and understaffed. They need every able-bodied person who's willing to help.

Huffman praised the graduates for their enthusiasm and their eagerness to learn.

"You could see them get excited as they actually got to work hands-on," he said.

Sharon Ayala, a spokesperson for Western Regional Army Medical Command, said that the program and the partnership with the Red Cross is an incredible opportunity.

"They're getting this training for free," she explained. "For a civilian, this would cost thousands of dollars."

Bagby praised the graduates for their initiative, as well as their Army husbands for supporting them as they trained. Spouses make a great deal of sacrifices of their own, Bagby said, and are as important to the "Army family" as the soldiers themselves.

For more information, email jblm@redcross.org or call 253.968.1055.