27th engineer battalion (c)(A)
FAMILY READINESS
This year’s flu vaccine Guards against new strains
As the time to get your flu vaccine has approached, a surprising new report shows babies and toddlers seem to be getting protected better than the rest of us. Government officials claim that last year's flu shot won't shield you this year as there are two new strains of influenza which have begun circling the globe, but the updated vaccine appears to work well against them. A yearly vaccination now is recommended for nearly everybody. The only ones who shouldn't get vaccinated: babies younger than 6 months and people with severe allergies to the eggs used to make the vaccine. Flu specialists can't say how bad this winter's flu season might be. Influenza strains constantly evolve and some cause more illness than others. But strains from the H3N2 Family tend to be harsher than some other flu types, and a new H3N2 strain is included in this year's vaccine because it is circulating in parts of the world. To read more about this year’s flu, go to: http://1.usa.gov/OtrjjL
Volume 3, Issue 17
Contents: Articles of Interest
2
FRG Volunteering
4
Bragg, Battalion and Local News 5 Army Brat Information
8
NC Spotlight and Recipe
10
Calendar
11
15 October 2012
Fort Bragg MWR Army vFRG My Army One Source Military One Source Military.com/Spouse TRICARE Crisis assistance: Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance concerning suicide or potential suicide can get help from trained consultants 24 hours a day, every day. 1- 800-342-9647
App to access tricare pharmacy benefits
TRICARE beneficiaries have new pharmacy options available and accessible in the palm of their hand just by using TRICARE pharmacy contractor Express Script’s enhanced mobile application. The new additions let beneficiaries use their Smartphone to safely and securely manage their TRICARE pharmacy benefit. The updated app includes medication reminders and an account registration tool. The Express Rx mobile app gives beneficiaries access to their prescription information anytime, anywhere. Smartphone users can download the app for free by going to www.express-scripts.com/mobile or using services like the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace. The mobile-optimized pharmacy website is accessible at http://m.esrx.com.
DISCLAIMER: THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS BOTH OFFICIAL & UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE PURELY THE VIEWS OF THE WRITERS AND DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE 27TH ENG BN (C) (A) NOR OF THE U.S. ARMY. THE INCLUSION OF SOME UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER HAS NOT INCREASED THE COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH DoD 4525.8-M, OFFICIAL MAIL MGT MANUAL.
Articles of Interest
Page 2
Families can support suicide stand down
There is something Family members military-wide can do, too, and it only takes a minute. Get out your smart phone and enter the information for the Military Crisis Line: 1-800 -273-8255 Press 1, go to militarycrisisline.net, or
text at 838255. If you're unsure if someone close to you may be suicidal, you could at least talk through the situation with someone who understands and could share insight. Understanding suicide and reversing its rising trend is
difficult. No training or information campaign will end all suicides, but for more information on the Military Crisis Line, go to the website at: http:// www.veteranscrisisline.net /ActiveDuty.aspx
Suicide Prevention PSA for Military Families http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/Resources/ Videos.aspx?v=RkQQVgjpsI8
Volume 3, Issue 17
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Changes in the tricare dental program Recent changes in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) have left some military Families paying out of pocket. Many local dentists are not part of the new contractor's network, and though they may still "accept TRICARE," they will require a patient to pay beyond normal cost shares. This may result in charging patients the balance between their
charges and what the TDP would pay for. Dentists in the TRICARE network are not permitted to do that. Thus, beneficiaries should find out first if their dentist is part of the network. To find a list of providers or address other TRICARE Dental concerns, call the MetLife Dental Customer Contact Service Center at 1855-638-8371 or visit the MetLife
TDP website at: https:// employeedental.metlife.com/dental/ public/EmpEntry.do
eBenefits simplifies resource & benefit access One-stop web portal enabling vets and service members to access personal information & to carry out tasks utilizing their benefits.
There are many benefits and services provided to military personnel and their Families. Yet accessing these programs, learning about requirements and effectively using the benefits that you have earned may require a good deal of effort, as well as a bit of patience. To streamline the process, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have created
eBenefits, an online web portal that provides benefit-related resources and tools for veterans, Servicemembers and their families. eBenefits is a one-stop web portal that enables veterans and Servicemembers to access personal information and carry out tasks so they can use benefits. It’s easy -to-navigate format and topical options offer a more efficient system for managing eligible
benefits and accessing services from a single portal. For details: https:// www.ebenefits.va.gov/ ebenefits-portal/ ebenefits.portal
Big changes in store for commissaries
Commissary patrons may soon see a huge change in how they shop for groceries. According to an article by Tom Philpott, military Families might be ordering gro-
ceries online with curbside pickup by this time next year. In addition, a new smart phone app will enable military shoppers to instantly compare commissary and commercial supermarket prices. There is also big news for those stationed near large military installations in area like San Diego,
San Antonio and Virginia's Tidewater area, where DeCA will be testing Costco like "warehouse" style commissaries. Read the full article at: http://www.military.com/ features/0,15240,250458,00.h tml
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Battalion, FRG & Ft Bragg News/Information Battalion Volunteer Orientation BY APPOINTMENT
Contact: Kimberly Hughes, FRSA Kimberly.R.Hughes2.civ@mail.mil
Online Training
CHRISTMAS PARTY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Essentials
Contact Richele Ellicott at 27EnBnFRG@gmail.com
Key Caller
Needed: Santa, Mrs. Claus, Crafts, Cookies Decorators, & more!
Treasurer
~ OCTOBER - DECEMBER FRG TRAINING ~ FRG CENTER GROUND FLOOR SOLDIER SUPPORT CENTER CLASS
DATE
START TIME
END TIME
ESSENTIALS
10/25 11/8 12/13
6:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM
8:30 PM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM
KEY CALLER
10/23 11/6 12/11
6:00 PM 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
7:00 PM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM
TREASURER
10/23 11/6 12/11
9:00 AM 6:00 PM 9:00 AM
11:00 AM 8:00 PM 11:00 AM
CARE TEAM
10/20 11/1 11/3 11/15 12/6
9:00 AM 6:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
11:00 AM 8:00 PM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 8:00 PM
POWER-COURSE (Essentials/Key Caller/ Treasurer in 1)
10/31 11/28
8:30 AM 8:30 AM
11:30 AM 11:30 AM
WEEKEND TRAINING (All times are the same for each date)
11/17 12/8
Essentials 8:00 AM Key Caller 10:45 AM Treasurer 12:00 PM
10:30 AM 11:45 AM 2:00 PM
Volume 3, Issue 17
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Family subsistence supplemental allowance Low-income Servicemembers with dependents may benefit from the Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) Program. FSSA is an additional food allowance some military Families may qualify for based on a member's household size and household income. The program is available for Servicemembers stationed in the United States and overseas. Members may be eligible for up to $1,100 per month. Active component and Reserve Servicemembers on active duty meeting dependent and incomeeligibility requirements on the Defense Manpower Data Center website may participate in the FSSA program. To apply, go to: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/fssa/ and fill out the web application. If you qualify, complete and print the application and bring the form to your local Army Community Services (ACS) office for further assistance. Once counseled by ACS, have your commander certify the form, then take the application to your local personnel office for final processing and forwarding to DFAS. To learn more about FSSA go to: http://www.military.com/military-report/supplemental-food-allowance?ESRC=mr.nl
2012 USDA Gross Monthly Income Eligibility Standard Monthly Income Limit Help Household Size
Lower 48 States
Alaska or Overseas
Hawaii
1
$1,180
$1,474
$1,359
2
$1,594
$1,992
$1,835
3
$2,008
$2,509
$2,310
4
$2,422
$3,027
$2,786
5
$2,836
$3,545
$3,261
6
$3,249
$4,063
$3,737
7
$3,663
$4,581
$4,212
8
$4,077
$5,099
$4,688
Each Additional Member:
$414
$518
$476
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Battalion FRG & Ft Bragg News/Information ~Boss~ Better opportunities for single soldiers
Registration is now open for the following BOSS trips/ events: 24 October & 28 November: Help Feed the Homeless from 1600-1830 Limited Volunteer Space Transportation Provided
Contact BOSS at (910) 396-7751 to Sign Up! See the photo album “Upcoming Events� for more information. Activities with BOSS are open to Single Service Members Only.
Volume 3, Issue 17
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mflc
Chaplain
Through the MFLC Program, licensed clinical providers assist service members and their families with issues they may face. Everything is confidential and no records are kept.
CH Mitchell, our battalion chaplain, is also here to listen and assist with you issues that arise, whether they are faith based or personal. All this is done with absolute confidentiality. You can contact the Chaplain by calling (910) 709-2353 or (910) 396-HELP (4357).
If you need to speak with our MFLC, call (910) 709-4100.
U.S. Army MWR History Morale, welfare, and recreation programs did not exist from the founding of the Army in 1775 until the start of the twentieth century. During that 125 year plus time span there were unofficial and informal forms of troop support such as the tradesmen who provided meals, clothing, laundering, and the trading posts which provided goods for purchasing. There was some limited Congressional
oversight established in 1876 over “Post Traders.” The establishment of the Army “PX” or Post Exchange, by Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) followed in 1895, with oversight performed by the garrison commander’s office and all profits were used to support recreational activities for the troops.
Please visit http:// www.armymwr.com/ commander/ aboutmwr.aspx for more information.
Army Brat News/Information
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Winter sports registration
We are already into fall and it’s time to begin registering your children for Winter Sports.
Learn to Play Basketball Age 5 Cost $20 Main Post Only
Registration begins 2 Oct.
VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED!
Basketball & Basketball Cheerleading Ages 6-18 Cost $40 Main Post & Linden Oaks
Call (910) 908-2619 for more information
Volume 3, Issue 17
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Oktoberfest Canceled Annual volsmarch & festival schedule for 20 october
Fort Bragg’s Annual Oktoberfest has decided to quit holding its annual Oktoberfest celebration each fall because of sharply declining attendance and revenues. The 11-day festival lost money last year, said Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum. "The more money we lose on this," McCollum said, "the less opportunity we have to provide other services" through the post's Morale, Welfare and
Recreation office. But, don’t fret! MWR is still holding the Annual Volskmarch and Festival at Smith Lake. Come out for at noncompetitive 5K/10K hike along marked trails. Bring your dogs out in their costumes for a contest, and don’t forget to bring some cash in order to taste that great German Cuisine.
Halloween pool party
It’s a SPOOKY Good Time at Tolson Pool.
This activity is open only to ID Card holders.
Come out on 13 October for a Pool Party and Dive in Movie of Ghostbusters beginning at dusk.
It is FREE to attend!
Recipe and Calendar
Page 10
Carolina balloon fest 39
There’s nothing quite like the sight of dozens of hot air balloons ascending into the sky at dawn or dusk, and every October in Statesville, the Carolina Balloonfest brings that incredible and rare sight to thousands of
visitors at the Statesville Regional Airport. There’s also entertainment, food, and a kids fun zone, but the main attraction here are the balloons of all shapes and sizes that you see glowing and rising during a mass ascension.
Beef and beer chili Under 300 calories per serving 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 (19-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained 1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium beef broth 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer (such as Budweiser) 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups chopped red onion (about 1 medium) 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (about 1 small) 8 ounces extralean ground beef 2 garlic cloves, minced
Directions: Combine first 4 ingredients in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook 5 minutes or until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in chili powder, cumin, sugar, and salt; cook 1 minute. Add oregano and next 4 ingredients (through beer) to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in cornmeal; cook 5 minutes. Stir in juice.
Nutrition: Serving Size: 1.5 cups Amount per Serving: Calories: 261 Calories from fat: 20% Fat: 5.7g Saturated fat: 2.1g Monounsaturated fat: 2g Polyunsaturated fat: 0.2g Protein: 18.3g Carbohydrate: 30.3g Fiber: 8.3g Cholesterol: 30mg Iron: 3.7mg Sodium: 799mg Calcium: 74mg
Volume 3, Issue 17
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F RG / U n i t Ac t i v i t i e s & c o r p s t r a i n i n g h o l i d ay s
FRG BN: 9 October Steering Committee Meeting 30 October - Battalion Trunk or Treat in the battalion parking lot from 4-6 pm 57th: 16 October FRG Meeting BN
Classroom Training Holidays 5-8 October (F-M) Columbus Day
Family Readiness = Mission Readiness
27th EN BN (C)(A) Senior Advisors and FRG Leaders BN Advisors: Richele Ellicott Amparo Pinos 27EnBnFRG@gmail.com HHC FRG Leaders: Vacant hardcorefrg27@yahoo.com FSC FRG Leader: Christine Bennett workhorse27frg@gmail.com 264th FRG Leader: Yolanda Latiff Vanessa Blevines frg264spartins@gmail.com 161st FRG Leader: Vacant 161frg@gmail.com 57th FRG Leader: Kristen Shockey frg57thsapper@yahoo.com 618th FRG Leader: Stephanie O’Sullivan 618frg@gmail.com —————————— Battalion Commander: LTC Michael Ellicott Phone: 396-2001 Battalion SM: CSM Josue Pinos Phone: 396-2001 —————————— FRSA: Kimberly Hughes Office Hours: M-F 8 to 5 Phone: 396-8980
www.facebook.com/27thenbn www.armyfrg.org
27th en BN (C)(A) Fa m i ly R e a d i n e s s P r o g r a m The 27th Engineer Battalion Family Readiness Program is established to provide activities and support to enhance the flow of information, increase the resiliency of unit soldiers and their families, provide practical tools for adjusting to military deployments and separations, and enhance the well-being and esprit de corps within the unit. The activities emphasized will vary depending on whether the unit is in pre/post deployment, deployed, or in a training/sustainment period at home
station. Since one of the goals of the FRG is to support the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members, certain FRG activities are essential and common to all groups, and include member meetings, staff and committee meetings, publication and distribution of newsletters, maintenance of virtual FRG websites, maintenance of updated rosters and readiness information, and member telephone trees and e-mail distribution lists.