All about Fort Campbell ACS Editor Lisa Taylor
Contributors
Tina Davis David Ellis Tara Goodson Kristen Geist-Hodgkins Alex Krohn Alicia D. McCoy Keri McPeak Sue Mitchell Silke Murray Tess Peterson Phalecian Rawlins Jayme Stalder
Photography Deborah Young Tara Goodson Yvonne Chamberlain fotolia Andy Dean iofoto JJAVA Kurchan Gino Santa Maria Ken Mellott Monkey Business
pg 6 pg 14 pg 16 pg 6 pg 4 pg 6 pg 4 & 20
itsock Terry Wilson
pg 10
Publisher
Creative ink
January signifies new beginning and what better way to start the New Year than setting healthy resolutions. How about resolving to make this year the year of the Family and learn all the ways that Fort Campbell Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Army Community Service (ACS) can help you reach this goal. This month we are highlighting many of the programs provided by ACS ranging from Army Family Team Building and the Army Volunteer Corps to Consumer Affairs and Information and Referral. No matter your need, ACS can help with “Real Life Solutions for Successful Army Living”! If your goal this year is to buy a house or car, check out page 10 to learn how ACS Consumer Affairs can help you be a wise consumer. Time flies by and before you know it, it is time to retire. Are you ready or are you counting on social security to save the day? Be sure to visit page 6 to learn more about the importance of planning for your retirement. If you are new to the Army way of life, Army Family Team Building is essential. On page 20, find out how AFTB can help you build life skills and leadership. Just moved to Fort Campbell and need help adjusting? On page 14, Tara Goodson tells us how ACS Relocation Readiness can help you get acclimated to your new home. It has been a great honor to be able to serve the military community again as guest editor over these past few months. As I prepare to welcome back Melissa Wells, let me express my gratitude for this opportunity. I am happy to have had the chance to serve you again and I bid you a fond farewell and best wishes for 2011. Melissa wanted everyone to see what has kept her away for the last few months. P.S. You will now find me as the Editor of our new BOSS Life magazine, serving our Single Soldier community at Fort Campbell. Look for the first issue this month!
Creative Director Sears Hallett
Advertising David Loos Creative ink 931-206-4459 sales@creativeinktn.com Disclaimers: Fort Campbell’s MWR Life Magazine is a monthly magazine produced by the Fort Campbell MWR Marketing Department under the authority of AR 215-1. Facilities and activities publicized are open to authorized patrons. The purpose of Fort Campbell MWR Life is to provide current information about Fort Campbell MWR activities and events; to share ideas which will help readers become educated about Fort Campbell MWR activities and motivate them to take full advantage of these programs that contribute to our Fort Campbell Soldiers and Military Families’ better quality of life. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. The mention or appearance of commercial advertisers, commercial sponsors and/or their logos does not constitute endorsement by the Federal Government. The information in this issue is current at the time of publication; activities and events are subject to change. MWR Marketing is located at 5663 Screaming Eagle Blvd, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. For more information, call 270-798-7535 or log on to www.fortcampbellmwr.com. 24 hr. event line - 270-798-3172 www.facebook.com/fortcampbellmwr
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Lisa Taylor, Editor mwrlifeeditor@fortcampbellmwr.com
January Gardening Tip • If you use salt to melt ice on walks and driveways, spread carefully to avoid damage to nearby shrubs or consider using sand or sawdust instead. • Avoid allowing heavy traffic on your dormant lawn. Dry grass is easily broken and can be severely damaged or killed. • To prolong blooms on your poinsettias protect them from drafts and keep them moderately moist. • Regularly turn and prune house plants to keep them shapely. Pinch back new growth to promote bushy plants. • Check all house plants closely for insect infestations. Quarantine gift plants until you determine that they are not harboring any pests. • Most houses are too dry for house plants during the winter. Humidity may be increased by placing plants on trays lined with pebbles and filled with water to within one half inch of the base of the pot. • Wash and remove dust from house plants with large leaves and smooth foliage, such as philodendrons, dracaena and rubber plant. • Move garden ornaments such as urns or jars into the garage or basement to prevent damage during the cold winter season. For large containers that will not fit in your home, use a cover or turn them upside down during the winter so water will not collect and freeze causing breakage.
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By Phalecian Rawlins
T
he New Year is staring us in the face, and I am sure like every year most of us make mental notes of things that we would like to accomplish during the next year.
Why not make this your “Year of the Family” by taking advantage of some of the program activities offered by ACS Family Advocacy Program (FAP). The Family Advocacy Program offers plenty of activities throughout the year to enrich the Family life of our military community. FAP is a prevention and educational activity, but it is our goal to make sure that we are meeting the needs of our military Family. Consider some of the following program activities to enhance your Family life in 2011. The Family Advocacy Program has Family Advocacy Program Specialists, charged with the primary responsibility of training and briefing our Soldiers and Family members. Some of the activities offered throughout the year include parenting workshops, which are broken down by age group. “1, 2, 3, 4, Parents” workshop is for parents with children between ages of 1 to 4 and primarily focuses on safety, stages and development. “Active Parenting Now” focuses on the parenting skills of those with children between the ages of 5 to 12 years of age. Some of subjects addressed are communication and cooperation, as well as how to incorporate discipline and teaching responsibility. The newest workshop is the “Active Parenting of Teens", which addresses the special and unique issues of the teenage years such as discipline, peer pressure,
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drugs, sex and violence. Other Family workshops offered by FAP Specialists include Behavior Boosters, Couples Night Out, On Firm Ground (which addresses Family and deployment), and other events geared toward parenting and couples. FAP Specialists are assigned to designated brigades to meet the training needs of our commanders and Soldiers according to regulation. Troop trainings serve as a reminder to our Soldiers of the many FAP resources available to them and their Family members to enhance the well-being of Family life. All of our activities are free. New Parent Support assists in minimizing some of the stressors that a new parent may encounter. You do not have to be a “first time” parent to reap the benefits of the New Parent Support Program. Families with a child from birth to three years of age can use the services of this program. Some of the choices include Expectant Parent Workshop, weekly Play Morning, Infant Massage class, and home visits. The New Parent Support Program also sponsors a variety of workshops and a very popular Baby Fair throughout the year. Another valuable program is the Victim Advocate Program, which is also a Commander’s program. This program’s primary goal is to provide support to the chain of command who may be handling cases of domestic assault involving a Soldier or Family member. Victim Advocates work diligently in providing support to individuals who feel unsafe in their homes and relationships, or have been victims in a domestic assault. Types of support provided include informing victims of their rights and community resources; creating and completing a safety plan with the victim; providing accompaniment and assistance with the court system and other appropriate support related to safety and well-being. The Victim Advocates are
on-call 24/7. If emergency assistance is needed outside of regular business hours, victims are encouraged to call 911 or report to the Emergency Room. The ACS Family Advocacy Program also provides training to units and Family Readiness Groups. Not only does this training educate the audience on what is considered domestic violence, or Spouse maltreatment, but training also offers helpful tips to preventing or avoiding hostile situations. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) also falls under the umbrella of FAP. As with victims of domestic assault, the Victim Advocates respond to victims of sexual assault, linking them to appropriate community resources. The SARP program is responsible for ensuring that Commanders and Soldiers alike understand what constitutes sexual assault, how they should respond to incidents of sexual assault, and how to minimize high risk behaviors that may make us vulnerable to incidents of sexual assault. Community awareness and educational events include self-defense classes, Lunch and Learn workshops, and information booths set up throughout the community.
The Family Advocacy Program offers plenty of activities throughout the year to enrich the Family life of our military community.
For more information about ACS Family Advocacy Program activities, call (270) 412-5500 or visit us, we are located inside the Family Resource Center at 1501 William C. Lee Road in the Family Resource Center, on the second floor. We look forward to hearing from you as you plan your “Year of the Family.”
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By David Ellis
A
nother year has gone by and I guess it is time to make those New Year’s Resolutions. So, what do we have… well, there is always “quit smoking” or “dipping”, and if you do, that’s a good one.
Oh, what about the ever popular “lose weight?” After all the food we put away during the holidays, who couldn’t stand to lose a few pounds? I know I have made those same resolutions on numerous occasions and, quite frankly, failed on just as many numerous occasions. You know how it is, if at first you do not succeed…
Another resolution I have made throughout the years is “save money.” And now that I am getting close to retirement, I have to say, I wish more and more that I had not waited so long. But really, what is the worry; I have social security, right? Right?? You may have social security, however, will it allow for a comfortable retirement? No, it will not. Social security should not be your sole source of income after you retire and since more and more companies are getting away from providing the traditional retirement or pension plans, it is in your best interest to start thinking about putting money away for retirement. Having said that, one of your New Year’s Resolutions should be to “start a retirement account”, and give yourself a deadline to start, like – NOW! This month!
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Why the urgency? The sooner you start the less money you will actually need to save each month and the more you will have, through the miracle of compound interest. For example, if a 20 year old starts saving $50 monthly at a return of 8% annually (the S & P has returned on average over 9% annually since 1926) until retirement at 65 he/she will have $243,430.00. That is an investment of $27,050.00 and earnings of $216,380.00. If you wait until you are 35 to start saving, and even if you double the amount to $100 monthly, you will only have $142,768 by the time you are 65, $36,100 invested and $106,668 in earnings. That is why it is so important to start saving now. If you buy into the fact that you need to start now, your next thought might be – what now? You have three options: a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA), a Traditional IRA, and, while you are in the military, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). All three allow you to shelter your contributions from taxes in one way or another. You pay taxes on the money you contribute to a Roth but all earnings will be TAX FREE when you are allowed to start withdrawals. Since you do not pay taxes on the earnings, you have MORE earnings to earn more money! The Traditional IRA and TSP contributions are tax deferred, meaning you do not pay taxes until you make a withdrawal. Since you do not have to pay taxes on the money you contribute, you may actually have more money to add into your retirement fund. The more you contribute, the more you can earn and like the Roth you will have more earnings to earn more money. Another benefit is that you will probably be in a lower tax bracket in retirement than during the years you initially earned the money. Instead of paying possibly 25% in taxes when you earned the money, you may only pay 15% when you withdraw your funds.
These are retirement plans and under normal circumstances you cannot take money out before the age of 59.5. The government is allowing you to shelter your money from taxes, so if you take a nonqualified distribution, which is tax talk for withdrawing money before you are allowed to or for unauthorized reasons, you will have to pay a penalty, which is the regular tax plus an additional 10%. I am not trying to scare you away, because these really are a good deal and there are a number of ways you can get to your money without paying a penalty depending on which type of retirement plan you choose. Also, your contribution to either IRA is limited to $5,000 annually if under 49 years old and $6000 if 50 or older. With the TSP, the limit is $16,500 and $22,000. This is a limited overview of retirement plans. If this has piqued your interest, make an appointment with a Financial Counselor at Financial Readiness located at 5662 Screaming Eagle Blvd. or call (270) 798-5518.
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By Keri McPeak
W
ounded and injured Soldiers and their Families deserve the very best care and leadership from America's Army. The Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) is a comprehensive centralized office that provides a variety of services for Warriors in Transition (WT) and their Family Members. Under the U.S. Army Garrison, the SFAC’s main mission is to support the hospitals and Warrior Transition Battalion Commands by developing, coordinating, and providing designated services that address complex administrative and personal needs involving Warriors in Transition and their Family Members. The Soldier and Family Assistance Center provides customized integrated support services dedicated to serving Warriors in Transition (WT) and their Families. The SFAC is a one-stop location to equip and aid Warriors in making life changing decisions as they transition either back to duty or to civilian life. The SFAC team consists of enlisted Soldiers and Civilian employees appointed by the Garrison Commander to coordinate resources and act as points of contact for patients and their Family Members from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). SFAC staff realize individual needs require individual attention and strive to provide tailored, compassionate, and coordinated
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services to our Warriors in Transition and Family members. According to SFAC Director, Michael Britton, “The SFAC is the ‘heart and soul’ of the continuum of care for Warriors in Transition and their Families and for the Warrior Transition Complex. It is a place for common ground where Warriors, Family Members, Cadre, care providers, community residents and others share and bond as fellow citizens and Family Members of our nation.” The Soldier and Family Assistance Center houses support services for finances, child care, family advocacy, budgeting, chaplain assistance, legal assistance, military personnel issues, logistics and transportation, installation access, benefits counseling, education, employment opportunities, and more. The center provides a warm, relaxed environment where Soldiers and their Families can gather to foster physical, spiritual and mental healing. SFAC services will be tailored and responsive to the needs of the WT and their Families. Most services will be present in the SFAC location in order to maximize the convenience to the WTs and their Families. Other services requiring less than a full-time presence will be brought forward to the SFAC at designated times. Other services will still be provided through priority off-site appointments coordinated by the SFAC staff. There are over twenty services consolidated under one roof to serve the WT Soldiers, Cadre, and Family Member’s. Currently new barracks are being built behind the SFAC, creating a campus environment while providing all services in one
location. The new barracks is four stories tall, comprising over 400 rooms, and command offices will all be within easy walking distance of the hospital, various clinics, and the Fisher House, with the SFAC at the center of the campus. The SFAC is the central hub of the campus, with a nutrition center, a full kitchen, as well as vending machines with healthy snacks and sodas, free coffee, bottled water, and popcorn. Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS) operate a Child Development Center (CDC) in-house with an adjoining playground. The lobby/waiting area is a place for the WT's and Family Members to relax, hang out, and watch TV. It is also used for special events. It is furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs set in conversation groups and a fireplace that lends warmth, creating a homey atmosphere. Also available at the SFAC are a conference/classroom used for training, in processing briefs and other support groups and FRG meetings; a computer café with internet access and printing, copying capabilities; a game room with WII system and board games and a covered courtyard area with outdoor fireplace, barbecue grills and benches. The SFAC program within the Army and at Fort Campbell encourages Soldiers and their Families to see how we foster wellbeing, and seek to equip and empower Warriors in Transition and their Families. As an ACS entity, the SFAC, Warriors in Transition, and surrounding facilities embody the mission and vision of the Installation Management Community Campaign Plan. For more information about the Fort Campbell Soldier and Family Assistance Center, please call the SFAC at (270) 412-6000.
The SFAC is a one-stop location to equip and aid Warriors in making life changing decisions as they transition either back to duty or to civilian life.
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By Tina Davis and Silke Murray
H
ave you ever wished there was a one-stop shop for consumer issues such as information about local businesses, tips on buying a home or car, and advice on contracts before a major purchase?
Look no further, the Consumer Affairs Office of the Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program is here to help! To make it even better, the services offered are free of charge for all Active Duty Soldiers, Families, Retirees, and DoD Civilians. Local businesses love when military personnel return from a deployment with extra money to spend. One of our goals is to assist military personnel in becoming well-informed consumers. Before you go out and spend your hard earned money, we encourage you to do some research. The Consumer Affairs Office maintains a consumer complaint database, which lists all consumer complaints reported to our office. These complaints are listed as resolved, unresolved or unfounded. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website (www.bbb.org) is another useful tool for researching a business. The counselors can provide you with a BBB report for a particular business. We cannot endorse any business or tell you where to go, however, we CAN tell you where not to go. Please carefully look over the Fort Campbell Off-Limits Establishments list and avoid those businesses. The Off-Limits Establishments list is a catalog of local businesses believed to be dangerous to the health, safety, welfare, or morale of Soldiers and their Families. The Consumer Affairs Office can provide you with the current Off-Limits Establishment list. If you have a consumer complaint with a business, the Consumer Affairs Office counselors can try to mediate with the business for a resolution. If the complaint cannot be resolved through mediation, we will provide you with information on how to proceed. A vehicle and a home are the two major purchases nearly every individual makes
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in his or her lifetime. Making these purchases can be intimidating and overwhelming if you are not prepared. The Consumer Affairs Office can provide you with tools so you can confidently make purchasing decisions. The second Tuesday of every month a “How to Buy a House� class is offered from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This class walks you through the home purchase process starting at deciding whether to rent or buy, all the way up to the closing, if you do buy . As for vehicle purchases, we provide handouts, checklists, and purchase advice. It is important to do research to help determine a fair price for a vehicle. Additionally, it is wise to look at the history of the vehicle. The Consumer Affairs Office will provide you with a FREE CARFAX report for any vehicle. Bring in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for all vehicles you are considering, and we will provide you with the free CARFAX report. No time to come to the Consumer Affairs Office? Call (270) 798-5528 with the VIN. The counselors can read the report and/or e-mail a copy to you. The Consumer Affairs Office encourages you to bring in contracts for major purchases BEFORE you sign the contract. It is always a great idea to have another set of eyes look over a contract. Take the time to carefully review contracts so you know exactly what you are signing. Once you have signed a contract, you may have bound yourself to unwanted financial obligations. With identity theft on the rise, it is important to make sure you have not become a victim. Why have military personnel emerged as prime targets for identity theft? Social security numbers are used to identify military personnel in many ways. One way to fight identity theft is to review your credit report on a regular basis. Everyone is entitled by law to a free credit report once a year from
each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax. The only official website to receive your FREE credit report is www.annualcreditreport.com. Please see the counselors in the Consumer Affairs Office if you require assistance with obtaining your free credit report. Counselors can review the credit report with you and give advice on how to improve your credit. If you find inaccuracies in your credit report, the Consumer Affairs Office can help you with the disputing process. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, the Consumer Affairs Office can provide you with information on who to contact and what steps to take to get you on the road to recovery. The Consumer Affairs Office is located in the Financial Readiness Building at 5662 Screaming Eagle Blvd. Consumer counselors are available on a walk-in basis. Please call us at (270) 798-5528 if you have any questions or concerns. Consumer Affairs Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.
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Child, Youth & School Services Child Development Centers (CDC) 1. **24 Hour Care (opening FY-12) 2. Bastogne (270) 412-4485 3. Eagle (270) 412-3303/3304 4. *Gardner Hills 5. Part Day Preschool (270) 412-6767 6. Polk (270) 412-4471 7. Tennessee (270) 412-4477 8. Waters #1 (270) 439-7993 9. Waters #2 (270) 439-7996 10. *CYSS Directorate (270) 798-6539 11. Family Child Care (FCC) (270) 798-4959 12. *Kids on Site (Estep) 11. Parent Central Services (CYSS Central Registration) (270) 798-0674 School Age Services (SAS) Centers (270) 798-4129 14. Billy C. Colwell Center (270) 412-2315 15. *Gardner Hills 16. *Werner Park #1 17. *Werner Park #2 11. School Liaison (270) 798-9874 18. SKIESUnlimited Center (270) 412-5455 Youth Activites 19. Teen Club 24/7 (270) 956-1033 19. Youth Center (Taylor) (270) 798-3643 19. Youth Sports (270) 798-6355 Community Services 20. Army Community Service (ACS) (270) 798-9322 20. Community Service Center (Lee) & ACS Director (270) 798-9322 21. Family Resource Center (FRC) (270) 956-2935 22. Financial Readiness (270) 798-5518 20. Lending Closet (270) 798-6313 23. Soldier & Family Assistance Center (SFAC) (270) 412-6000 24. Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) (270) 798-0277 Armed Services YMCA 25. Backdoor Boutique (270) 956-1566
26. Family Center & Co-op Daycare (270) 798-7422 Dining & Entertainment 27. 19th Hole (Cole Park) (270) 798-1822 28. Conference & Catering Center (Joe Swing) (270) 798-2175 27. Community Activities Center (Cole Park) (270) 798-4610 29. Dawg Haus (270) 798-0766 27. Southern Buffet (Cole Park) (270) 798-4610 30. Sportsman’s Lodge (931) 431-4140 Recreation & Leisure Aquatics 32. Baldanado Pool (270) 798-5207 33. Dolan Pool (270) 798-5350 31. Gardner Indoor Pool (270) 798-6310 34. Singles Pool (270) 798-4247 Outdoor Recreation 35. *Arcade & Gaming Center (The Zone) 36. BOSS Program (270) 798-7858 37. Bowling Center (Hooper) (270) 798-5887 27. Golf Club (Cole Park) (270) 798-4906 82. Challenge Course (270) 412-7855 39. Adventure Program (270) 412-7854 40. Archery Range (270) 798-2175 41. Dog Park, North (270) 798-2175 42. Dog Park, South (270) 798-2175 43. Hunting & Fishing (270) 798-2175 82. Paintball (270) 956-3118 38. Parks & Pavilions (270) 798-2175 45. Riding Stables (270) 798-2629 46. RV Park (Eagles Rest) (270) 798-2175 47. RV Park (Flechers Fork) (270) 798-2175 48. Skeet Range (270) 412-4015 49. Small Arms Recreational Range (270) 798-3001 36. Recreation Center (Dale Wayren) (270) 798-7391 Sports & Fitness 50. Estep Wellness Center (270) 798-4664/4023 51. Fryar Stadium, Sports Admin Office (270) 798-3094
Physical Fitness Facilities (PFF) 52. Fratellenico PFF (270) 798-9418 53. Freedom Fighter PFF (270) 798-7355 54. Gertsch PFF (270) 798-2753 55. Lozada PFF (270) 798-4306 56. Olive PFF (270) 798-4101 57. Softball Complex, North (270) 798-3320 58. Softball Complex, South (270) 798-3320 Trades & Services 59. Army Education (270) 798-5886 60. Arts & Crafts Center (Guenette) (270) 798-6693 61. Auto Service Center (Air Assault Auto) (270) 956-1101/1100 62. Auto Skills (North) (270) 798-5612 60. Engraving Etc. Specialty Store (270) 798-0171 63. Equipment Rental (Gear to Go) (270) 798-6806 64. Library (R.F. Sink) (270) 798-5729 65. Veterinary Services (270) 798-3614 Travel & Lodging 66. Army Lodging (Richardson) (931) 431-4496 67. Army Lodging (Turner) (270) 439-2229 68. Leisure Travel Services Office (270) 798-7436 Miscellaneous Services 69. 101st Airborne Division Headquarters (270) 798-9793 70. Blanchfield Army Hospital (270) 798-8055 71. Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (270) 798-7161 72. Commissary (270) 798-3663 73. Division Parade Field 74. Fisher House (270) 798-8330 75. Gate 4 Visitor Center & Vehical Registration (270) 798-5047 76. Gate 7 Visitor Center & Vehical Registration (270) 956-4495 77. In/Out Processing & MWR Public Relations (270) 798-7535 68. Main Post PX (270) 439-1841/1842 78. MWR Director (270) 798-9953 78. MWR Unit Funds & MWR Collections (270) 798-6818 80. Museum (Don F. Pratt) (270) 798-3215/4986 81. Wilson Theater (931) 431-3636 *Coming Soon
By Tara Goodson
D
id you know that Relocation Readiness has more to offer than just information on moving? Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program can meet all of your transition needs.
Newcomer’s Orientation, Eagle Family Welcome, Smooth Move briefings, Resource Center, International Spouse support group, and Citizenship classes are just a few. Relocation Readiness is the very first place you should contact upon receiving PCS orders. Over the last year, attendance at the Newcomer’s Fair has grown from a handful of Spouses to over 100 participants per mo .m. you can learn about everything Fort Campbell has to offer. There are agency briefings, a bus tour and a community fair set up in the afternoon. You will even get treated to lunch that is provided by Luigi’s Pizza! Free child care is provided on site. This fair is geared toward incoming Soldiers and Families; but if you missed out or need a refresher, feel free to stop by the FRC. ACS Relocation Readiness also sponsors the Eagle Family Welcome bus tour every Tuesday. The bus leaves from Turner Guest Lodging promptly at 9 a.m. and returns after an hour. Are you new to the area and have not yet received your household goods? No worries! Relocation Readiness offers the Lending Closet where patrons can borrow basic essentials while waiting for household goods to be delivered. You may borrow a wide variety of small kitchen appliances, sleeping mats, chairs and tables and even a crib if necessary, for up to 30 days during your transition. PCS orders and your ID are required to check items out. You may also
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borrow items from the Lending Closet after your household goods are picked up if you are relocating from Fort Campbell to another duty station. While you are picking out your items, do not forget to take a look at the Resource Center. It is chock full of information pertaining to the local community from maps of Fort Campbell to current activities. Make sure you check back often for up-to-date information on events happening around town. For those relocating from Fort Campbell to a new duty station, Relocation Readiness provides assistance through the “Plan My Move” program. Relocation assists by providing an automated welcome packet for anyone that signs up via the site at www.militaryonesource.com. You can also find the link at www.campbell.army.mil. The information you receive in the mail is a general overview of the area. If you need further assistance, you should make an individual appointment. During an individual appointment, you will receive detailed information tailored to fit your Family’s needs. You can inquire about the school systems, housing, local customs and they will even assist you in the requirements for your Family pets. The staff will go above and beyond to ensure your transition is as smooth as possible. Whether you are moving to Fort Leonard Wood or to Camp Humphreys, you will be armed with all the information you need. If your Soldier gets unaccompanied orders, you may become a member of Hearts Apart. This support group consists of Spouses and children of Soldiers that are geographically separated from the Family as a result of a PCS move. Hearts Apart provides you the opportunity to talk with other Families that are facing the same challenges
you are and learn more about what the community has to offer. A common challenge for foreign born Spouses is meeting people with similar backgrounds. The staff at Relocation Readiness is well versed at providing assistance. There is an International Spouse support group meeting every month. Come together to share cuisine from your native country, information on adjusting to life in the United States and a chance to meet other Spouses. You also can brush up on your English skills in the English as a Second Language classes. There are beginner and intermediate classes offered every week on Mondays and Thursdays. Check out the community calendar at www.fortcampbellmwr.com for the latest schedule. If you are anticipating becoming a United States Citizen, you can take the Citizenship Class to get details on the correct
application process, appropriate visas, guidance on what to expect when you take your test and finally where you will travel when you take your oath. All these items and Smooth Move briefings are offered on a regular basis by the staff at Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program. For more information about any of the programs provided by ACS Relocation Readiness, stop by the Relocation office located at 5661 Screaming Eagle Boulevard or call (270) 798-6313.
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By Kristen Geist-Hodgkins
I
n today’s uncertain job market it is good to know there is a FREE resource available to equip you with the skills needed to successfully pave your future.
The Fort Campbell Army Community Service Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) representatives, Team FERP, are eager to offer you an excellent program that provides you with the latest information on employment, education, training, and volunteer opportunities in the Fort Campbell, Clarksville and Hopkinsville areas. Team FERP is comprised of 4 Employment Readiness Program Managers, Sharon Edwards (Lead), Allan Carter, David Keesee, and Kristen Geist-Hodgkins. Team FERP offers a combined total of over 50 years of experience and is committed to assisting customers with their job search process. The Family Employment Readiness Program is not a placement agency, but rather a referral and resource center for Family members seeking employment. FERP helps Families with the challenges of the job search and offers information and referral services in the areas of career planning, employment, training and volunteer opportunities. These services are designed to give all Active Duty, Retirees, Surviving Spouses, DoD Civilians, Family members and eligible personnel the competitive edge necessary to secure employment. Services offered include resume development for both civilian and federal positions, local job market information, application assistance, on post and off post job listings, career counseling, workshops, internet access and a resource library. Computers, fax machine, and employment resource books are also available for customer use in preparing a resume, cover letter and conducting an online job search. Military transitions can be a challenge and the Army recognizes that moving every few years creates career challenges, and with over 55% of today’s Military Spouses working, employment is a significant issue for mobile military Families. Team FERP’s goal is to assist Families with making their job search successful despite the mobile lifestyle by providing you the information, tools and resources to help make the transition to Fort Campbell easier.
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The FERP office continues to see over 800 customers on a monthly basis. To keep up with the steady increase in customers over the past several months, Team FERP developed a three step process to assist job seekers called Family Information and Training (FIT). The first step is an Orientation of Services. Customers attend an informational seminar which provides an overview of FERP services and answers initial questions about the job search process. Step two includes Specialty Workshops. In this step customers may elect to attend any of the workshops or seminars offered by ACS, Army Career Assistance Program (ACAP), FERP, and Non Appropriated Funds (NAF). Workshops offered include the Employer Spotlight, normally held the second Tuesday of the month, which has been a big event in the past few months. Representatives from local companies are given the opportunity to discuss their organization’s current openings, application process, and how to best qualify for positions. Team FERP strives to bring in the companies who have current openings and cover a broad range of careers. Please be sure to check with the FERP office to find out which companies are scheduled to attend for the upcoming months, as well as all other workshops and seminars being offered.
The FIT process all comes together in the third step, One-on One Counseling, where clients sit with an Employment Readiness Program Manager for an assessment of services, to ensure all questions have been answered and concerns addressed. Our FIT seminars are normally held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the ACS building at 5661 Screaming Eagle Blvd. We recommend pre-registering for the seminar by calling (270) 798-4289 or stopping by the office. The FERP office is located in ACS at 5661 Screaming Eagle Blvd, Suite 108, and our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please stop by the office during our office hours or call (270) 798-4412/4289 to find out about the latest programs to help you succeed in your job search. General information is available on a walk in basis. For one on one counseling and resume assistance from ‘scratch’, an appointment is recommended to ensure efficient office coverage and counselor availability. FERP also encourages you to check out our Facebook page, where you can get up to date information about future workshops, success stories, and job leads. Visit our page and share your job search stories, questions, and/or concerns.
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By Jayme Stalder Many federal, state and local programs exist to help Families with special needs; however it can become overwhelming and confusing to locate all the appropriate agencies and requirements. In response to the overwhelming requests to enhance services for Family members with special needs, the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command responded by bolstering its already existing Army Community Service (ACS) Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) by adding Systems Navigation services. Systems Navigation is a new and exciting service that is currently being utilized by many Families on Fort Campbell. Systems Navigation is an extension of the ACS EFMP, whose primarily responsibility is to facilitate connections between Families who have special needs and the systems of required care. This includes building a complex network of care providers and support services to enhance the health and development of the Exceptional Family Member (EFM). Additionally, Systems Navigators assist the
When I first moved to Fort Campbell, I was unsure if I wanted to work full-time. I did not know anyone in the area and was feeling pretty lost. A Spouse I had me through my Family Readiness Group (FRG) encouraged me to take the Army Family Team Building classes and I found I enjoyed the entire program. I became certified to teach the level classes and met a great group of people that I still am in contact with seven years later. I built my resume by continuing to be active and made many network connections. It led to volunteering with other agencies and I have had the opportunity to travel to different locations for training and meet people from all over the world. All while giving back to the community. Talk about a warm fuzzy! Volunteering does more for our community than give you the warm fuzzies. By helping out you are able to keep your
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Family in navigating the variety of programs available through the Department of Defense, Department of the Army and other federal, local and state agencies. Systems Navigators work closely with health care professionals, school support services, personnel and community based resources in an effort to ensure the Family is connected to available resources and what they provide. Fort Campbell, Army Community Service EFMP was selected as 1 of 26 Installations across the Army to embed Systems Navigators into their program. System Navigators attended 2 week System Navigation course at MWR Academy in Springfield Virginia. “The System Navigators are up and running, receiving referrals, and providing real life solutions for successful Army living”, said Felicia Jefferson, Exceptional Family Member Program Manager. The Systems Navigator’s mission is to provide continued support for the Family
By Tara Goodson resume current, do something you are passionate about and set a great example for our fellow Families at Fort Campbell. Whether you are new to the area, or have been around for a while, you can find out about volunteering from the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC). Becki Mastrian is our AVCC and she encourages you to register at www.myarmyonesource.com. You are able to search and apply for available volunteer positions. Volunteer opportunities include: Family Readiness Group, Army Community Service, Fort Campbell Schools, American Red Cross, MWR Marketing, Chapels and
through commitment, advocacy and empowerment. The Systems Navigator’s goals are to identify the Family’s strengths and needs, prioritize the EFM and Family goals, and to develop service plans to reach desired goals and outcomes. Home visits may be scheduled with the Systems Navigator to provide a convenient option for accessing EFMP services. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, please contact us at (270) 798-2727.
Spouse’s Clubs. Fort Campbell is wonderful about recognizing the hard work of volunteers. To ensure you receive that recognition, you need to record your hours via the web site above. You log onto the Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) to track your time. This is important both for recognition and because Fort Campbell receives money for the volunteer hours you log! This enables Fort Campbell to utilize funds in a variety of ways. Every spring Fort Campbell honors the Volunteer of the Year Nominees with a fun evening of activities, dinner and gifts. There is always a fun theme for the event and it is a wonderful way to say thank you to all our volunteers. If you have something you are passionate about and are interested in volunteering in the community, please contact Becki Mastrian at (270) 956-2934.
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By Tess Peterson Do you need someone to talk to? We all do from time to time. Whether it is a friendly ear or a professional, we all need to talk about our feelings every now and then. I can remember a few weeks back when I was waiting in the Family Resource Center (FRC) lobby either for a Family Readiness Group (FRG) meeting or perhaps for a pre-deployment brief, I was just sitting there, waiting. This lovely woman sat down on the couch next to me and just started talking. I honestly could have talked to her for hours. It turns out, that woman was a Military Family Life Consultant (MFLC). I had heard about the MFLCs through my FRG, but I never really thought I needed to talk to one. After that short interaction, my perception changed. The Military Family Life Consultants at Fort Campbell are here for all reasons—problems big or small, and sometimes even just to chat. They want to help military Families no matter what is going on in our lives.
Military Family Life Consultants provide solution-oriented consultations to individuals, couples, Families, and groups. The MFLC program is designed to provide free support and assistance to all Active Duty Soldiers, Reservists, military Family members, and Civilian personnel. A MFLC consultant will meet with you just about
Many people have heard of Army Family Team Building (AFTB) but are not sure what it is and what exactly it can do for you. AFTB is a three part program. The first part consists of a series of three levels. Level 1 starts with the basics from acronyms and terms, military customs and courtesies, financial readiness to basic problem solving. Level 2 classes deal more with self development such as personal time management, exploring personality traits, crisis
coping and grieving, and introduction to leadership. Level 3 classes target leadership with classes on understanding needs, managing group conflict, meeting management, and coaching and mentoring. Beginning in January 2011, AFTB will be offering Night Owl classes for those who are not able to attend AFTB during the day. Level 2 classes will be offered January 18, 20, 25 and 27. Level 3 will be offered February 15, 17, 22 and 24, and Level 1 will be offered March 22, 24 and 29. All of these classes are from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center. Participants must attend all Night Owl classes to complete each level. The second part of Army Family Team Building is Unit Briefings. The staff at AFTB can come out to any Unit function, FRG meeting or group get-together and talk about what AFTB has to offer and answer any questions you might have about the program. The third part of AFTB is called Concept Blocks. This is where you can request certain classes from the AFTB levels and we will bring them to your group. You can request up to four modules from any of the AFTB
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anywhere that is convenient for you. The meets are confidential, free, and no records are kept. MFLC are trained professionals placed within the Fort Campbell community to offer us all assistance. Some possible issues an MFLC can help with include adjustment and transition, stress, marital or couple, anxiety or sadness, communication, grief or loss, and so much more. Just give them a call to see how they can help you. To contact Military Family Life Consultant on Fort Campbell, call the Family Resource Center (FRC) at (270) 956-4381. You can also stop by the FRC located at 1501 William C. Lee Road, right inside Gate 1. Military Family Life Consultants are here to help the Fort Campbell community during these long deployments. Sometimes a friendly conversation can relieve whatever might be troubling your mind. Take my advice; Military Family Life Consultants can help!
By Alex Krohn classes and our instructors will bring the classes to your location to meet your needs. If you are not able to attend classes because you need someone to watch the children, AFTB can help with that as well. If your children are registered with Child Youth and School Services (CYSS), AFTB provides childcare on-site at no cost to you while you attend class! Childcare is located in the Family Resource Center at the Kids On Site (KOS) center so your children will be nearby while you are in class. For more information about AFTB or if you would like to volunteer with the program, give us a call at (270)798-4800, visit our website at www.fortcampbellmwr.com/acs/aftb, send us an email at ftcampbellaftb@yahoo.com or drop by the AFTB Office located in the Family Resource Center, 1501 William C. Lee Road (just inside of Gate 1).
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By Alicia D. McCoy and Lisa Taylor Fort Campbell Army Community Service (ACS) offers an abundance of programs geared to assist military Families, but getting connected to the right program can sometimes be challenging. Did you know that ACS has Information and Referral representatives who are experts at getting you connected to the right program? In essence, Information and Referral is the central “hub� of information about any and all ACS programs and activities. The Information and Referral representatives field calls for the Family Assistance Center (FAC) number, the information desk at the Family Resource Center (FRC), as well as the information desk at the main ACS building. Information and Referral representatives provide callers with answers to questions ranging from use of the FRC building for functions to inquiries about any program provided through ACS. The FRC, located at 1501 William C. Lee Road, is home to many of the ACS programs such as Army Family Team Building (AFTB), Army Family Action Plan (AFAP), Mobilization and
Deployment (Mob/Dep), Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC), Family Advocacy Program (FAP), Victims Advocate Program (VAP) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response.
Did you know that ACS has Information and Referral representatives who are experts at getting you connected to the right program?
building you can pick up brochures about classes, flyers about upcoming events and the ACS Eagle Guide, filled with information about all Army Community Service programs. ACS Information and Referral representatives possess a wealth of knowledge and provide a great starting point for anyone seeking guidance about Army Community Service programs. Whether you are new to the military or are just learning these organizations are available, everyone may call or stop by one of the Information and Referral desks to learn more about all the programs available to assist you and your Family.
Family Assistance Center: 1-866-252-9319 Family Resource Center: (270) 956-2935 Main ACS Building: (270) 798-9322
The main ACS building, located at 5662 Screaming Eagle Boulevard, houses the remaining ACS programs to include Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP), Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Relocation, Outreach and another Information and Referral desk. If you visit the main ACS
By Sue Mitchell The Army Community Service (ACS) Family Resource Center is the one-stop shop for all Family Readiness Groups (FRG) and their Family Members. For their benefit, the FRC provides computers with internet capability, copy machines, a fax machine, a digital scanner, and meeting rooms to hold a variety of FRG functions and an R.F. Sink Satellite Library. The facility offers four classrooms, a formal dining room with fireplace and a full-size kitchen, which can be used for different FRG functions at no cost. The lobby area and resource rooms maintain informational brochures and post information. The FRC is home to the following ACS Family programs: Army Family Team Building (AFTB), Army Family Action Plan (AFAP), Army Volunteer
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Corps Coordinator (AVCC), Mobilization and Deployment (Mob/Dep), Family Advocacy Program (FAP) and the Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC). The AFTB program offers personal and professional development classes that are available free of charge to any person associated with the military. Classes may be taken either in a regular training day or in a concept block. Soldiers, SGT and below, can earn up to four promotion points for taking 40 hours of training. Classes are offered monthly. Unit briefs and classes for FRGs are available upon request. AFTB classes are also available online at www.myarmyonesource.com. The contact phone number is (270) 798-4800. The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is an annual conference designed to improve
the quality of life and well-being for all members of the Army Family. Visit the official AFAP website at www.campbell.army.mil/afap to submit an issue and participate in the conference or call (270) 798-2063 for more information. The Mobilization and Deployment program works with all FRGs on the installation to ensure they are in a constant state of readiness and in compliance with Fort Campbell and Department of the Army regulations. The program links Families with their specific unit FRG and assists with referrals when needed. Operation R.E.A.D.Y classes available include FRG Leader, Point of Contact, Treasurer, and Newsletter. Additional services include CARE Team Training, Spouse Battlemind Training, and Pre-Deployment and Reintegration briefings. For more information call (270) 798-3849/4408 or (270) 412-3195. The FRC is located at 1501 William C. Lee Road, which is right inside Gate 1. The main phone number for the FRC is (270) 956-2935.
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