March 2011 Ombudsman Newsletter

The Nimitz Five Star Report

March 2011 What’s inside?

Page 2: Chaplain’s Corner, Message from the CMDCM, Ombudsman Operations Page 3: Nimitz Mailing Address, Ombudsman Team, Useful Information, Bremerton Naval Hospital, Naval Undersea Warfare Museum, Team Nimitz FRG, FFSC Websites Page 4: NBK MWR Calendar, We Can! Page 5: Free Tax Preparation, School Quest and STOMP

“God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.”

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

How Does The State Licensing Process Affect Your Career As A Military Spouse?

- The Department of the Navy Needs to Know The Office of Military Community and Family Policy would like input from spouses that will help the Defense State Liaison Office as it continues its work with states. The desired outcome is that states will offer streamlined licensing procedures to support the unique needs of working military spouses.

The Defense State Liaison Office of Military Community and Family Policy want to hear from military spouses about the challenges of transferring professional/occupational licenses from state to state and from overseas. An ongoing discussion board has been posted on Facebook where spouses are encouraged to tell their stories about transferring occupational licenses: 1) How to best prepare for a move?

2) How long it takes to obtain a license after a move?

3) What causes licensure delays?

4) What represents onerous barriers that should be overcome?

5) What successful solutions have they found to shorten and simplify the process? Please discuss: http://www.facebook.com/licensing

Related: Military Spouses, What Types of Career Do You Wish to Pursue? Please discuss: https://www.facebook.com/careers

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Capt. Paul Monger Commanding Officer

A Message from the Command Master Chief

Chaplain’s Corner

NIMITZ Family,

Chaplain Brent Johnson Command Chaplain

Where Are All the Other Kids?

My five year old son was standing in our hall way one day staring at some family photos we displayed on our wall. I had been stationed in San Diego for a few years and he had just started kindergarten in Murphy Canyon.

He stood there staring for so long I asked him what was on his mind (hoping he was thinking and not on some sugar induced coma) and he suddenly asked, “Where are all the kids?” I realized he was staring at my kindergarten class photo.

“Those are the kids in my class.”

“No, where are all the other kids?” He asked again and it dawned on me that he expected to see a class that looked like his but mine was very different. I grew up in North Dakota and my idea of diversity in those days was a class with Norwegian kids and German kids. There were two kids in my class who were members of the Fox Band of the Chippewa Nation, but after centuries of intermarriage between their ancestors and French and British fur traders they looked more European than Native American in the photo.

Brendan’s experience with diversity was very different from mine. He thought the Filipino, Chinese, African American, and Hispanic kids must have had their own photo session in my kindergarten. Those were the other kids he was looking for. I envied my son’s opportunity to grow beyond his sense of identity and learn earlier that the world is more diverse than when I did.

The other day a senior chaplain sent out the Navy’s definition of diversity and asked if it impacted how I do ministry. It went, “Diversity is all the different characteristics and attributes of individual sailors and civilians that enhance the mission readiness of the Navy.”

My first thought was of Paul’s comment in Galatians 3.28, “In Him the distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free man, male and female, disappear; you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In the eyes of God all racial (Jew and Gentile), economic or class (slave and free), and gender (male and female) differences disappear. The Navy definition begins to line up with the Biblical view that only one’s character and talents are important, not the color of someone’s skin or the class of people he or she came from. My job as a chaplain is to provide a person with the appropriate pastoral care no matter who they are. The Navy diversity message did not change how I do ministry.

It enhanced what I already know to do. Now the question is the same as my son’s, “where are all the other kids (God’s kids)?” They need care and we all can share in providing for them.

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Here we are the beginning of March – where has the time gone?! Before you know it, it will be time to flood the dock and float the ship back out into the sound!

March sees the kick off of the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive. I know in my younger years, I personally had the occasion to use their services, as I am sure many of you have had occasion too as well. This year’s theme is “It takes all hands” which I think is fitting. Please join me in supporting this organization by contributing what you can.

Unlike the Combined Federal Campaign, every dollar donated benefits Sailors and Marines alone – no one else.

Thanks and AVAG’DAY! Respectfully, CMDCM William "Aussie" Lloyd-Owen Command Master Chief USS NIMITZ (CVN-68)

Ask an Ombudsman Selected by the commanding officer (CO), your Navy Family ombudsman is a spouse of a command member who voluntarily serves as the official liaison between the command and its families.

The ombudsman is a vital resource to assist the command in discharging the CO’s responsibilities for the morale and welfare of the command’s families.

The ombudsman is the link between the command and the Navy family. This is especially true in deploying commands, where the ombudsman is the primary point of contact between the families at home and the command during deployment. As a spouse, it is important to get acquainted with your local ombudsman. The ombudsman is not a counselor or a social worker, but can show you a direct route to getting the assistance you need to find solutions and resources.

From CNIC’s Family Connection, 2-2011

USS Nimitz Mailing Address:

USS Nimitz Ombudsman Team

Your Sailor’s Rate and Name Sailor’s Dept/Division USS NIMITZ (CVN68) FPO AP 96620-2820

KKaatthhyy M Meeiittll KKrriissttiinn CCrroow w

LLaa’’DDeell CCaassssiiddyy JJeeaanniinnee N Neeiim maann

Useful Information Naval Base Kitsap Fleet and Family Support Center (NBK FFSC): 1.866.854.0638 San Diego Area Fleet and Family Support Center (SD FFSC): 1.866.923.6478 Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS): www.nmcrs.org Navy Legal Services - www.jag.navy.mil Military One Source:www.militaryonesource.com American Red Cross – National: (877)272-7337 American Red Cross – Bremerton:(360)377-3761 (

Safe Ride Taxi - BDCC Bremerton:(360)782-2378

(

Safe Ride Taxi - Yellow Cab: (206)622-6500

..

Safe Ride San Diego: Dial 511

USS Nimitz Family Readiness Group (FRG) Important Contact Information Naval Hospital Bremerton Tricare Regional Appointment Center: 1-800-404-4506 Hospital Information Desk: 360-475-4000 Pharmacy Refills: 360-475-4217 Primary Care Clinics--Family Medicine: 360-475-4379 Internal Medicine: 360-475-4206 Pediatrics: 360-475-4216 Website:

http://nhbremerton.org

Being a part of your FRG is a great way to make friends, support our sailors and their families, and have Fun! See how you can be part of The Action! To subscribe to their Monthly Newsletter email: teamnimitz@yahoo.com

Navy Region Northwest Fleet & Family Support Center Here is a link to the navylifepnw website with a list of upcoming webinars for many months to come. You can see that the staff at Fleet and Family is trying to make a wide variety of classes easily available to all. www.navylifepnw.com Visit them at: facebook.com/kitsapffr

The Naval Undersea Museum is an accredited museum operated by the United States Navy. Our mission is to preserve, collect and interpret naval undersea history, science and operations for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and the people of the United States.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Admission and parking are FREE! To learn more, visit: http://navalunderseamuseum.org/

October through May

Open every day 10:00 am until 4:00 pm CLOSED on Tuesdays

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San Diego Area Fleet & Family Support Center Naval Base San Diego https://www.cnic.navy.mil/SanDiego/BaseSupport/index.htm

Naval Base Coronado https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Coronado/BaseSupport/index.htm

Naval Base Point Loma https://www.cnic.navy.mil/PointLoma/BaseSupport/index.htm

March 2011 – Naval Base Kitsap MWR Program Guide RECREATION/FITNESS

FLEET & FAMILY SUPPORT

“The Luck of the Irish is with you” each Sunday in March Olympic Lanes, win a free game if your head pin comes up green & you get a strike.

2 – Dr. Seuss’ Birthday - The Cat in the Hat is coming to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday ; Ages 11 & Under 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Children’s Story Hour 5 – Twilight Tour - Forks, WA Snowshoe Trek - Lake Keechelus/John Wayne Trail 6 – 1st Sunday Bowling 7, 14, 21, 28 – “2 for 1” Bowling 7 – Scuba Class Begins (Age 10-Adult) 12 – St. Paddy's Day Run - 5K, 1M and Road Warrior 17 – Your Lucky Day Bowling ½ Off at Bremerton Rec Ctr 17 – St. Paddy’s Day Bowling Special -Olympic Lanes 19 – Victoria Day Tour 21 – Dodge Ball League Starts - Captain’s Cup Event 26 – Old-School Nintendo 64 Night – Free & All Ages 28-April 1 – Spring Break Free Matinee Special 28-April 1 – Spring Break Bowling Special

All classes are FREE. Individual consultations by appointment.

2 – Damage Control for Relationships: Speak Easy 3 – Family Readiness Group Academy 4 – Home Buying 4 – Become an Entrepreneur: Marketing 7 – Anger Management: Part 1 9 – Damage Control for Relationships: Fighting Fair 11 – Become an Entrepreneur: Cash Flow and Assumptions 14 – Anger Management: Part 2rt 15 – Conflict Management 16 – Webinar: Basic Training for Navy Families (without the pushups!)

16 – Damage Control for Relationships: Match Mate Intimacy101 18 – Predatory Lending 18 – Become an Entrepreneur: Franchising 21 – Anger Management: Part 3 22 – Moving with EFMs 23 – Damage Control for Relationships: Money Personalities 25 – Become an Entrepreneur: Financing/Loan Packaging 29-30 – Million Dollar Sailor

CHILD & YOUTH

LIBERTY

* Teen Program: Teens need to be eligible patrons and registered in the program 4 – Family Bingo 11 – Teen Late Night* 15, 16 – Child & Youth Ed Services FFSC, Bangor, 5-6 pm (15th) or Jackson Park Community Center, 1:30-2:30 pm (16th). Learn about student support programs schools provide: Title I, ELL, McKinney-Vento, Special Ed, etc.

18 – Kids’ Night Out: Mad Hatters – Ages 5 - 12 25 – "Spring Fever" Teen Dance Party* 28-April 1 – Spring Break “Mix-Up” – Grades K - 6 29-April 2 – "SPRING FEVER"* - Teen Program

4 – Slaughter House Vixens Wild West Roller Derby Transportation only.

5 – COMICON 2011 Transportation only to Washington Convention Center.

Programs are open to active duty, retirees, reservists, DoD civilians, base contractors, families, and accompanied guests, unless otherwise noted.

Visit us online at www.navylifepnw.com www.militarymerits.com

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kitsapffr

Families Finding the Balance

FOOD & BEVERAGE 6 – 1st Sunday Brunch Bangor Plaza Inside Out Café 8 – Mardi Gras Party Sam Adams Brewhouse & Restaurant 15 – NCAA March Madness Starts Sam Adams 17 – St. Paddy’s Day Party Inside Out Lounge & Sam Adams Get event information texted to your phone!

For Liberty events: Text NBKLiberty to 30364 For Fitness/Sports/Aquatics: Text NBKFitness to 30364 For Dining/Entertainment/Recreation: Text NBKFun to 30364 For Bangor Movie Schedule: Text NBKMovies to 30364 Standard text message rates apply.

You may opt out at any time by texting STOP.

Visit: www.wecan.gov

From CNIC’s Family Connection, 2- 2011

We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) is a national movement designed to give parents, caregivers and entire communities a way to help children 8 to 13 years old maintain a healthy weight. We Can! offers organizations, community groups and health professionals a centralized resource to promote a healthy weight in youth through community outreach, partnership development and media activities that can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations. Science-based educational programs, support materials, training opportunities and other resources are available to support programming for youth, parents and families in the community.

As a family, “We Can!” be more successful in adopting healthy choices and making changes. It is hard to make changes on your own. Creating family habits around smart eating and physical activity can make it easier for everyone to maintain a healthy weight.

What can my family and I do to encourage a healthy weight?  Planning regular family time that involves physical activity means that everyone is supported and encouraged to be active.  Putting a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter and making a family agreement not to have chips or other high-calorie snacks in the house can change everyone’s snacking habits.

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Military personnel and their families get free tax help!

Have you heard about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program?

The Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC) consists of the tax program coordinators for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The AFTC oversees the operation of the military tax programs worldwide, and serves as the main conduit for outreach by the IRS to military personnel and their families. Airmen, soldiers, sailors, marines, guardsmen, and their families worldwide receive free tax preparation assistance at offices within their installations. These VITA sites provide free tax advice, tax preparation, and assistance to military members and their families. They are trained and equipped to address military specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits and the effect of the new Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) guidelines.

Most service members file their tax returns electronically at their tax centers and, by selecting direct deposit, receive their refunds in as little as one week. This combined effort ensures that service members receive free tax assistance from welltrained and equipped military tax preparers.

VITA locations are overseen by the Navy Legal Service Office (NLSO).

In Washington, find your closest VITA site by visiting http://navylegal.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/volunt eer-income-tax-assistance-centers In the San Diego area, contact the NBSD VITA Center at (619) 556-6848 or NBC VITA Center at (619) 545-2752 - NB San Diego NLSO Tax Center operates in Bldg.

56; Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon -N B Coronado NLSO Tax Office operates in Bldg.

11, 2nd deck, room 236; Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to noon (appointments only from noon to 4 p.m.)

SchoolQuest.Org:  A website designed for military students, their families and the caring professionals who support them.  An educational resource tool from the Military Child Education Coalition.  Can be utilized by anyone who is trying to get information about schools, colleges, workplace readiness, and transition.  Meant to help facilitate the search for new schools and centralize resources for transitional military families.

When moving to a new home, a huge concern for many parents is the school district and schools their child will be attending. SchoolQuest starts with the tested and verified greatschools.com database and adds MCEC researched information that is pertinent to military students. Almost all schools are part of the Great Schools database.

In the SchoolQuest Library, research your gaining school district to find out when standardized testing occurs, and the standards for that state. The SQ library includes overviews and samples of states’ standards so parents can prepare their children for tests early if needed. The resource library includes information on alternative education including home schooling, virtual schools, special education and much more information on states’ requirements.

SchoolQuest also includes a secure storage component to record student's’ educational, extra-curricular, award, volunteer and work information. Although not a substitute for transcripts, this component will help access to all information at one time during the transition process.

Described as a virtual file drawer for each child, students and their parents are able to track school names and addresses, completed courses, state testing completion and scores, club membership, and other educational details.

Often difficult to organize, this information is necessary when students move, apply for college, and attain work or military service.

If you have school-age children, you are encouraged to check out www.schoolquest.org.

STOMP: Specialized Training of Military Parents An extremely valuable program for use by Exceptional Family Members is Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP). Established in 1985, STOMP assists military families who have children with special health or education needs. Program staff members are spouses of active duty/ retired service members and parents of children with special needs.

STOMP, exists to empower military parents, individuals with disabilities, and service providers with knowledge, skills and resources so that they might access services to create a collaborative environment for family and professional partnerships without regard to geographic location.

Check out http://www.stompproject.org for more details.

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