Pentagram Vol. 62, No. 46 November 19, 2015
www.army.mil/jbmhh
Published For Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
Rader Clinic seeks to reverse ‘tobacco culture’
Great American Smokeout challenges smokers to quit
By Arthur Mondale Pentagram Staff Writer Nov. 19 is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, a day when tobacco users vow to stop using tobacco or develop a serious plan to quit. But for some Soldiers and Marines,being bombarded with life-altering statistics and a national day of awareness isn’t enough to do either. At Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, clinical pharmacists recognize the impact of tobacco use as a habit and an addiction. “Most of my individuals who are uniformed¬—their number one reason for using tobacco is stress and anxiety,” said Dr. Sharwanda George, a clinical pharmacist at Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic. The success rate for tobacco cessation offered at Rader Clinic is “a little over 40 percent,” according to George. Meaning 60 percent still fall short; some a little, others a lot. “It takes about five times before you can really quit,” George said. “There are a lot of components that go into successfully quitting tobacco.You’ve got to be mentally ready to quit.” These facts and statistics coincide with a‘tobacco culture’in the military that still exists, she said. This is true particularly during deployments and stateside in certain military career fields, according to Rader Clinic action officer Staff Sgt. George Rush.
Compiled by Jim Goodwin Pentagram editor
Rush’sday-to-day duties include “going through regulations” and “coming up with data,” and he estimates 60-percent of his colleagues, for example,smoke. “It’s kind of like a culture that grew up smoking,”Rush said.
Not the kind of figures analysts want to see with a 2020 Department of Defense goal to create tobacco-free installations approaching. George wants to remindboth regular and social tobacco usersthat tobacco
The Great American Smokeout, a one-day annual observance started by the American Cancer Society, takes place the third Thursday of November to encourage people to commit to quitting smoking tobacco. The intent, of course, is that people will quit for the day, perhaps even quit for good. This year, that date is today, Nov. 19. The health risks associated with smoking are no secret, but quitting can be hard, according to the society’s official website on the smokeout. Research shows that smokers who have support are more likely to quit for good, according to the website. The society attributes the smokeout, which was started in the 1970s, as drawing national attention to the issue, changing attitudes about smoking and eventually leading to smoke-free laws and programs that help save lives. For additional information about the smokeout, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at http://goo.gl/8H9FtX, or visit a recent Department of Defense health article about the smokeout at http://go.usa.gov/c2Kw5. Finally, those interested in more information or available local programs can visit the Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic during business hours today for additional information. Information regarding the smokeout as well as tools and services to help quit smoking will be on display in the patient waiting area on the first floor of the clinic during normal business hours.
see SMOKEOUT, page 4
Obama: More work needed to end veteran homelessness, disability claims backlog By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer Surrounded by the graves of thousands of fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery, President Barack Obama lauded “historic” increases to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget during his Veterans Day speech Nov. 11. The president delivered his remarks to a packed crowd inside the cemetery’s Amphitheater in Arlington, Va., where hundreds
see VDAY, page 4
Photo by Spc. Brandon C. Dyer
President Barack Obama speaks during the National Veterans Day Observance ceremony at Memorial Ampitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11. Obama praised current budget levels for the Department of Veterans Affairs, but also said there is more work to be done to solve the issues of veteran homelessness and the backlog of VA disability claims.
Quarterly town halls to help communication, workforce development By Guv Callahan Pentagram Staff Writer Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall will host a quarterly town hall for employees Nov. 19, the first in a series meant to streamline communication with the workforce on base. In an interview with the Pentagram, JBM-HH Chief of Staff Glenn Wait said the purpose of the town hall meetings is to keep employees informed about the JBM-HH strategic plan, workforce development, performance management, career planning and much more. Quarterly town halls present an opportunity
photo by Rachel Larue
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Mike Henderson gives remarks at a town hall meeting in Spates Community Club Nov. 12, 2014. JBM-HH will begin hosting quarterly town halls with employees beginning Nov. 19 as a means to keep employees informed about the JBM-HH strategic plan, workforce development, performance management, career planning and more.
for employees to get pertinent information right from the source, Wait said. “Our civilian employees have a lot of questions,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of sensing sessions and have de-
News Notes ACS volunteer association holiday program Want to put a smile on the face of a military child? The JBM-HH Army Community Service volunteer association is sponsoring a holiday toy program in conjunction with the installation chaplains’ holiday food assistance program. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the donation boxes at the Fort Myer Post Exchange, Fort Myer Commissary or Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base from Nov. 30 to Dec. 16. For additional information, call 703696-3510. Service members who may be eligible to receive food vouchers/toys should contact their JBM-HH unit first sergeant for referral. Play Mornings at Memorial Chapel – Nov. 19 This Army Community Service-hosted playgroup, which meets Nov. 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, is for parents and preschool children and provides times for socialization, play, crafts, music and story time. For more information or to register, call 703-696-3512.
National Museum of the American Indian tour – Nov. 19 In honor of National Native and Alaskan American Heritage Month, the JBMHH Equal Opportunity Office has arranged a tour of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., Nov. 19. Bus transportation will be provided and depart from Bldg. 405 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required to ride the bus; RSVP by Nov. 17 to Master Sgt. Ken Kang at kenny.h.kang.mil@mail.mil or Sgt. 1st Class Adrienne Robinson at adrienne.d.robinson.mil@mail.mil. Volunteers sought – Nov. 23 The Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall Volunteer Program is seeking six volunteers from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps to help prepare and distribute meals, blankets, clothing and other essential items to the needy throughout Washington, D.C., in support of the Salsee NEWS NOTES, page 4
see TOWN HALL, page 10
Index
Thanksgiving Day hours. . . . . . . JBM-HH Member Spotlight . . . . . Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marines celebrate Corps’ 240th . . Fall at JBM-HH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . SFL-TAP schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . Turkey day meals at JBM-HH. . . .
page 2 page 2 page 3 page 6 page 7 page 8 page 9
Thurs. 67 | 45
Local forecast
Fri.
54 | 34
Sat.
50 | 35
Sun.
44 | 27
For more weather forecasts and information, visit www.weather.gov.