Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 5, No. 36
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, October 3, 2014
Attack of the HULK!
Military Working dogs train at JB Charleston U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Dennis Sloan
Hulk, a 3-year-old German Shepherd Military Working Dog assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron, completes an obstacle course Sept. 24, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The obstacle courses are designed to train and prepare the MWD for the various challenges they will face at home or deployed. MWDs are trained to conduct multiple missions and training includes obedience skills, obstacle courses and other objectives depending on the dog’s specialized skill. See more photos on Page 4.
Joint Base Charleston implements changes to DUI Battle Plan By Staff Sgt. Shaquanda Sullivan 628th Medical Group
After a successful first year, the Joint Base Charleston DUI Battle Plan has been expanded to include all JB Charleston installations. Until now, if a Team Charleston member received a DUI, it only affected the DUI Condition on the Air Base. Now, when a DUI incident occurs on any JB Charleston installation including the Weapons Station, it will be tracked, counted negatively and increase the DUICON on JB Charleston as a whole. "The plan has been updated so that Joint Base Charleston's DUI CONDITION will reflect DUIs occurring across the entire joint base installation. I encourage mission partners to consider adopting the JB Charleston DUI Battle Plan or a similar comprehensive alcohol policy," DeVore said. "A shared policy will ensure all members are aware of leadership's expectations regarding responsible substance use." The DUI Battle Pan originated in 2009, when leaders at Travis Air Force Base began looking at ways to reduce the occurrence of DUIs on base after having the highest number
Happy Birthday, Joint Base Charleston
Wingman/AADD business card, monthly DUI checkpoints at random locations and a display detailing the current wing DUI statistics for the year. DUICON Yellow goes into effect when the base experiences between one and four DUIs in a 60-day period, or during "high-risk" weekends or holiday seasons. The most notable changes to the plan include an increased marketing campaign for safe/sober activities and a mandatory commander's call in the offending unit within five days of the DUI. DUICON Red takes effect after five or more DUIs in a 60day period. At that level, the base will implement DUICON Green and Yellow procedures, as well as initiating a focus group within the offending unit to determine new and innovative ways to prevent future DUIs across the installation. Statistically, a large number of the Air Force DUIs and alcohol related incidents are committed by underage Airmen. To combat this, JB Charleston pursued a $600,000 Enforcing Underage Drinking Law grant, now called Project STAR, or Safety Through Alcohol Responsibility. The program reaches out to JB Charleston and the surrounding community to identify and address alcohol related problems.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month
By Karen Harrison Family Advocacy Intervention Specialist
During the month of October, the Family Advocacy Program across all branches of military services worldwide conducts awareness campaigns to educate service members, their families, military leadership and the community on the impact of domestic violence and to inform them of the assistance available through FAP, the Fleet and Family Support Centers, Airman and Family Readiness Centers and Military One Source. FAP is a military-wide program created in 1976 by the Department of Defense to treat and prevent child abuse/neglect, and in 1978 the domestic violence module was added to the program. Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over a spouse or intimate partner through fear and intimidation. It often includes threats or use of violence. According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Approximately 1.3 million women in the United
Joint Base Charleston will celebrate its fourth birthday Oct. 4, recognizing the merge of the Naval Weapons Station and Charleston Air Force Base in 2010. The event will take place at Locklear Park on the Weapons Station from noon to 4 p.m. with free food, live music, games and entertainment for the whole family. For more information, check the website at www.JBCharleston.com.
INSIDE
of alcohol related incidents in Air Mobility Command. Upon implementation, they saw a 42 percent reduction in DUIs the first year. JB Charleston’s DUI Battle Plan is designed to decrease DUIs within the JB Charleston community. To accomplish this goal, the Battle Plan calls for the regular base-wide dissemination of information regarding the number of DUIs the installation has experienced. In order to ensure maximum effectiveness, the joint base response is specifically targeted to the number and frequency of DUIs, requiring increases in prevention measures and consequence as the number of DUIs rises above a set of predetermined numbers. Since implementing the Battle Plan at JB Charleston in 2013, the base has seen a 70 percent decrease in DUIs. The continued focus of the DUI Battle Plan is to help keep Airmen from making bad decisions and keep them focused on making good ones. The Battle Plan is broken into three DUICON levels: DUICON Green is "normal operations." With zero DUIs in a 60-day period, active-duty members will not notice any change to their daily routines. Main points include carrying
ELECTION TIME ALL IN THE FAMILY Participate but know the rules
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Brothers serve at JB Charleston
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States are physically assaulted by an intimate partner each year. Based on reports, approximately 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women. However, men are also victims of domestic violence. Historically, females are most often victimized by someone they know. Domestic violence does not only impact adult lives ... it also affects children, even if they are not direct victims of the abuse themselves. Many children in the homes witness these attacks; thus, they become victims themselves. Domestic violence is a pervasive problem that transcends all ethnic, racial, gender and socioeconomic boundaries, and it will not be tolerated in the Department of Defense. For many victims, the home, that very place meant to be a safe and secure haven, is often the most dangerous place for them. Domestic violence destroys individuals, ruins families and weakens our communities. This year's Family Advocacy's Theme is "Relationships should be Respectful, Safe and Positive." Secretary of Defense Jessica Wright said, "Domestic violence is unacceptable in the culture
EDUCATION
AF updates voluntary education programs
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of dignity and respect fostered by the adherence to the professional values of the Armed Forces." Wright urges commanders and leaders to support service members and their families by modeling and promoting healthy, respectful family relationships and advocating for early use of a wide range of available counseling resources. When domestic violence is reported, commanders and leadership play an important role in victim protection and holding military offenders accountable by coordinating with military and civilian authorities. Victims may also request restricted reporting which allows access to confidential medical, advocacy, and counseling services without command and law enforcement involvement. Service members, military spouses and DOD civilians are encouraged to promote and advocate for the safety and well-being of all. Throughout the month of October, Joint Base Charleston FAP will host a variety of awareness events to educate, promote healthy relationships, community involvement and outreach programs to encourage "Respectful, Safe and Positive Relationships." Your home is NOT a war zone.
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Partly Cloudy
Friday, Oct. 3
(10% precip)
High 83º Low 69º
Partly Cloudy
Saturday, Oct. 4
(10% precip)
High 74º Low 51º
See Joint Base Charleston on Facebook! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08
Sunny Sunday, Oct. 5
(0% precip)
High 72º Low 53º