Strategic Systems Programs celebrates workforce at command picnic

ByShelbyThompson

Strategic Systems Programs

WASHINGTON The Strategic Systems Programs(SSP)familycametogetheratJoint

Base Anacostia-Bolling to celebrate the SSP CommandPicnicheldforthefirsttimesince theonsetofCOVID-19in2020 Intheweeksleadinguptothepicnic organizers enthusiastically promoted the event within the command, resulting in over 330 tickets being sold to military, civilian and contractor personnel who were also able to purchase tickets for family members to participate “Itwasagreatopportunityforourteamto make connections with one another and to meet each other’s families some for the first time,”saidDavidMacht,anSSPsupervisor.

The SSP Command Picnic was organized by SSP’s Activity and Recreations Committee (SPARC), an all-volunteer team made up of military and civilians who fundraise and plan MWR events throughout the year SPARCconductedseveralfundraiserstoraise money for the picnic, and their hard-work came to life through the enjoyment of their colleaguesandfamilies includingmanynew employees who were participating in their first SPARC- coordinated command-event. SPARC’s efforts showcased one of the many positives that come with being a part of the SSPfamily.

“Holding Morale events are important parts of this organization to build a cohesive unit inside and outside the work place,” said LTJGMichaelAmatangelo oneofthepicnic organizers “It’s how we embrace the family motothatViceAdmiralWolfespeaksabout.

As the picnic kicked off, Vice Adm. Wolfe took a moment to talk to the workforce and their families and thank them for their service.

“Whatyoudoeverydayiskeepingusfrom majorpowerconflict,”saidViceAdm.Wolfe.

“For the families here, I want you to appreciate that as well. Whether it’s your spouse yourchild,yourparent yourauntoruncle whattheyaredoingismonumental.

In addition to thanking the workforce for their hard work, this year’s picnic served as areunionofcolleaguesandtheirfamilies In theyearssincethelastcommandpicnic,families have expanded and babies have grown into rambunctious children. For many, this was an opportunity to finally meet their colleague’s families and learn more about themawayfromtheoffice

Thisyear’scommandpicnicboastedactivities for the whole family, including outdoor games, a waterslide, bounce house, andarguably pièce de résistance of the day a dunktank.Thekidslostnotimegettinginon theactionoffered.

“Mykidshadagreattime,andmanagedto getinacouplegooddunksatthedunktank!” accordingtoMacht

“My son loved the bounce house so much that he refused to do anything else at the picnic,” said Dr Vanessa Gentzen, an SSP employee.“Hemadelotsoffriends “Thismaybethebestcommandpicnicwe haveeverhad!”saidDr StevenVanDyk,Chief

Engineer at SSP as he joined a crowd cheeringondunk-tankparticipants

One SPARC volunteer provided a special recognitionofthecommand’schiefs

“Thisyearthechiefsreallysteppedup,and volunteered to cook the food for the picnic,” said Jose Balderrama. “All their hard work madethiseventasuccess.”

The effort was clearly appreciated with people eagerly lining up to indulge in hot dogs,hamburgers,andatastylineupofsides anddesserts

As the afternoon drew to a close people were already looking forward to next year’s commandpicnicandmakingplanstoperfect theirdunktankaim.

“Hopefully, being a part of this event showed our command all the great thing that SPARC does,” said NCC Troy Stocking, aSPARCvolunteer.“We’realwayslookingfor morevolunteers!” SPARCisaffiliatedwiththewiderumbrella of Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Programs Navy MWR provides fundingandresourcesforeventsthatsupport militaryandcivilianmorale MilitaryMorale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Programs datebacktothe1800s,andcontinuetobean important building block of military morale

The mission of Navy MWR is to serve the needs, interests, and responsibilities of all peopleinthemilitarycommunity-sailorsand marines, their families, civilian employees, military retirees, and other eligible participants-for as long as they are associated with theNavy,nomatterwheretheyarelocated

SSP is the Navy command that provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support for the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. This includes training, systems, equipment, facilitiesandpersonnelresponsibleforensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Trident II (D5LE) strategic weapon system. SLBMs make up the majority approximately70percent oftheU.S.’s deployed strategic nuclear deterrent Triad. The SLBM is the most survivable provides persistent presence, and allows flexible conceptofoperations

Q: Whattypesoffamily housingareavailable?

A: There are three types of housing available to families:

Public/PrivateVenture(PPV)

Housing is also referred to as privatized housing in the Navy

The Navy partnered with different private management companies to provide housing to Service Members. These companies are responsible forthe construction, renovation,maintenance and day-to-day management ofthe housing PPVhousing may be located on oroffgovernment property and in most cases will be formermilitary housing GovernmentOwned (also known as Military Housing orNavy Managed Housing is what was formerly called on-base housing While only available in limited quantities CONUS,Government Owned Housing is still widely available OCONUS.

CommunityHousing is any housing that a Service Member may choose that is not PPVor government operated This is housing outside ofthe base that is privately owned and operated

NAVY HOUSING Norfolk: 757.445.2832

JEBLCFS: 757.462.2792

Oceana/DamNeck: 757.433.3268 Yorktown: 757.847.7806

Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) programs and services are designed to help you make the most of your military experience, and they’re all available to you at no cost.

FUNCTIONSAND/OR

SERVICESFFSCPROVIDES:

ClinicalCounseling – Individual, Couplesand ChildCounseling

Personal Financial Management

Information & Referral

Family EmploymentAssistance

TransitionAssistance

FamilyAdvocacy Program

Deployment and Mobilization Support

Ombudsman Support

RelocationAssistance

Parenting Programs

Stress andAngerManagement

Command Support

Crisis Support

Suicide Prevention

SAPR Support