Family Matters Volume 6 Issue 12 December 2015
Together While Apart How to Be Healthy Through the Holidays 10 Attributes for a Successful Job Search NCNG Teen Council Service Project And more...
Family Matters December 2015 Diane Coffill State Family Programs Director diane.l.coffill.civ@mail.mil (984) 664-6324 MSG Ramona Robertson State Family Programs Specialist ramona.k.robertson.mil@mail.mil (984) 664-7005 SSG Tammy Fowler State Family Programs Assistant tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil (984) 664-6876 Lana Greer State FAC Coordinator lana.m.greer.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-1667 Alice Dean Lead Child and Youth Coordinator alice.c.dean.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6676 David Nobles Outreach Coordinator david.m.nobles.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6721 Terry Henderson Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager terry.r.henderson3.civ@mail.mil (704) 389-4949 About Family Matters Family Matters was created to provide Service Members and their Families the most up to date information and services available. If you would like to contribute to future issues, please contact SSG Tammy Fowler @ tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil
References in this newsletter to specific commercial products, processes, services or the use of any trade, firm corporation name does not constitute endorsement, recommendation or favoring by NCNG Family Programs
A Message From the Director Merry Christmas! As we look back over the last year and wonder where it went, please take the time to look forward and to take the time to REALLY enjoy the Holidays. It is NOT just about the gifts– what you can give or receive. It is about TIME. That may sound crazy but think of it this way – how much time have you REALLY spent this past year with those you love doing the things you love? Are you too busy to spend time with Family and friends because you’re running from one place to another? Can you “unplug” and REALLY enjoy some quality time backing, talking or sharing the important memories with children and grandchildren? While you can BUY many things for yourself and others, you CANNOT buy time! So, make yourself a promise to “unplug” during the month and not just on Christmas day. Read a story to the little ones, pat the dog, watch a movie with a friend or take time to catch the sunset or sunrise with someone you love. Your time is the most precious gift you can give to someone. In this month’s Family Matters, you will see articles about staying connected during the holidays as well as staying healthy while enjoying all the upcoming holiday events and yummy foods that come along with them. You’ll also find tips on finding a new job or enhancing your current career in the new year. We’ve also included some information about Wreaths Across America which our NCNG Teens are working with to raise money for the Kids on Guard program. This is a great opportunity to remember our Fallen and support our NCNG children’s programs. Our Teens Councils are working very hard to promote this worthwhile event. Do you know about our audio lending program? Well, before you start traveling back and forth during the holidays, be sure to check out an audio book or two to listen to during those long car rides. Once again, Family Programs is providing the opportunity for you and your family to use the 3 Leaf Group Audio Lending Library at no cost to you. You can find more information inside this issue. Family Programs is all about you so during this busy holiday season while you’re enjoying time with Family and friends, just remember that we are always here for you and your Family and that will carry on into the New Year!
Diane
Table of Contents
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Meet Your family Programs Staff
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Together While Apart
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All 4 Kids hunting Experience
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Spotlight on Military Families
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How to be healthy Through the Holidays
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10 Attributes for a successful job search
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NCNG Teen Council Service Project
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NCNG Audio Lending Library
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Free Tax preparation and filing
Meet Your Family Programs Staff Frances Johnson Family Assistance Center Specialist Frances began working with Family Programs in January 2009. She works in the State Family Assistance Center in Lenoir and covers several counties in western North Carolina. She also served in the North Carolina National Guard for over nine years. Three of those nine years were spent in the AGR program. She feels very fortunate and proud to have served as well as grateful for the amazing NCOs and Officers that trained and mentored her during her time as a NCNG Soldier. Frances was also the first female E-6/Staff Sergeant in HHD 540th Quartermaster Battalion. She has never forgotten the military training she received and it is instilled in her to this day. Frances is married to her husband, Gene and together they have 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Gene graciously volunteers for whatever event is taking place for Service Members and Families in her region. Frances and Gene spend a lot of time with their family. They enjoy camping, hiking, fishing and hunting. They live in an area where they can be at the river, lake, beach or mountains in just a short drive so they spend a lot of their leisure time outdoors no matter the season. Frances’ son, Blake joined the National Guard with his best friend, Michael. While they were deployed, she was so happy to have members of the Family Programs staff contact her each month to check on her and her family. She definitely knows how it feels to be on both sides of that phone call. She is fully aware of the sacrifice that Soldiers and their families make. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many great NCNG Service Members and Families. She is thankful to each and everyone of them for their commitment and dedication to duty so that we can live in the “Land of the Free because of the Brave.�
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Meet Your Family Programs Staff Lana Greer State Family Assistance Coordinator
Lana began working with Family Programs in April 2003 as a FAC Specialist in the Asheville area. As of March 2008, she became the State FAC Coordinator. Before working with Family Programs, Lana was a multi-line claims adjuster for over 20 years. Stemming from her long-time personal experience as a military spouse, Lana has a passion and dedication for serving soldiers and families. Her husband retired from the NCARNG in July 2014 after serving two tours internationally during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lana and her husband Charles have been married for 32 years. Together they have two children, Adam and Jessica. Adam is a truck body design engineer and his wife, Sara, is a Family Nurse Practitioner. Jessica is the Assistant Director for Marketing at a university and her husband, Kyle, teaches high school biology. Jessica and Kyle are currently expecting their first child, and Lana could not be more excited to receive her promotion to “Nana�. In addition to time spent with her family and her black lab Sadie, Lana is greatly involved with her church and local community. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, and shopping in junk stores.
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Together While Apart: Military Families Connect for the Holidays Oh, those holiday happenings. Kids are running around squealing at frequencies only the dog can appreciate and it looks like a wrapping paper tornado tore through your living room. Things can get hectic at holiday time while everyone is so busy. When you're deployed, being away from your family can be tough, especially during the holidays. Whether you are under the same roof or thousands of miles apart, you can make this holiday season special. Get creative by connecting with your family and creating new traditions, during the holidays or any day. Make it a priority to reach across the miles and think outside the box to create those special moments. Holidays are not about how much you give, but about celebrating each other. Don't miss out on holiday family fun! Being apart doesn't have to mean missing out on family bonding. With the ease of technology here are simple ways you can help bridge the gap until deployment is over:
Use video chat to bring the family together.
Connect through social media.
Send pictures, letters and kid’s artwork.
Do something together (while apart) like watch a movie or read a book and discuss it. Send a meaningful gift like a recipe or homemade (not-perishable treat, a book read in your voice or a personalized do-it-yourself craft.
Holidays can be an exciting and busy, time. Keep things simple and don't forget to take care of yourself. Being away from your family can add to holiday stress. Don't be shy about reaching out for help, if you need it. Military OneSource offers a wide range of resources available to you. Call 1-800-342-9674 to connect with a triage consultant.
Article courtesy of Military OneSource. For more information , visit www.militaryonesource.mil.
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All 4 Kids Hunting Experience By Stephanie Powell Wife of SFC Thomas J. Powell 732nd FSC
As we pulled up in front of Lewis Nixon’s catering facilities, we were all a bit nervous and curious about how the weekend would go. My daughter Elizabeth had been invited to deer hunt in Edenton, NC by the Albemarle chapter of All 4 Kids Hunting. All 4 Kids Hunting is a non profit organization that takes Soldiers’ children out and teaches them how to hunt. My close friend, Michelle, who is the wife of First Sergeant William C. Ball had volunteered to come with me since my husband was out of town for training.
Any nervousness disappeared by the time we walked into the building.
The volunteers greeted us warmly, and took our paperwork. We were invited to get something to eat or drink while we waited for the other kids to arrive. After the other 8 kids and their dads had checked in, the kids were given backpacks filled with necessities for hunting: hand warmers, orange ball caps, binoculars, flashlights and rain ponchos.
Before anyone was allowed to hunt, all the kids had to learn gun safety from a Wildlife Resources Commission officer. The officer went through the basics with the group, and then each child was allowed a turn to practice firing a rifle before they went into a tree stand. Each child and their parent were paired up with a guide for the hunt. All the guides are volunteers, and as I found out over the weekend, most of their families are involved in the organization in some form.
As Elizabeth headed out with Michelle and their guide, Ricky Miza, I wished her luck. They would be hunting for a few hours Friday afternoon, then again on Saturday morning, and late Saturday afternoon. Ricky grew up hunting, and Michelle is an experienced hunter herself, so I was confident Elizabeth was in good hands. First Sergeant Ivan Alston, who is also with the NCNG, had brought his twin sons, Tyler and Taylor for the weekend. Both boys were excited to be hunting, but even more so, excited to be spending time with their father. “Are you proud of me Dad?” Tyler Alston turned to his father after making a 250 yard shot to kill a deer. This was Tyler’s first time deer hunting, and the grin on his face said more than words ever could. 1SG Alston relayed this story to me as everyone returned to “headquarters” after hunting.
Over the course of the weekend, these nine kids learned the fundamentals of deer hunting.
Out of the nine kids, five brought back deer. Others, like Elizabeth, were not so lucky. Having only seen two deer the entire weekend, she was only able to get a shot off at one of them, and unfortunately, shot too low. But as I talked to the volunteers, I learned that actually killing a deer was really only a small part of this weekend hunt.
Every person I talked to said they put in the time and effort to make this weekend happen as their way of repaying service members and the families. They were trying to provide, in their own humble way, a chance for fathers and children to bond. I was overwhelmed with how kind and welcoming the volunteers and their families were. As we left Sunday morning, it was to hugs and invitations to come back. 7
Spotlight on Military Families
The Family of SFC Kristian Hall HHC 30th ABCT
I just completed 18 years of military service this past September. I’ll be honest, it went by faster than I thought it would but I do recall the many missions, deployments and brothers and sisters in arms I’ve served with. All through these years, I’ve been honored to have the support of my wonderful family– my wife and three kids. Julie, my wife, and I have been married for 17 years now and we have three wonderful children. Seth, who is 26 is living out of state with other family members trying to
work hard and make a living supporting himself. Bailee, who is 14, is a freshman in high school and loves horses. She is growing up so fast and spends her time on social media, enjoying her favorite television shows such as The Walking Dead or anything sappy and romantic. She keeps her mom and me on our toes by talking about “boys.” Laura, our 10 year old, is my little collector. She loves to collect and put together Legos. She collects all kinds of sizes and shapes of Breyer horses. Just like her big sister, she loves horses. Both Laura and Bailee are hard working
students who struggle just like any other kids their ages. Another member of our family is our 12 year old thoroughbred horse named Caddy. Our girls are all about the equestrian life. All of this makes for a very busy household and family activities. My family has always supported me during my time in the military. They have been through two deployments, a year long assignment in Korea and many more annual trainings and
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holidays, anniversaries and school events. I recall traveling from Korea on mid-tour leave and arriving just in time to see my oldest daughter being born. Unfortunately, I had to return to Korea and miss the first six months of her life. I feel fortunate, however, to have been present for the birth of both of my daughters but I have still missed big events in their life. Being away from home is tough but I am military and I believe in what I do and I am proud of what I do. I also know that my family is proud of what I do. Even though they would much rather have me home all the time, they support me and the career I have chosen. Words escape me when I think of how my wife, Julie has handled it all during the times I’ve been away. In total, I have been away for over 5 years of our 17 year marriage. She had to do it all on her own during those times– attend events, pack lunches, drive the kids to school, manage our home and finances, take care of our animals and vehicles and much more all while maintaining a high priority position at her job. I just don’t know how she does it all on her own but she does. This year, when Veteran’s Day came around, I stood tall and shared my pride in wearing the uniform as well as my appreciation for all the men and women who have served, past and present. I also shared how proud and grateful I am for my family for standing with me through it all. I truly appreciate the sacrifices my family has made and the support they have shown me during the trying times, the enjoyable times and the not so special times. They have been there for me through it all. Every time I sit through a retirement or promotion ceremony and hear a fellow Service Member thank their families and loved ones, it makes me think of my own family and just how much they mean to me. Without the love and support of our families, who we love dearly and fight the hardest to protect, we could not do what we do. I would like to say THANK YOU to Julie, Bailee, Laura and Seth. Thank you for all of your love, support and patience. Thank you for being the ones I fight to protect. I can’t imagine being able to do this job and serve our country without your support. With that being said, I would also like to thank my extended family– my parents, in-laws and siblings, some of which are Veteran’s themselves. Thank you to all of you for making it worth my while to do what I do and allow me to serve and protect you.
Article by SFC Kristian Hall
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How to Be Healthy Through the Holidays Don’t let the go-go-go-grinch steal your holiday health. It’s time to reclaim your health through the holiday season by putting your health before the go-go-go of preparing for, hosting and attending all of the events through work, church, sports, arts, families and friends. Here are four steps to take you through a healthier and happier holiday season.
There is nothing more important than your health. Without it you can’t do all you need to for your loved ones. This is your body, your health. The only person who can make a difference is you.
Commit to exercising at least 30 minutes a day, every day.
Commit to eating a healthier diet.
Choose to make these commitments a priority over the extra events you plan to attend this holiday season.
Instead of thinking of how to cram in the exercise around your schedule, work your schedule around the exercise. You can choose to add in tons of extra activities and run around stressing about getting it all done, or you can choose to do fewer activities well and stress less.
Say no to events and requests for help that will make your life too busy for healthy living.
Say yes to the foods that are best for you and eat those first before selecting the less healthy dishes from the buffet table.
Say yes to smaller portions of the foods with higher fat content.
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The holiday season tends to be busier and all the extra events alter your schedule from the norm. If your exercise class is at a specific time and you will miss it because of holiday parties or kid’s recitals, then plan ahead for another time and different activity.
Rework your exercise options. Prepare for the busy times and bad weather with exercise DVDs (borrow them from your local library) that you can do from home.
Reshape your workout from your regular 30-minute chunk to two 15-minute exercise sessions.
Relearn to eat by grazing when presented with a buffet of rich and delicious holiday food. Take small portions of the various dishes so you have a little taste of everything.
Find ways to combine your exercise and time with your friends and family.
Catch some air! Gather your friends, siblings, parents or kids for a game of basketball, touch football, catch or kickball.
Take a hike! If the kids or your significant other have a sports practice or music lesson, take that time to walk around the area instead of reading or gaming from your smartphone.
Use what you’ve got! If it snows, forgo your regular exercise and get out in the snow and play. You don’t need kids to play in the snow!
Fuel up before you go! Drink plenty of water and eat some fruits or vegetables before you leave for the party. You won’t need to eat as much once you’re at the party.
Trick your stomach! Use smaller plates when eating at a buffet. Bring sugar-free mints to pop as soon as you are finished with your meal. The mint helps curb the urge to munch. Take the hustle and bustle out of your holiday by choosing to participate only in the activities that enrich your healthy living lifestyle. Article courtesy of Military OneSource. For more information, visit www.militaryonesource.mil.
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10 Attributes for a Successful Job Search
Hunting for a new job does not have to be stressful. If you think about it, you already have skills that translate to just about any job that you could apply for. All you have to do is identify those skills, highlight them on your resume and communicate them during an interview.
potential employee. As always, provide examples of your past creative solutions. 6.
Problem-solving skills— Every company has problems that need to be solved and that’s where an employee like you comes in. Perhaps you can improve their customer service, efficiency, sales or public relations. You’ll need to be able to analyze a problem and then use critical thinking to solve it. A fantastic way to highlight your skills during a job interview is to provide examples of problems you have creatively solved.
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Interpersonal abilities— almost every job out there requires you to work with people in some way or another. Empl9oyers want to be sure that you can play nicely with others. During an interview, highlight your excellent teamwork skills, perhaps by relaying a time when you helped to alleviate a team conflict.
Transferable Skills Here is a list of 10 transferable skills that you can showcase to make landing that new job a breeze: 1.
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Flexibility— No employer wants to hear the words, “That’s not in my job description.” In today’s market, it’s important to show that you will do whatever it takes to get the job done because the general rule of thumb is if you aren’t willing to do it, someone else will be. During your interview, you’ll want to highlight times when you’ve 8. gone above and beyond in previous job Technical literacy— These days, most jobs require some knowledge of Microsoft Office. You don’t have to be a tech whiz but knowing how to put together a spreadsheet or a quick presentation will do wonders for your resume. If you feel like you need to bring your 9. Office skills up to speed, you may able to take basic courses at your community college. Be sure to communicate any experience you have with other software programs just in case the job you’re applying for uses something similar.
Strong work ethic— Employers love employees who show up on time or even early. They appreciate those who are willing to go the extra mile. If you do excellent work and consider yourself productive, highlight that fact, especially if you have examples of times when you went above and beyond what was expected of you. Organizational skills— You’ll want to convey your organizational skills in your resume and cover letter but there’s simply no better time to demonstrate these skills than during a job interview. Come with extra copies of your resume, cover letter, job application, portfolio of past work and business cards. Show up early and come prepared with answers to common interview questions. But don’t stop there; do a little research and come up with a few questions for your potential employer. You’ll usually get the chance to ask questions at the end of an interview so demonstrate your interest and professional mindset by having a few pointed questions on hand.
Communication skills—When you are trying to land a new job, it is essential that you speak and write effectively. You wouldn’t email a potential employer the way you would text a friend. Instead, you would go out of your way to avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Likewise, your communication during an interview is equally important. Proofread all of your 10. Self-confidence— When it comes down to it, a job documents, dress appropriately, show up early, be interview is an opportunity to sell yourself. Dress well, prepared for questions and most importantly, listen show up early, make eye contact and in general, be attentively to your interviewer. professional but personable. The best way to make an Multitasking abilities— Employers use keywords like employer believe in you is to believe in yourself first. “fast-paced” and “deadline driven” because they are As you search for employment, it looking for employees who can multitask with ease. is crucial for you to identify your You’ll want to demonstrate to an employer that you can transferable skills, incorporate manage a variety of tasks at the same time with limited them into your resume and supervision. highlight them in your job Creativity— Even if the job you’re after is not in a interview. You have all the skills on this list already; you just creative field, remember that an employer wants to hire have to remind yourself that you have them then someone who offers a fresh perspective. The creative demonstrate them to a future employer. solution that you bring to a job could potentially Article courtesy of Military OneSource. For more information visit expedite an employer’s process, improve a service www.militaryonesouce.mil offered and in general make you ja more appealing
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Family Assistance Centers
Statewide support
East Flat Rock Unit Family Contact Center 2025 Spartanburg Hwy. 28726 Rebekah Torres: rebekah.s.torres.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-0565
NCNG Service Members and Families’ First Line of Defense Call 1-855-322-3848
Charlotte Unit Family Contact Center 4240 West Blvd. 28208 Carry Bandy: carry.s.bandy.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-4573 Anthony Moore: anthony.r.moore8.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-4547
Military OneSource Here to help you with just about any need, by phone or online. The service is completely private and confidential with few exceptions. www.militaryonesource.mil 1-800-342-9647
Greensboro State Family Assistance Center 110 Franklin Blvd. 27401 Lynn Stenson: deborah.t.stenson2.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5649 Greenville State Family Assistance Center 1401 N. Memorial Dr. 27834 Vacant (984) 661-1150 Lenoir State Family Assistance Center 1535 Beecher Anderson Rd. 28645 Frances Johnson: frances.r.johnson28.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-1242 Raleigh Unit Family Contact Center 1636 Gold Star Dr. 27607 Wendi Bell: wendi.h.bell.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6078 Lisa Faison: lisa.m.faison.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-7100 Mark Woolbright: mark.l.woolbright.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-7102 Smithfield Unit Family Contact Center 406 Hospital Rd. 27577 Abby Millsap: abigail.e.millsap.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-2784 Southern Pines Unit Family Contact Center 510 Morganton Rd. 28387 Earlene Buchan earlene.b.capps.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-2683 Wilmington Unit Family Contact Center 2412 Infantry Rd. 28405 Jim Marley: james.e.marley.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-6918 Winston-Salem Unit Family Contact Center 2000 Silas Creek Pkwy. 27103 Sandy Harrison: sandra.b.harrison2.ctr@mail.mil (984)-661-7131
Family Readiness Support Services
Charlotte Nikkie Newsome genesia.k.newsome.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-4548
Morrisville George Lane george.w.lane2.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-6313
Clinton Chekea Hinton-Mack (984) 661-5136
Raleigh Norman Dean norman.g.dean2.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6537
Goldsboro Gerald Murray gerald.t.murray.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5423
FRSS Trainer Gloria Fields gloria.d.fields.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5620
Greensboro Jill Hathaway 984-661-5651
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