The Bugle Boy
www2.southcom.mil/usag-miami/mwr.html
September/October 2012
Military Family Action Plan (MFAP) Conference Releases Results 1
SPOTLIGHT: MFAP CONFERENCE RESULTS
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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WHAT’S UP IN SOUTH FLORIDA
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FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER NEWS
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CDC NEWS
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WHAT’S UP IN FAMILY & MWR
11 GOING GREEN 13 FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE 15 SPOUSES’ CORNER / WHO’S WHO 16 FAMILY & MWR FUN BUS TRIPS United States Army Garrison-Miami Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation 9301 NW 33rd Street Doral, Florida 33172 305.437.2665 Sign up for Family and MWR e-mail and Send Your Customer Comments to: Mwrcustomerservice@ hq.southcom.mil LIKE US ON FACEBOOK USAG-MIAMI FMWR
In December 2011, the annual MFAP (modeled after the Army Family Action Plan) Conference met to discuss quality-of-life issues and to make recommendations to senior leadership on issues reviewed at the conference. In total, 12 issues were discussed then promptly addressed or forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration. Among the issues discussed was the need to expand dining options within organization facilities; work options and employment licensing requirements for relocating military spouses; Family Readiness Group and spouse groups at USSOUTHCOM; concerns over the loss of personalized TRICARE referral processes and signing procedures and clarification of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits for those no longer on Active Duty. The Army Family Action Plan’s history of service began as a grassroots movement in the early 1980s, designed to address and resolve the most significant quality-of-life issues for service members, retirees, Department of Defense civilians, and Family members and forward to the attention of senior leadership for consideration, resolution, and change. The first Army Family Action Plan conference was held in 1983. All members of the military, including Active, Reserve, National Guard, civilians and Family members are eligible to voice concerns to senior leadership and make recommendations for change. In other words, it is the process by which members of the military have the opportunity to lend their “voice” to military policy, as well as programs that directly affect them. Since its inception, over 667 issues have been put forth, resulting in 117 legislative changes; 162 DoD or DA policy changes; and 178 improved programs or services, such as the creation of the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program. Specifics of the issues discussed at the 2011’s MFAP Conference are listed below. An emphasis on Child, Youth and School Services programs may be in the
works for the coming year. The current year’s annual conference will be held on October 16th, 2012. • Issue 11-01: No dry space to place items in the bathroom. • Issue 11-02: Need food vendors in the food court with more variety. • Issue 11-03 (New 11-01): Spouse Work Options; Licensing Issues for persons with Professional Degrees/Licensing. • Issue 11-04 (New 11-02): Deployment. • Issue 11-05: Quality of Life for Families and Soldiers with high demand civilian and reserve jobs. • Issue 11-06: Quality of Life – Marriage and Family • Issue 11-07: Organizational emphasis on communicating service member obligations. • Issue 11-08: Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) at USSOUTHCOM. • Issue 11-09 (New 11-06): Digital Forms Signature and Submission through myTRICARE.com website. • Issue 11-10 (New 11-07): Loss of personalized TRICARE referral process. • Issue 11-11: The variety of food choices in USSOUTHCOM AAFES Xpress food court. • Issue 11-12: Extension of transferability of Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits.