FREE Resouce for Families: Military OneSource

Take advantage of a free resource designed to help military families have all the information they need to make informed decisions and handle any issues that arise before they become a problem.

 

Military OneSource provides the following list of some issues they can help you with: 

• Counseling services for personal and relationship issues
•  face-to-face with a trained counselor in your area
• via telephone with a Military OneSource consultant 
• online in a secure real-time "chat" format with a Military OneSource consultant 
• Child care and parenting issues
• Deployment and reunion issues
• Education. 
• K-12 
• College 
• Special needs
• Spouse training, education, and career 
• Elder care issues
• Money matters
• Legal issues
• Violence and trauma
• Relocation
• Transition to civilian life
• Healthy habits 
• Consumer issues and travel
• Translation assistance
• Language interpretation

Military OneSource is a FREE service provided by the Department of Defense to active duty, Guard and Reserve service members and their families (Retiring and separating service members are eligible for six months following their separation.). Master’s-level consultants provide assistance and resources for numerous issues. Help and information are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If the consultants, most of whom have military experience and all of whom have been trained on military culture, don’t know the answer to your question, they’ll find it.

 

Services are available online and by phone. Free counseling services (up to 12 sessions per person, per issue), can be accessed face-to-face in the local community, by telephone, and online. Consultants answer the phone “live” and respond to e-mailed questions. They will also follow up with you to make sure you received the answers you need.

 

To talk to a consultant dial 1-800-342-9647. He or she will listen to concerns, discuss them with you, and then help assess the situation. The consultant will go over a privacy statement with you to let you know about confidentiality. In most cases, your interactions will be kept private and confidential. Some of the actions your consultant can take include:
• helping you make a plan to resolve your issues or concerns
• providing customized research
• referring you to resources in your community
• referring you to a specialist or counselor online or in your area for short-term counseling, and
• sending you helpful materials.

 

You can also visit the website, www.MilitaryOneSource.com . There you will find numerous resources which you can view online, order to be mailed, or download - all free of charge. Online resources include: articles, CDs, booklets, videos, search tools, calculators, quizzes and assessments, discussion boards and webinars.

AMC and McConnell Looking for Air Force Marathon Participants

The 14th annual United States Air Force Marathon will be held September 18, 2010 at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. Air Mobility Command is sponsoring an active duty team comprised of both male and female runners representing various age groups to compete in the full marathon. Team members will be selected based upon a submitted AF Form 303. The completed forms should be submitted through the base Fitness Center by July 23. Those selected will be notified by HQ AMC/A1S and placed on Permissive TDY for the marathon.

In addition to the official AMC competitive team, all others interested in competing in the Air Force Marathon are encouraged to do so at their own expense.  If McConnell has enough registered runners, they will be able to provide a KC-135 to get you there and back. Send confirmation of your registration to MSgt Chris Phillips (chris.phillips-02@mcconnell.af.mil), and feel free to e-mail him with any questions.

Events include a wheelchair division of the marathon (consisting of hand-cranked and push-rim divisions), half marathon, individual 10K, and 5K. The USAF Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K are held on 18 September and the 5K race is held on 17 September at Wright State University.

Please visit the USAF Marathon website at www.usafmarathon.com to register or the Fitness Center for additional information.

Lyle Lovett Concert - FREE for DePLAYment Tag Holders

ITT has organized a tour to see Lyle Lovett at the Opheum Theatre in downtown Wichita on July 31 at 8pm. It is FREE for DePLAYment tag holders and $57 for everyone else. Register at ITT with your DePLAYment tags by July 22. Hurry! There are limited tickets available.


The bus will depart 6:30 pm from the Dole Community Center for the Orpheum. It should return to the Dole Center around 11pm.

Lyle Lovett is a great American singer/songwriter. He is currently on tour supporting his most recent album, Natural Forces. For 30 years, he has entertained fusing blues, country, folk, gospel and jazz. He is a four-time Grammy winner in a career that spans 14 albums and more than 4 million records sold and has created his own style of Americana. Lyle’s LARGE BANK is a formidable musical collective. It’s a swinging Texas big band one minute; and R&B unit the next; and uptown jazz orchestra the one after that; and then a righteous gospel outfit. Lyle possesses one of the most distinctive voices in music.

For more information, contact ITT at (316) 759-6007.

Mark Your Calendars for July Events

July Events

Sail-a-bration 2011 Cruise Specials from ITT

Book now for next year's cruise vacation to lock in great deals. Visit ITT in the Dole Community Center for more information on the following cruise specials.

February 28, 2011: Century, 5-night Western Caribbean
Miami, Key West, Cozumel, Miami
Inside: $472.80 per person
Oceanview: $588.40 per person
Balcony: $728.40 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

March 27, 2011: Freedom of the Seas, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
Port Canaveral, St Thomas, St. Maarten, Port Canaveral
Inside: $805.85 per person
Oceanview: $919.85 per person
Balcony: $1135.85 per person
Receive a $100 onboard ship credit per cabin!

April 9, 2011: Norwegian Sun, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
Port Canaveral, Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Port Canaveral
Inside: $649.91 per person
Oceanview: $919.85 per person
Balcony: $939.91 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

May 28, 2011: Liberty of the Seas, 7-night Western Mediterranean
Barcelona, Spain; Toulon, France; Villefranche (Nice), France; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Naples, Italy; Capri, Italy; Barcelona, Spain
Inside: $1027.56 per person
Oceanview: $1357.56 per person
Balcony: $1457.56 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

June 10, 2011: Rhapsody of the Seas, 7-night Sawyer Glacier, Alaska
Seattle; Alaska Inside Passage; Juneau; Skagway; Tracy Arm Fjord; Victoria, British Columbia; Seattle
Inside: $939.17 per person
Oceanview: $1069 per person
Balcony: $1879 per person
Receive a $50 onboard ship credit per cabin!

August 27, 2011: Norwegian Star, 7-night Alaska
Seattle; Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Prince Rupert, British Columbia; Seattle
Inside: $881.64 per person
Oceanview: $1121.64 per person
Balcony: $1501.64 per person

November 20, 2011: Mariner of the Seas, 7-night Western Caribbean
Galveston; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Galveston
Inside: $747.95 per person
Oceanview: $917.95 per person
Balcony: $1027.95 per person
Receive a $100 onboard ship credit per cabin!

November 26, 2011: Eclipse, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
Miami, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Miami
Inside: $688.72 per person
Oceanview: $888.72 per person
Balcony: $958.72 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

Prices include port charges and taxes. All prices are in US Dollars. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are cruise only. Certain restrictions may apply. Rates may be subject to change and availability. The comapnies may reinstate the fuel supplement for guests should the price of light sweet crude oil rise.

Volunteer Opportunity with American Overseas Schools Historical Society

Did you know there are American schools all over the world for the children of American military and DoD civilians stationed overseas? The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State currently operate or assist with more than 300 schools in more than 100 countries. There are also more than 600 privately owned American schools abroad.

The history of these schools is housed right here in Wichita by the American Overseas Schools Historical Society. The mission of AOSHS is to collect, record, and preserve the unique history of educating American children and youth abroad; and to enhance public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the contributions made by American educators and their students in the advancement of democracy around the world.

The office/museum is located at 704 W. Douglas Avenue. It contains a small museum and two large rooms of memorabilia (most of which is still in boxes) sent in by former or retired overseas educators, or schools that have closed with the draw-down of troops overseas. AOSHS is presently looking for volunteers to help out in the office a few hours a week. They may soon be looking for part time employees to help keep the office open a few hours a day as well.

If you are interested in volunteering or employment please give the office manager, Sara, a call to set up an appointment to visit our facility. If you are in the area at any time stop by the office. Office hours vary during the summer, but if you catch Sara there she'd be glad to show you around. You can also call ahead at 316-265-6837.

For more information on the AOSHS, visit their website at http://www.aoshs.org/.

Did You Know?: Your Kids Can Use the Fitness Center Too

Not sure what to do with your kids while you’re working out? Bring them with you. Young children are welcome in the supervised play area of the Family Room where you can work out and watch them at the same time. Starting at age 10, youth may use the Family Room cardio and weight equipment following these stipulations:

• Become a registered user in the Youth Center’s Fit Factor program.
• Both the child and a parent must attend and complete an introductory course provided by the HAWC.
• The child will be issued an “Introductory Course Completed” card which they must keep with them at all times while using the facility.
• Must be under the direct supervision of a parent at all times.
• Use is restricted to the Family Room ONLY.
• Remember, safety, safety, safety!


Other stipulations for youth in the Fitness Center are as follows:

16 years of age and older: Unrestricted use of all Fitness Center facilities and equipment. They do not need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

13-15 years of age: All cardiovascular and weight equipment and group exercise rooms require interactive supervision from an adult (parent, legal guardian, coach, or qualified fitness or youth center staff member). For other activity areas (basketball court, racquetball courts, running track), a parent or legal guardian must be in the facility.

6-12 years of age: Access to all cardiovascular and weight equipment and group exercise rooms is prohibited (with the exception of the Family Room for ages 10-12). Other activity areas (basketball court, racquetball courts, running track) require interactive supervision from an adult at all times.

Under 6 years of age: Not allowed in the facility, with the exception of those facilities providing a parent/child area (PCA) for supervised play and/or those children who are supervised spectators at a sports or special event.
For information, contact the Fitness Center at (316) 749-4009.

Using Social Media as a Member of the Air Force

There has been a lot of discussion about members of the military using social media, such as facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Leadership understands the need for airmen to connect with family and friends across the country and the world. In fact, as of 26 April the Air Force cleared the following 30 social media websites for access on government computers:

• myspace.com
• facebook.com
• flickr.com
• photobucket.com
• mail.yahoo.com
• mail.google.com
• hotmail.com
• blogger.com
• twitter.com
• wordpress.com
• youtube.com
• hi5.com
• linkedin.com
• friendster.com
• webmail.aol.com
• chat.aim.com
• orkut.com
• mtv.com
• metacafe.com
• groups.google.com
• stumbleupon.com
• classmates.com
• myyearbook.com
• xanga.com
• moveabletype.com
• live365.com
• livejournal.com
• imgur.com
• gotomeeting.com

The Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Emerging Technology Division has created a guide to help airmen navigate the fine line between sharing information with friends and family and violating OPSEC and other Air Force regulations. It is entitled “New Media and the Air Force” and is available online at http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090406-036.pdf. This guide shares valuable information for participating in social media and creating your own website or blog. We will highlight some of the most important information here, but encourage you to read through the guide if you are considering blogging or dialoging in any way about your Air Force career.

The Air Force is engaged in social media as well. They have created a profile in Facebook called Hap Arnold (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1409442190) to interact with Airmen all over the world. There are five Air Force-produced Podcasts available at www.af.mil/newmedia.asp. Over on YouTube, the Air Force has created a channel called AirForceBlueTube. Air Force Link (www.af.mil) is the official Web site of the U.S. Air Force and the official blog is http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/.

When engaging in social media it is important to communicate effectively and safely. Airmen are considered to be on duty and representing the Air Force at all times. Actions outside the workplace are still subject to the UCMJ. Think about the photos, videos and details you are posting on social networks. You can lose your job over a photo or comment posted online. Employers use social media too. Adversaries also use social media to their advantage. Don’t help them out by posting details or photos revealing classified information.

Some Basic Guidelines for Blogging and other Social Media
Use common sense!
Don’t give classified info. Think before you speak or film and ask someone if you’re not sure.
Avoid the offensive. It’s not okay to post things that are vulgar, obscene, profane, libelous, illegal, or hate speech.
Avoid copyright and trademark issues. Get permission from the copyright owner before posting protected information or material.
Don’t violate privacy. Write whatever you want about yourself, but don’t violate someone else’s privacy.
Avoid endorsements. Using the Air Force name to promote an opinion or product is not okay.
Use Disclaimers
Blog about what you know.
Don’t lie! Giving a false statement is punishable by the UCMJ.
Give your opinion! But make sure you state that it’s not the organization’s opinion and distinguish opinion from fact.
Always identify yourself. This makes you more credible. Don’t try and disguise or misrepresent you identity either.
Be aware of the image you present.
Remember, the enemy is engaged!

Did You Know?: Armed Force Vacation Clubs

The Armed Forces Vacation Club is another of the many exclusive benefits for the Armed Forces. It is a space available program offering military and Department of Defense personnel accommodations around the world, starting as low as $369 per unit, per week. The AFVC is part of Wyndham Worldwide and has access to more than 200,000 vacation rentals in more than 80 countries.

 

Active and retired military are eligible, as well as DOD employees and select civilian employees in military support role. There are a variety of rental programs including:

 

• “Space A”: 7 nights condominium lodging for $369 USD.
• “High Demand”: Weekly resort condos in high-demand location and during peak season at varied rates
• “Nightly Getaways”: The convenience and amenities of a resort condo at a reduced nightly rate
• “Special Offers”: Special deals from independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. May also include car rental and river cruise discounts, emergency roadside assistance, and more.

 

For additional information on booking and eligibility, visit www.afvclub.com or call 1-800-724-9988.