JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to patriot@charleston.af.mil. Make the subject line "NEWS BRIEFS." Submissions must be received no later than close of business the Friday prior to publication.
April 15
National Volunteer Week (Volunteer Excellence Award): The goal of National Volunteer Week is to recognize and celebrate the efforts of base volunteers and to promote volunteerism. During the week of April 15-21, JB Charleston will recognize their volunteers with individual agency events. Eligible nominees include federal civilians, family members and military as well as federal retirees. For more information, contact Amanda Ambrose at 963-5780.
April 17
Transition Assistance Program (Tap) Workshop: Learn how to transition from the military to civilian life with ease, April 17-20. Call 963-4406 to reserve your spot.
Parents Under Construction: This workshop will focus on making pre-school children teachable, April 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call 963-4406 for more information.
April 18
All You Need To Know About Building, Maintaining & Repairing Your Credit: Whether you want to build, maintain or fix your credit and score, this class will cover every aspect of the credit report and credit scoring, April 18 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
Creating Your High School Resume: Learn how to build your resume, activities and skills, April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Amanda Ambrose at 963-5780.
Spouse Employment/Scholarship Orientation: Learn about free available resources/services i.e. employment, resumes, local job market, scholarships and other job search issues, April 18 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. To sign up, call 963-4406.
Spouse Introduction to JB Charleston AB: A fun and fast-paced introduction to JB Charleston AB for all military spouses who have recently PCS'd, April 18 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Meet other newly-arrived spouses, connect with your sponsor's unit Key Spouse, learn where to shop, dine and play in the Lowcountry. To sign up, call 963-4406.
April 19
Little Heroes Ceremony: A medal and certificate presentation ceremony for children who have recently experienced a deployment of a parent or have excelled in other areas, April 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Master Sgt. David Godley at 963-5630.
Troops to Teachers seminar: The South Carolina Troops to Teachers program manager, Rick Wise, will conduct a seminar, Troops to Teachers/Teaching as a Second Career, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, April 19, Bldg. 500 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. The seminar is designed to provide information on programs, eligibility, financial assistance and how military personnel and their family members can begin a new career as a teacher in a public school. If you are interested in becoming a teacher, register by calling 963-4406.
April 22
Hell and Back Again: The Community Cinema Charleston and the Greater Park Circle Film Society present a free public screening of "Hell and Back Again," an Academy Award nominee for best documentary, April 22 at 4 p.m. at the Old North Charleston Picture House, 4820 Jenkins Ave. There will be a discussion following the film with Maj. Joe Lysaght, deputy director of Veterans Affairs for Charleston County.
April 23
School Choice Showcase: This event, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is to provide information to JB Charleston families about choices they have for educating their children in the Charleston County area. The event will have musical performances from local schools and displays from a variety of schools that provide the choice options for our families. For more information, contact Chris Gerry at 963-4438.
April 24
Heart Link Charleston Spouse Orientation to The USAF: Military Spouses learn about the Air Force mission, culture, traditions, military language, benefits and services, April 24 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Childcare issues will be addressed at time of registration. To sign up, call 963-4406.
Parents Under Construction: This workshop will emphasize remediation and restoration for the school-aged child and establishing a healthy relationship with teenagers, April 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
April 25
Smooth Move: Learn from the experts how to PCS smoothly, April 25 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.. To sign up, call 963-4406.
April 26
First Time Homebuyer Workshop: Learn whether you are ready to purchase, what to look for before you purchase, whether to use a realtor and what banks look for when qualifying you for home ownership, April 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Barbara Lang at 963-5448.
Exceptional Family Member Program Support Group: Support group for families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, April 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Okereta (Reta) Mills at 963-4411.
Making A Good Marriage Better: Learn how temperament impacts a healthy marriage, to define a healthy marriage and maintain it by developing communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, April 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Couples only; no children please. Light snacks will be provided. Call 963-4406 to sign-up.
Joint Base Charleston Job Fair: All military members and DoD civilians and their dependents with CAC and military ID cards are eligible to participate, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at the Charleston Club. Fleet and Family Services and Airman and Family Readiness Centers are hosting this event in support of those individuals who will be separating by April 30 due to reduction in force and transitioning military. For more information, call Linda Saylor Lankosz, 963-5782 or email linda.lankosz@us.af.mil.
April 27
437th Airlift Wing Quarterly Awards Ceremony: The 437th Quarterly Awards Ceremony will be held April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Charleston Club. For more information contact Master Sgt. Joshua Braune at 963-4077.
VA Workshop For Disability Compensation Claims: A VA representative covers the entire claims process, what it takes to file disability claims and helps members begin the initial stages of the filing process, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members must sign-up at the medical records section at the on-base clinic no later than Monday prior to the workshop. For further information, contact George Ferguson at 963-5187.
VA One-On-One Disability Claims Assistance: VA rep assists members one-on-one with claims form entries for disability claims, April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, contact George Ferguson at 963-5187.
April 28
Initial Key Spouse Training: This event is for newly appointed Key Spouses, April 28 from 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Zito at 963-8873.
May 18
National Transportation Week Golf Tournament: The 437th Aerial Port Squadron is hosting a four-player, Captains Choice golf tournament May 18 at 10 a.m., at the Wrenwoods Golf Course. For more information contact master Sgt. Wimmer at 963-4898, Master Sgt. Burkhart at 963-7144 or Lt. Hayes at 963-3071.
Special Announcements:
The base Honor Guard team is recreating their Heritage Hall and is accepting contributions of any and all old air force uniforms, coins, flags, pictures, items etc. These items can be dropped off at the Honor Guard Bldg. 4450 New Mexico Ave, Hunley Park Base Housing Area, or they will pick them up. Call 767-2134. They will also be gathering names of the individuals who donate so they can be invited to the unveiling of the new Heritage Hall when it is complete.
Clinic Announcement: The Health and Wellness Center has changed phone numbers. To contact the HAWC, call 843-963-4087.
LEAN Awareness Class: Learn how to create a more efficient and effective environment in the workplace and learn proven techniques and methods to eliminate waste in processes. The Lean Awareness Class is held every Tuesday in Bldg. 16,000, Mission Support Group Conference Room from 8 to 11 a.m. Call George McDowell at 469-8378 for more information.
Over Pricing (ZOP) Program: Per Air Mobility Command, everyone that orders parts through the Department of Defense stock system is requested to file a report when large discrepancies in prices exist for parts received. An example would be a $5 part that costs $500. All personnel should contact the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron Customer Service office to file a complaint. For questions, concerns or further instruction on ZOP, contact Staff Sgt. Charles Brown at 963-4831.
Workforce Specialist: A workforce specialist is now available by appointment on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The specialist can help with job referrals, resume and interview assistance and provide information about educational opportunities for active duty, retirees, dependents and Department of Defense civilians. Call 963-4406 to schedule an appointment.
Spouse Introduction to Joint Base Charleston: Held the first and third Wednesday of each month, this is a fun and fast-paced introduction to JB Charleston for all military spouses who have recently moved here. Meet other newly-arrived spouses, connect with your sponsor's unit Key Spouse and learn where to shop, dine and play in the Lowcountry. Get the information you need to make this your family's best assignment ever. Call the A&FRC at 963-4406 to register.
Coupon exchange: The AFRC has a coupon exchange that is open to all ranks. Bring in your unused coupons between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday and help yourself to coupons for you and your family. For more information on the coupon exchange, call 963-4408.
Stress coping workshops: Learn how to cope with life's stresses without pulling your hair out. Workshops meet the second Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Center classroom and are open to everyone. Call 963-4007 to sign up.
Sleep habits: Learn effective sleep habits and how to get your best Z's during this workshop which meets the fourth Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the HAWC classroom. This class is open to everyone. Call 963-4007 to sign up.
Meetings and Registrations:
Healthy Thinking Workshop registration: Do you find yourself feeling angry or stressed more often than you would like, or regret how you act when you are upset? Do you wish you could express yourself more clearly and be more assertive? Consider registering for the Healthy Thinking Workshop. The workshop is divided into four, 90-minute sessions held on consecutive Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with a new group beginning the first Wednesday of every month. To sign up or for more information, contact Family Advocacy at 963-6972.
Palace Chase, Palace Front briefings: The in-service recruiter conducts Palace Chase and Palace Front briefings at 9 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month in Bldg. 503, Room 201. Air Force Instruction 36-3205 mandates eligible Airmen who are separating to be informed about the benefits and opportunities available to them within the Reserve, such as cross training, continued service, retirement, education, medical insurance and promotion. For more information, call 963-4499.
Updates and Closures:
NAF HRO satellite office: The NAF Human Resource Office has a satellite office available on JB CHS - AB in Bldg. 322, Room 222. The office is open Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. on a walk-in basis and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon on an appointment basis. This is part of an effort to reach all potential customers, since the main Human Resource Office has moved to the Naval Weapons Station, Bldg. 725, next to the Fitness Center. The commercial phone numbers at the Naval Weapons Station are 764-7065 or 764-7068. Most transactions, including job searches and applications, can be done by visiting www.NAFjobs.org and selecting Charleston from the drop-down box. Call 963-7068 for more information.
Trespassing notice: The small arms firing range is located at 125 Range Road near the munitions operations area and explosive ordnance disposal building. Do not trespass into the surface danger zones; they are identified by posted warning signs. Trespassing is not only illegal; it is dangerous because of gunfire. Personnel requesting entry into firing range impact zones must contact the security forces combat arms noncommissioned officer in charge at 963-1121 or via e-mail at 437sfs.catm@charleston.af.mil.
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic needs household items, children's clothing to size eight, appliances, food and furniture. If anyone has items that have been gently used, consider donating them to the attic. Donations can be dropped off at Bldg. 500, Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
Online legal assistance: The Air Force Legal Assistance website can be viewed at www.aflegalasssitance.com. Airmen, their families and retirees have access to this website to complete worksheets for wills, advance medical directives and powers of attorney. The 628th Air Base Wing Legal Office provides notary services from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on normal duty days. In addition, the office provides attorney consultation on a walk-in basis Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. for active-duty members in uniform, and 1 to 3 p.m. for all others.