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.
Oct. 21
Clinic Closing: The 628th Air Base Medical Clinic will close Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. and will re-open Oct. 24 at 7:30 a.m.
College of Charleston Women's Volleyball: The College of Charleston women's volleyball team is hosting a Military Appreciation Night, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., at the College of Charleston TD arena. The game is free for military I.D. cardholders.
Oct. 25
Interviewing Techniques: Learn to successfully interview through guidance and practice, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to register.
Oct. 27
The Career Status Bonus/REDUX: Learn whether or not the CSB/REDUX is the best retirement choice before you make a decision you may regret, Oct. 27 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Call AFRC at 963-4406 to sign up.
Exceptional Family Member Program Support Group: Civilians and military members who are enrolled in the EFMP and their dependents are invited to participate in this support group to discuss concerns, share ideas and gain support, Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to register or for more information.
Oct. 29
American Military Retirees Association: The American Military Retirees Association will meet Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Ashley Park Independent Living Retirement Community, 1451 Tobias Gadson Blvd. All AMRA members and qualified military retirees are invited. Call Ken Anderson at 884-5526 for more information.
Nov. 2
The Thrift Savings Plan Simplified: Learn about the pros of enrolling in the TSP, what it can do to help supplement your retirement income, and how to invest based on the lifecycle financial planning concept, Nov. 2 from 8 to 9 a.m. The workshop is for both military & civilian members eligible to enroll in the TSP. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to sign up.
Spouse Introduction to Joint Base Charleston: This is a fun and fast-paced introduction to Joint Base Charleston for all military spouses who have recently PCS'd. The next session is Nov. 2 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Meet other 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 AFRC at 963-4406 to register.
Nov. 3
Newcomer's Tour: Join other JB Charleston Newcomers for this free and fun bus tour of downtown Charleston and the surrounding area, Nov. 3 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The bus departs from the AFRC, Bldg. 500, Joint Base Charelston - Air Base. Call 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
Nov. 7
Investing Demystified: Ideal for the first-time investor, this class explains the most common types of investments and simplifies terminology for a better understanding of investing, Nov. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to sign up.
Nov. 8
Ten Steps to a Federal Job: Learn the process for landing a Federal job, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to register.
Managing the Challenges of Family Separation: Learn how to proactively identify and manage issues families face during deployment, coming from each member's perspective, Nov. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A light snack provided. Call 963-4406 to register.
Nov. 9
Post Secondary Access Workshop: The Joint Base School Liaison Office will host this presentation by the Educational Opportunity Center - a program fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Nov. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Contact Cicely McCray, 764-7869, to reserve a seat at the AFRC.
Spouse Employment/Scholarship Orientation: Learn about free available resources, employment services, resumes, the local job market, scholarships and other job search issues, Nov. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to sign up.
Credit Repair Solutions: Learn what it takes to improve your credit score without paying a service to do it for you, Nov. 9 from 10 to 11 a.m. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
Nov. 10
Key Spouse Quarterly Update: Updated information for appointed, trained key spouses, Nov. 10 from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to sign up.
Spouses Dinner: Fun, great networking and good food all on us, Nov. 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
628th Communication Squadron Golf Tournament: Shotgun start at noon, Nov. 10. Tournament is four-player, Captain's choice. Contact Mike Heckendorn at 963-2933 for more information.
Special Announcements:
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 Orientation to JB CHS: Spouses are invited to this orientation the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call 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, Master Sgt. Robert Denehy, will be conducting 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, contact Sergeant Denehy at 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.
North Auxiliary Air Field hunting permits: Hunting permits for the recreational hunting program at North Auxiliary Air Field can now be purchased at the JB CHS - AB Resources Office. The Environmental Office is located in Bldg. 247 on the first floor. The hunting program is open to active-duty, Reserve and retired military, as well as Department of Defense civilian employees. Permits can only be issued to hunters who have a valid South Carolina hunting license and big game permit. The fee for a hunting permit for NAAF is $20. For more information, call the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron at 963-4020.
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.Zero