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.
Saturday
Newcomer's tour: Join other JB CHS newcomers, Feb. 5 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for this fun, free bus tour of downtown Charleston and the surrounding area. The bus departs from the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500, JB CHS - Air Base. Call 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
2011 Chiefs recognition ceremony: The Charleston Chiefs Group is hosting a Recognition Ceremony Feb. 5, at the Charleston Club. This event will honor Joint Base Charleston - Air Base's newest chief master sergeants. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. Dinner attire for military members is semi-formal or mess dress and business or evening wear for civilians. The cost for club members is $26 and $28 for non-members. For tickets and to RSVP, contact Staff Sgt. Patricia Jones at 963-5497 or Patricia.Jones.10@us.af.mil by Jan. 24.
Sunday
Super Bowl party: The Joint Base Charleston Chapel is hosting a Super Bowl party at the JB CHS - AB Chapel Annex. Join us for food, fun and fellowship Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Tuesday
Educational opportunities counseling: Receive information and assistance on educational opportunities, at the AFRC, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 963-4406 to schedule an appointment.
Managing the challenges of family separation: Learn to proactively identify and manage issues that families face during deployment at this workshop at the AFRC, Feb. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
Wednesday
Spouse employment and scholarship orientation: Learn about free available resources and services in regards to employment, resumes, local job market, scholarships and other job search issues. Briefing held Feb. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the AFRC. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
Friday
Joint Base Charleston-Air Base Valentine Banquet: Join us Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. at the Charleston Club for Valentine's Day. Registration fee is $20 per couple and there is free childcare available. Information is available at the Air Base Chapel between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Feb. 14
Investing demystified: This class explains the most common types of investments and simplifies terminology for a better understanding of investing. Briefing is Feb. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500. Call 963.4406 to sign up.
Feb. 15
Transition Assistance workshop (TAP): Workshop is from Feb. 15 through 18. Learn how to transition from the military to civilian life with ease. The first three days are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the fourth day is from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call 963-4406 to sign up today; seats fill up quickly.
Goal setting for life: This workshop teaches participants the importance of goal setting, how to examine life's priorities and develop a life plan. Learn how to identify and set realistic attainable life goals. Class meets Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. in the HAWC classroom. Call 963-4007 to register.
Feb. 16
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. Briefing is Feb. 16, 8 to 9 a.m. at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Call 963-4406 to sign up today.
Credit repair solutions: Learn what it takes to improve your credit score without paying a service to do it for you. Briefing is Feb. 16 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg 500. Call 963.4406 to reserve your seat.
Special Announcements:
Coupon exchange: Save money in the new year. The Airman and Family Readiness Center 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.
Sleep habits: On average we spend one third of our lives asleep. Shouldn't you know more about it? Learn effective sleep habits and how to get your best Zzzzz's. Workshop meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the HAWC classroom and is open to everyone. Call 963-4007.
Education and Training:
Funding change to testing: Effective Nov. 20, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support will only fund a military member's initial examination fee for each subject College Level Examination Program, DSST, previously known as the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, and Excelsior College Examinations exams. Due to the change, all military members taking CLEP, DSST or ECE examination on or after May 20 will be informed they will not be allowed to retest with DANTES funding, on that specific exam, if they do not obtain their desired passing score. However, re-testing will continue to be available on a personally-funded basis. Individuals who took a test prior to May 20 must retest prior to Dec. 11. For additional background and details, call 963-4579.
Records management training: Records management training is scheduled the last Tuesday of every month in the conference room of the 2nd floor in Bldg. 302 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Members can sign up on the Enterprise Information Management website. For any questions or concerns, contact Airman 1st Class Francisco Bastian or Airman 1st Class Miguel Batista at 963-8270.
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:
New website debut: The MAFRC has a new site on the web at www.jbcharleston.com/family/afrc. Whether single or married or an immediate family member and regardless of branch of service, the MAFRC serves all active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retirees and civilian employees.
NAF Human Resources Office relocated: The Non-appropriated Fund Human Resources Office has moved from Bldg. 503 on Hill Boulevard to the Naval Weapons Station at 2316 Redbank Road, Suite 100, Bldg. 725. This building is in front of the theater and the pool. The new number for the NAF Human Resources Office is 754-6569.
NAF HRO opens satellite office: The NAF Human Resource Office now has a satellite office available on Joint Base Charleston 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. The commercial phone number is 963-7068. 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 on www.NAFjobs.org then selecting the Charleston from the drop-down box. Call the main HRO for more information.
Trespassing notice: The small arms firing range is located off Arthur Drive on 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 Joint Base Charleston-Air Base Resources Office. The Environmental Official 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.
Military News:
Base Shredder: For members who would like to make an appointment to shred unclassified documents using the base shredder, please use the sign-up sheet on Joint Base Charleston's Enterprise Information Management, EIM website at https://eim.amc.af.mil/org/628cs/RecordsManagement/default.aspx. Hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Upon completion of using the shredding area, members must take their shredded material with them and place it in the recycling bins on base, being sure to empty the bags.
Civilian Force Development Reference Center: The Civilian Force Development Reference Center is now on the Air Force Portal for civilians and supervisors to learn about CFD framework, tools and programs designed to help professional development. The reference center is accessed through the AF Portal > Life & Career > Force Development > Civilian Force Development Reference Center. Contact Joint Base Charleston Employee Development Specialist, Kathyann Hopkins at 963-4493 with questions.
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.
Retraining opportunity: The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is seeking exceptional staff sergeants and technical sergeants with less than 12 years of service. Airmen must have an outstanding military record, be able to qualify for a top secret clearance, and have a stable personal and financial situation. AFOSI is a Federal Law Enforcement and Military organization. AFOSI investigates felony level crimes, frauds and counterintelligence violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and federal law which negatively impacts Air Force operations worldwide. Airmen who think they are up to the challenge should visit the AFOSI homepage at www.osi.andrews.af.mil and call 963-3248 to set up an appointment.