JOINT BASE CHARLESTON –
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.
Thursday
Exceptional Family Member Program: 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, Jan. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 963-4406 to register or for more information.
Friday
Budget your way to financial freedom: Learn how something as simple as budgeting can help you become organized financially and accomplish your financial goals. The briefing is in Bldg. 500. from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Call 963-4406 to register today.
Green Knights Chapter 37 Members meeting: The Charleston Green Knights chapter will host their first membership meeting Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Charleston Club in the Wings Bar. The Green Knights are a military motorcycle riding club that was formed to foster mentorship and to share the love of motorcycling. The club is for all service members, retirees, dependents and DoD civilians and open to all types of motorcycles. Contact Master Sgt. Rob Carman at 963-5594 or 819-2913, for more information.
Jan. 25
Team Charleston Spouses Club: Wear your favorite team jersey and help us kick off the new year, Jan. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m., by bringing one of your favorite slow cooker dishes to share along with the recipe. Potluck kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Call Joan at 388-5815 for more information.
Jan. 26
Smooth Move workshop: Learn how to ease through a PCS move and receive valuable take-a-ways, Jan. 26 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Workshop is in the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
Jan. 27
The Career Status Bonus/Redux: Learn whether or not the CSB/REDUX is the best retirement choice for you. Briefing is Jan. 27 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. in the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
NDTA membership drive: The Charleston Chapter of the National Defense Transportation Association is holding its 2011 social membership drive at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 7670 Northwood's Blvd. in North Charleston, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. There will be door prizes, two for one memberships, free drinks and hors d'oeuvres. For more information please call Master Sgt. Marrian James at 963-3197 or for hotel directions call 553-1600.
Jan. 28
Interviewing techniques: Learn to successfully interview through guidance and practice. Class is Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to register.
Feb. 5
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.
Feb. 15.
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.
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.