JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to 628abw.dispatch@charleston.af.mil. Make the subject line "NEWS BRIEFS." Submissions must be received no later than close of business the Friday prior to publication.
Events:
Friday
Commander's Fitness Challenge Paintball Tournament: The Commander's Fitness Challenge for June will be a "Combat Zone" paintball tournament June 4 at the Base Picnic Grounds. The action gets underway at 8 a.m, with co-ed teams of six warriors engaging the enemy in single elimination, 10-minute rounds of battle. There is a mandatory coaches meeting at the Outdoor Recreation Center June 1 at 11:30 a.m. All teams planning to participate in the tournament can register at the meeting, but advance registration is highly encouraged. No entries will be accepted after the coaches meeting. For more details, call the Outdoor Recreation Center at 963-1732.
Saturday
Give parents a break: Because most parents could use a break from the stress of parenthood, the Child Development Center and Youth Programs are coming to the rescue with that much deserved break and down time June 5. Both centers will be open for the Give Parents a Break program from 1 to 6 p.m., offering free child care. This is a referral program and is open to active-duty families. Families must pick up a referral from one of the following before using the program: Airman and Family Readiness Center, base chaplain, squadron commander, first sergeant or Joint Base Charleston physician. Sign up deadline is May 28. For additional details, call 963-4406.
Bowling Tournament: The final nine-pin no-tap tournament for the season is scheduled for June 5 at Starlifter Lanes. Bowling starts at 7 p.m. and the cost is $20 per person. The competition format will be based on the number of members participating in the tournament. Prize money also will be based on the number of entries. Non-league members are always welcome. Sign-ups will be taken on the day of the tournament. Call 963-3315 for additional details.
Monday
Special BINGO session: Be sure to find your favorite dauber and have it ready for a special edition of Big Bucks Bingo June 7 at the Charleston Club. There's more than $8,300 in the combined jackpots, plus another $1,500 in regular play payouts. Card sales start at 5:30 p.m. with the warm-up games getting underway at 6:15 p.m.
Free magic show: The 2010 Joint Base Charleston Library Youth Summer Reading Program gets underway June 7 and continues through Aug. 7. The program will begin its voyage at 6 p.m. June 7 in the Base Library with help from Vandoren the Magician. Come enjoy refreshments, his amazing performance and sign up for the program. This program is designed to encourage and improve reading skills among children from kindergarten through high school. For more information on this and other Base Library programs, call 963-3320.
Wednesday
S.C. employment services: Meet with a S.C. job services representative to help in your job search and provide limited resume assistance June 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking service must register online and identify job leads before arriving at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Building 500. This service is a first-come, first-serve. Walk-ins begin at 10 a.m. Call 963-4406 to register.
Interviewing techniques: Practice interview skills with an expert coach June 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn the importance of the interview process, answering difficult questions, the importance of body language, appearance and a positive attitude. Call 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
June 11
Free base picnic: This year's annual two-day picnic is scheduled for June 11 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Base Picnic Grounds. A free barbecue lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. On June 11 there will also be a travel fair throughout the day along with live entertainment by local recording artists "The Blue Dogs." On June 12, a car show and yard sale are planned. A Kid's Zone with giant inflatable's will be up and running both days, along with free swimming at the Base Pool. Visit www.jbcharleston.com for more details or call 963-3816.
Education:
FINRA military spouse fellowship for accredited financial counselor program: Applications for the 2010 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor Program are being accepted March 1 through April 30 for military spouses. Information about the program can be found at http://www.militaryfamily.org/get-info/support-family/spouse-employment/financial-counselor-fellowships.html. Please notice that the application period has been extended through April 30.
Free tutoring services: According to federal law, parents of students enrolled in a Title I School which has been identified as "in need of improvement," as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act, must be provided an opportunity to request free tutoring services or Supplemental Educational Services from one of the state-approved SES Providers. Charleston County Schools will pay $1,535 per student to an approved SES Provider to tutor eligible students in an afterschool, before-school or Saturday school program. Services may be provided on the school campus, at the provider's site or at home. To be eligible for services, students must be enrolled at one of the eligible Title I schools and must qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch program. For more information, contact Elsa Summers at 963-4406.
Educational resources available: Parents of school-age children can access educational resources to support their child's math and reading skill development by registering for a free account at www.soarathome.org. For parents who are relocating, the site offers a test students can take on state learning standards and directs students to a tutorial that will improve their skills if needed. Student Online Achievement Resources cover skills in math, reading and language arts for students in grades 3 to 12.
Meetings:
Aero Club safety meeting: The Charleston Aero Club will hold a safety meeting June 8. Social hour is 6 to 7 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Call 963-5152 for more information.
Palace Chase, Palace Front briefings: The new 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 Building 503, Room 201. Air Force Instruction 36-3205 mandates that eligible Airmen who are separating 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.
Girl Scouting on Joint Base Charleston: Girls in grades four to six, or six to seven are eligible for membership in the Girl Scout troop on JBC. Meetings are held at Building 245 on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. for fun, learning badges and getting to meet other girls her age. Please contact Carolyn Kolva at 743-5020 for more information.
Updates and Closures
MPS Relocation: From June 3 to 8, customers should use the side entrances of Building 503. The Customer Service area of the Military Personnel Section, Room 112, will temporarily relocate to the center foyer of Building 503, due to renovation and furniture replacement.
Base pool open: The Charleston Base Pool will be opening for the summer May 29. Seasonal passes are now on sale at the Outdoor Recreation Center. There will be no-cost lap swimming and military training Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon. Open swimming will be Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Without a seasonal pass, the daily entrance fee during open swim times is $2.50 per person. The ORC is also taking reservations for pool parties. Parties can be booked at the Base Pool for Tuesday through Sunday, 6 to 9 p.m. with a maximum group size of 100 people. Call 963-1732 for more information.
Summer camp registration: Registration is now underway for Youth Programs' for its full- and half-day summer camps. The half-day camp runs June 1 to Aug. 13 and is for ages 10 to 14. Camp time is from 6:30 a.m. to noon. At noon, the youth are signed into open recreation at the Youth Center. The cost per youth is $60 a week. The full-time program starts June 1 and runs through Aug. 13. It is for ages 5 to 12. Camp time is from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost per child for the full-time camp is based on total family income. Registrations accepted Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by the Youth Center for more information or call 963-5684.
Attention Team Charleston: Each Wednesday afternoon, the 628th Air Base Wing Information Protection Office will be closed for training. The 628 ABW information protection office has initiated a by appointment only fingerprinting service effect April 1. The fingerprinting service is provided for security clearances or background investigations only. To schedule an appointment please contact your unit security manager or the 628 ABW information protection office at 963-7478 or 963-3616.
New MPS phone number: In an ongoing effort to improve customer service, the 628th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section has developed a single phone number, which will route all calls to the appropriate offices. For all military personnel issues, contact 963-0677.
Retiree activities office now at new location: The Joint Base Charleston Retiree Activities Office has moved from Building 246, Rm. 116, to Building 503, Rm. 122. The hours of operation remain 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 963-2228, or e-mail rao@charleston.af.mil.
Pharmacy prescriptions must be picked up within seven calendar days: Due to space constraints, filled prescriptions can only be stored in the pharmacy for seven calendar days before being returned to stock. If there are special circumstances and the pharmacy needs to hold a prescriptions a little longer, call the pharmacy at 963-6808.
ID Registration: Persons over the age of 16 issued a Department of Defense identification card are required to register in the new Defense Biometric Identification System at the Visitor Control Center or the 628th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section, Building 503, weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and weekends at the VCC from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 963-7807.
628 MDG enhances patient services: The 628th Medical Group clinic has recently enhanced its services in order to better serve TRICARE beneficiaries. The new service, FONEMED, is an after-hours nurse triage telephone line. This new triage line can be accessed by calling the normal clinic number 963-6880. All calls are automatically redirected to this service when patients call after-hours or on weekends and holidays. Once the call has been directed to the triage line, a live person will answer the call. Highly qualified nurses are staffing this service and will assist with taking proper medical actions. This telephone service is especially helpful for questions regarding appropriate home care, or for advice on appropriate actions to take for urgent conditions which cannot wait until the next duty day. The nurse triage telephone service cannot answer questions regarding lab results, prescription refills, on-going care or future appointments at the clinic. As always, for emergencies call 911. For any questions, contact Capt. Merritt Brockman at merritt.brockman@charleston.af.mil.
628 MDG clinic laboratory now accepting off-base provider orders: The 628th Medical Group Laboratory announced that lab orders from off-base providers for all eligible beneficiaries will be accepted. A copy of the lab's Test Requisition Form can be obtained by having the doctor's office contact the laboratory at 963-6982. A signed prescription or other provider laboratory request form with the required laboratory tests is also acceptable. All laboratory results performed at Joint Base Charleston will be faxed to the requesting provider upon completion. The clinic laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists to offer this new service. Contact Susan Young with any questions about this service at 963-6982.
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 Building 500, Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
After-School Care: Registration continues for the After-School Program at the Youth Center. This program is accredited and a leader in the community and is open to children ages 5 (and in Kindergarten) to 12. Transportation for after-school care will be provided from Hunley Park, Riverbend, Lambs, Fort Dorchester, Eagles Nest and Oakbrook elementary schools. Registration is accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shot records and leave and earning statements must be available at time of registration. Call 963-5684 for additional details.
Lost and found: The 628th Security Forces Squadron maintains lost and found items. Call 963-3605 or 7266 to inquire about a lost item. In accordance with Air Force Instruction 31-206, security forces will not take custody of property, besides weapons, left with another installation agency.
Public address support and equipment: For public address support or public address equipment, call the 628th Communication Squadron at 963-2666 to open a ticket for the requirement. The squadron will return the call once a ticket has been opened and will support equipment needs for all retirement ceremonies. The squadron will also provide loaner equipment and training for squadron-level events or below, but cannot provide manpower. All events need at prior notice of least two business days. Tickets opened after 4:30 p.m. will not be acknowledged until the next business day.
Military News:
Civilian Force Development Reference Center: The Air Force recently launched a Civilian Force Development Reference Center on the Air Force Portal for civilians and supervisors to learn about CFD framework, tools and programs designed to help civilians focus on professional development. An introductory video by Gen. Howie Chandler, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, a webinar introducing the CFD framework, programs, tools and an evaluation to provide feedback have been placed on the CFD Reference Center. You can get the reference center 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 was created to provide a way to expedite the process of obtaining various legal documents and can be viewed at www.aflegalasssitance.com. Beginning Feb. 1, Airmen, their families and retirees will have access to this website to review information in areas of the law affecting military members, complete online worksheets for wills, advance medical directives and powers of attorney and submit customer feedback about their office experience. To increase client's convenience and satisfaction, the website will minimize the number of trips and reduce the amount of waiting time at the legal office to obtain common legal documents. 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.
Military Family Needs Assessment: Commissioned by Navy Cmdr. Quinn Skinner, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy, the Military Family Needs Assessment Web-based survey is available to all military and family members. During Year of the Air Force Family, the survey offers an opportunity to collect feedback directly from military members and families about what is working and what is not, regarding military family education, support and overall adjustment during and after deployment. Information will be provided to policy makers and service providers as a complement to ongoing assessment efforts. The survey is voluntary, confidential and may be accessed at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1253631402808.
Homeowners Assistance Program details: Defense Department officials announced this week the details for distributing $555 million available under the Homeowners Assistance Program. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February and is designed to partially reimburse those whose service to the nation has required them to relocate and sell their primary residence at a loss. Those eligible include active and former service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. It also includes Defense Department and Coast Guard civilian employees and non-appropriated fund civilians. For more information, see http://hap.usace.army.mil.
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act: President Barack Obama signed into law Nov. 11 the MSRRA. The act amends the Service members Civil Relief Act to provide certain protections for military spouses with regard to residency, voting and taxation. Spouses will have the option to adopt the state in which they resided or the service member's state of residence. Under the act, military spouses will not lose the right to vote or register to vote in a state as a result of a military move. They could decide to register to vote at their new locations or keep their voting registrations in the old states, even if they don't plan to return. Another benefit is that a spouse will not have to change a driver's license or vehicle registration when moving to another state. Regarding taxes, a spouse will neither lose nor acquire a residence for tax purposes by entering or leaving a tax jurisdiction while accompanying a service member who is moving as a result of military orders, as long as the residence is the same for husband and wife. This applies to income taxes and personal property taxes. In some case, this means couples no longer will need to hire accountants specifically to work out paying income taxes or property taxes in multiple states. The entire law can be reviewed at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-475.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated Thrift Savings Plan participants and active participants eligible for age based in-service withdrawals now have the option to transfer all or part of TSP withdrawal payments to a Roth Individual Retirement Account as well as to traditional IRAs or other eligible employer plans. For more information, see "Questions and Answers" or "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available on the TSP website, www.tsp.gov, or by calling the Thrift Line at 877-968-3778.
Base shredding area: The base shredder has been repaired. If you would like to make an appointment please contact Airman 1st Class Miguel Batista at 963-3289 or Airman 1st Class Dawn Voigt at 963-8270.
Records management training: Records management training schedule is the last Tuesday of every month in the conference room of the 2nd floor in Building 302 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Members can sign up on the Enterprise Information Management website. For any questions or concerns please contact Airman 1st Class Francisco Bastian or Airman 1st Class Miguel Batista at 963-8270.