CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Spotlight
Retirement: The 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Kenneth Mayo Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. in Building 610. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Paul Valentine at 963-5089.
Around the base
ORI out-brief: There will be an operational readiness inspection out-brief Aug. 15 for the 437th Airlift Wing at 10 a.m. and the 315th Airlift Wing at 11 a.m. in the base theater. For more information, contact Maj. Laura Radley at 963-5498.
Post-ORI picnic: There will be a picnic following the ORI out-brief Aug. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Charleston Club. This event is open to all, including family members, to congratulate Team Charleston for a job well done. There will be free food, drinks and entertainment. For more information, contact Laura Abell at 963-3809.
Staff sergeant results: Staff sergeant selection results will be released Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. The following Web sites will be available for Airmen and the local community to access the list: Air Force Personnel Center homepage "Spotlight": http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/, enlisted promotions splash page:
http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/EProm/default.asp?prods3=5&prods2=2&prods1=1 and the AFPC public Web site: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil.
AF Ball golf tournament: The Air Force Ball golf tournament will be held Aug. 22 with sign-ins starting at 7 a.m. at Miler Country Club in Summerville, S.C. The cost is $45 per person and will include golfing, carts, prizes and lunch provided by O'Charley's. For more information, contact Chief Master Sgt. Tom Clemons a 963-2295 or Senior Master Sgt. Gerard Komen at 963-7104.
AF Ball tickets: Tickets for the 2008 Charleston Air Force Ball are on sale now for the event scheduled to be Sept. 6 at the Charleston Convention Center. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased through unit ticket representatives; contact a first sergeant to find out the representative. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by a local band, Rubberband. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Shaun Cunningham at 963-2432 or Master Sgt. Angela Powell at 963-6797.
AF Ball childcare reservations: Charleston First 6 will be providing childcare on a space-available basis at the Charleston Convention Center for the Air Force Ball Sept. 6 from 5:30 to 11 p.m. The room and volunteers can support a maximum of 50 children, ages 2 and up. The cost is $10 for the first child, $5 for each additional child with a maximum charge of $30. Snacks will be provided. To reserve a childcare slot, contact a unit ticket representative, but checks should be made out the Charleston First 6. Workers cannot accept drop-ins the night of the event -- this is a safety issue. Questions can be directed to ticket or First 6 representatives, Tech. Sgt. Regina Waring at 963-6959 or Tech. Sgt. Lisa Spicer at 963-3494.
Building a happy relationship class for couples: The Family Advocacy Program will offer a couples communication class starting Aug. 19 and meeting for six consecutive Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call Jim Hernandez at 963-6504.
Tops in Blue: The U.S. Air Force's Tops in Blue is offering a free night of family entertainment at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. This year's show is entitled "Deja Blue." For more information, contact Brandi Griffith at 963-3816.
Apply to SOAR: Airmen are now able to submit a package to apply for the Scholarship for Outstanding Airmen Program. The SOAR program provides squadron commanders the opportunity to recommend individuals to prepare a Reserve Officer Training Corps application package, then the wing commander approves the package. Headquarters Air Mobility Command will then make nine selections Sept. 15. The deadline to have completed packages to the Education Center is Aug. 29. For more information, log on to www.afoats.af.mil/AFROTC/EnlistedComm/SOAR.asp. The applicant is ultimately responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the application package. The education center will assist the member in an advisory capacity only. For more information, call the Education Center at 963-4575.
Free admission to Drayton Hall: Drayton Hall is offering free admission to active-duty military members, veterans, firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service members in recognition of what they do to serve America. Free admission is available from now to Sept. 15. Participants must show their official identification cards at the front gate to receive free admission for themselves and up to four of their immediate family members. For more information, call 769-2600 or visit www.draytonhall.org.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
Transition assistance program: This three-day workshop for military members who are transitioning from the military will be held Aug. 19 to 21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet with experts from finance, Veterans Administration and South Carolina Job Services and more to help give the tools needed for a successful transition into the civilian sector.
Bundles for babies: A course to give useful tips to parents-to-be while helping them understand the importance of budgeting for their new addition will be held Aug. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. A free bundle will be given to those who are expecting a baby.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Aug. 20 to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Pre-deployment briefings are held every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals preparing for a deployment within the next 30 days. The briefing provides information on all realms of deployment, and there will be tips for a successful deployment for both the member deploying and his or her family.
Reintegration seminar: There are reintegration seminars every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
Airman's Attic needs volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help at the Airman's Attic located in the A&FRC Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to sort donations and assist customers. There is also a need for individuals who own a truck or a trailer to volunteer as delivery drivers. Volunteers are eligible to participate in the base Recognizing Achievement and Volunteer Excellence program, which provides monthly incentives based on the number of hours volunteered. For more information, call 963-4408.
Consignment shop reopens: The base consignment shop has recently reopened and the hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Consignments and donations are also accepted during these times. For more information, contact Julie Brady at 963-3294.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated TSP participants and active participants eligible for age based in-service withdrawals now have the option to transfer all or part of their TSP withdrawal payments to a Roth IRA as well as to traditional IRAs or other eligible employer plans. Keep in mind that members must meet eligibility criteria and they must pay tax on any amount that is transferred into a Roth IRA for the year of the transfer. For more information, see the "Questions and Answers" on the TSP Web site or the TSP Tax Notice "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available from the TSP Web site, www.tsp.gov, or by calling the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778.
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic is in need of household items, children's clothing to size eight, appliances and furniture. If anyone has items that have been gently used, consider donating them to the attic. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.