CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Spotlight
Retirement: The 16th Airlift Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Steve Wright today at 10 a.m. in the 16 AS auditorium. For more information, contact Chief Master Sgt. Steven Woodside at 963-7130.
Retirement: The 437th Security Forces Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. John Gunther today at 3 p.m. in the base theater. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Tony Mullins at 963-3643.
Around the base
New ID card requirements: There has been a change for active-duty Airmen, family members, retirees and civilians who need to be issued new identification cards due to a system upgrade. With this change, all individuals will need to provide two forms of identification. These two forms consist of a primary and secondary identification or document.
The primary identifications or documents include the following:
· Immigration and Naturalization Services forms - I-6888, I-688, I-688A, I-151/I-551
· Military family member ID card or sponsor Department of Defense ID card
· U.S. Coast Guard or Merchant Mariner Card, photo ID card issued by federal, state or local government, U.S. passport, driver's license, or a foreign national ID with photo
The secondary identifications or documents include the following:
· Voter's registration card, birth certificate, social security card, daycare or nursery school record, medical Record, school record, report card, Canadian driver's license, American Indian tribal document, school ID with photo, forms FS-545/DS 1350 or INS Forms I-179,I-197, I-327, N550, N-570, N560 or N-561
Keep in mind that without these two forms of identifications an ID cannot be issued. Thank you for your time and cooperation in this matter. If there are any questions, call customer service at 963-4515.
Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon: There will be a luncheon Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Charleston Club. The cost is $14 for members and $16 for non-members. For more information or to R.S.V.P., call Julia Turner at 963-3124 by Sunday.
2008 Community Assessment survey: Notification cards for the 2008 Community Assessment will be sent out during April to selected active-duty Airmen, Reservists and spouses. The survey is sponsored by the Air Force Integrated Delivery System and the results are used in community action planning at the Air Force, major command and installation levels. For more information, contact Capt. Jonathan Frank at 963-6740.
Help create a new Carolina: Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is looking for some innovative people to help create a "New Carolina." To help in this endeavor, people can participate in the New Ideas for a New Carolina. Those needed are people with a new idea for a business, a job or a process to help bring innovation and new technology to South Carolina. Those with a new idea can submit them to www.newideassc.com before May 1 under one of the following categories: engineering, information technology, bioscience, environmental sustainability and the wild card category. Within each category, the idea will be judged based on the viability, innovation and vision and profit and revenue potential. A grand prize of $5,000 will be awarded to the best idea, four first prizes of $2,500 and five runners up of $1,000. Winners will also receive a scholarship to FastTrac entrepreneurial training programs, and the grand prize winner will have access to a team of mentors to help cultivate their ideas.
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.
Adoption fair and foster care forum: Region III Adoptions and Charleston County Foster Care will address the critical need for foster and adoptive families during a forum Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Department of Social Services will provide the facts about the "temporary" crisis and the "forever" cure. Attendees may start the application process on site. Register no later than Monday.
Resume II and cover letter class: A one-on-on class will be offered Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to noon to learn how to finalize a resume and cover letter.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Wednesday 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: There are pre-deployment briefings held every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the A&FRC 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.
DEFY youth applications now being accepted: 2008 Drug Education For Youth is a self-esteem building program that provides children with the tools they need to resist drugs, gangs and alcohol. A year-long two-phase program, DEFY begins June 9 and runs through June 20. This two-week leadership camp is followed by a year of monthly mentoring workshops. This program is for any military, retired or DOD employee's children ages 9 to 12. There is no cost to parents or guardians for their child to participate in the program activities and field trips. Each child receives a youth workbook, T-shirts, a ball cap, a backpack, two meals and snacks each day. The second phase includes mentoring workshops one Saturday morning a month during the months of September to April 2009 with graduation planned for a Saturday in May 2009. Registration for youth is required and applications are due April 30. For more information contact Evelyn Knight at 963-6849 or Master Sgt. Randolph Scott at 963-3247. Youth applications can be picked up at Building 1000, Room 155.
Kenny Chesney discount tickets: Military discounts are being offered for tickets to the Kenny Chesney stadium show scheduled for April 26 at 4 p.m. at the Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. The buyer will be able to receive $20 off the top two ticket prices; $89.50 tickets would cost $69.50, and $69.50 tickets would cost $49.50. To receive the discount, servicemembers must go to www.thecolonialcenter.-com/promotions and type "USA" as the password for more information contact Abey Coker at 803-576-9072.
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.
Pharmacy renovation: The pharmacy is undergoing a major renovation project until June, but the pharmacy will continue with full services throughout the project. Patients may experience extended delays during this process. For more information, contact the pharmacy at 963-6569.
Volunteer delivery drivers needed: The Airman's Attic is in need of volunteers to pick up donated items. Volunteers are eligible to participate in an incentive program that provides free or reduced-priced items at places like the golf course, bowling alley, club, car wash and more. Anyone who has an hour or two to spare on an as-needed basis, contact the A&FRC at 963-4406.
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.