Team Charleston Family Readiness Podcast

This is a special episode of the Podcast; we have a couple of guests who directly impact members' and families' lives across the Air Force. 

I sit down with the Commander of Air Mobility Command, General Jacqueline Van Ovost, and the Command Chief of Air mobility Command, CMSgt Biran Kruslneck. 

Today we discover that family is inseparable from a unit. We have a culture in the military of taking care of each other, and every one of us is part of a connected family, including our spouses and children. 

Check out past episodes where we talk to various helping professionals across Joint Base Charleston. 

We sit down with the Joint Base Charleston Deputy Chaplain, Chaplain Law-Gordon, and talk about the adversity she has faced and how she overcame unbelievably difficult challenges to ultimately thrive and help others through the use of the four resilience domains.

Follow the links below for resiliency resources:

Joint Base Charleton Chapel: 843-963-4673

Military Family Life Counselors: 

Air Base: 843-940-0133

Weapons Statio: 843-597-0721

Joint Base Charleston Mental Health: 843-963-6852

1. TRICARE offers Telemental Health Services as part of the Telemedicine benefit. As with any behavioral health care received from TRICARE provider, active-duty members will need a referral before getting care under this benefit.

https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/TelementalHealth

2. Military OneSource released the attached COVID Resource pdf that provides info on contacting a Military OneSource MH provider and other MH tools. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/coronavirus

3. The Military Crisis Line, online chat, and text-messaging service are free to all Service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, even if you are not registered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or enrolled in VA health care. Hundreds of men and women in the military call us every day, and start to get back on track.

How does a culture of respect and caring for people impact the mission? 

Today, we discover how important family is and how vital it is that you, the Joint Base Charleston community is well cared for, but it doesn't stop here at Charleston; what we talk about today impacts the entire military as a whole.  

We specifically focus on two programs that directly impact families both well before they arrive at the base and long after they get here. These programs are essential to what we refer to today as a "winning culture." 

Everyone has been impacted by these programs in one way or another. 

We're talking about Key Spouse and Sponsorship with the 628th Air Base Wing Commander, Col Marc Greene!

For more information on the Key Spouse or Sponsorship Programs check out:

Air Force Personnel Center Airman and Family Readiness Page:

https://www.afpc.af.mil/Benefits-and-Entitlements/Airman-and-Family-Readiness/

JBCMFR Facebook Key Spouse Group:

Joint Base Charleston Key Spouse Network

Joint Base Charleston Website:

https://jbcmfr.com/

Today, we have a conversation with the 628th Air Base Wing Command Chief, CMSgt Colon about how the Air Force and Joint Base Charleston enhance cross-cultural awareness and promote diversity among our team members and families. We hear about how diversity and inclusion have impacted the Chief's Air Force career and why the Department of Defense has special observances such as Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th through October 15 and will consist of a variety of events to include:

2 October/7:30pm/Air Base - Drive-in Movie: Coco & Candy Bags 

3 October/7:30pm/Weapons Station - Drive-in Movie: Coco & Candy Bags

7 October/9:00am/Air Base Theater - 11:00am & 1:00pm - 3:00pm - Hispanic Airman Stores w/ CMSgt Colon

15 October/9:00am/Air Base Gym - Fun Run (or walk) with Live DJ

15 October/11:00am - 1:00pm/Location TBD - 11:00am - 1:00pm

A 2017 survey measured individual's levels of stress, burnout, sleep problems, the likelihood of depression. It also measured work characteristics: job demands, job influence, and social support.

It turns out that High strain work environments have an unfavorable effect on all outcomes.  BUT this is where today's guest comes into play...and essentially every one of the guests we've had....This research discovered that

Resilience has a protective effect on all outcomes. For stress, burnout, and sleep, higher resilience has a more protective effect under low-strain conditions. For depression, anxiety, and productivity, resilience has a more protective effect when job strain is high.

Workers with high resilience have better outcomes in challenging work environments (Shatte et al., 2017).

Lucky for us, today, we talk resilience and community support with the Joint Base Charleston Community Support Coordinator, who is all things resilient and in addition to their role as the chair of the Community Action Team, responsible for the enhancement of the military community's quality of life.

JB Cares Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JB.CHS.CARES

Sign up for AMC Virtual Spouse Resilience Courses held every Tuesday @10am, Wednesday @3pm, Thursday @6pm.

Spouse Resiliency Toolkit: http://spousert.wpengine.com/

Shatte, A., Perlman, A., Smith, B., & Lynch, W. (2017). The Positive Effect of Resilience on Stress and Business Outcomes in Difficult Work Environments. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 59(2). DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000914

The National Financial Educators Council states that 63% of military respondents experience stress due to their current financial situation, and 37% of respondents are unsure about their financial futures.* That's why today we're going to help secure those futures. 

We've got five money tips before your e-5 (or an O-3). Truth be told, though, these are for everyone, it's just better if you start early. 

Today we cover TSP, Emergency Funds, Credit Scores, Financial Documents, and Home Buying for military families. 

Resources

*https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/military-financial-statistics/#:~:text=Statistics%20Demonstrate%20Military%20Financial%20Hardships,and%20fewer%20assets%20than%20civilians.

Sign up for Military & Family Readiness financial workshops at:

https://jbcmfr.com/workshops-appointments/

Plan for a lifetime with the TSP at https://www.tsp.gov/

Ways to help build an emergency fund: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/personal-finance/budgeting-and-saving/building-a-solid-emergency-fund-and-creating-financial-readiness

Find out your credit score: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action.

Joint Base Charleston Legal Office:

Air Base: 843.963.5502

Weapons Station: 843.794.7500

How to safeguard a vital document: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema_safeguard-critical-documents-and-valuables_0.pdf

Military One Source home buying tips: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/housing/specialized-housing/buying-a-home-off-military-installation

Nearly 400,000 service members PCS every year, and if you haven't experienced a Permeant Change of Station yet, odds are you will find one day. 

On top of making preparations for your departure, which include getting the movers scheduled, packing up your household, and researching your child's next school, you probably think about what you or your civilian spouse may do for work at this new unknown location. 

This may seem daunting, and you may not know where to start...but that's ok! Your Military and Family Readiness Center team is here to help.

Call the M&FRC at 843.963.8883 to sign up for workshops or speak to an employment team member.

Sign up for workshops: https://jbcmfr.com/workshops-appointments/

For a list of employment programs: https://jbcmfr.com/our-programs/employment-readiness/

MyCAA: https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/

Spouse licenser and reimbursement program: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/content/view/8576

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)

The MSEP program offers spouses professional employment opportunities and “portable” careers. For more information, visit https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/.

The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO)

The SECO initiative seeks to strengthen the education and career opportunities of military spouses by providing career exploration tools to help them understand their skills, interests, and goals. Visit https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/ for more information.

The Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)

MyCAA provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses pursuing a license, certification, or Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation. Visit https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa to create an account.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) For Military Spouses

If you’re a military spouse, you may be eligible to apply a non-competitive process designed to help you get a job in the federal government. Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/ for more information. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit OPM’s Questions and Answers for Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/veterans-authorities/#url=Appointment-of-Military-Spouses.

The eMentor Program

eMentor is a cutting-edge online mentoring program for military personnel, veterans, and military spouses. eMentor connects individuals for dynamic mentoring experiences that powerfully move them forward in their personal and professional lives. Designed to bridge the gap between organizations and job seekers, the eMentor Program offers support, trusted networking, and success. Visit https://www.ementorprogram.org/ for more information.

What if I told you that you or your loved one could start their next career while still on active duty? Or maybe you want to start using your GI bill for a certification or licensure full time while even on active duty? The Skill Bridge program allows you to do just that. 

You or your active duty spouse can start their apprenticeship, internship, or certification while on active duty, six months before they separate or retire!

Maybe you want to become a chef, electrician, computer programmer, or underwater welder; the skill bridge program can make those dreams a reality. 

Find out how you can do this today on the podcast.

Joint Base Charleston Education Office: [email protected]

Ms. Ford's Email: [email protected]

Military & Family Readiness Center - Weapons STation: 843-863-8883

SkillBridge Website: https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/index.htm

SkillBridge Locations: https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/locations.htm

Military Guidance Covering Skillbridge: DODI 1322.29, NAVADMIN 222/15

This is a bonus episode this week on the Team Charleston Family Readiness Podcast. 

It is in response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from our hurricane season installment last month. 

Essentially you are about to hear the audio version of a hurricane preparedness video we produced last year. Let me stress that this information is still applicable today. You may remember we talked about the Limited Evacuation order, also known as the LEO a few weeks ago. Today We hear from the person who writes it!

We discover hurricane tips from Weather, Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator, Legal, Finance, and Emergency Management team members. 

We get to the bottom of your entitlements and what you could be reimbursed for in the event of an evacuation.  

Resources

Air Force Claims Service Center: https://aflsa.jag.af.mil/af/claims

Armed Forces LEgal ASsistance Locator: http://legalassistance.law.af.mil

National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC): www.disastereducation.org

National Weather Service: www.nws.noaa.gov

National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency: http//www.fema.gov/areyouready

The Weather Channel: www.weather.com

Ready.gov: www.ready.gov

Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov

Local Base Home Page: www.charleston.af.mil

Military and Family Readiness: www.jbcmfr.com

Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Guide: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/emergency-management/files/hurricane-guides/Emergency-Preparedness-Disabilites-Guide-Color-Full-Size.pdf?v=619

South Carolina Hurricane Guide: http://scemd.cdn.missc.net/media/1487/hurricaneguide2020-85x11_english.pdf

Do you know what a VRED is? How about SOES? Or what about this? An SBP? Whether you and your family have been in the Military for months, years, or perhaps you've already retired, something we talk about today will directly impact you and your family. 

The Casualty Assitance Rep helps guide families through challenging times by assisting them in navigating the administration process, answers questions, and also ensures vital documents get to the appropriate agencies so families can receive the benefits they are eligible for. 

We do a deep dive into many aspects of this program, and it's a content dense episode today. 

Important Numbers and Websites:

Retired Pay and Survivor Benefit Plan Questions

Call 800-321-1080

https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/

Defense Finance and Accounting Service Retiree Newsletter

https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/newsevents/newsletter/

My Air Force Benefits Calculator

https://www.myairforcebenefits.us.af.mil/

Military Onesource Estate Planning

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/legal/estate-planning/estate-planning-the-essentials

Brian's Office Number

 843-963-6334