1. Family
M A R C H 2 0 1 3
Contents connection
American Red Cross, still supporting
the military
VA establishes ‘Coaching into Care’
to help you help your veteran
New program to assist returning IA,
Meet the challenges
demobilizing Sailors with the medical
referrals of deployment, bounce
Sexual Assault Prevention, Response back stronger than ever
in the Navy
Resilience; the new buzz word! What do the Fleet
Happy Birthday to the Navy Reserve and Family Support Centers (FFSCs) offer to help our
Tax time is quickly approaching Sailors and families build resilience? What we have
always done: provide education, information and
National Nutrition Month -
“Eat right, your way, every day” resources to effectively manage the issues that are
inherent to the military life. These services ensure our
Transition, Employment Corner
Sailors and families build the resilience to withstand
Family Connection is a publication of the Fleet the demands of the Navy’s increased operational
and Family Support Program.
tempo (OPTEMPO), which has resulted in short turn-
The Navy's Fleet and Family Support Program around times between deployments and extended
promotes the self-reliance and resiliency of
deployments, some lasting more than 10 months. “Resilience is accepting your new
Sailors and their families. We provide information
that can help you meet the unique challenges of
While this increase in OPTEMPO is stressful for even reality, even if it’s less good than
the military lifestyle.
the most experienced Navy spouse, to a new Navy the one you had before.”
If you have questions or comments, contact
Timothy McGough at timothy.mcgough@navy.mil.
spouse, it can be overwhelming. To help meet this – Elizabeth Edwards
challenge, New Spouse Orientation is offered at
Visit us online at:
FFSCs Navy-wide as well as online. The New Spouse
On-Demand Training is a free online course de- lenges of deployment and reintegration,
signed to support new Navy spouses who may be to communicate and solve problems
geographically isolated and those who are unable effectively and to successfully set goals
to attend the FFSC workshop in person. Available together and create a shared family story.
24/7, this curriculum will help new military spouses
The
Fleet & Family Support
familiarize themselves with administrative details,
customs, language and resources.
Services are offered on select military instal-
lations as well as on-line via FOCUS World.
Center There are also a number of military and community
The Navy and Marine
Corp Public Health
based programs available to augment deployment
Center provides prod-
and mobilization support services provided by FFSCs:
ucts and topic areas
The Bureau of Medicine and specifically for service
Surgery created the Families members, families and retirees to effec-
Scan QR Code
OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS) tively navigate stress and build resilience.
to access via Project, which provides resilience Resources for suicide prevention, anger
mobile device
training to military children and management and post-traumatic stress
families. It teaches practical skills to meet the chal- disorder (PTSD) are provided as well.
continued on page 2

2. MARCH 2013
Continued from page 1
Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW) National Military
VFW works to support our brave
Services unites three
men and women and their families.
successful, longstand- Add JSS to your
Their motto is, “We’ve been there. We Mobile Network
ing programs: VFW
Operation Uplink, VFW
understand.” jssmobile.org
Unmet Needs and the These are just a few of the many avail-
able resources. For more information, iPhone, iPad User…
VFW Military Assistance Program (MAP).
These initiatives are just a few of the ways contact your local FFSC. Download JSS
at the App Store S
American Red Cross, still supporting the military
When you hear “Red Cross”, what comes to with post-deployment reunion. These classes JSS Dial-in Access 24/7?
mind: Disaster relief, CPR or emergency con- are available not only to spouses, but also to 1-877-JSS-NOW1
tact messages? Yes, the American Red Cross parents, siblings and significant others who (577-6691)
(ARC) provides those services, but that is not may not be near a military base or eligible to
all they do. The ARC has been supporting the receive deployment related services at a Fleet
U.S. Military, military families and veterans for and Family Support Center. In fact, some are
decades and their support has never been even offered via the web and are available
more robust than now. The ARC’s Military in both English
Services offers classes to help service mem- and Spanish. To
bers and their families build the resilience learn more visit
needed to cope with the unique challenges the American Red
associated with military life. Deployment Cross website, or
Services are offered to help prepare for call your local Red Scan QR code
deployment, to cope during deployment and Cross Office. to access
NFAAS mobile
website 24/7.
VA establishes ‘Coaching into Care’
to help you help your veteran
According to the Navy’s 2012 Behavioral consider reading Tips for Encouraging Your Moving Deductions
Health Quick Poll, talking to a friend or Loved One to Access Mental Health Services
family member is an incredibly important on the Defense Centers of Excellence blog. Moving every few years gets
“stress coping method” for both officers and expensive for active-duty
enlisted members. Knowing what to say Military members trust the people closest members. But if your move is
and do is not always easy, so the Veterans to them. Close friends and family members a required permanent change
Administration (VA) has established a are often the only ones able to recognize if a of station, the Internal Revenue
confidential telephone service for friends Sailor is having trouble navigating the every- Service (IRS) allows you to
and families of veterans. Coaching into Care day or extraordinary stress of military life. Early deduct the
is a free and confidential coaching service intervention works but Sailors need to know “reasonable
to help callers discover new ways to talk where to go for the appropriate help. Learn unreimbursed
with their Veteran about their concerns and what to say and where to get help BEFORE expenses”
about treatment options. Before you call, you need it. of relocat-
ing yourself
and your
family.
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3. MARCH 2013
New program to assist returning IA,
demobilizing Sailors with the medical referrals
A new resource referral tracking service systems (Tricare, Military Treatment Facili-
to returning Individual Augmentees ties and the U.S. Department of Veterans
and Demobilizing Reservist is now Affairs).
available.
Sailors will also have medical referrals
A Senior Medical Officer and a Resource and assistance tracked at NMPS until all
Referral Tracking Manager (RRTM) will medical issues are resolved even if a new
assist Sailors in navigating the medical service-related medical issue should arise
referral process upon returning from after departure from NMPS.
deployment. When Sailors transfer from Questions regarding the post-deploy-
a Navy Mobilization Processing Site ment medical referral process should be
(NMPS), they will be provided individual directed to 1-855-NAVY-311 (1-855-628-
medical and referral support as needed 9311) or NMPS_REFERRALMANAGER@
by the RRTM to navigate the medical NAVY.MIL.
Sexual Assault Prevention,
Response in the Navy
Originally established in 1994 as the awareness training at each command.
Sexual Assault Victim Intervention
(SAVI) program, which focused solely
Active-duty service members, National Happy Birthday to
on victim support, the Navy Sexual As-
Guard and Reserve component members
who were assaulted when performing
the Navy Reserve
sault Prevention and Response (SAPR) active service and military dependents Today the members of the Navy Reserve
program employs a holistic approach, 18 years of age or older are eligible for make up almost 20 percent of the Navy’s
incorporating prevention in addition SAPR services. The DoD Safe Helpline, Total Force and play a crucial role in
to a coordinated victim response and hosted by the Rape, Abuse, and Incest everyday operations. Even before Con-
support system. National Network (RAINN), provides gress officially created the Navy Reserve
The SAPR program provides a variety 24/7 secure and confidential informa- in 1915, citizen Sailors were serving in
of services for victims of sexual assault, tion worldwide three ways: telephone America’s Navy. They have participated
including case management, victim helpline (1-877-995-5247), online helpline in every war, conflict and military action
and systems advocacy, emotional sup- (https://safehelpline.org/), and text for since the Revolutionary War. Their ranks
port and information and referrals for information (55-247 inside the U.S. and have included five future Presidents, and
military and civilian resources. Sexual 011-202-470-5546 outside the U.S.). Trained the nation’s highest military decoration,
Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) Safe Helpline advocates can provide crisis the Medal of Honor (MOH), has been
ensure that effective victim response is intervention, emotional support and refer- bestowed on 23 Navy Reservists. Join us
available 24/7. SARCs manage and sup- rals to both military and civilian resources on Sunday, Mar. 3, in wishing the Navy
port all cases, oversee and train SAPR in your area, information on military Reserve a happy 98th birthday. See a
Victim Advocates (VAs), train key SAPR reporting options, and information for video and learn more about the history
personnel and support prevention and family and friends of victims. of the Navy Reserve.
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4. MARCH 2013
Tax time is quickly
approaching
Taxes aren’t due until Monday, Apr. 15, Employment, Transition Corner
but it is never too early to prepare, espe-
Fastest growing jobs
cially if your spouse is deployed. Now is
The new Transition Goals, Plans, Success
the time to begin gathering the required
(GPS) workshop helps service members
documents and forms. This will ease the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/
select a career path (education, entrepre-
process and ensure your tax filing goes Electronic Filing (VITA/ELF) Offices
neurship, or employment) and develop
as smoothly as possible. Here are some are open on most military bases
a personal transition plan. Many service
resources to assist: around the world. Volunteers, who
members already have the training and
have been trained by the IRS, pro-
Military OneSource has teamed up experience for the job they desire while oth-
vide income tax return preparation
with H&R Block to provide online tax ers may choose to pursue a new career field
and electronic filing for both state
preparation services for eligible military that requires additional education or training.
and federal returns.
families. You will be able to save and Before you set off on a career path or career
file your 2012 Federal taxes and up to If you don’t know what special change, find out which fields and industries
three state returns using the H&R Block considerations apply to active-duty are hot and have growth potential.
At Home Basic Tool free of charge, service members visit the IRS’s web-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a fed-
if you are eligible under the current site and review Publication 3, “Armed
eral agency that measures a variety of labor
guidelines. Forces Tax Guide.”
activities in the economy. On their website
you will find employment predictions for
National Nutrition Month - hundreds of jobs, determine whether a job
“Eat right, your way, every day” field is growing or declining and identify
education requirements for a particular
Every year during the month of
job. This information can help you make
March, the Academy of Nutrition
informed decisions about your career path.
and Dietetics sponsors the National
A breakdown of occupations is found in
Nutrition Month (NNM) to increase
the BLS article “Occupational Employment
awareness and focus attention on
Projections to 2020.”
the importance of making informed
food choices and developing sound For additional information contact your
eating and physical activity habits. FFSC Career and Transition Support Coun-
For more information on NNM and selor. Find the FFSC nearest you!
to find valuable, credible and scien-
tifically based information on food
and nutrition, visit the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics.
U.S. Navy Individual Returning Warrior Workshops (RWW)
Augmentees Returning Warrior Workshop Schedule & IA Family Events
Like us on Facebook. — www.ia.navy.mil. Click “Links and Resources.”
IA Discussion Group Schedule
View the Fleet-wide list of classes, support
groups and events.
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