1. The Blue Star Newsletter
February 2012
The Mobilization & Deployment Readiness
Program is yet striving to be an asset to the Blue Star
Card holders. During this month, it is our goal to
equip you with information regarding happiness
after homecoming. Anyone desiring a reunion
briefing, please call and set up your appointments as
soon as possible.
Curtis L. Williams
Mobilization & Deployment Readiness Program
334.255.9578.
Operation Security (OPSEC)
Military Community Awareness
As a military family member, you’re part of the
OPSEC team and play a crucial role in ensuring
your loved ones’ safety. Understanding and
following OPSEC ensures your safety at home.
For example, use common sense when hanging
yellow ribbons on trees, sticking magnets on cars,
or wearing clothing that advertises your
deployment status. These may be seen as
opportunities for others to recognize your
vulnerabilities. Help your service member feel
confident about your safety and security while he
or she is deployed by protecting yourself.
Social Networking: Status updates, countdown
calendars, and other online displays can jeopardize
your safety as well as the safety of your service
member. The military is making decisions on how
to manage social networking in a way that allows a
continued line of communication between service
members and their families without jeopardizing
Operations Security.
 Watch constantly for military updates and
restrictions on the use of these sites.
 When using social networking sites, take
your unit’s cautions and suggestions
seriously.
 Consider using communication sites that
are set up in partnership with military
requirements. The site
www.websitesforheros.com provides a
password-protected, secure website for a
military family. Set this up before you
leave.
 Remember that
even when using
military sponsored
networking sites,
your information is
never 100% secure.
UPDATE Child
Care for Family
Readiness Groups
(FRG) Funding from
the Army Family
Covenant to pay for
child care for official
FRG meetings ended in
October 2011. It is now
being restored with
funding from Children
Youth and School
Services (CYSS). For
making child care
reservations and
additional information,
call Pam Williams at
334.255.2375.
Fort Rucker Tax
Center 334.255.2937
The Fort Rucker Tax
Center will open and
remain open thru 15 April
2012 to help Retirees,
Soldiers and Families
prepare their income taxes.
The Tax Center is located
on the 3rd floor of Bldg
5700, Rm 371F. The
Center will be open
Monday thru Friday from
0900-1600. Tax assistance
is provided on an
appointment basis.
Upcoming Events
FRG Training
February 6, 2012
0800-1230pm
Bldg 5700, Rm 284
Care Team Training
February 29, 2012
0800-1230pm
Bldg 5700, Rm 284
FRG Training
March 29, 2012
0800-1230pm
Bldg 5700, Rm 284
POCs:
Curtis Williams
Mobilization &
Deployment Program
Manager
334.255.9578
curtis.l.williams2@usarm
y.mil
Ruth Gonzalez
Relocation Readiness
Program Manager
334.255.3735
ruth.e.gonzalez@us.army.
mil