Inside 74

April 2014

To all FEARLESS Children of NMCB SEVENTYFOUR: It is my pleasure to express the grateful appreciation of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR and the entire United States Navy for your enduring support of your Mother or Father as they serve in the Armed Services of the United States. You endure frequent and long separations from your mom or dad as they serve their country. These days, weeks, months and even years constitute a clear and noble demonstration of their love for you and your family. They have chosen to serve their country and accept difficult absences to ensure that you inherit a safer world and are able to fully enjoy the freedoms that the United States stands for. Your mom or dad is making a difference, contributing to the strongest Navy in the world, and keeping our nation safe. I thank you for understanding the challenges of military service, for enduring separation and for your continued love and support. Very Respectfully, CDR Dave McAlister CO, NMCB 74

Message from your Ombudsmen

Lesley Clayton and Kelly Farwell

Greetings Fearless Families!

We are beyond excited to be able to say we are at the halfway point of this deploymentfinally! While our Seabees and Sailors have been hard at work completing projects and continue to uphold their expected standards with their Can Do spirit, hopefully you have realized your ability to cope with deployment and have felt the exhilaration of completing a task that usually belongs to your spouse; i.e. changing your car battery or repairing your dryer, etc. Woohoo! Before we know it, well be making arrangements for homecoming; planning outfits, painting signs and cleaning the home from top to bottom. While this is an exciting time, it may also prove to be overwhelming. Remember, Kelly and I are available to assist you with your questions and concerns. . Dont hesitate to contact us via phone, email and/or Facebook. We are of service to you, our Navy Family! *Dont forget in the excitement of these final months, countdowns are a violation of OPSEC and should not be posted via social media. Please do your part in keeping our loved ones safe and their returns on time.*
**Navy Family Ombudsman are required to report to the command and/or the appropriate authorities all instances of Alleged or Known Child Abuse, Alleged Spouse/Partner Abuse, Potential or attempted Suicide, Potential Homicidal or Life Threatening Behavior, and any other issues identified by the Commanding Officer.**

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 3 4

Letters from our CO and Ombudsmen The month of the Military Child Upcoming events Updated contact information; Resources

Remember, home is not a War Zone! Bringing peace to your relationship means knowing how to access support services your family may need to maintain stability and ensure safety. Call the Family Advocacy Office at 871-3000.

Month of the Military Child

Military children make up a very special part of our nations population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents through moves and deployments. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of our country, each April is designated the Month of the Military Child (http://www.monthofthemilitarychild.com/). As we celebrate our military children this April, the work continues. We want to use this month to not only acknowledge how strong military kids are, but to also focus on supporting them through the struggles they encounter due to the lifestyle that comes with being a part of the military. These kids are our future. Now it is up to all of us to make sure we keep our military kids safe, loved and celebrated- not only in April but through the entire year! (http://www.militaryfamily.org/featurearticles/april-is-month-of-the.html)

Dog Tags for Kids www.dogtagsforkids.com Dog Tags for Kids is dedicated to helping United States servicemen and women in harms way connect with their children at home. Service members can request specially engraved dog tags in the appropriate service colorfor freeto give to their children. Everyone Serves www.everyoneservesbook.com Everyone Serves is a handbook for family and friends of Service Members. The FREE guide helps you:
Build resilience Strengthen relationships Learn coping strategies Prepare for and manage reunion and reintegration

Talk, Listen, Connect The Sesame Workshop created the Talk, Listen, Connect initiative to help small children learn about and understand the changes brought on by a deploying parent. Talk, Listen, Connect is a multiphase, bilingual, multimedia initiative that guides families through multiple challenges, such as deployments, homecomings, and changes that occur when a parent comes home. The program has created invaluable tools to assist and support military families with preschoolage children, addressing their needs by using the power of the Sesame Street friends to bring to light their challenges as well as their great strength and resilience. You can learn more about this initiative and the tools it offers at (www.sesamestreet.org) .

Everyone Serves provides links for additional resources that may prove helpful to your family as you navigate the military lifestyle and experience deployment and reintegration.
http://www.everyoneservesbook.com/resources

Military Youth on the Move (http://apps.militaryonesource.mil) Military Youth on the Move covers topics specifically for military children and teens, including military moves, social life and school. Military Kids Connect (MKC) www.militarykidsconnect.org MKC, an initiative of the DoDs National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2) agency, is an online community for military children ages six to seventeen, providing access to age-appropriate resources to support children from pre-deployment, through a parents or caregivers return.

Remember, home is not a War Zone! Bringing peace to your relationship means knowing how to access support services your family may need to maintain stability and ensure safety. Call the Family Advocacy Office at 871-3000.

CALENDAR APRIL
FAMILY MOVIE
APRIL 5TH BASE THEATER

OF

EVENTS

INCOME TAX DEADLINE

APRIL 15
H

EASTER
APRIL 20
TH

FRG MEETING
NO MEETING!!!

OVER THE HUMP PARTY

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 SEABEE LAKE 1100-1300
TH

The Navy Wives Club of America NWCA is the Countrys only national federation of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard spouses. The purpose of the NWCA is to extend relief assistance to members in need as well as other families of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel and to foster a spirit of fellowship amongst its members and the civilian community. In addition to providing volunteer and monetary support to Base Commands, Fleet and Family Service Centers, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the American Red Cross and many other military and civilian community activities and services, the NWCA also offers scholarships to children of enlisted personnel. The NWCA Scholarship Foundation awards 30 scholarships annually to children of enlisted personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. A substantial part of the local clubs fundraising efforts are directed to the support of the Scholarship Foundation. There are also scholarships available for dependent spouses and members who are seeking to further their education. For more information regarding scholarships or joining the NWCA you may call Darlene Carpenter (228) 342-2271 or Tina OShields (228) 357-0513 or visit their website at http://www.navywivesclubsofamerica.org/.

MAY
FRG MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 19 YOUTH CENTER 1745
TH

JUNE
FRG MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 16 YOUTH CENTER 1745
TH

JULY
DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY
FRIDAY, JULY 25TH

All dates are subject to change

Remember, home is not a War Zone! Bringing peace to your relationship means knowing how to access support services your family may need to maintain stability and ensure safety. Call the Family Advocacy Office at 871-3000.

CONTACT INFORMATION NMCB 74 Quarterdeck ( 228) 871-2149/2183 Chaplain LT C. J. SUTTON (228) 871-4201 Family Readiness Officer (FRO) Senior Chief Maness (228) 871-4568/3000 (228) 224-2475 [email protected]

Resources At Your Disposal

www.tutor.com/military www.militaryonesource.com http://www.militaryonesource.mil/seco/enewsl etter www.relayhealth.com http://go.usa.gov/WaHW (domestic violence awareness) http://www.scribd.com/doc/182023998/Inside74November-docx (previous edition of the ombudsmen newsletter) http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installat ions/ncbc_gulfport/news/Inside_the_Gate.html (Inside the Gate) http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison (GI Bill comparison tool) http://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fl eet_and_family_support_program/deployment _readiness/during_deployment.html (deployment readiness tips) http://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fl eet_and_family_support_program/deployment _readiness.html (CNIC Deployment Readiness Webpage) http://www.cnic.navy.mil/content/dam/cnic/hq/ pdfs/n91_fleet_and_family_support_program/ deployment_readiness/FamilyConnectionNew sletter/Family%20Connection%20Newsletter% 20-%20Current%20Edition.pdf (April Family Connection Newsletter) Training Hall Movie Hotline: 228-871-3299

NMCB 74 Family Readiness Group (FRG) President: Aimee Wallace Vice President: Jenny Chapelle Secretary: Kendyl Stovall Treasurer: vacant [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/NMCB74FRG

NMCB 74 Ombudsmen Kelly Farwell (228) 239-8597 Lesley Clayton (228) 239-8722 [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/nmcbseventyfour.ombuds men

For information concerning PCS please visit the following links:

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqpcs.cf m http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move http://www.move.mil/ http://www.dfas.mil/pcstravel/checklists.html

Remember, home is not a War Zone! Bringing peace to your relationship means knowing how to access support services your family may need to maintain stability and ensure safety. Call the Family Advocacy Office at 871-3000.

I Am an Ombudsman by Gayle Brinkley I am not a crutch, but I can support you I am not a counselor, but I know one I am not a taxi driver, but I can steer you in the right direction I am not a rescuer, but I can help save lives I am not a baby sitter, but I can refer you to a caregiver I am not a gossiper, but I am a good listener I am not an enabler, but I can provide tools to empower you I am not a master of anything, but I know many experts who understand your need I am not a Recreation or Health Specialist, but I am concerned about your Morale, Welfare & Health I am not a busybody as Ive been called, but I am an Official Command Representative I am a Navy Family Ombudsman And I am of service to You The Navy Family

Remember, home is not a War Zone! Bringing peace to your relationship means knowing how to access support services your family may need to maintain stability and ensure safety. Call the Family Advocacy Office at 871-3000.