Sept. 2, 2011, this week in mcfp

http://www.health.mil/blog/10-06-24/Family_Resiliency_Webinar.aspx.

This Week in MC&FP
September 2, 2011

Today in History: Allies Celebrate V-J Day

On this day in 1945, the USS Missouri hosts the formal surrender of the Japanese government to
the Allies. Victory over Japan was celebrated back in the States. As Japanese troops finally
surrendered to Americans on the Caroline, Mariana, and Palau islands, representatives of their
emperor and prime minister were preparing to formalize their capitulation. In Tokyo Bay, aboard
the Navy battleship USS Missouri, the Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, and the
chief of staff of the Japanese army, Yoshijiro Umezu, signed the "instrument of surrender."
Representing the Allied victors was Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander of the U.S. Army
forces in the Pacific, and Adm. Chester Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, now
promoted to the newest and highest Navy rank, fleet admiral.

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Please note: Some hyperlinks in this text are lengthy, sometimes extending more than one line.
For best results, cut and paste the entire link into your Web browser.

School Liaisons for Those New Students

Robert L. Gordon, III, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Military Community and Family Policy)

I hope that this school year is off to a great start for all our military families! While this is an
exciting time, I also know that many of our children are starting in a new school, and as parents,
we want to do all that we can to help ensure this transition is a smooth one. To assist you, your
local School Liaison can be an invaluable resource. The School Liaison in your community is
familiar with your local education system, its people, and its guidelines. The School Liaison‘s
mission is to reduce the impact of the mobile, military lifestyle on your child‘s education by
providing resources, support, and tools for both you and your child to be successful.

Full Article on DoD Live, http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/09/family-focus-friday-
school-liaisons-for-those-new-students/

Has a School Liaison helped you? Do you have questions about School Liaisons for other
families? I invite you to join our discussion and share your experiences with one another.
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=45334&uid=182288077661

This Week in MC&FP September 2, 2011

In the News

Military Discounts at Wolf Trap for September Performances!
Active duty enlisted military personnel (grades E1-E4) will receive 10% off an in-house seat
for themselves and up to three guests. In recognition of those who serve our country, Wolf
Trap is offering a military discount for active duty enlisted military personnel (grades E1-E4)
for all Wolf Trap Filene Center shows in September. More,
http://www.wolftrap.org/Home/Media_and_Newsroom/News_and_Announcements/Announ
cements/Military_Discounts.aspx

DOD Unveils Roadmap for School Improvements
The Defense Department now has a roadmap to bring all schools on military bases up to 21st
century facility standards, Pentagon officials announced this week. In a recent interview in
advance of the announcement, Jo Ann Rooney, principal undersecretary of defense for
personnel and readiness, spoke about the results of a facilities assessment of 157 of the 160
public schools on military installations – three newly built schools were not assessed -- that
are operated by local education agencies. The assessed schools have roughly 80,000
students, Rooney said, and should not be confused with schools run by the department.
Though the schools are on military installations, they are staffed, administered and
maintained by local school authorities. The assessment looked at the schools‘ condition and
capacity. ―The Department of Defense is strongly committed to ensuring that the children of
military families receive an excellent education that prepares them for successful careers and
to be active contributors to their communities and the nation,‖ Defense Secretary Leon E.
Panetta said in a written statement as part of today‘s announcement. ―High quality facilities
and instruction are essential, of course, to providing the kind of education they deserve.
That‘s a top priority.‖ In the recent interview, Rooney echoed Panetta‘s words. ―Our No. 1
priority … is to make sure that they are providing the best quality of education for the
children of our service members,‖ she said. More,
http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=65200

DODEA Education Heading in a Technological Direction
The Department of Defense is committed to ensuring that all children of military families are
provided a quality education that prepares them to be successful in their careers, leading
contributors in their communities and productive citizens in the 21st century. As the Acting
Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, Ms. Marilee Fitzgerald will have
oversight of all DoDEA schools, in the U.S. and overseas. Video,
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/09/dodea-education-heading-in-a-technological-
direction/

Department of Defense Education Activity Attendance Policy
Be here! School attendance is important and in order to receive the best education, students
need to Be Here! This year, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is
implementing a system-wide attendance policy for students in DoDEA schools throughout
the world. This new policy is consistent with those found in many public schools throughout
the United States. Video, http://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/video.cfm?cId=PSA_Att

Page 2


DoDEA 2010-2011 Customer Satisfaction Survey Results!
The DoDEA Customer Satisfaction Survey is a biennial survey administered by DoDEA to
parents and students to monitor DoDEA's success in meeting students' needs. The survey is
administered every other year to sponsors with children in pre-kindergarten - 12th grade and
to students in grades 4-12. For the 2010-2011 survey, more than 19,000 sponsors and 27,000
4th-12th grade students responded to the survey. These statistics represent an approximate
response rate of 24% of eligible sponsors (down 1% from the previous survey) and 57% of
eligible students (down 18% from the previous survey). Participation was voluntary and
maximum participation was encouraged in order to obtain reliable and valid data. Schools,
districts, areas, and DoDEA use the survey results to improve programs and services offered
to DoDEA's students. The survey results are also used to monitor components of the DoDEA
Community Strategic Plan. The Customer Satisfaction Survey Results are available for
DoDEA's three areas - the Pacific, Europe, and the United States. Click the corresponding
link on the right to access the results. More, http://www.dodea.edu/datacenter/surveys.cfm

When to Keep Sick Children at Home
There are two reasons to keep sick children at home. The child does not feel well enough to
participate comfortable in usual activities. The illness is on the list of symptoms or illness
for which temporary exclusion is recommended for the health and safety of your child as
well as other children. More,
http://www.dodea.edu/back_to_school/2011_12.cfm?cId=sickChildren

TRICARE: Managing Diabetes at School
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in school-aged children, affecting
about 200,000 young people in the United States, according to the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). About 19,000 youths are diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
each year. Diabetes is a serious chronic disease in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are too
high due to defects in insulin production, insulin action or both. Because of this, diabetes
must be managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For students with type 1 and a few with
type 2 diabetes, that means careful monitoring of their blood glucose levels throughout the
school day and administering multiple doses of insulin by injection or with an insulin pump
to control their blood glucose and minimize complications. More,
http://www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/press_article.aspx?fid=569

TRICARE Gets Physical with School Enrollees
It is that time of year again! The temperature is dropping, the leaves are changing and the
children are preparing for their first day back at school. TRICARE wants to remind
beneficiaries that to enroll their younger children in school, they may need to get a physical
first. When required in connection with a school enrollment, TRICARE covers physicals for
children ages 5-11. Those using TRICARE Prime should visit their primary care physician
to complete their school physical. TRICARE Standard beneficiaries may also visit their
primary care physician to complete a school physical but must meet all cost-shares and
deductibles applied under their coverage plan.
http://www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/news.aspx?fid=735

Page 3


TRICARE Portability Reduces Moving Stress
With a single phone call, service member and family beneficiaries under TRICARE Prime
can arrive at a new duty station, confident their medical records and prescriptions were
transferred and new doctors were lined up for them in advance, a top TRICARE official said.
TRICARE‘s ―Moving Made Easy‖ option takes some of the stress out of moving, Navy Rear
Adm. (Dr.) Christine Hunter, TRICARE Management Activity deputy director, said in an
Aug. 26 interview. And beneficiaries don‘t have to worry about a gap in their coverage, she
added. Service members and their families can make the transfer call prior to moving, during
the move, or after they‘ve arrived, Hunter said. Telephone numbers to transfer TRICARE
information and find new health care providers are listed by region and overseas at
www.tricare.mil. ―This was an initiative of [Defense Secretary Robert M.] Gates who, like
[First Lady Michelle] Obama and our leadership chain, were very worried about the stresses
of moving on our military families,‖ Hunter said. ―They have a lot to do and a short
timeframe in which to do it.‖ More,

Navy Captain Leads ‘Joining Forces’ Campaign
Navy Capt. Brad Cooper is third-generation military, but unlike most of his fellow officers,
he doesn‘t work on a military installation or aboard a ship. Cooper‘s office is tucked away in
the East Wing of the White House. Each day he heads down halls lined with black-framed
photos of the first lady on recent trips, and past rooms filled with memorabilia from past
presidential events. Cooper‘s military presence in the civilian-dominated White House
echoes his mission there: to help in building a bridge between military families and the
people seeking to support them. As the new executive director of the White House‘s
―Joining Forces‖ campaign -- championed by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden,
wife of Vice President Joe Biden -- it‘s Cooper‘s job to rally national support from all sectors
of society to honor and support service members, veterans and their families. More,

Pentagon Leaders Dedicate USO Exhibit
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III was joined by Navy Adm. Mike Mullen,
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in celebrating the dedication of a USO exhibit in the
Pentagon today. ―For 70 years [the USO] has supported our troops wherever they go,‖ Lynn
said. ―In the 90s, I personally saw the USO‘s contributions in Kosovo and Bosnia, [and now,
their service] on this tour in Afghanistan and Iraq.‖ Lynn also said the USO maintains a
large presence at Defense Department medical facilities in Landstuhl, Germany; Bethesda,
Md.; at Fort Belvoir, Va.; and until recently, Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
―[We‘re here] to recognize the seven decades of service that the USO has provided,‖ the
deputy secretary said. ―They bring so much to our troops and their families.‖ More,

Job Initiatives Focus on Vets, Family Members
President Barack Obama yesterday called on Congress to move quickly on an initiative to
offer tax credits to employers who hire unemployed veterans, including those with
disabilities. Speaking yesterday at the American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis,
the president emphasized the nation‘s responsibility to care for its veterans. ―To get this

Page 4


done, I‘ve proposed a Returning Heroes Tax Credit for companies that hire unemployed
veterans and a Wounded Warrior Tax Credit for companies that hire unemployed veterans
with a disability,‖ Obama told the assembly. ―When Congress returns from recess, this needs
to be at the top of the agenda.‖ Obama said he has directed the federal government to hire
more veterans. During the past year and a half, that directive has resulted in more than
100,000 veteran hires. And, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management announced today that
it has published final regulations to give military spouses of deceased and 100-percent
disabled veterans as much time as they need to apply for a federal job under the military
spouse hiring authority. More, http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=65208

Spouses Benefit From New Hiring Rule
It‘s hard enough being the spouse of a fallen service member, or a veteran declared 100
percent disabled. But for many of these spouses, well-meaning federal rules that gave them
up to two years after their loved one died or became disabled to take advantage of special
hiring authorities for government jobs just wasn‘t enough. Too often, two years was too little
time before they were ready to enter the workforce. Many were still grieving or were
preoccupied with the challenges of caring for their children or disabled spouses during this
difficult time. Others were enrolled in educational or training programs to prepare them for
new careers to support their families. Officials at the Office of Personnel Management
recognized the problem, and moved today to make things right. More,
http://afps.dodlive.mil/2011/08/31/spouses-benefit-from-new-hiring-rule/

President Obama Salutes the Extraordinary Decade of Military Service by the 9/11
Generation
President Obama today praised the extraordinary decade of service rendered by the 9/11
Generation of our military, the more than five million men and women – all of whom
voluntarily joined the armed forces over the past ten years. He also paid special tribute to the
more than 6,200 Americans who have given their lives in this hard decade of war. Speaking
before the American Legion National Convention today in Minneapolis, the President said
that America‘s military is the best it‘s ever been, and highlighted the ways in which this new
generation has changed the way America fights and wins our wars. More,
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/30/president-obama-salutes-extraordinary-decade-
military-service-911-generation

George Washington Takes Friends, Families on Cruise
The crew of USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted more than 2,000 family and friends
for a cruise Aug. 27. George Washington, the U.S. Navy's only full-time, forward-deployed
aircraft carrier, provided many entertainment acts. Family and friends watched and
participated in a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department sponsored
events, including a famous Japanese Elvis Presley tribute performer, Taiko drummers and
Hawaiian dancers, along with paintball, bouncy houses, movies, human gyroscope, sumo
wrestling and face painting. The day was highlighted by a sea power display and air show
involving the aircraft and pilots of embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. More,
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=62442

Page 5


My Husband’s Reintegration
In this post, Sheri Hall answers questions about how she supported her family while her
husband, Army Maj. Jeff Hall, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after his second
tour in Iraq, and shares how she encouraged him to seek help through the Deployment Health
Clinical Center‘s specialized care program. The center is part of the Defense Centers of
Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, and offers care for those
experiencing PTSD and reintegration concerns. More,
http://afps.dodlive.mil/2011/08/29/my-husband%e2%80%99s-reintegration/

Real Warriors Goes Mobile
The Real Warriors Campaign recently launched a mobile site, allowing service members,
veterans, military families and health professionals to seamlessly access campaign resources
from their smart mobile device. ―With today‘s increasingly tech-savvy service member, the
mobile site was a natural progression and a huge monument for the Real Warrior Campaign,‖
said Staff Sgt. Megan Krause, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve who is featured in one of
the campaign‘s video profiles. ―It‘s one thing to give someone a website and say ‗Check it
out when you get home,‘ and it‘s another thing to say, ‗Pull out your phone; look at what
they‘re doing right now.‘‖ More, http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/08/real-warriors-
goes-mobile/

Gold Star Dad Finds Support in Outreach Program
The plight of the Gold Star family is something close to home for Survivor Outreach
Services at Fort Stewart. The program offers support services to families of Active, Reserve
and Army National Guard Soldiers who have passed away. Its mission is to provide support
services to families of the fallen for however long the family wishes. The term Gold Star is
used for all family members of fallen Soldiers. For Gold Star father, Willie Judon, he
thought his family did not fit the criteria to receive services from Survivor Outreach Services,
or SOS, or be involved in Gold Star programs. Judon, like most people, thought the program
was available only to family members whose Soldier was killed in combat during a
deployment. "The program is here to provide support services for families and Soldiers of
fallen service members," said Cheryl Sowell, SOS coordinator. "The fallen Soldier could
have died for numerous reasons and SOS is here for them regardless of the circumstances."
More,
http://www.army.mil/article/64232/Gold_Star_dad_finds_support_in_outreach_program/

New Employee at Resale and NAF Policy
Mr. Brian Campbell arrived in Resale Activities & NAF Policy/MC&FP on August 29 and
assumed responsibility for the DoD Commissary Surcharge, Nonappropriated Fund, and
Privately Financed Construction program analysis and policy. Brian is recently retired as a
Colonel after 27 years in the U. S. Air Force. Welcome aboard!

Page 6


Guard/Reserve On-Site Sales
Currently, there are no on-site sales for online ordering. For more information, visit
http://www.commissaries.com/guard_reserve_sales.cfm. In the next few weeks, DeCA will
deliver the benefit:

Sept. 2 - 3 Texas Army National Guard Austin, TX
Sept. 9 Guard and Reserve Devil's Lake, ND
Sept. 9 - 11 Guard and Reserve Chicopee, MA
Sept. 10 Fargo Air Guard Fargo ND
Sept. 10 - 11 Guard and Reserve Greenville, KY
Sept. 10 - 11 WV National Guard Huntington, WV
Sept. 10 - 11 Army National Guard Syracuse, New York
Sept. 11 Guard and Reserve Duluth, MN
Sept. 15 - 17 Guard and Reserve Wailuku, HI
Sept. 15 - 18 75 Battle Group Training Division Houston, TX
Sept. 16 - 17 Utah Army National Guard Riverton, UT
Sept. 16 - 17 Oregon National Guard Roseburg, OR
Sept. 16 - 18 Guard and Reserve Fairmont, WV
Sept. 23 - 24 Oregon National Guard Pendleton, OR
Sept. 23 - 24 Army National Guard Scottsbluff, NE
Sept. 24 - 25 Wyoming National Guard Douglas, Wyoming

Tips of the Week

Nutrition Tip of the Week, Portion vs. Serving
The words portion and serving are frequently used when discussing food, health and
nutrition. But what‘s the difference? A portion is the amount of food that you choose to eat
for a meal or snack. It can be big or small—you decide. However, a serving is a measured
amount of food or drink, such as one slice of bread or one cup (eight ounces) of milk. Many
foods that come as a single portion actually contain multiple servings. The Nutrition Facts
label on packaged foods—on the backs of cans, sides of boxes, etc. — tells you the number
of servings in the container. For example, look at the label of a 20-ounce soda (typically
consumed as one portion), and you‘ll see that it has 2.5 servings in it. A 3-ounce bag of
chips—which some would consider a single portion—contains 3 servings. So the next time
you reach for a snack, take a closer look at the serving size on the nutrition label. You may
be eating more than what you think.
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Page 7


Parenting Tip of the Week, Recognizing Child Abuse
Child abuse occurs when a child is hurt by the direct or indirect actions of someone who is
responsible for the child's welfare, such as an adult caregiver, family member, or parent.
DoD policy requires that suspected child abuse be reported to the Family Advocacy Program
(FAP) or civilian child protective services immediately. The following signs may signal the
presence of child abuse or neglect:

o The Child:
 Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
 Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents'
attention
 Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to
specific physical or psychological causes
 Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
 Lacks adult supervision
 Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
 Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

o The Parent:
 Shows little concern for the child
 Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child's problems in school or at
home
 Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child
misbehaves
 Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
 Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
 Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway

To find contact information for your installation‘s Family Advocacy Program or state child
abuse hotline, visit http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/tf/childabuse

Let’s Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the Week, Tips to help you eat fruits

o Make fruit more appealing:
 Many fruits taste great with a dip or dressing. Try fat-free or low-fat yogurt as a dip
for fruits like strawberries or melons.
 Make a fruit smoothie by blending fat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt with fresh or
frozen fruit. Try bananas, peaches, strawberries, or other berries.
 Try unsweetened applesauce as a lower calorie substitute for some of the oil when
baking cakes.
 Try different textures of fruits. For example, apples are crunchy, bananas are smooth
and creamy, and oranges are juicy.
 For fresh fruit salads, mix apples, bananas, or pears with acidic fruits like oranges,
pineapple, or lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

Page 8


o Fruit tips for children:
 Set a good example for children by eating fruit every day with meals or as snacks.
 Offer children a choice of fruits for lunch.
 Depending on their age, children can help shop for, clean, peel, or cut up fruits.
 While shopping, allow children to pick out a new fruit to try later at home.
 Decorate plates or serving dishes with fruit slices.
 Top off a bowl of cereal with some berries. Or, make a smiley face with sliced
bananas for eyes, raisins for a nose, and an orange slice for a mouth.
 Offer raisins or other dried fruits instead of candy.
 Make fruit kabobs using pineapple chunks, bananas, grapes, and berries.
 Pack a juice box (100% juice) in children‘s lunches instead of soda or other sugar-
sweetened beverages.
 Look for and choose fruit options, such as sliced apples, mixed fruit cup, or 100%
fruit juice in fast food restaurants.
 Offer fruit pieces and 100% fruit juice to children. There is often little fruit in ―fruit-
flavored‖ beverages or chewy fruit snacks.
Source: USDA

Financial Tip of the Week, Internet Auctions
Thinking of bidding in an online auction, or selling some of your stuff? Internet auctions are
a great resource for shoppers and sellers, but you need to watch out for some pitfalls.

Here's how:

o Evaluate how soon you need to receive the item you're bidding on, and whether you can
tolerate it being delivered late, or even not delivered. Many complaints about internet
auction fraud involve late shipments, no shipments, or shipments of products that aren't
the same quality as advertised.
o Whether you're a buyer or a seller, read each auction site's Terms of Use before using it
for the first time - sites may charge fees, follow different rules, or offer different
protections.
o Carefully consider your method of payment. Learn what recourse you have if something
goes wrong. Don't send cash, and don't use a money wiring service.
o Don't reply to "phishing" emails: messages that look like they've been sent by an auction
website or payment service and ask for your password or other personal information.
o Know who you're dealing with. Avoid doing business with sellers you can't identify,
especially those who try to lure you off the auction site with promises of a better deal.
Confirm the seller's telephone number in case you have questions or problems.
o Know exactly what you're bidding on. Read and print a copy of the seller's description of
the product closely, especially the fine print. Save copies of all emails you send and
receive from the auction site or seller, too.
o Internet auction sites give buyers a "virtual" flea market with new and used merchandise
from around the world; they give sellers a global storefront from which to market their
goods. But the online auction business can be risky business. OnGuard Online wants to
help buyers and sellers stay safe on internet auction websites. Among the thousands of
consumer fraud complaints the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives every year,

Page 9


those dealing with online auction fraud consistently rank near the top of the list. The
complaints generally deal with late shipments, no shipments, or shipments of products
that aren't the same quality as advertised; bogus online payment or escrow services; and
fraudulent dealers who lure bidders from legitimate auction sites with seemingly better
deals. Most complaints involve sellers, but in some cases, the buyers are the subject.
o Whether you're a buyer or a seller, understanding how internet auctions work can help
you avoid most problems.
Source: Federal Trade Commission

Military OneSource Tip of the Week, Dealing with Your Feelings When Your Spouse is
About to Deploy

As the time of departure comes closer, some spouses begin to feel detached or withdrawn as
their service members invest more time and emotional commitment in the mission. Common
reactions to an impending deployment include feelings of hopelessness and impatience.
Some couples may feel a decrease in emotional or physical closeness. If you experience any
of these emotions during the pre-deployment period, remember that it‘s important to:
o Keep the lines of communication open. Be sure to talk about your own feelings and listen
when your service member shares his or her feelings. It‘s also helpful to discuss what you
expect from each other during the deployment, including how you will communicate.
o Create opportunities for lasting memories during the separation. It may not be easy to set
aside the ―honey-do‖ lists, the pre-deployment preparations, or your mixed feelings about
getting too close before the separation. But building in some quality time together in a
relaxed atmosphere will provide warm memories to sustain you during the deployment.
o Get to know other military spouses who are going through the same experience. By
participating in family readiness activities and other unit or installation events you can
find comfort in sharing your experiences and begin building a network of support during
the deployment.

o Learn more from the Military OneSource article, Managing the Emotional Cycle of
Deployment When Your Spouse is Deployed, available at www.MilitaryOneSource.com.
Source: Military OneSource 2011

Spouse Tip, How to Get a Job with Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Programs

Each military service – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard -- has a
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program. MWR programs offer exciting career
opportunities and some offer management trainee and student internship programs as well.
MWR hires employees with appropriated funds (APF) and nonappropriated funds (NAF).
APF and NAF have different job application processes, so pay special attention when you
visit the job application websites below.

Page 10


MWR job opportunities are offered in specialized program areas such as:

Clubs Bowling Equipment Rental
Libraries Golf Leisure Travel/Tourism
Recreation Centers Physical Fitness Arts and Crafts
Marinas Aquatics Food & Beverage/Culinary
Organized Sports Outdoor Recreation Child Development

The first step towards starting an MWR career or getting an MWR job is to select the branch
of Military Service you want to work for.

ARMY
For position descriptions and job application information, visit:
http://www.armymwr.org/hr/employment.aspx
Civilian jobs include staff and management positions in such specialty areas as:
recreation director; managers for outdoor recreation, arts and crafts, leisure travel,
aquatics and recreation center programs; sports/fitness director, and librarian. To develop
future managers, Army offers a 36 month Management Trainee Program that prepares
trainees to do such things as promote exciting concerts, lead kayaking adventure trips,
open theme restaurants, renovate multi-million dollar hotels … and more. Trainees are
supervised by a mentor for 24 months, and then placed in a NF-04 managerial position in
a specialty area from which they transition into their new career.

NAVY
http://www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/personnel.html
Civilian jobs include placements in social work, library science, business and hospitality,
sports, fitness, aquatics, community recreation, youth recreation, outdoor recreation, child
development, special events, tourism, marketing, food and beverage management and
culinary arts. The Navy offers a 12-week Student Internship Program (with on-site
mentoring) for college seniors and graduate students who are enrolled in a degree
program related to the above career focus areas.

COAST GUARD
http://www.uscg.mil/mwr
Civilian positions and a Student Internship Program provide employees and interns with
operational and programming experience in facilities such as gyms, pools, tennis and
racquetball courts, weight rooms, athletic fields, tour and ticket offices, campgrounds,
temporary lodging facilities, movie theaters, bowling centers, and food and beverage
outlets. MWR Interns are provided housing, pay, meals and travel expenses for 12-16
weeks. Internships are open year-around, but the best time to work is from May-
September when more MWR activities and events occur. Internship application
deadlines are 45 days prior to each school semester. The Summer Internship deadline is
March 1.

Page 11


MARINE CORPS
http://www.usmc-mccs.org/employ
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) provides civilian employment opportunities
at all of its installations worldwide. Filling of vacancies is managed at the installation
level where job openings are available for staff and managers, ranging from recreation
and youth program leaders to child development directors, to event planners, to materials
handlers, to food and beverage professionals. If you are a highly-motivated person, the
Marine Corps wants you.

AIR FORCE
http://www.usajobs.gov
Individuals seeking civilian NAF career opportunities with the Air Force should seek
additional employment information from local Air Force Human Resource Offices in
their region of interest. Staff and management positions are managed there.
Additionally, Air Force has a Management Trainee Program to develop future MWR
managers (http://afnafcareers.com/html/frameset.asp) with training and outplacement to
jobs worldwide. They also have a PALACE Acquire Student Internship Program (1-800-
525-0102) which provides job opportunities for civilian positions in 20 different career
fields. Interns participate in a 2-4 year On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program with
performance based annual promotions while in training. US citizenship and mobility are
required.

Recreation Career Opportunities
So, if you are interested in an active, creative, challenging career in program areas which
support the physical, cultural and social needs and general well-being of military service and
family members – in peacetime and during readiness contingencies and deployments --
providing MWR support services and activities for the Department of Defense might be just
the career for you. You can start as a staff member and work your way up through
management ranks, or start in a college degree program that incorporates MWR internships
and management development programs that offer job placements at the end. It‘s your
choice. MWR career opportunities are fast moving and mobile. As a military spouse, they
may be just right for you!

Relocation Tip, Separate shipments.
If you will have multiple shipments, clearly separate them at your residence. Multiple
shipments should be scheduled on separate days to avoid confusion. You want the right
items going to the right destination.
# # #

Page 12

Sept. 2, 2011, this week in mcfp

More Related Content

Similar to Sept. 2, 2011, this week in mcfp (20)

More from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Sept. 2, 2011, this week in mcfp