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

Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.

This Week in MC&FP July 1, 2011

_________________________________

By the time the Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776, the colonies

and England had already been at war for more than a year. Thus, to some the declaration of intention,

list of grievances and announcement of a new political philosophy might seem unnecessary; the actions

of the colonists were, indeed, self-evident. For the 56 delegates, however, stating the reasons for such

bold action and “laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form,” was

essential. To author Thomas Jefferson, the document was a summary of “self-evident” truths. His

draft, edited in late June by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, was presented to the Continental

Congress July 2, 1776. Some revisions followed on July 3 and into the late morning of July 4; then the

church bells of Philadelphia rang to announce the official adoption of the Declaration.

On this, the 235 anniversary of that daring act that charted a new course for our nation, please accept

our best wishes for a safe and happy 4th

of July. And until next week, take care.

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.

A Message to the Department of Defense from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta

“Today, I was honored to take the oath of office to become the 23rd

Secretary of Defense.

I am mindful of the great responsibility the President has entrusted to me, and I will work with you –

America‟s men and women in uniform and this Department‟s civilian employees – as I lead the

Department of Defense in its mission to protect our citizens and our nation‟s interests around the

world. My long career in public service began in the 1960s when I proudly donned the uniform of this

country as a young Army intelligence officer. In the decades since, my respect for the military has only

grown stronger.

“Bob Gates, my outstanding predecessor and good friend, has been a tireless advocate for our troops

and their families, and I pledge to be the same. You and your families will always be foremost on my

mind and at the top of my agenda.

“In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to visiting with troops and civilian employees of every

rank and hearing your ideas, thoughts, and concerns. As your leader, I will ensure that our nation

continues to have the best-trained, best-equipped, and strongest military in the world – a force prepared

to confront the challenges that face us. As CIA Director, I saw first-hand the tremendous capabilities

of our military, and I was always impressed by the professionalism and patriotism of the men and

women of the Armed Forces.

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P a g e 2

“Our nation is at war. We must prevail against our enemies. We will persist in our efforts to disrupt,

dismantle, and ultimately defeat Al Qaeda. The successful operation that killed Osama Bin Laden – a

mission that showcased American military strength and precision – is a major step toward that goal. As

we begin the transition in Afghanistan, we must remain committed to working closely with our Afghan

and international partners to ensure that it never again becomes a safe haven for Al Qaeda and its

militant allies. As we continue our transition out of Iraq, we must cement a strategic relationship with

the Iraqi government, one based not solely on our military footprint there but on a real and lasting

partnership. It is in America‟s interests to help Iraq realize its potential to become a stable democracy

in a vitally important region in the world, and to reinforce that responsibility for the future security of

Iraq must belong to the Iraqis themselves.

“As Secretary of Defense, I will do whatever is necessary to protect America and to meet the needs of

the men and women who serve in harm‟s way, and the families who support them. Even as the United

States addresses fiscal challenges at home, there will be no hollow force on my watch. That will

require us all to be disciplined in how we manage taxpayer resources. Throughout my career in public

service – as a member of Congress, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, White House

Chief of Staff, and, until yesterday, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency – I have focused on

achieving that balance. I will continue that approach at the Pentagon. We must preserve the excellence

and superiority of our military while looking for ways to identify savings. While tough budget choices

will need to be made, I do not believe in the false choice between fiscal discipline and a strong national

defense. We will all work together to achieve both.

“This July 4th

weekend, we celebrate our independence, the freedoms we enjoy, and America‟s

promise. My parents, immigrants from Italy, came to the United States to seek a better life. They

taught me that it was important to give something back to the country they adopted. I will never forget

my father‟s words: “to be free, we must also be secure.” As Americans come together to commemorate

what we and those before us have accomplished, and as I take on my new role, my thoughts are with

you and your families. You are making personal sacrifices to preserve our liberty, serving on front

lines around the world. You are fighting to keep America safe. Rest assured that I will fight with you

and for you.

“May God bless you and the nation we serve.”

A Message from Robert M. Gates, As Delivered at the Pentagon, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

“To the Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces: Tomorrow, 30 June 2011, I will retire as

Secretary of Defense. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve and to lead you for the past four

and a half years. All of that time we have been engaged in two wars and countless other operations.

“It has been a difficult time for you and for your families, from long and repeated deployments for

those in all four services – and the associated long separations from loved ones – to the anguish of

those of you who have lost friends and family in combat or those of you who have suffered visible and

invisible wounds of war yourselves. But your dedication, courage and skill have kept America safe

even while bringing the war in Iraq to a successful conclusion and, I believe, at last turning the tide in

Afghanistan. Your countrymen owe you their freedom and their security. They sleep safely at night

and pursue their dreams during the day because you stand the watch and protect them.

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“For four and a half years, I have signed the orders deploying you, all too often into harm's way. This

has weighed on me every day. I have known about and felt your hardship, your difficulties, your

sacrifice more than you can possibly imagine. I have felt personally responsible for each of you, and so

I have tried to do all I could to provide whatever was needed so you could complete your missions

successfully and come home safely – and, if hurt, get the fastest and best care in the world.

“You are the best that America has to offer. My admiration and affection for you is without limit, and I

will think about you and your families and pray for you every day for the rest of my life. God bless

you.”

From the DASD, Robert L. Gordon III

This past Wednesday marked the official launch of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership –

MSEP. What an event! The ceremony inducted 15 new employment partners to a growing list of

companies committed to hiring our military spouses. It also publicly and formally recognized the rich

nature of these important partnerships. With the launch complete, the program is „live‟ and ready to

begin connecting military spouses to rewarding, portable careers from corporate partners seeking a

talented and motivated workforce.

I‟m also very happy to announce that due to the tremendous response from both veterans and military

spouses, the Chamber of Commerce has re-opened registration for additional participants for the

upcoming Hiring Our Heroes Los Angeles hiring fair on July 10. And as you know, we are extremely

honored to have Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess

of Cambridge join us there as part of their visit to the United States. Again, this hiring fair is for

veterans and military spouses, so I urge you to register as soon as possible for this once in a lifetime

opportunity! See http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=971904

and http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/07/military-spouse-employment-partnership-looking-

forward/#more-20100

From the Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth

TRICARE’s ‘Dentist Is In’ – Protect Your Smile with Athletic Mouthguards During Play

If you or your child participates in sports or other recreational activities, you know the importance

of protective gear. Wearing protective gear is essential for safe play and shielding fragile body parts

from severe damage and injuries.

One good way to protect your teeth is by wearing an athletic mouthguard during any activity that

could cause harm or injury to your mouth. The TRICARE Dental Program covers enrollees for one

custom-fitted athletic mouthguard at a 50 percent cost-share, per consecutive 12-month period.

Athletic mouthguards help to prevent broken and chipped teeth, cuts inside the mouth and tongue,

even nerve damage and tooth loss possible during some activities. Using an athletic mouthguard

may also reduce the rate and severity of concussions, experts at the American Dental Association

say. Athletic mouthguards absorb some of the shock experienced from a blow to the head, and help

to distribute it evenly.

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P a g e 4

According to the American Dental Association, an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer injury to

their teeth or mouth when not wearing an athletic mouthguard. Even in non-contact sports like

gymnastics and biking, athletic mouthguards are shown to help prevent injuries.

For more information and the full article by Col. Jeff Chaffin, DDS, Chief, TRICARE Dental Care

Branch, see http://www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/dentist_is_in.aspx?fid=106.

From the Family Advocacy Program Office

Family Advocacy Program Staff, Service Family Advocacy Program Managers Meet

MC&FP Family Advocacy Program staff met with the Services headquarters Family Advocacy

Program managers. Among other items, representatives from the Clearinghouse on Military Family

Readiness at Penn State University, briefed them on the Clearinghouse's capabilities;

representatives of the Community Circles Strength at Home project in Fresno, Calif., briefed them

on the domestic violence prevention program for veterans; and Dr. Mark Feinberg, Penn State

University, briefed them on future adaptations of the Family Foundations curriculum to strengthen

families before and after the birth of a child.

Gordon Meets with Summit Attendees

Robert L. Gordon III, DASD (MC&FP) met June 30 with the representatives of the Services at the

DoD summit on fatalities related to child abuse and domestic violence. The summit is required by

DoDI 6400.06, “Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel,”

reviewing the reports of the military departments of their annual reviews of fatalities (including

suicide) relating to reports of known or suspected child abuse and neglect and domestic violence.

These reviews are required by law. Mr. Gordon commended the Services for their efforts in using

the reviews to identify ways in which such fatalities can be prevented and for their joint efforts in

such initiatives as preventing shaken baby syndrome and the infant safe sleep campaign that

showed positive results. Also attending the summit were experts on child fatality review from the

Dept. of Health and Human Services and experts on domestic violence from the National Resource

Center on Domestic Violence.

From the Resale and NAF Policy Office

Commissary On-Site Sale Events The Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program provides the commissary benefit to deserving

Guard/Reserve members and their families who live in areas that aren‟t close to an existing

commissary store. These sales are not only for the Guard and Reserve – they're for any authorized

shopper. 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:

July 9 Guard and Reserve Grissom ARB, Ind.

July 9-10 Guard and Reserve Martinsburg, W. Va.

July 9-10 Guard and Reserve Williamstown, W. Va.

July 11-12 Guard and Reserve San Nicholas Island, Calif.

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July 15-17 Guard and Reserve Springfield, Ore.

July 16-17 Guard and Reserve Chadron, Neb.

July 21-24 Guard and Reserve Chattanooga, Tenn.

July 22-23 Guard and Reserve Riverton, Utah

July 30-31 West Virginia National Guard McConnelsville, Ohio

In the News

From the American Forces Press Service – DoD Launches Military Spouse Employment Partnership

In an effort to address military spouses‟ employment challenges, the Defense Department today

launched a program to expand career opportunities for military spouses worldwide, and to

recognize the skills and talents they bring to the employment table. Flanked by military spouses

and corporate leaders, top government and military officials unveiled the Military Spouse

Employment Partnership during a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here. The

partnership encompasses more than 70 employers who have committed to opening their doors to

spouse employment. In remarks at the event, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden,

lauded military spouses for their service and sacrifice as they juggle households, children, volunteer

work and jobs – many times in the midst of deployments.

See http://us.mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=assbr7l51k61s#/app/minty/inbox and

http://www.dodvclips.mil/?pid=NonZ5ubAD9aNJ57MVkbaWLoZCGJYZFTM

From the Family Matters Blog – Spouses Praise New Employment Program

Yesterday, I attended the launch of the Defense Department‟s Military Spouse Employment

Partnership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Through this new program,

officials hope to expand career opportunities for military spouses worldwide, and to recognize the

numerous job skills and talents they bring to the table. More than 70 employers already have

signed on with the partnership, signifying their commitment to increase employment opportunities

for military spouses, provide promotion opportunities to deserving spouse employees, ensure pay

equity and spread the word about spousal support.

See http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=64524

From the American Forces Press Service – First Lady Salutes Troops, Families in Vermont

National Guard and reserve members and their families deserve the thanks and support of a grateful

nation, first lady Michelle Obama said in Vermont yesterday. As part of her campaign to support

military families, Obama spoke to military and other guests at the Vermont Army National Guard‟s

Aviation Support Facility in South Burlington. “After meeting so many troops and veterans, after

meeting so many spouses and children and parents, I can say with complete authority that you all

are absolutely incredible,” Obama told the audience.

See http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=64539

From the American Forces Press Service – USO Breaks Ground on Wounded Warrior, Family Center

A groundbreaking ceremony here yesterday marked the beginning of construction for the USO's

first stateside center that will provide noncritical care and support for wounded, injured and ill

service members. The center also will support families and caregivers of the wounded as they

transition from inpatient to outpatient care. See

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=64476

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From the Family Matters Blog – DoD Program Inspires Kids to Read

The day after school let out for the summer, I raced to find activities to fill those long, lazy days of

summer for my 2-, 7- and 9-year-old. While I want my kids to relax and enjoy their time off, my

7-year-old, in particular, has a couch-potato tendency that I struggle to contain. If I let him, he‟d be

happy to plant himself in front of the TV, remote in hand, and not budge until the fall school bell

rings. With that and my ever-shrinking budget in mind, I first searched for free community

activities and lucked out by finding a great summer reading program at my local library. My kids

simply have to read books, keep track of them on a log, and then can participate in weekly activities

and earn small prizes. See http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=64463

Tips of the Week

Nutrition Tip of the Week – What should I have for snack?

Fresh fruit can make a great snack at any time. Not sure how much you should eat? Take a look

below for some ideas of fresh fruit with 100 calories or less per serving:

Medium apple

Small banana

Medium peach

Medium plum

One–fourth cantaloupe

Medium kiwi fruit

Medium orange

One–half mango

Medium orange

One cup blueberries

Sixteen grapes

Sixteen strawberries

Medium pear

For more information on making healthy and nutritious food choices, check out the Commissary‟s

website at http://www.commissaries.com/

Parenting Tip of the Week – Consider Camping for Summertime Fun, Memories

Is camping a summer tradition in your family? Camping is a fun way to get family and friends

together to enjoy the outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the

following tips to help ensure your camping trip is safe and healthy:

Pack healthy snacks, fluids, adequate clothes, and a first aid kit.

Put on protective gear, such as helmets, sturdy shoes, and life jackets.

Enjoy watching wild animals from a safe distance in their natural surroundings.

Put on insect repellent.

Protect yourself from the sun. Put on sunscreen, and cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed

hat, and sunglasses.

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Are you looking for a place to go camping or rent a cabin? DoD recreational programs are offered

through Morale, Welfare, and Recreation. MWR programs provide recreational lodging, to include

cabin rentals, beach houses/cottages, and camp sites. Call or visit your nearest MWR office for

more information.

Let’s Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the Week

Balancing Calories:

Enjoy your food, but eat less.

Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase:

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

Make at least half your grains whole grains.

Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce:

Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals, and choose the foods with lower

numbers.

Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

See: www.choosemyplate.gov

Financial Tip of the Week – How to Plan a Fourth Of July on the cheap

How about some good ol‟ burgers? Have yourself an Independence Day blow-out! But you'll need

to spruce up the menu just a bit to impress some family and friends.

How to Prepare a Money-Saving Backyard Barbecue:

Buy ground beef in bulk (you can always freeze what you don't use). Head to the commissary or

your local grocery store at least a few days early to get the prime pick of the meats. You can

always search online for coupons and check your local store's weekly sales flyer. They are likely to

have a special on ground beef. If not, hot dogs are always great! Remember, plan your menu around

what's on sale. Be sure to cook all meats thoroughly. You can find food safety tips at

http://www.foodsafety.gov.

Forget about fancy prepared salads you buy at the store. Simply cut up kiwi, wash a fresh

watermelon, and open up a few cans of mandarin oranges (but drain the juice first), then mix all the

ingredients for an attractive, yet easy-to-make fruit salad.

Head to your local market and buy several boxes of their whole grain muffin mix. It's inexpensive

and healthy. Your guests will think you made the muffins from scratch, they're so good. And if

you're feeling festive, add some left over fruit from your fruit salad or chocolate chips to the mix.

Get out those old-fashioned games from the closet, or if the weather is nice, watch the neighbor's

fireworks from your deck. Why pay for fireworks if your neighbor already has some?! (Also,

check for fire restrictions with your state‟s Department of Natural Resources or maybe go inside

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P a g e 8

and watch fireworks on television. No need to start a fire.) And if kids are present, pull out the

Slip 'n Slide or let them play in the sprinkler with squirt guns.

Remember, keep the party simple so that all you have to worry about is having a good time.

This week’s tip is provided by Jennifer Armstrong, National Guard Bureau Family Programs

Financial Readiness Program Manager

Military OneSource Tip of the Week – Staying Relaxed and Refreshed After Your Vacation

You know the great way you feel after a vacation? You feel rested, relaxed, and better about the

world yourself because when you take a break from routines, life slows down and you have time for

yourself and the people you care about. Things feel less complicated.

How can you keep those feelings from disappearing and stay refreshed? Here are some

suggestions:

Remember to breathe and take mini-breaks. To maintain some of the relaxed feeling from

your vacation, take a moment for a few deep inhalations and exhalations several times over

the course of the day. Such mini-breaks can help you feel more in control and help you

work at a measured pace.

Minimize overload at work. One in three Americans feels chronically overworked,

according to a Families & Work Institute study. Slipping back into a schedule of overwork

is one of the fastest ways to lose the feeling of being relaxed and refreshed.

When home, be home. Work time and home time get blurred by email and cell phone calls.

In the evenings and on weekends, and especially if you telecommute, tell yourself, “The

office is closed.” Set clear boundaries to make your time off more like vacation time again.

Get enough sleep. You probably got a little more sleep when you were on vacation, which

is one of the reasons you felt rested afterward. Try to find ways to get more sleep now that

you‟re home.

Take a vacation from the things that make you feel stressed. If care-giving responsibilities

are making you feel stressed, for example, try hard to find someone to relieve you

occasionally, or look for respite care in your community. Use your time for something

rejuvenating, like when you were on vacation.

Do the things you love to do even when you’re not on vacation. Follow your vacation rituals

throughout the year. Play cards or board games with your kids just like you did when you

were on vacation. See more of your friends if that‟s what felt so great about being away.

Go for a swim at your installation or neighborhood pool or the local Y if you miss being in

the water.

Take time to let your mind wander. One of the best benefits of a vacation is the chance to

put aside everyday concerns and let your mind get into a free flow. It‟s not only relaxing to

let your mind wander, but it often leads to creative ideas.

Revisit your vacation through photographs. Looking at vacation photos may help you

rekindle the relaxing feelings and experiences you had.

Declare a vacation day once a week or once a month. It could be on one of your regular

days off. Instead of using this time to do grocery shopping, housecleaning, or yard work,

use it to take time for yourself and to be with the people you care about.

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Plan your next vacation. That‟s probably one of the best ways to continue feeling relaxed

and refreshed!

Your Family Center can give you information and support on many issues that affect service

members and their families. And Military OneSource, a free 24/7 service from DoD, available to

all active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families, provides information and referrals

plus face-to-face counseling. Call (800) 342-9647 or access http://www.MilitaryOneSource.com.

Spouse Tip – What Military Spouses Want Employers to Know

With growing interest since 2003, America‟s Fortune 500 Plus employers – large and small

businesses, government agencies and organizations across America – asked the Department of

Defense to give them greater access to job-seeking spouses from all Military Services – Army,

Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, including active duty, Guard and Reserve

Component spouses.

To facilitate their requested “spouse employment connection,” DoD launched a comprehensive

Military Spouse Employment Partnership – MSEP – program on June 29, 2011, with more than 70

of America‟s top employers. Subsequently, participating partners quickly expanded their outreach to

find, hire, retain and promote military spouses in their businesses and organizations in local

communities, across the nation and around the world.

Why are top employers recruiting military spouses?

MSEP corporate partners recognize that military spouses are:

Skilled, diverse, educated, and motivated, with strong work values and work ethics.

Young, tech-savvy, mobile employees who are better educated than their civilian

counterparts.

Proven, successful, productive members of the workforce in key portable career fields, such

as healthcare, education, business, finance, information technology, and skilled trades.

Take a Look. Military spouses can be a great choice for your next hire.

Here are some additional facts that fill out today‟s military spouse profile:

95 percent of the 1.2 million military spouses are women.

85 percent of military spouses report they want or need to work

84 percent have some college, 25 percent have a bachelor‟s degree, and 10 percent have an

advanced degree.

26 percent unemployment rate (for example, one in every four spouses is unemployed and

looking for work).

On September 23, 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama called on America’s employers to

HIRE MILITARY SPOUSES because they “get the job done.” She said, “After all,

hiring America’s vets and military spouses is not just about helping them – it’s about

how they can help you. So, I’m not asking you to do this out of the goodness of your

heart – do it because it’s good for your bottom line and the success of your

organization.”

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Military spouses earn 25 percent less than their civilian counterparts.

Military families move 14 percent more frequently than civilian families.

Who are current MSEP corporate partners?

The number of corporate partners is growing. For a current list, visit:

http://www.msepjobs.com/skins/msep/home.aspx?AllowSSL=true

What commitments have MSEP corporate partners made?

By signing the MSEP Statement of Support, MSEP corporate partners have pledged to:

Identify and promote career employment opportunities for military spouses.

Post job openings and a corporate HR page on the MSEP Web portal.

Offer transferable, portable career opportunities to relocating military spouse employees.

Mentor new Military Spouse Employment Partnership corporate partners.

Document and provide employment data on military spouses hired.

Accomplishing these important goals is not only good for business, it‟s good for military family

financial stability, overall military readiness and retention, national security, and the health and

well-being of America‟s military and civilian communities.

MSEP partnerships are good for military spouses, their families, and America!

Visit http://www.OurMilitary.mil to learn more about MSEP partnerships, military spouse portable

careers and flexible work options, and the strengths and contributions of military spouses as

talented, productive members of America‟s Workforce.

Relocation Tip – Start early!

Once you get your orders and know the dates you want to move, start the moving process

immediately. The sooner you start, the better the chance you‟ll lock in the dates you want. Check

out http://www.move.mil/home.htm to assist you with getting started.

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