frsa flash 16 march 2012
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
FRSA FLASH Friday, March 16, 2012
Points of Contact
Company Commander
CPT McLean
Company 1SG
SFC Smith
Company FRG Leader
RaeAnn McLean
BDE FRSA
Jackie Sharpe
O/315-774-1104
C/315-778-6107
CYSS Training Day
Closure
5
Religious Lenten/
Easter Schedule
9
Post Movie Theater
Closed This Week-
end!
11
Event Flyers 12
Scholarship Oppor-
tunity
16
Inside this issue:
Contents of this newsletter are compiled from multiple Military Family news sources. Material presented does
not represent the views or endorsement of the 10th CAB or the Army. This material is for personal use of the
readers. All readers are encouraged to do further research for all applicable restrictions and guidelines.
Special Notes of Interest
24 hour Shopette on Belvedere
The Exchange Mini-Mall HVAC project is scheduled to start on Monday, 02 April. The
project is a base initiative to upgrade the HVAC in the existing Mini-Mall complex. One
of the requirements for the work to be completed is to have the retail sales floor closed
for a 30-day period while the contractors complete the ductwork in the main retail sales
floor.
The Exchange understands closure of the retail sales floor will affect the service to the
community. In order to minimize a disruption of service, the Northgate Express will
open 24 hours during the time-frame the Mini-mall is under renovation during the
month of April.
The proposal is the following:. Beginning Monday, 02 April: Mini-mall hours of opera-
tion will be 0600 - 2000 hrs for a minimum of 30 days during the construction period.
Mini-mall will be limited to a very small assortment of retail items (tobacco, and car-
bonated beverages).
Popeye's will not be affected by the project and will be open regular hours of opera-
tion.
Barber Shop, Laundry
Alternations and Laundromat will not be affected during this period.
Northgate Express will begin 24 hour operation starting on Monday, 02 April until the
Mini-mall project is completed.
Appropriate marketing initiatives to inform the community of these changes will occur,
and further changes will be update in this Flash as well.
Headquarters , Headquarters Co.
10th Combat Aviat ion Brigade
RENEGADES
Page 2 FRSA FLASH
TRICARE chooses MetLife not United Concordia for dental
coverage
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld a decision to award a $3.1 billion TRICARE dental plan
contract to a different insurer, its first change in 15 years.
TRICARE Management Activity agency at the U.S. Department of Defense decided to give New York, N.Y.-based
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. a $3.1 billion dental plan contract rather than United Concordia Cos., based in Har-
risburg, Pa.
TRICARE managers decided that the MetLife provider network suited the military insurance program better than
United Concordia’s network, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported.
United Concordia, a division of Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Highmark, was the TRICARE dental program provider for 15
years.
Effective May 1, 2012, MetLife will become the dental carrier for the TDP. MetLife will begin providing dental
coverage to over 2 million family members of uniformed service active duty personnel, members of the Selected
Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve, their eligible family members, and Survivors.
Beneficiaries will have access to MetLife's network with over 161,000 dentist access points, and this number contin-
ues to grow.
Additional information about the contract is available at www.tricare.mil/TDPcontract and benefit updates are avail-
able at www.tricare.mil.
PLEASE NOTE that the change to MetLife is for the TDP program only. The Active Duty Dental Program will still
be administered by United Concordia®.
Changes to the TDP will include enhanced dental coverage at a lower premium share than before. MetLife will dis-
tribute program information, provider network details beginning in first quarter 2012. Highlights to the benefits and
enhancements are listed below:
Coverage of posterior resin (tooth colored/white) fillings
Increase in the annual maximum to $1,300 per enrollee (formerly this was $1,200)
Increase in the lifetime orthodontic maximum to $1,750
$1,200 per year for services related to dental treatment due to an accident as defined in the TDP handbook
No cost shares for scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) for diabetics
Coverage of an additional (3rd) cleaning for women during pregnancy
Expansion of the survivor benefits to surviving spouse and child(ren)
If you would like to check if your dentist is already part of the MetLife network, please click Find a Dentist on the
right and search for a DPPO provider. If the dentist is not a member, dentists can easily request an application on our
website for dentists, http://www.metdental.com/.
For a list of participating Dentists or for specialists go to
http://www.metlife.com
and click on the search box in the upper right.
Page 3 FRSA FLASH
MetLife and United Concordia, the current TDP contractor, are working together to complete the contract transition
activities for MetLife’s start on May 1, 2012. TDP claims with a date of service prior to May 1, 2012 will continue
to be processed by United Concordia until April 30, 2013. All TDP claims with a date of service on or after May 1,
2012 will be submitted to MetLife. Please make note of these important dates to ensure timely processing of your
TDP claims.
The new TDP contract that MetLife will be administering is not to be confused with the separate TRICARE dental
contract that covers eligible uniformed service members. The Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) will continue to
be administered by United Concordia. MetLife is looking forward to the opportunity to provide quality dental cover-
age and oral health educational programs to the more than 2 million TDP beneficiaries, which include the family
members of all active duty uniformed services personnel, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their
eligible family members.
General and Family Dentistry
** Please note that this is not a complete list just some within the Fort Drum area
CARTHAGE DENTAL CARE NORTH COUNTRY CHILDRENS CLINIC
35761 SAYRE RD 238 ARSENAL ST
CARTHAGE, NY 13619 WATERTOWN, NY 13601
Tel 315 493 6003 Tel 315 788 9834
CARTHAGE COMMUNITY DENTAL CLINIC JEFFERSON DENTAL HEALTH
3 BRIDGE ST 19333 US ROUTE 11
CARTHAGE, NY 14319 WATERTOWN, NY 13601
Tel 315 493 3510 Tel 315 788 7070
LACLAIR FAMILY DENTAL WESTSIDE DENTAL
111 S MECHANIC ST 1116 ARSENAL ST STE 202
CARTHAGE, NY 13619 WATERTOWN, NY 13601
Tel 315 493 1184 Tel 315 779 2222
SUNSHINE DENTAL THOMAS P MCCUE
140 EASTERN BLVD 2 S MAIN ST
WATERTOWN, NY 13601 PHILADELPHIA, NY 13673
Tel 315 779 8080 Tel 315 642 0318
ASPEN DENTAL SARAH LATIF
20991 ARSENAL ST NYS RTE 3 STEPHEN A AHLGRIM
WATERTOWN, NY 13601 125 MULLIN ST
Tel 315 785 9620 WATERTOWN, NY 13601
Tel 315 782 2241
Effective May 1, 2012 MetLife will become the dental carrier for the TRI-
CARE Dental Plan
Fort Drum officials announce conversion of Arts and Crafts Center into
indoor fitness annex
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli
Staff Writer
A hard decision has been made to close one Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility on post to convert it
into another that officials say will meet a much greater demand.
Fort Drum's Arts and Crafts Center will close March 30 and will be quickly made into a first-class fitness annex to
the Monti Physical Fitness Center to be used for Soldier combatives and Family functional fitness, Fort Drum offi-
cials are announcing.
"Over the past years, our Fort Drum installation has enjoyed robust funding for facility expansion and renovation,"
said Hal Greer, director of Fort Drum's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "Likewise, quality-of-life pro-
gram enhancements matched that progress with near incredible strides in so many vital areas, such as Soldier lodging,
child care, the expansion of Remington Park, Outdoor Parks and Recreation programming and the post commissary.
"With the restructuring of our Army in progress, we are obligated to validate every program we offer to ensure the
widest impact," Greer added. "Making the hard decision of closing the Arts and Crafts Center means this program
joins the many others closed in the past at other Army installations due to lack of patronage support or use."
Officials said the Fort Drum community currently needs two more fitness centers. Both projects were already de-
signed and ready for construction, but lacked funding and had been pushed years down the road.
FMWR began the Arts and Crafts Center in 1986 to provide classes and workstations for community members to par-
ticipate in everything from pottery and glass fusion to crocheting and woodworking.
Greer noted that nearly a decade of analysis had clearly revealed the center was cost-ineffective and unsustainable.
"On average, approximately 10 customers use this program daily, with occasional spikes in participation" he said.
"Facility safety repair requirements this year alone exceed $300,000.
"Premised on limited patron use," he added, "and the lack of general community program interest, our commanding
general approved this quick conversion."
Greer said the decision ends one program, but positively impacts Fort Drum's Soldiers and Families by beginning an-
other -- an indoor physical fitness center that was short of funding.
In addition, he said, a dining facility at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield will undergo renovations to accommodate an-
other indoor fitness center that lacked funding.
Page 5 FRSA FLASH
Find the 10th Combat
Aviation Brigade on
FACEBOOK.
Drainage work outside Mt Belvedere entrance gate has been delayed from 19 Mar 2012 until the 26th of March
2012, this work will take three weeks to complete. Closing of roughly 1000 feet of one lane will take place on a
daily bases during the median work. They will pull the barrels and signs into the median each night and reopen all
lanes.
Road construction of the intersection of Military Rd and Mt Belvedere will start immediately after and will last
approximately two weeks.
Drainage Work Mt. Belvedere Gate
Page 6 FRSA FLASH
Page 8 FRSA FLASH
Mar 16, 1802 - U.S. Military Academy established
Mar 17, 461 - Saint Patrick dies
Mar 18, 1852 - Wells and Fargo start shipping and banking company
Mar 19, 2003 - War in Iraq begins
Mar 20, 1965 - LBJ sends federal troops to Alabama
Mar 21, 1871 - Stanley begins search for Livingstone
Mar 22, 1765 - Stamp Act imposed on American colonies
This Week in History, March 16 - March 22
Staffed by IRS trained and certified Soldiers, the TAC will prepare and electronically file your federal and
state income tax returns free of charge. By filing your return electronically, you can receive your refund in
as little as one week.
The TAC staff also is equipped to prepare 2010 returns for Soldiers returning from deployment who were
not able to file last year.
Located on South Post at the corner of Lewis and Conway / First Street West in Bldg. T-120 (near the
AAFES gas station and across the street from Behavioral Health), the TAC will be open from 9:30 a.m. to
7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Beginning Monday, you may call 772-6727 to schedule a next business day appointment. Throughout tax
season, the appointment line will open at 1 p.m. each day and will remain open until all appointments are
filled for the next business day.
The following documents are required to schedule an appointment:
Military ID (Common Access Card)
Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security number verification
letter is-sued by the Social Security Administration. (Your military ID is not sufficient.)
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents listed on the tax return.
Your Army W-2, which is available at www.mypay.dfas.mil. (Your leave and earnings statement is not
sufficient.)
A voided check to receive your refund by direct deposit.
To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present or have a spe-
cial power of attorney or IRS Form 2848 authorizing you to sign the re-turn.
Visit www.facebook.com/drumtax for the most up-to-date information on the TAC.
For more information, call the Fort Drum Tax Assistance Center at 772-3735.
Fort Drum Tax Assistance Center offers FREE tax return preparation
Page 9 FRSA FLASH
Coming Attractions
Page 10 FRSA FLASH
March 17 - Trip to Syracuse Stage – Youth Center
March 17 – Saint Patrick’s Day Irish Dinner – The Commons
March 20 & 21 – AFTB Level 2 Training – Army Community Service
March 22, 23, & 24 – Hunters Safety Training – Adventure Training
March 23 – In Her Shoes: Living With Domestic Violence – Army Community Service
March 24 – Snowmobile Safety Class
March 24 – Trip To Turning Stone - BOSS
March 24 – Skate Jam – Youth Center
March 26 – 30 – AFTB Instructor Training – Army Community Service
March 30 – Right Arm Night – The Commons
April 3 – Stress Management Class – Army Community Service
April 4 – Teen Career Fair – Army Community Service
April 5 – Mother-To-Be Breakfast – Army Community Service
April 5 – Employment 101 – Army Community Service
April 5, 6, & 7 – NY Hunter Education Course – Adventure Training
April 6, 7, & 8 – Used Book Sale – McEwen Library
April 7 – Volleyball Championships – Sports Office
April 8 – Easter Brunch - Commons
April 10 – Coastie The Coast Guard Boat Visit – McEwen Library
April 11 – What Do Peeps Do? – McEwen Library
April 13 – 15 – Trip to Washington DC – Parks and Recreation
April 13 – Month Of The Military Child Lock-In – Youth Center
April 13 – Indoor Paintball – Youth Center
April 14 – Texas Hold ’Em Tournament – BOSS
April 14 – 4-Person Team Bowling Tournament – Sports Office
Check out the March FMWR Preview at -
http://www.drummwr.com/ClassesandEvents_files/
March%202012%20Preview_FMWR_Preview.pdf
Post Theater
Bldg 10725, North Riva Ridge
Admission is $4.50 for adults; $2.25 for children 6-11; FREE for chil-
dren 5 and younger.
For more movie information, call 772-5571
** The Fort Drum Reel Time Theater will be closed this weekend (March 16-18)
due to mechanical problems. The theater should be back up and running next week.
THU MAR 22 - 1900 One For the Money (PG-13)
ALL SEATS FOR THIS SHOWING $1
FRI MAR 23 - 1900 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
2130 Safe House (R)
SAT MAR 24 - 1400 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
1900 Safe House (R)
2130 Chronicle (PG-13)
SUN MAR 25 - 1400 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
1700 Chronicle (PG-13)
Page 12 FRSA FLASH
Page 14 FRSA FLASH
Need Help?
Call or visit Military OneSource
to find information about taxes,
parenting, deployments, fi-
nances, taxes, counseling, PCS
moves & more
Page 16 FRSA FLASH
Scholarship Opportunities
