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

P a g e 2

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

This Week in MC&FP September 2, 2011

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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

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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,

http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=65218

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,

http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=65199

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,

http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=65217

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

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P a g e 5

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

This Week in MC&FP September 2, 2011

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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!

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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

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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.

This Week in MC&FP September 2, 2011

P a g e 9

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,

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P a g e 1 0

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.

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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

For position descriptions and job application information, visit:

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

For position descriptions and job application information, visit:

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.

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MARINE CORPS

For position descriptions and job application information, visit:

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

For position descriptions and job application information, visit:

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.

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