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 May 13, 2011

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Armed Forces Week begins Sunday, May 15th

. This annual event has changed a bit

since it was first celebrated as “Army Day” 75 years ago, but the intent to honor those who serve the

nation remains the same. With the advent of the all-volunteer force, many Americans have a limited

sense of military life. Consequently, Armed Forces Week has become an important time to increase

public awareness about the United States Armed Forces, the national defense mission and the people

who serve. It also offers us an important opportunity to express our own appreciation for public

support. Armed Forces Week activities will be held across the globe in the next few days – we hope

you‟ll make it a point to participate. It could be a great chance to share mutual appreciation.

Have a good week and 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.

From the White House

May, Military Appreciation Month A Month of Appreciation and Remembrance

America‟s support means so much to our military. In fact, as I travel the world to visit our men and

women in uniform, what they want to know most is, “Are the American people still with us?” I tell

them that you are. May is set aside as Military Appreciation Month to offer each of us the opportunity

to recognize, honor, and show support for all who wear and have worn the uniform, along with the

incredible families who serve alongside them. Throughout the month, communities across the country

will host events and activities at baseball games, auto races, concerts, parades and more to celebrate our

troops and their families. To read the full article, visit

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/12/month-appreciation-and-remembrance

From the DASD, Robert L. Gordon III

As we all know, moving is integral part of military life. Sometimes when it seems that we‟re finally

settling in to our new home and community, it‟s time to break out the boxes again, say goodbye to

friends, and start anew. While frequent moves are just one of the aspects of military life that have

helped us learn how to be resilient, moving can still be a frantic and emotion-filled time, and especially

so for a military family with special needs. We as a military community understand this, and there are

numerous resources that can help our special needs families. To read the complete blog post, see

http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/05/support-for-special-needs-families-during-a-move/

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From DoDEA

Leadership Announcement On May 9, Acting Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Director Marilee

Fitzgerald assigned Dr. Linda L. Curtis to collateral duties in which she will temporarily serve as

the senior civilian responsible for managing operations and directing activities for the Domestic

Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) and DoDDS-Cuba. Dr. Curtis assumes

these additional responsibilities from the departing DDESS Area Director, Dr. Bruce Jeter. Dr.

Jeter was recently selected to participate in the Ministry of Defense Advisors Program (MoDA),

which matches senior DoD civilians with partner-identified requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The advisors, who deploy for up to two years, exchange expertise with foreign counterparts in

similar defense specialties.

DoDEA Senior at Brussels High School named 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholar A DoDEA senior, Tristan E. Fitch of Brussels High School in Brussels, Belgium has been named a

2011 U.S. Presidential Scholar. In April, Fitch along with Ryan Su, of Kinnick High School in

Yokosuka, Japan and Steven M. Sullivan of Ramstein High School in Ramstein, Germany were

named as Semifinalists in the program in the Americans Abroad category. The students have

demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship,

service, and contribution to school and community. The 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be

honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C. from June 18-21.

From the Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth

Consumer Group Urges Consumers To Stop Using ‘Phil & Teds USA’ Clip-on Chairs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers that some „metoo‟ clip-on table

top chairs, imported by Phil & Teds USA, Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. put young children at risk of

serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC is urging consumers to stop using some metoo

clip-on chairs immediately.

The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto

tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has

either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering it. The chair is sold in three

fabric colors: red, black and navy.

The clip-on chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps

and the front horizontal metal bar. The clip-on chairs that have plastic spacers between the table

clamps and the front horizontal metal bar are under evaluation. For more information, see

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11218.html

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Military OneSource Webinars – Military Spouse Employment Training Continues

Webinars are Web-based training sessions using teleconference audio and the Internet to deliver an

interactive seminar. All posted times are listed in Eastern Daylight Savings Time. For more

information, see http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspx

The Spouse Career Center: Your Success Is Our Mission

Friday, May 20, 201, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time

Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time

Achieving your career and educational goals when you move frequently can be a challenge.

Whether you're changing jobs because of PCS or starting a new career, we can help you and

your family prepare for the changes ahead. Let Military OneSource help smooth the way with

information about portable work options, flexible college options, licensing, and where to find

job postings.

Join us for an overview of the Military OneSource Spouse Career Center services. Learn about

who we serve, the assistance we can provide, and the benefits of working with a Spouse Career

Center consultant as you move ahead in your education and career goals.

Business Opportunity, Employment, and Work-at-Home Scams

Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time

Make money in your bathrobe! Earn $100,000 a year in your spare time! Sound too good to be

true? Well, it is. In this webinar, Federal Trade Commission attorney Carol Kando-Pineda

shows you how to recognize scams that promise to find you a job, promise you‟ll make money,

but end up costing you instead.

On the Hunt: Exploring Employment Opportunities Through USA Jobs

Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time

As a military spouse, you often find yourself living on or near installations that employ federal

civil servants. You, too, could be one and land a federally appropriated or non-appropriated job

through USA Jobs, the official job site for the United States Federal Government. Using your

Military Spouse Preference to get your foot in the door of Federal Civil Service Employment,

you could be eligible for priority placement and/or military spouse preference. Portability is of

key importance. If you work for the government, you might be able to transfer from your

present position to a position at your spouse's new duty station.

Join as we discuss navigating and exploring your employment opportunities at

http://www.USAJobs.com. USA Jobs contains listings for all available government jobs. You

can submit your resume and apply online.

For more information on these and other upcoming Webinars, see

http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspx

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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:

May 20-21 Guard and Reserve Brandon, Miss.

May 20-21 Utah National Guard Cedar City, Utah

May 28 Guard and Reserve Augusta, Maine

June 3 Guard and Reserve Devils Lake, N.D.

June 3-4 Army National Guard Bakersville, Calif.

June 3-4 New York Army Reserve

98th

Training Division Rochester, N.Y.

June 4 Guard and Reserve Madison, Wis.

June 5-6 Guard and Reserve Williamson, W. Va.

In the News

From the White House – The President and Vice President at Fort Campbell, “Gratitude”

It was an emotional week, from the relief of the President's announcement that Osama bin Laden

was dead to the somber rememberance of the victims in New York City. It ended on a note of

gratitude, as the President and Vice President went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky to welcome troops

home from a deployment in Afghanistan after a private meeting honoring the military and

intelligence professionals involved in the operation against bin Laden. To read President Obama‟s

and Vice President Biden‟s remarks, see http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-

office/2011/05/06/remarks-president-and-vice-president-troops-fort-campbell-ky

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is a service-wide initiative to bring about greater awareness of the

symptoms and treatments for various psychological health concerns. Leaders at all levels,

chaplains, medical personnel, family members and local community members perform a key role in

helping service members maintain psychological health. Throughout the month, DCoE will

highlight resources to assist providers with diagnosis and treatment, and increase awareness among

service members, veterans and families about how to maintain mental health, cope with

psychological concerns and access care when needed. For more information visit,

http://www.dcoe.health.mil/MentalHealthAwarenessMonth.aspx

2011 Tour Schedule Sesame Street/USO Experience For Military Families

For the third consecutive year, the Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families will re-

deploy and land in 10 different countries. View the schedule, http://www.uso.org/sesame-2011-

tour-schedule/

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First Lady Invites Guard, Reserve Kids to Fitness Event

Alongside about 80 children of National Guardsman and reservists, First Lady Michelle Obama

showed off her dance moves and football-handling prowess yesterday during a Let‟s Move fitness

and nutrition event for military families on the White House‟s South Lawn. The first lady invited

the kids to “get going” at fitness stations – led by members of the President‟s Council on Fitness,

Sports and Nutrition – posted across the lawn. With the teens cheering her on, she danced to

Willow Smith‟s “Whip My Hair,” hopped through hula hoops in an obstacle course, practiced a few

lunges, and took a few minutes to toss a football. But before she got moving, the first lady first

took time to spotlight two of her “top priorities” – kids‟ health and wellness and military families.

Read the full story, http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63890

Tips of the Week

Power Foods - Foods that will help fuel your day while helping to prevent disease

o Oatmeal –Enjoy oatmeal for breakfast or even an afternoon or evening snack. This slowly

digestible carbohydrate is jet fuel for the muscles and brain and its fiber will help prevent

heart disease by keeping your LDL cholesterols down and your blood sugars stabilized.

o Avocado – Yes, they‟re high in fat, but avocados contain the healthy mono- and poly-

unsaturated fats including oleic acid which may help stave off breast cancer. Keep your

portion down to less than one quarter of an avocado and you can benefit from these

beneficial fats, phyto-nutrients and loads of vitamins and minerals, without overdoing your

calories. Toss avocado slices into a salad, make guacamole or dice it up and garnish your

favorite soup or dish with a small portion.

o Blueberries – This “super fruit” is loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals and fiber to

help with digestion, disease prevention and to promote a longer feeling of fullness. More

recently, research is linking blueberry consumption to brain function and helping to prevent

or slow down the effects of Alzheimer‟s and other diseases of aging. So don‟t just think of

blueberries as garnish in your breakfast cereal and pancakes. Add blueberries to your

oatmeal, salads, cooked vegetables, garnish on meats, in sauces or compotes and all your

baked muffins.

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 - New Commitments for Military Children and Military Families

o Mrs. Obama hosted a special event for military families on the South Lawn of the White

House on May 9, 2011. She announced three new “Let‟s Move” commitments specifically

designed for military kids and military families:

The International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association will offer free

memberships to immediate family members of actively deployed National Guard

and Reserve members. They‟re aiming to offer more than 100,000 free

memberships. Starting June 1, you can log on to letsmove.gov to learn how to find a

club in your area and sign up for free.

The American Council on Exercise has agreed to provide at least 1 million hours of

free personal training and fitness instruction to the same group of families. Visit

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http://www.letsmove.gov/blog/2011/05/09/supporting-military-families-and-

let%E2%80%99s-move for more details.

The members of the Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition have committed to

holding a special series of events and outreach with military families all across the

country. For example, championship NASCAR driver Carl Edwards is going to be

visiting military bases in connection with his weekly races.

The May 9 White House event is available for viewing at

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/05/09/let-s-move-military-

kids-and-families.

Let’s Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the Week – Kids! Help Make Healthy Meals!

o Join your parents when they go food shopping and are making meals or sit down with your

family to plan a menu and enjoy spending time together.

Participate in food shopping trips and choose fruits and veggies to mix in to meals.

Pack your lunch, with different foods that you like and are good for you.

Help measure and mix ingredients with your parents‟ permission.

Find new healthy recipes that sound tasty too.

Use the Healthy Family Calendar to schedule family dinners each week.

http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/Family_Calendar.pdf

Financial Tip of the Week - Ways to Improve Your Finances

o Decide on your big goals. If you're having trouble putting your finger on it, ask the people

who know you best. Brainstorming with your significant other, family members, and

friends can help shake loose your own thoughts.

o Automate your savings so you put away money each month. The most successful savers

profiled in Generation Earn started by automatically saving a small percentage of their

income.

o Get rid of junk mail. The website catalogchoice.org lets retailers know which customers no

longer want to receive their mail. Participating companies agree to stop sending any more

catalogs within three months.

o Keep a spending diary. Even if you just track every dollar you spend for two weeks, it will

open your eyes to where your money goes and what you could cut back on. You might not

realize that you spend $100 a week on lunches, or $100 a month of lattes.

o Become a better cook. Invest in a few key pieces of hardware can help you cook better,

faster, and cheaper. Anything that makes your food taste better and gets it on the table

quickly can lessen the temptation to order budget-busting take-out.

o Work with family members. Family members can help each other save. Adult children are

increasingly living with their parents, but this arrangement doesn't have to be a burden if the

adult children contribute to household costs or pay rent. You can also help out by

gardening, doing housework, or sharing your computer skills.

o Choose the best credit card for you. If you pay your balance off each month, you should

have a card that gives you rewards points. If you carry debt, focus on getting the card with

the lowest interest rate. Pick the one that fits you the best and stop using the other ones.

Don't close them, though, because that can hurt your credit score.

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o Clean out your closet. Not only will you have a more organized space, but you probably

have some valuable items-books, CDs, and games-that charity could make good use. Be

sure to retain a record of what you give for next year's taxes.

Military OneSource Tip of the Week - Quick Tips for Making Time for Yourself

o Balancing work, family, and friends is hard for most people. Add the stress of having a

spouse in the military and it can seem like you barely have enough time and energy to do the

things you have to do, much less the things you want to do. But having time for yourself is

important because it can give you the energy you need to tackle everything else that‟s going

on in your life. Below you‟ll find some ways to make more time for yourself:

Decide that making time for yourself is important. Then schedule your favorite

activities into your daily or weekly calendar. If you write it down, you‟ll be less

likely to put yourself last.

Stop trying to be perfect. It‟s OK to leave chores undone for a day or a weekend if it

means making time for yourself.

Don’t feel guilty about doing something for yourself. It‟s not selfish to make time for

you. It‟s actually good for the other people in your life. When you feel positive, your

relationships with others are more positive, too.

Get up 30 minutes earlier in the morning. Use that time to answer e-mails, read the

paper, go for a walk, or just sit and have a cup of coffee by yourself. If the mornings

are hectic in your home, make some time for yourself at night after everyone has

gone to bed.

Find some activities that you enjoy that don’t require a lot of time or preparation.

You could go for a walk right after or before work, go to the gym, sew, or work in

the garden on weekends. You might also enjoy crossword puzzles, reading a

magazine, or chatting with a friend on the phone.

Talk with family members about why it’s important for you to have time for yourself.

You can tell older children that you need some time when you come home from

work to unwind before you start cooking or helping with homework. Talk with your

spouse about finding ways you can both make time for yourselves and still get

everything done.

Ask family members to share household responsibilities. Teach your children to pack

their own lunches or do their own laundry, or ask your spouse to take over cooking a

few times a week. Use this “free” time to do something for yourself.

Take advantage of installation resources. Your installation may have a gym, an arts

and craft center, a pool, or other facilities. Check with your Family Support Center

to see what classes are offered. You may be surprised at the number of activities

available on your installation that are free or inexpensive.

Share child care with a friend. When you have small children it can be especially

difficult to find time for yourself. If you have a friend who also has small children,

consider sharing child care, giving each of you the chance for a little down time.

You may also find drop-in child care available at your installation‟s Child

Development Center (CDC) or off-installation at a Mother‟s Day Out program.

Keep it up. When life gets hectic, you may find it easy to let your “me” time slide.

Try to keep it part of your routine. If you miss a week or two, be sure to put the time

back into your schedule as soon as possible.

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Your Family Support 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 1-800-342-9647 or access http://www.militaryonesource.com.

Spouse Tip - New places to learn about job openings

o Been looking for a job and not sure where else to look? Then check out the following

potential ways to learn about an employment opportunity as provided by the Bureau of

Labor Statistics:

Personal contacts / Networking

School career planning and placement offices

Employers

Classified ads:

· National and local newspapers

· Professional journals

· Trade magazines

· Internet resources

· Professional associations

· Labor unions

· State employment service offices

· Federal Government

· Community agencies

· Internships

For more information on how these new approaches could help you in your job search take a look at

http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco20042.htm.

And, finally…

Coming Soon - A new look for This Week In MC&FP.

Your weekly summary of news and information from Military Community and Family Policy is

getting a new design. A version will be available for easy reading on your mobile phone. When we

launch our new look, let us know what you think!

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