A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E 5 0 2 n d A I R B A S E W I N G JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS • Vol. 72 No. 14 • April 10, 2015 Commitment to caring Photo by Johnny L. Saldivar Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, fills out a 2015 Air Force Assistance Fund pledge form April 3 as Capt. Enisa Dervisevic, JBSAFort Sam Houston installation project officer, looks on. The 2015 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign runs until May 1. Air Force bases worldwide are participating in this fundraising event which raises money for four Air Force charities: Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. New this year is an updated Air Force Assistance Fund website, which features information about all of the affiliate charities, a link to the donation forms, videos, assistance stories and frequently asked questions. For more information, visit http://www.afas.org INSIDE | Commentary 2 News 3 Community Briefs 14 Sports 16&17 ONLINE | http://www.jbsa.af.mil PAGE 2 commentary TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 Preventing sexual assault in the Air Force is our enduring responsibility By Gen. Larry Spencer, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff E very April since 2001, the nation has focused its attention on sexual assault awareness and the impact this crime has on those who have experienced it. This year, the Department of Defense deliberately renamed the annual effort Sexual Assault Awareness and PREVENTION Month. I want to take this opportunity to share with you how the Air Force is focusing on prevention of this crime – stopping it before it takes place. This year, we kicked off the new year with a weeklong prevention summit that brought together experts in the sexual assault prevention field with Airmen from across the force – active, Guard, Reserve, civilian, officer and enlisted. Our goals were to better understand sexual assault and determine how to put prevention into action in the Air Force. So, what did we learn? Most importantly, we learned that sexual assault can be about sexual assault is an important first step towards prevention; but awareness alone will not create the individual or societal changes needed to stop sexual assault. Based on decades of prevention science, we know that prevention of sexual assault involves addressing factors that put individuals at risk for perpetrating Gen. Larry Spencer sexual asAir Force Vice Chief of Staff sault. Some prevention prevented. Effective sexual approaches assault prevention strategies teach skills to change atfocus on preventing perpetratitudes or behaviors that are tion because that is the only associated with assault. Other guaranteed way to stop the approaches equip bystandviolence. Raising awareness ers with the skills to spot and April is SAPR Awareness Month By Col. Trent H. Edwards 37th Training Wing Commander S exual assault has no place in our Air Force. It is a crime that adversely impacts the lives of the victims, families and organizations. We can’t live our core val- ues of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do without honoring the respect and dignity of our military and civilian wingmen. Sexually assaulting others stands in direct contrast to our core values and breaks the trust that we must place Col. Trent H. Edwards 37th Training Wing Commander What can every Airman do to prevent sexual assault? • Model healthy respectful behavior in every relationship. • Access and use resources that teach skills to foster healthy sexuality and healthy relationships. • Speak up and step in when you hear sexist jokes or language, or see someone at risk for perpetrating violence. • Consider what actions might inadvertently reinforce sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and sexual assault – including sexual hazing – land take steps to create culture where healthy, respectful relationships are encouraged and violence is not tolerated. intervene in high risk situations or to speak out against language and practices that create a culture which See PREVENT Page 13 in each other in order to accomplish the mission and serve our nation with pride, honor and professionalism. We must work hard and honestly, to eliminate sexual assault in our organizations and while commanders, chief’s, civilian directors and first sergeants must lead the charge and set the right tone, the real key to success is to create the conversation at the front line supervisor level of your organization. Together, we can make a difference. Joint Base San AntonioLackland Editorial Staff Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta 502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Commander Todd G. White 502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Public Affairs Director Oscar Balladares JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs Chief Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols Editor Jose T. Garza, III Sports/Staff Writer Dorothy Lonas Page Design/Illustrator Office 2230 Hughes Ave. JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236-5415 671-2908; (fax) 671-2022 Email: [email protected] Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS) For advertising information: EN Communities P.O. Box 2171 San Antonio, Texas 78297 250-2440 This newspaper is published by EN Communities, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Talespinner are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or EN Communities, of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos. Deadline for story submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior to publication. April 10, 2015 News in Brief air force taking applications for summer jobs The Air Force will hire hundreds of students and others through the summer hire program which kicked off March 9. Participation in the program varies from base to base, but all listings will be posted at https://www.usajobs.gov/. The summer hire program will end Sept. 25. Clerical, lifeguard, recreation aid, computer clerk, general laborer positions and more are available. Most summer hire positions are open to people eligible for the Pathways Summer Intern Program, but some may be open to Veteran Recruitment Appointment, 30 percent or more disabled veterans, reinstatement, military spouse and disability-eligible applicants, or to the general public. Student applicants must be enrolled in an accredited high school or enrolled/accepted for enrollment as degree-seeking students, taking at least a half-time course load in an accredited technical, vocational, two-or four-year college or university, or graduate or professional school. All Pathways summer interns will be required to complete a Pathways participant agreement. VRA applicants must be disabled veterans or veterans who served on active duty in the armed forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or veterans who - while serving on active duty - participated in a United States military operation for which an armed forces service medal was awarded, or a recently separated veteran. To qualify under the veterans’ 30 percent disabled hiring authority, individuals must have served in the military, be able to produce proof of service and disability (DD Form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, 214 Member 4 copy and VA Disability Rating), and have a serviceconnected disability of 30 percent or more. Not all bases will have summer hire positions available. Job seekers should call 800-5250102 (if hearing impaired, call TTY/TTD 800-382-0893) for more information. Applicants located outside the U.S. will first dial a toll-free AT&T direct access number for the country they are in, then 800-525-0102. When the phone system answers, press 2 for civilian employees, then follow the prompts. For a list of the AT&T toll free access numSee NEWS IN BRIEF Page 13 news Sexual assault prevention chief notes progress, need for more TALESPINNER By Jim Garamone DOD News, Defense Media Activity There has been progress in the Department of Defense’s efforts against sexual assault in the military, “but we have to keep hammering away at the problem,” said Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow. “This is going to take time.” Snow leads DOD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office and while he said he’s encouraged at signs of progress, he’s not satisfied. “This evil undermines the trust that holds our military together,” the career infantryman told DOD News March 26 in Washington, D.C. “It is morally wrong, and instances of sexual assault can also have an impact on readiness – on individuals, certainly, but also on units.” Snow is monitoring 50 initiatives put in place by past Defense Secretaries Leon Panetta and Chuck Hagel. “These initiatives changed how the military prevents, responds to and prosecutes sexual assault crimes,” Snow said. “I’m encouraged that Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has already announced his commitment to keep this program aggressively moving forward.” Progress is undeniable. The most recent data, gathered last year, shows the past-year prevalence of sexual assault is down significantly, Snow said. Estimates indicate there were 6,000 to 7,000 fewer sexual assaults in 2014 than in 2012. While there were fewer sexual assaults, more of them were reported. “There was an unprecedented 50 percent increase in victims choosing to report the crime in 2013,” he said. “Last year … even more chose to report.” This means authorities received reports from one in four victims in 2014 – up from 1 in 10 in 2012. Changes in the military justice system give commanders the tools they need to fight the crime. They also expand legal representation and protections for victims’ interests, rights and privacy, Snow said. Overall, he said, 10 of 12 DODcharted metrics demonstrate progress in sexual assault prevention and response. The department-wide climate survey conducted by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute found that most service members highly rate their commanders’ efforts to promote a healthy climate and discourage inappropriate gender-based behavior. “We need to continue training efforts, information campaigns, whatever it takes to continue making progress,” Snow said. Addressing sexual assaults against men is particularly challenging, he said. Given the preponderance of males in the military, the estimated number of men experiencing a sexual assault is actually higher than the estimated number of women – roughly 10,000 to 8,000, respectively. However, reporting of the crime shows an even greater disparity. Officials estimate about 10 percent of victimized military men report their assault, while roughly 40 percent of victimized military women report. The department is developing new ways to reach out to men who have been sexually assaulted, Snow said. Officials are looking at special information campaigns and special training for police, prosecutors and medical personnel, so they can recognize the signs of assault and act upon them, the general explained. It is the department’s goal to encourage greater reporting, as a way to provide victims with assistance and to hold offenders appropriately accountable, Snow said. An unrestricted report allows a victim to get help and participate in the military justice process. Restricted reports do not trigger a criminal investigation or command notification, but do allow victims to confidentially get help. “Our response system is designed to build a victim’s trust in the system and deliver immediate care while as- PAGE 3 sisting with restoring resiliency after a sexual assault,” he said. An outgrowth of the increased emphasis on the crime is an increased focus on combating retaliation, Snow said. “Our victim and population-based surveys look to capture the kinds of stressors military members experience so that responders throughout the department can better meet their needs,” he said. “But we have more to do if we are going to keep people reporting this crime. We’ve found that service members can often perceive ‘social retaliation’ from peers after reporting.” While these acts aren’t always criminal, Snow said, “they certainly can add to a victim’s feelings of alienation and complicate someone’s recovery.” Sexual assault prevention and response officials will continue to drive forward, Snow said. “We will keep working with people inside and out of the military to take on this problem,” he added. Research indicates that sexual assault happens less often in commands with good climates and low rates of related problems, such as sexual harassment, he noted. Snow added that prevention of sexual assault relies heavily on individuals’ efforts to take action if they see a situation at risk for sexual assault or disrespect being shown to a fellow service member. He praised federal lawmakers for all they have done to highlight the crime and for the tools they have given the military to combat it. Still, he said, the road ahead is not easy and will take time. “It’s not successful until that last private in the smallest unit understands that sexual assault is a crime and that he or she will be held accountable for promoting a culture of dignity and respect,” Snow said. “We want service members to not only identify risky situations, but also to intervene and demonstrate social courage when they encounter inappropriate behavior.” PAGE 4 TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 Eligible Airmen may choose retirement plan at 14 1/2-year mark By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs The Air Force Personnel Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph has developed an automatic notification process that sends a message directly to regular Air Force and headquarters Active Guard Reserve members when they reach 14½ years of active service. The new process will help ensure eligible military members are aware of their options in choosing a retirement plan with ample time to make an educated decision. Prior to implementation of the new process, only about 52 percent of Airmen acknowledged the notification message and during the new process preliminary testing, 95 percent of Airmen responded to the message. The Career Status Bonus – or REDUX – program was implemented in 1986. It allows Airmen who initially entered service Aug. 1, 1986 or later the option to choose either the REDUX retirement plan or the high three plan once they have 14 ½ to 15 years of active service. In 2000, a $30,000 bonus was approved for Airmen who choose REDUX. Information about each retirement plan, including a link to a retirement calculator, is available on the myPers website. Go to https://mypers.af.mil and enter Career Status Bonus or REDUX in the search window. “Our goal is to ensure all eligible Airmen know what their options are and are able to make informed decisions,” said Ann Lacey, military retirement policy and procedures branch. “We don’t want to steer Airmen one way or the other, but we do want them to be aware that they have reached the decision eligibility point. So, we also use the notification message to point them to resources that will help them choose the most beneficial plan for them.” Under the new notification process, Airmen will get an email at their 14 ½-year mark. The email will include an embedded link to an information page with an acknowledgement button. Airmen must click the acknowledgement button to let AFPC know they are aware of their options. Doing so will take them to a page that includes indepth information about each option. “Acknowledging that you’ve been notified does not mean you are accepting the REDUX plan or rejecting it,” Lacey said. “It just lets us know that you are aware. For Airmen who are unable to respond to the initial notification, we’ll send three follow-up reminders.” The default plan is the high three retirement, so once Airmen have acknowledged the option to choose, if they do nothing, they will automatically get the high three plan. Airmen who want the REDUX plan must complete the election form, have their commander sign it, and then submit it to AFPC by their 15 years of active service date. Because of significant differences between the two plans, Air Force officials recommend Airmen seek financial counseling before they make a decision. “Every Airman and Family Readiness Center is required to have a certified financial counselor on staff, so we recommend that all Airmen contact their local center for assistance before they make their retirement plan decision,” said Jeffrey Nelson, AFPC community readiness analyst. “Every Airman’s situation is different, and our counselors won’t direct Airmen one way or the other. What they will do is work with each Airman to help them understand the impact their decision will have, shortterm and long-term.” For more information about Air Force personnel programs go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one at www.retirees.af.mil/shared/ media/document/AFD-120510-068.pdf. One of the best things about ICE is that people can let service providers know when they do a great job, not just for poor service. It takes five minutes or less to submit a comment at http:// ice.disa.mil. April 10, 2015 TALESPINNER The IRS’ Filing Deadline Approaches Have You Finished Your Taxes? The IRS’ Filing Deadline for 2014 individual tax returns is April 15 2015. However, the IRS gives the option of requesting a six-month extension, delaying the filing deadline to October 15. The deadline for filing an extension request is also April 15. The deadline for filing most state individual tax return and extension requests is also April 15. For U.S. armed forces personnel serving in a combat zone, the IRS automatically extends the deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing a claim for a refund, and taking other actions related to federal income tax. The IRS also extends the deadline for those deployed overseas, away from their permanent duty station, in support of operations in a qualified hazardous duty area but outside the qualified hazardous duty area. The deadline for filing returns, making payments or taking any other action with the IRS is extended for at least 180 days after the last day of the qualifying combat zone service or the last day of any continuous qualified hospitalization for injury from service in the combat zone. Members may qualify for a deferral of taxes owed if they can show that their ability to pay taxes was affected by their military service. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides this benefit. However, the deferral is not automatic. A taxpayer must apply for it. When applying, the taxpayer must show how the military service affected the taxpayer’s ability to pay. A taxpayer must also have received a notice of tax due or have an installment agreement with the IRS before applying for the deferral. The deferral does not extend the deadline for filing any tax returns. (Source, http:// www.irs.gov) Editor’s note: The JBSA-Lackland Volunteer Tax Center continues to offer free tax preparation appointments for active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members in the grades of E1 to E5 and O1 to O2, their dependents, and the spouse of any deployed member, regardless of rank. Any unfilled appointments will be offered on a space available basis to active duty military members, regardless of rank, and their dependents. Furthermore, the Lackland Tax Center offers free self-service tax preparation assistance on a walk-in basis during our hours of operation for all eligible beneficiaries, including military, dependents, and retirees. The JBSA-Lackland Tax Center is open Monday and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call 671-1001 during our hours of operation for more information or to schedule an appointment. The last day the JBSA-Lackland Tax Center will offer tax return preparation services is April 14; the tax center will be open on a limited basis April 15 to assist with extension requests, but will not be offering tax preparation services. Straight Talk Line For current, automated information during a natural disaster, crisis or emergency, call your local Straight Talk line. •JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: 466-4630 •JBSA-Lackland: 671-6397 • JBSA-Randolph: 652-7469 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 Photo by Olivia Mendoza (From left) Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander, Navy Medicine Education and Training Command; Lt. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins, commanding general of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and the senior Army commander of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis; Brig. Gen. Robert Miller, commandant, Medicine Education and Training Campus; Lt. Col. Eric Dill, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion and 4th Marine Division commanding officer; and Cmdr. Benjamin Golightly, Coast Guard Crytologic Unit Texas commanding officer, gathered at the METC Academic Center April 1 to sign the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month proclamation. Joint Base San Antonio leaders hold Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month proclamation signing By Petty Officer 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs Navy Medicine Education and Training Command Public Affairs Senior officers representing the five military services in San Antonio gathered April 1 for the annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 2015 proclamation signing ceremony at the Medical Education and Training Campus Academic Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The five leaders signed a proclamation on behalf of their respective military service branch to pledge do their part to combat the issue of sexual assault year-round. The ceremony included remarks from Lt. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins, commanding general of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and the senior Army commander of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis; Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander, Navy Medicine Education and Training Command; Brig. Gen. Robert Miller, commandant, Medicine Education and Training Campus, who represented the Air Force; Lt. Col. Eric Dill, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion and 4th Marine Division commanding officer, representing the Marine Corps; and Cmdr. Benjamin Golightly, Coast Guard Crytologic Unit Texas commanding officer, representing the Coast Guard. “While this is an annual proclamation, our actions must demonstrate a daily affirmation,” McCormickBoyle said. “We must forcefully, deliberately and preemptively take action to prevent sexual assault, swiftly intervene when it does occur to care for those victimized and vigorously pursue justice for perpetrators. “It is an abhorrent act of violence that goes against our core values as Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen,” McCormick-Boyle added. Those attending also had the opportunity to hear from Army Capt. Jacqueline Just, who shared both good and bad first-hand experiences as a victim. “I’m thankful for the support of the hospital commander, my supervisor and my Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention advocates for helping me get through this storm,” said Just, who claimed to have felt like she was being punished at her last command after coming forward to report her commander for sexually assaulting her and her friend. Now she urges others who might be in similar situations to not be afraid and come forward. “If you are a victim of sexual assault, seek help,” she said. Just’s negative experiences and those of other victims like her are awakening leaders to the need to get more involved and in turn push their units or commands to be more aware of what’s going on around them. “We have no room to talk about one gender or another,” Wiggins said. “We have no room to have someone take advantage of someone else based on rank, demographic or race. No place for any of it. “When you put on the uniform of the United States service member, you are bigger and better than society,” Wiggins added. “If society can’t solve it, I get it. But in our formations, we’re bigger than that. You represent an institution that we cannot afford to tarnish.” JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph will all be doing their part to raise awareness by hosting special events and public education opportunities throughout April, including a tri-service talent show, a golf tournament, a 5K run and a self-defense class. For more information about these events and others, contact your SAPR/SHARP office. To report a sexual assault or speak confidentially to a victim advocate, call the Department of Defense Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247 or contact your local SARC or victim advocate. April 10, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 7 Activation of the 637th ISS Come Visit USAF Airman Heritage Museum Building 5206 Character Development Center Building 10501 Hours of operation Day of Week Museum Hours: Monday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. WednesdayCLOSED Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. SaturdayCLOSED SundayCLOSED Photo by Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols Col. Richard Anderson (left), 637th Training Group commander, hands the 637th International Support Squadron guidon to Lt. Col. Hector Gonzalez (right) who took command of the new squadron April 3 at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center International Hall on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. PAGE 8 Congratulations to the following 65 Airmen for being selected as honor graduates among the 659 Air Force basic military trainees who graduated April 3: 320th Training Squadron –Flight 187 Adrian Bailey Andrew Boyce Del Valle Avila Luis Andrew Dryden Kenneth Duclos Jr Alexander Koehler Dakota Sundly –Flight 191 Ryan Lambert Colton Pennington Kyle Piester Nicholas Ramsey Zachary Thomas Roberto Zamudio –Flight 192 Jacob Carter Xavier Davis Johnathan Fletcher TALESPINNER Jason Jackson Trevor Jennings Kaleb Peckham Joshua Perez Giovanny Risco 322nd Training Squadron –Flight 197 Chandler Baez Quentin Brooks Chad Chandler Ian Kitzman Michael Lakey Andrew Lauderdale Jose Lehardy Aaron Martin Stephen Morgan Luke Nelson Martinez Pagan Tajh Russell Shane Smith Jesse Twitchell Robert Winder David Young –Flight 198 Ashley Fabing Emily Kuss 323rd Training Squadron –Flight 189 Erik Frund William Lego –Flight 190 Alexis Irwin Honor Otmar Kate Pospyhalla Danielle Rowland Simone Salisbury Emily Weekes –Flight 195 Malik Baker Nathan Brannock Jason Dennis Kenneth Johnson Kevin Lacson Jason Malm Albert Romero Daniel Umphress –Flight 196 Tiffany Albergo Kaitlynn Slevin 331st Training Squadron –Flight 193 Andrew Graham April 10, 2015 Brandon Liptrot Logan Watters –Flight 194 Ponce Benitez Benjamin Myers Christian Smith Dustin Smith James Walls Top BMT Airman Alexis Irwin 323 TRS, FLT 190 Most Physically Fit –Female Airmen Ashley Fabing 322ndTRS, Flight 198 Haley Gonsalves 322ndTRS, Flight 198 Miranda Arista 323rdTRS,Flight190 Savanna Riley 323rdTRS,Flight196 –Male Airmen Lorenzo Hawkins 323rdTRS,Flight195 Jason Burge 320thTRS,Flight187 Mason Sullivan 320thTRS,Flight187 Michael York 322ndTRS, Flight 197 –Female Flights 323rdTRS,Flight190 323rdTRS,Flight196 322ndTRS, Flight 198 –Male Flights 323rdTRS,Flight195 320thTRS,Flight187 322ndTRS, Flight 197 Top Academic Flights 322ndTRS, Flight 197 323rdTRS,Flight195 320thTRS,Flight192 320thTRS,Flight187 323rdTRS,Flight190 323rdTRS,Flight189 320thTRS,Flight191 320th TRS, Flight 188 322ndTRS, Flight 198 331st TRS,Flight194 331st TRS,Flight193 323rdTRS,Flight196 April 10, 2015 Congratulations to the following 54 Airmen for being selected as honor graduates among the 542 Air Force basic military trainees who graduated April 10: 320th Training Squadron –Flight 199 Matthew Cline Christoffer Crowley Jake Day Justin Devantier Ryan Garner Blake Gilstrap Ryan Hartford Xavier Knapp Andrew Medders Wyatt Oakey –Flight 200 Aaron Garner Dylan Hamilton Brian Heaton John Hoover Samuel Lagle Clint Lawson TALESPINNER 321st Training Squadron –Flight 201 Kyle Drapeau Ryan Girres Micah Stanko Dean Williams –Flight 202 Jacqueline Essick Lindsey Koehn –Flight 207 Joshua Benfield Zachary Burch Caleb Caldwell Donovan Harrison Austin Levy Theodore Summers –Flight 208 Kati Dubetsky Stacey Louks 322nd Training Squadron –Flight 205 Joshua Ensman Allan Huffman Cem Ozgur –Flight 206 Cody Barron Sean Carnahan Ryan Daniels Darrius Drew Connel Greer 323rd Training Squadron –Flight 209 Michael Ciuraru Derrick Harter Derek Hawkins –Flight 210 Kelsey Libby Skylar O’connor Ashleigh Ota Hanna Schultz 331st Training Squadron –Flight 203 Patrick Istefanidis Anthony Killian Victor Ralbovsky Christopher Sanders Zachary Wade Seth Warner –Flight 204 Ethan Eichinger Bryant Folk Johnathan Greer PAGE 9 Top BMT Airman Sean Carnahan 322ndTRS, Flight 206 Most Physically Fit –Female Airmen Raven Ashley 321st TRS,Flight202 Hanna Schultz 323rdTRS,Flight210 Juliana Arenas 323rdTRS,Flight210 Taylor Torres 321st TRS,Flight202 –Male Airmen Chad Hampton 322ndTRS, Flight 205 Harris Williams 321st TRS,Flight201 Joshua Marini 322ndTRS, Flight 206 Nathaniel Jackson 331st TRS,Flight203 –Female Flights 321st TRS,Flight202 323rdTRS,Flight210 321st TRS,Flight208 –Male Flights 320thTRS,Flight199 320thTRS,Flight200 322ndTRS, Flight 205 331st TRS,Flight203 323rdTRS,Flight209 321st TRS,Flight201 322ndTRS, Flight 206 321st TRS,Flight207 331st TRS, Flight 204 Top Academic Flights 320thTRS,Flight199 321st TRS, Flight 207 322ndTRS, Flight 205 322ndTRS, Flight 206 320thTRS,Flight200 331st TRS, Flight 204 321st TRS,Flight201 323rdTRS,Flight209 331st TRS,Flight203 323rdTRS,Flight210 321st TRS,Flight208 321st TRS,Flight202 PAGE 10 TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 CSAF discusses Air Force’s need to reset By Senior Airman Hailey Haux Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information The Air Force Association hosted its monthly Air Force breakfast with Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Chief of Staff of the Air Force as the key note speaker April , at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Va. During his speech, Welsh addressed many topics and issues in today’s Air Force, including hitting the “reset button.” “For the last couple of years what we have essentially been doing is trying to take this resource-limited environment, and the changing world around us, and turn it into a reset of the Air Force,” Welsh said. “An example would be our core values.” The general emphasized the importance of the core values, saying that it’s just one reason serving in the Air Force is different than working in the private sector. “You guys didn’t put the uniform on for the reasons that other people take jobs,” he said. “You put the uniform on to represent this nation — to stand beside each other when it’s really, really difficult in some really ugly places. You put the uniform on to take care of the people of this country and their interests and to defend the allies that we stand beside. That’s why you did it — it’s a different profession and you have to understand that from the day you walk in the door.” In addition to emphasizing the importance of the core values, Welsh said enlisted performance reports have been re-vamped, making way to an improved promotion system. In the past, performance accounted for only one percent toward promotion, all the way to senior master sergeant. “That’s insane,” Welsh said. “In any organization that values performance, that’s just ridiculous. We have discussed how to get the technical sergeants who perform the best into the senior NCO grades sooner so they can serve longer and lead Airmen. The chiefs over the major commands have worked very hard to reset this over the last couple years. The new EPR system is in place and the new master sergeant board will go into effect.” Welsh also praised the work of Airmen in these uncertain times. “I am trying to reset the Air Force to focus on the fight again,” Welsh said. “Our great Airmen go downrange and do amazing stuff. They do phenomenal work and everyone they work for out there wants more of them.” He also said he understands the concerns of Airmen regarding potential sequestration-level funding and provided reassurance that Air Force senior leaders are working the issue. “We’re all moving forward now together,” Welsh said. “What I want the Airmen around the Air Force to do is refocus on the fight,” saying he’s working on the pay and benefits concerns on the minds of Airmen. “We’re still going to give you the opportunities to do some of the coolest stuff on earth and be the best on the planet at what you do, which is all you ask,” Welsh said. “And we’re just going to get out of your way and let you dominate. That’s what you’re good at.” Total force SMSgt evaluation static closeout date to be July 31 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Enlisted evaluation and promotion changes announced in July 2014 continue with establishment of a July 31 enlisted performance report static closeout date for regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve senior master sergeants, effective as of April 3, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. Also effective as of April 3, change of reporting official EPRs will be eliminated for all active duty senior master sergeants. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve senior master sergeants will follow the same guidance starting in 2016. Active duty senior master sergeants whose EPRs closed out before April 3 will get another EPR clos- Connect With Us! ing out July 31 that will cover performance during the months between their most recent EPR and July 31. For example, a senior master sergeant whose EPR closed out March 31 will get that EPR and another July 31 that will cover performance between April 1 and July 31. Active duty senior master sergeants whose EPRs would have closed out between April 3 and July 31, including those who sew on after April 3, will not get an EPR until the July 31 SCOD. Active duty senior master sergeants whose EPRs would have closed out after July 31 will have their EPR closeout date moved to July 31. For Air Force Reserve senior master sergeants, this same process will take place in April 2016 (although the new evaluation form will be mandatory JBSA-Lackland has entered the social networking scene Follow us on Facebook at: Lackland-JBSA Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ JBSALackland E-mail us at: [email protected] Or just go to our website at: www.jbsa.af.mil and look for social media. beginning July 31 for all required evaluations). ANG senior master sergeant drill status guardsmen, to include technicians, will receive an initial evaluation for July 31, 2014 through July 31, 2016. Active Guard Reserve and statutory tour personnel migration will be in accordance with ANG specific guidance provided through the National Guard Bureau Director for Manpower, Personnel and Services. Additional enlisted evaluation and promotion system changes will be announced as they are approved for implementation. For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to myPers at http://mypers.af.mil. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one at www.retirees.af.mil/shared/media/ document/AFD-120510-068.pdf. Fraud, Waste or Abuse Members of the public, military members, Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees may report suspicious activity concerning fraud, waste or abuse and employee or management misconduct. Report suspected FWA to your local inspector general, the 502nd Air Base Wing IG or the DOD FWA Hotline. 502 ABW/IG FWA Hotline 808-1000, http://www.jbsa.af.mil/fwa. asp DOD Hotline 800-424-9098, http://www.dodig.mil/hotline April 10, 2015 TALESPINNER Sexual assault survivor: ‘You are not alone’ By Staff Sgt. Nancy Kasberg American Forces Network-Kaiserslautern I remember the day like it was yesterday. My heartbeat echoed in my head as I attempted to dry my sweaty hands on my jeans. I was 21 years old, sitting in a Korean court room, waiting to be questioned by prosecutors. How I ended up there was unreal. Just a few months earlier I was happy; I had a loving husband, amazing friends and arguably the greatest job in the Air Force, but the color in my world had been stolen. This is my story of how I was sexually assaulted. After a year at my first duty station, I wanted to further my career so I volunteered for a short tour to Korea. I soon received an assignment to Osan Air Base, South Korea, as an American Forces Network broadcaster. It would be difficult, I knew, because my husband was unable to join me, but we agreed it was a great opportunity. Upon arriving in Korea, I quickly learned the assignment was no easy task. The days were long and work never seemed to stop. It wasn’t until half way through my tour that I finally made time to volunteer offbase with a fellow coworker. We spent the day helping members in the local community practice their Englishspeaking skills. After lunch, my coworker and I said our good-byes to the Koreans and headed back to base. The taxi dropped us off at the street right in front of the base. I paid the driver, thanked him and waved good-bye to my buddy as he left to play pool off base. Walking toward base, I noticed a button on my coat was loose, so I stopped at a tailor shop a few feet from the gate entrance. I walked in, greeted the worker with “Annyeonghaseyo,” and asked if he could fix my button. He nodded and took the coat from me. When he finished, I put it on and asked how much. He kept saying no charge and proceeded to get closer to me. The next few minutes became dark. He proceeded to take advantage of me, and I just froze. I didn’t know what to do; I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Once I snapped to, I ran as fast as I could toward base. I knew what had just happened to me wasn’t right, and my mind and body didn’t want to believe it. It felt like my brain kept telling me, there’s no way it could have happened. But it did. As I sat in my room, replaying the events in my head, I heard the recognizable beeping sound coming from my computer. It was my husband calling me via Skype. I answered, and realizing something was bothering me, he asked what was wrong. Hesitating, I slowly began to tell him what happened that day. I could see the anger and frustration in his eyes; he wanted so badly to hug and kiss me and tell me everything was going to be all right, but he couldn’t. The following day, I took his advice and talked to my supervisor about the events that occurred. While comforting me, she asked what I wanted to do and explained my options. We walked to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s office and the lieutenant there escorted me to the (Air Force) Office of Special Investigations, where they took my statement. The OSI agents were very understanding and explained that because this was a Korean national, I would have to file a report with the Korean National Police. I thought it would end there, but that was only the beginning. The SARC informed me this would be a long procedure and recommended I use the Air Force’s new Special Victims Council Program to help me through the process; I agreed. A few weeks later, my first sergeant called to tell me that, according to Korean law, anytime a person files a sexual assault, both parties must present their account of the actions in front of a judge. „You will have to face him if you want to keep going with this,“ he said. I echoed softly, “Face him?” This was the last thing I wanted. He got quiet and then told me, “Hey, I don’t agree with this system. You should never have to see him again. I will support whatever decision you make, but just know our OSI translator says most women end up retracting their statements because they’re afraid of facing their assailant.” After hearing that, I knew I had to do what was right. Soon, an Air Force captain from the SVC contacted me. As a lawyer, he would help me through any legal issues and be available for support. Finally, the day arrived when I would have to face the man who assaulted me. At the Korean National Police Station, we would argue the truth over that day’s events. My first sergeant and commander drove in from Seoul to accompany me. Before leaving the office, my commander talked to me. He asked me how I was doing and if I was ready. But I will never forget what he told me next, „I have to tell you that I really admire what you’re doing. It takes a lot of guts, so let’s go out and (seek justice for what has happened to you).“ We pulled up to the police station and an officer escorted us into a room. The door opened and I saw my assailant. Next to him was an empty chair where the officer signaled me to sit. Shaking, I managed to take my seat at which time my assailant starts yelling. There was no need for translation; my interpreter told me he was accusing me of lying and trying to ruin his marriage. I left the room momentarily to try and compose myself. I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. I had been so stressed for the past two months and it reflected in my physical appearance. My skin had broken out from my face all the way down to my chest. But I knew in my heart what happened that day; I wasn’t a liar. I closed my eyes and prayed to God for strength. I made my way back into the room. I looked around at all the people who came out to support me -- my commander, first sergeant, station manager and OSI translator and, for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. I remained as calm as I could and answered the questions asked of me, despite my offender being a few inches away and constantly yelling at me and my interpreter. This was, by far, the hardest thing PAGE 11 I’ve had to face in my life. Weeks went by before we heard anything. The judge decided to take my case to court. I would have to testify again, except this time no one was allowed in the court room with me. My special victim’s counselor walked me to the door of the court room. Then a Korean officer took me in and motioned me to sit in a chair that had been placed in the middle of the room. I looked around; no one sat in the pews and there was no jury – just a judge, an interpreter and a transcriber. They all stared as the prosecutor approached me. I was the victim, yet somehow, the room, the glares, the questions, all made me feel as if I was the offender. A month later, I was told the judge had found my assailant guilty. It was a huge relief, not only for me, but for others as well. I learned I wasn’t alone; many others on base came forth and said they, too, had experienced harassment from this man. The Air Force put his shop off-limits, helping to ensure others wouldn’t fall victim to the same crimes. Throughout the four-month ordeal, my Air Force and Army family stood by my side. My special victim counselor helped me through every step of the legal process, despite being stationed in Japan. To this day, he continues to check up on me from time to time. OSI volunteered an agent familiar with Korean law to translate and advise my counselor and me on the next step. Everyone in my chain of command, my fellow Airmen and Soldiers all the way up to the Pentagon, showed sincere and personal support. Today, with the love and support of my family and friends, my wound is slowly healing. I hope that, in sharing my story, people may find comfort in knowing that no matter where you’re serving, despite being away from everything you know, you are not alone. To fin d o u t WHAT'S HAPPENING Visit http://www.lacklandfss.com PAGE 12 TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 Air Force takes partnership approach to wildland fire management By Jennifer Schneider AFCEC Public Affairs The Air Force has taken a new approach to Air Force wildland fire management by maximizing the use of interagency partnerships to address fire management and suppression requirements - an initiative that is expected to save time and money for all parties involved. The partnerships are the cornerstone of a strategy by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Wildland Fire Center, headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, to ensure the Air Force has the necessary infrastructure in place to tackle wildfire risk and protect Air Force missions, assets and personnel nationwide. “Through partnerships with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we can maxi- mize the use of shared resources to effectively mitigate fire risk, while achieving significant time and cost savings for installations and ranges across the Air Force,“ said J.P. Smith, acting chief of the Air Force Wildland Fire Center. Extreme wildfire behavior has escalated over the past two decades and accounts for more than $15 million annually in Air Force claims alone, posing a growing liability to installation commanders who are already grappling with budget and personnel reductions. Interagency partnerships help the Air Force and the nation as a whole, meet these challenges by supporting the three overarching goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy: to restore and maintain landscapes, protect communities from wildfire and effectively respond to wildfires when they occur. One way the Air Force is promoting interagency collaboration is through the sharing of personnel and resources. The Air Force Wildland Fire Center is in the process of establishing regional offices at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.; Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.; and Eglin Air Force Base, as well as a regional office at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The four offices will manage 12 “wildland support teams” situated at installations posing the highest fire risk to Air Force operations. These teams will provide fire prevention, hazard mitigation, prescribed fire and resource management in undeveloped forested or grassland habitats for the protection of threatened and endangered species, as well as wildfire suppression Courtesy photo A wildland fire specialist uses a fire drip can to start a fire line during a prescribed burn at Eglin Air Force Base. The base burns more than 90,000 acres per year of prescribed fire. nationwide. These Air Force teams will primarily be staffed with fire planners, ecologists and wildland firefighters from partnering agencies, allowing both the Air Force and its partners to reduce overhead by co-funding key shared positions and facility costs, while simultaneously providing the Air Force with the expertise and capabilities of the most qualified personnel in the nation, Smith said. “While it is true that there will be substantial time and cost savings, even more importantly, these partnerships will improve our effectiveness at wildland fire management and response across all military missions nationwide,” said Suzanne Bilbrey, director of the AFCEC Environmental Management Directorate. Maintaining and expanding these partnerships is crucial to successful wildland fire management now and in the future, Smith said. April 10, 2015 PREVENT from Page 2 tolerates or promotes sexual assault. Strategies that simply raise awareness foster understanding of sexual assault without providing tools to take action. Tools for changing behaviors, relationships, and our culture are key to making every Airman a change agent and to creating a force free from assault. The prevention summit culminated with Airmen’s recommendations to prevent sexual assault. We are working hard to build programs across the Air Force based on these recommendations. In the meantime, I challenge every Airman to move beyond mere awareness and equip yourselves, your co-workers, your subordinates, and everyone in your sphere of influence, with the tools we all need to prevent sexual assault. 2014 past year prevalence of sexual assault in the Air Force: Women: 2.3 % or 1,359 female Airmen Men: 0.43% or 1,013 male Airmen Source: RAND 2014 NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3 bers, go to http://www.usa.att.com/traveler/index.jsp. For more information about Air Force personnel programs go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one at www.retirees.af.mil/ shared/media/document/AFD-120510-068.pdf. climate survey is opportunity to share opinions with air force leaders The Total Force Climate Survey, available through April 27, offers active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen a chance to express their opinions, perceptions and suggestions to help leaders improve their units. The Air Force Survey Office at Joint Base San AntonioRandolph has emailed participation invitations to all Airmen. The survey is designed to assess Airmen’s opinions and perceptions on a wide range of topics including resources, recognition, job satisfaction and unit performance. The survey also includes major command-specific questions, and a chance for Airmen to make improvement recommendations through written comments. Once the data is gathered, results will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff of the Air Force, and will be released to unit leaders this summer. Unit reports will only contain demographic information regarding service component and officer, enlisted or civilian. If fewer than seven members from a component or officer, enlisted or civilian status respond, the results will not be reported in the breakout at the unit level. All responses will roll up to the next unit level. No other demographic information is provided in unit reports. This protects the confidentiality of respondents. For more information about the survey and to view the results of the previous survey, go to the Air Force Portal at http://www. my.af.mil, enter “Air Force Survey Office” in the search window, select the survey office link and click on the “Total Force Climate Survey” link in the left hand column. TALESPINNER PAGE 13 JBSA-Lackland Gate Hours Luke West Inbound & Outbound 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday Outbound Only 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Luke East 24 hours/inbound & outbound Growden 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily Valley Hi 24 hours/inbound & outbound Medina Training Annex 24 hours/inbound & outbound Selfridge West Inbound & Outbound 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday Outbound Only 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is on Share your JBSA-Lackland photos by tagging us @JBSALackland FOSTER a PUPPY Selfridge East Inbound & Outbound 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday Outbound Only 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Security Hill 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday Call 671-3686 PAGE 14 community Local Briefs FRIDAY mentors in violence prevention Mentors in Violence Prevention present “The Power of the Pyramid” at the Defense Language Institute Auditorium on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at 10 a.m. and the Fleenor Auditorium on JBSARandolph at 3 p.m. The multimedia presentation utilizes dozens of media and pop culture examples to illustrate how seemingly harmless behavior can progress to violence. For additional information, call 808-8976. APRIL 11 $5 bag sale The Lackland Thrift Shop located in the One Stop will hold a $5 bag sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular shop hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 671-3608. poetry slam The student poetry slam is a fun and interactive event where military students perform their original poetry at the Military & Family Readiness TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 will be given and each participant receives a goody bag. Tickets are $50 each and include a box lunch. Registration ends April 17. To register, call 671-7273 or send an email to [email protected]. Center, building 2797, on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston at 6 p.m. There will be food and prizes. To enter the slam and for more details, call the Military & Family Readiness Center at 221-2705. APRIL 17 APRIL 18 volunteer fair A volunteer fair will be hosted at Arnold Hall April 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. For details, call 671-3722. freedom 5k There will be a 5K run at the Pfingston Reception Center at 8 a.m. Registration is $10. For more information, call 671-3026. 2015 u.s. army soldier show The U.S. Army Soldier Show, proudly presented by the Installation Management Command, returns to San Antonio with its 2015 production “WE SERVE”. Showtimes are April 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Sam Houston Theatre. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://www.ArmyMWR.com/soldiershow or call 466-2020. There will be a free Fiesta concert hosted by the San Antonio Symphonic Band April 26 at 3 p.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church 16801 Huebner Rd. Call 545-5654 or visit http://www.sanantoniosymphonicband.com. THROUGHOUT APRIL sexual assault awareness and prevention month 5k run/walk and 100 meter dash The 32nd Medical Brigade will host a run, walk or dash at the MacArthur Parade Field on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston at 7:30 a.m. to raise awareness about sexual assault impact and prevention. Registration fees are found on the event’s website at http://www. athleteguild.com/running/fort-samhouston-tx/2015-2nd-annual-sexualassault-awareness-and-preventionmonth-sapr-sharp. Advanced individual training and technical school students can attend for free. Raise awareness at the Gateway Hill Golf Club course on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and join in “Driving Out Sexual Assault” during this year’s golf tournament with tee time beginning at 12:30 p.m. Awards The San Antonio Rape Center for Children and Adults will display artwork created by sexual assault survivors at locations throughout JBSA-Randolph. Call 652-4386 for dates and location. INFORMATIONAL The JBSA-Lackland Gillum Fitness Center offers high-energy cardio programs guaranteed to get gym enthusiasts in great shape. The Total Body Toning classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., target strength and cardiovascular fitness. These classes are free. For additional information, call 977-2353 or 977-2354. Daily Mass Contemporary Service Religious Education Sun. Gospel Service Sun. Spanish Service Sun. Sun. —ISLAMIC Global Ministry Center – Building 7452 Sun. 8:00 a.m CHURCH OF CHRIST New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 Sun. 7:30 a.m. (Rm. 175) SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTIST Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 Sat. 12:30 p.m. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 Sun. 7:30 a.m. (Rm. 112) —ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sun. 9:30 a.m. Spurs 2015 game tickets are now on sale at Joint Base San Antonio ITT offices. Come by the offices to get the tickets without the fees or go to http://www.spurs.com/ lacklanditt and use the promo code LACKLAND, http://www.spurs.com/ fortsamhoustonitt and use the promo code FORTSAM or http://www.spurs. com/randolphitt and use the promo code RANDOLPH. For details, call JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 808-1378, JBSA-Lackland at 671-3059 and JBSA-Randolph at 652-5142. vanpool seeks new drivers The vanpool is actively seeking new drivers. Vanpool departs from Randolph Park N Ride at IH35 and 410 at 5:45 a.m. and drops riders off at Wilford Hall and the Defense Language Institute at Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland. Contact Mary Hokana, vanpool coordinator, at mary. [email protected] for details. JBSA-LACKLAND —WICCA New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 see the spurs work their magic KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES —PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 LITURGICAL SERVICE Airman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 For upcoming movie dates and times, call the movie line at 6713985 or view the schedules online at https://www.shopmyexchange.com/ reel-time-theatres/Lackland-AFB. shape up with free workout classes chapel services Sun. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. the lackland gateway theater is open survivor artwork from the rape crisis center APRIL 25 drive out sexual assault golf tournament APRIL 26 san antonio symphonic band fiesta concert 9:00 – 11:00 (Auditorium) Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 Wicca Open Circle 1st Tues. 6 – 7 p.m. —REFUGE STUDENT CENTER Building 9122 (Tech Training & TDY Students) Wednesday 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday 6 – 8 p.m. Friday6 – 11 p.m. Saturday 12 – 9 p.m. Sunday 11 – 5 p.m. —JEWISH Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sabbath & Kiddush Fri. 4:30 p.m. Religious Education Sun. 1:30 p.m. —ROMAN CATHOLIC Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 Religious Education Sun. 9:00 a.m. Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. Reconciliation Sat. 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Mon., Tues. & Thur. 11:30 a.m. Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment Jumu'ah Prayer Fri. 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. —BUDDIST New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 Sun. 10 a.m. (Rm. 175) —ECKANKAR Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays 12:30 p.m. —BAHA'I Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sun. 11:00 a.m. —THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 Religious Education Tues. LDS Institute Thurs. LDS Service Sun. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. For more details, contact Freedom Chapel - 671-4208 • Gateway Chapel - 671-2911 Air Force Aid Society 671-3722 Airman & Family Readiness Center 671-3722 Airman’s Attic 671-1780 American Red Cross 844-4225 Base Post Office 671-1058 Bowling Center 671-2271 DEERS800-538-9552 Exceptional Family Member Program 671-3722 Family Child Care 671-3376 Legal Office 671-3362 Library671-3610 Medical Appointment Line 916-9900 MPF ID Cards 671-6006 Outdoor Recreation 925-5532 TRICARE Info 800-444-5445 Thrift Shop 671-3608 Enlisted Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandesc.org Force Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.com Lackland ISD http://www.lacklandisd.net Officers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.org JBSA Public website http://www.jbsa.af.mil My Air Force Life http://www.MyAirForceLife.com April 10, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 15 Preparing your child for their first dental visit By Maj. Suzana M. Gjekaj 59th Dental Group It is no secret that parents these days are busier than ever before. Many are trying to juggle careers, responsibilities at home, and volunteer work that makes it very easy to forget when and how to prepare your child for their first dental visit. Parents actually play a very vital role alongside the dental provider in making a child's first dental visit a positive one. It is important to note that the parent who takes the child to the dentist should not display any signs of apprehension or of being scared. Children can pick up on the uneasy feelings of adults; a fearful adult or stories of negative dental experiences will cause unnecessary anxiety for your child. It also helps to talk about the dentist in a positive way. Your child should view dentists as friendly doctors who do the important job of keeping teeth and gums healthy. If there is one thing to avoid it's using words that may trigger dental fear such as “hurt” or “needle.” Feel free to answer any questions your child may have about the dentist but leave out any graphic details. Dentists are trained to explain procedures to children in ways that are often less intimidating. Let them handle the tough questions. Parents should refrain from offering their child a reward for going to the dentist. This enforces the idea that it's a negative event. Development of dental anxiety or fear in childhood can lead to poor oral health and early tooth loss in adulthood. Fear of the dentist is common for those whose first visit to a dentist is when experiencing a toothache. The pain of a toothache mixed with hearing the noise of a drill for the very first time doesn't make for a great first dental experience. For small children, it may be difficult to hold their mouths open or sit still for the length of the visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children be taken to a dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts or by the age of Courtesy photo 1, whichever comes first. The appointment will be short with a quick exam and brushing of the one tooth as needed. Not only will this make for a friendly first experience for the child but it is a great opportunity for parents to ask any dental questions they may have. As a parent, it is important to brush your infant's teeth and wipe their gums. A huge risk for infants and toddlers is early childhood caries, a potentially destructive condition of extreme tooth decay that can lead to pain and suffering for the child. In fact, dental caries, which can cause tooth decay, is the “single most common childhood disease”, according to the first U.S. Surgeon General's report on oral health published in May of 2000. The best way to avoid dental caries is to be a role model of health and good dental care for your child. As a parent, you know how impressionable kids can be. They tend to mimic everything you say and do and that includes establishing good dental care habits and eating a diet that supports healthy teeth and gums. Now is the right time to implement an effective daily dental care home routine, or to encourage and improve an existing routine. Just like their kids, parents need to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Each brushing session should last for at least two minutes to ensure removal of plaque. Flossing must also be a priority because it represents the most effective method of eliminating plaque and preventing cavities from developing. Aside from daily brushing and flossing, a balanced diet is also very important. Excess sugars and starchy carbohydrates promote the growth of disease-causing bacteria, plaque and tartar buildup. However, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and lean proteins can help protect your child's teeth and help instill dental care habits that will give them a bright, shiny smile for a lifetime. The key to helping instill good dental care habits is to start early. Let your child choose their favorite color toothbrush and toothpaste flavor. Make this an enjoyable activity by having them listen to their favorite song for two minutes while brushing and not consider it to be a punishment. This, again, will enforce the child's belief that a visit to the dentist is nothing to be scared about. If you are an active duty member or retiree with a child under 13 years of age, the Pediatric Dental Department at JBSA-Lackland offers screenings the second Tuesday of every month from 8 to 10:30 a.m., at the Dunn Dental Clinic. No appointment is necessary. Call 671-9836 for additional information. PAGE 16 Upcoming think you’re a hot shot? Put those shooting skills to the test during this one minute timed basketball shootout and prove you’re a “Hot Shot” at 11 a.m. April 24 at the Kelly Fitness Center. For more information, call 925-4848. sports TALESPINNER April 10, 2015 Quantico to host 2015 Warrior Games under direction of DOD staying active Airmen over the age of 50 who are physically active in sports, bodybuilding or running activities, contact Jose T. Garza III at 671-0478 or at talespinnersports@ gmail.com for a possible feature story. wednesday special Visit the Skylark Bowling Center and bowl for $1 per game and $1 per shoes. For more information, call 671-1234. spin cycling Patrons can cycle their way into a healthier, fit lifestyle during spin cycling sessions from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and at 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays. The cost is $2 per person, person session. Call 671-2016 for more information. Scoreboard volleyball west division w l 1. 25th AF......................... 30 2. 343rd TRS ..................... 20 3. 668th ALIS .................... 20 4.AFLCMC........................ 21 5. 543rd SPTS .................... 12 6. 502nd OSS .................... 12 7. 559th MDG .................... 02 8. 772nd ESS ..................... 01 9. 91st NWS ...................... 03 east division w l 1. 341st TRS ..................... 20 2. 90th IOS ....................... 30 3. 93rd IS ......................... 31 4. 59th MLRS ..................... 11 5. 33rd NWS...................... 12 6. 149th FW...................... 12 7. 59th DG........................ 12 8. 502nd CONS .................. 02 9. 802nd SFS ..................... 02 Photo by Airman 1st Class Robert Dantzler Staff Sgt, Rey Edenfield works out at Maxwell Air Force Base, March 27. Edenfield was selected to compete in sitting volleyball, archery, pistol shooting and track for the 2015 Warrior Games at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Department of Defense News, Defense Media Activity The Defense Department's Warrior Games 2015 takes place June 19-28 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., according to a DOD news release issued March 16. The DOD Warrior Games is an annual sporting competition bringing together wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from across the country, according to the release. This is the first year the department is organizing the games, which were previously run by the U.S. Olympic Committee and held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. DOD Warrior Games 2015 will feature eight sporting events with about 200 athletes representing teams from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy and Air Force. Each military service hosts trials in the months leading up to the games to determine their teams. Adaptive sports and athletic reconditioning activities play a fundamental role in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of service members back to their units, or as they transition into the civilian environment, according to the release. “The courage, strength and skill of our warrior athletes and their families inspire their fellow servicemen and women, and Americans everywhere,” Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Wright said. “Everyone in the Department of Defense looks forward to celebrating the athletes' accomplishments before, during and after June's competition.” In 2011, DOD officials created the Military Adaptive Sports Program to enhance warrior recovery by engaging wounded, ill and injured service members in ongoing, daily adaptive activities, based on their interest and ability. Since its inception, the Military Adaptive Sports Program has assisted more than 158,000 wounded, ill and injured service members at 325 structured camps and clinics for activities, including: basketball, cycling, track, field, swimming, golf, sitting volleyball, yoga and gardening. For more information on the wounded warrior program, visit http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil. For more information about Air Force personnel programs, visit myPers at https:// mypers.af.mil. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one at http:// www.retirees.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120510-068.pdf. (Editor's note: The Air Force News Service contributed to this article.) April 10, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 17 Racers prove not to be fools during April 1 run By Jose T. Garza III JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs The Gillum Fitness Center hosted an April Fools 5K Run April 1 at Stapleton Park at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. No tricks were played on the participants. They ran a straight race downhill from the park which culminated in the back of the fitness center. Robert Angle, 25th Air Force financial manager and Airman 1st Class Ryan Rosado, also a part of 25th Air Force, beat eight other competitors to win the male and female categories with a time of 25:30 and 29:32, respectively. Angle credited triathlon training, which includes running and swimming three days a week and bike riding two days a week, for helping him push through the race, specifically running uphill. “Running strengthens my hamstrings and riding a bike strengthens my quadriceps muscles,” Angle explained. “The training helped me deal with the heat because it’s not something I haven’t been through. I have ran thousands of hills in my life so one more didn’t hurt me.” Rosado chalked up her win to running a total of 10 miles three to four days a week and reading Runner’s World, a website that provides runners with nutrition, health, training and motivation tips, every morning. “I stayed focused and knowing that I was ahead of a lot of people motivated me to keep it that way,” she explained. “I always believe in finishing strong. I know what I am capable of.” Rosado’s goal is to compete in the Air Force Marathon in September. After winning the April Fools race, she said she gained a competitive confi- AFTER WORK SKATING Airmen who participate in organized hockey outside of duty hours, please contact Jose T. Garza III at 671-0478 or at [email protected] for a possible feature story. Photo by Jose T. Garza III Airman 1st Class Ryan Rosado, with 25th AF and Robert Angle, 25th Air Force financial manager, race to the finish line of the April Fools Run 5K. Angle and Rosado won the male and female categories with a time of 25:30 and 29:32, respectively. dence where she believes she is fit to participate in any race. “This race helped me keep disciplined if I am going to compete in a big race,” said Rosado. “I feel I gave it my all and got back what I put into it because I did not stop once.” The Gillum Fitness Center will host Be Responsible! Seat Belts Save Lives! Buckle Up And Wear Yours! the Run the Hill 5K May 1 to kick off May Fitness Month. For additional information on future events, call 977-2353.
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