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
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This newspaper is published by
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Deadline for story submissions
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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
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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
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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.