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. 15 • April 17, 2015 Pararescuemen train so others may live Photo by Airman First Class Justine Rho Pararescue students recover from a series of callisthenic exercises April 8 before entering the waters of Boerne Lake outside of San Antonio, Texas. These Airmen are in the third week of indoctrination training that is headquartered at the 342nd Training Squadron pararescue schoolhouse at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The PJ trainees are physically and mentally tested everyday during training to ensure they can meet their mission to rescue, recover and return American or allied forces in times of danger or extreme duress. If the students can complete the training, they will go to Air Force Dive School in Panama City, Fla. See more photos of Airmen around Joint Base San Antonio on page 9. INSIDE | Commentary 2 News 3 Community Briefs 10 Sports 13 ONLINE | http://www.jbsa.af.mil PAGE 2 commentary TALESPINNER April 17, 2015 Why they serve Sexual assault victim advocates By Tech. Sgt. Christopher G. Dion 802nd Security Forces Squadron flight chief I often get asked why I am a sexual assault victim advocate. The answer is simple and it begins with a personal connection – my sister, Teresa. As children, Teresa, as well as my older brother Richard and I, were all victims of physical abuse. Teresa was also sexually molested at a very young age. I saw the impact this had on her then and throughout her life. She struggled as an adult in relationships, and was married to a man who abused her physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually for more than 20 years. I remember the helplessness and frustration of hearing stories of what she had to endure and being unable to do anything for her because she lived so far away from me. She was alone; unable to break the grip of control her abusive husband held on her, which was reinforced by all those around her who did not understand the truth of what constituted rape and sexual assault as we know it today. I saw my sister struggle for years. Many times she did escape, only to have her abusive husband convince her to return utilizing a variety of emotional methods. Only after a second divorce did my sister finally turn her back on the past and come home. In 2011, she finally left Tennessee to come live with me. Since that time, my sister has risen from the ashes of her past. She confronted her past and now has self respect and forgiveness for herself and others. She has learned that the difference between victim and survivor is the power we give to the events and the people who have hurt us. After suffering from child abuse and witnessing what happened to my sister, I decided to use the evil we endured for good. I now seek to help others. In 2005, while deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirtes, I was offered an opportunity that has changed my life. A chaplain, advertising the new sexual assault prevention and response, was 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 seeking out volunteers to help victims of sexual assault. That chaplain said something that has stayed with me: Serving was an opportunity to change the world one survivor at a time. He said we may not end assault, but we can diminish it. We will take the power away from the perpetrator by empowering those whom they victimized. We will educate those around the situation and make them more aware of how they enable this crime. In the end, we will gauge our success by the single victim turned victor. If you can save the one, you can change the world. Since then, I have served as a SAPR victim advocate, Joint Base San Antonio SAPR community advocate, cheerleader and educator. I was one of the first to attend the Bystander Intervention Trainthe-Trainer Course and I returned to produce commercials and radio spots for the program. I have had the honor to assist sev- eral victims in taking their first steps to becoming survivors and it has meant the world to me. Edmund Burke once stated that “all evil needs to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” So I ask you, what will you do to stop evil people, both male and female, from sexually victimizing others? You cannot save them all but you can save the one and life is all about the one whose life you changed. 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 17, 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 7 TALESPINNER news PAGE 3 AF sexual assault prevention: moving in the right direction By Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden 15th Wing Public Affairs “I was raised in a household where you take responsibility for your own actions and don’t blame others for your downfalls,” said Tech. Sgt. Kathleen Thorburn. “Instead of seeing a crime that had occurred, all I could see were my mistakes. Why did I go to that party? Why did I accept the drink? Why did I laugh at their jokes? Why didn’t I scream?” Thorburn was sexually assaulted by a co-worker she trusted shortly after joining the Air Force. She’d been invited to a party by one of her instructors and encouraged to drink and take shots of alcohol, even though she was underage. Although she can’t remember all the details from the night, she clearly remembers her ride leaving, being led into a bedroom and waking up with someone on top of her. “The next day I woke up in a haze … confused by my missing clothes, where I was and what had happened,” she said. “I was very aware of the fact that someone had been inside of me and it hurt down there.” She was convinced by a friend to report the incident to her chain of command, which ultimately resulted in an investigation by Air Force Office of Special Investigations and a letter of reprimand for underage drinking. This was before the Sexual Assault Prevention Response program had really been implemented, so after the paperwork, she was switched to a new team and no one spoke with her about the incident again. “At the time, that’s what I wanted,” she said. “I was a brand new Airman. I had only been in the shop for a couple of weeks and I just wanted this to go away. Sometimes when I think about it, I feel guilty that I didn’t do more and ‘let’ him walk away, because who knows if he might have done the same thing to someone else.” Shortly after this incident, the options of restricted and non-restricted reporting of sexual assaults were introduced to the Air Force; a concept Thorburn believes really helped change the way the service deals with victims and sexual assault for the better. “After that happened to me, not one person asked if I needed to talk to a counselor … not one person suggested I go to medical for a checkup, but that was fine with me because at the time I just wanted it to go away,” she said. “But two months later, they announced restricted and non-restricted reporting and I thought, ‘That would have been helpful a few months ago.’ I think going restricted would have been a good option for me.” She said the changes in reporting protocols also came with additional training and education about how to assist victims, which she believes helped change the culture. “When I think about my leadership at the time and how little training and experience they must have had dealing with sexual assault and how much training everyone receives today … I think today we are much better equipped to deal with it,” she said. “There is a greater understanding of sexual assault.” Thorburn said the culture at the time made it easy for her to pretend her as- sault didn’t happen, which is what she tried to do. Hurt, angry, frustrated and confused following the assault, she said she began to try to move on with her life. It wasn’t until she was approached by her new supervisor, who offered moral support and empathy, that she realized what had happened to her was wrong, but that she could rise above it. “It took me a long time to even admit to myself or agree with the fact that I had been raped,” she said. “I could agree verbally, but I could not fully accept it. Years went by and it was constantly in the back of my mind, yet I was always ignoring it and pretending it didn’t happen. Slowly, but surely, I began to come to terms with what happened.” Right around that time, the sexual assault response coordinator began to look for victim advocates to support the new program and assist in victim recovery, and Thorburn took her first step toward recovery. “No one was really there for me when I needed help, and a VA may have been just the person that could have helped me,” she said. “I wanted to take what See DIRECTION Page 5 PAGE 4 TALESPINNER April 17, 2015 Secretary of Defense: sexual assault undermines military’s values “Sexual assaults and retaliation against people who report them undermine the military’s values of honor and trust,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said April 2 in a message to the Department of Defense workforce. Here is the text of the secretary’s message: This April, the Department of Defense observes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. While we must spread awareness and prevent these crimes each and every day, this is an important opportunity to remind ourselves why ridding our ranks of sexual assault and sexual harassment is so critical. The values of honor and trust are the lifeblood of our military, and every act of sexual assault directly undermines those values. So too does every act of retaliation against those who report these crimes. This year’s theme, “Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part. Do Your Part.” reminds us that we all have a responsibility to prevent these crimes and support the survivors not only to live our core values and protect one another, but also to ensure our people can focus on the mission. This is an issue our force, both of today and tomorrow, cares deeply about. When I spoke at my high school earlier this week, a young student asked me about the issue of sexual assault and wanted to know what we were doing to ensure our military is “a safe and welcome place.” That is why it is the responsibility of every service member to help make our military the last place a sexual offender wants to be. Together, we must assure an environment where sexual assault is neither condoned nor ignored; we must reinforce a culture of prevention, accountability, dignity, and respect throughout our ranks; and we must advocate for and staunchly support all who courageously report this crime. Our nation looks to us to lead boldly on this front and to care for our fellow men and women who bravely serve. Every single one of us must know our part, do our part, and keep doing whatever it takes to eliminate sexual assault in the military. (Source: DOD News, Defense Media Activity) Department of Defense photo Defense Secretary Ash Carter wears the teal pin April 2 that recognizes the observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The theme for this year’s observance is “Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part. Do Your Part.” TAJ LIT IN TEAL FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH Photo by Joel Martinez In recognition of April being Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, throughout April the Taj at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph will be bathed in teal lighting. The goal of SAAPM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Teal is the official color of SAAPM, and the teal ribbon is the symbol of sexual violence prevention. April 17, 2015 TALESPINNER Expanded use-or-lose leave law set to expire soon With the expiration of a law that allowed service members to carry up to 75 days of leave from one fiscal year to the next, troops should plan to carry no more than 60 days of leave into fiscal year 2016, Department of Defense officials announced March 31. Service members will automatically lose any accumulated ordinary leave in excess of 60 days on Oct. 1, officials said. Troops covered by special leave accrual rules may still carry up to 120 days from one fiscal year to the next, officials noted. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 extended the authority to carry over an additional 15 days of leave (total of 75 days) to Sept. 30. Previous authority was set to expire Sept. 30, 2013, but DOD recommended a two-year extension of the 75 day leave carry-over limit in 2013 to provide ample time for affected members to plan and use accumulated leave and to coincide with the reduction in combat posture in Afghanistan. The fiscal year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act initially extended the 2008 temporary authorization for all service members to carryover an additional 15 days of leave because the high operations tempo resulted in less opportunity for members to use the leave they had earned. The 75-day leave carry-over limit does not apply to members who qualify for Special Leave Accrual; they may carry over up to 120 days of leave. Members may qualify for Special Leave Accrual if they: • Served on active duty for a continuous period of at least 120 days in a hostile fire or imminent danger pay area; • Were assigned to a designated deployable ship, mobile unit, or other similar prescribed duty as determined by the service secretary concerned; or • Performed qualifying duties designated by the Secretary concerned. Service members are encouraged to check their Leave and Earnings Statement and talk with their finance office to help understand their correct use-orlose balance and to work with their commands to manage their leave balances throughout the rest of this fiscal year. Although previous LES’s did not account for the 75-day leave carryover expiration in projecting use-or-lose leave amounts, officials from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service say those LES projections have now been corrected for active component Army, Navy and Air Force service members. They will appear on the April LES. Members can access their April LES through the myPay system as of Thursday. However, the projected use-or-lose balance will only take into account leave that was charged to members’ accounts through Wednesday. Any leave taken or posted to the members’ account after that date will not be reflected. Reserve component members with projected use-or-lose leave, will be contacted individually by DFAS and given their use-or-lose balance. (Source: DOD News, Defense Media Activity) DIRECTION from Page 3 I learned and gained from this horrific event in my life and help someone else.” Before she would be able to fully help someone else, she knew she would need to face her own past head on. “I’m not very good at journaling, but I do believe in spoken word,” she said. “I no longer fully believed that it was my fault, but I knew I that I could never help someone else if I could not admit what happened to me. I was a seeing a counselor at the time and one day I just sat down in her office and explained my story from beginning to end — it was liberating. I told a couple of my best friends and it was even more liberating. No longer did I have this secret to hide.” After that defining point in her life, Thorburn joined the SAPR program and became an active participant. “With each new event I became more and more confident in myself,” she said. “I think the feelings I have, I will have for the rest of my life, but it gets better.” As part of her work as an advocate against sexual assault, she speaks out against myths regarding alcohol use and sexual assault. “Sexual assault is not a side effect of drinking,” she said. “Just because PAGE 5 you’ve been drinking does not equal rape. Dizziness, headaches and nausea are all side effects of drinking, but rape is not one of them.” Thorburn said it’s important to teach Airmen about responsible drinking practices and being good wingmen, but it’s just as important, if not more so, to talk to them about sexual assault and respecting other people. “Air Force training has become more assailant-based and it’s great that it’s shifted focus from victim blaming,” she said. “Assailant-based training, I think, addresses so many questions about what happens to people after the assault and what happens to the assailant and I think that’s a good way to go. We’re moving in the right direction, working toward prevention and not just response.” JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE • 808-SARC (7272) DOD SAFE HELPLINE • (877) 995-5247 JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE • 367-1213 JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN • 365-6420 PAGE 6 TALESPINNER April 17, 2015 Sacrifices of the military child recognized during April By Amaani Lyle Department of Defense News, Defense Media Activity To highlight the year-round contributions, courage and patriotism of the military community’s youngest members, the Defense Department observes April as the Month of the Military Child, said a Pentagon official. Established by then-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in 1986, the month recognizes some 1.9 million U.S. military children ranging in age from infants to 18 years old, who have one or both parents serving in the armed forces, said Barbara Thompson, the director of DOD’s Office of Family Readiness Policy. “We want to highlight their sacrifices (and) support of the military member in their families, so it behooves us to take time from the busy calendar of our events and recognize military children,” she said. Permanent change of stations, deployments and training activities, among other facets of military life, can present unique challenges to children who must constantly adjust to distance, unfamiliarity and uncertain schedules, Thompson explained. “That can be a real sacrifice, because each parent is a very important part of that child’s makeup,” she said. “So we want to make sure that when they move or change schools, all of those transition times are supported with resources, programs and services.” DOD offers a variety of programs to help military children overcome these challenges, Thompson said. For example, the Child Development Program offers child care up to age 12. Similarly, youth development programs offer older children opportunities for recreation, and character, social and emotional development. Thompson reported that parents, too, have Courtesy photo resources to help best guide and nurture their children of all ages. The New Parents Support Program helps parents during pregnancy and childbirth, and children up to 3 years of age, to reach their full potential through home visitations and parent support groups, she said. Military OneSource is another resource available 24/7, 365 days a year, to support parents to learn more about parenting skills, as well as to find support for themselves, Thompson added. It also offers telephonic, face-to-face, online and video nonmedical and financial counseling, which she de- scribed as “strengthening pillars” for military households separated from extended family or settling into a new environment. “On the installations, we have military family support centers,” she said, “where a multitude of services for transitions and life skills are offered to make sure our families can be resilient and strengthen them in their efforts to be the parents they want to be.” Family support has evolved over the last 40 years to become the family readiness system, which is a collaborative network of agencies, programs, services and professionals who promote the readiness and quality of life of military families both on installations and in the community, Thompson said. “There is no ‘wrong’ door,” she said. “So regardless of where you’re seeking support, whether it’s with your pediatrician or with your chaplain, he or she will also know the resources to support you in your efforts to navigate the military life course.” Across the services, Thompson said, parades, fairs, art and poetry contests will abound as installations develop engaging and amusing activities to solidify the bonds among families and communities. “We want to make sure that children’s voices are heard during the Month of the Military Child,” she said. “It’s a fun time to be with their families (and) to take part in the various activities that the services developed to recognize military children.” Community outreach initiatives include partnerships with the Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s 4-H youth group to promote “Purple Up!” on April 15, Thompson said. Students, school sports team members, teachers and community leaders will wear purple as a visual tribute to military children. “It is hard to be a military child, and they’re doing it super well,” Thompson said. Military children: keep them covered under TRICARE Is there a new baby coming or just arrived in the household? There’s so much to remember and in order to keep up with your baby’s growth and medical checkups, add “Enroll in DEERS” on your to-do list. By policy, newborns are covered under TRICARE Prime for 60 days after birth, as long as another family member is already enrolled in a Prime option. This gives parents time to decide if Prime or Standard is the best plan for the baby and the family. If it is decided Prime is best for the family, the new child must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime. After those first 60 days in Prime, the child’s health coverage is moved into TRICARE Standard unless there is a formal enrollment into Prime. Remember, Prime is care received mostly through military treatment facilities (no cost shares or deductibles) and Standard is care received in the community with associated cost-shares and deductibles. Think ahead to decide if Prime or Standard is best for your family. Then, enroll them in DEERS as soon as possible. Documents from the hospital are the best way to start the DEERS enrollment. Don’t wait the two to six months it may take for a formal state/state department birth certificate. When you are discharged from the hospital or birth center you will receive a certificate of live birth or documents that validate the child’s connection to a member of the military. If both parents are active duty, you must decide which parent will add the baby to their DEERS account. DEERS enrollment needs to be done in per- son – by the active duty military member – with all required paperwork to avoid unnecessary confusion or bills for co-payments and cost-shares. If your family is growing with an adopted child, start the process as soon as you have the information to enroll them in DEERS. For more information visit the “Enroll or Purchase a Plan” page on the TRICARE website at http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ Enroll.aspx. To find the nearest DEERS registration site online, visit https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/ site?execution=e1s1. If there are special circumstances for you, e.g., you are a single parent, visit milConnect’s “Life Events that Impact Your Benefits” page at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. (Source: TRICARE Online at http://www.tricare.mil) April 17, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 7 April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month Women are often the people in the family responsible for taking care of their family’s health concerns and often neglect their own health including the health of their eyes. Yet, did you know that two thirds of the people in the world affected by visual impairments and blindness are women even though they represent only 53 percent of the population? The rate of eye disease is on the rise in this country mostly because people are living longer and women, on average, live longer than men. As a result, more women are susceptible to age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, dry eyes, glaucoma and diabetic changes of the eye as well as other conditions. Because of this, Prevent Blindness America has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month to help educate women about the steps that they must take to help prevent vision loss by making their own eye health a priority. While the following recommendations 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. apply to all, during April, the emphasis is on women so that they remember to take care of themselves as well as their families Get routine eye care. Many causes of eyesight problems are preventable so all women should make having regular eye examinations a regular part of their health routine to minimize the risk. It is recommended that all women receive a comprehensive eye examination by the age of 40 if not sooner and obtain routine follow-up care as recommended by their eye care professional. Know your family history. Everyone is aware that genetics play an important role in what diseases you are at risk for including eye diseases. By knowing what conditions your ancestors have had, you can notify your eye care professional of what those conditions are and, in some cases, do things to prevent or lessen the effect of those conditions in you. Eat healthy and exercise. Eating healthy and exercising is important in maintaining a proper weight to reduce the risk factors for certain conditions. Doing so can also assist you in guarding against vision loss. Obesity, a lack of exercise, stress and a bad diet all can affect the health of your eyes. Avoid smoke. Smoking, even secondhand smoke, increases the risks for certain eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Avoid smoking and being around smokers if at all possible. Wear good sunglasses. Ultraviolet light exposure has also been linked to the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. So, it is recommended that when you go outside, consider wearing brimmed hats and UV-rated sunglasses. Use cosmetics and contacts safely. You know the rules for using these safely. Wash your hands first. Throw away old makeup and contacts. Do not share them with others. Do not apply them while driving. By following these directions, you can prevent a serious eye infection that could result in permanent loss of vision. Remember, as the one who is responsible for making certain that everyone is healthy, it is important that you remain around to continue to take care of your family and that you see well enough to maintain that role. Taking care of your eyes is an easy way to assist you in meeting those important functions for years to come. (Source: Tri-Service Vision Conservation and Readiness Program Staff, U.S. Army Public Health Command) PAGE 8 TALESPINNER April 17, 2015 April 17, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 9 One day at JBSA-Lackland P hotojournalist, from the 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office participated in an Armed Forces project called “One Military Day.” The photojournalists captured several photos of Airmen training in and around Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland April 8. These photos showcase a small piece of the complex training mission of the 37th Training Wing, the largest training wing in the Air Force. Photo by Joshua Rodriguez Air Force basic military trainees from the 737th Training Group participate in a live fire exercise at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training Course April 8 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Photo by Benjamin Faske Air Force basic military trainees from the 737th Training Group use pugil sticks to practice combative skills April 8. Photo by Joshua Rodriguez Air Force basic military trainees from the 737th Training Group participate in a basic introduction to Air Force combatives at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training Course April 8. Photo by Airman First Class Justine Rho Photo by Joshua Rodriguez Air Force basic military trainees from the 737th Training Group participate in a live fire exercise at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training Course April 8 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Airman Taylor Valerio, 342nd Training Squadron pararescue trainee, recovers after completing open water training April 8 at Boerne Lake in Boerne, Texas. Valerio is in his third week of the indoctrination course headquartered at the pararescue school. The training will help prepare the Airmen for extreme water conditions. Photo by Benjamin Faske Photo by Benjamin Faske Air Force basic military trainees from the 737th Training Group are issued protective gear before sparring with pugil sticks at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training Course April 8. Staff Sgt. Ian Porter, 341st Training Squadron Military Working Dog School dog trainer, conducts obedience training during live fire drills at the rifle range April 8 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. PAGE 10 community LocAL Briefs To register, call 671-7273 or send an email to [email protected]. FRIDAY SATURDAY volunteer fair freedom 5k A volunteer fair will be hosted at Arnold Hall Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. For details, call 671-3722. 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 Friday and Saturday 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. drive out seXual assault golf tournament 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 times beginning at 12:30 p.m. Awards will be given and each participant receives a goody bag. Tickets are $50 each and include a box lunch. Registration ends Friday. TALESPINNER April 17, 2015 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. There will be a 5K run at the Pfingston Reception Center at 8 a.m. Registration is $10. For more information, call 671-3026. bicycle registration Register your bike at the Military & Family Readincess Center, building 2797, on Joint Base San AntonioLackland from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 671-3722. APRIL 28 relationship enhancement luncheon The 502nd Air Base Wing Chaplain's office is hosting a communication workshop titled “Communication: Talking Safely without fighting” from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Gateway Club. Lunch is provided. Call 6712911 to sign up. THURSDAY lackland enlisted spouses club speed-friendship and miXer The Lackland Enlisted Spouses Club will host a speed-friendship and mixer at the Freedom Chapel, Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is open to all enlisted spouses, members and nonmembers. For details, call 671-4208. THROUGHOUT APRIL survivor artwork from the rape crisis center 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. APRIL 25 seXual assault awareness and prevention month 5k run/walk and 100 meter dash The 32nd Medical Brigade will INFORMATIONAL dining facilities price change The below rates apply to dining facilities not using the a la carte pricing system: Slagel, Rocco, B5107, B5105, Medical Readiness DFAC and all BMT facilities. Breakfast – $3.45 Lunch – $5.55 Dinner – $4.85 In addition, Meals-Ready-to-Eat and flight meals are priced at $5.55 each. For details on dining facilities to include hours, contact information and address, visit http://www.jbsa. af.mil/library/diningfacilities.asp Assistance to those in need of services related to the prevention of family maltreatment in our community. To report incidents of spouse or child abuse and to coordinate an emergency response for victims of domestic violence, call 292-5967. This line is monitored 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. shape up with free workout classes The JBSA-Lackland Gillum Fitness Center offers high-energy cardio programs guaranteed to get gym Daily Mass Contemporary Service Religious Education Sun. Gospel Service Sun. Spanish Service Sun. Sun. —ISLAMIC Global Ministry Center – Building 7452 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. 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. The stand-up fighter workout Tuesday and Thursday offers a combination of mixed martial arts, basic boxing, Muay Thai and ground defense boxing techniques focusing on cardiovascular aerobics and stress relief. These classes are free. For details, call 977-2353 or 977-2354. JBSA-LACKLAND —WICCA New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 Sun. For upcoming movie dates and times, call the movie line at 671-3985 or view the schedules online at https://www.shopmyexchange.com/reel-time-theatres/ Lackland-AFB. KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES —PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 LITURGICAL SERVICE Airman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 the lackland gateway theater is open shape up with free workout classes jbsa fap care line CHAPEL SERVICES Sun. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 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. 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. Friday 6 – 11 p.m. Saturday 12 – 9 p.m. Sunday 11 – 5 p.m. —JEWISH Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sabbath & Kiddush Fri. Religious Education Sun. 4:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. —ROMAN CATHOLIC Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 Religious Education Sun. Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. Reconciliation Sat. 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 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 DEERS 800-538-9552 Exceptional Family Member Program 671-3722 Family Child Care 671-3376 Legal Office 671-3362 Library 671-3610 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 17, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 11 The ‘JBSA Express’: a community transportation partnership Photo by Olivia Mendoza Jeffrey Arndt (left), president and chief executive officer of VIA Metropolitan Transit, and Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, commander of the 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio, pose in front of a VIA Vanpool Van and the newly renamed “JBSA Express” VIA hybrid bus that provides round-robin express bus service from the USO in downtown San Antonio to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Lackland. By James L. Williams Deputy Director, 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron The 502nd Air Base Wing and VIA Metropolitan Transit officials recently partnered to expand weekend Express service from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston to the downtown USO Saturdays and Sundays. The new bus routes were recently renamed the “JBSA Express.” The routes and hours of operation are: JBSA Express Route 16 service to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston • Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (every 30 minutes and once an hour for the last three hours). • Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. (once an hour). JBSA Express Route 65 service to JBSALackland • Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (every 30 minutes and once an hour for the last three hours). • Sunday from 9:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. (once an hour). The cost is $2.50 each way or $4 for an all-day pass. Tickets can be purchased – with exact change – at the bus. VIA bus service to other routes (including local theme parks) is available with stops just outside the gates at both JBSA locations. More than 1,000 JBSA personnel are utilizing the service every week and it’s an alternative to driving your car downtown and dealing with traffic congestion and parking. For additional information, visit http://www.viainfo.net. The JBSA-Fort Sam Houston route can be viewed at http://www.viainfo.net/Shared/ViewAttachment.aspx?AttachmentId=6774, the JBSALackland route is at http://www.viainfo.net/Shared/ ViewAttachment.aspx?AttachmentId=6781. Stay safe with proper spring cleaning fire safety tips By Ricardo S. Campos Public Fire and Life Safety Educator 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron With the arrival of spring comes blue skies, blooming bluebonnet flowers and of course – spring cleaning. This is the perfect time for a refresher on fire safety tips that should be followed all year long. Keeping fire safety in mind when doing things around the house, such as cleaning a dryer’s lint filter after each load of laundry, will help prevent fires. Smoke alarm facts: Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of reported home fires. Ensure smoke alarms are installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps,” the battery is low and should be replaced immediately. Dryer lint facts: The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean dryer lint filters. Clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum. Keep the area around your dryer clear of things that can burn like boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing. Cooking fire facts: Most cooking fires in the home involve the stovetop. Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop. Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop. Extension cord facts: Extension cord fires outnumbered fires beginning with permanent or detachable power cords by two to one. Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords. To learn more about spring cleaning home fire safety tips, call the fire prevention offices at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston at 221-2727, JBSALackland at 671-2921 or JBSA-Randolph at 652-6915. PAGE 12 Congratulations to the following 70 Airmen for being selected as honor graduates among the 700 Air Force basic military trainees who graduated April 17: 320th Training Squadron –Flight 211 Jay Brody Jeremiah Burns Antonio Farias Joshua Gettings Kyle Hanson Christopher Hart Taylor Scott Brian Shuey Scott Taylor Shawn White Batson Wilson –Flight 212 Andrew Conover Frederick Ford Jr Jeffrey Golden Matthew Helmich Steve Lee Daniel Meador Christopher Noall 321st Training Squadron –Flight 213 Gregory Adams Alvaro Aguilera Christien Bibler Jordan Bruckmeier Michael Collins Nathanial Johnson Garion Martsch David Revel Terence Woore –Flight 214 Kelsey Koontz Malia Lynch Nicole Travis 322nd Training Squadron –Flight 219 Avery Anderson Peter Espinoza Madison Rubin TALESPINNER –Flight 220 Michael Atkinson Justin Brummett Medina Castro Christopher Escobar Johnny Hernandez Nicholas Mrotek Elliott Smith Ryan Sweet Jesse Warner –Flight 223 Thomas Beighley Seth Boynton Adam Heemstra Khalil Jones Justis Mackenzie Ronald Ramcheran Rocky Silva Thaddeus Wireman –Flight 224 Elizabeth Etter Alleggra Harry Ashley Sampson Callie Waller 323rd Training Squadron –Flight 217 Cody Renwick Robin Strickland –Flight 218 Ellen Etchison Kayla Johnson –Flight 221 Quentin Steiner –Flight 222 Dana Rolfes 331st Training Squadron –Flight 215 Michael Frook Parker Jones Nicholas Trebelhorn –Flight 216 Nestor Alvarez Joseph Bach Garrett Gillis Daniel Jacobson Jared Norris Tristan Ott Colin Standish Top BMT Airman Antonio Farias 320th TRS FLT 211 Most Physically Fit –Female Airmen Carola Anselmi 322nd TRS, Flight 224 Anneke Bentley 322nd TRS, Flight 224 Judith Lopez Chavez 323rd TRS, Flight 222 Jessica Locci 321st TRS, Flight 214 –Male Airmen Steven Gonzales 320th TRS, Flight 205 Michael Lapierre 320th TRS, Flight 211 Jonathan Dabel 320th TRS, Flight 212 Nash Honodel 320th TRS, Flight 211 –Female Flights 322nd TRS Flight 224 323rd TRS, Flight 218 323rd TRS, Flight 222 321st TRS, Flight 214 –Male Flights 320th TRS, Flight 211 320th TRS, Flight 212 322nd TRS, Flight 220 322nd TRS, Flight 216 322nd TRS, Flight 219 322nd TRS, Flight 223 Top Academic Flights 320th TRS, Flight 211 322nd TRS, Flight 223 321st TRS, Flight 213 331st TRS, Flight 216 32nd TRS, Flight 219 322nd TRS, Flight 224 320th TRS, Flight 212 323rd TRS, Flight 217 323rd TRS, Flight 221 322nd TRS, Flight 220 323rd TRS, Flight 218 331st TRS, Flight 215 321st TRS, Flight 214 323rd TRS, Flight 222 Be Responsible! Seat Belts Save Lives! Buckle Up And Wear Yours! April 17, 2015 Sexually transmitted infections: Are you at risk? By Miranda Andrews and Nikki Jordan Disease Epidemiology Program, U.S. Army Public Health Command The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur annually in the United States, contributing to roughly 110 million total infections and $16 billion in medical costs each year. Common STIs include human papillomavirus, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, herpes simplex virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus. About half of new STIs occur in youth who are 15-24 years old. STIs are also common among the military active duty population, where more than a third of service members are under 25. Risk factors for infection and disease trends tend to mirror those observed nationally. Depending on the STI, symptoms can include painful urination, itching, discharge, painful or swollen testicles, bleeding between menstrual cycles, painful intercourse, abdominal or pelvic pain or rashes. More often, an STI may not have noticeable symptoms. Chlamydia, for example, is known as the “silent infection,” and fails to show symptoms in about 80 percent of infected women and 50 percent of infected men. Likewise, syphilis is another STI that often goes unnoticed in early stages. It is on the rise in both civilian and military communities, especially among men who have sex with men. And having an STI can make it easier to get another. In several major U.S. cities, about half of men who have sex with men with syphilis are co-infected with HIV. Periodic STI testing is often the best way to identify infections. Common high-risk behaviors include having unprotected sex, inconsistent condom use, multiple partners, one night stands, soliciting sex and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Technology such as “hook-up” apps has also increased STI risk by linking anonymous partners for casual sex. Online profiles can be deceptive, setting you up for a dangerous situation and leave lingering uncertainty about STIs. The anonymous encounters make Graphic courtesy U.S. Army Public Health Command it challenging to notify a partner of a positive STI test. All STIs are preventable, many are curable and all can be treated to manage symptoms. Prevention starts with communicating with intimate partners and taking charge of one’s sexual health. Effective ways to reduce your risk include: • Using a condom correctly every time when engaging in oral, vaginal or anal sexual activity • Reducing the number of sexual partners and the number of high-risk partners, situations and sex acts • Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner • Talking to a medical provider about getting tested (every three to six months) • Getting the HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines If you are concerned about your STI risk, you can request testing through your primary care clinic. Military treatment facilities offer free, confidential testing, treatment and counseling for TRICARE beneficiaries. Local public health departments also offer low cost testing and treatment. In some cases you can even collect the sample at home. For additional information regarding STIs or HPV and Hepatitis B vaccination, contact your primary care provider or Preventive Medicine. People can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites at http://www.cdc. gov/std/default.htm and http://www.cdc. gov/hpv/vaccine.html. Remember, prevention starts with you. April 17, 2015 Upcoming TALESPINNER sports Warhawks start tournament with confidence think you’re a hot shot? Warhawks guard Staff Sgt. Deandre Snow, 59th Medical Support Squadron NCO in charge of career development, drives to the basket during the team’s exhibition game against a group of local San Antonio athletes April 8 at the Chaparral Fitness Center. The Warhawks will compete in the Central United States Military Basketball Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Chaparral Fitness Center. If the Warhawks finish in the top two of the tournament, they will compete in the National Military Basketball Tournament May 22-24 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Put those shooting skills to the test during this oneminute timed basketball shootout and prove you’re a “Hot Shot” at 11 a.m. April 24 at the Kelly Fitness Center. Call 925-4848. joint base san antonio half marathon The Joint Base San Antonio Half Marathon takes place at 7:30 a.m. April 26 at JBSA-Randolph. The race begins to the right of the main gate. Registration must be completed by April 22, and forms can be found online at http://www. myjbsa-fss-mwr.com. The entry fee is $25 and can be paid by cash or check. Payment and registration forms can be picked up at the Rambler Fitness Center on JBSA-Randolph, the METC Fitness Center at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston or the JBSALackland Heath and Wellness Center. For more details, call 652-7263. wednesday special Visit the Skylark Bowling Center and bowl for $1 per game and $1 per shoes. Call 671-1234. Scoreboard volleyball west division w l 1. 25th AF......................... 4 0 2. 343rd TRS ..................... 2 0 3. AFLCMC ........................ 3 1 4. 668th ALIS...................... 2 1 5.502nd OSS ...................... 2 2 6. 543rd SPTS .................... 1 2 7. 559th MDG .................... 0 2 8.772nd ESS ...................... 0 2 9. 91st NWS ...................... 0 4 east division w l 1. 341st TRS ...................... 3 0 2. 90th IOS ....................... 4 0 3. 93rd IS ......................... 4 1 4. 59th DG ........................ 2 1 5. 149th FW....................... 1 2 6. 59th MLRS...................... 1 2 7. 33rd NWS....................... 0 3 8. 502nd CONS ................... 0 3 9. 802nd SFS ..................... 0 3 PAGE 13 Photo and story by Jose T. Garza III JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs The Joint Base San AntonioLackland Warhawks are gearing up for the Central United States Military Basketball Conference Tournament. The team will enter the tournament Friday and Saturday at Fort Sill, Okla. as the number- one seed with a 19-5 conference record, despite early season struggles. The team will compete in the National Straight Talk Line Military Basketball Tournament May 22-24 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland if they finish in first or second place in the CUSMBC tournament. “We had our ups and downs this season, but our chemistry is there. We have a lot of confidence since we are the number one team in the conference and that gives us more motivation to win it.” said Warhawks guard/forward Wendell Thibeaux. Thibeaux said players’ dis- 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 trust for each other is what attributed to the team’s “horrible” chemistry early in the season. Once the team spent more time together, chemistry improved. “We came together with trust. Before, we didn’t trust one another,” he said. “We know where a man is going to be on the floor and are confident in him that he is going to make the shot.” Tech. Sgt. Calvin Conliffe, coach from 25th Air Force, chalks up the Warhawks’ successful season to being improved on both ends of the court. To further boost the team’s confidence, he added the team has beaten every team in the CUSMBC, including Fort Hood, Texas’ varsity basketball team, which he noted was their best competition. “Our offense is more controlled and our defense is vastly, improved” the coach noted. “We are swinging the ball and everyone is getting baskets. This year, we have six or seven players who can put up 20 points on any given night.” Besides their individual and team ability on the court, Thibeaux believes “heart, trust and discipline” will be keys to their success. “If we have those three things, it is going to be easy trimmings as far as winning,” he explained. “If we don’t, we will suffer, but everyone has the goal to win the tournament and compete in the national tournament. The only people who can stop us from achieving our goal is ourselves.” 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.
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