M AKING
A
D IFF ER E NC E
IN
W A LK ER , M I
JANUARY 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Soldier’s Life Cycle Kit............................... 1
Service Providers Available at ASCC Walker ...... 2
Hiring Our Heroes ........................................... 2
The Soldier’s Life Cycle kits are designed to connect Soldiers and their Families to the
right resources at the right time. The following Kits are available to order.
 New to the Army Reserve
 New to the Unit
 Mobilization, Sustainment, Reunion
 Assuming a Leadership Role
 Transition: Retirement
2015 West MI Joint Forces Military Ball............ 2
Tricare Reserve Select..................................... 3
Money Resources for High School Youth........... 3
American Red Cross ....................................... 4
Military Saves Week ....................................... 4
Why You Should Have a myPay Account............ 5
Flu Season..................................................... 6
Saving Money on Gifts .................................... 6
Protect Yourself Before & After a Data Breach... 7
Choose MyPlate ............................................. 8
 Transition: Wounded Warrior
Army Reserve Soldiers, Family Members,
and program Volunteers can order the SLC
Kits on the bottom of the ARFP POD
home page, which does not require a
username/password.
Scroll over each packet to see a description
of the kit's contents. At the bottom of the
content description, click on the blue
hyperlink and a box will pop up requesting
first name, last name and email address.
You will then be taken to the ordering
screen to place the order. There is a two
packet per Army Reserve household limit and duplicate packets cannot be ordered.
ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER
3870 Three Mile Road NW
Walker, MI 49534
DEBRA UNSELD
Contract Customer Support Coordinator
(616) 735-4050 x166
[email protected]
BRANDY WALKINGTON
Contract Customer Support Coordinator
(616) 735-4050 x169
[email protected]
OFFICE HOURS
Monday—Friday, 8am—5pm
Closed January 1 & 19
ADDITIONAL HOURS
January 10-11; 8am—5pm
To order The Soldier’s Life Cycle Kit, visit www.arfpoutlet.us/OP.
Army Reserve Families—order yours today!
The information presented in this newsletter is for informational awareness only and does not represent
endorsement, sponsorship, recommendation, or promotion of any commercial event(s), commercial names
or brands by the editors of this Newsletter, the Department of Defense, US Army, US Navy, US Air Force,
US Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserve, and the federal government. Usage of commercial or trade mark
names is for identification purposes only.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015 | PAGE 1
Service Providers Available at
ASCC Walker
MI Works Veteran Employment Specialist
Every Friday │ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: Veteran
Service Officer
January 22, 2015 │ By appointment only
2015 West Michigan Joint
Forces Military Ball
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Reception 5:30 PM Dinner 6:30 PM
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
187 Monroe Avenue N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The VSO assists Veterans in filing service-connected
disability claims with the VA. They also assist Veterans in
obtaining benefits relative to vocational rehabilitation,
VA home loans, education, insurance, and burial
benefits.
$50.00 per person
For more information or to schedule an appointment to
meet with the VSO, contact the ASCC.
DINNER: Begins at 1830, followed by our guest Speaker
and Dancing.
Hiring Our Heroes: Hiring Fair &
Employment Workshop
MUSIC: Provided by the 126 Army Band.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Employment Workshop: 8:30 AM
Hiring Fair: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Detroit VA Healthcare System
4646 John R Street | Detroit, MI 48201
Join us for a job fair for Veteran job seekers, active duty
Military Members, National Guard and Army Reserve
Members, and Military Spouses at the Detroit VA
Healthcare System in Detroit.
The employment workshop consists of a classroom
session beginning an hour and a half prior to the hiring
fair. This will be followed by one-on-one mentoring
sessions with all pre-registered and walk-in participants
to be conducted throughout the day. Mentoring sessions
focus on resume building, resume writing, and
interviewing techniques for all job-seeking Veterans and
Service Member participants.
For more information or to register, visit
www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/detroit-hiringfair.
MILITARY: Service, Mess, Evening or Dinner Dress
Uniform
GUEST: Women – Long or Short Formal Attire
Men – Business Attire
BAR: Cash bars are available with selections of Liquor,
Wine and Michigan Microbrews.
PHOTOGRAHER: A photographer will be present to
help you capture your evening.
R.S.V.P: by February 4, 2015
Service members past and present from the Army,
Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are invited to
join us for an evening of dinner and dancing at the 2015
West Michigan Joint Forces Military Ball.
To register for the event, visit www.eventbrite.com/
e/2015-west-michigan-joint-military-ball-tickets14118409543?aff=eivtefrnd.
For guests interested in staying at the Amway,
reservations can be made by calling the Amway Grand
Reservation line at (800) 253-3590 and ask for the Grand
Rapids Ball before January 20, 2015.
No refunds for cancellations will be given after January
31, 2015.
For more information, contact the Army Strong
Community Center at (616) 735-4050 Ext 166 or 169.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015
| PAGE 2
Tricare Reserve Select
New Premiums beginning January 1, 2015
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium based
health plan that qualified National Guard and Reserve
members may purchase. TRS offers coverage similar to
TRICARE Standard and Extra. It is available worldwide
to most Selected Reserve members (and Families) when
not on active duty orders or covered under the
Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP).
Who is eligible?
National Guard and Reserve members may qualify to
purchase TRS coverage if they are:

A member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready
Reserve

Not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal
Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program
TRS is only available when you are not eligible for any
other non-premium based TRICARE health coverage.
Qualified members may purchase Member-Only or
member –and-family coverage.
What does it cost?
Member Only $50.75 per month
Member and Family $250.62 per month
For more information, contact the Army Strong
Community Center at (616) 735-4050 ext 166 or 169.
You can also contact TRICARE North at (877) 874-2273
or visit www.hnfs.com.
*If purchased, TRICARE Reserve Select is minimum
essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act *
Money Resources for High
School Youth
Project Change. a website with information and links
for high school students on making a financial plan,
spending smart, and the importance of starting to save,
even when you’re in high school. The site includes a
money game, a savings calculator and an interactive quiz.
projectchange.sec.gov/projectchange.shtml
Tips for Saving Money. Five Ways to Cut Spending
and Still Get to Do and Buy Cool Things-- Do you want
to find a ways to stretch your money? Here are some
suggestions for knowing how much money you have,
how much you need, and how to reach your goals by
cutting back on what you spend. www.fdic.gov/consumers/
consumer/news/cnsum06/spending.html
How to Ace Your First Test Managing Real
Money in the Real World. As a teen, you're
beginning to make some grown-up decisions about how
to save and spend your money. That's why learning the
right ways to manage money...right from the start...is
important. This article spells out a few important
suggestions. www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/
cnspr08/managing.html
Preparing for Your Education. Education beyond
high school can give you choices that may not otherwise
be possible, open doors to better paying positions, and
give you the opportunity to do things you enjoy most.
studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college
Money Smart Curriculum for Young Adults. A
comprehensive financial education curriculum to teach
people ages 12-20 the basics of handling their money and
finances, including how to create positive relationships
with financial institutions. www.fdic.gov/consumers/
consumer/moneysmart/young.html
For more information, visit www.mymoney.gov.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015
| PAGE 3
American Red Cross

A civilian employed by or under contract to the
Department of Defense and stationed outside the
Continental United States and any family residing
with them at that location

A military retiree or the retiree’s spouse or
widow(er)

A Cadet or midshipman at a service academy;
ROTC cadet on orders for training

A Merchant Marine aboard a U.S. Naval Ship
Emergency Communication Services
When a military family experiences a crisis, the American
Red Cross is there to help. Wherever their military
service takes them, service members can rest assured that
the Red Cross will deliver notification of an emergency
such as the death or serious illness of an immediate family
member, as well as the good news of the birth of a
service member's child or grandchild.
Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross
relays urgent messages containing accurate, factual,
complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to
service members stationed anywhere in the world,
including on ships at sea and at embassies and remote
locations.
Even if the service member receives an email or phone
call from home, Red Cross-verified information assists
the member and his/her commanding officers with
making a decision regarding emergency leave.
Knowing in advance that communication links, access to
financial assistance and information and referral will be
available in an emergency brings peace of mind to service
members and to the families from whom they are
separated.
How to Contact the Red Cross for Assistance
When calling the Red Cross, be prepared to provide as
much of the following information about the service
member as is known:

Full legal name

Rank/rating

Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard)

Social Security number

Date of birth

Military unit address

Information about the deployed unit and home
base unit (for deployed service members only)
For more information, please visit www.redcross.org.
The American Red Cross Emergency Communications
Center is available to help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Call (877) 272-7337 (toll-free) if you are currently, or if
you are calling about:

Anyone on active duty in the Army, Marines,
Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard

An activated member of the Guard and Reserve
of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces

An immediate family member or dependent of
anyone in the above categories
Military Saves Week
February 23 – February 28
Military Saves Week is an annual opportunity for
organizations to promote good savings behavior and a
chance for Military Members and their Families to assess
their own saving status.
For more information, visit www.militarysaves.org.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015
| PAGE 4
The key to effective day-to-day management of your retirement pay is creating and maintaining a myPay account. myPay
is the most important tool for managing your pay. In addition, the email address you enter into myPay is our primary way
of staying in touch with you and keeping you current. For retirees and annuitants, there is nothing more important than
creating, using and maintaining the security of their myPay account. On top of all that, myPay recently added new
features that make it an even more vital tool for military retirees and annuitants.
Verification of Pay. Getting the paperwork together for a loan application can get complicated, especially for
mortgages and other high value loans that require verification of pay from your payroll office. This feature allows military
retirees to easily download official pay verification statements without calling, mailing, or faxing requests to the Defense
Finance and Accounting Service. Whether it’s for a loan, business transaction or legal proceeding, military retirees with a
myPay account can get an official pay verification statement on DFAS letterhead to print from the convenience of their
own home.
Prior Year Tax Statements. Tax statements such as the IRS Form 1099R are used by military retirees for filing or
correcting federal and state tax returns, adjusting income tax withholding rates, and a variety of other planning and legal
business. With your online myPay account, you can now have access to up to five years worth of 1099Rs to help keep
your personal financial and legal concerns in order.
Pay Garnishments. Defaults on commercial loans or court-ordered support for former spouses and children can result
in pay garnishments for any of the 6.6 million payroll customers of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. While
the agency’s Garnishment Operations division is tasked with ensuring each court order or instructions for DoD
authorities are valid before starting involuntary pay deductions, individual customers may not have seen or misplaced the
documents establishing their individual garnishments. The latest updates to the myPay pay management system serving
U.S. military members, military retirees and federal civilian employees from a number of departments and agencies now
allows users to view documents issued by U.S. civil courts or military service related to any garnishments on their pay.
Commercial debt and spousal or child support orders will be available for 30 days for military members, military retirees
and federal civilian employees following the date the order/letter is received by myPay. Military members will also have
access to Military Commercial Debt Orders for 90 days from the date it is received by myPay. According to DFAS
officials, the ability for each user to view any documents used to begin pay garnishments is intended to save the time and
effort necessary to file a request via phone, mail or fax.
Need Help Creating a myPay Account?
Using myPay to update your correspondence address if you have never created a myPay account, you can find complete
instructions at www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary.html.
If you have created your myPay account, but have problems remembering your login ID or password, you can access
myPay’s website at mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx.
If you need personal attention, you can contact our Customer Care
Center at (888) 332-7411 Opt 5, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015 | PAGE 5
Flu Season
can give great gifts that are also budget-friendly.
6 Tips for Staying Healthy
 Give homemade baked goods, handcrafted or sewn
items you've made yourself. Look for ideas online.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get
vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering
your cough and washing your hands often can help stop
the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like
the flu.
 Give of yourself. "Coupons" for services such as
babysitting, cooking or yard care are unexpected,
thoughtful and always welcome (just make sure the
recipient actually redeems them!).
1. Avoid close contact - Avoid close contact with
people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your
distance from others to protect them from getting sick .
2. Stay home when you are sick - If possible, stay
home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.
You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose - Cover your mouth
and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may
prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands - Washing your hands often will
help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not
available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth Germs are often spread when a person touches something
that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or
her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits - Clean and
disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or
school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of
sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink
plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For more information, visit
www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm.
Saving Money on Gifts
Whether it's a special occasion or "just because," gifts are
a pleasure to give and receive. What's more, you don't
have to spend big bucks to give a present that the
recipient will love. With these tips and a little effort, you
 Shop for next year's gift-wrap and holiday cards
after the December holidays are over.
 When shopping for gifts of any kind, be sure to do
so only if items are on sale or discounted.
 There's no shame in re-gifting an item you don't
care for or won't use as long as you honestly believe
the new recipient will like or use it.
 Everyday discount stores are great places to find
both fun and practical gifts for both kids and adults,
at rock-bottom prices.
 Gift wrap and ribbon can get expensive. Save and
reuse gift bags and bows if they are in good
condition. Look online for inexpensive alternatives
to store-bought wrapping paper and bows. If you're
really into presentation and love fancy ribbon, buy it
at a craft store instead of a card shop.
 Sometimes it's less expensive and more convenient
to go in on a pricier gift with a group of friends or
relatives. The more people you can find to chip in,
the less each of you pays, while the recipient still
gets an impressive gift.
 Go online! Not only will you find a limitless range
of gift ideas, but you can save a bundle on auction or
discount websites and often get free shipping. Just in
case you do have to pay for shipping, shop far
enough in advance of the gift-giving occasion that
you receive the gift on time without paying extra for
expedited shipping.
For more ideas, visit www.militaryonesource.mil.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015
| PAGE 6
Last holiday season’s large-scale Target data breach and other breaches throughout 2014, including Home
Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, and Michaels, are leaving consumers increasingly concerned about the security of
their personal and financial information. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 2014 has already
seen a total of 644 data breaches spread across the retail, financial health care and education sectors, with
more than 78 million consumer records exposed. It’s important to think about guarding your information
and minimizing the damage, should it become compromised. Here are several ways you can protect yourself
and your data, both before and after a data breach.
Before a Data Breach
Pay in Cash. Using cash to pay for purchases in-store eliminates exposing your credit card, debit card or
PIN information to a data breach. Paying in cash can also help you stick to your budget and minimizes the
temptation to overspend because once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you’re concerned about missing a great online
deal, research the item online first then ask the brick-and-mortar store to price-match.
Save Receipts. Whether you’re paying in cash or using a card, save receipts for all your purchases.You’ll
need them for returns or exchanges if you’ve paid in cash (since the retailer won’t be able to do a card
lookup). And if you use your card and there’s a breach, you’ll want to be able to compare receipts to the
charges on your statement to verify they’re valid.
Stay Informed. Not every data breach will make national news.You can stay informed and find a regularly
updated list of data breaches here.
After a Data Breach
Keep an Eye on Your Statements. Pay extra attention to your credit card statements or checking account
activity. Contact your card issuer or bank at the first sign of any unauthorized charges.
Beware of Phishing Scams. Scammers will often capitalize on news of a data breach as a way to gather
personal information through phishing emails. Remember that your bank, credit union, credit card company,
or any other legitimate financial institution will never ask you to share personal information, account
numbers or your Social Security number via email. If you receive communication asking for that information,
call the institution in question directly using a phone number you look up yourself, not the one provided in
the email, to verify the request.
Take Action Immediately– If you’re concerned your information has been compromised in a data breach
or through any form of ID theft, you should first place a 90-day fraud alert on your credit report with each
credit bureau: Experian: 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
For more information, visit www.americasaves.org.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015 | PAGE 7
10 Tips to a great plate
1. Balance calories: Find out how many calories YOU need for a day as a first step in managing your weight. Go to
www.ChooseMyPlate.gov to find your calorie level. Being physically active also helps you balance calories.
2. Enjoy your food, but eat less: Take the time to fully enjoy your food as you eat it. Eating too fast or when your
attention is elsewhere may lead to eating too many calories. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues before, during, and after
meals. Use them to recognize when to eat and when you’ve had enough.
3. Avoid oversized portions: Use a smaller plate, bowl, and glass. Portion out foods before you eat. When eating out,
choose a smaller size option, share a dish, or take home part of your meal.
4. Foods to eat more often: Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or 1% milk and dairy products. These
foods have the nutrients you need for health—including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber. Make them the basis for
meals and snacks.
5. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: Choose red, orange, and dark-green vegetables like tomatoes, sweet
potatoes, and broccoli, along with other vegetables for your meals. Add fruit to meals as part of main or side dishes or as
dessert.
6. Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk: They have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole
milk, but fewer calories and less saturated fat.
7. Make half your grains whole grains: To eat more whole grains, substitute a whole-grain product for a refined
product—such as eating whole wheat bread instead of white bread or brown rice instead of white rice.
8. Foods to eat less often: Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt. They include cakes, cookies, ice
cream, candies, sweetened drinks, pizza, and fatty meats like ribs, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs. Use these foods as occasional
treats, not everyday foods.
9. Compare sodium in foods: Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose lower sodium versions of foods like soup, bread, and
frozen meals. Select canned foods labeled “low sodium,” ”reduced sodium,” or “no salt added.”
10. Drink water instead of
sugary drinks: Cut calories by
drinking water or unsweetened
beverages. Soda, energy drinks, and
sports drinks are a major source of
added sugar, and calories, in
American diets.
For more information, visit
www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.
WALKER ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2015 | PAGE 8