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AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD. DCMILITARY.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2014 | VOL. 3 NO. 4 USS Arlington opens 9/11 tribute room 8 “Snow” big deal 3 Final Salute donors save transitional home 8 BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER For twenty years, the Washing- ton D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center has partnered with local, state, federal and community organizations to reach homeless and at-risk veterans through the annual Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down. This year’s event, held Jan. 25 inside the D.C. VA Medical Center, brought togeth- er more than 70 organizations whose mission is to serve veter- ans and help them integrate well into post-service society. D.C. VA Medical Center Public Affairs Specialist Sarah Cox said that the event attracted, “hundreds of veterans, maybe a little more this year than last year.” According to a fact sheet dis- tributed at Winterhaven, last year’s event was attended by 651 veterans. Approximately 4.6 per- cent of all veterans who have at- tended Winterhaven over the past five years are female veterans. It is a group that will grow as to- day’s service members move on to join the veteran community. “When I served, women were only nurses and finance clerks. Now, they’re truck drivers, jump- ing out of airplanes, everything,” said Vietnam Veterans of America WINTERHAVEN GATHERS HOMELESS, AT-RISK VETERANS Annual VA event provides resources; challenges persist PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM Paul W. Suprono Jr. became homeless after a serious bike accident. He has been in and out of shelters since 1992. see HOMELESS, page 5 BY ANITA PESSES THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Landover, MD – Looking for information about M-NCPPC summer day camps, summer playgrounds, Summer Xtreme Teen Centers and Safe Summer programs in Prince George’s County? Interested in getting information about summer job or summer volunteer opportu- nities? Camp Madness Expo: Final Countdown to Summer Fun! is a free showcase for M- NCPPC summer camps, sum- mer playgrounds & teen sites. This expo will be held 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, March 23 at the Prince George’s Sports & Learn- ing Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, Md. Staff will be available to an- swer questions about summer recreation opportunities! On- the-spot registration is avail- able. While at the expo, get in- formation about other M-NCP- PC youth programs. Enjoy face painters, roving entertainers, and giveaways, and enter to win a free week of the came of your choice. For information about the expo, call 301-218-6700. County hosts Camp Madness Expo BY AMBER J. RUSSELL 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS Let’s face it, ladies; there is just never a good time to pull out your breast in a public setting, especially at work. Not even the scantily-clad bombshell Janet Jackson could escape the con- troversy of the fashion faux pas that left her bare-bosomed in the midst of a performance. For ordi- nary nursing mothers returning to work, this taboo act of indis- cretion becomes a daily reality. A couple of strange moments come to mind in these first two months of supplying my new- born with nature’s best suste- nance while at work. Recently, I felt like Madonna, circa 1989, with cone-shaped suction cups attached to me as I prepared to pump milk in the ladies room. It was definitely awkward when another lady caught a glimpse of me trying to “express” myself in this unsanitary environment. Doing the most natural thing in the world, providing a new life with nourishment, just became much more convenient at the William E. Jones III building. When I found about the Com- mon Access Card-enabled room that’s now available for moms to express milk, my heart pumped with joy. It also seemed oppor- tune that room 2039 is located on the second floor; it’s just around the corner from my of- fice. Having experienced the in- convenience of expressing milk in a break area at work for her firstborn, Allison Van Lare, Air Force District of Washington Emergency Management con- tractor, inspired this new devel- opment. “This is my second child and my second time having to pump in the office,” Van Lare said. “While the ‘private’ space in our office was comfortable, I felt guilty when people couldn’t get their lunch or cup of coffee.” Although the Jones building is at a premium on space, it has been decided this new space is essential. New moms ‘express’ them- selves in lactation lounge see MOM, page 4 U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/STAFF SGT. LAUREN MAIN Working mother Amber Russell looks down at her two-month- old daughter Zoe Lynn, Jan 16. Room 2036 is now available in the Jones Building, Joint Base Andrews, Md, for nursing moms like Russell to express milk. Those with a need to use the room should contact the facility manager on the first floor, room 1754, to have their Common Access Card enabled. BY STAFF SGT. DEVON SUITS AIR FORCE NEWS SERVICE The doors to the trauma center fly open as military doctors and nurses fill the room. Their newest patient, a young Airman who just got medevac’d due to injuries sus- tained in a horrific car accident. He is losing a lot of blood and doctors work to stabilize his life as they call for a red blood cell transfusion. The entire trauma center stops as they realize that they don’t have enough blood products available to help save this Airman’s life. Though this Airman’s story may be fictional, the reality of not having blood or blood products on hand can be very real. With Na- tional Blood Donor month com- ing to a close, the Armed Services Blood Program distribution sys- tem ensures that these life-saving products are always available for service members around the world. “The donation process starts long before an Airman is stuck with a needle,” said 1st Lt. Che- rie Wyatt, deputy director of the Armed Services Blood Bank Com- mand in Bethesda, Md. Wyatt explained that the first step is the registration process and questionnaire. The donor prospect is screened for vitals, questions about their medical history are an- swered, as well as places they have lived or traveled. Finally, they re- ceive a confidential interview, where they can speak to a certified technician and address any issues before agreeing to donate. Qualified Airmen are then al- lowed to donate 450 ml of blood, Wyatt said. Later, test tubes of blood are screened for HIV, Hepa- titis and other forms of infectious diseases. The entire donation pro- cess can last anywhere from be- tween 30 to 45 minutes. “The life of a unit of blood is 28 days,” Wyatt said. “But you can do- nate every 56 days, to allow your body to regenerate those red blood cells.” The units of blood are then transported in temperature con- trolled coolers, back to the blood bank where majority of the test- ing is completed, Wyatt explained. Blood types are confirmed and the test tubes are sent out for further testing. Once the test tube results re- turn, a certified medical techni- cian reviews all the information from each blood unit to ensure that the every step was properly com- pleted, Wyatt said. If everything is according to standard, the blood is labeled and slated for final re- lease. Before it is sent off, there is one final check to ensure if all the information has been entered into the database correctly. “There are two sets of eyes on everything you do, on every step,” Wyatt said about the blood testing process. Throughout the year, mobile donation units will hold blood drives at Joint Base Anacostia- Small donation can have life-saving impact U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/DESIREE N. PALACIOS Pelican cases lie in a storage room Jan. 23 waiting to be used for a shipment to be sent out of Armed Services Blood Bank Center in Bethesda, Md. The pelican cases are used to transport blood prod- ucts from a donation site to the blood bank. see BLOOD, page 4
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Page 1: Andrews 013114

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINTMILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS,MD.DCMILITARY.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2014 | VOL. 3 NO. 4

USS Arlingtonopens 9/11tribute room

8“Snow” big deal3 Final Salutedonors savetransitional home

8

BY CHRIS BASHAMSTAFF WRITER

For twenty years, the Washing-ton D.C. Veterans Affairs MedicalCenter has partnered with local,state, federal and communityorganizations to reach homelessand at-risk veterans through theannual Winterhaven HomelessStand Down. This year’s event,held Jan. 25 inside the D.C. VAMedical Center, brought togeth-

er more than 70 organizationswhose mission is to serve veter-ans and help them integrate wellinto post-service society. D.C. VAMedical Center Public AffairsSpecialist Sarah Cox said thatthe event attracted, “hundreds ofveterans, maybe a little more thisyear than last year.”According to a fact sheet dis-

tributed at Winterhaven, lastyear’s event was attended by 651veterans. Approximately 4.6 per-

cent of all veterans who have at-tendedWinterhaven over the pastfive years are female veterans. Itis a group that will grow as to-day’s service members move on tojoin the veteran community.“When I served, women were

only nurses and finance clerks.Now, they’re truck drivers, jump-ing out of airplanes, everything,”said Vietnam Veterans of America

WINTERHAVEN GATHERS HOMELESS,

AT-RISK VETERANS

Annual VA event providesresources; challenges persist

PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM

Paul W. Suprono Jr. became homeless after a serious bike accident. He has been in and out of shelterssince 1992.

see HOMELESS, page 5

BY ANITA PESSESTHE MARYLAND-NATIONAL

CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNINGCOMMISSION DEPARTMENT OFPARKS AND RECREATION

Landover, MD – Looking forinformation about M-NCPPCsummer day camps, summerplaygrounds, Summer XtremeTeen Centers and Safe Summerprograms in Prince George’sCounty? Interested in gettinginformation about summer jobor summer volunteer opportu-nities? Camp Madness Expo:Final Countdown to SummerFun! is a free showcase for M-NCPPC summer camps, sum-

mer playgrounds & teen sites.This expo will be held 1 p.m. -5 p.m. Sunday, March 23 at thePrince George’s Sports & Learn-ing Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road,Landover, Md.Staff will be available to an-

swer questions about summerrecreation opportunities! On-the-spot registration is avail-able. While at the expo, get in-formation about other M-NCP-PC youth programs. Enjoy facepainters, roving entertainers,and giveaways, and enter to wina free week of the came of yourchoice. For information aboutthe expo, call 301-218-6700.

County hosts CampMadness Expo

BY AMBER J. RUSSELL11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Let’s face it, ladies; there isjust never a good time to pull outyour breast in a public setting,especially at work. Not even thescantily-clad bombshell JanetJackson could escape the con-troversy of the fashion faux pasthat left her bare-bosomed in themidst of a performance. For ordi-nary nursing mothers returningto work, this taboo act of indis-cretion becomes a daily reality.A couple of strange moments

come to mind in these first twomonths of supplying my new-born with nature’s best suste-nance while at work. Recently,I felt like Madonna, circa 1989,with cone-shaped suction cupsattached to me as I prepared topump milk in the ladies room.It was definitely awkward whenanother lady caught a glimpse ofme trying to “express” myself inthis unsanitary environment.Doing the most natural thing

in the world, providing a new lifewith nourishment, just becamemuch more convenient at theWilliam E. Jones III building.When I found about the Com-

mon Access Card-enabled roomthat’s now available for moms toexpress milk, my heart pumpedwith joy. It also seemed oppor-tune that room 2039 is locatedon the second floor; it’s justaround the corner from my of-fice.Having experienced the in-

convenience of expressing milkin a break area at work for herfirstborn, Allison Van Lare, AirForce District of Washington

Emergency Management con-tractor, inspired this new devel-opment.“This is my second child and

my second time having to pumpin the office,” Van Lare said.“While the ‘private’ space inour office was comfortable, I feltguilty when people couldn’t gettheir lunch or cup of coffee.”Although the Jones building

is at a premium on space, it hasbeen decided this new space isessential.

New moms ‘express’ them-selves in lactation lounge

see MOM, page 4

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/STAFF SGT. LAUREN MAIN

Working mother Amber Russelllooks down at her two-month-old daughter Zoe Lynn, Jan 16.Room 2036 is now available inthe Jones Building, Joint BaseAndrews, Md, for nursing momslike Russell to express milk.Those with a need to use theroom should contact the facilitymanager on the first floor, room1754, to have their CommonAccess Card enabled.

BY STAFF SGT. DEVON SUITSAIR FORCE NEWS SERVICE

The doors to the trauma centerfly open as military doctors andnurses fill the room. Their newestpatient, a young Airman who justgot medevac’d due to injuries sus-tained in a horrific car accident. Heis losing a lot of blood and doctorswork to stabilize his life as theycall for a red blood cell transfusion.The entire trauma center stops asthey realize that they don’t haveenough blood products availableto help save this Airman’s life.Though this Airman’s story

may be fictional, the reality of nothaving blood or blood products onhand can be very real. With Na-tional Blood Donor month com-ing to a close, the Armed ServicesBlood Program distribution sys-tem ensures that these life-savingproducts are always available for

service members around the world.“The donation process starts

long before an Airman is stuckwith a needle,” said 1st Lt. Che-rie Wyatt, deputy director of theArmed Services Blood Bank Com-mand in Bethesda, Md.Wyatt explained that the first

step is the registration process andquestionnaire. The donor prospectis screened for vitals, questionsabout their medical history are an-swered, as well as places they havelived or traveled. Finally, they re-ceive a confidential interview,where they can speak to a certifiedtechnician and address any issuesbefore agreeing to donate.Qualified Airmen are then al-

lowed to donate 450 ml of blood,Wyatt said. Later, test tubes ofblood are screened for HIV, Hepa-titis and other forms of infectiousdiseases. The entire donation pro-cess can last anywhere from be-

tween 30 to 45 minutes.“The life of a unit of blood is 28

days,”Wyatt said. “But you can do-nate every 56 days, to allow yourbody to regenerate those red blood

cells.”The units of blood are then

transported in temperature con-trolled coolers, back to the bloodbank where majority of the test-

ing is completed, Wyatt explained.Blood types are confirmed and thetest tubes are sent out for furthertesting.Once the test tube results re-

turn, a certified medical techni-cian reviews all the informationfrom each blood unit to ensure thatthe every step was properly com-pleted, Wyatt said. If everythingis according to standard, the bloodis labeled and slated for final re-lease. Before it is sent off, there isone final check to ensure if all theinformation has been entered intothe database correctly.“There are two sets of eyes on

everything you do, on every step,”Wyatt said about the blood testingprocess.Throughout the year, mobile

donation units will hold blooddrives at Joint Base Anacostia-

Small donation can have life-saving impact

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/DESIREE N. PALACIOS

Pelican cases lie in a storage room Jan. 23 waiting to be used fora shipment to be sent out of Armed Services Blood Bank Center inBethesda, Md. The pelican cases are used to transport blood prod-ucts from a donation site to the blood bank.

see BLOOD, page 4

Page 2: Andrews 013114

2 Friday, January 31, 2014Andrews Gazette

HOTTICKETSAround Town

Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications,9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the UnitedStates military. The appearance of advertising in these publications,including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement

by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the prod-ucts and 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, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS

Maxine Minar, [email protected]

John Rives, [email protected]

Chris Basham, [email protected]

Deirdre Parry, page [email protected]

Bobby Jones, [email protected]

January 31Open mic talent showAnnie’s Art Gallery, 5814 AllentownWay, Camp Springs,

Md.8 p.m. - 11 p.m.Share your talent or enjoy the entertainment. Hosted

by Dee Poetic Mistress and Blues Alley’s April Sampe. Forinformation visit www.anniesartgallery.net.

February 1Explore 18th century scienceStabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107

South Fairfax Street, Old Town, Alexandria, Va.1 p.m. - 4 p.m.Children in grades three and up can see poison bottles

and dragon’s blood, tour the museum and see 18th-centuryscientific demonstrations. For tickets visit http://shop.al-exandriava.gov.

Through February 2Washington Auto ShowWashington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon

Place, N.W., Washington, D.C..10 a.m.See more than 700 new makes and models of cars,

trucks, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles from morethan 42 domestic and import automakers. Learn aboutdevelopments in hydrogen, clean diesel, electric, biofueland natural gas technologies. For information visit www.washingtonautoshow.com.

COURTESY OF THE RETIREEACTIVITIES OFFICE

GIs collect insurancedividendsApproximately 575,000 veterans

holding certain government lifeinsurance policies and who servedbefore 1956 will share $132.9 mil-lion in annual insurance dividendsthis year. No application is neces-sary. Payments – which startedthis month – are mailed on policyanniversary dates. Eligible vet-erans have had VA life insurancepolicies in effect since they left themilitary and receive annual notifi-cations about the policies. Affected

are United States Government LifeInsurance, National Service LifeInsurance, Veterans’ Special LifeInsurance and Veterans’ ReopenedInsurance. Dividend amounts arebased on age of the veteran, typeof insurance and length of timethe policy has been in force. Divi-dends come from the earnings oftrust funds into which veteranshave paid insurance premiums andare linked to returns on invest-ments in U.S. government securi-ties. World War II veterans holdingNSLI policies comprise the largestgroup receiving payments, totaling$86 million, with an average pay-ment of $199. Total dividends of

$2.8 million go to those with VRIpolicies, with an average paymentof $161. Korean War-era veteranswho have maintained VSLI policieswill receive dividends totaling $44million, averaging $349 each. Thosewho served after World War I willshare in USGLI dividends total-ing $140,000, averaging $101 perveteran. Veterans with insurancequestions should call 800-669-8477or e-mail [email protected].

TRICARE coversprescriptionsTRICARE covers most prescrip-

Retiree Corner

BY CHRIS BASHAMSTAFF WRITER

This week, actor Eric Lawsondied. He is the fifth actor to haveportrayed the rugged “MarlboroMan” in the 1970s and 1980s and tolater die of tobacco-related diseases.I did not follow his career, but

I noticed his passing, because ofwhat he stood for, like all the otherMarlboro Men of that ad campaign.Those men portrayed a brand ofmasculinity and power, strengthand cool. Some of them, like Law-son, went on to campaign againstcigarettes, after their own healthstarted to fail, but of course by thenit was too late.The Marlboro Men always re-

minded me of my father, a man whosmoked three packs a day or more,“Marlboro reds, soft pack,” by thetime I was around to notice. LikeLawson, and so many other smok-ers, my dad started when he wasjust a boy.My childhood was punctuated

by my father’s early morning coughand his repeated attempts to quitsmoking. Even cancer, when he wasin his late 30s, was not enough to

keep him from lighting up. He re-covered, and like most of his smok-ing relatives he went right back tothe habit, after a while. Cold tur-key determination was not quiteenough, for any of them, since theywere surrounded by so many peoplewho had always smoked, and whoalways would. People who thoughta few cases of out-of-state ciga-rettes made a great gift, and whonever used an ash tray to hold loosechange or keys.My father’s family is a smoking

family, and when I was a child theyall looked cool, cigarettes danglingfrom snarling lip or manicuredhand, over a game of cards or astack of bills. It was the family ac-cessory, and might have been mine,too, until the year I was 13 and somany of my father’s relatives devel-oped cancers, lung infections, em-physema, chronic obstructive pul-monary disease or a combination ofseveral of those illnesses. They gotsick, and some of them died, andthe rest of them, well, most of themkept on smoking. My grandmotheramused the family by continuing tosmoke, even while under an oxygentent, in her last days.

I guess it scared me. Thoughmost people in my father’s familywere already smoking before theyreached their teens, I managed tododge the bullet. Every few yearsI’d buy a pack--Marlboro golds, ofcourse--but always managed tohand the pack over to someone whowanted them more than I did, aftersmoking just one. Though I lovedthe feeling, and the way it lookedheld casually between my fingers, Iknew there was just no justificationfor it.I smoked my last cigarette the

day I learned my father’s COPD,emphysema and asthma were con-spiring to kill him. He’s gone, now,my own Marlboro Man, and there’snothing I can do to bring him back.I don’t smoke, mainly because Idon’t want to be next. There are re-sources to help people quit smoking:Resources I wish my Dad had used,instead of trying to tough it out andquit on his own. If you are a smoker,and are considering quitting, visitwww.smokingstopshere.com for in-formation, coaching and resourcesto help you leave tobacco behind.

CommentaryMarlboro men pay their price

see RETIREE, page 8

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Page 3: Andrews 013114

3Friday, January 31, 2014 Andrews Gazette

BY STAFF SGT. LAUREN MAIN11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Q: What qualifies as distracted driving?A: Distracted driving is defined as texting, talking,

emailing or using a cellphone without the use of a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

Q: What if I am stopped at a red light or a stopsign and not driving at the time?A: Distracted driving is applicable to any vehicle that

is in the flow of traffic. Regardless of being stopped at ared light or stop sign, if you are caught distracted, youwill be cited.

Q: When was this policy instated for enforcement?A: January 6, 2014.

Q: Who can be charged with distracted driving?A: Anyone operating a motor vehicle on Andrews can be

charged with distracted driving.

Q: What are the differences in penalties for a de-pendent, a military member and a civilian employeewho get pulled over?A: Dependents and civilians will be cited with a DD

Form 1805 which will result in a fine and suspension. Mili-tary members will be cited with a DD Form 1408 whichwill result in a suspension only. The suspension for firsttime offenses will be 30 days, regardless of status.

Q: If I have to pay a fine, are my driving privilegesstill revoked?A: Yes, your driving privileges will still be revoked.

Q: Does every civilian or dependent ticketed haveto go to court?A: No, you only go to court if you wish to dispute your

citation.

Q: What happens when I go to court?A: You will have a chance to dispute your ticket in front

of a magistrate judge.

Q: Will my ticket be reported to the Maryland orVirginia department of Motor Vehicles?A:Your citation will be reported to the Maryland Ve-

hicle Administration.

Q: Will my insurance company find out about myticket and raise my insurance rates?A: There are no points applied towards your driver’s

license for distracted driving on base. Check with yourinsurance company to verify whether or not your rateswill be affected.

Q: What if I live out of state?A: You still have to abide by Maryland state laws if you

are operating a motor vehicle in the state of Maryland.

Q: How can I dispute the ticket?A: If you do not pay the fine, Maryland DMV will send

you a notice to appear in court. The court date that is list-ed on the ticket will be the date that you appear to rebutthe citation. If you are military, you have five duty days torebut the citation through reports and analysis.

Q: How much are the fines that individuals haveto pay for distracted driving? Does it increase withthe subsequent offenses?A: The first offense will result in a fine of $83.00. The

second offense will be $140.00 and the third offense willbe $160.00.

Q: If I get ticketed with distracted driving, whendo my base driving privileges get revoked?A: Your driving privileges will be revoked starting the

day after your citation and letter have been issued to you.

Q: If I chose to rebut my ticket, will my drivingprivileges be reinstated during that time?A: No, your privileges will not be reinstated during that

time.

Q: If I have to pay a fine, does it add points to mydriver’s license?A: There are no points for this offense.

Q: As a military member, does it add points to mybase driving record?A: No points will be added to your base driving record

for distracted driving.

Q: I commute to work, where can I park my car ifI can’t drive on base?A: There is no designated location to park your vehicle

if you driving privileges have been suspended. However,

individuals may not leave their car at the visitor’s centerand walk on base.

Q: What happens if my driving privileges are re-voked, but I’m caught driving anyway?A: If you are caught driving during your suspension,

you will receive an additional two year suspension.

Q: Are the penalties the same for those operatingPOVs versus GOVs?A: A distracted driving citation while operating a GOV

is the same as POVs, and result in a suspension of basedriving privileges for 30 days.

Q: What procedures have been put in place to ac-count for emergency situations requiring use of aphone during driving?A: Patrolmen will use their judgment with each situ-

ation prior to citing an individual for distracted driving.All contributing factors will be taken into account prior toissuing the citation. According to the policy, the followingare justifiable reasons to utilize a cellphone while driving.• (1) Emergency use of a handheld telephone, including

calls to:(i) A 9-1-1 system;(ii) A hospital;(iii) An ambulance service provider;(iv) A fire department;(v) A law enforcement agency; or(vi) A first aid squad;

Q: Will I be charged with distracted driving forchanging the radio station, applying make-up, eat-ing, or for similar additional activities while driv-ing?A: No, only texting, talking, emailing or utilizing a

cellphone in any manner while driving constitute as dis-tracted driving.

Q: What regulation allows for the issue of drivingsuspension without a trial?A: AFI 31-218 and AFMAN 31-116.

Q: Will talking on a radio constitute distracteddriving?A: No, talking on a radio will not constitute as distract-

ed driving.

24 Q&As about newDistracted Driving Policy on JBA

CAPTION THIS

Send your silly captions for this week’s photo to [email protected]. The funniest ones will be used in afuture edition of The Andrews Gazette.

From January 24:He’s thinking, “Glue, please don’t fail me now.”Subrena Alford

“How come they didn’t put helium in these balloons?”- Anonymous

BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASSRYAN J. SONNIER

11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Some people get a day off whenit snows, but for a select group ofTeam Andrews members, “snow day”means the job is just beginning.11th Civil Engineer Squadron,

11th Logistics Readiness Squad-ron and Base Operations all assiston the flight line when it comes toclearing snow from the runway.Preparation begins well in ad-

vance for the snow season, whichranges from Sept. 1 - April 1.The 11th LRS maintenance team

inspects the snow brooms, plows andblowers to make sure the equipmentis mission-ready.11th CES assembles teams to op-

erate equipment necessary to clearthe flight line of snow.“Every time it’s supposed to snow,

we set up a 24-hour operations teamjust in case,” said Staff Sgt. BrentAutry, 11th CES pavements and equip-ment operator.Base Ops checks the runway condition rating read-

ing, which rates the runway’s slip versus grip. This af-fects how safely planes can take off and land.“Without taking care of our job, planes wouldn’t be

able to take off,” said Senior Airman Scott Steinebach,11th CES pavements and equipment operator.The team uses snow brooms, plows, blowers and

de-icing chemicals to clear approximately 2.5 millionsquare yards, the equivalent of nearly 391 footballfields, while dodging barriers, planes, vehicles, drainsand fuel pits.“When it snows, day-to-day operations stop,” said

Autry. “This is the only mission for the entire shop.”Autry stated that the wind plays an important role

on what they can and cannot clear.“We want to push snow in the direction of the wind,

but that isn’t always possible,” said Autry.The team has to be prepared to work for extended

periods of time, not knowing when the job will be fin-ished.“The teams work in 12-hour shifts; we work until

the job gets done,” said Autry. “One time, I worked 28days straight.”

“Snow” big deal

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO / AIRMAN 1ST CLASS NESHA HUMES

11th Civil Engineer Squadron equipment operators clear snow Jan. 23 fromthe flight line at Joint Base Andrews, Md. As colder temperatures surroundthe installation, teammembers remain on-call and ready to assemblewithin moments. Nights before forecasted flurries, personnel arrive to workhours before precipitation hits, standing ready to move as soon as the firstflake falls.

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Page 4: Andrews 013114

4 Friday, January 31, 2014Andrews Gazette

PHOTO/BOBBY JONES

A runner displays his patriotism Jan. 27 as he carries a U.S. flag while running near theWashington Monument in D.C.

FORWARD EVER,

BACKWARD NEVER

JBA BuzzHow do you combat the inclement weather conditions?

John CampbellJr., Pest Controlcoordinator

Leon Sharp,U.S. MarshallServices

Aviation Elec-tronic Techni-cian 1st ClassJames Swift,Fleet ReserveCenter Mid-Atlantic

Renee Doster,779th DentalSquadronsecretary

“Because of myjob as Pest ControlCoordinator I haveto be outside occa-sionally. Wheneverthere’s cold weatherlike this we have toclear snow from the128 buildings that weservice. I keep warmby wearing layers ofUnder Armor.”

“I combat the coldby wearing layers tokeep warm.”

“I’m from Buffalo,so I’m used to thisweather. But, I justtransferred here fromJacksonville, so Ithought about thisin advance before Itransferred here fromJacksonville, Floridaand brought somewinter clothes. So, Ijust make sure I dresswarmly.”

“I help my neighborsout by shoveling thespaces.”

Eating a well-planned, balanced mixof foods every day has many health ben-efits for older adults. Research shows thatsmart food choices can help reduce risk ofchronic diseases like heart disease, diabe-tes, and osteoporosis.The National Institute on Aging, part of

the National Institutes of Health, offers anengaging online nutrition resource, What’sOn Your Plate? Smart Food Choices forHealthy Aging.Explore What’s On Your Plate? for re-

liable information based on scientific re-search, including:• recommended eating plans• how to shop for food that’s good for

you, even on a tight budget• food safety

• practical tips to help older adults leadhealthy livesYou can also print the resources to use

on-the-go or to share with others. Visitwww.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/whats-your-plate to get started.

What’s on your plate?

BY TERRI MOON CRONKAMERICAN FORCES PRESS

SERVICE

Military spouses whoneed guidance on educa-tion and careers have anew online tool at their fin-gertips, a program analystfor the Spouse Educationand Career Opportunitiesprogram, or SECO, said inan interview last week.“My Individual Career

Plan,” allows spouses tobuild a virtual career roadmap based on their specificgoals and objectives, LeeMcMahon said.MyICP launched Jan.

10 on Military OneSource’sMySECO website, the pri-mary access point for theDefense Department’sSpouse Education andCareer Opportunities pro-gram.“SECO provides expert

career and education guid-ance to military spousesworldwide,” McMahonsaid, “supporting themin four career life cyclestages: Career explora-tion; education, trainingand licensing; employmentreadiness and career con-nections.”The MyICP tool is avail-

able for all active dutyArmy, Navy, Air Force andMarine Corps spouses andto National Guard and Re-

serve spouses as well, Mc-Mahon said, noting thatit’s also open to spouses forup to 180 days after theirservice member separatesor retires from the mili-tary.Spouses must first reg-

ister at https://myseco.mi l i taryonesource.mi l .Surviving spouses of mili-tary members who diedwhile on active duty alsoare eligible.To illustrate how MyICP

works, McMahon used theexample of a nursing stu-dent military spouse whohas just moved to a newduty station and wants tosee what opportunities ex-ist in the new area.Licensing requirements

are an issue for nurses,McMahon noted. So oncelogged on and after click-ing on “manage my indi-vidual career plan,” thespouse would begin tobuild a MyICP by select-ing “licensed” and “stu-dent.” Next, the spousewould go to the occupa-tion page to find “nursing,”which would generate in-formation from the LaborDepartment. The spousewould then select topicsfrom the “challenges andgrowth opportunities” cat-egory. This category mayinclude topics such as childcare and relocation or time

management skills.The self-service wiz-

ard then produces a My-ICP, McMahon said, whichrecommends activities tomeet a person’s career andeducation goals based onthe selections made.The Military Spouse

Employment Partnership,a component of SECO, iscomposed of more than 200companies and organiza-tions that have committedto hiring military spouses,she added, so MyICP alsoallows users to see whichof MSEP’s partners mighthave jobs in the user’s oc-cupation, and provides alink to check the compa-ny’s openings in the chosenfield.McMahon encouraged

all military spouses insearch of such opportuni-ties to try the MyICP tool.“We would love to hear

their feedback,” she said,noting that users can sub-mit their input on the My-SECO website by clickingon “SECO Satisfaction” orthe feedback button.Military spouses who

have additional questionsor need more informationabout using the MyICPtool can call Military One-Source at 800-342-9647 tospeak to a SECO careercounselor.

MyICP gives military spousesnew career planning tool

“The Jones building is home to mili-tary members, government workers andcontractors who have growing familiesso this is becoming more of a require-ment,” Bailey Jenkins, Air Force Districtof Washington facility manager, said..Van Lare and I are currently the only

mothers signed up to use the new area..Van Lare is soliciting rules of engagementfrom prospective users since the room isbig enough for two. Her contact informa-tion is available in the “Express Lounge”to voice suggestions and concerns as wellas to deconflict scheduling.“I appreciate how dedicated my leader-

ship and Bailey Jenkins were to getting aroom dedicated to breastfeeding familiesestablished,” said Van Lare.Jenkins did his best to ensure that

the room was comfortable, private andpractical, then allowed Van Lare to see itto give it a stamp of approval, Van Laresaid.According to the Women’s Health, U.S.

Department of Health and Human Ser-vice, breastfeeding is beneficial for bothmother and baby.Scientific research says the euphoric

experience that washes over me when mynewborn is snug in my arms and gazinginto my eyes while receiving sustenanceis due to the release of the “happy hor-mone” oxytocin into my bloodstream.The DHHS details the physical health

benefits of breastfeeding as well as themental and emotional. Mothers whobreastfeed immediately after birth givetheir newborn what lactation consul-tants define as ‘liquid gold’, or colostrum.And by continuing to breastfeed theygive their babies nutrients and antibod-ies which protect them from illness. Thisboosts their immune system as well, re-sulting in fewer days off of work spentcaring for a sick child.Nursing moms, feel free to express

yourself and pump privately in a desig-nated sanitary area, sans the shame.Visit the facility manager on the first

floor of the Jones building in room 1754to get your CAC activated.

MOM, from page 1

Bolling, D.C.; Dover Air Force Base, Del.;Joint Base Andrews, Md. and other mili-tary installations and federal buildings inthe area. Furthermore, the blood programalso coordinates blood drives at the U.S AirForce Academy, Colo., and Basic MilitaryTraining at Joint Base San Antonio-Lack-land, Texas.“All of the service academies do the

blood drive which is really important,” saidNavy Chief Petty Officer John Newsome,senior enlisted leader for the Armed Ser-vices Blood Bank Center - Bethesda. “Notonly does it give us the blood that we need,but it’s teaching the future leaders of themilitary that this is a program that needsto be supported in your command. Samething with the new recruits. It’s gettingthem when they are fresh in the militaryand helping them understand what theblood program is and how important it isfor the service members down range. Theprogram supports the armed forces.”While mobile donor units are working

to collect blood donations, each blood bankcenter is in constant communication theirArmed Services Whole Blood ProcessingLaboratory.Each center has a certain quota of

blood, dictated by the processing lab, basedoff their size, Newsome said. Blood is col-lected from each center and sent to a loca-tion on the East orWest Coast where it canbe scheduled for a military transport withminimal delay.“One plane may have 600 units of blood,

but we could be responsible for 45 of thoseunits,” Newsome added. “It’s a pooling lo-cation … Blood collected on Monday couldbe in theater on Tuesday, because they ar-ranged the flight already.”The last step in the distribution process

is for a patient to receive blood. However,before that occurs, a sample of their bloodis sent to transfusion services, Wyatt ex-plained. There they test the sample forantibodies, then try to match it with a do-nor unit. Before it is transfused, a sampleof the new blood and the patients’ bloodis mixed together to see if there are anyreactions.“Once you have determined if that blood

is compatible, then you can release thatunit that could be used for that patient,”Wyatt said. “A transfusion is not some-thing to be taken lightly… If we make amistake we can kill somebody. So it is verycritical that the job is done correctly.With-in minutes, they are receiving lifesavingblood products.”The blood program not only helps to

save lives, but helps save money. Accord-ing to Wyatt blood products from outsidesources can cost anywhere from $500 to$1000 dollars.“You can buy blood, but you can’t buy

someone’s donation,”Wyatt said about theimportance of donations.Newsome added that the while the

blood program is self-sufficient, there aretimes when they would need specific bloodtype with specific antibodies and have topurchase it from another agency, like theRed Cross, which makes it more importantto have a large pool of available donors.

BLOOD, from page 1

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Page 5: Andrews 013114

Chapter 227 vice president andWinterhaven volunteer J. Leon-ard Ignatowski. “But, womenhave different needs, and the VAis waking up to that..”With that in mind, female par-

ticipants at Winterhaven spentpart of the day separated fromtheir male counterparts, so thatthey could try on clothes andshoes and get their hair donewithout, as one volunteer put it,“the gawk factor,” of being in amixed crowd.Some of the clothing and shoes

and personal care items distrib-uted to veterans at Winterhavenwere purchased for the event, butmuch of it was donated.. For theninth straight year, barbers af-filiated with Bladensburg Bar-ber School provided haircuts andbeard shaping for the veterans.“We had shoe drives at our jobs

and everything,” said volunteerPaullette Wade as she helped vet-erans find boots and shoes thatfit comfortably. “We had all kindsof people donating. We have hun-dreds, hundreds of pairs of shoesand boots here today.”Christina Schinner also helped

hand out shoes, in between coop-erating with requests for photo-graphs from appreciative vet-erans. The 2013 Mrs. ExquisiteInternational said, “I’ve beenhere since eight (a.m.). It’s greatto give back, especially for thiscause.”Veterans at Winterhaven had

access to what D.C. VA Com-munity Resource and ReferralCenter Senior Social Worker Mi-randa Nance called, “a one-stopshop” for health screenings andreferrals, shelter information,case management assistance andother resources.Winterhaven dominated two

floors of the D.C. VA MedicalCenter. Lines were long, but nottoo long for people accustomed topatient, persistent effort to cre-ate for themselves the lives theyknow they deserve, as veteransand human beings. As they wait-ed, the veterans caught up withfriends from the service, the shel-ter and the street. They sharedinformation on where to go for jobtraining assistance, who to talkto about housing vouchers, howto navigate the VA’s health caresystem. They told their war sto-ries, and their stories about lifeafter they returned home, wherethe challenges were often harderto handle, confusing, frustratingand unexpected after serving inthe armed forces.“I got out in ‘05. I saw what

was coming,” said veteran Mar-vin Freeman, who calls on thosewho treat returning combat vet-erans to be patient and gentle.“Veterans have been throughsome stuff. You physically force aVietnam vet who’s been throughsome stuff (to take medication,or cooperate with medical staff)?He’s going to have a flashback.That’ll make any man go off...I’veseen so many vets come back with

no limbs. I’ve seen death. Veter-ans go ‘poof,’ just before my eyes.”Roswell Goler served as a

hospital corpsman in the Navyuntil 1981, and now works as anemergency medical technician.It sounds like a natural careerpath, and perhaps it can be, butin Goler’s case it did not lead tothe prosperity he expected. Frus-trated with his struggle to receivebenefits as a veteran, Goler spokeof the challenges he has facedsince leaving the Navy, includinga period of homelessness in 2011.He calls on the VA and the govern-ment at large to take better careof veterans, in part through leg-islation to make violence againstveterans a crime punishable bystiff penalties. Like many of theveterans at Winterhaven, life onthe street and in shelters has ex-posed him to violent attacks.“We should not have to fight

over here. We fought over there,already,” said Goler. “They say‘Hire a vet,’ and that’s good, butit should also be ‘Protect a vet.’They said we should serve andprotect? Well, who’s going to serveand protect us, when we get out?They don’t honor their contract.We honored ours.”Pointing out a deep scar along

his hand and wrist, Goler said hisinjury, sustained while serving inthe Navy, has caused lasting dam-age.

“Veterans have health prob-lems. I gave four years of my lifeto my country, and I almost lostmy hand. As I get older, my handgets numb. My wife touches myhand, and I can’t feel her caress,”Goler said. “I call for medical care,for dental care, for my disability(payments), and I get ‘yadda, yad-da, yadda.’ I get the yellow brickroad run-around. Sometimes, Iwant to set this place on fire.”Goler credits a VA counselor

with helping him get back on hisfeet after becoming homeless in2011.“There’s no need for you to be

homeless. There are HUD VASH(Housing and Urban Develop-ment Veterans Affairs SupportiveHousing) vouchers, and grants forfurniture, too. There are agenciesthat can help you, but they’re notgetting word out to the veterans,”Goler said. “My counselor, LarryKirsch (at the VA Community Re-source and Referral Center) onFranklin Street hooked me up.There are resources out there,and the VA gives good medicalcare, but you have to be patient.”The HUD/VASH voucher pro-

gram has enabled 1,045 homelessveterans to find permanent hous-ing since 2008, according to a D.C.VA Medical Center fact sheet,which also states that there are87 vouchers available. During aJan. 2013 Point in Time Survey

cited by D.C. VA Medical Center,approximately 719 homeless vet-erans were identified in the cen-ter’s catchment area. The Veter-ans Administration has a goal ofending homeless among veteransby 2015.Homelessness and life near the

edge of that chasm is not whatGoler and other veterans at Win-terhaven expected of life aftermilitary service. With an averageage of 52, many of the veteransplanned with hope, and insteadfound hardship. Former Army Na-tional Guardsman Paul SupronoJr. has been in and out of shelterssince a bike accident in 1992.“What saved my life, was I was

wearing a helmet. I was uncon-scious for two weeks,” Supronosaid.Suprono’s father came to the

D.C. area from his native Cam-bridge, Mass., to visit one lasttime with his unconscious son.Despite his initially poor prog-nosis, Suprono was able to walkout of a local hospital on his ownpower, two months later. The acci-dent has left him with short-termmemory struggles. The accidentalso led to his homelessness.“I was gone for two months,

and my landlord did what land-lords do,” Suprono said. “Every-thing I owned became road trash.I’ve been in and out of sheltersever since.”

Like Goler, Suprono recountsepisodes of violence on thestreets. An assault while he washomeless damaged his ankle.“I was on 14th and Fairmont

when I was assaulted, and ittwisted up my ankle. I competedin the Ironman Triathlon, but Ican’t run no more, since the as-sault,” Suprono said.Instead, Suprono pursued cu-

linary training through the D.C.Central Kitchen.. He volunteersat soup kitchens and homelessshelters around the city, coordi-nating donations of food whichmight be discarded by stores andrestaurants because it is nearingits sell-by dates.“Although we live in a land

of plenty, we live in a land ofwaste,” Suprono said. “Peoplethrow away good stuff. One thingI learned from my military expe-rience--I learned to give back.”Suprono lived for a time in a

subsidized apartment, and thenbecame homeless again.“I had a place, but I lost it. I

turned it into a real ‘man camp,’and because I didn’t take careof it they took it away,” Supronosaid. “I was homeless, but I livein (an apartment) on a voucher,now. I won’t let it happen to meagain. Screw me once, shame onyou. Screw me twice, shame onme, you know?”

5Friday, January 31, 2014 Andrews Gazette

Roswell Goler injured his handand wrist while serving as a U.S.Navy Hospital Corpsman.

PHOTOS/CHRIS BASHAM

More than 70 Veterans Administration-affiliated programs offeredinformation to homeless and at-risk veterans at the VA’s annual Win-terhaven event, held Jan. 25 inside the Washington, D.C. VA MedicalCenter.

Volunteer Paullette Wade helps a Marine make room for a new pair ofboots.

Obinna Maduakolam Ugorji ofWashington, D.C., checks out hisnewly trimmed sideburns as Edu-ardo Smith looks on. Smith hascut hair at Winterhaven for thepast nine years.

HOMELESS, from page 1

BY STAFF SGT. DAVID SALANITRIAIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS AGENCY,

OPERATING LOCATION - P

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --In his latest Roll Call, the AirForce’s senior enlisted Airmanaddresses force managementand gives transition guidance tosupervisors and Airmen.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air

Force James A. Cody discusseswhy the Air Force needs to man-age the force, while also discuss-ing steps Airmen should take tobetter prepare for the changesahead and how supervisors canhelp their Airmen through a pe-riod of drawdown.Though Cody admits these

times are challenging, he notedAir Force senior leaders willremain transparent, and willrelease as much information asthey can, as quickly as possible.

The Future...The Teamby CMSAF James A. CodyRoll Call!The whole is greater than the

sum of its parts. It’s a phraseoften used to convey the impor-

tance of working as one...a syner-gistic team. In the Air Force it’sundeniably true. We have dedi-cated, intelligent, and talentedAirmen who bring strength toour nation, but the greaterstrength is only possible whenwe are connected with our fellowAirmen. We need each other, per-haps never more so as we moveforward with force management.The force management pro-

grams are a necessary step wemust take as a force. We have toWin the Fight in a fiscally con-strained environment, so we arepurposefully Shaping Our Futureto maintain the Airmen and skillswe need to accomplish the missionand remain the world’s greatestAir Force...but we must Strength-en the Team by supporting eachother and working as one.We must each commit to

supporting our fellow Airmenwhenever and however we can.As Air Force senior leaders, wecommit to transparency; we willshare information as early andoften as possible. We’ve notifiedthe majority of Airmen that arevulnerable for voluntary and in-

voluntary programs. It is impor-tant to understand the numberof overages and vulnerable Air-men in each AFSC is fluid...we’llcontinually update guidancewith the latest information andsend it to the field as quickly aspossible.Supervisors and leaders, seek

out that knowledge. Stay wellversed on force management ini-tiatives and how they affect yourteam; commit to sitting downwith each individual Airman to

talk through options and referas appropriate to agencies thatcan provide additional informa-tion and support. Don’t hesitateto discuss Palace Chase, reten-tion boards, quality force indica-tors, or other programs that maydraw questions. Airmen mustfully understand what’s in frontof them so they can make clear,informed decisions. You must behonest and straightforward withAirmen about where they standand what options are available.

All Airmen must supporttheir teammates, the men andwomen who serve beside you.When Airmen do leave our team,voluntarily or involuntarily, wemust be there for them and theirfamilies. They do not cease to beWingmen as they begin to moveout of the Air Force. No Airmanshould feel alone. We have to re-ly on and be there for each other.We have tremendous Airmen

in our Air Force, strong men andwomen who serve our nationproudly. But even the strongestAirman is made stronger by theteam. Up and down the chainof command we have to supporteach other. As we push forwardthrough the programs ahead,our commitment to each otherwill be the fabric that holds ustogether...the force that propelsus to victory.Airman’s Roll Call is designed

for supervisors at all levels tohelp keep Airmen informed oncurrent issues, clear up confu-sion, dispel rumors, and provideadditional face-to-face communi-cation between supervisors andtheir teams.

NewRoll Call releasedCMSAF talks force management

U.S. AIR FORCE GRAPHIC/CORY PARRISH

Page 6: Andrews 013114

6 Friday, January 31, 2014Andrews Gazette

Team Wins Losses Total Games Win %

779 MDG 8 0 8 100%

11 CES (a) 7 2 9 78%

VR-53 6 4 10 60%

D SQUAD 6 4 10 60%

11 SFG 5 5 10 50%

779 MOS 2 7 9 22%

744 COMM 0 12 12 0%

JBA IntramuralBasketball Standings

Monday/Wednesday

Tuesday/Thursday

Team Wins Losses Total Games Win %

459th ARW 7 1 8 88%

FRC MA 5 1 6 83%

WSA 5 2 7 71%

11 LRS 5 3 8 63%

89 COMM 4 3 7 57%

11 CES (b) 2 7 9 22%

PAG 1 6 7 14%

89 APS 1 7 8 13%

BY STAFF SGT.IAN HOACHLANDER

AIR FORCE PERSONNEL CENTERPUBLIC AFFAIRS

It’s that time of year againwhen people resolve to loseweight, get in shape and eathealthier, which takes dedicationand determination.To help Airmen and their fam-

ilies achieve those goals, the AirForce offers the Air Force FitFam-ily initiative which encouragesfamilies to develop and maintaina healthy lifestyle. More than20,000 family members partici-pate in the FitFamily initiative,launched Jan. 30, 2010 as part ofthe Year of the Air Force Family.FitFamily is a goal-incentive

program open to all active duty,Air Force Reserve and Air Na-tional Guard members, DefenseDepartment civilians and fami-lies, retired military members,honorably discharged veteranswith 100 percent service-connect-ed disability, and former or sur-viving military spouses and theirfamily members.“Air Force FitFamily is a web-

based health and fitness initia-tive that encourages physicalactivity and healthy eating se-lections,” said David Brittain,the Air Force FitFamily programmanager. “The FitFamily pro-gram stimulates an interest andawareness of the importance ofhealthy lifestyle choices and en-courages families to get up, getout, and get fit -- together.”To enroll in the program,

families can log on to http://www.USAFFitFamily.com and clickon ‘Register My Family.’ Onceenrolled, the system will emaila password to each family mem-ber’s address.“Families can register on ‘My

Goal Tracker,’ earn points andachieve levels for participatingin family fun activities, sportsand fitness events and makinghealthy eating selections,” Brit-tain said. “FitFamily intends toraise awareness of the impor-tance of family fitness and nutri-tion to increase healthy lifestylesand the impact family activitiescan have on kids’ well-being.”The Air Force FitFamily web-

site includes health and fitnessarticles, recipes and tips to helpfamilies become more active to-gether. Participants can registerto receive updates and articlesin areas of their selected inter-est or their own healthy recipesand ideas on how to stay fit as afamily.FitFamily introduced a Living

Fit portion to the website, whichhelps participants reach weightloss goals through proper nutri-tion and balanced activity. Per-sonalized weight loss goals can beset and Living Fit provides toolsand advice on how to achievethese goals.Recognition will be provided at

each of the five FitFamily levelsto encourage families to continueon the path of wellness. Incen-tives include certificates, familiesbeing highlighted on the FitFam-ily website, parking spaces, AAF-ES coupons, letters from the wingcommander and more.

FitFamily achievementlevelsEach family can log a maxi-

mum of 4,000 points per day.During bonus months (March,May and July), families can earnup to 8,000 points per day. Ac-tivities are based on a 60-min-ute activity guideline, as rec-ommended by the President’sCouncil on Physical Fitness andSports.Level 1: Togetherness -

250,000 family pointsLevel 2: Commitment -

500,000 family pointsLevel 3: Determination -

750,000 family pointsLevel 4: Perseverance -

1,000,000 family points

Level 5: Wellness -2,000,000 family pointsIn addition, AFPC created a

a step-by-step activity planningprocess to provide participantswith a simple guide to havingfun while staying fit and ensur-ing families can work through ahealthy routine together.ABCs of wellnessA - Plan Activities that in-

clude all family membersB - Build healthy habits that

will last a lifetimeC - Count progress; small

steps each day make a huge dif-ferenceD - Schedule Day trips, game

nights and fun time to developtogethernessE - Encourage healthy eating

and cooking as a familyF - Have Fun as a family

while creating healthy habitsFor more information about

the FitFamily or Living Fit pro-grams visit www.USAFFitFam-ily.com. To find out about otherquality of life programs visitwww.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com.

FitFamily providestools for success

CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON BEATS PRESIDENTIAL AIRLIFT GROUP IN SQUEAKER

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

Yale Akers, Presidential Airlift Group power center, goes in strong toslam dunk two points on a fast break against the 11th Civil EngineerSquadron during a see-saw battle Intramural Basketball game Jan. 28at the West Fitness Center.

Tyreik Leary, left, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron guard, applies pressure to Presidential Airlift Group pointguard Kyle Gibson during the final seconds of the game. The 11 CES won the heated battle, 48 to 46against the PAG.

Page 7: Andrews 013114

7Friday, January 31, 2014 Andrews Gazette

The Security Forces Blotter is intended to keep mem-bers of the Joint Base Andrews Community informed andaware of the crimes and offenses that occur throughoutthe base each week. If you have any information that mayhelp Security Forces solve a crime or prevent a criminalact, please contact BDOC (Base Defense Operations Cen-ter) at 301-981-2001, CRIME STOP LINE at 301-981-2677 (COPS), or the investigations section at 301-981-5656.

2 p.m., Jan. 17, 2014: An individual proceededthrough the Main Gate while failing to follow instruc-tions given by the Entry Controller. The individual wasinstructed to complete a turnaround before the barriersand proceeded through the intersection. A high-risk traf-fic stop was initiated and the individual was deemed safeand lost. A further investigation revealed there was amisinterpretation of instructions due to a language bar-rier.

6:02 p.m., Jan. 17, 2014: A transient resident at thePresidential Inn, contacted Security Forces to reportvandalism to a vehicle. The damages consisted of brownmarkings on the passenger side rear bumper, two inchesin width, extending to the trunk of the vehicle. SecurityForces personnel corroborated information and complet-ed statement.

9:39 a.m., Jan. 20, 2014: St. Mary’s County SheriffDepartment contacted Security Forces to inform themthere was an Airmen apprehended for armed robbery.The individual’s chain of command has been notified andthe subject is currently incarcerated.

1:06 a.m., Jan. 22, 2014: A major vehicle accidentoccurred on the runway between two snow removal ve-hicles. While sweeping the runway in a staggered forma-tion one vehicle struck another vehicle. There were noinjuries to the personnel, but both vehicles were dam-aged.

Security ForcesPolice Blotter

BY BRANDEN DAVISCOMPUTER/ELECTRONIC ACCOMMODATIONS PROGRAM

RRecognizing the potential of its workforce, the Depart-ment of Defense established the Computer/Electronic Ac-commodations Program to eliminate employment barriersfor people with disabilities. CAP’s mission, since its incep-tion in 1990, is to provide assistive technology and accom-modations to ensure people with disabilities and woundedservice members have equal access to the information, en-vironment and opportunities in the DoD and throughoutthe federal government.CAP has expanded beyond the DoD to partner with 68

federal agencies, making it the largest provider of reason-able accommodations in the world. The program seeks toincrease employment of people with disabilities and dis-abled veterans by ensuring they have access to accommo-dations throughout the DoD and federal government.Through CAP’s Wounded Service Member Initiative,

CAP provides needs assessments, assistive technology andtraining to support wounded, ill and injured ervice mem-bers throughout all phases of recovery and transition toemployment, directly impacting their rehabilitation pro-cess. By implementing DoD Instruction 6025.22, AT forWounded Service Members, CAP partners with MilitaryTreatment Facilities to integrate AT into the recovery andseamless transition process.CAP does this by paying for and providing a wide vari-

ety of assistive technology for people with hearing, visual,dexterity, cognitive, and communication disabilities. WhileCAP mainly focuses on purchasing assistive technology foremployees with disabilities, it also supports federal em-ployees throughout the employment lifecycle, includingcoming to work, staying at work, and returning to work tohelp ensure the federal government is the model employerof people with disabilities and wounded service members.Frequently requested accommodation solutions includevideophones, personal amplification devices, screen mag-nification software, screen readers, cueing/memory aids,literacy software, alternative keyboards, pointing devices,and speech recognition software.Customers who already know what accommodations

they need can request them through our online requestform available at www.cap.mil/wsm (Wounded ServiceMembers) www.cap.mil (Federal Employees). Customerswho need solutions identified also have a number of op-tions. The WSM team also visits a number of military in-stallations throughout the year and conducts on-site needsassessments. CAPTEC, located at the Pentagon room2D1049, conducts in-person, phone and video teleconfer-ence needs assessments.For customers not located in the Washington, D.C.

metro area who need an on-site assessment can requestone through the online request form at www.cap.mil/wsm(Wounded Service Members) or www.cap.mil (Federal Em-ployees). Once solutions have been identified, all requestscan be made through the same online request form.The CAP office is available to answer any disability-

or accommodation-related questions. The CAP staff workswith individuals to ensure the federal community complieswith federal laws and assists in creating a more accessibleinformation environment. CAP is committed to giving ser-vice members the tools to prepare them for employmentopportunities in the public or private sectors by allowingthem to maximize their abilities.CAP offers a number of online tools, including:• A series of online training modules helps federal em-

ployers understand how simple and beneficial hiring em-ployees with disabilities can be.• A series of short videos demonstrates available assis-

tive technology.• The CAP Mobile App helps people stay up-to-date on

new assistive technology, disability events and more onthe go.• Social Media keeps clients connected with CAP on

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.For further information and to use the online tools, vis-

it www.cap.mil, call CAP at 703-614-8416 or e-mail [email protected] (wounded Service member) [email protected](Federal Employees).

CAP reduces barriers forworkers with disabilities

BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASSAARON STOUT

11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The DoD Defense EnterpriseEmail migration is underway forthe Air Force District of Washing-ton’s headquarters staff, 11th Wingand the 844th CommunicationsGroup on Joint Base Andrews andJoint Base Anacostia-Bolling.According to the Defense Infor-

mation System Agency, DEE ser-vice provides secure email to theDoD enterprise that is designed toincrease efficiency and facilitatecollaboration across organizationalboundaries.The service is comparable to

commercial email services. Thereare two key benefits of moving tothe DEE: Secure email access fromanywhere and, as the DISA websiteexplains, DEE creates a commonplatform for the DoD, allowing mili-

tary members regardless of branch,geographical location or unit to findand communicate with each otherwithout knowing the exact suffixattached to their email.“Members will not need to have

a new account created for themif they PCS or go TDY to anotherDEE base” said Master Sgt. CurtisConyers, a project manager with the744th Communication Squadron.“DEE takes the ‘email for life’ ini-tiative that was started a few yearsago and takes it to the joint envi-ronment.”Migrating to DEE also increased

storage space.“With four gigabytes, average

users will have an exponential in-crease in storage compared to whatthey once had,” said Conyers.The most visible change will be

in the e-mail address format.1st Lt. Freddie Johnson Jr. of the

744th Communication Squadron said

that the migration replaces the [email protected] email addresswith [email protected] the migration, an auto

forward feature has been imple-mented to help the transition.“While there is an auto forward

for all emails sent to your afncr.af.mil email boxes, we are encour-aging users to replace the addresseslisted on their signature block withtheir new DEE address” said Mas-ter Sgt. Camacho.Teams from the 844th Commin-

cation Group and DISA have beenworking to prepare military mem-bers on the installations for the mi-gration. Each unit affected by thechange has been assigned a point ofcontact to help with the migration.For more information users can

click on the Comm 411 icon on theirdesktop computers or call the AF-NCR Help Desk at 888-844-2339,option 6.

Out with the old, in with DEE new

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8 Friday, January 31, 2014Andrews Gazette

BY HEALTH NET FEDERALSERVICES, LLC

January is cervical cancermonth. Here’s what you need toknow about cervical cancer:Cervical cancer is almost com-

pletely preventable.Having a Pap smear (also

known as a Pap test) regularlycan catch abnormal cells beforethey turn into cervical cancer.Cervical cancer is slow-grow-

ing. On average, it takes 10 yearsto develop.Women in their 40s and 50s

are at the greatest risk.If you have never had a Pap

test or have not had one in a longtime, it’s not too late.Early stage cervical cancer can

be treated.Almost all cervical cancer is

caused by HPV, a virus.There’s a vaccine to protect you

from the most dangerous HPVs.A Pap test is quick, easy and

painless.There’s no cost to you, as a

TRICARE beneficiary, when yousee a network provider. TRICAREcovers Pap tests for women over18 years of age from a networkprovider.

What is a Pap test andwhat does it do?The Pap test can tell if you

have an infection, abnormal (un-healthy) cervical cells or cervicalcancer. If unhealthy cervical cellsare detected, they can be treatedbefore they have the chance toturn into cancer. Regular Paptests can also detect cervical can-cer early, when it’s the most treat-able.

Cervical Cancer Screen-ing GuidelinesDo you know what the cervi-

cal cancer screening guidelinesare? The United States Preven-tive Services Task Force recom-mends screening for cervical can-cer through Pap tests every threeyears, beginning at age 21 andcontinuing until age 65. Womenages 30 to 65 years who want tolengthen the screening intervalcan choose screening with a com-bination of a Pap test and an HPVtest every 5 years.

Cervical Cancer Vaccinefor YouthThe rate of cervical cancer can

be significantly reduced by pro-tecting our youngsters with thevaccine that protects against themost dangerous forms of HPV, thevirus that causes cervical cancer.The vaccine is available to adoles-cent girls and boys, beginning atage 11, as well as young adults,through age 26.

Know the facts aboutcervical cancer

BY JASON ALDERMAN

Reverse mortgages have be-come increasingly popular inrecent years, as cash-strappedseniors seek ways to keep pacewith rising expenses – not tomention cope with the pummel-ing their retirement savings tookduring the Great Recession.But the Department of Hous-

ing and Urban Development no-ticed that borrowers increasinglyhave been opting to withdrawmost or all of their home equityat closing, leaving little or noth-ing for future needs. Consequent-ly, by mid-2012 nearly 10 percentof reverse mortgage holders werein default and at risk of foreclo-sure because they couldn’t paytheir taxes and insurance.That’s why Congress autho-

rized HUD to tighten FHA re-verse mortgage requirements toencourage homeowners to taptheir equity more slowly, betterensure that borrowers can affordtheir loan’s fees and other finan-cial obligations and strengthenthe mortgage insurance fundfrom which loans are drawn.Here are the key changes:Most reverse mortgage bor-

rowers can now withdraw nomore than 60 percent of theirtotal loan during the first year.Previously, borrowers could tapthe entire amount on day one – arecipe for future financial disas-ter for those with limited means.The first-year limit may be

waived for certain homeown-ers whose “mandatory obliga-tions” (e.g., upfront insurancepremiums, loan origination fees,delinquent federal debt, etc.)exceed the 60 percent amount;but they’ll have to pay a higherupfront mortgage insurance pre-mium – 2.5 percent of the home’sappraised value instead of thenormal 0.5 percent. (Note: Creditcard debt isn’t considered a man-datory obligation, so those withsignificant credit card debt maynot be able to withdraw enoughto pay off their debt.)Generally, borrowers can take

the money either as a lump sumat closing (with a fixed-rate loan),or as an ongoing line of credit ormonthly payments (adjustablerate loan). However, lump-sumpayments are now subject to the60 percent mandatory obliga-tions test, so to withdraw morethan that you’ll have to go theline-of-credit route, at least forthe first year; after that, you cantap the remaining balance if youwish.Under previous rules, almost

anyone with sizeable home eq-uity could take out a reversemortgage. Now, potential bor-rowers must undergo a detailedfinancial assessment to ensurethey’ll be able to meet future taxand insurance obligations.Lenders are required to re-

view the borrower’s credit his-tory. They also must analyze allincome from earnings, pensions,

IRAs, 401(k) plans and Social Se-curity, and weigh it against theborrower’s likely living expens-es, including other outstandingdebts. Those who come up short(i.e., are more likely to default)may be required to set asidemoney from their reverse mort-gage to cover future obligations– thereby lowering the amount ofequity they’d be able to tap.The new regulations also re-

duce the maximum amount ofhome equity that can be bor-rowed against – 10 to 15 percentless than before, on average.Generally, the older you are, themore equity you have and thelower the interest rate, the moreyou’ll be able to borrow. Note:The age component of this calcu-lation is based on the youngestparty listed on the loan.Because reverse mortgages

are so complicated, potentialborrowers are required to con-sult a HUD-approved counselorbefore being allowed to apply. Dopreliminary research at helpfulsites sponsored by HUD (www.hud.gov), the Consumer Finan-cial Protection Bureau (www.cfpb.gov) and AARP (www.aarp.org). Also check with an accoun-tant, financial planner or lawyerspecializing in elder law to makesure a reverse mortgage is rightfor you.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’sfinancial education programs.

Rule changes tighten reverse mortgage eligibility

BY MASS COMMUNICATIONSPECIALIST 1ST CLASS

ERIC BROWNUSS ARLINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Chief ofNaval Operations Adm. JonathanGreenert joined nearly 400 crewmembers Jan. 24 aboard the am-phibious transport dock ship USSArlington (LPD 24) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to honor thevictims of the Sept. 11, 2001 ter-rorist attacks by opening a shiptribute room.The tribute room, which hon-

ors the 184 heroes and victimskilled in the terrorist attack onthe Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001, wasfunded by donations from privateindividuals, civic organizationsand corporate sponsors to theHampton Roads Navy League.The new room is located just

aft of the bridge on the ship’sfourth level.“It’s a solemn place with many

images from that day in 2001,”said Greenert.. “But it also helpsus to remember what this ship isall about.”The morning of Sept. 11, 2001,

five hijackers aboard AmericanAirlines Flight 77 crashed theairplane into the west wall of thePentagon, in Arlington County,Va. Similar terrorist attacks oc-curred in New York City andSomerset County, Pa.Arlington is the second of the

Navy’s three amphibious trans-port dock ships named in com-

memoration of the worst incidentof terrorism in U.S. history.“Arlington is a multi-mission

ship, combining expeditionaryand amphibious operations, andis a very high-demand asset witha very bright future - it’s all just

a matter of how much we cangive of her at any time,” Green-ert said.The tribute room’s mahogany

display cases and commercial-grade flooring were built for de-sign capability and durability, en-

suring it will inspire generationsof Sailors and Marines servingaboard USS Arlington for the40-year projected lifespan of theship.The focus of the room is a quilt

with the 184 names on it that was

sewn by eighth grade studentsfrom Thomas Jefferson MiddleSchool, in Arlington, Va.., thenhand-assembled by artist DianneBraden Lumpkin. Other artifactsinclude a section of an I-beam andremnants from the Pentagon.Prior to the ribbon-cutting

ceremony, Greenert and Arling-ton Commanding Officer Cmdr.Darren Nelson addressed theship’s crew, members of the NavyLeague and 9/11 Pentagon firstresponders.“We open this room today to

show our Sailors our heritageand to help them understand howArlington got her name,” Nelsonsaid. “We can never forget thatterrible day, but we need to teachour Sailors that our nation, ourNavy and our ship are foreverresilient. We will always standup against terror and terrorism.We have the strength, honor andfortitude to continue the fight aslong as it takes.”Arlington is the eighth in Na-

vy’s San Antonio class of ships,designed to be the most surviv-able amphibious vessels ever putto sea. The third in the U.S. fleetto bear the name, Arlington wascommissioned April 6, 2013. Theship combines 21st century am-phibious shipbuilding and warf-ighting technologies to supportcurrent and future Marine Corpsaircraft and landing craft, andwill be capable of taking nearly1,200 Sailors and Marines intoharm’s way.

USS Arlington opens 9/11 tribute room

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST PETER D. LAWLOR

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert reflects on an exhibit aboard USS Arlington(LPD 24) in the ship’s 9/11 Tribute Room after speaking at the dedication and then cutting the ribbon toofficially open the room. Greenert was working in the Pentagon that day and expressed his condolencesto the families of the 125 military service members and civilians who lost their lives in the terrorist attack.

tion medications approved by theU.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion. Medications may be avail-able as part of the pharmacy ormedical benefit. In general, for amedication to be covered by TRI-CARE, it must be approved bythe FDA, not be part of a proce-dure covered under the medicalbenefit, and be prescribed in ac-cordance with good medical prac-tice and established standards ofquality. Details about prescribedmedications, including medica-tions covered by TRICARE, maybe found in the TRICARE For-mulary Search Tool. The Phar-macy Program also covers somevaccines for zero copayment atparticipating retail networkpharmacies. All pharmacists ad-minister vaccines, but state lawsvary on which vaccines may beadministered. TRICARE is eval-uating its pharmaceutical com-pounds to ensure safe care forbeneficiaries. During this evalu-ation TRICARE is delaying anychange in practice on compound-ed prescriptions for the balanceof the year. Compounded pre-scriptions are tailored for indi-

viduals by pharmacists and maycontain both conventional medi-cations and other ingredients.

Pentagon studies MIAprocedureThe Pentagon is reviewing

how it goes about accountingfor missing Americans on for-eign battlefields. Estimates arethat there are more than 83,000Americans missing from WorldWar II, Korea and Vietnam. Overthe past three years, the JointPOW-MIA Accounting Commandhas reported an average of 69identifications of recovered re-mains per year, down from 85per year over the previous threeyears.

The Retiree Activities Office isopen 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday. Visit the officein Building 1604 at Californiaand Colorado Avenues or callus at 301-981-2726. Our e-mailaddress is [email protected] the office before your visitto ensure a volunteer is on duty.The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil; Under “HelpfulLinks” click on “Retirees ActivityOffice” for information on retireesubjects, including past copies of“Retiree Corner.”

RETIREE, from page 2

In a Dec. 20, 2013 column(Commentary: RPJ Housingfails homeless, female veterans),The Andrews Gazette called forreaders to support Final Salute,Inc. in their efforts to save theirAlexandria, Va.-area transition-al home, which provides housingand other services for a group offemale veterans and their chil-dren. Thanks to donations fromaround the region, Final Salutewas able to close on the sale ofthat facility Jan. 28, 2014.“We are officially the owners;

women veterans and their chil-dren now have a dedicated placeof refuge in the D.C. Metro ar-ea! Thank you to everyone whomade this day possible,” saidFinal Salute, Inc. founder andPresident Jas Booth. “The oddswere against us, but thanks tothe support of the Americanpeople, a miracle happened!”The home will be re-dedicat-

ed in honor of former AssistantSecretary of the Air Force Kar-

en Ruth Keesling and her com-mitment to establishing equalrights for women. Information

on the re-dedication and rib-bon cutting will be released ata later date.

Final Salute donorssave transitional home

SUBMITTED PHOTO

From left, Danielle Corazza, executive director, Final Salute Inc.;Bill Rodriguez, vice president, BB&T (Arlington, Va.), Jas Boothe,president and founder, Final Salute Inc., Mark Fitzgerald, senior vicepresident, Stewart Title and Escrow, Inc. and Susan E. Slepetz, vicepresident, Stewart Title and Escrow, Inc. pause to celebrate FinalSalute, Inc.’s purchase of their transitional home for female veter-ans and their children.

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9Friday, January 31, 2014 Andrews Gazette

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