Everything Under the Sun - MCCS Okinawa · 2012. 10. 28. · 10,000 Eisa Dance Parade/ Summer Festival Naha City (Kokusai Street) (August 5th) 57th All-Okinawa Eisa ... the members

Everything Under the Sun

Marine Corps Family Team Building, Okinawa

Inside this issue

Bases Loaded? ................. .1

Happy Reunion ................. .2

Always in Season ............. .2-3

Moment to Connect .......... .4

Bloom Where Planted ...... 4-5

沖縄、夏のシーズン到来！ .. .5-6

Individual Augmentees ..... 6

Celebrate Family .............. 7

Contact Us ....................... 8

Dance!

10,000 Eisa Dance Parade/

Summer Festival

Naha City (Kokusai Street)

(August 5th)

57th All-Okinawa Eisa Festival

Okinawa City Koza Sports Park

(September 7-9)

Bases Loaded? It’s not always easy to keep in touch, but isn’t that the point? It is the effort in-

volved in two people staying connected that makes the connection special in the first

place and helps it last the test of time.

Living on a tiny island in the middle of the sea, one can simultaneously take pleasure

in the escape provided whilst feeling sad and sometimes left out of the lives of our

loved ones so far away. All good intentions aside, it’s a whole new ballgame keeping

everyone in the game when you move every couple of years; but when you are able

to maintain closeness to family and friends after moving apart, how wonderful to

know that our loved ones are scattered all across the world, miles away, yet the

world doesn’t seem quite as large because they’re close at heart.

How do you keep in touch with your parents, siblings, close friends and other loved

ones? Maybe you’ve had a good friend PCS recently. You likely attended a going

away event of some kind, exchanged information, hugs, and promises to keep in

touch. Has too much time gone by that you feel alienated from your friend? Are you

both stubborn, waiting for the other person to send the first email?

Instead of just promising to keep in touch, try discussing your methods of doing so

before parting ways. Maybe you and your friend or loved one both enjoy reading-

choose a book a month to read at the same time and then have a set date to discuss.

Maybe you start a journal that you send back and forth between the two of you – a

scrapbook of sorts. Perhaps a weekly Skype date is in the cards. Making a plan and

holding each other accountable will do wonders in keeping ties strong. Sometimes

you have to get creative, but if the two players are willing, and you give it all you’ve

got, you’ll usually be rewarded with the crack of ball on bat more often than not.

When you think about your network, are all of your bases loaded, or are you missing

some players? Now is as good a time as any to reconnect with a friend or loved one

you’ve lost track of lately. Maybe you’ll find you’ll pick up right where you left off;

or perhaps if not reciprocated and the connection is lost, you’ll know you gave it

every effort. After all sometimes we swing and miss., but it’s those hits that make

life worthwhile. Read on as we explore life’s many connections, and the support in

place to help solidify them.

Quarter 3, 2012

Volume 2, Issue 3

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fi-

bers connect us with our fellow men; and among

those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they

come back to us as effects.”-Herman Melville

Happy Reunion

Social Networking Safety—Always in Season Tony Rodriguez, LifeSkills Trainer

2

Katherine Diaz, Navy Individual Deployment Support Specialist

Do you know Return and Reunion briefs are available to

spouses of Sailors deployed as Individual Augmentees?

Spouses are encouraged to attend this informal, educational

brief thirty to sixty days before the return of the service

member.

One of the many topics discussed during a Return and Reunion

brief is children’s possible reactions to homecoming. While

you know your children better than anyone, it can sometimes

be hard to predict how a child will react to the return of mom

or dad after a long separation. Even if the child has gone

through separation from the parent previously, their different

age and stage at each deployment brings different factors into

the mix.

While reunions can be joyous and exciting, they are also a

The great times of summer are well underway and it is always so nice to be out-

doors soaking up the sun while enjoying outdoor activities, such as surfing those

fantastic waves. However, we all know that indoor surfing is an activity that is

enjoyed by millions around the world as well, and has become as common-place as

reading a book or watching a good movie prior to hitting the rack and calling it a

day.

Surfing the Internet or being active in a Social Networking site is a year-round

activity, and in recent years there has been an increase in people jumping on the

social media band-wagon (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc...). Clearly there

are many benefits in social networking, but unfortunately, as the popularity of

these social sites grow, so do the risks of using them. It’s sad to say that some of

the members in social networking sites are individuals who do not have the most

honorable of intentions for wanting to be a part of your social network---Bad

People (hackers, spammers, virus writers, identity thieves will follow the traffic).

Depending upon your privacy settings, you are letting friends of friends of friends

see what you are doing without ever truly knowing if they mean you no harm.

Marine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB) wants to help make you aware of

this ever-growing concern by offering workshops that address this issue. On Au-

gust 23rd, from 1000-1200, there will be a Social Networking Safety workshop at

MCFTB, (Bldg 5677), Camp Foster.

process, and should be prepared for just as the deployment

was prepared for. Having realistic expectations about this time,

giving some advance thought to your children’s possible reac-

tions and creating strategies before the return of your loved

one can help when the time comes. Please contact the Navy

IDSS at 645-5707 to schedule your Return and Reunion Brief.

In the meantime, following are a few things to consider.

Children need time to re-establish relationships just like

adults do, so it is important that their routine is not dis-

rupted immediately upon the return of the service mem-

ber.

If possible, try to spend quality time together at home as a

family, talking and playing, in order to re-establish good

communication and family connection.

With infants and younger children, the parent should con-

sider getting down on the floor to play at their level.

It may take time for children to become comfortable. Be

patient, and do not be too hard on anyone—everyone

needs time to adjust and adapt to the changes that a reun-

ion brings.

(cont. on next page)

LifeSkills Q3 Events Line-up:

All courses require registration @

645-3689. Please call for event

details.

Family Care Plan Workshop

July 18 (1130-1300)

August 15 (1130-1300)

September 12 (1130-1300)

Building Lasting Relationships

July 6 (1000-1200)

Stress/Anger Management

July 26 (1400-1630)

Social Networking Safety

August 23 (1000-1200)

Growing a Resilient Military Family

September 6 (1400-1630)

Conquer Conflict

September 19 (1000-1200)

Emergency Preparedness &

Travel Safety

September 27 (1400-1630)

Premarital Workshop

July 13 (0830-1530)

August 10 (0830-1530)

September 14 (0830-1530)

Happily Ever After (PREP)

August TBD (TBD)

3

During our workshop we will briefly look at this social networking phenomenon and

make you aware of the dangers and risks, as well as the benefits, of social networking

for you and your family members.

MCFTB wants to help ensure your summer months continue to be as worry- and

stress-free as possible. Having the peace of mind in knowing that you are doing your

part to protect your identity and ensuring the safety of your family members will go a

long way in helping you achieve that goal. As the LifeSkills Trainer for MCFTB, I

hope to see you at our August 23rd Social Networking Safety workshop, but in the

meantime, here are some tips that I believe will help you keep personal identity infor-

mation safe while ensuring the physical safety of your family as well.

Social Networking Safety-Always in Season

Tips:

1. Please ensure that you are careful when selecting your social site. Learn the pri-

vacy policies and know whether or not the site will monitor information that people

post. One rule of thumb to follow when entering personal information: use the same

criteria you would use when selecting a site where you would enter credit card infor-

mation.

2. Never post personal identifiable information (PII). Always remember that the post-

ing of PII, such as SSN, full birth date, home phone number, home address, passwords,

bank or credit card account information, or information regarding your schedule or

daily routine will make you vulnerable to becoming a victim of a crime (e.g. identity

theft, burglary, etc...).

3. Tell your kids to think before they post. Remind them that everything can be seen by

many-the “invisible audience,” (otherwise known as friends of friends of friends).

Each family is different, but for middle school kids, it is not a bad idea for parents to

have access to their kids' pages, at least at first, to be sure that what's being posted is

appropriate. Parents can help keep their children from doing something they'll regret

later.

4. Do not post that you are away from home. Many people make the mistake in post-

ing their status updates by letting the world know that they are out at a restaurant,

friend's house, kid’s sporting events or worse-on a long vacation. Others can see the

time you left your home, judge the approximate drive time and the time you will be

gone so that they can rob your home. Again, posting too much of this type of infor-

mation makes your home and personal property vulnerable.

5. Be cautious letting all know what is in your house. They say a picture is worth a

thousand words. Posting pictures of your computer, IPAD, or big screen television is

letting others know what is in your house. Be aware of what is in the background of

your pictures too. Occasionally post a picture of your guard dog or your family-

friendly canine looking vicious. Be aware that on most social networking sites your

photos have a different privacy setting than your personal information setting; recheck

your settings.

I hate to say it like this, but please remember not everyone’s intention on these social

networking sites is to be your friend. Bad people will surf the social sites to see what

information is available to steal, or see which families are out at the beach or attend-

ing a child's sporting event away from their homes. Arming yourself with the knowl-

edge and awareness of social networking safety can help ensure you and your family

will continue to have a great and safe enjoyable summer and fall season.

(cont. from page 2)

Unit Personal and Family

Readiness Program Q3

Training Schedule:

All events are held at MCFTB,

Classroom 210, unless

otherwise noted. Savvy Spouses* September 13 (0900-1030)

*Please contact the FRPT at 645-2261 to register.

Please call your FRO to register

for the following trainings:

FRO Training:

July 11 (0800-1600)

August 22 (0800-1600)

September 19 (0800-1600)

Command Team Training:

July 12 (1330-1600)

August 8 (0830-1100)

September 12 (1330-1600)

Advisor/Assistant Training:

July 17 (0800-1300)

August 1 (0800-1300)

September 5 (0800-1300)

OPSEC Training:

July 17* (1400-1600)

July 25 (0830-1030)

August 1* (1400-1600)

August 29 (0830-1030)

September 5* (1400-1600)

September 27 (0830-1030)

*Offered in conjunction with Advisor/

Assistant Training or as a stand- alone

course.

eMarine Training:

July 24 (0830-1600)

August 28 (0830-1600)

September 25 (0830-1600) eMarine Lab:

July 12 (0830-1130)

August 2 (0830-1130)

September 4 (0830-1130)

CO/Senior Enlisted Spouse Tng:

September 26 (0830-1230)

Take a Moment to Connect

Stacy Roark, L.I.N.K.S. Trainer

Summer is a season of change: whether it is for families with school-aged children who

are on summer break, individuals taking vacations, or PCS season moves, most of us have

our routine changed in one way or another.

Change and opportunity are inherent parts of the military lifestyle, and being on Okinawa

provides many opportunities! From beaches to festivals, waterfalls, ice skating and scuba

diving, there is something for everyone here.

Among the many fun opportunities are the various L.I.N.K.S. workshops offered here in

Okinawa. Our L.I.N.K.S. 4 Kids workshop on August 23 is a great opportunity for kids to

connect before school starts, especially if you are new to the island, while our

4

Bloom Where You Are Planted!

Erin Behrendt, Family Readiness Program Trainer

(cont. on next page)

As summer winds down, kids get ready to head back to school, and we anxiously await the

start of football season, why not take a moment to connect with friends and family before

the activities of fall take hold?

One of the most helpful things a Marine or Sailor can do for their family members back in

the States is to let them know what’s going on. Connecting with friends and family is an

important part of the Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program, (UPFRP), and educating

family members about the program and support available is a responsibility of all Marines

and Sailors attached to Marine units. With family members abroad, it may be hard to think

of things about which to tell them. Sometimes, though, educating family members is as easy

as letting them know where you are.

For example:

Does your family know you are living in Japan? Okinawa?

Does your family know that Okinawa is approximately 1,000 miles south of Tokyo

and mainland Japan? Or, that Tokyo to Okinawa is a three hour flight?

Does your family know how to get a hold of you in case of an emergency?

Does your family know when you’ll be off island and if you’ll be able to commu-

nicate with them while you’re gone?

Talking to your family members about the information above

can give them piece of mind, especially when emergencies

and natural disasters strike. When mainland Japan was struck

by the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, communication

systems temporarily crashed because of how many people

were trying to contact family members throughout all of Ja-

pan. If a similar situation were to happen again, would your

family know you don’t live on mainland Japan and would they

know how to contact you? Or, would they know how to get a

hold of you while you’re in training or off island?

Finding time to connect with family members can sometimes be challenging, so make sure

your family is up to date!

Ashibi nu chura saa ninju nu sunawai. - The more the merrier. -Okinawan Proverb

August 30-31 L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses session provides an opportunity to relax and enjoy

meeting other spouses. Once everyone has settled into their new groove, September

will bring workshops for Teens and Japanese Spouses.

In the meantime, take advantage of all the wonderful things Okinawa has to offer.

Whether “exploring” means hiking and wandering through caves or trying new restau-

rants, spend some time investing in your island home and find all the ways to “Bloom

where you’re planted!”

Please visit our social media sites to give us your suggestions and feedback.

www.mccsokinawa.com/mcftb.

www.facebook.com/mccsokinawa.mcftb.

沖縄も本格的な夏のシーズンを向か

え、各地で開催されるお祭りやビーチ

パーティーなどに参加される方も大勢

いらっしゃるのではないでしょうか？

沖縄に駐留する軍人家族の方は、ＰＣ

Ｓシーズンの真っ最中で本国に帰られ

る方また、新しく沖縄に駐留される方

と大勢の方々の出入りがあります。

皆さん口を揃えていう事は、「沖縄は

とても綺麗で、いいひと時をすごしま

したよ～♪機会があれば又帰ってきた

い！！」といってくださいます。

それを聞くと、うちな～んちゅの私は

本当に嬉しい気持ちでいっぱいです。

皆さん、沖縄に帰ってきたい！！と

いってくれるところが本当にいいです

よね。

さて、海兵隊ファミリーチームビル

ディングではこの夏も新しいご家族を

対象に多数のクラスを開催予定です。

主なクラスの日程はウェブサイト上

(http://www.mccsokinawa.com)でも確認

できますが、下記がこの夏に開催する

クラスの概要になります。下記をご覧

の上、是非クラスへご参加ください。

5

Bloom Where You Are Planted! (cont. from p. 4)

沖縄、夏のシーズン到来！

L.I.N.K.S. Q3 Events:

All trainings require registration @

645-3698.

for Spouses **2-day session**

August 30&31 (0900-1300)

for Japanese Spouses:

September 27 (0830-1430)

for Kids:

August 23 (1330-1630)

for Tweens:

September 21 (1400-1800)

for Marines:

Scheduled per Unit Request

Japanese Spouse

Orientation Dates for Q3:

All trainings are located at Marine

Corps Family Team Building on

Camp Foster. Registration is re-

quired.

Child Support Program:

July 5 (0900-1200)

Space A Travel:

July 19 (1300-1600)

Educational Program:

August 2 (0900-1200)

Healthcare Program:

August 16 (0900-1200)

Family Support Program:

September 6 (0900-1200)

Post Office, Community Bank:

September 20 (0900-1200)

Japanese Spouse Learning

Series: (0900-1200)

Child Education System-August 28

(cont. on next page)

Maki Takahashi, Community Relations Specialist

Michelle Lahmon—Readiness & Deployment Support Trainer

Deployments are difficult. Deploying as an Individual Augmentee adds another layer of confusion, stress, and complications.

Without your Unit deploying with you, you may feel forgotten or overlooked. But you are not! Your Family Readiness Officer

in Okinawa is still available to offer support for you and your family.

What about your Pre-Deployment Brief? These Briefs provide valuable information to prepare you and your family for the

upcoming separation. When deploying in large groups, your Unit requests that the Readiness and Deployment Support Pro-

gram come deliver the Pre-Deployment Brief to everyone at once. When you are deploying as an IA, you can still get this

important information directly from the Readiness and Deployment Support Program.

We know your schedule is crazy as you prepare for departure. To help you and your family through this time of stress, we

will be as flexible as possible, offering One-on-One Pre-Deployment Briefs for single Marines, married Marines, and family

members. Simply call Marine Corps Family Team Building and ask for a Readiness and Deployment Support Trainer.

The other end of deployment: homecoming. An exciting time for Marine spouses and other family members that is often ac-

companied by nerves and apprehension. To make your reintegration experience as smooth as possible, the Readiness and

Deployment Support Program offers the Return and Reunion Workshop at Unit request or One-on-Ones for those IA spouses.

All spouses should consider attending a Return and Reunion Workshop. Every separation affects a family differently. Be

ready for anything reintegration brings you-talk to your FRO or call MCFTB to schedule your One-on-One Return and Reun-

ion Workshop today.

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which

difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” -John Quincy Adams

Supporting Individual Augmentees and their Families

6

沖縄、夏のシーズン到来！(cont. from p. 5)

6

７月 ５日（木曜日） 午前９時～１２時 “基地内における子育て支援サービスプログラムのご案

内”

７月１９日（木曜日） 午後１時～４時 “無料で利用できる航空フライト スペースＡフライトの

利用方法について”

８月 ２日（木曜日） 午前９時～１２時 “キャリアアップにつながるエジュケーションプログラム

のご案内”

８月１６日（木曜日） 午前９時～１２時 “基地内における医療システム、関連機関のご案内”

９月 ６日（木曜日） 午前９時～１２時 “困った時に役立つ支援相談機関のご案内”

９月２０日（木曜日） 午前９時～１２時 “基地内の郵便局、銀行の利用方法”

クラスについてのお問い合わせやお申し込みは６４５－３６８９/３２０４までお気軽にご連絡ください！

それでは皆さん、熱中症などにはくれぐれも気を付けて、夏の沖縄を有意義にエンジョイしましょ～ね♪♪

In the Midst: Vegas!

July 10 (1630-1830)

Families During Deployment

August 9 (1730-1900)

Strong Military Couples

August 23 (1800-2000)

Beyond the Brief Series (1030-1300)

September 4

September 11

September 18

September 25

Individual Augmentee Pre-Deployment

Briefs and Return & Reunion Work-

shops: Scheduled upon request.

Readiness & Deployment Sup-

port Program Q3 Events:

All courses require registration @

645-3693/2841. Please call for

event details. All briefs and work-

shops are available upon unit re-

quest.

7

Obon,or Festival of Souls, is a Japanese Buddhist

event to honor and commemorate one’s ancestors. It is believed that

each year during Obon the ancestors’ spirits return to their homes in

this world in order to be reunited with family. This three-day event is

one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons and is an important family

time, with many people returning to their hometowns.

Obon was originally celebrated around the 15th day of the seventh

month of the lunar calendar. While the starting date now varies within

different regions of Japan, the Ryukyu Islands still celebrate “Kyu Bon,”

(Old Bon), on the 15th day of the seventh month.

During this time, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the

ancestors’ spirits, obon dances, (bon adori), are performed, graves are

visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples.

Traditionally at the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in

order to guide the spirits back into their world, though customs vary strongly from

region to region.

CELEBRATE

お盆

The Yonabaru

Great Tug-of-

War has been taking

place for nearly 400

years! All are welcome

to help pull the rope

to the pounding

drums, ringing bells

and waving flags on

Sunday, August 19th at

Route 329 Udunyama

Youth square

(Yonabaru town).

MCB Camp S.D. Butler

Unit 35023

FPO AP 96373-5023 YOUR LOGO HERE

Marine Corps Family Team Building—Contact Us:

Michael Jackson—Chief: 645-3689

Julia Nunez—Office Manager: 645-3689

Family Readiness Program Trainer:

Erin Behrendt 645-2261

L.I.N.K.S Program Trainer:

Stacy Roark 645-3698

Navy Individual Deployment Support Specialist, CFAO:

Katherine Diaz 645-5707

Readiness & Deployment Support Trainers:

Michelle Lahmon 645-3693

Wendy Edwards 645-2841

LifeSkills Trainer:

Tony Rodriguez 645-3749

Japanese Spouses Orientation/Community Relations

Maki Takahashi 645-3204

CONTACT US: Office/DSN: 645-3689

From Off-Base: 098-970-3689

Fax: 098-970-4024

www.mccsokinawa.com\mcftb

http://www.facebook.com/mccsokinawa.mcftb