July 22, 2016 - San Antonio Express-News

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E 5 0 2 n d A I R B A S E W I N G
JOINT
BASE
SAN
ANTONIO-LACKLAND,
TEXAS
•
Vol.
73
No.
29
•
July
22,
2016
AFIMSC
time capsule chronicles
organization’s startup
Photo by Staff Sgt. Marissa Garner
Members of the Air Force Installation Management Support Command gathered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to celebrate the inaugural anniversary of the formation of the
command with capstone dinner July 18. Leadership representing the six AFIMSC primary subordinate units, the ten AFIMSC detachments and the AFIMSC headquarters placed items
into a capsule for future Airmen to open in 2026. The AFIMSC integrates management and oversight of Air Force installation and mission support and associated resources in a single,
intermediate-level management organization. For more photos and the story, visit http://www.jbsa.mil.
INSIDE |
News 3
Community Briefs 10
ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil
PAGE 2
TALESPINNER
Pokémon Go: rules you should know
Joint Base San AntonioLackland
Editorial Staff
By 96th Test Wing
Judge Advocate office
Watch out! Everyone’s favorite game
from the 90s is back, this time in form of a
mobile phone application. That’s right, with
Nintendo’s release of its new Pokémon Go
mobile game, people across America are
catching Pokémon fever again.
Confused about how the game works?
Well, Pokémon Go uses your mobile phone’s
GPS to spot virtual Pokémon on a game
map that is pinned to real world locations.
When you find a Pokémon on your game
map, whether it be in a supermarket or
your bathroom, your smartphone camera
opens up, giving you a view of the virtual
Pokémon in the real world. You then flick
a Poké Ball toward the creature to capture
it. As you move around playing the game,
different types of Pokémon will appear on
your game map depending on where you
are and what time it is. The more Pokémon
and items you collect, the better chance you
have at beating your friends.
As you can imagine, the game has caused
people to venture into many different locations in order to catch Pokémon. For
instance, it has been reported that people
have caught Pokémon in places like: their
neighbor’s backyard, at schools, at funerals,
and even at hospitals (while the gamer’s
wife was in labor). This game also poses
a substantial security risk to users when
they agree to allow “full access permission”
to users’ Google accounts during sign-up.
When playing the game as a member of
the military, it is important to remember a
few certain rules:
1. Don’t select the sign up method that
links the game to your Google account.
There are two methods of sign up to play
Pokémon Go. The first, which is more extensive, is to sign up for a “Trainer Club”
account on the game website. The second
option is to simply link the app to your
Google account. While this may be a tempting option, the security risk is not worth it.
When linking the app to your Google account, you are granting the game programmers full access to your Google account
including saved Google Drive documents,
personal data, email, personal photos, and
more. If you gotta catch ’em all, make sure
July 22, 2016
Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta
502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA
Commander
Todd G. White
502nd ABW/JBSA
Public Affairs Director
Oscar Balladares
JBSA-Lackland
Public Affairs Chief
Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
Senior Airman Krystal Wright
Photojournalists
Jeremy Gerlach
Jose T. Garza III
Staff Writers
Dorothy Lonas
Page Design/Illustrator
Office
Air Force illustration from 17th Training Wing
that you sign up through the game website.
2. Don’t play Pokémon Go while walking
in uniform.
Pokémon Go requires gamers walk
around with the app open on their devices
to play the game. According to AFI
36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance
of Air Force Personnel, paragraph 6.3.3.2,
it is unacceptable to walk in uniform and
use any personal electronic media devices,
earpieces, or speakerphones unless it is an
emergency situation or notifications are
necessary. At last check, catching your first
Snorlax outside of the BX while in uniform
does not constitute an emergency situation.
3. Don’t
trespass
while
playing
Pokemon Go.
Since the game’s release, numerous people throughout America have already been
disciplined for trying to catch a Pokémon
in unauthorized areas. In Washington, for
instance, law enforcement officials have
JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE • 808-SARC (7272)
DOD SAFE HELPLINE • (877) 995-5247
JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE • 367-1213
JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN • 365-6420
already had to apprehend several eager
Pokémon Go players for trespassing at a local
police station while playing the game. At a
military installation, it would be unwise to
visit an unauthorized area in order to catch
the nearest Charizard. Yes, the all-powerful Mewto may be sitting on the flightline
waiting for you to catch it. Yes, catching
Mewto may help you beat your friends at
the game. However, catching even the most
powerful Pokémon is not worth the risk of
disciplinary action. Jumping the fence to
visit an unauthorized area on base can
trigger emergency alerts across base and
cause you to lose all of your Pokémon Go
playing rights.
4. Be mindful of your pictures.
One of Pokemon Go’s features allows you
to see Pokemon in the real world around
you by utilizing your phone’s camera. While
See POKEMON Page 3
One of the best things about ICE is that
people can let service providers know
when they do a great job, not just for
poor service. It takes five minutes or less
to submit a comment at http://ice.disa.mil.
2230 Hughes Ave.
JBSA-Lackland, Texas
78236-5415
(phone) 671-2908
(fax) 671-2022
Email: [email protected]
Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)
For advertising information:
EN Communities
P.O. Box 2171
San Antonio, TX 78297
250-2052
This newspaper is published by
EN Communities, a private firm in no
way connected with the U.S. Air Force,
under exclusive written contract with
JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial
enterprise Air Force newspaper is an
authorized publication for members
of the U.S. military services. Contents
of the Talespinner are not necessarily
the official views of, or endorsed by,
the U.S. government, the Department
of Defense, or the Department of the
Air Force.
The appearance of advertising in
this publication, including inserts or
supplements, does not constitute
endorsement by the Department of
Defense, the Department of the Air
Force or EN Communities, of the
products or services advertised.
Everything
advertised
in
this
publication shall be made available
for purchase, use or patronage without
regard to race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation,
or any other non-merit factor of the
purchaser, user or patron.
Editorial content is edited, prepared
and provided by the Public Affairs Office
of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos,
unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air
Force photos.
Deadline for story submissions
is noon Wednesday the week prior
to publication.
July 22, 2016
News in Brief
backpacks with school supplies
help military families
Joint Base San Antonio School Liaison
Office kicks off its 6th annual Build-ABackpack Program, Monday through
August 10 to provide backpacks full of
school supplies to military families giving
students an opportunity to start school with
all the supplies they need to be successful.
Many families, especially those in the lower
and mid-grade ranks, can see a real money
crunch at back-to-school time. Squadrons,
private orgs, offices and individual groups
can help make a difference by donating.
To learn more, email [email protected] or
visit http://www.jbsa.mil/Resources/MilitaryFamily-Readiness/School-Liaison-Office.
bamc bariatric clinic
Bariatric surgery can improve quality of
life for individuals who are obese and have
obesity-related conditions such as type II
diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure),
obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) or other obesity-related
conditions. Bariatric surgery is the most successful long-term treatment of obesity. There
are three kinds of laparoscopic bariatric
surgeries performed at Brooke Army Medical
Center: adjustable gastric band, gastric
bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
The BAMC Bariatric Clinic is a self-referral
clinic and offers informational seminars on
the second, third and fourth Wednesdays
of each month. There is also a bariatric
support group held on the first Wednesday
of each month in the main dining room in
the lower level of BAMC. The Bariatric Clinic
will also accept referrals from your primary
care manager. Call 916-9023 to set up an
appointment.
nominations for first air force enlisted
rpa pilots being accepted
The Air Force is accepting nominations to
fill its first class of enlisted remotely piloted
aircraft pilots as part of a deliberate
approach to enhance the Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission.
The first enlisted RPA pilot selection board
will convene at the Air Force Personnel
Center, Jan. 23-26, 2017, with application
packages due to AFPC by Nov. 18. The
selection board process mirrors that of the
undergraduate flying training program and
allows candidates time to complete all
eligibility requirements.
See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 5
TALESPINNER
news
PAGE 3
Carter announces policy for
transgender service members
By Office of the Secretary of Defense
Press Operations
Defense Secretary Ash Carter
announced June 30 that transgender
individuals will now be able to openly
serve in the U.S. armed forces.
The new Department of Defense
policy also establishes a construct by
which service members may transition gender while serving, sets standards for medical care and outlines
responsibilities for military services
and commanders to develop and implement guidance, training and specific policies in the near and long term.
“This is the right thing to do for
our people and for the force,” Carter
said. “We’re talking about talented
Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity
to serve. We can’t allow barriers unrelated to a person’s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining
those who can best accomplish the
mission.“
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee
James vocalized her support for the
policy change.
“Transgender Airmen serve alongside us with integrity, service and
excellence,” James said. “Today’s
announcement is the first step in allowing transgender Airmen to serve
openly, receive medical care relat-
POKEMON from Page 2
capturing that elusive Eevee, you even
have the option of taking a picture or
a screen shot of the encounter. While
taking pictures of your dog making
new best friends with Moltres and
posting them to social media is all good
fun, taking pictures of classified areas,
privileged information, or any number
of other confidential, privacy act, or for
official use only information, is not.
5. Don’t stop your car in the middle
of the road to catch a Pokémon.
Even though you may spot a
Jigglypuff in a busy intersection, you
may not stop your car in the middle
of the road unless it is an emergency
situation. Think this is common sense?
ing to gender transition and allow
transgender individuals to join the
Air Force. Our strengths as a military
are the quality and character of our
people and those things that make us
unique are the same things that make
us strong. In the coming months we
will work diligently to fully implement
Secretary Carter’s decision.”
The policy will be phased in during
a one-year period. Effective immediately, service members may no longer
be involuntarily separated, discharged
or denied re-enlistment solely on the
basis of gender identity. Service members currently on duty will be able to
serve openly.
By Oct. 1, the DOD will create
and distribute a commanders’ training handbook, medical protocol and
guidance for changing a service member’s gender in the Defense Eligibility
Enrollment System (DEERS). At this
point, the services will be required
to provide medically necessary care
and treatment to transgender service
members according to the medical
protocol and guidance, and may begin
changing gender markers in DEERS.
Prior to Oct. 1, requests for medical
treatment will be handled on a caseby-case basis consistent with the spirit
of the directive type memorandum and
the DOD instruction issued June 30.
Over the course of the next year, the
DOD will finalize force training plans
and implementation guidance, revise
regulations and forms, and train the
force, including commanders, human
resources specialists, recruiters and
service members. Peter Levine, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will work with
the military services to monitor and
oversee this effort.
At one year, the services will begin
allowing transgender individuals to
join the armed forces, assuming they
meet accession standards. In addition,
an otherwise-qualified individual’s
gender identity will not be considered
a bar to admission to a military service
academy, or participation in the ROTC
or any other accession program if the
individual meets the new criteria.
The full policy must be completely
implemented no later than July 1,
2017.
To support service members, medical professionals and commanders
during the implementation period, the
DOD has set up a central coordination cell which will serve as a central
point of contact for technical questions and concerns. The coordination
cell is made up of legal experts, policy
experts and medical professionals
familiar with the issue.
(Secretary of the Air Force Public
Affairs contributed to this article.)
Well, a woman in Australia was seen
the other day playing the game in a
busy intersection during rush hour.
Trust us, Jigglypuff is not worth the
risk of getting a ticket anyways.
6. Whether on or off base, be mindful of where you are playing the game.
Pokémon Go is gaining national attention both for its popularity as well
as the presence of characters in inappropriate locations. Examples of places where people have played Pokémon
Go include the Holocaust Museum
in Washington, D.C., and Arlington
National Cemetery. Whether in uniform or not, you are always “on-duty” as a member of the military and
should act appropriately at all times.
Additionally, be careful where you
are going while playing. The O’Fallon
Missouri Police Department reported
that the game has allegedly been used
to lure victims into specific locations
so that they can more discreetly be
robbed. Wherever you are, maintain
awareness at all times.
In the end, Pokémon Go may be the
hottest game on the market. However, it
is important that military members use
common sense when playing the game.
No game, or Pokémon, is worth putting
your career in jeopardy for. Nonetheless,
enjoy competing against your friends,
acting like a child again, and catching
them all (when legally acceptable).
For more details, visit http://www.cnet.
com/news/pokemon-go-gotta-catch-allyour-personal-data/
PAGE 4
TALESPINNER
July 22, 2016
Mystery Escape room tests logic, builds camaraderie
Story and photos by Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
As an antique clock ticks away in the center of a
mirrored room at the Arnold Hall Community Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, a group of
369th Training Group Airmen frenetically attempt to
escape the cell just minutes away from certain doom.
Figuratively speaking, at least.
The team was working through a chain of clues as
part of a Mystery Escape room: a customized teambuilding experience that forces participants to solve
clues, puzzles and riddles within 60 minutes to complete the challenge and “escape” the room.
Agatha Christie’s mystery novels initially inspired the Escape Rooms, which became popular in
the United States in the mid-2000s. The rooms –
being part-game, part-theater and part teambuilding exercise - are outfitted with specific unique
themes ranging from the magic of Houdini to the
perils of Cold War espionage.
For example, the 369th TRG team of nine took on
the enigmatic mind of famed inventor-artist Leonardo
Da Vinci. They weaved through piles of Fibonacci
sequences, mirror writing, engineering feats, locked
containers, coded messages and a series of riddles
before time expired.
The group didn’t manage to solve the puzzle in
time, but the purpose of the Mystery Escape room is
about reacting to adversity and team building rather than winning or losing, noted Mikayla Trevino,
Arnold Hall recreation aid who oversees the sessions.
“It isn’t about the end result,” Trevino elaborated.
“It is about a bunch of small victories and about
working together to solve clues. You get a group
of people in a room – whether they’ve worked
together (before) or they’ve just met – and you see
a bit of their psychology when they start working
on the clues.”
Looking for small victories is essential in the Da
Vinci room, which is no easy feat, Trevino cautioned.
That puzzle has an 85 percent fail rate, but 369th
TRG team made it just short of the final clue within the allotted hour timeframe – further than any
previous group on base.
“This was the closest I’ve seen a group come so
far,” Trevino added. “They were just one clue short
of finishing.”
For Master Sgt. Richard Shoemaker, 369th TRG
trainer who floated around the room as his group
split into three smaller segments to tackle individual
puzzles more efficiently, the experience revealed
how well his team works as a unit, regardless of
the challenge.
“This is more than team-building,” Shoemaker
said. “We’re learning to work together; how to use
each other in a good way to get through the puzzle.
It’s about camaraderie.”
The timed element of the challenge forces
leaders to step up, he added. That pressure is also
an incentive for people to evaluate their strengths
and weaknesses quickly. Where some people might
be better at mathematics while others might be
Staff Sgt. Kyle White and Master Sgt. Rayna Reeves, 369th Training Group finance flight, attempt to escape the Leonardo
Da Vinci-themed Mystery Escape room July 6 at the Arnold Hall Community Center.
better with word and logic problems.
“The time comes on you quick,” Shoemaker said.
“It makes us work under pressure. You have to learn
how not to get aggressive with each other and help
everybody.”
Captain Jacob Heitzman, 369th TRG support staff,
spent most of the challenge working alongside Tech.
Sgt. Natalie Caballero, 369th TRG group personnel
NCO. Da Vinci was left handed and developed a system of mirror writing as a result. So, the pair used
the mirrors on the wall to read and solve the clues
more effectively.
“Just trying to put the pieces together was tough,”
Heitzman said about the riddles and mathematical
problems. “It definitely stretched our brains.”
As if the puzzles aren’t enough, Heitzman and
company had to think over ear-piercing music and
special effects drifting in from nearby speakers.
Tracks from thriller movies alternated with ominous pre-recorded warnings, stating at 15-minute
intervals how much time was left.
Members of the group stated they enjoyed the facing the challenge together.
It was a unique opportunity for several of his coworkers to interact outside of the office for the first
time, Heitzman said. The 369th TRG is split into
recruiters and support staff, which meant the escape
room also helped bridge the divide between the two
factions.
“Bringing us together for a common cause, that’s
what this is about,” he added.
After coming so agonizingly close to finishing
the challenge, Shoemaker brought a second team
from his unit back to Arnold Hall later that day to
take a crack at the test.
And Heitzman, who both returned to supervise
the second team, had two words of advice for their
would-be escapees.
“Focus,” Shoemaker said. “Our first team would
have gotten past the final clue if we would have paid
attention to all the details.”
“And coffee,” laughed Heitzman. “Focus and
coffee.”
Groups or individuals interested in taking on the
Mystery Escape Room can call 671-2619 to reserve
a space. Sessions are available Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Captain Jacob Heitzman, 369th TRG support staff, and
Tech. Sgt. Natalie Caballero, 369 TRG group personnel NCO,
work to solve Fibonacci sequences in mirror writing during
Leonardo Da Vinci-themed Mystery Escape Room at Arnold
Hall July 6.
July 22, 2016
NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3
“The Air Force will take advantage of this
opportunity to integrate enlisted pilots into
the RQ-4 Global Hawk community,” Chief
Master Sgt. Eric Rigby, Enlisted Aircrew Assignments Chief at AFPC said. “RQ-4 is the
most established of our RPA communities
and presents an opportunity to posture our
force in a new way for the dynamic future
operating environment in Air, Space and
Cyberspace.”
Applicants must be staff sergeant through
senior master sergeant from the 1A and 1U
career fields and have six years of
retainability upon course graduation.
“We have an incredibly talented pool of
enlisted Airmen, and we’re confident that a
rigorous selection process will yield excellent
enlisted aircrew who will continue to provide
combatant commanders with the ISR they
need to win today’s fight,” Rigby said.
The end-goal is to have the RQ-4 Global
Hawk enterprise manned by a majority of
enlisted pilots in day-to-day operations with
key leadership positions filled by officers
experienced in the ISR mission set.
“We have incorporated lessons learned
from integrating enlisted Airmen into space
and cyber mission areas,” Rigby said. “This
proactive step will make the most of the
capabilities of our enlisted force to provide
options that build a more agile ISR force in
the future.”
For more information, go to http://www.
myPer.mil. Individuals can request a myPers
account by following instructions at http://
www.retirees.af.mil/mypers/index.asp.
test pilot school ph.d. program
accepting applications
The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School is
accepting graduate applications through
July 31 for the Air Force Institute of
TALESPINNER
Technology in-residence engineering Ph.D.
program.
The primary purpose of the program is to
ensure the TPS curriculum and research programs reflect the state of the art in aeronautical science and to create a cadre of officers
who combine current flight test experience
with a high level of theoretical knowledge.
The TPS Ph.D. program is open to all
active duty AF officers who meet the eligibility criteria; interested officers should also
contact their Air Force Personnel Center core
assignment team and obtain a release to
compete prior to submitting an application.
For eligibility and application instructions,
search the keyword “graduate” on the myPers
website. For more information, go to http://
www.myPers.mil. Individuals can request an
account by following instructions at http://
www.retirees.af.mil/mypers/index.asp.
air force accepting applications
for undergraduate flying training
The Air Force Personnel Center is
accepting applications through Nov. 18 for
the next Undergraduate Flying Training
selection board.
The UFT selection board will convene
Jan. 23-26, 2017, to review applications for
2017-2018 pilot, remotely piloted aircraft
pilot, combat systems officer and air battle
manager training opportunities.
All applicants must be certified physically
qualified by Headquarters Air Education and
Training Command, Office of the Surgeon
General, Physical Standards.
Eligibility guidelines, application requirements and responsibilities for UFT can be
found by searching on myPers with the
keyword “UFT.”
For more information, visit http://www.
myPer.mil. Individuals can request a myPers
account by following instructions at http://
www.retirees.af.mil/mypers/index.asp.
PAGE 5
2017 Air Force scholarship,
fellowship programs offer
development opportunities
By Kat Bailey
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Active duty officers interested in
unique developmental opportunities
may be eligible for one of several
scholar or fellowship programs in
2017.
The White House Fellows, Mansfield
Fellowship Exchange and Olmsted
Scholar programs offer distinctive
professional career broadening experiences for Air Force leaders.
Applicants for all programs must be
released by their career field team
before submitting applications.
The White House Fellows is a nonpartisan program designed to provide
emerging leaders an opportunity to
experience the process of governing
the nation while working alongside
public servants at the highest levels
of the federal government.
Selected individuals typically spend
a year working as a full-time, paid
fellow to senior White House staff,
Cabinet secretaries and other topranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education
program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from
the private and public sectors, and
trips to study U.S. policy in action both
domestically and internationally.
The Mansfield Fellowship Program
gives its participants an immersive
view of Japan. During their year
in the country, fellows are exposed
to the mechanisms that drive the
policy making in Japan, the factors
and phenomena that define the
See OPPORTUNITIES Page 7
PAGE 6
TALESPINNER
July 22, 2016
Photos by Johnny Saldivar
(Back) Randolph Elementary School third graders do push ups with Air Force members May 8, 2014 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Elementary School campus. Military & Family
Readiness Center staff members, with the help of other Joint Base San Antonio organizations, introduced youth to the deployment experience and were taken through in-processing,
where they were provided with dog tags and their mission statement before receiving gear, to include helmets and ABU tops. (Front) Randolph elementary school third graders are
mesmerized by activities held during a mock deployment for youths May 8, 2014 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Elementary School campus.
Operation JET brings deployment
experience home for JBSA kids
By Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
Joint Base San Antonio youth* have to
opportunity to get a taste of what their
deployed parents go through 8:30 a.m. to
2 p.m. Aug. 11 during Operation Junior Expeditionary Team.
Registration for the event, which regularly
draws more than 200 participants, runs
until 2 p.m. July 29.
Operation JET aims to bring the realities
of the deployment process to life for young
military family members aged 9 and up. The
experience starts at a mock recruiting center, where each kid gets their own personal
identification cards and uniform T-shirts before receiving their deployment orders. From
there, the group heads to the Lackland Youth
center, where they will receive a mission
brief before starting a comprehensive tour
of different job sites and aircraft displays on
base.
The goal isn’t just to impress kids undertaking a simulated deployment, but also to
inspire them through showing how much career variety the Air Force has to offer.
Call 671-3772 or email [email protected].
mil to register by the July 29 deadline. Space
is limited.
July 22, 2016
Congratulations to the
following 71 Airmen
for being selected as
honor graduates among
the 718 Air Force basic
military trainees who
graduate today:
321st Training Squadron
–Flight 501
Cody Beer
Tylor Bene
Steven Campagna
Eric Carlson
Jeffrey Crabill
Angel Ramirez
–Flight 502
Kelton Gillespie
Matthew Head
Travis Javier
Hunter Nelson
Anthony Rowe
Zachary Wise
–Flight 503
Jacob Cole
Jack Laven
Brennen Pilman
Logan Wilson
–Flight 504
Samantha Preece
Michael Stengel
Jessica Vadnais
Desiree Williams
322nd Training Squadron
–Flight 497
Jacob Alexander
Luque Araujo
Corey Barker
Reinaldo Ortiz
Stephan Stotts
Anthony Woodside
TALESPINNER
–Flight 498
Ian Curry
Brian Gordon
Quinton Montgomery
Jordan Naeem
–Flight 499
Tyler Gantz
Jackson Houston
–Flight 500
Kirsten Dawson
Stephanie Dennison
Christina Hoffman
Charity Jones
Samantha Sanders
Romeena Shirley
323rd Training Squadron
–Flight 494
Justin Hogge
Sean Smith
Sean Voiers
–Flight 495
Lance Baertlein
Karsten Barr-Rollins
Troy Svehla
Tyler Welch
–Flight 496
Rachel Barr
Olivia Davis
Christina Dorr
Alyssa Griffin
Heather Jarmuz
Summer Meile
Niteka Ramsey
Stephanie Walker
Jessica White
331st Training Squadron
–Flight 489
Tyler Harris
Brandon Robertson
David Vong
OPPORTUNITIES from Page 5
country’s interests, and the
unique cultural processes that
make it all work.
Named in honor of the longestserving U.S. ambassador to
Japan, Mike Mansfield, the
program remains a reputable
exchange
with
the
strong
support of both governments.
The Olmsted Scholar Program
provides an opportunity for Air
–Flight 490
Logan Barker
Ryan Byrd
Dylan Faucett
Misael Gomez
Antonio Hernandez
–Flight 491
Ousmane Beogo
William Martens
David Panzica
–Flight 492
Anastacia Atwell
Sandra Burgos
Carolynn Echano
Reyes Flores
Emily Hayes
Allison Norman
Top BMT Airman
Allison Norman
331st TRS, Flight 492
Most Physically Fit
–Female Airmen
Stephanie Walker
323rd TRS, Flight 496
Allison Norman
331st TRS, Flight 492
Sandra Burgos
331st TRS, Flight 492
Daniella Pena
323rd TRS, Flight 496
–Male Airmen
Cody Roth
322nd TRS, Flight 499
Quendaris Harris
322nd TRS, Flight 499
Damone Shelton
331st TRS, Flight 490
Woodrow Edmiston
331st TRS, Flight 491
Force line officers to study in
a foreign language at an international university abroad. The
purpose of the Olmsted Scholar
Program is to provide officers
with an in-depth understanding
of foreign languages and cultures
so they will be knowledgeable
and sensitive to the viewpoints
and concerns of people around
the world as they progress with
their Air Force careers. The program involves cultural immer-
–Female Flights
323rd TRS, Flight 496
322nd TRS, Flight 500
321st TRS, Flight 504
331st TRS, Flight 492
–Male Flights
322nd TRS, Flight 499
323nd TRS, Flight 494
321st TRS, Flight 502
322nd TRS, Flight 498
323rd TRS, Flight 495
331st TRS, Flight 489
322nd TRS, Flight 497
331st TRS, Flight 491
331st TRS, Flight 490
321st TRS, Flight 501
321st TRS, Flight 503
323rd TRS, Flight 493
Top Academic Flights
331st TRS, Flight 490
321st TRS, Flight 501
331st TRS, Flight 489
321st TRS, Flight 504
321st TRS, Flight 503
322nd TRS, Flight 498
331st TRS, Flight 492
322nd TRS, Flight 497
323rd TRS, Flight 494
321st TRS, Flight 502
323rd TRS, Flight 496
322nd TRS, Flight 500
323rd TRS, Flight 495
323rd TRS, Flight 493
322nd TRS, Flight 499
331st TRS, Flight 491
sion for an officer and family, as
well as study at the university in
the native language.
Complete eligibility requirements and application procedures for all three programs are
available on the myPers website.
For additional information, visit
http://www.myPer.mil. Individuals
can request a myPers account by
following instructions at http://
www.retirees.af.mil/mypers/in
dex.asp.
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
TALESPINNER
July 22, 2016
Complex connection between social media, suicide, prevention
By Bo Joyner
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
As social media continues to grow in popularity, mental health specialists across the country are
taking a closer look at the relationship this fusion
of technology and social interaction has with suicide
and other destructive behaviors.
Dr. Heather Thanepohn, Air Force Reserve
Command’s Director of Psychological Health program manager, has been spending a lot of time contemplating the complex connection that might exist
between social media and suicide.
“I’m getting more and more questions and comments from the DPHs in the field and from squadron
commanders on how social media and suicide might
be related,” she said. “There’s not a lot of research
out on this yet, but there is some that suggests that
social media might be leading to feelings of isolation and not being connected in some people. Just
because we have 2,477 Facebook friends doesn’t
mean that we are really connected or that we
necessarily know who we are friends with.”
Thanepohn referenced a recent study in the United Kingdom by the Mental Health Foundation that
reported nearly three out of five young adults aged
18 to 34, in spite of all their social networking, reported feeling isolated and disconnected often or all
the time.
“Suicidal ideation is often coexistent with feelings
of isolation and feeling apart from real connections
with others,” said Joshua Hudson, 911th Airlift
Wing DPH at Pittsburgh International Airport Air
Reserve Station, Penn. “While social media is a great
tool for reaching out to seek help when feeling emotional and physical pain, it is probably not a great
tool for bringing any real comfort to those who need
to feel embraced by humanity.
“That makes social media paradoxical in its ability
to both give the impression that it connects people
around the world while simultaneously isolating
them from the necessary human contact required
by human beings to develop trusting and deep
relationships.”
Thanepohn said that social media is not necessarily a bad thing and she is not advocating
for people to stay away from Facebook, Twitter,
Snapchat, Instagram or other social media sites.
She does caution people against spending too much
time with social media or having it serve as a
replacement for “real” communication.
“People need to have deep and meaningful
relationships with other human beings,” she said.
“It’s built into our DNA. What might be happening with some people is that they are trying to fill
this need with superficial social media relationships
and that just doesn’t work. This might be leading to
feelings of isolation that could lead to destructive
behaviors like suicide.
“There definitely needs to be more research into
this topic, but my advice to people at this point
would be to use social media in moderation. There’s
Courtesy Graphic
nothing wrong with using Facebook to re-connect
with the friends you had in high school, for example;
but don’t let it take over your life. Like most everything in life, moderation is the key when it comes
to social media.”
Thanepohn is also hearing more examples from
the field of people who may be suicidal reaching out
for help through social media, she said.
“We’ve had cases where people became alarmed
by something they saw on social media and that led
to saves, and that’s a great thing,” she said.
One reservist saw a Facebook post from a fellow
squadron member that she thought was a possible
suicide threat. She contacted the member and became even more concerned for her friend’s safety.
She contacted her unit’s command post who, in
turn, contacted the first sergeant. Following a failed
attempt to reach the member over the phone, the
first sergeant and another unit member went to the
person’s house and found the person unresponsive.
The member was taken to the hospital, was treated
and has made a full recovery.
In another example, a suspicious Facebook post
aroused suspicion and prompted a reservist to call
his unit. The unit responded and found the noncommissioned officer who made the post in his vehicle
near death from carbon monoxide poisoning. He
was taken to the hospital and survived the suicide
attempt.
A recent Military Times article tells the story of
Marine Corps Sgt. Raheem Boyd, who was in his
barracks room at Camp Lejeune, N.C. last May when
a friend sent him an urgent message through Facebook that indicated a mutual friend and fellow Marine might be contemplating suicide.
Along with some other Marines who were made
aware of the situation, Boyd went out to look for his
friend. They found him in his car with an assault rifle
by his side. When the Marine in distress reached for
the weapon, Boyd hurled himself through the open
window, pushed the gun away and locked the Marine
in a bear hug.
“If it wasn’t for social media, we never would have
known what was going on in his head and he would
have gone through with (suicide),” Boyd was quoted
as saying in the story.
“That’s one of the positive things about social
media,” Thanepohn said. “If someone does post
something indicating he or she might be thinking
about hurting themselves, there is a good chance it is
going to be seen by multiple people and the chances
of someone responding are greater.”
The top social media sites are active in the area
of suicide prevention.
Facebook, for example, introduced a feature for
reporting suicidal content in 2015 that provides support to the person who created a concerning post as
well as those reporting the content. A user can send
messages to a troubled friend through the option or
reach out to a fellow friend who might be located
closer physically to the friend in need. It can also
send messages to the person who posted, telling him
someone is concerned about him and providing links
to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, suggested
friends to speak to or tips for dealing with stress.
Twitter has a team devoted to handling threats of
self-harm or suicide for users who encounter such
threats on Twitter. After assessing a report of selfharm or suicide, Twitter will contact the reported
user and let him or her know that someone who
cares about them identified they might be at risk.
Twitter provides the reported user with available
online and hotline resources and encourages them
to seek help.
“I encourage people to use these features on
sites like Facebook and Twitter and to use all of
the other means they have at their disposal to help
someone who might be thinking about hurting
himself,” Thanepohn said. “If somebody posts something and you’re worried about him, don’t ignore it.
Get involved.”
Unit reservists are encouraged to keep the number of their local DPH handy. The number for the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-2738255. It’s available 24 hours a day, every day. More
information about suicide prevention and personal
resilience is also available on the Wingman Toolkit
website, http://www.wingmantoolkit.org.
July 22, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 9
Changing Air Force healthcare through innovation
By J.D. Levite
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs
Innovation is a buzzword often associated with
new technology platforms or successful sports
teams, but in reality innovation can apply anywhere
someone comes up with a new idea or way of doing
something.
When it comes to health innovation and research,
it’s all about finding new solutions to improve
healthcare throughout the Air Force.
“There’s always a better way of doing something.
Sometimes you have to break something down to
rebuild it,” said Glenn Conway, Air Force Medical
Service Innovations and Personalized Medicine
program analyst. “It’s good we have such a diverse
group of Airmen that everyone doesn’t think alike,
and that in itself sparks innovation. It’s truly a
game-changer if you can get to the heart of it.”
There are teams all over the country working
to change the game for AFMS. The 711th Human
Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, has a standing mission to improve human
performance in the air, space, and cyberspace. They
have teams dedicated to everything from studying
brain injuries to how to cool water for Airmen
deployed in hot environments.
The 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has teams doing research into all new
ways to provide healthcare in the field – including
the ability to perform surgical operations in the sky.
Col. Mark Ervin, Chief of Operational Medicine for
the 59th Medical Wing said, “The Air Force is, and
should be, the first capability as a medical projection
force. We’re able to put incredible amounts of
care on the back of an airplane. We can convert
that aircraft into a flying ICU as far as trauma
Courtesy Graphic
surgery is concerned.”
This sort of research leads to all new technologies
and developments that can radically change the Air
Force for the better. With Total Exposure Health, an
innovative strategy currently being developed by the
Air Force, there’s a team of medical professionals
and bioenvironmental engineers looking at ways to
prevent illness from ever occurring in the first place
by addressing how individuals respond to the different exposures in their environment.
“We can make a change now and it can be beneficial to anybody because, unless you have a disease, you have the opportunity to prevent it,” said
Col. Kirk Phillips, Air Force Medical Service Agency
Bioenvironmental Engineering Branch chief. “So I
get really excited when I think about what we can do
for our families in ways we’ve never done it before.”
The potential products coming out of these
Innovations teams vary from syringes that can safely inject foam into the body to stop blood loss to
using virtual reality and satellites to assist emergency medical teams isolated in the field. There are
departments researching everything from genetic
profiles and nanotechnology to how to safely land
a medical team on a hostile runway.
True innovations come in all sizes, too. While
some might change how we do things in the future,
others are happening right now. Military treatment
facilities everywhere are making advancements that
will save money, save lives and create a better Air
Force.
Throughout July, which is Health Innovation and
Research Month, we will explore as many of these
topics as possible and look at all the ways these
innovations teams are revolutionizing Air Force
healthcare.
59th MDW brings normalcy to wounded patients
By Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
Most people have no idea what “maxillofacial”
means, but to wounded warriors with traumatic
injuries the word inspires hope.
Disfigured by circumstances while abroad or at
home, maxillofacial prosthodontics gives wounded
warriors, veterans and civilians a chance at living
a normal life.
“The specialty improves quality of life by restoring or replacing oral and associated facial structures with artificial substitutes such as silicone
prostheses, acrylic prostheses, metal frameworks,
and a combination of all the materials,” said Col.
(Dr.) Jose Villalobos, 59th Dental Group oral maxillofacial prosthetics program director.
“We conduct a 12-month 59th Medical Wing
Maxillofacial Prosthetics Fellowship Program that
provides a one-of-a-kind comprehensive experience,
promoting interservice jointness,” said Villalobos.
The dental group specializing not only in dental
care, but also in oral and maxillofacial surgeries to
help wounded warriors.
“We have great patients to work with because
they are really appreciative, and they truly appreciate the service we provide,” said Maj. Stephen
Cherrington, 59th DG maxillofacial prosthodontist.
“I think it goes back to giving them back a chance.
We are improving their quality of life.
“I don’t know where else wounded warriors
would go to get the help they need if it wasn’t here.
I find it very valuable and I’m very pleased that this
program exists today,” said retired Army Master
Sgt. Todd Nelson.
Maxillofacial prosthetics fellows use their expertise
to decide the best way to improve a patient’s quality of life and bring back a sense of normalcy.
Prosthetic noses, ears, jaws, even eyes can be made
with silicone or hard acrylic resin.
“The maxillofacial staff honestly treats you as an
individual. You are very important when you come
here; it’s like everyone gets the red carpet treatment,” said Nelson, who serves as a spokesperson
for wounded warriors.
Providing patients with prosthetics may be a
small step in moving forward, but it is also something that gives them the motivation to get back
on their feet.
What has happened to you doesn’t define you;
what defines you is how you react to it. I am actually just a walking billboard of that cliché,� said
Nelson. But the truth is, it’s really how you react
to it and not what happens.
community
PAGE 10
LOCAL BRIEFS
FRIDAY
Walk-ins are welcome.
AUG. 1
missoula theater
59th mdw hosting education fair
The annual 59th Medical Wing
Education Fair will be 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory
Surgical Center Atrium.
The education fair will include
information from 40 colleges and
universities, three enlisted medical
commissioning programs, career
skills, Texas Troops to Teachers and
the Texas Veterans Commission.
For additional information, contact the 59th MDW career assistance
advisor at 292-4308.
THURSDAY
professional deVelopment pathways
The 59th Medical Wing and
Gateway Performance System are
hosting professional development
courses at Wilford Hall Ambulatory
Surgical Center’s Innovation Center,
Room 1C31.
Airmanship 101 will be 2 p.m.
July 28 while Leading, Coaching
and Mentoring will be 8 a.m.
July 29. Register at https://cs3.eis.
af.mil/sites/OO-ED-AE-25/Pathways/
Registration/Registration.aspx.
Auditions for the annual Missoula
theater production Rapunzel will be
9 a.m. for youth ages 6-18 at Arnold
Hall Community Center. Performance
of the play will be 3 p.m. Aug. 5 at
the Bob Hope Theater.
For more information, call
671-2388.
AUG. 11
TALESPINNER
July 22, 2016
AUG. 27
Surgical Center’s Innovation Center,
Room 1C31.
Understanding the Enlisted
Promotion System, Study Techniques
and Available Resources will be 2
p.m. Aug. 11 while Time Management Thru Energy Recovery will be
8 a.m. Aug. 12. Register at https://
cs3.eis.af.mil/sites/OO-ED-AE-25/
Pathways/Registration/Registration.
aspx. Walk-ins are welcomed.
parents’ night out
Youth Programs can give parents
a much-needed break from their
children through the Give Parents a
Break/Parents’ Night Out program
1-5 p.m. Kids, ages 5 (in kindergarten) to 12 years old, will be provided
snacks and entertained with activities and games. The cost is $25 per
child with a multiple-child discount
or free with Give Parents a Break
referral. To register, call 671-2388
for ages 5-12, and 671-3675 or
671-3413 for ages 6 weeks to 4
years.
AUG. 12
business ownership for Veterans
adoption, foster care workshop
Review adoption and foster care
processes, requirements, types of
benefits, agencies involved and
resources.
Texas Adoption Resource
Exchange, Military Personnel, Legal,
EFMP and other organizations are
facilitating this workshop 9 a.m.
to noon at the Fellowship Room,
Freedom Chapel, building 1528.
For more information or to reserve
a seat, call 671-3722.
professional deVelopment pathways
The 59th Medical Wing and
Gateway Performance System are
hosting professional development
courses at Wilford Hall Ambulatory
Participants will learn about
business ownership, franchise
opportunities, challenges and benefits - review businesses that thrive
in all economic conditions. This
workshop is held 1-4 p.m. at the
Arnold Hall Community Center.
For information or to reserve a
seat, call 671-3722.
INFORMATIONAL
youth swim team
Participants, ages 3-17, will learn
competitive swimming three days a
week at the Skylark Aquatic Center
and can participate in local swim
meets. Practices are on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from 6-7
p.m. Participants must be able
to pass a swim test before being
placed on the team. Monthly fee
is $65 per member. For additional
information, call 671-3780.
AUG. 19
king of the hill dodgeball tournament
A dodgeball tournament will be
7 a.m. at Stapleton Park basketball
court located on Security Hill.
Deadline to sign up for this free
event is Aug. 18 at noon.
For more information or to sign
up over the phone, call 977-2353.
let’s get musical
Arnold Hall Community Center is
CHAPEL SERVICES
—WICCA
Pfingston – Building 6330
—ISLAMIC
Global Ministry Center – Building 7452
Contemporary Service
Religious Education
Gospel Service
Youth Ministry
Sun.
Jumu'ah Prayer
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
—LITURGICAL SERVICE
Airman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sun.
Sun.
Religious Education
9:45 a.m
10:45 a.m.
—CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pfingston – Building 6300
Sun.
7:30 a.m. (Rm. 175)
—SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Sat.
12:30 p.m.
—CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Pfingston – Building 6300
Sun.
7:30 a.m. (Rm. 113)
—ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sun.
8:00 a.m.
—PENTECOSTAL
Religious Education Building 6300
Sun.
fall soccer registration opens
Parents may register youth, ages
5-14, Monday-Friday from July 6-29
for fall soccer. Parents must bring
a current sports physical and shot
record at time of registration. Practices begin Aug. 16 and the season
runs September to November. Cost is
$50. Volunteer coaches are needed.
Call 671-2388.
lackland toastmasters meet bi-monthly
The Lackland G.U.T.S. Toastmasters
meetings are held every 1st and 3rd
Thursday of the month at Dunn
Dental Clinic’s second floor conference room from 11 a.m. to noon.
Anyone with base access is welcomed to attend. Call 292-4858
JBSA-LACKLAND
—PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Sun.
Sun.
Sun.
Mon.
now offering lessons in piano and
guitar. Guitar classes are held 911 a.m. and Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m.
Saturdays. The cost is $15 per
student for a one-hour session.
Students must bring their own
instrument. Piano classes are held
4:30-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Classes are $20 per
student for each 30-minute session.
For information or to reserve a
class time, call 671-2619.
No walk-ins allowed.
8:00 & 9:30 a.m. (Rm. 112)
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Auditorium)
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Wicca Open Circle 1st Tues.
6 – 7 p.m.
—REFUGE STUDENT CENTER
Building 9122 (Tech. Training & TDY Students)
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
6 – 8 p.m.
6 – 8 p.m.
6 – 11 p.m.
12 – 9 p.m.
11 – 5 p.m.
—JEWISH
Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sabbath & Kiddush Fri. 4:30 p.m.
Religious Education Sun. 1:30 p.m.
—ROMAN CATHOLIC
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Religious Education Sun.
Adult Religious Education
Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun.
Youth Ministry
Sun.
Reconciliation
Sat.
9:00 a.m.
Sun. 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment
Fri.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
—BUDDHIST
Pfingston – Building 6330
Sun.
10:45 a.m. (Rm. 175)
—HINDU WORSHIP
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 (Rm 13)
1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays
2 – 4 p.m.
—ECKANKAR
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays
12:30 p.m.
—BAHA'I
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd, and 5th Sun.
11:00 a.m.
—THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Religious Education Tues.
LDS Institute
Thurs.
LDS Service
Sun.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
—LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD
Gateway Chapel Building 6300
Every third Sun.
For more details, contact Freedom Chapel - 671-4208
• Gateway Chapel - 671-2911
3:30 p.m.
KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
Air Force Aid Society
671-3722
Airman & Family Readiness Center
671-3722
Airman’s Attic
671-1780
American Red Cross
844-4225
Base Post Office
671-1058
Bowling Center
671-2271
DEERS
800-538-9552
Exceptional Family Member Program
671-3722
Family Child Care
671-3376
Legal Office
671-3362
Library
671-3610
Medical Appointment Line
916-9900
MPF ID Cards
671-6006
Outdoor Recreation
925-5532
TRICARE Info
800-444-5445
Thrift Shop
671-3608
Enlisted Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandesc.org
Force Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.com
Lackland ISD
http://www.lacklandisd.net
Officers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.org
JBSA Public website
http://www.jbsa.mil
My Air Force Life
http://www.MyAirForceLife.com
July 22, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 11
Emergency contact information vital to family readiness
By Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Airmen should review and update their virtual
record of emergency data information annually
and each time they experience a major life change,
such as marriage or divorce, permanent change of
station or birth of a child.
Better known as vRED, this online form replaced
the paper Department of Defense Form 93, Record
of Emergency Data, in 2003 as the way for active,
Guard and Reserve Airmen to provide personal
emergency information. Accurate information helps
ensure families are cared for during a crisis and
prevents unnecessary delays.
“As important as the vRED and life insurance
documents are, recent data reveals more than
46,000 Airmen across the Total Force have not
reviewed or updated their vRED information,
and more than 37,000 have not reviewed or updated their life insurance information in the past
year,” said Susie Hughes, Chief of Benefits and
Entitlements, Air Force Personnel Center casualty
services branch.
Updated personal emergency information gives
Air Force casualty officials immediate access to
critical information needed to contact family members if an Airman goes missing, suffers a serious
illness or injury, or dies.
The vRED and life insurance election forms are
the foundation of a survivor’s benefits. Death gratuity and Service members Group Life Insurance
disbursement can happen in fewer than five days,
which ensures surviving family members have critical funds to rely on until other monthly benefits and
entitlements can be established. However, seven
percent of Airmen had marital status, dependent
and home address changes in the past year. Without
updates to their vRED or Life Insurance election,
the result could be benefits paid to someone other
than those who members would want to receive
them, had they updated this critical data.
According to Hughes, who has worked in the casualty services mission since 1988, outdated or inaccurate emergency contact information can cause
painful delays for families who have recently lost
a loved one.
“I had the solemn duty of reporting casualties
and assisting families through their darkest hours,”
said Hughes. “I had to answer the ‘What’s next?’
question for the Airman’s survivors. That can be
especially challenging if a deceased member’s vRED
is not up to date. Imagine explaining to a next of
kin that their loved one’s information does not name
them as a beneficiary.“
Hughes said this is an easily preventable problem.
“Airmen should carefully consider how their designations on the vRED and SGLI form will impact
their loved ones. Airmen are encouraged to discuss
their decisions with their loved ones to help prevent
additional hardship during a time of grief.”
The vRED can be accessed through the myPers
website at https://mypers.af.mil. Once at the myPers
home page, Airmen should click the “Update my
virtual Record of Emergency Data” link and follow
instructions. The form takes most people about 15
minutes and requires information on relatives and
their addresses and phone numbers.
Airmen must complete a SGLI Form 8286 to designate a beneficiary. This can be accomplished by
visiting the customer support section of the Military Personnel Flight on their installation. Airmen
can view their current election and designation
using the Personnel Records Display Application
within the virtual MPF.
For more information about vRED or SGLI, contact
a casualty assistance representative at the nearest
Air Force Base.
For more information, go to http://www.myPers.
mil. Individuals can request a myPers account by
following instructions at http://www.retirees.af.mil/
mypers/index.asp.
Safe vacation travel depends on planning, greater awareness
By Robert Goetz
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
Summertime is vacation and travel time for many
families and individuals, but those enjoyable trips by
car or by plane can turn unpleasant or even deadly.
Statistics from the Air Force Safety Center showed
that the Air Force suffered 70 vehicle-related fatalities in the summer months from 2009-2013, underscoring the urgency of the service’s Summer Safety
Campaign.
However, with proper planning and heightened
awareness, those journeys can be accident-and
incident-free.
“Plan, plan and stick to the plan,” said Travis
Kilpack, 502nd Air Base Wing occupational safety
manager. “If you are driving, plan for frequent stops.
Share driving duties and stick to your plan.”
He said drivers often arrive at their planned
rest stop and decide that, with a little more coffee,
they can press on and reach their destination more
quickly, only to find they are more fatigued that they
thought.
Kilpack said it’s important for travelers to deliberately plan for their destination and know what
they will be doing.
“If you are going to be in the outdoors, plan for the
weather,” he said. “If you are going to be in crowded
cities or foreign countries, plan for your security.”
Proper security requires several measures,
Photo by Melissa Peterson
Ensuring a safe vacation starts at the beginning, when
valuables should be placed in secure locations and kept out
of sight for the duration of the trip.
Kilpack said.
“Be aware of your surroundings, but don’t stand
out,” he said. “Don’t be flashy, and secure your
belongings.”
Vehicles are especially vulnerable on vacation
trips, so valuables should be kept out of sight in
trunks and hidden compartments and under seats.
The choice of a hotel room is another
consideration, Kilpack said.
“Get your hotel room between the second and
fifth floors,” he said. “They’re harder to access for
thieves, but are escapable in the event of a fire. Also
be sure to secure your valuables in the hotel safe
because room safes are easily accessed by staff.”
People should also prepare for various scenarios
once they reach their destination – when they’re
shopping, using public transportation, out at night
and other situations.
“Travel in small groups and have rally points,”
Kilpack said. “Don’t stand out in a crowd. Secure
your belongings in such a way to limit access – keeping your wallet in your front pocket and your backpack on both shoulders, for example.”
Travelers should also make sure their vehicle is
ready for a long trip.
Tire failure contributed to 43.3 percent of crashes
in the civilian population between 2005 and 2007,
while brake failure contributed to 25 percent of
crashes, according to the Air Force Safety Center, .
The National Crime Prevention Council advises
vacationers to carry travelers’ checks instead of
cash and to record information of valuables taken
on their trip. The council also recommends that
travelers learn about their vacation destinations
before they arrive, know what sites they want to
visit and determine how to get there using a safe,
well-traveled route.
PAGE 12
TALESPINNER
July 22, 2016
Proper waste disposal: flush or not to flush
By Scott B. Reed
502nd Civil Engineering Squadron Water Quality Lead
Just because you flush human waste down the
toilet doesn’t mean the San Antonio Water System
sewers are waste disposal units.
Sewers are designed to take away wastewater
from sinks and baths, as well as toilet paper and
human waste flushed down the toilet.
But hundreds of people cause blockages in sewers
or damage to the environment by putting trash down
the toilet. Just because an item is called disposable
doesn’t mean it is safe to flush. Instead you should
bag it and put it in the garbage. Don’t flush it!
Our sewers are not designed to cope with modern disposable products. As a result these items
can cause blockages. The drains connecting your
home (or place of work) to the main sewer are only
big enough to carry water, toilet paper, and human
waste. They are often no wider than four inches.
Around 75 percent of blockages involve disposable
items. To avoid drain pain and a drain on resources,
remember to bag it and put in the garbage. Don’t
flush it!
Disposable products, such as cotton balls, condoms, diapers and plastics can find their way into
the environment if they are flushed down the drain.
To prevent damage to the environment, the following items should be disposed of in the ways recommended.
• Cotton balls, feminine products, bandages, diapers, plastics and dental floss: dispose of these in the
garbage along with other household trash.
• Condoms, tampons and applicators: wrap well
and dispose of in the trash.
Grease in sewer pipes causes sewer maintenance
problems for the 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron
and SAWS. Never pour grease in your sink drain and
try to use your garbage disposal less.
Grease is a byproduct of cooking. It comes from
meat, lard, oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food
Courtesy graphic
scraps, baking goods, sauces and dairy products.
When grease washes down the sink, it sticks to
the insides of the pipes that connect your home or
place of work to the SAWS sewer. It also coats the
insides of SAWS sewer pipes.
Eventually, the grease can build up until it completely blocks sewer pipes. That can create difficult and expensive maintenance problems. Blocked
sewer pipes can cause raw sewage to back up into
your home or place of work, or overflow into streets
and streams.
Garbage disposals don’t keep grease out of sewer
pipes. Products that claim to dissolve grease may
dislodge a blockage, but will only cause problems farther on down the line when the grease
hardens again.
Friday
• 6 p.m. Central Intelligence (PG-13)
Sunday
• Noon
Reducing fats, oils and grease from going down
your kitchen sink prevents sewer problems.
Following these dos and don’ts will help you avoid
expensive sewer backups, plumbing emergencies
and resources to cover sewer maintenance and repairs, while helping protect water quality in your
community.
Do
• Recycle used cooking oil or properly dispose of
it by pouring it into a sealable container and placing
the sealed container in the trash.
• Scrape food scraps into the trash, not the sink.
• Wipe pots, pans and dishes with dry paper
towels before rinsing or washing them. Then throw
away the paper towels.
• Place a catch basket or screen over the sink
drain when rinsing dishware or when peeling or
trimming food, to catch small scraps that would
otherwise be washed down the drain. Throw the
scraps in the trash.
• Rinse dishes and pans with cold water before
putting them in the dishwasher. Hot water melts the
fats, oils and grease off the dishes and into the sewer
pipes. Further down the sewer pipe, the hot water
will cool and the fats, oils and grease will clog the
pipes.
Don’t
• Use a garbage disposal or food grinder.
Grinding food up before rinsing it down the drain
does not remove fats, oils and grease; it just makes
the pieces smaller. Even non-greasy food scraps can
plug your home’s sewer lines. Don’t put food of any
kind down the drain.
• Pour cooking oil, pan drippings, bacon grease,
salad dressings, or sauces down the sink or toilet,
or into street gutters or storm drains.
• Use cloth towels or rags to scrape plates or
clean greasy or oily dishware. When you wash them,
the grease will end up in the sewer.
• Run water over dishes, pans, fryers, and
griddles to wash oil and grease down the drain.
Central Intelligence (PG-13)
• 3 p.m. The Conjuring 2 (R)
FRIDAY
THROUGH
THURSDAY
Saturday
• Noon X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (PG-13)
• 3 p.m. Central Intelligence (PG-13)
• 6 p.m. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Out of the Shadows (3D) (PG-13)
Thursday
• 4 p.m. Central Intelligence (PG-13)
Movie Line: 671-3985
View schedules at: https://www.
shopmyexchange.com/reel-time
-theatres/
We have one movie screen,
one movie per show time.
Doors open 30 minutes prior
to each show time.
July 22, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 13
M&FRC encourages members to invest in their future
By Jose T. Garza III
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
Military and civilian members of Joint Base
San Antonio-Lackland received a crash course
on assorted ways to invest during the quarterly
workshop, “Investing for your Future,” July 12 at
the JBSA-Lackland Military & Family Readiness
Center.
During the course, William “Tres” Davis III,
Air Force Credit Union financial advisor who
served as the class’ instructor, stressed the importance of time, cost of investing money and
the benefits of entrusting money in different
accounts.
Many young adults have limited knowledge
on how to properly invest money for their future, and Davis seeks to inform as many people
as he can on how to do so, Davis said.
“Money comes in and it goes out,” he explained. “Many cannot articulate much beyond
having a general checking account.”
To improve one’s financial position, Davis
recommends individuals seek out a financial
advisor who can guide them on long-term investments. Also, individuals should ensure they
live within their means and quickly eliminate
debts to improve their long-term finances.
It is never too early for individuals to invest
in their future, Davis added.
“The benefits to putting money away early is
financial freedom,” he said. “You make sure
your financial situation is secure by getting rid
of debt and other expenses. In regards to investing, time in the market always beats timing
the market.”
Senior Airman Guadalupe Flores, 59th Dental Group dental lab technician, already has his
eyes on the future.
He is saving his money for his 30th birthday
when he plans to take a trip to a location yet to be
determined, he said.
After taking “Investing for your Future,” he has
a greater understanding on how to improve his
finances for future goals.
“I can make an informed decision and decide
between the old and new system of investing
my pay and decide which options are better
for me,” said Flores, speaking about the options available to service members to invest
their earnings using MyPay. “Every day I can
look at my finances, and sit and write down my
investment options.”
Two options readily available to military members include the Traditional Thrift Savings Plans
and Roth TSP, which are a retirement savings
and investment plans for federal employees. The
difference between the two is that, for Traditional
TSP, taxes are paid – including interest – when
the funds are withdrawn from the account. With
the Roth TSP, takes are paid when the funds enter
the account and the interest is not taxed.
Davis encourages members to look at their current situation and the future potential earnings
when choosing either option.
For non-federal employees there is individual retirement account, which has similar options as TSP that also has a Roth option.
Even though individuals may have earnings
invested into one of those accounts, Davis advises them to have money stored in various accounts for expenses and emergency situations.
“Life is going to happen,” he said. “You might
have to depend on that TSP and retirement
money to pay a high unexpected cost and deplete your savings. It’s important to take care of
your situation now, then focus on your future.
If you have an emergency fund, budget your
money and have a system where you’re saving
money at the end of the month, then you’re
going to be in a good position.”
For additional information on future seminars and other workshops offered at the
M&FRC, call 671-3722 or 292-3543.
Courtesy Graphic
Alamo Wing embraces strategy to combat violence, sexual assault
By Senior Master Sgt. Christina Bantin
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Embracing training to combat violence prevention, the 433rd Airlift Wing launched its first ever
Green Dot training for wing leaders June 5 at the
433rd Mission Support Squadron, Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland.
The Air Force contracted the non-profit Green
Dot organization to implement a strategy of violence
prevention that reduces power-based interpersonal
violence, which includes not only sexual violence,
but also domestic violence, dating violence, stalking,
child abuse, elder abuse and bullying.
Tech. Sgt. Ernesto Compean, 433rd Maintenance
Group program analyst, was one of the Green Dot
implementers who provided the leadership training.
“As an implementer, I got to experience extensive
Green Dot training,” he said. “After seeing the
big picture, I know that Green Dot will make a
difference in the current Air Force culture. It feels
great to be part of a program that you truly believe
will change the world.”
Phase one of Green Dot implementation began in
March and will continue through September 2016.
During the first class, facilitators briefed more than
90 percent of the wing’s leadership.
Members were briefed on steps they can take
to validate visibly and reinforce “reactive” Green
Dot behaviors. They were also provided with
specific reinforcement for the positive choices such as
“proactive green dots,” against sexual assault,
domestic violence, and stalking.
“The training we received was not what was
expected,” said Lt. Col. Marc Mulkey, 68th Airlift
Squadron commander. “It brought a new light to
the troubles that our Airmen face, not only in the
workplace, but in the social environment as well.
The training was a reinforcement for Airmen,
regardless of rank. We all have a moral obligation to
do the right thing and protect each other.”
For those 433rd AW leaders who missed the
leadership training, make-up dates are available
every Thursday in July in Building 909, 433rd Medical Group Conference Room.