Military Family February 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

THE

MILITARY Family WINTER / SPRING 2020

Published by

CSMNG The individual pictured isn't an actual service member

2

Military Family

February 27, 2020

CSMNG CSMNG Soldiers COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

www.csmng.com

gain new path to teaching career

By Scott Prater

(719) 634-5905

A

CSMNG

merican service members may be unaware, but the skills and knowledge they’ve gained through their military exPUBLISHER AND perience translates well into the teaching profession. At the COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP EXECUTIVE EDITOR same time, young students stand to benefit from strong Amy Sweet Amy.Sweet@csbj.com role models in the classroom.

EDITOR Bringing the two together is the goal of the Colorado Troops to Bryan Grossman Teachers (TtT) program. The career transition program typically ofBryan.Grossman@csbj.com CSMNG CSMNG CSMNG fersCSMNG multiple seminars in the Colorado Springs throughout the year EDITORIAL that explain the teaching profession and the importance of service Marcus Hill Zach Hillstrom members filling critical vacancies across the state.

Scott Prater Helen Robinson Fort Carson hosts the Colorado Troops to Teachers office and the Alissa Smith staff there are intent on helping former service members lead the next Griffin Swartzell generation of Americans. Korey Brown, a retired Army officer and ADVERTISING 235 South Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1246.

COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

CSMNG COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

Advertising Director Jason Janc Jason.@csindy.com

Account Executives Tammy Fogall Tammy.Fogall@csmng.com Monty Hatch Monty.Hatch@csbj.com Kristin DeCocq Kristin@csindy.com Lanny Adams lanny@csindy.com Nohea March nohea@southeastexpress.org

ART DEPARTMENT Art Director

Melissa Edwards Graphic Designers

Zk Bradley Rowdy Tompkins Elena Trapp

COLORADO PUBLISHING HOUSE Chairman of the Board

John Weiss

Executive Editor Emeritus

Ralph Routon

Circulation Coordinator

Tim Kranz

SCHRIEVER

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s tep into my shoes

s s ep into my shoe t Join us this summer A F R E E FA M I LY E V E N T

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for Compassion Join us thisStepsummer International’s into A FMy R for EShoes.

ECompassion F ABe M I LY E V E N T transported to a developing country where AT COMPASS I O N I N TER N ATI O N A L I N C OLOR AD O S P R I N GS International’s Step into My Shoes. Be children facetodaily the challenges of poverty. transported a developing country where Search for firewood and fresh water - build Join us this summer for Compassion children face the daily challenges of poverty. shelters with limited resources.

Experience International’s Step into My Shoes. Be Search for firewood and fresh water and build thetransported transformation as these children are to a developing country where given hope and the resources. chance for a better life. shelters with limited Experience children face daily the challenges of poverty.

You’ll inspired by what a difference one Search for firewood and fresh water the be transformation as these children are - build person canwith make for one personExperience in need. shelters limited resources.

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Learn more at compassion.com/StepIntoMyShoes and register June more 13, 14, 27, 28 • July 11, 12, 25, 26 •and August 2,TODAY! 8, 9 Learn at compassion.com/stepintomyshoes register1, TODAY! These three-hour events are FREE and run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

STEP INTO MYEVENT SHOESDATES 2020 SUMMER 2017 Space is June limited, so11, register today at compassion.com/stepintomyshoes • July 8, 9,25,22,2623• August • August June 13, 10, 14, 27, 17, 28 •18 July 11, 12, 1, 5, 2, 68, 9 or contact Yvonne (719) or from YBrown@us.ci.org.

Sign up for oneBrown of theseatthree hour272-4932 FREE events, 9am-12pm.

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Compassion International 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

SPONSORED CONTENT

Step into My Shoes Step into My Shoes provides a hands-on, immersive experience intended to spark family conversations about children living in extreme poverty.

No childhood to speak of, and only survival on their minds these children live day to day without hope or opportunity, yet they are creative, resourceful, curious and more alike than different from children here.

Over the last eight summers families have spent one morning experiencing what it’s like to build shelters, carry water, shop at a makeshift market with only minimal supplies and compare the choices they have with the lack of choices available to children in poverty.

Participating families work together to attain the basics that are often taken for granted. Annie Williams, 7, shared with a volunteer about the shelter she and her siblings were building. “I’m in charge because I’m the oldest,” she said. “See how we made it back in the bushes, so we can stay dry. This rock circle is where we would build the fire and cook. The cardboard boxes are our beds, and we even found a sheet that we can share!”

A three-year-old girl, walking across the field with a small cup in her hand, was asked by one of the teen volunteers where she was going. She proudly told him, “my family told me that my job is to get water!” “That sure is a long way to walk”, replied the volunteer. The three-year-old looked down the path to the dirty pond, then at her cup and said, “I need a bigger cup!” Even at three, she understood that if she had to go that far to get water she should bring as much as she could home so that it was worth the trip.

After experiencing the desperate need, families will go into a Child Development Center, much like the ones in the 25 countries where Compassion International serves. Through a live stream conversation, hope for a better life is voiced by children from Bolivia, Nicaragua, or Colombia. Children’s hands are raised high in both countries when asked, who wants to be a doctor, a teacher, a pastor or pilot. God-given potential is being developed, dreams are realized, and future leaders are inspired to make a difference. Join us!

Compassion International is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty, with the goal being for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult.

www.csmng.com

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

special/elementary education teacher, leads the Colorado TtT and John Scheuer, a retired Navy NCO and social studies teacher, manages candidates and their education track.

Recently, the Colorado TtT program embarked on a new partnership with the Fort Carson Career Skills Program, which helps transitioning service members gain education, licenses, training and knowledge in their efforts to land careers in the civilian world.

1st. Lt. Amanda Wood, became the first graduate of the Troops To Teachers Career Skills Program and is now interning in Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8. Once she completed the Fort Carson Career Skills program, TtT then found a mentor teacher and coordinated an internship for her through the school district’s human resources office.

“The ultimate goal is employment,” Scheuer said. “We want the internship to be with the district that will eventually employ the candidate, but the process is dependent on when the candidate completes training and licensure and the availability of positions in each district.”

Scheuer explained that the Career Skills Program is just one of many paths TtT candidates can take in their journey to becoming a teacher.

“We have 53 different pathways to licensure and we help our candidates choose the right program for them,” he said.

“Laws and rules are different in many states, so we really have to take a customizable approach for each TtT candidate.”

Wood entered the Army in 2015 and describes her time in the Army as fulfilling, but that she desired a career change after serving four years as an engineer officer.

“The one thing I know I want to do in life is help others,” said Wood. “For the short term, I have chosen teaching because the impact that teachers have on developing youth is tremendous and I think it is very important to be a part of that. For the long term, I plan on entering the medical field again. I started with a nursing degree and decided to venture into the military for a few years instead. Now, I will be going for my physician’s assistant degree in the next decade. I think teaching will help me master the basics again, while being extremely rewarding.”

While she had a few options, she chose the TtT and Career Skills Program path in part because it provided a more seamless transition.

“John (Scheuer) matches the candidate with a school and

teacher,” she said. “From there, I was able to network, gain classroom management skills, begin my licensing program, and teach lessons. After talking to others about the alternate teaching license, I learned that getting classroom experience is unheard of prior to your first teaching position. So I feel lucky to have participated and am grateful for the hardwork of Korey (Brown) and John (Scheuer) for creating the program and for Fountain-Fort Carson High School for teaming up with Troops to Teachers, of Leslie Prock for tutoring me through the licensing course and of Chris Marro for mentoring me in the ways of teaching.”

Marro advanced through TtT in 2014 and has been a teacher, as well as an Army reservist, for the past six years.

“Within this program, mentee’s are paired with a clinical instructor (mentor) to observe best practices and then practice their own craft within a safe environment,” he said.

“The process is beneficial by giving the mentee not only an experienced teacher to learn from, but also a classroom environment with real students. This environment allows for the mentee to practice all aspects of teaching and also to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes without having to worry overly much about the consequences.”

Initiated by the Department of Defense in 1994, Troop to Teachers is managed by the office of the secretary of Defense and was created to assist transitioning service members and veterans in starting new careers as K-12 school teachers in public, private, charter and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. At the time, the military was downsizing and the program helped transitioning services land jobs in highly needed areas, mainly math, science and special education.

That said, Colorado’s TtT program is currently leading the nation in recruitment and placement.

“Since May 16, 2019 we have prepared, licensed and placed 117 candidates in Colorado classrooms, Brown said.

“Recruiters at other TtT programs around the country have even started calling us, wondering what we’re doing and how they can adapt their programs to sort of mimic ours.”

Brown explained that TtT performs three main functions: recruiting military and former military members, advising and counseling them and placing them as teachers and educators in schools.

Anyone who is serving honorably or has served honorably is eligible for the program. That’s regardless of education level.

Military Family

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The program’s advising and counseling service also helps service members earn their teacher’s license or certification at the different educational institutions.

Demand is high for teachers in school districts around Colorado, especially in the areas of math, science, foreign languages and special education. Brown described Colorado’s teacher shortage as a crisis and said that there are more than 4,500 open teaching positions each year in the state.

Troops to Teachers is assisting the Colorado Department of Education in filling the teacher shortage and assisting in teacher retention with an 85% retention rate of Troops to Teachers educators after 5 years in the classroom.

While hoping to help fill that gap through the TtT program, he explained that service members not only set an example to students, they teach much more than just a subject area; they help students’ growth and development. As teachers they become a role model for their students, much like they’ve been a role model for their Soldiers.

“I think what most schools can benefit from is the leadership qualities that service members and veterans can offer,” said Brown. “Service members hold a unique blend of leadership and management skills, which translate well to the classroom.”

This idea is not lost on school administrators and school district hiring officials who often reach out to Scheuer to fill positions as they post vacancies on their district websites.

Meanwhile, Wood explained that the Fort Carson Career Skills Program provides a role for candidates that is akin to student teaching.

“I have been at Fountain-Fort Carson High School for about four months in that role now,” she said. “Due to my desire to teach in a rural community, I will be taking a teaching job at Cripple Creek-Victor School District for the upcoming year.”

Brown says the new partnership has worked well and that more candidates have started the process toward earning their state teacher license before proceeding with Troops to Teachers.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Troops to Teachers program and the upcoming informational seminars or numerous educational or educational support opportunities can call the program office at Fort Carson at 719-526-2208 or message the team at Scheuer_j@cde.state.co.us.

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Military Family

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

www.csmng.com

Fort Carson EVENTS CALENDAR

COURSES, COURSES, EVENTS EVENTS & SERVICES & SERVICES WWW.CARSON.ARMY.MIL/ACS WWW.CARSON.ARMY.MIL/ACS • (719) 526-4590 • (719) 526-4590

ACS programs ACS programs offer a wide offervariety a wide of variety classes, of classes, events and events services. and services.

Each program Each program is represented is represented online. online.

Find class Findtimes classand times further and details further of details ACS classes of ACS classes and events and atevents www.carson.army.mil/acs at www.carson.army.mil/acs to speakto speak with a program with a program specialistspecialist call (719)call526-4590.

(719) 526-4590.

ARMYARMY FAMILY FAMILY TEAMTEAM BUILDING BUILDING

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT READINESS READINESS PROGRAM PROGRAM (ERP)(ERP)

JOB SEARCH JOB SEARCH ORIENTATION ORIENTATION FEDERALFEDERAL EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR MILITARY FOR MILITARY SPOUSE SPOUSE Receive Receive answersanswers to the most to thecommon most common questionsquestions Learn how Learn Military how Military Spouse Preference Spouse Preference works. The works. The about your about jobyour search job atsearch and around at and Fort around Carson.

Fort Carson.

Civilian Personnel Civilian Personnel AdvisoryAdvisory Center (CPAC) Centerwill (CPAC) be onwill be on Once a Once montha amonth CPAC abriefer CPAC briefer will address will address the hand the with hand thewith requirements the requirements and details. and details.

Military Military Spouse Preference Spouse Preference Program.Program.

4th Tuesdays 4th Tuesdays • 9:30-10:30 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. a.m.

3rd Tues.3rdof Tues. the month of the•month 9:30-10:30 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. a.m.

RESUMERESUME REVIEW REVIEW FEDERALFEDERAL & CIVILIAN & CIVILIAN RESUMERESUME WORKSHOP WORKSHOP Have your Have resume your resume critiquedcritiqued by an expert. by an Includes expert. Includes Receive Receive important important resume resume writing tips writing for tips today’ fors today’ s up follow appointment as well.asCompletion of follow up appointment well. Completion of job market, job market, interviewinterview techniques, techniques, how to how dressto dress Resume Resume Writing Workshop Writing Workshop required.required. for success, for success, and handouts and handouts to assisttoinassist creating in creating a a by appointment, by appointment, call (719)call526-0452 (719) 526-0452 finished finished resume. resume.

AFTB: PERSONAL AFTB: PERSONAL GROWTHGROWTH (LEVEL G)(LEVEL G) AFTB: MILITARY AFTB: MILITARY KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE (LEVEL K)(LEVEL K) Level K Level provides K provides the basictheinformation basic information and skills and skills Level GLevel focuses G focuses on personal on personal growth growth through through 4th Wednesdays(Civilian) 4th Wednesdays(Civilian) • 9:30 a.m.

• 9:30 -12a.m. p.m.-12 p.m. communication, personality needed needed by all military by all military Family members.

Family members.

These These communication, exploringexploring personality traits, traits, 4th Thursdays • 9:30-12a.m.. p.m. INTERVIEW 4th Thursdays (Federal)(Federal) • 9:30 a.m.. p.m.-12 INTERVIEW PREP PREP solving andaspects many aspects include include military military terms, acronyms, terms, acronyms, customscustoms and creative and creative problemproblem solving and many of self of self SPARK YOUR SPARK NEXT YOUR CAREER NEXT CAREER MOVE MOVE Learn techniques Learn techniques and skills andonskills how onto how maketoamake a expectations, expectations, impact ofimpact the mission of the mission on familyonlife, familyimprovement. life, improvement. on your on nextyour interview.

IncludesIncludes lasting impression next interview. and muchandmore. much more.

Learn about Learnways about to ways financetoadditional finance additional training training and lasting and impression information on ‘Dressonfor‘Dress Success’ resources. information for Success’ resources. education opportunities opportunities to enhance to enhance your resume your resume ARMY 101education FACILITATOR FACILITATOR AND INSTRUCTOR AND INSTRUCTOR ARMY 101 AFTB: LEADERSHIP AFTB: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT (LEVEL L)(LEVEL L) BRIEFER,BRIEFER, and spark andyour spark nextyour career nextmove. career move.

TRAINING TRAINING COURSESCOURSES Level L Level will enhance L will enhance an individual’ an individual’ s professional s professional portableportable class, call class, (719)call526-0452 (719) 526-0452 growth and growth leadership and leadership skills. This skills. training This training is for isThis for 3-class This 3-class series improves series improves public speaking, public speaking, those who those arewho or wish are or to wish be leaders, to be leaders, whetherwhether it is briefing, it is briefing, facilitating, and instruction skills. ACS facilitating, and instruction skills. ACS in the unit, in the theunit, FRG, the or the FRG,community. or the community. instructors arefrom chosen the Instructor volunteervolunteer instructors are chosen thefrom Instructor TrainingTraining Course. Course.

5 LOVE LANGUAGES 5 LOVE LANGUAGES BABY SIGN BABY LANGUAGES SIGN LANGUAGES This classThiswillclass discuss will discuss your “Love yourLanguage” “Love Language” and Did andyou Did knowyouthat know babies thatcan babies actually can actually understand understand ACS supports ACS supports Commander’s Commander’s readiness readiness goalsgoals with our withnew ourportable new portable spoken spoken languagelanguage before they physically able able how to how use ittotousestrengthen it to strengthen your communication your communication beforearethey are physically class class schedule. schedule. to speak? andYou yourandchild learncantogether. style. style. to You speak? yourcanchild learn together. every other everymonth other month AvailableAvailable to parents of infants, toddlerstoddlers and non-and nonto parents of infants, COOPERATIVE COOPERATIVE PARENTING PARENTING & DIVORCE & DIVORCE verbal children. verbal children.

Understand Understand your new yourroles new inroles this inimportant this important offered offered every-other-month every-other-month relationship relationship and howandto how best tosupport best support your kids your kids during this during transition. this transition.

Meets the Meets Statetheof State Colorado of Colorado PARENTING PARENTING WORKSHOP WORKSHOP requirement requirement for divorcing for divorcing couples.couples.

Learn toLearn relatetowith relate yourwith children your children by takingbyhold taking of hold of your ownyour emotional own emotional responses responses in this 4 inweek thisclass.

4 week class.

2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday of the month of the • month 9-11:00 • 9-11:00 a.m. a.m. ! !

NEWNEW Helps parents Helps parents to focus toonfocus their on owntheir behaviors. own behaviors.

MARRIAGE MARRIAGE WORKSHOP WORKSHOP by request by request In this 3Inweek this class 3 week you’ll classrelate you’llwith relate yourwith partner your partner in a calm, in a cool calm,andcoolconnected and connected way. Work way. onWorkPREP on PREP communication, communication, intimacyintimacy and muchandmore. much more.

The “Prevention The “Prevention and Relationship and Relationship EducationEducation Program”Program” will helpwillyouhelp achieve you achieve your goals yourasgoals a as a by request by request for Units for Units & FRG’s & FRG’s on your on your timetime at your at your place. place. couple by couple building by building on your on current your strengths current strengths and and RESILIENCE RESILIENCE CLASSESCLASSES learninglearning new skills. couples welcome.welcome. newAllskills.

All couples To schedule To schedule go togowww.carson.army.mil/acs to www.carson.army.mil/acs Learn self-awareness, Learn self-awareness, self-regulation, self-regulation, optimism, optimism, by request by request mental mental agility, agility, strengthstrength of character, of character, and and connection. connection.

Each class Eachcovers class acovers different a different subject subject matter. Attendance matter. Attendance of all classes of all encouraged. classes encouraged. by request by request for unit for FRG’s unit FRG’s NEW VOLUNTEER, NEW VOLUNTEER, VMIS & OPOC VMIS &TRAINING OPOC TRAINING VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER OF THE QUARTER SOLE PARENTING SOLE PARENTING GROUP GROUP times 4a times year AVC a year organizes AVC organizes award ceremonies award ceremonies ProvidesProvides information information on registration on registration of newof 4new An opportunity An opportunity for Soldiers for Soldiers to meettofellow meet single fellow parents, single parents, attain resources attain resources and askand questions ask questions in a in a recognizing recognizing Fort Carson FortVolunteers.

Carson Volunteers. volunteers, volunteers, duties ofduties the ofOPOC the (Organizational OPOC (Organizational supportive supportive environment. environment.

Point ofPoint Contact) of Contact) and howandto how use totheuse VMISthe VMIS AVC EVENTS AVC EVENTS (Volunteer (Volunteer Management Management Information Information System) System) to ANNUAL to ANNUAL 4th Thursday 4th Thursday of the month of the•month Noon-1• p.m.

Noon-1 p.m.

AVC leads AVC many leads annual many annual events events that honor that honor enter hours enterand hours earned andawards. earned awards. volunteers and support the community.

These volunteers and support the community.

These Last Wednesday of the•month 1:30-3 p.m.

Last Wednesday of the month 1:30-3•p.m.

Recognition Ceremony, include: include: Annual Annual VolunteerVolunteer Recognition Ceremony, Week, National Night NationalNational VolunteerVolunteer Week, National Night Out, andOut, and 1ST TERMERS 1ST TERMERS TRAINING TRAINING BANKINGBANKING MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT Make A Difference Make A Difference Day. Day. Today’s Today’ banking s banking tools make tools managing make managing money money As a newAsSoldier, a new learn Soldier, how learn to save how and to save invest andyour invest your by easierever thanbefore. ever Secure before. your Securesuccess your success by valuablevaluable earnings,earnings, establishestablish savings savings goals, debt goals, easier debt than the basics ATMs,of Apps, the ofbasics ATMs,online Apps, online elimination elimination strategies, strategies, and create andacreate savings a savings plan understanding plan understanding and muchandmore. much more. for emergency for emergency situations. situations.

This classThisis class open isto open all tobanking all banking EFMP SENSORY EFMP SENSORY MOVIE NIGHT MOVIE NIGHT EFMP 101 EFMP 101 new Soldiers, new Soldiers, their Family their members Family members and DoDand ID DoD ID1st Tuesday of the month 9:30-11:30 a.m. a.m.

1st Tuesday of the •month • 9:30-11:30 Find outFind howout enrollment how enrollment in the EFMP in thewillEFMP impact will impact At the EFMP At theSensory EFMP Sensory Movie Night MovietheNight lights theare lights are card holders. card holders.

2nd & 4th 2ndWednesday & 4th Wednesday • 9:30 a.m.• 9:3012:30 a.m.-p.m.

12:30 p.m. your duty yourassignment, duty assignment, what thewhat program the program can do canleftdoon, left the on, sound the issound turnedis down turnedand down audience and audience UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY YOUR MILITARY RETIREMENT RETIREMENTSMART MONEY for yourfor Family. your Family. membersmembers are invited are toinvited get uptoand get move up andabout moveasabout as SMART MONEY TALKS TALKS are welcome. needed.needed.

All EFMsAll areEFMs welcome.

Understanding Understanding your money your and money how and it fits how in it with fits in with Stop by Stop after by work afterand work enhance and enhance your financial your financial IEP BASICS IEP CLASS BASICS CLASS the Army’ the s Blended Army’ s Blended Retirement Retirement System.

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AvailableAvailable Upon Request Upon Request qualify qualify Medicaid for Medicaid or any of or the any waivers, of the waivers, start start an oceananofocean special of education special education jargon, this jargon, classthisis class is for 2nd Thursday of the •month • 5:30-7:30 2nd Thursday of the month 5:30-7:30 p.m. p.m. with thiswith informational this informational workshopworkshop led by anledexpert by an expert for you! for you!

FINANCIAL FINANCIAL STRENGTH STRENGTH BUDGETING BUDGETING in the field. in the field.

Learn how Learnto how createto your createbudget. your budget.

DesignedDesigned to FINANCIAL to FINANCIAL SEASONAL SEASONAL EVENTS EVENTS COUNSELING COUNSELING ensure ensure that each that Soldier each Soldier has a plan has a to plan better to better SYSTEMS NAVIGATION SERVICES SYSTEMS NAVIGATION SERVICES Throughout Throughout the yearthe ACSyear EFMPACSwants EFMPtowants maketosure make sure Meet with Meet one with of our one Financial of our Financial Counselors Counselors and get aand get a manage manage their money their to money createto acreate soundafinancial sound financial SystemsSystems Navigation Navigation (SN) is a (SN) service is a specific service to specific ACS to ACS your whole your family whole can family celebrate can celebrate all the holiday all the holiday handle on handle your specific on your financial specific financial situation. situation.

This is oneThis is oneplan for plan themselves for themselves and theirand Family. their Family.

EFMPconnects that connects Exceptional Exceptional Family Member Family Member traditions. traditions.

Check our Check website our website for listings for listings of our of EFMP our that to-one counseling to-one counseling for budgets, for budgets, debt management, debt management, or or (EFM) Families (EFM) Families and individuals and individuals to the systems to the systems of of special events specialaround eventsthe around holidays. the holidays.

AvailableAvailable Upon Request Upon Request your unit’s your Command unit’s Command retirement retirement plans. Contact plans. Contact theyboth need, on the andinstallation. off the installation. care theycare need, on both and off FinancialFinancial NCO, Officer NCO, or Officer call for or an callappointment for an appointment

FAMILY FAMILY ADVOCACY ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROGRAM

Class Class

ARMYARMY VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER CORPS CORPS (AVC)(AVC)

FINANCIAL FINANCIAL READINESS READINESS PROGRAM PROGRAM (FRP)(FRP)

EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY FAMILY MEMBER MEMBER PROGRAM PROGRAM (EFMP) (EFMP)

(719) 526-4590 (719) 526-4590

walk-in walk-in or by appointment, or by appointment, call (719)call526-4590 (719) 526-4590

ARMY EMERGENCY ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF (AER) RELIEF (AER)

Need Need to Talk? to Talk?

Military Military Family Family LifeLife Counselors Counselors areare available. available.

Call Call to schedule. to schedule.

(719)(719) 338-7816 338-7816 • (719) • (719) 338-0144 338-0144 • (719)440-5341 • (719)440-5341

AER is aAER private is a non-profit private non-profit organization organization whose mission whose mission is to provide is to provide financial financial assistance assistance to Soldiers to Soldiers and and Family Members, Retirees,Retirees, Retiree Family and Medically Retired Wounded WarriorsWarriors needing needing financial financial Family Members, RetireeMembers, Family Members, and Medically Retired Wounded assistance in an unforeseen emergency situation.situation.

AER is dedicated to “Helping the Armythe Take Army CareTake Its Own.” Care Its Own.” assistance in an unforeseen emergency AER is dedicated to “Helping

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www.csmng.com

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

Military Family

5

Fort Carson EVENTS CALENDAR

MOBILIZATION MOBILIZATION & DEPLOYMENT & DEPLOYMENT CARE TEAM CARETRAINING TEAM TRAINING is a secure is awebsite secure for website command for command The CARETheTeam CAREoffers Teamshort-term offers short-term assistance assistance to www.armyfrg.org to www.armyfrg.org to share to unit, share SFRG,unit, andSFRG, deployment and deployment information information to to support support Families Families in the gap in the between gap between notification notification soldiers and soldiers Family andmembers.

Family members. team and teampersonal and personal support support arriving.arriving.

Training Training preparesprepares volunteers volunteers to help to during help this during timethis of time of SFRG TRAINING: SFRG TRAINING: FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATIONS tragedy or tragedy loss. or loss.

This classThiswillclass serve willasserve an introduction as an introduction to the to the SFRG TRAINING: SFRG TRAINING: FUND CUSTODIAN FUND CUSTODIAN Soldier Family Soldier Readiness Family Readiness Group (SFRG).

Group Students (SFRG). Students Learn about Learn the about responsibilities the responsibilities of the ofFundthe will Fundreview willthe review SFRGthe mission SFRG mission and determine and determine how how CustodianCustodian and the Army and the regulations Army regulations for managing for managing leaders can advocate mission readiness. leaders can advocate mission readiness.

SFRG Informal SFRG Informal Fund accounts Fund accounts and fundraising. and fundraising.

SFRG TRAINING: SFRG TRAINING: KEY CONTACT KEY CONTACT SOLDIER FAMILY SOLDIERREADINESS FAMILY READINESS LIAISON (SFRL) LIAISON ACADEMY (SFRL) ACADEMY Soldier Soldier Family Family ReadinessReadiness Group (SFRG) Group Key (SFRG) Key This course Thistrains course Soldiers trainsselected Soldiers to selected be unittoSoldier be unit Soldier Contact Contact training training covers the covers responsibilities the responsibilities and and Family Readiness Family Readiness Liaisons Liaisons (SFRLs) on(SFRLs) how best on how to best to expectations a Key Contact.

Learn how expectations of beingofa being Key Contact.

Learn how assist unitassist commanders unit commanders and SFRGand leadership.

SFRG leadership. to handleto crisis handlephone crisiscalls phone otherofforms of andcalls otherandforms communication. communication.

FAMILY OPSEC FAMILY OPSEC REAR DETACHMENT REAR DETACHMENT LEADERSLEADERS COURSE COURSE Protect your Protect Soldier yourbySoldier protecting by protecting the information the information you know. youThis know. is known This is asknown Operations as Operations Security Security Gain a Gain bettera understanding better understanding of the ofRearthe Rear (OPSEC). (OPSEC).

Class covers ClassOPSEC coversforOPSEC socialformedia socialand mediaDetachment and Detachment and theresources many resources Leaders Leaders role and role the many personalpersonal security guidelines. security guidelines. crisis intervention. availableavailable for crisisfor intervention.

SOLDIERSOLDIER FAMILY READINESS FAMILY READINESS GROUP: SFRG GROUP: LEADER SFRG LEADER Leaders training Leaders on training how toonset howup,tomaintain set up, maintain & handle&challenges handle challenges within thewithin SFRGthe arena.

SFRGLearn arena. about LearnSFRG about SFRG structurestructure and requirements and requirements in accordance in accordance with AR 608-1 with AR 608-1

NEW NEW PARENT PARENT SUPPORT SUPPORT PROGRAM PROGRAM BOOT CAMP BOOTFOR CAMP NEWFOR MOMS NEW MOMS BOOT CAMP BOOTFOR CAMP NEWFOR DADS NEW DADS An education and discussion An education and discussion group forgroup momsfortomoms An tointeractive An interactive and engaging and engaging class thatclass focuses that on focuses on share motherhood and challenges, share motherhood fears andfears challenges, practical practical what it means what ittomeans become to abecome father, ahow father, to care howfor to care for supporting and becoming activities,activities, supporting dad anddad becoming a great a great baby, andbaby, howand to care how for to care mom.forOffered mom. for Offered dadsfor dads mom.for Offered moms only. mom. Offered momsforonly. only. only.

3rd Tues.3rd of Tues. the month of the•month 9 a.m.-Noon • 9 a.m.-Noon

1st Tues.1st of Tues. the month of the•month 9 a.m.-Noon • 9 a.m.-Noon

INFANT MASSAGE INFANT MASSAGE & BABY NURTURING & BABY NURTURING FAMILY NURTURING FAMILY NURTURING THROUGHTHROUGH PLAY PLAY This 10-week This 10-week class teaches classparents teacheshow parents to use howchild to useIncrease child Increase the bondthebetween bond between you andyou yourand baby your baby variousmassage infant massage techniques. play therapy play skills therapy to skills reducetobehavioral reduce behavioral problemsproblems through through various infant techniques.

This This class includes strokes to alleviate colic, creating and enhance and enhance parent-child parent-child relationships. relationships. class includes strokes to alleviate colic, creating strong and bondsincreasing and increasing communication strong bonds communication Call (719)Call 960-6435 (719) 960-6435 for timesforandtimes datesand dates parent betweenbetween parent and baby.and baby.

HOME VISITS HOME VISITS TuesdaysTuesdays • 9:30-11:00 • 9:30-11:00 a.m. a.m.

A voluntary A voluntary home visitation home visitation programprogram for Families for Families PLAY GROUP expectingexpecting a child ora with childchildren or with children from infant fromtoinfant 3 PLAY to 3 GROUP years of years age. Services of age. Services are provided are provided free of charge free of charge Fun filled, Funinteractive filled, interactive meet-up meet-up for parents for parents and and

by NPSP by staff.

NPSP staff.

Yourwillchildimprove will improve their social, children.children.

Your child their social, call (719)call 526-4601 (719) 526-4601 for morefor information more information motorForskills.

Fortoinfants cognitivecognitive and motorandskills. infants 5 yearstoof5 years of age.age School kids welcome in the summer. age. School kids age welcome in the summer.

NURTURING NURTURING Fridays Fridays • 10-Noon • 10-Noon These twoThese 12-week two 12-week classes teach classes parents teachhow parents to behow to be TODDLERTODDLER TIME TIME nurturingnurturing to their children to their as children well asastowell themselves. as to themselves.

Focuses Focuses gross on motor grossenhancement motor enhancement through song through song Touches Touches on communication, on communication, building building your child’ your s child’ s on andsensory dance; sensory enrichment and dance; enrichment through through arts andarts and self-esteem, self-esteem, behaviorbehavior management management techniques techniques well as nurturing and the parent. well asasnurturing the child the andchild the parent. and muchand more. muchClasses more. are Classes divideed are divideed by child age: by childcrafts; age: ascrafts; ages 18old months old and up.

For ages For 18 months and up.

Infant toInfant 5 yearstoof5 years age and of 5age to and 12 years 5 to 12 of years age. of age.

Call (719)Call 960-6435 (719) 960-6435 for timesforandtimes datesand dates

Thursdays Thursdays • 9:30-11 • a.m.

9:30-11 a.m.

RELOCATION RELOCATION READINESS READINESS PROGRAM PROGRAM (RELO)(RELO) HOMEBUYER’S HOMEBUYER’S WORKSHOP WORKSHOP MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN POST WELCOME POST WELCOME MEET & GREET MEET & GREET Learn about LearnFort about Carson Fort programs Carson programs and services. and services.

Topics include: Topics include: choosingchoosing a real aestate real agent, estate agent, Enjoy tourpost. of the post. toura van of the selectingselecting the rightthehouse, right obtaining house, obtaining the rightthe Enjoy right a van TuesdaysTuesdays • 1-2 p.m.

• 1-2 p.m. mortgage,mortgage, VA Loans,VA understanding Loans, understanding the closing the closing process and process muchand more. much more.

RSVP (719)526-1070 RSVP (719)526-1070 4th Wednesday 4th Wednesday • 1-4p.m.

• 1-4p.m.

CULTURAL CULTURAL MEET-UPSMEET-UPS T3 SPONSORSHIP T3 SPONSORSHIP TRAININGTRAINING Get acquainted Get acquainted with ACSwith offerings ACS offerings and findand newfind new T3 is a master T3 is a trainer master course trainerfor course unit for sponsors. unit sponsors. friends in friends a community in a community at Fort Carson at Fort that Carson includes that includes Soldiers will Soldiers learnwill howlearn to train howSponsors to train Sponsors for the Fort for thepeople Fort with people similar with backgrounds similar backgrounds and experiences. and experiences.

Carson Sponsorship Carson Sponsorship Program.Program.

Soldiers must Soldiers attend must attend Children are welcome. group leaders are welcome.

Cultural Cultural group leaders both daysboth of training days of and training haveand orders havetoorders do so. to do so.Children needed. needed.

WINDSHIELD WINDSHIELD TOUR TOUR German Meet-Up: German Meet-Up: Alternating Alternating Wednesdays Wednesdays Join us for Joina us60for minute a 60 guided minutebus guided tour.busGettour. to Get to EVERYDAY EVERYDAY ENGLISHENGLISH know your know newyour home newandhome become and become more familiar more familiar 10-week 10-week program program for foreign for born foreign individuals. born individuals. with all Fort withCarson all Forthas Carson to offer. has toKids offer. are Kids welcome are welcome Participants Participants develop develop basic English basic English skills inskills in to attend.to attend. grammar, grammar, and language. and language.

IMMIGRATION IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION & NATURALIZATION CLASSESCLASSES IMMIGRATION IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE Interactive Interactive class walking class walking participants participants through through Free service Free open service to all openSoldiers, to all Soldiers, Spouses,Spouses, and DA and DA all paperwork all paperwork required required for either for Green either Card Green Civilians; Card Civilians; Active Duty Active andDuty retired. and retired.

Representative Representative application application or Naturalization. or Naturalization.

The process The process (forms (forms works with works the USCIS with the Denver USCISOffice Denver representatives.

Office representatives. and fees)and arefees) explained are explained in depth.inOur depth.

101 class Our 101 willclass will by appointment by appointment only, callonly, (719)call 526-1070 (719) 526-1070 answer allanswer your questions all your questions if you don’t if you know don’t where know where to start, schedule to start, schedule an appointment an appointment for 101 today. for 101 today.

MONTHLYMONTHLY NATURALIZATION NATURALIZATION CEREMONY CEREMONY Join us inJoin welcoming us in welcoming our new our citizens. new citizens.

Participants Participants Immigration Immigration 101: Tues.

101: • 2Tues. p.m.-4p.m.

• 2 p.m.-4p.m. are Soldiers, spouses,spouses, and DA civilians; and DA civilians; Active Duty Active Duty Green2nd Card: & 4th• Thurs.

• 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Soldiers, Green Card: & 4th2ndThurs.

8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. are and Ceremony retired. Ceremony is open toiseveryone. open to everyone.

Citizenship: & 3rd Mon. • 1-4and p.m.retired.

Citizenship: 1st & 3rd1stMon. • 1-4 p.m.

Fri.month of the•month • 10-11a.m.

3rd Fri. of3rdthe 10-11a.m.

S1 IMMIGRATION S1 IMMIGRATION TRAININGTRAINING RequiredRequired for BN andforBDE BN S1’ ands to BDEproperly S1’s to properly assist their assist PCS their101 PCS 101 Soldiers Soldiers with thewith Immigration the Immigration and Naturalization and Naturalization ProvidesProvides PCSing Soldiers PCSing Soldiers with information with information on on process. process.

Open toOpen all Soldiers, to all Soldiers, DA Civilians, DA Civilians, and planning and planning and executing and executing a successful a successful move. move.

Contractors.

Contractors.

ScheduledScheduled at requestatofrequest units. of units. Soldiers and Soldiers Family andMembers Family Members can go online can goforonline this for this information information or schedule or schedule a one-on-one a one-on-one appointment appointment DESTINATION DESTINATION OVERSEASOVERSEAS to cover all to cover your questions. all your questions. by appointment/portable by appointment/portable class, class, Learn about Learnplanning about planning and executing and executing a successful a successful OCONUS OCONUS PCS. Soldiers PCS. and Soldiers Family andMembers Family Members can go can go call (719)526-1070 call (719)526-1070 or (719)526-1053 or (719)526-1053 online foronline this information for this information or schedule or schedule a one-on-a one-onWAITINGWAITING FAMILIESFAMILIES PROGRAMPROGRAM one appointment one appointment to cover all to cover your questions. all your questions.

For Family ForMembers Family Members who are who separated are separated from theirfrom their by appointment/portable by appointment/portable class, class, Soldier due to mission requirements, to includeto include Soldier due to mission requirements, call (719)526-1070 call (719)526-1070 or (719)526-1053 or (719)526-1053 TDY’s andTDY’ unaccompanied assignments.

Find newFind new s and unaccompanied assignments. friends and stayand up-to-date on what on is going at on at friends stay up-to-date what on is going PCS ONLINE PCS LEVY ONLINE BRIEFING LEVY BRIEFING Fort Carson in theandlocal community.

Fortand Carson in the local community.

Links to Links onlinetobriefings online briefings for Permanent for Permanent Change ofChange of of the Mon.month of the•month 9:30 - •10:30 9:30a.m.

- 10:30 a.m.

Station (PCS), Station Expiration (PCS), Expiration of Term of Service Term of (ETS) Service or (ETS) or 1st Mon.1st Retirement Retirement can be found can be onfound the ACS onwebsite: the ACS website: www.carson.army.mil/acs www.carson.army.mil/acs - Search Levy - Search BriefLevy Brief

SOLDIER SOLDIER & FAMILY & FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE CENTER CENTER (SFAC)(SFAC) TRANSITION TRANSITION BRIEF BRIEF MEDICALMEDICAL SEPARATION SEPARATION ORIENTATION ORIENTATION BRIEF BRIEF This briefing This briefing is for WTB is for andWTB IDESand Soldiers IDES Soldiers who Get whoorientated Get orientated to the SFAC to theProgram.

SFAC Program.

Includes Includes a a tour andtour information on whatonservices have received have received their Army their disability Army disability Rating and Rating are andbuilding are building and information what services areallprovided through through the SFAC.theOpen all WTB, transitioning transitioning out of theoutmilitary. of the military.

The briefThe covers briefallcovers are provided SFAC.to Open to all WTB, IntegratedIntegrated DisabilityDisability EvaluationEvaluation System System (IDES) (IDES) of the military of the military benefits benefits and services and services transitioning transitioning Soldiers and theirand Family Soldiers can Soldiers utilize. can utilize.

Soldiers theirmembers.

Family members.

TuesdaysTuesdays & Thursdays & Thursdays • 9:45 - 11:30 • 9:45a.m.

- 11:30 a.m.

TuesdaysTuesdays • 12:45•- 212:45 p.m. - 2 p.m.

NUTRITION NUTRITION CENTER CENTER ONE-ON-ONE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORTSUPPORT Getting the Getting rightthe nutrition right nutrition is an important is an important part of part of Schedule Schedule your one-on-one your one-on-one support support with thewith the your treatment. your treatment.

The SFACThe Nutrition SFAC Nutrition Center isCenter open is SFAC open toSFACsupport to support your transitions your transitions needs: needs: daily with dailysnacks with and snacks beverages and beverages for WTB/IDES for WTB/IDES financialfinancial counseling, educationeducation benefits,benefits, counseling, Soldiers and Soldiers theirand Families. their Families. leave calculations, ID card IDrenewals, outreachoutreach leave calculations, card renewals, opportunities and resume assistance. opportunities and resume assistance. availableavailable during SFAC during hours SFAC hours call (719)call 526-5807 (719) 526-5807 for an appointment for an appointment

VICTIM VICTIM ADVOCACY ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROGRAM

Non-clinical Non-clinical advocacyadvocacy services services and support andtosupport Soldiers to and Soldiers Family andMembers Family Members who are experiencing who are experiencing domesticdomestic violence.violence.

DOMESTIC DOMESTIC VIOLENCEVIOLENCE SUPPORTSUPPORT GROUPS GROUPS An inviting An and inviting safeand place safewhere placeindividuals where individuals can meetcanwith meet others withwho others havewho a history have a with history domestic with domestic violence.violence.

All ideasAll andideas experiences and experiences can be expressed can be expressed in a judgment in a judgment free environment. free environment.

FIND FINDCLASS CLASSDATES DATES & &REGISTER REGISTER

www.carson.army.mil/acs www.carson.army.mil/acs

4th Wednesday 4th Wednesday • 10-11 a.m.

• 10-11 a.m.

TuesdaysTuesdays • 9:30 - •11:30 9:30p.m.

- 11:30 p.m. or EveryorTuesday Every Tuesday directly after directly Mountain after Mountain Post Post WelcomeWelcome Meet andMeet Greetand Greet REMOVALREMOVAL OF CONDITIONS OF CONDITIONS CLASS CLASS RSVP (719)526-0457 RSVP (719)526-0457 This class Thisis class for conditional is for conditional residents, residents, who who

10 YEAR10 GREEN YEARCARD GREEN CARD status through marriage, to request obtainedobtained status through marriage, to request This class Thisis class for permanent is for permanent residentsresidents whose whose the removal of conditions fromresident their resident the removal of conditions from their ten-yearten-year conditional conditional permanent permanent residentresident status status status. card within expires90within status. The cardThe expires days.90 days. is expiring is expiring within the within nextthe six next months. six months.

4th Monday 4th Monday • 1-4p.m.

• 1-4p.m.

2nd Monday 2nd Monday • 1- 4 p.m.

• 1- 4 p.m.

Find up Findto up date to class date class listings listings and program and program detailsdetails on ouronwebsite. our website.

6

Military Family

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

www.csmng.com

Schriever Air Force Base, Airman & Family READINESS CENTER Call 719-567-3920 to register Capstone

Date: 2 March 2020 Time: 8:30am-10:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Transitioning service members who have completed TAP must register for a Capstone review to ensure all congressional mandates and career readiness standards have been met. Member’s eform must be verified and digitally signed by the member, a transition counselor, and the member’s squadron CC and/or designee.

Registration required.

Transition Assistance Initial Counseling

Date: 2 March 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Class Description: New TAP mandate! Initial Counseling must be completed NLT 365 days from separation/retirement date and before attending Pre-Separation Counseling. This counseling is mandated for those who are reenlisting as well.

Registration required.

Pre-Separation Briefing

Date: 3 March 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: This is a congressionally mandated briefing for those who are separating or retiring from the service. Pre-Sep provides information on benefits and entitlements as the member transitions into the private sector. This brief must be taken NLT 365 days from the date of separation or retirement.

Registration required.

Tricare for Transition Briefing

Date: 11 March 2020 Time: 9:00am-11:00am Class Description: Tricare for Transition is designed to provide guidance for Separating/Retiring service member’s on enrollment procedures, healthcare benefits and entitlements, to include dental and vision coverage. Service member’s entering Guard/ Reserve components may attend. Registration required.

Thrift Savings Plan Basics

Date: 12 March 2020 Time: 10:00am-11:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: TSP Basics is designed for all personnel (AD, Reserve, Military, etc.) to gain knowledge on the following: Thrift Savings, Blended Retirement System, and Savings.

Registration required.

Key Spouse Annual Training

Date: 12 March 2020 Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Mandated requirement for all Key Spouses/Mentors. Annual Training will consist of continuation of education to include briefs on the Key Spouse Program, Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), Resiliency and Sexual Assault Program Response (SAPR). Registration required.

First Duty Station-Officers (Financial Brief)

Date: 20 March 2020 Time: 8:30am-11:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Mandatory “Basics of Personal Financial Management” for all O1-O3s arriving at their first duty station. This workshop will set you on the correct path to not only assist yourself but those you supervise. Topics include budgeting, car buying, insurance, improving your credit, managing debt, the Thrift Savings Plan and the Basics of Investing.

Registration required

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Week

Date: 23-27 March 2020 Time: 8:00am-4:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Mandatory workshop designed for transitioning service member’s in an attempt to alleviate stressors of transitioning into the civilian sector. Topics include Veteran Affairs Benefits and Services, Resiliency, MOC Crosswalk, Financial and Employment Readiness and more.

Registration required.

Capstone

Date: 30 March 2020 Time: 8:30am-10:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Transitioning service members who have completed TAP must register for a Capstone review to ensure all congressional mandates and career readiness standards have been met. Member’s eform must be verified and digitally signed by the member, a transition counselor, and the member’s squadron CC and/or designee.

Registration required.

Transition Assistance Initial Counseling

Date: 30 March 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Class Description: New TAP mandate! Initial Counseling must be completed NLT 365 days from separation/retirement date and before attending Pre-Separation Counseling. This counseling is mandated for those who are reenlisting as well.

Registration required.

Pre-Separation Briefing

Date: 31 March 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: This is a congressionally mandated briefing for those who are separating or retiring from the service. Pre-Sep provides information on benefits and entitlements as the member transitions into the private sector. This brief must be taken NLT 365 days from the date of separation or retirement.

Registration required.

Bundles for Babies

Date: 16 March 2020 Time: 8:30am-10:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Transitioning service members who have completed TAP must register for a Capstone review to ensure all congressional mandates and career readiness standards have been met. Member’s eform must be verified and digitally signed by the member, a transition counselor, and the member’s squadron CC and/or designee.

Registration required.

Date: 1 April 2020 Time: 1:30pm-4:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Bundles for Babies is a workshop held quarterly for all expectant Schriever Active Duty Air Force personnel/spouses which addresses “what to expect when you’re expecting”, financial preparation, identifying stressors that come with parenthood, and resources available both on and off the installation. Those who complete this class will receive a “$50.00 AAFES gift card’’ complements of the Air Force Aid Society. Registration required.

Transition Assistance Initial Counseling

Federal Employment Workshop

Capstone

Pre-Separation Briefing

Capstone

Newcomer’s Right Start Orientation

Transition Assistance Initial Counseling

Date: 14 April 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: This is a congressionally mandated briefing for those who are separating or retiring from the service. Pre-Sep provides information on benefits and entitlements as the member transitions into the private sector. This brief must be taken NLT 365 days from the date of separation or retirement. Registration required.

Date: 16 April 2020 Time: 8:00am-3:30pm Location: Bldg 300, Auditorium Class Description: Mandatory orientation for newly arrived personnel/dependents to Schriever to obtain information on the Schriever AFB mission, installation helping agencies, resources, processes/ procedures and more.

First Duty Station-Officers (Financial Brief)

Date: 17 April 2020 Time: 8:30am-11:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 10 Class Description: Mandatory “Basics of Personal Financial Management” for all O1-O3s arriving at their first duty station. This workshop will set you on the correct path to not only assist yourself but those you supervise. Topics include budgeting, car buying, insurance, improving your credit, managing debt, the Thrift Savings Plan and the Basics of Investing.

Registration required

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Week

Date: 20-24 April 2020 Time: 8:00am-4:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 10 Class Description: Mandatory workshop designed for transitioning service member’s in an attempt to alleviate stressors of transitioning into the civilian sector. Topics include Veteran Affairs Benefits and Services, Resiliency, MOC Crosswalk, Financial and Employment Readiness and more.

Registration required.

Capstone

Date: 27 April 2020 Time: 8:30am-10:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Transitioning service members who have completed TAP must register for a Capstone review to ensure all congressional mandates and career readiness standards have been met. Member’s eform must be verified and digitally signed by the member, a transition counselor, and the member’s squadron CC and/or designee.

Registration required.

Transition Assistance Initial Counseling

Date: 27 April 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Class Description: New TAP mandate! Initial Counseling must be completed NLT 365 days from separation/retirement date and before attending Pre-Separation Counseling. This counseling is mandated for those who are reenlisting as well.

Registration required.

Pre-Separation Briefing

Date: 16 March 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Class Description: New TAP mandate! Initial Counseling must be completed NLT 365 days from separation/retirement date and before attending Pre-Separation Counseling. This counseling is mandated for those who are reenlisting as well.

Registration required.

Date: 9 April 2020 Time: 9:00am-11:00am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Civilian Personnel will provide an overview of USAJOBS and provide guidance on federal resumes, application and hiring processes, special hiring authorities and more.

Registration required.

Date: 28 April 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: This is a congressionally mandated briefing for those who are separating or retiring from the service. Pre-Sep provides information on benefits and entitlements as the member transitions into the private sector. This brief must be taken NLT 365 days from the date of separation or retirement. Registration required.

Pre-Separation Briefing

Saving for College

Key Spouse Initial Training

Date: 17 March 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: This is a congressionally mandated briefing for those who are separating or retiring from the service. Pre-Sep provides information on benefits and entitlements as the member transitions into the private sector. This brief must be taken NLT 365 days from the date of separation or retirement.

Registration required.

Sponsorship Training

Date: 18 March 2020 Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Sponsorship Training is designed to provide guidance on “How To” sponsor an inbound family to Schriever AFB and Colorado Springs. Sponsors will be provided information on the online sponsorship training website, beneficial relocation websites/agencies, tailoring sponsor packets, and more. Registration required.

Newcomer’s Right Start Orientation

Date: 19 March 2020 Time: 8:00am-3:30pm Location: Bldg 300, Auditorium Class Description: Mandatory orientation for newly arrived personnel/dependents to Schriever to obtain information on the Schriever AFB mission, installation helping agencies, resources, processes/procedures and more.

Date: 9 February 2020 Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Learn tools and techniques to plan, prepare, and save for college. Workshop includes information on 529’s, ESA’s, FASFA grants/ scholarships, etc. Registration required.

Capstone

Date: 13 April 2020 Time: 8:30am-10:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Transitioning service members who have completed TAP must register for a Capstone review to ensure all congressional mandates and career readiness standards have been met. Member’s eform must be verified and digitally signed by the member, a transition counselor, and the member’s squadron CC and/or designee.

Registration required.

Transition Assistance Initial Counseling

Date: 13 April 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Class Description: New TAP mandate! Initial Counseling must be completed NLT 365 days from separation/retirement date and before attending Pre-Separation Counseling. This counseling is mandated for those who are reenlisting as well.

Registration required.

Date: 29 April 2020 Time: 9:00am-2:00pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Newly appointed Key Spouses will be trained on the Key Spouse Program and be familiarized with various resources on base and in the local community equipping them with skills to ensure that AF families are taken care of in appropriate fashion. Registration required.

Car Buying

Date: 7 May 2020 Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Learn car buying techniques.

Registration required.

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Week

Date: 11-15 May 2020 Time: 8:00am-4:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Mandatory workshop designed for transitioning service member’s in an attempt to alleviate stressors of transitioning into the civilian sector. Topics include Veteran Affairs Benefits and Services, Resiliency, MOC Crosswalk, Financial and Employment Readiness and more.

Registration required.

Date: 18 May 2020 Time: 8:30am-10:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Transitioning service members who have completed TAP must register for a Capstone review to ensure all congressional mandates and career readiness standards have been met. Member’s eform must be verified and digitally signed by the member, a transition counselor, and the member’s squadron CC and/or designee.

Registration required.

Date: 18 May 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Class Description: New TAP mandate! Initial Counseling must be completed NLT 365 days from separation/retirement date and before attending Pre-Separation Counseling. This counseling is mandated for those who are reenlisting as well.

Registration required.

Pre-Separation Briefing

Date: 19 May 2020 Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: This is a congressionally mandated briefing for those who are separating or retiring from the service. Pre-Sep provides information on benefits and entitlements as the member transitions into the private sector. This brief must be taken NLT 365 days from the date of separation or retirement. Registration required.

Tricare for Transition Briefing

Date: 20 May 2020 Time: 9:00am-11:00am Class Description: Tricare for Transition is designed to provide guidance for Separating/Retiring service members on enrollment procedures, healthcare benefits and entitlements and includes information on dental and vision coverage. Service member’s entering Guard/Reserve components may attend.

Registration required.

Newcomer’s Right Start Orientation

Date: 21 May 2020 Time: 8:00am-3:30pm Location: Bldg 300, Auditorium Class Description: Mandatory orientation for newly arrived personnel/dependents to Schriever to obtain information on the Schriever AFB mission, installation helping agencies, resources, processes/ procedures and more.

Heart Link

Date: 21 May 2020 Time: 8:00am-4:00pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Heart Link is an orientation for new spouses which ensures spouses have the necessary tools and knowledge to adjust/adapt to the Air Force life with ease. This orientation empowers spouses and family members by providing local helping agencies and community services and to enhance mission readiness. Registration required.

Sponsorship Training

Date: 25 May 2020 Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Sponsorship Training is designed to provide guidance on “How To” sponsor an inbound family to Schriever AFB and Colorado Springs. Sponsors will be provided information on the online sponsorship training website, beneficial relocation websites/agencies, tailoring sponsor packets, and more. Registration required.

USO Military Spouse Employment Workshop

Date: 26 May 2020 Time: 9:00am-12:00pm Location: TBD Class Description: USO and Schriever AFB are combining efforts to provide an employment workshop that will cover Resume Reviews, Interview Preparation, Hiring Insights, Corporate Culture, Professional Networking, and Professional Social Media Tips and will offer on-the-spot hiring from companies invited to participate. Registration required.

Boots to Business

Date: 27-28 May 2020 Time: 8:00am-4:30pm Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the Small Business Administration as part of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). B2B provides participants with an overview of business ownership, franchising, business plans, financial assistance, etc. and is open to transitioning service members, and their spouses. Registration required.

First Duty Station-Officers (Financial Brief)

Date: 29 May 2020 Time: 8:30am-11:30am Location: A&FRC, Bldg 101 Class Description: Mandatory “Basics of Personal Financial Management” for all O1-O3s arriving at their first duty station. This workshop will set you on the correct path to not only assist yourself but those you supervise. Topics include budgeting, car buying, insurance, improving your credit, managing debt, the Thrift Savings Plan and the Basics of Investing.

Registration required

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USAFA Airman & Family Readiness Center MARCH 2019 - MAY 2020

Class dates and times are subject to change Call in advance to register - 719-333-3444/3445

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February 27, 2020

Military Family

Monthly VA Lunch & Learn Session – 17 Mar , 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

(Bring your lunch)

Social & Emotional Health Resources – Describes services and provides information on resources for coping with life experiences and stressors that may impact social and emotional health.

Community Integration Resources – 28 Apr

Explains how to identify loyal services and community organizations that can provide assistance and aid to you and your loved ones.

VA Home Loan Guaranty Program – 5 May

General overview of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program including eligibility, processes, costs, and other available resources.

Federal Employment Workshop – 23 Apr, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Learn what you need to know about the federal hiring process, different hiring preferences, and navigating USAJOBS.

SAVINGS

Tricare for Separatees – 26 Mar, 30 Apr, 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

For those soon to be separating from military service, sign up to learn about your Tricare options. Spouses are encouraged to attend! Call 719-333-3444 to reserve your spot! Please note: due to new TAP requirements these briefings are no longer part of the TAP Workshop Curriculum.

SBP and Tricare for Retirees – 26 Mar, 30 Apr, 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

For those soon to be retiring from military service, come learn more about the Survivor Benefit Plan and Tricare for Retirees. Spouses are encouraged to attend!

Call 719-333-3444 to reserve your spot! Please note: due to new TAP requirements these briefings are no longer part of the TAP Workshop Curriculum.

Peterson Air Force Base Airman & Family Readiness Center Call 719-556-6141 to register RELOCATION

Basic Resume

Right Start

Dates: 10 March, 14 April, 19 May 2020 Time: 7:30am-3pm

Date: 19 March, 16 April, 21 May, 18 June 2020 Time: 9am-10:30am

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Dates: 25 March, 23 April, 28 May 2020 Overseas: 8am -10:30am Stateside: 9:10a-11:30am

Online Sponsorship Training

http://apps.militaryonesource.mil/esat

READINESS Pre-Deployment

Date: Every Monday (call to verify) Time: 1pm-3pm

Date: 2 April 2020 | Time: 10a-12p

PERSONAL & WORK LIFE PROGRAMS Key Spouse Orientation Date: 12 March, 15 May 2020 Time: 9am-3pm

Heartlink Orientation

Welcome Home

Date: 17 April 2020 | Time: 9am-4pm

Date: Every Wednesday (call to verify) Time: 10am-12p

Key Spouse Quarterly

Deployed Family Community Dinner (DFCD) Date: 2nd Thursday of every month.

DFCD held at the Base Chapel unless otherwise indicated.

AIR FORCE AID

Date: 1 May 2020 Time: 9:30am-11:30a & 5pm-7pm

Key Spouse Mentor Date: 15 May 2020 | Time: 4pm-6pm

Preventing Summer Slide Date: 24 April 2020 | Time: 11am-12pm

Bundles for Babies

Date: 26 March 2020 | Time: 8am-4pm Date: 7 May 2020 | Time: 1p-4pm

TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Pre-separation

BRS/TSP (Continuation Pay)

Date: 6 March 2020 | Time: 1pm-2:30pm

Date: Every Tuesday (call to verify) Time: 8am-12pm

Home Buying Seminar

TAP WORKSHOP

Date: 24 April 2020 | Time: 1pm-3pm

TSP Investment

Date: 24 May 2020 | Time: 2pm-4pm

Date: 16-20 March, 6-10 April, 11-15 May 2020 Time: 7:30am-5pm

Financial Readiness Car Buying

Capstone

Date: 5 June 2020 | Time: 1pm-3:30pm

Call to schedule individual appointments

EMPLOYMENT

Vocational Track

Career Planning for Military Spouses (Must attend both days) Date: 26-27 March 2020 Time: 8:30am-4:30pm Date: 11-12 June 2020 Time: 8:30am-2:30pm

Date: 20-21 May 2020 | Time: 8am-4pm

Boots to Business Date: 29-30 April 2020 | Time: 8am-4pm

ETAP Date: 20-24 April 2020 | Time: 7:30-4pm

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Military Family

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

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Local libraries offer far more than books Shutterstock

By Griffin Swartzell

L

ibraries have always been places of learning as much as they serve as repositories of knowledge. A wellstocked library will have books on just about any subject imaginable, from guides to navigating the American tax code to recipes for cake to primers on com-

puter numerical control, or CNC, manufacturing machines.

Programs like Interlibrary Loan expand a library’s stock beyond its physical boundaries.

But with the advent of the internet, what value do libraries have over the convenience of a smartphone? And what can they do for those who learn by doing rather than reading?

At the Pikes Peak Library District, the answer is: quite a

What your children believe is just as important as what they know.

• Fully accredited from • Strong academic and extra-curricular programs • After school extended day program • CSAL sports in grades 1-8 • Dedicated staff and teachers • Safety of our students is paramount

So what sets us apart from other schools?

• Christ centered atmosphere that develops life values

Your child’s education is important to us, but we also understand that it is not just what they know, it’s what they believe that makes a difference.

“Belonging Leads to Believing”

Now enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year.

Pre-School through 8th Grade Call Candy Bench for more information or to set your private tour

(719) 632-1846 • cbench@stpaulcos.org

St. Paul Catholic School 1601 Mesa Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80906 www.stpaulpmcs.org

“The Way of the Lord is my Fortress for Life”

lot. The PPLD offers library cardholders access to resources that include a professional-grade audio recording studio, a video recording and editing suite, CNC machines, 3D printers and design software. Further, the PPLD hosts orientation events and more to teach people how to use these resources.

And that doesn’t even touch on the chock-full calendar of classes, events, group meetings and more that the PPLD puts

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Our students typically score two grade levels higher than their current grade in reading, science, and math on the yearly state assessment. The smaller class sizes we offer allow for more 1:1 time with your child with individualized attention and lesson plans. And not only do we offer academic excellence and spiritual advancement, we also provide strong enrichment in the areas of STEM, art, choir, drama, physical education, language and sports programs.

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Your child will experience a faith-based foundation for life, complete with daily Mass, and a commitment to academic excellence. We set high standards for student achievement and help them to succeed. Students thrive in our family-oriented community. Rooted in Catholic values and committed to academic excellence, St. Paul Catholic School is dedicated to forming the whole child to know, love, and live the faith.

Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is now open. St. Paul Catholic School offers affordable private education with opportunities for financial aid. After school care is also available.

We look forward to hearing from you! Please contact us at 719-632-1846 or cbench@stpaulcos.org for a personalized tour and/or registration packet.

1601 Mesa Avenue • Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 • www.stpaulpmcs.org

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on, never mind that nearly everything is free.

“At the core of what we do, we are trying to help every person in this county get access to the resources they need to achieve their goals,” said Kayah Swanson, PPLD public relations specialist.

The PPLD offers resources to families of all shapes and sizes — and at all stages. Expecting parents can attend the annual Bumps, Books and Babies resource fair. Held in September, the event connects parents to a wide array of resources, ranging from early literacy to answers to frequently asked questions. From January to February, the PPLD hosts Kinderspark, an early literacy program that supplies parents with a free book.

“That’s all about getting access to what you need to help give your baby a really bright and healthy beginning,” Swanson said.

Year-round, Library 21c (1175 Chapel Hills Drive), the Sand Creek branch (1821 S. Academy St.) and the Fountain branch (230 S. Main St., Fountain) are all certified by New York-based Family Place Libraries as having special resources to support families with young children. That certification means these three libraries stock books, toys and other supplies for enrichment and learning through play. It also means they offer specially designed children’s areas for supervised activities. Parents seeking slightly more structured events should look into regular baby and toddler time events, which give young children the opportunity to learn how to socialize with their peers. These events also serve as networking events for new parents, helping them strengthen their support structures and swap tips and resources.

For kids, the PPLD offers a lot of experiential activities.

In 2019, for instance, they organized a kids’ soccer camp with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks soccer club. Science camps at the library have had kids dissecting owl pellets and experimenting with how subzero temperatures affect everyday objects. Sometimes, the library brings in animal experts for critter classes, which lets children learn about and interact with animals like hedgehogs and snakes.

“We love reading,” Swanson said. “That’s a huge core of what we do. But a lot of the programs that we offer are … really outside of the norm of what I know people think about libraries.”

The library also hosts free, multi-week coding camps for preteens and teens. These camps teach participants the basics of coding using a visual programming language called Scratch, developed by the media lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A spring 2019 camp focused on how artists use technology, and participants learned how to animate and how to program a basic image editing tool.

Kids and adults who want to learn about arts can also take advantage of the PPLD’s twice-annual maker-in-residence program, which run from March to May and September to November. During these residencies, the library hosts an artist or maker who will offer hands-on classes in their

medium while working on a community art project. Not only do these classes let participants meet members of the local arts community, participants often have something homemade to take home with them.

“One of my favorite ones that we just had was a maker in residence who focused on telling stories through comics,” Swanson said. “Sometimes we’ll have watercolor artists, mixed media artists, so really, the opportunities are endless.”

Patrons can also make use of the district’s three unique maker spaces, located at Library 21c, the Sand Creek branch and East library (5550 N. Union Blvd.). They can use sewing machines, CNC machines, 3D printers, laser engravers and more. The PPLD also hosts orientations to teach people how to use these tools, enabling patrons to do everything from making a custom chess set to prototyping a product to hemming a pair of pants.

The Sand Creek branch hosts Studio916, an audio recording studio that has seen patrons record everything from podcasts to full-length albums. Local musician Kim Seaborn recorded her second LP, My Delight, at Studio916, teaming up with house sound engineer Keagan Kellog and house producer TerryJosiah Sharpe to put it together without spending a penny on studio fees.

“Here, I got to work with professionals,” Seaborn told the PPLD’s Discovery newsletter. “I found the team here was so easy to work with and just really let me be myself, and they helped me flourish creatively.”

The studio also loans instruments for recording artists, including “a drum set, keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, you name it,” according to Swanson. Studio 916 also has karaoke nights that let participants take home a recording of their performance. And musicians can learn and jam at the Sand Creek branch’s guitar and ukulele clubs.

At Library 21c, Studio21c supplies patrons with the classes and supplies they need to for photo and video projects — everything from student documentaries and corporate training videos to game shows, advertisements and documentaries.

Swanson recalls a local high school student who, after being passed over for a documentary internship, used Studio21c’s supplies and facilities to do it herself.

“She checked out every single piece of equipment she used here, filmed an entire documentary on the behavioral impacts of screens on teenagers and put it together,” Swanson said. “She got a psychologist and Denver and a professor at Duke University to weigh in, and it turned into this really cool piece… She edited it here as well, and she learned how to use Adobe Premiere here.”

It’s hard for even Swanson to keep track of everything the PPLD does — even what she discussed with the Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group just scratches the surface of what the library can offer. She recommends patrons check the library’s online calendar to find out more about what events and opportunities are coming up. And, of course, get a library card.

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February 27, 2020

Military Family

Military Families Benefit Most From Fiber Internet Fast, reliable Internet is important for everyone, but especially for military families. Fiber-tothe-Home provides the fastest, most reliable and secure Internet available. You also want a provider who is local and knowledgeable. That’s where StratusIQ comes in.

StratusIQ is a locally owned and operated company, founded in 2003 to build a better fiber network. We are dedicated to bringing high speed Internet to El Paso County. Through our secure network we bring phone, TV and Internet services to our customers. Some of the larger neighborhoods we service that also attract military families include Banning Lewis Ranch, Gables at Falcon Highlands, Patriot Park, and Woodmen Hills, etc. Our fiber network provides a fast, reliable, and secure transport of our customer’s data. Our local staff specializes in customer service and community involvement. Our extensive fiber backbone, Fiber-to-the-Home technology and excellent customer service creates an unmatched customer experience. We are proud to serve our military and military families! Call or check your address online at join.stratusiq.com to see why we are Colorado Springs’ fiber internet rising star and highest rated service provider! And don’t forget to ask about our Military Discount!

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9

10 Military Family

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

www.csmng.com

Photo by Marcus Hill

Military to civilian: A seamless transition Staff Sgt. Matthew Coleman Foster reviews information about the Schriever Air Force Base’s Transition Assistance Program on Feb. 19, 2020 at the base’s Public Affairs office. The program provides numerous resources to prepare active duty personnel for life after the military.

By Marcus Hill

C

harting a new course after military service is often a scary and unknown process for those who have served.

But many are often unaware of the multitude of tools their branch provides to make the transition from military to civilian life less complicated. Schriever Air Force

Base makes sure to provide its Airmen with the tools and resources to ease that transition.

While in uniform, Airmen have a litany of tools to prepare them for life outside the military.

“I think, for a lot of them, it’s just a lack of knowledge on what they’re able to do because they haven’t been in this position before,” said Master Sergeant Kathryn North, career assistance adviser at Schriever.

“We give realistic examples of if they do this, ‘this’ can happen,” she said. “We can’t make them do anything, but providing them with the right resources to make smart choices is all we really can do.”

Lauren Clark, education services specialist at Schriever AFB, teaches several classes to prepare members for life post-military including an education 101 class and a skill bridge course.

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University of Northern Colorado Extended Campus Online & Across Colorado in Colorado Springs, Denver, Greeley and Loveland Public Universities with more than 10000 enrolled students | State: Colorado

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FOR MORE INFO VISIT EXTENDED.UNCO.EDU

unco.edu/veteransservices/resources/

About University of Northern Colorado The University of Northern Colorado proudly supports the military affiliated community by assisting in the transition process and providing a stand-alone space with a strong inclusive community. The acceptance of military credit and VA education benefits, awareness events, and the unlimited contributions and uncapped opportunities for the Yellow Ribbon program are just a few reasons why students choose UNC. Our undergraduate, graduate, extended campus and online programs are all designed to help you pursue your goals and find your career path with expert faculty, outstanding resources and hands-on educational experiences.

UNC offers 100+ undergraduate and 100+ graduate programs of study including our nationally recognized business school, health and human science programs and award-winning theater arts and teacher education programs, all which are supported by a cornerstone curriculum in the humanities and social sciences. Our student to faculty ration is 17:1 and students will experience hands-on learning, research opportunities and faculty who are passionate about their areas of expertise.

Students also benefit from an academic network that includes honors programs, learning communities, academic clubs, research and internship opportunities, renowned libraries, study abroad opportunities, veterans’ services and tutoring assistance.

Why attend University of Northern Colorado UNC understands that we are not successful unless our military students are successful. That is why we strive to provide a supportive environment for our military students (veterans, dependents, active duty, reserve, and guard). We accomplish this mission by serving as a liaison and advocate for our military student community, providing the appropriate resources, and giving each student the individual attention they deserve. This gives our military students every opportunity to reach their social and educational goals, allowing for the greatest potential of success in the civilian world.

Troops to Teachers - UNC is also recognized by Troops to Teachers, which is a DANTES, managed Department of Defense program that assists veterans and members of the Armed Forces in beginning new careers as teachers in public, charter and Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools.

Website: www.unco.edu/veterans-services/resources/ UNC Veteran’s Services Contacts: veterans.services@unco.edu Phone: (970) 351-1403 • Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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But Airmen must have the desire to attend.

“The thing with voluntary education is it’s voluntary,” Clark said. “People who come to my office are usually making the first step in that direction. There are other outreach efforts to get our services out there and sometimes people just need that boost. So we try to get those people who might not be ready to make that step to at least talk to somebody about preparing.”

‘What are you doing today?’

Clark knows the importance of life after the military and stresses its significance during her sessions.

“One of the things I say in the class I teach is, ‘What are you doing today for your tomorrow?’” Clark said. “Every military member is going to separate. I don’t know how many 80-year-old military members there are. So if a member decides to [enlist] to earn their benefits or whether they do 10 or 20 years, most people tend to have a second career after the military.”

The options are numerous and North attempts to guide Airmen in a positive direction.

“One of the courses we teach is called the informed decision course,” North said. “They get the idea of, ‘This is what we have right now and we won’t have this when we get out.’

So, they can make an informed decision on if they want to get out. That’s required for folks in their first and second enlistment.”

As they approach the end of their enlistment, Clark highlights a plethora of options for participants.

Part of the skill bridge program includes a permitted permissive temporary duty assignment (TDY) status in their final 180 days of service. During that period, they maintain their military pay and benefits while learning different skills.

“They can do an internship, apprenticeship or on-the-job training at an offsite location,” Clark said. “The Air Force is available to do pretty much any location. I’ve had members who go to be wine makers, pre-school teachers and financial assistants working at a [local] wolf sanctuary.”

Schriever’s Airmen & Family Readiness Center also offers the Transition Assistance Program (TAPS), which is another resource to guide Airmen post separation. It’s a mandatory program for those approaching retirement or separation from the Air Force.

They offer seminars that sharpen resumé-writing skills, interviewing basics, veteran benefits and services allotted to military members.

Heidi Goodbar, TAPS manager at Schriever, understands a career change can be a daunting choice.

“Leaving the service is a big decision and it is very normal to be unsure of what is coming next,” she said. “This program gives them the tools and the knowledge to take the next steps into the private sector with confidence. It’s a big change and they need to understand all that is available to them.”

Goodbar said there are plenty of community resources available to service members and their dependents. “[We have] Mt. Carmel Veteran Service Center, USO Pathfinder Program, Vet Center, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, just to name a few,” she said.

Post-military life doesn’t have to lead directly to the workforce. Schriever also preps Airmen for educational

opportunities.

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) covers intro-level college courses and is free for military members.

“Instead of taking a full [college] course, you can take the test and receive credit for the course,” Clark said.

According to ColoradoCalc.org, the average cost of tuition in Colorado is $12,379 a year.

Even with CLEP, affording college, especially for younger service members, still proves troublesome. That’s where the GI Bill can help. The bill provides financial assistance for college and/or graduate school for military veterans.

“For the Post 9/11 GI Bill, they have to have at least 90 (aggregate) days of active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001,” said Crista Hill, Veteran and Military Affairs assistant director at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. “They get 36 months of benefits and they have 15 years to use those benefits once they start using them.”

Those 36 months only include time while enrolled, she said.

“If they were in a fall term and they took the summer off, that doesn’t count against their 36 months,” Hill said. “It should cover the entire four years.”

The bill pays for tuition and fees and veterans receive stipends for housing, books and supplies. The GI Bill doesn’t cover some fees such as parking passes.

Va.gov provides tools for future students to see how much their GI Bill will cover at schools across the country.

Of course, veterans need to know where and how to start the application process.

“Once they’re accepted to a university, they submit a request on VA.gov to get a certificate of eligibility,” Hill said.

“That certificate of eligibility is then taken to the university where they’re going to go to school. Then, we in the VA office can confirm they’re eligible for that GI Bill. As far as how it works at UCCS, once we have that certificate of eligibility and know they can use the benefits, every semester they have to submit a request of enrollment verification to our office.”

Taking the next step isn’t easy for many military members, but it’s important. The proper resources and guidance helps make the transition from military life manageable.

“Setting yourself up for whatever path that may be is very important so you’re ready to transition and enter that second career,” Clark said. “There are a lot of benefits that people don’t know about and we hope to put them on to those.”

For additional information on programs at Schriever, visit https://www.schriever.af.mil/AandFRC/TransitionAssistance/ to view more resources.

For more information about the GI Bill, visit VA.gov.

Additional resources • www.military.com/education/timesavingprograms/clep-testing-for-military-members.html • www.va.gov/education/ survivor-dependent-benefits/ • www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/ profile/11001306

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February 27, 2020

Military Family

Peterson Air and Space Museum 150 E. Ent Ave., Peterson AFB, CO

Our Museum is open to the public!

Please call 1 day in advance if you don’t have base access

719-556-4915 www.petemuseum.org Tue. - Fri. 10 AM to 4 PM • Closed Holidays

Peterson Air and Space Museum The Peterson Air and Space Museum is Colorado’s oldest aviation Museum, site of Colorado Springs’s first municipal airfield. The four original structures built before 1941 still remain, including the beautifully preserved Art Deco passenger terminal. Our airpark has 13 aircraft that showcase the fighter interceptor heritage of North American Aerospace Defense, including three Canadian Air Force jets and the EC-121 Warning Star, an airborne warning and control aircraft. Come tour inside the EC-121 Warning Star. The City Hanger includes an ICBM launch control center, highlights from Air Force Space Command, NORAD, and other examples of our rich military heritage.

The Museum is also home to a Medal of Honor Park, where you can learn about the origins of our nation’s highest military honor and help pay tribute to our United States Air Force recipients.

The Museum is located on Peterson Air Force Base so a little preplanning is required if you don’t have a Military ID. Call the museum 719556-4915 or visit www.petemuseum.org by 2PM the work day before your visit to get a visitors pass and check hours. We are open 10AM-4PM Tuesday-Friday except holidays.

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12 Military Family

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

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Carson Soldier completes citizenship journey

By Scott Prater

S

gt. Jefte Sanon swore to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, Jan. 27.

That’s just a small segment of the oath people take upon earning U.S. citizenship, but it holds special meaning for Haitian-born Sanon, who fulfilled his dream of obtaining citizenship after an arduous lifelong journey.

“I assume most people take their citizenship for granted,” he said. “But for me, I don’t just live here. America is my home country now. I feel more American.”

Born and raised on a small island off the coast of Haiti – La Gonave – Sanon was a teenager when he saw his first U.S. Soldier in the mid-1990s. At the time, U.S. forces had intervened to reinstall Haiti’s elected leaders following a military coup.

“I noticed something was different about them,” he said of the Soldiers. “They worked together and they protected each other. It seemed like they were part of a brotherhood, and I wanted to be part of something like that.”

Life in poverty-stricken Haiti proved difficult, however.

Thankfully, Sanon said, his family valued education. He would walk miles to and from school each day, in part because his family couldn’t afford a bicycle. His perseverance paid off eventually, though, as he earned a teaching certificate, which led to his first job.

Turns out he has a knack for languages; lots of them. Over the course of his tutelage in Haiti and his travels elsewhere, he learned and now speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and English, along with some Arabic.

Teaching seemed like the right fit for him at the time, but it was during his teaching tenure that local U.N. leaders approached him. They felt his language skills could be put to better use in other parts of the world.

Intrigued, Sanon soon sailed for war-torn Sudan, where he worked for the U.N. as a receiving inspector and later as a logistics coordinator, providing food, water and other necessities for the Sudanese populace between 2004 and 2010.

“Those were difficult jobs in dangerous places,” he said.

“It took every bit of communication skill I had to move supplies between places. Even though our caravans were clearly marked as U.N. vehicles, it didn’t stop some groups from firing at us. Plus, you had to know and communicate

with whoever was in control of a particular region or passageway at any given time.”

That danger eventually led to his flight from Sudan.

He said factions that had orchestrated a war-crime killing sought him for witnessing the event, so U.N. leaders sent him to Miami, Florida, for three months of rest and recuperation. When U.N. leaders contacted him later, he learned those same factions still occupied the same area of Sudan. So he decided to stay in the U.S. Holding legal immigration and work status in the U.S., Sanon eventually found his way to Houston where he enrolled in college courses and worked logistical jobs for Lowes and Staples.

“That was 2011,” he said. “I got married in Houston, started a family there, had a good job and was taking college courses.

But I wanted to do more. I wanted to give back. That’s when I visited an Army recruiting station and began studying my options.”

Unfortunately, administrative issues cost him a chance at enlistment. He said he tried to enlist a second time in 2014, but that erroneous records foiled his efforts yet again.

Finally in 2016, a Houston-area recruiter called him and asked if he would try again. By that time he was 34 and had been promoted to shipping manager at Staples.

“I took a big pay cut to join the Army,” he said. “But I don’t regret it for a second, even after adjusting my Army career choice to what was available at the time.”

Sanon entered basic training in May 2017 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia, before traveling to his first duty station – Fort Carson. Officially, he’s a petroleum supply specialist in Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

And the Army seems to suit him. He’s risen through the ranks with lightning speed, going from private to sergeant in two and half years, thanks to his education and achievements.

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Then Cpl. Jefte Sanon, petroleum supply specialist, Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, takes the citizenship oath Jan. 27 during a ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service in Centennial. and lead others in the right direction. He has attained a lot of accomplishments quickly this year, (and) the company is proud and happy to celebrate with him. We’re confident he’ll, no doubt, have many more accomplishments this year.”

Still, the citizenship piece looms large in Sanon’s mind.

“There are a lot of steps to take in the citizenship process, but it’s fairly straightforward,” he said. “Being a Soldier already definitely helped. Soldiers have already passed a background check, for example, and have their finger prints and other biometrics logged. And a Soldier should know most of the information on the citizenship test. Now, my security clearance investigation is already done, but I needed U.S. citizenship to get the clearance. With that comes much more opportunity in the military.”

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An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

February 27, 2020

Military Family 13

National campaign promoting Springs as Space Command home

Shutterstock

By Helen Robinson

T

he Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC launched a national campaign to promote Colorado as the best permanent location for U.S. Space Command.

“The aerospace & defense industry is one of Colorado’s largest economic sectors,” Kathy Boe, chair of the Chamber & EDC’s board of directors, and CEO of Boecore, said in a news release. “USSPACECOM’s permanent pres-

ence in Colorado will drive more innovation and investment to our region while attracting and retaining a highly skilled workforce.”

Three of six bases identified by the Air Force in the initial strategic basing decision are in Colorado Springs. The Chamber & EDC, along with community and state partners, have contracts with two agencies to handle the public relations campaign’s strategies and tactics. The agencies are Development Counselors International, the Chamber & EDC’s current public relations agency, and

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“The combination of agencies allows Colorado to make a full-court press in getting our state talked about by the right people,” said Reggie Ash, the Chamber & EDC’s chief defense development officer, pointing to the state’s aerospace and defense assets and robust workforce development as important factors in the decision. “... Keeping USSPACECOM in Colorado is essential to its mission, will not disrupt fami-

lies and personnel, and will be the most costefficient way to strengthen the Command,” he said. “There is no other community more supportive of our national defense efforts in space.”

The Chamber & EDC is inviting the community to get involved in the Securing U.S. Space Command campaign. Don Addy, chair of the Colorado Thirty Group and Chamber & EDC board member, is chairing a community advocacy task force. For information, contact spacecom@cscedc.com.

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14 Military Family

February 27, 2020

An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

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Arapahoe Flight Club takes off

By Jeanne Davant

D

iego Blandon has been passionate about aviation since he first started turning wrenches on aircraft.

And as a former Marine and later a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, he knew that military pilots are prime candidates for commercial airline jobs.

That was the genesis of Arapahoe Flight Club, which trains pilots for commercial jobs in a relaxed atmosphere where aviation enthusiasts can share interests.

“Being former military, I saw there was a huge need for an institution that was capable of transitioning former military pilots to the airlines,” Blandon said.

Federal Aviation Administration figures show there’s a worldwide shortage of pilots, and airlines are feeling the pinch. The FAA reported that the number of commercial pilots in the United States is down 30 percent from 30 years ago, while the number of passengers has grown.

New federal safety measures imposed in 2013 increased the number of flight-training hours needed to qualify for Air Transport Pilot certification from 250 to 1,500. About 40 percent of pilots still active in the industry are going to be retiring within the next decade — retirement is mandatory at age 65 at most airlines — and the high cost of training has kept many young people away.

But a career as an airline pilot can be lucrative. While entry-level salaries average about $60,000 a year, not including bonuses, a pilot who achieves captain level after about 10 years can make $300,000 or more.

“When I first went to college to become an engineer, pilots graduated with over $100,000 worth of student debt,” Blandon said. “They would get jobs living on the poverty line. Now entry-level jobs are much higher in pay. Wages have increased significantly because of the unions.”

Pilots can also get work flying cargo planes or corporate jets, or in aviation operations ranging from agriculture to mapping surveys.

Prospective pilots can train at a flight club or flight school — and they are different, Blandon said. As a membership organization, a flight club can provide training and aircraft time at cheaper rates than a flight school.

“Because we have members that contribute dues, we are capable of passing those savings on to the members,” Blandon said.

Arapahoe Flight Club charges its members $110 an hour to fly planes and $45 per hour for instruction, whereas a flight school will charge up to $250 an hour for air time and $60 or more per hour for instruction, he said.

The club also is “a more inclusive environment,” he said.

“We try to create a family environment where members can share their experiences. We try to make it more fun.”

The flight club provides the same rigorous training that’s

Arapahoe Flight Club Established: September 2019 Employees: 5 Location: 1360 Aviation Way Photo by Jeanne Davant

Former Army helicopter pilot Diego Blandon saw a need for a flight club to help former military pilots transition to commercial jobs. given in the military, Blandon said, and he’s well acquainted with those standards.

After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aircraft mechanic. After his discharge in 2001, he earned a bachelor of science in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida; a master of science in the same fields from the University of Alabama; and an MBA at Embry-Riddle.

He worked as an engineer for Gulfstream Aerospace, Boeing and FedEx Aviation before joining the U.S. Army in January 2013, serving as a helicopter pilot.

He left the Army last year and works as an aerospace engineer at the Missile Defense Agency at Schriever Air Force Base in addition to running the flight club.

Blandon cashed in his retirement savings to cover startup expenses, which included the cost of two airplanes and the tools to maintain them. The club owns two Piper low-wing

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airplanes and leases a Baron D55, which is used for multiengine training.

He plans to add a flight simulator by the end of this year, but his primary goal is to obtain Veterans Administration certification, which will enable the club to get reimbursement through the GI Bill.

Arapahoe Flight Club offers two tracks for students. One is tailored to transition trained helicopter pilots to fixedwing aircraft; the second is for students with no experience.

Blandon said it takes novice students 14 to 16 months to accrue the 1,500 hours needed for certification, but the timing depends upon individual students’ experience and how many hours a week they’re able to spend in training.

“Everything is pretty much at the pace of the student,” he said.

Arapahoe Flight Club currently has 10 members.

“We’re growing slowly but surely,” Blandon said. “Once we get VA certification, it’s going to skyrocket.”

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An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

February 27, 2020

Military Family 15 Photo by xxxx

“We are so grateful for the service that our military-affiliated students have offered to our country.”

— Chancellor Venkat Reddy

UCCS fifth in nation in latest Military Friendly ranking

By Erinn Callahan

F

or the second straight year, UCCS has placed in the top 10 among large institutions in the Military Friendly Schools rankings.

UCCS placed fifth in the 2020-21 rankings, up from seventh in 2019-20, according to a news release from UCCS spokesperson Jared Verner.The campus outperformed Military Friendly’s standards in all six categories of academic polices and compliance; admissions and orientation; culture and commitment; financial aid and assistance; graduation and career; and military student

support and retention — performing best in the financial aid and culture categories, Verner said.

“We are so grateful for the service that our military-affiliated students have offered to our country,” Chancellor Venkat Reddy said in the release. “In return, we are committed to their success both in and out of the classroom — from supporting our students academically to providing resources for their mental and physical well-being.”

Nearly 20 percent of UCCS students have a military affiliation, including active duty, veteran or family member, Verner said.

The McCord-Herbst Student Veteran

Center in Gateway Hall opened in 2016 and was further expanded in 2019 to provide a home for the campus Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and a lounge for student veterans between classes, he said.

“We’re honored and humbled to be recognized as one of the top places for a studentveteran, active-duty or family member to earn a degree,” Crista Hill, assistant director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, said in the release. “These students have served their country, and it’s now our duty to give them the best possible educational experience.”

The Military Friendly Schools list is owned

and operated by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly brands, according to the news release.The list is created each year based using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans and responses to the proprietary, data­-driven Military Friendly Schools survey from participating institutions, according to the release. Criteria for consideration can be found at militaryfriendly.com.

io

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Her excitement soon diminished as she quickly realized how daunting the process would be. It was difficult to figure out how to connect with employers and what to include on a resume when you’ve spent multiple years immersed in the valuable task of raising the next generation.

Thankfully, Mandy connected with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and quickly plugged into many of the events hosted by its Transition and Employment team. A graduate of the week-long Prep Connect 360 job training workshop to resume writing classes, a Hiring our Heroes event and Onward to Opportunities professional certification support, Mandy has charged forward. In fact, she recently landed a position with a national financial organization at a local Colorado Springs branch office. “I’m excited to have my feet back on the ground and not have to start at ground zero. Mt. Carmel provided such valuable opportunities, and most importantly for me, networking!

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16 Military Family

February 27, 2020

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An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer, the Peterson Space Observer and the Schriever Sentinel

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