Tester
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FFSC
All classes are held at the Fleet and Family Support Center in Building 2090 off of Bundy Road unless otherwise noted. Classes are open to active-duty and retired military and Reservist. Reservations are necessary and can be made at FFSC or by calling 301-342-4911.
Apprentice Sailors reminded to seek ratings From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
See more FFSC classes on Facebook.
Classes
Anger Management (six, two-hour sessions) - Feb. 10, 12, 19 and 24, 2-4 p.m. Couples Communication - Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Smooth Move - Feb. 6, 10-11 a.m. Sponsor Training - Feb. 10, 9-10 a.m. Ombudsman Assembly - Feb. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. Infant Massage at Glenn Forest Community Center - Feb. 13 and 27, 9-9:45 a.m. Stress Management - Feb. 13, 2:30-4 p.m. Closed Presidents Day - Feb. 17 Financial considerations for Families and Deployments - Feb. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 10 Steps to a Federal Job - Feb. 19, 1-4 p.m. Myers Briggs - Feb. 20, 8 a.m. to noon
Ready Navy/Operation Prepare
Winter is here! Get a free information packet on how to prepare for winter weather and other emergencies at the Fleet and Family Support Center.
Clinical Counseling Services
Clinical Counseling services can directly improve the quality of life of service members and their family by addressing the stressors facing today’s military: family hardships, marital conflicts, parent/child issues, money concerns, frequent moves, health and envi-
HOMELESS
Continued from 1 In addition to providing safety, sheriff’s deputies were able to guide the volunteers to places — specifically in the woods — where they knew tents and lean-tos were likely to be found. PIT volunteer Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Scott Johnson, the leading chief petty officer for Pax River’s
Thursday, February 6, 2014
ronmental factors, etc. To make an appointment with a counselor, call 301-342-4911 or 202-685-6019.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
EFMP is a DOD program that addresses the special needs of military families. Sailors with an exceptional family member — a family member with special needs such as a medical or educational disability — are encouraged to enroll in the EFMP so the Navy can do its part in caring for EFM needs. Email James Lettner at james.lettner@navy.mil.
Financial Counseling Services
The Personal Financial Educator can help individuals and families in managing their finances, resolving financial problems and to reach long-term goals. Take control of your finances and make an appointment with a counselor by calling 301-342-5442.
Playgroup at Glenn Forest Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.
Moms, dads and caregivers are invited to bring their children for playtime at the Glenn Forest Community Center. Security Department, said not only did he and his team go to one of the homeless camps in the woods, they also visited numerous business establishments along Great Mills Road to hand out information. “We had brochures that noted the programs available to the homeless along with details about the service agencies, their emergency numbers, points of contact, etc.,” he said. “By making local business owners aware of the situation, they can pass out the
With more than 6,150 Professional Apprentice Career Track (PACT) Sailors currently serving, commands are reminded to follow the Career Waypoint (C-Way) PACT model to help non-designated Sailors strike into a rating, officials recently said. The PACT program consists of three apprentice tracks; aviation, engineering and surface. PACT Sailors enlist for an initial four-year active service obligation and receive initial apprenticeship training for their track to fill apprentice-level billets in the fleet. Upon arrival at their first permanent duty station, commands conduct rating eligibility screening and develop a career progression plan during the PACT Sailor’s career development board to identify on-the-job training that leads to a viable career field within two years on board. Command Career Counselors use the C-Way Designation model to determine PACT Sailor eligibility and available quotas for their desired rating prior to submitting applications. “The career counselor works with Sailors to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for the job they want,” said Earl Salter, C-Way deputy director, Bureau of Naval Personnel. “If they don’t meet those minimum requirements, the counselor will use C-Way to help discover what options they have, such as retaking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
information to anyone they see in need of services.” Three years ago, seven homeless veterans were counted in St. Mary’s County; last year that number was more than 40; and this year, it’s even higher. “Preliminary numbers appear to indicate that we counted 65 ‘literally’ homeless veterans by HUD definition,” Lancaster said. “And if we use the VA definition, it was closer to 120. The number is the magic bullet for
U.S. Navy photo/MC2 Kenneth Abbate
Sailors at Naval Air Station Patuxent River take the Navywide petty officer E-4 through E-6 advancement exam last fall. to improve their score, or finding an alternative rating where they are qualified.” To remain eligible for benefits provided by the PACT program, Sailors must: Maintain job eligibility; Have no non-judicial punishments within 12 months of attending “A” school; Have passed the most recent physical readiness test and be within body composition standards; Have no marks on performance evaluations below 3.0; Maintain world-wide assignment eligibility; Meet service time obligation after “A” school for a follow-on job assignment. “PACT Sailors can apply to any community as long as there is an available quota and the Sailor meets the minimum qualifications,” Salter said. “Applying for ratings that have more quotas will greatly increase a Sailor’s opportunity for approval
sooner. This will allow the Sailor additional time to prepare for the NWAE and possibly increased advancement opportunity.” Commands may submit up to three choices per applicant from one of the following: Navywide Advancement Exam (NWAE), Fleet “A” School, or Direct Rating Entry Designation (RED). For Fleet “A” School Sailors must have a minimum of 12 months on board. Direct Rating Entry Sailors must meet time in rate requirements for the NWAE or have 12 months onboard, whichever comes first. Approvals for RED are determined by unit billet base, onboard manning status and Sailor eligibility. An additional requirement for the RED is that commands must have a vacant valid billet on board to apply. For more information, visit the CWAY Web Page on the Navy Personnel Command website at www.npc. navy.mil/career/careercounseling/ Pages/C-WAY.aspx.
VASH vouchers and we’re hoping those vouchers will now materialize.” Not everyone encountered homeless individuals that evening. Lancaster noted that the very cold weather meant many of them were not found outdoors as usual, but had migrated to the shelter of churches or soup kitchens and had been counted earlier that day. However, he wants to make sure all the volunteers know their service was vital.
“Counting was only part of the program,” he said. “Pax River volunteers really helped raise awareness that homelessness is a serious problem here in St. Mary’s County. Representatives who were here from the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Baltimore staff from federal Housing and Urban Development saw what seemed to them like a sea of volunteers. They were amazed and impressed — and I want to thank the base for that.”
Naval Air Station Patuxent River • tester@dcmilitary.com • www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver The name Tester is a registered mark in the state of Maryland. This paper is published by Comprint, Inc., 9030 Comprint Ct., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, (301) 9481520, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval District Washington. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the Tester are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Southern Maryland Newspapers and Printing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall
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Capt. Ben Shevchuk
Donna Cipolloni
Capt. Heidi Fleming
Frederick C. Fair
Cmd. Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen
Breton Helsel and Deirdre Parry
Commanding Officer Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
Connie Hempel
Public Affairs Officer
Staff Writer Volunteer
Copy/layout editors
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