Southernmost Flyer Nov. 3, 2017

FRIDAY, NOV. 3, 2017

Eye on the Fleet

ARABIAN GULF

VOL. 17 NO. 41

WWW.CNIC.NAVY.MIL/KEYWEST NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, FLORIDA

Powerboats returning to Truman (Oct. 30, 2017) Sailors signal an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the ‘Dragon Slayers’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman has successfully completed tailored shipboard test availability.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Anthony Flynn

inside: AMERICAN INDIAN Heritage month . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HELPING PAW MWD checks floats . . . . . . . 2 COMPARE Retirement systems. . . . . . . 3 UPDATES MWR programs . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TOP OF PAGE ONE: An EA-18G Growler assigned to the ‘Rooks’ of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

FALL BACK SUNDAY: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday - remember to turn your clocks back an hour!

Post-Irma training

From NAS Key West Public Affairs

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he world’s fastest and most competitive boats are on the water next week for the 37th Annual Key West Super Boat World Championship.

Boats will arrive Sunday to stage in “Race Village” at Truman Annex, with a boat parade down Duval Street scheduled for 4 p.m. Powerboats will be on display as part of the Duval Street Party from 7 - 11 p.m. Friday.

Racing begins Wednesday and continues through Nov. 10, with the finals Nov. 12.

Admission to watch the races is free to active and retired military, military dependents and DOD employees and their families; IDs are required.

Because of the continuing Waterfront Park construction on Truman Annex, fans will need to find other areas in which to park. Only the United Street Gate is open on Truman Annex; the Southard Gate, closest to see Powerboats page 2

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Cody Babin

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aval Air Station Key West Security Department Master-at-Arms participate in an active shooter drill at NAS Key West’s Sigsbee Marina Tuesday. The drill was different from past exercises as it involved an assailant brandishing a knife, rather than a gun.

Prepare now for TRICARE changes coming Jan. 1 From Naval Hospital Jacksonville

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hanges are coming to your TRICARE benefit beginning Jan. 1, 2018. These changes will give you more benefit choices, improving your access to care, simplifying

cost shares, and allowing you to take command of your health.

“Taking command of your health means empowering you to make the right health care and coverage choices for you and your family,” said Cmdr. Duneley Rochino, Naval Branch

Health Clinic Key West officer in charge. “Leading up to Jan. 1, 2018, we will connect you with TRICARE resources to navigate your benefit questions.”

The best way for you to prepare now is to update your information in DEERS at https://TRICARE.mil/

plans/eligibility/DEERS, sign up for TRICARE benefit updates at www.TRICARE. mil/subscriptions, and visit TRICARE changes at https://TRICARE.mil/about/ changes.

Here are changes that see tricare page 6

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•Nov. 3, 2017

Battling complacency

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Nov. 3 1961 - After Hurricane Hattie, helicopters from USS Antietam (CV 36) begin relief operations at British Honduras providing relief.

Nov. 4 1971 - USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN 636) launches a Poseidon C-3 Missile in the first surface launch of the weapon.

Nov. 5 1943 - PB4Ys from Patrol Bombing Squadron VB-107 and U.S. Army Air Forces B-25s sink the German submarine U-848.

Nov. 6 1942 - The first officer and enlisted WAVES from training schools report for shore duty.

Nov. 7 1944 - USS Albacore (SS 218) is sunk by a mine off the northern tip of Honshu.

All hands are lost.

Nov. 8 1975 - More than 100 Sailors and Marines from USS Inchon (LPH 12) and USS Shreveport (LPD 12) fight a fire aboard a Spanish merchant vessel at Palma.

Nov. 9 1956 - Secretary of the Navy Charles S. Thomas proposes the Polaris missile program to Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson.

know that there are many resources that are self-helps but I came across this one that can hopefully help in the area of complacency.

If you feel that your life is becoming more negative each day, then I want to challenge you to change your routine.

Here are several steps that may help guide you to a more positive outlook.

Recognize your blind spots.

One of the greatest dangers of complacency is that it creates blind spots in people toward areas in their life that need growth and change. Blind spots are those critical areas that need to be addressed but aren’t visible to people who refuse to acknowledge them.

Look for vulnerabilities. When we are complacent, we no longer think strategically about the

future. We become too comfortable with our past and current successes. Our thinking becomes short-term, inward and narrow in focus. We become so enamored with our past performance that we fail to see new threats coming our way.

Take risks. Success is usually achieved as the result of taking risks. People who are complacent do not look CHAPLAIN'S for new opporCORNER tunities. They do what has worked for them in the past.

What a disgrace it would be for you to grow NAS Key West old without seeCommand Chaplain ing the beauty Lt. Cmdr. and strength of Scott Mason your full potential. As Anais Nin said, “The day will come when it’s more painful to remain tight in a bud than taking the risk to bloom.”

Kick laziness in the butt.

People who are complacent are internally focused on themselves

instead of externally focused on others or the situation around them. They work at a constant speed, even when circumstances demand fast action.

Appreciate your life. The best way to pry yourself out of the complacency rut is to admit that your best life begins right now, not down the road somewhere.

Don’t wait until your life is almost over to realize how great it’s been. Stop wanting a better one - you’ll end up taking that for granted, too.

Please come and join us for worship services at 10:30 a.m.

Sundays. This Sunday we will be at the Community Center on Sigsbee Annex for services with our Praise Band and Children’s Church.

Please visit our Facebook page (NAS Key West Chapel) for upcoming events.

If you are in need of chaplain care, please call your chaplains at 305-293-2318, Naval Air Station Key West, or 305-2928788, Coast Guard Sector Key West.

National American Indian, Native Alaskan Heritage Month begins From Chief of Naval Personnel and the Earth, having served with valor in our nation’s conPublic Affairs flicts, and for their many distinct he Navy joins the and important contributions to nation in celebrat- the United States. Today, there ing American Indians are a total of 566 Federally recand Native Alaskans dur- ognized tribes in the United ing National American Indian States of America. and Native Alaskan Heritage American Indians and Native Month throughout the month of Alaskans have served honorably November. in the United States Navy for ALNAV 006/17 encourages more than 200 years. Their conparticipation in all the heritage tributions to the strength and celebrations and special obser- security of our Nation attest vances throughout the year. to our rich legacy of the first This year, Navy commands are Americans.

During the 20th centuencouraged to celebrate and ry, three Sailors of American reflect on the theme “Standing Indian and Native Alaskan Together.” heritage received the Medal of Since 1994, the observance Honor including Cmdr. Ernest month has recognized American E. Evans, Lt. Michael Thorton, Indians and Native Alaskans for and Boatswain’s mate 1st Class their respect of natural resources

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James Williams.

Our “One Navy Team” is made up of American Indian and Native Alaskan Sailors and civilians. More than 9,000 American Indian and Native Alaskan Sailors hold nearly every job from naval aviator to deep-sea diver. There are more than 2,000 American Indian and Native Alaskan civilians working for the Department of the Navy.

A diverse workforce positions the Navy to operate successfully around the globe by bringing together Sailors and civilians with different ideas, experiences, perspectives, capabilities and skill sets. Integrating Sailors and civilians from diverse backgrounds into the force allows see heritage page 3

Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby J. Baker Executive Officer Cmdr. Greg Brotherton PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Trice Denny EDITOR Jolene Scholl STAFF MC2 Cody Babin This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military service and their families.

Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof.

The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Additional copy and photographs provided by the readers of the Southernmost Flyer should be addressed to: Editor, Southernmost Flyer, Public Affairs Office, Naval Air Station, Box 9001, Key West, FL 33040-9001. Copy can also be e-mailed to jolene.scholl@ navy.mil.

Telephone (305) 293-2425/2434. DSN 4832425/2434.

Deadline for all editorial copy is 4 p.m. the Friday preceding publication. All articles must be submitted on disk in text format, written in upper/lower case style.

Powerboats continued from page 2

the Mole Pier, is closed to alleviate congestion.

Race Village opens at 7 a.m. Wednesday and Friday with races scheduled for 10 a.m. and 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The finals are Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Bleachers for ID cardholders will be set up at the Outer Mole and the Key West Chief Petty Officers Association will be selling food and beverages.

For more information go to www.superboat.com.

Nov. 3, 2017 •

Courses compare legacy retirement with new blended retirement system From Defense Media Activity

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ervice members eligible to opt into the Blended Retirement System in 2018 can now take a free course to learn to use the online comparison calculator to aid in determining whether the new BRS or the legacy retirement system is a better choice for their circumstances, Defense

Heritage continued from page 2

the Navy to recruit and retain the nation’s top talent from a vast pool of skilled personnel.

The Defense Equal

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Passing the sniff test

Department officials said.

The calculator provides individual military retirement benefit estimates for service members who are eligible to opt into the new system in 2018, allowing them to compare options under both systems.

Service members using a common access card can access the course through Joint Knowledge Online, see retire page 5

Opportunity Management Institute provides printable posters, presentation, guidance for organizing observance, and education facts on their website, http://www.deomi.org/ under the section “Special Observances.”

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Cody Babin

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A2 Paige Nielsen and Military Working Dog Jessy from Naval Air Station Key West’s MWD unit do a contraband/bomb sweep at the staging area for Key West’s Fantasy Fest floats before the start of the parade Saturday. NAS Key West’s MWD Unit assists the city each year during the annual event.

Briefly…

Job Title: Arresting gear Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Prior Duty Stations: USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 69) Hobbies: Gaming, going to the gym.

Most Interesting Experience: Three-carrier hull swap.

Future Plans: Get fully qualified and start college.

ABE3 Dwayne Plummer

Family Fun Day

Vets parade applications

Naval Air Station Key West’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosts Military Family Fun Day from noon - 3 p.m. Saturday at Sigsbee Park to recognize Military Family Month and our local active duty military families. The event will include carnival rides, inflatables, games and food.

The activities, rides are food are free, except for the paintball shooting gallery. Activities include face painting, a photo booth, petting zoo, train rides, door prizes and a car smash.

NAS Key West Fire & Emergency Services will on site with fire safety demonstration. For more for information, call 305-293-2783.

The Key West Veterans Day Parade Committee is still accepting last-minute applications from local military units, veterans units and patriotic units that want to participate in this year’s parade on Nov. 11. The parade, which travels down Duval Street in Key West, recognizes those who served and continue to serve in our nation’s Armed Forces. To get regis- Legal aid for civilians tration information, call Staff Sgt. Mo Sesay at 305-293-5606/5775 (work) or The Judge Advocate General of the 813-263-6708 (cell).

Navy has approved a request for a temporary extension of legal assistance to DOD civilians at Naval Air Truman gate changes The Truman gate accessed via

Southard Street is closed because of upcoming activities at Waterfront Park, including the Fantasy Fest Parade set up and the powerboat races. It will remain closed until Nov. 13.

The United Street gate is now open for access to Truman Annex.

Appropriate ID is still required to access the base.

see BriefLy page 5

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•Nov. 3, 2017

MWR Update Vets Day hours All MWR facilities are closed Nov. 10, 2017, in observance of Veterans Day except for the following: Boca Chica Fitness Center: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Fly Away Café at Navigator’s: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Navigator’s Bar: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

NGIS Front Desk (Bldg.

A-648): 24 hours Sigsbee Marina: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Vacation Rentals: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (no recreational) All MWR facilities are closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day except for the following: Fly Away Café at Navigator’s: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Navigator’s Bar: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

NGIS Front Desk (Bldg.

A-648): 24 hours Sigsbee Marina: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Vacation Rentals: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (no recreational)

A-648, open 24 hours, phone 305-293-2015.

Sigsbee Park: Campground Office/Outdoor Storage Office (recreational camping is still closed) - 9 a.m.

- 3 p.m. daily, call 305-2934432; Child Development Center and after-school care - 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Monday - Friday, call CDC at 305-293-4437 and SAC at 305-293-2099. Fitness Center - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Saturday; Sigsbee Marina - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (boat rentals starting soon); Splash Park -8 a.m. 6 p.m. daily; Sunset Lounge - 4 - 10 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday; Tickets & Travel Office - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday.

Truman Annex: Fitness Center - 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.

Fitness classes

MWR begins two fitness classes at the Sigsbee Community Center starting Open facilities Nov. 13. Yoga will is from Boca Chica Field: Airlanes 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Mondays Grill: 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Cardio Caliente is from Monday - Friday; Auto 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Skills Center: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and Cottage fair 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday; Fitness Center: 6 a.m. - 6 Do you own your own p.m. Monday - Friday, 9 business and sell a proda.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday - uct you are passionate Sunday; Fly Away Café - about? MWR Community 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday Recreation is organizing the - Friday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. first Community Craft & Saturday - Sunday, phone Business Fair from 10 a.m. 305-293-2468; Navigator’s 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Sigsbee Bar - 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily, Community Center. call 305-293-2468; Landing All members of the miliZone Graphics - 8 a.m. - 4 tary community are welp.m., no phone service, - come - active duty, depenemail mwrgraphics@gmail. dents, retired military and com; NGIS front desk, Bldg. DOD civilians.

The registration fee is $10 per booth space (tables and chairs are provided). To register, complete a vendor application and submit as an attachment in an email to sarah.graves@navy.mil

by Nov. 24.

MWR will review the application and then contact businesses within two business days. Visit www.

NavyMWRKeyWest.com/ vendor to view and download the editable document.

Once the application is approved, payment can be made at the Sigsbee Ticket & Travel Office. The deadline is 4 p.m., Dec. 4. For more information, call 305563-0364.

Defense course Learn an introduction to the martial art Jiu Jitsu self- defense in this seminar for boys aged 10 -13.

The instructor is Richard Thomas. The class is 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sigsbee Community Center.

Athletic attire is required.

The cost is $5 per person.

Register and pay at the Community Recreation Tickets & Travel Office on Sigsbee Park. Only 10 spots are available. For additional information, call or text 317-292-6557.

Light-jar craft Join MWR from 6 - 9 p.m.

Wednesday at the Sigsbee Community Center and learn how to make a silhouette light jar for your child’s room or for yourself. All supplies are provided. Silhouette options include fairies, gnomes and other woodland creatures.

The cost is $8 per person.

Seating is limited. Register and pay at Sigsbee Tickets & Travel Office. Call 317292-6557 for more information.

Family kickball Join the families of NAS Key West for an evening of old school kickball at 5 p.m. Nov. 10 on the Sigsbee softball field. This event is open to all MWR authorized patrons: active duty & their dependents, retired

military and their dependents and DOD civilians.

Families are encouraged to come out and play; children MUST be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 305-293-2480 or email kwathletics@gmail. com.

Nov. 12. Transportation departs Sigsbee Community Center at 11:30 a.m.

Twenty spots are available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Tickets are discounted and cost $8 per person. Purchase tickets directly through University of Miami by calling Steven Basketball shuttle Greenblatt at 305-284-6745 or emailing sgreenblatt@ MWR is offering a shut- miami.edu. Transportation tle to the Naval Academy cost is $5 per person.

Midshipman vs. University Register at Sigsbee Tickets of Miami Hurricanes basketball game on at 4 p.m. see MWR page 5

Nov. 3, 2017 •

Retire

continued from page 3

and a non-CAC version also is available for active-duty members, officials said.

Fred Drummond, deputy assistant secretary of defense for force education and training, said the comparison calculator is a valuable resource for service members and their families as they make decisions regarding their financial future.

“Additionally,” he said, “we strongly encourage service members to seek out additional financial consultation with their own financial adviser, if they have one.”

The Comparison Calculator Course is available in two versions - one is for active-duty service members, and the other is designed to meet the needs of the National Guard and reserve components.

Both official DOD comparison calculators and the

MWR

number of open positions within MWR and NGIS. continued from page 4 There is an urgent need for full time and flex Child Care Workers and & Travel Office or call/text Housekeepers but many 305-563-0364 with ques- other positions available.

For a full list of open tions. positions and a PDF appliJob opportunities cation form visit www.

NavyMWRKeyWest.

There are currently a com/jobs.

Briefly

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Station Key West who were directly affected by Hurricane Irma.

Free legal assistance is available to installation DOD civilians, including its tenant commands, for hurricane-related legal issues, including landlord-tenant issues, insurance claims, creditor/debtor issues and contracts. The offer assistance ends in December. For more information, NAS Key West Legal Office at 305293-2833.

Get active with MCHC The Multicultural Heritage Committee is looking for more people - Sailors and DOD civilians - to join the organization. The MCHC meets every Thursday at noon in Bldg.

A-324 conference room, Boca Chica

accompanying courses are the only calculator tools endorsed by DOD. The Defense Department takes no position on which retirement system a service member should select, officials said.

Everyone is encouraged to use all the resources available in the decisionmaking process, including the completion of the BRS Opt-In Course, using the BRS comparison calculator, accessing the online BRS resource materials and

scheduling time with a personal financial manager or counselor, they noted.

Service members can get free, personal support from an accredited personal financial manager or counselor through their installation’s Military and Family Support Center or by searching online at http://militaryinstallations. dod.mil/ or http://www. jointservicesupport.org/spn.

Additional resources are available on the Blended Retirement System site.

Ornament craft

ond night crafters add the finishing touches. All supplies are provided. The cost is $8 per person; four ornaments will be made. Seats are limited and registration is on a first-come, firstserved basis.

MWR has organized an ornament craft event from 6 - 8 p.m. Nov. 18-19 at the Sigsbee Community Center.

Learn how to make a string ornament in this two-day craft project. The first To register, go to the night, crafters will string Ticket & Travel Office on the ornaments, which will Sigsbee Park. Call 317-292dry overnight. On the sec- 6557 for more information.

Monday - Friday; after-hours, they Field.

For more information, email PRC will be vetted at the gate.

As a reminder, anyone seeking Michael Dees at michael.dees@navy. access to the base who has had a mil. felony conviction within the last 10 years and/or been convicted of any Inspection gate open sex-related crime at any time will be All commercial vehicles are now denied access. required to process through the Boca For more information, contact Don Chica Commercial Vehicle Inspection Allman at 305-240-7819.

Station, located at the Rockland Key back gate, located just past MM 9.

CSADD seeks members At the gate vehicles will be inspected, drivers vetted and passes issued.

The Coalition of Sailors Against If a commercial vehicle bypasses Destructive Decisions is currently this inspection site, it will be turned looking for new members. Meetings around and sent back to the CVIS for are every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Air inspection.

Ops Conference Room.

All other contractors not in comCSADD a peer-to-peer mentorship mercial vehicles are required to report program focusing on volunteerism to the Boca Chica Visitor Control and educating our young Sailors on Center, located at the Boca Chica the importance of good decision makField main gate, MM8, for vetting ing. For more information, email and access passes. The VCC hours AZCS (AW) Amy-Shirelle Santos at of operation are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., amy-shirelle.santos@navy.mil.

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This week at FFSC Family discussion group Monday, 1 - 2 p.m., FFSC Meet and catch up with other IA families in the area, and explore some of the unique challenges faced by IA Families. The time together helps make connections with other families facing similar issues. Sign up with Amanda Slater at 305-293-2766

Ombudsman assembly meets Wednesday, 5:30 - 7 p.m., FFSC A local assembly provides an excellent forum for sharing community matters affecting the well-being of the command family members.

Fleet and Family Support Center’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. FFSC offers many services including deployment support, relocation assistance, family employment readiness, life skills education, personal financial management, crisis incident response and training, sexual assault prevention and response, ombudsman support, transition assistance management, family advocacy and professional counseling. For more information or to request services, call 305-293-4408 or visit the center at 804 Sigsbee Rd., Sigsbee Park.

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•Nov. 3, 2017

TRICARE continued from page 1

you will need to know about: Region Consolidation Currently, there are three TRICARE regions in the U.S.: North, south and west. The north and south regions will combine on Jan. 1, 2018 to form TRICARE East, while TRICARE West will remain mostly unchanged.

Two new contractors, Humana Military and Health Net Federal Services, will administer these regions. This change will allow better coordination between the military hospitals and clinics and the civilian health care providers in each region.

Florida and Georgia will continue to be served by Humana Military as part of the new TRICARE East.

TRICARE Select On Jan. 1, 2018, TRICARE Select will replace TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra both stateside and overseas.

Stateside, TRICARE Select will be a self-managed, preferred provider network option. You will not be required to have a primary care manager (PCM) and therefore you can visit any TRICARE-authorized provider for services covered by TRICARE without a referral.

If you live overseas, TRICARE Overseas Program Select will be a preferred provider organization-styled plan that provides access to both network and non-network TRICARE-authorized providers for medically necessary TRICARE covered services. Also, TRICARE Select adopts a number of

improvements, including additional preventive care services previously only offered to TRICARE Prime beneficiaries.

TRICARE Prime TRICARE Prime is a managed care program option. An assigned PCM provides most of your care.

When you need specialty care, your PCM will refer you to a specialist. Active duty service members and their family members do not pay anything when referred to a network provider by their PCM. All others pay annual enrollment fees and network copayments.

Enrollment All current TRICARE beneficiaries will be automatically enrolled into plans on Jan. 1, 2018 as long as they are eligible.

TRICARE Prime enrollees will remain in TRICARE Prime. TRICARE Standard

NAS Classifieds ROOMMATE WANTED: Seeking female roommate to share 3BR/2BA in Sigsbee Housing with other DOD employed female. Non-smoker, no pets. Individual must be eligible for government housing and be clean, quiet, respectful with no boyfriend drama. Monthly rent $900, includes cable, Wi-Fi, W/D. Available immediately for

long/short term. For more information, email keys. avon@yahoo.com.

technician, and BSA officer. Apply online at www.

KeysBank.com/Careers.

HELP WANTED First State Bank of the Florida Keys has the following positions available: Full and part time teller, customer service representative, online banking representative, administrative assistant, maintenance

NAS KEY WEST CLASSIFIEDS are free for activeduty and retired personnel, their families and civilian base employees only.

Deadline for submissions is noon the Tuesday prior to that Friday’s issue. Make submissions to the NAS Key West Public Affairs

Office by email, jolene. scholl@navy.mil; mail, P.O. Box 9001, Key West, FL 33040-9001; or fax submissions to 305-293-2627.

Unless otherwise directed, ads will run for four issues. Name and phone number must accompany all requests in order for them to be considered for publication. For more information, call 305-293-2425.

and TRICARE Extra beneficiaries will be enrolled in TRICARE Select. During 2018, you can continue to choose to enroll in or change coverage plans.

In fall 2018, TRICARE will introduce an annual open enrollment period.

During this period, you will choose whether to continue or change your coverage for the following year.

Each year, the open enrollment period will begin on the Monday of the second full week in November and

run through the Monday of the second full week in December.

You can begin to prepare for the upcoming changes now: Register for a DS Logon at https://www. dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/authenticate. do?execution=e4s1 Update your personal information in DEERS: https://TRICARE.mil/Plans/ Eligibility/DEERS This is YOUR Benefit – Take Command! Stay informed with the latest

information In the coming months, more information will be available at https:// TRICARE.mil/about/changes. To stay informed, sign up for email alerts at www.

TRICARE.mil/subscriptions.

You can also get alerts by signing up for eCorrespondence in milConnect at https://www.TRICARE. mil/eCorrespondence. By staying informed, you’ll be ready for a smooth transition with TRICARE.