Public Affairs is taking volunteers to be guest speakers for the 6th annual career day event at Mission Middle School. The Youth Education Motivation Program (YEMP), focuses on providing opportunities for middle school students to get an early start in exploring their career options and to encourage students to complete their education. One to two guest speakers will be assigned to each classroom to share about their career and the educational path they followed to success. The upcoming YEMP is Wednesday, May 13, 8 – 10:30 a.m. at Mission Middle School in Jurupa Valley. To volunteer, please call or email Megan Crusher at 951-655-4137 or megan.crusher.1@us.af.mil.
Championship trophy
Courtesy photo
Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dorman, 912th Air Refueling Squadron, Pamela Smith, March Fitness Center director, Staff Sgt. Ishmael Bryant, 912 ARS and Lt. Col. Nathan Howard, 912 ARS commander, pose after receiving the 452nd Force Support Squadron’s Intramural Basketball Base Championship trophy for the 2014/15 basketball season.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Since 1983, April has been dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through the observation of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The observance serves to educate parents and the community about warning signs and helpful resources, and to reinforce that the safety and well-being of children is a shared community responsibility.
Military families are less likely than civilian families to be impacted by unemployment and poverty, drug abuse and limited access to healthcare. However, they are more likely to face unique risk factors, like intermittent single parenting due to military operations, frequent moves and separation from extended family.
Child neglect related to lack of supervision or exposure to physical hazards represents the largest percentage of child abuse among military families.
Within the military community, the Family Advocacy Program works to strengthen military families and promote parenting skills and resilience. Services include home visitation for new parents as well as support and education for parents of youth of all ages.
Everyone has a role to play in creating safe and healthy communities. It only takes a minute to look out for a child or reach out to a parent under stress. Helping resources are readily available. Child safety is everyone’s business. If you suspect child abuse, have the courage to report it to law enforcement, your installation Family Advocacy Program or the DOD Child Abuse and Safety Hotline at 877-790-1197. Your intervention could help a child at risk.
Protective factors are conditions that increase the health and well-being of children and buffer against child abuse and include:
•Knowledge of parenting and child development
•Parental resilience
•Social connections
•Concrete supports for parents
•Social and emotional competence of children
Airmen stay focused in DOD competition
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Three Air Force reservists assigned to the 4th Combat Camera Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., garnered recognition in the Department of Defense’s 2014 Visual Information Awards Program.
Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo took first place in the Military Photographer’s Portrait category.
Master Sgt. Elizabeth Concepcion placed second and third in the Digital Art category of the Military Graphics competition.
Tech. Sgt. Chris E. Hibben received an honorable mention in the Military Videographer’s Editing category.
The DOD-level program recognizes the best still photographers, videographers and graphic artists.
Brig. Gen. Kathleen A. Cook, director of Air Force Public Affairs, announced the Air Force results March 13.
Former CMSAF Binnicker passes away at 76
Former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Binnicker, who was the service’s top enlisted man from 1986 to 1990, passed away in Calhoun, Georgia, on Saturday, the Air Force said. He was 76.
Binnicker, a Vietnam veteran, served for 33 years before retiring in 1990. He had a considerable effect on the lives and careers of enlisted airmen that is still felt today. As the ninth CMSAF, Binnicker oversaw the Air Force’s transition from the old Airman Performance Report to the new Enlisted Performance Report system of evaluating enlisted airmen, and the service’s performance feedback system.
The Air Force said Binnicker also pushed the service to admit master sergeants to the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, and to increase opportunities for women and minorities.
“He was a leader in every room he entered,” current CMSAF James Cody said in a release Saturday. “That was the case during his time in uniform and well after he retired. We often speak of legends, those airmen who have gone before us and built the platforms from which we stand and fight today. Chief Binnicker is a legend among those legends. His impact on our Air Force is everlasting and we will truly miss his leadership, counsel and friendship.”
Binnicker was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, July 23, 1938, and joined the Civil Air Patrol his freshman year in high school. He long dreamed of becoming an Air Force pilot, the Air Force said, but his hopes were dashed when doctors discovered high-frequency hearing loss in his right ear.
Instead, he enlisted in the Air Force in August 1957 and entered the personal equipment career field, which was later renamed life support. He worked on the flight line with B-52s and KC-135s, the Air Force said.
He cross-trained into air operations and by 1964, he was planning flights for missions to Vietnam. He deployed to Vietnam, and served in the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron in 1968 and 1969.
Binnicker later served as the senior enlisted adviser for the 4th Tactical Wing, the 12th Air Force, and Pacific Air Forces and Tactical Air Command.
When President Carter convened the President’s Commission on Military Compensation in 1977, Binnicker was originally the sole enlisted member on the panel. But he successfully pushed the commission to later add enlisted representatives from other services.
After retiring, the Air Force said Binnicker traveled around the world speaking with airmen at professional military education courses, as well as other events. He was chosen to be CEO and president of the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, Florida, . in 2000, and led the community of 400 residents for the next 15 years.
He regularly shared his thoughts on issues affecting enlisted airmen with Air Force Times.
The Air Force said that when Binnicker was once asked how he hoped to be remembered, he said, “That I did my best. I would hope most people would say the same thing … and that’s all you can do. That’s all the country can ask of you … that you do your best.”
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh also paid tribute to Binnicker.
“Chief Binnicker was an iconic airman who truly elevated the status of our senior [non-commissioned officers],” Welsh said. “He was an innovator and a leader who cared deeply about airmen. His legacy lives on today and is carried forward by the professional enlisted force we have serving our nation. For that, and so much more, we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He and his family are in our thoughts on this very sad day for our Air Force.”
“Chief Binnicker spent his lifetime serving our nation and the Air Force he loved,” James said. “From the first moment he stepped onto a flightline, it was clear he was an Air Force leader and would become a tremendous spokesman and advocate for our enlisted force. He was a man of honor and commitment to things greater than himself. His passing is mourned by all airmen, past and present, around the globe.”
Memorial, funeral services scheduled for Chris Davis
Memorial services for Christopher Davis are scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Cultural Resource Center on base. The building number is 467 and the address is 870 Baucom Ave., March ARB, Calif. 92518. Services are 12 – 12:45 p.m. followed by a funeral at the Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area 3 from 1:30 – 2 p.m.
Davis was the March airfield operations manager and had worked on base for the past 19 years. He will be missed. Please join us in celebrating and honoring his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org on Chris’s behalf. For additional information, please contact James Smith at 909-896-1990 or Richard Perron at 951-805-1644.
News Briefs 03/27/2015
WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
The Inland Empire Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 47 and Allied Veteran Groups are hosting a motorcycle ride tomorrow, Saturday, March 28. Registration for the ride is from 7:30 – 9 a.m. and riders will depart from American Legion Post 79 at Fairmount Park, 2979 Dexter Ave., Riverside, Calif. 92501 at 9 a.m. for the Riverside National Cemetery. The RNC will host a patriotic ceremony from 10 – 11 a.m. followed by the 6th annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event at the March Field Air Museum at 11 a.m. All veterans, families, friends and the public are invited to attend. The Museum will offer free admission and lunch to Vietnam Veterans and their families. Attendees are invited to American Legion Post 79 for rest and relaxation following the day’s festivities.
FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING
If your household income is $53,000 or less, you qualify for free tax preparation and filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. There is not a VITA office at March ARB this year, however, the District Office of Assemblyman Jose Medina is offering this service today only, Friday, March 27, from 1 – 5 pm. The office is located at 1223 University Ave., Ste. 230, Riverside, Calif. 92507 and an appointment is required. Call 951-369-6644 to schedule an appointment and know what to bring.
If you are unable to attend or need more information on the VITA program, call the state Controller’s office at 213-833-6010. Military members may also find help at www.militaryonesource.mil and visit Military OneSource’s tax services page.
FATHER-DAUGHTER MASQUERADE BALL
Calling all “dads” for a special evening with your princesses. Team March is holding a masquerade ball for fathers and daughters in April. Details are:
Who: Anyone who is the father or father-figure to a young lady
What: A Father/Daughter Dance
When: April 11, 2015, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: 163rd Reconnaissance Wing Regional Training Site building (Directions – Enter the Main Gate on Cactus Ave. Proceed down Graeber St. and make a left on Minuteman Way. The 163rd RW RTS building is straight ahead, through the chain link fence opening. Entrance at the Red Carpet.)
Why: To have fun, share special moments, make memories and help others.
**Donations: $15 per person (all donations will benefit the 1st Sergeants Council’s Airman Relief Fund and two local girl’s charities selected by active duty and the 163rd RW)
Dress: This is a Red Carpet event, so dress accordingly. Military – Mess Dress or Semi-formal; Civilians – Suit and Tie; Daughters – dress or evening gown
Invitation and POC: POC for the event is MSgt. Darryl Willingham at 951-858-3246 or marinewithwings@gmail.com. RSVP not later than April 1 at https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=229879&k=00634B017C5E
Request for dads: Fathers are encouraged to bring a cherished gift for their daughters and wear masks with their daughters.
Arrive early: Military “paparazzi” will be at the red carpet entrance from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. only so please arrive early so you don’t miss out on capturing a special memory on film!
FAQs:
*Can we pay online? Everyone pays at the door.
*Can we reserve our spot? Everyone must RSVP to the website address listed above under “Invitation and POC” by April 1 to attend. Due to allotted space, only 400 RSVPs will be accepted.
*Do volunteers have to RSVP? Yes, all volunteers must RSVP and put “volunteer” in the guest column to receive info on where and when to meet. Military volunteers are required to be in ABUs.
*Since it’s a masquerade ball, are masks required? No, if you or your daughter are uncomfortable wearing a mask or you can’t find one, come and enjoy spending the evening together without one.
FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON UPDATES SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE
The 452nd Force Support Squadron has updated and merged its Facebook page and combined all upcoming events in one, easy-to-find location. Visit them at www.Facebook.com/MarchFSS to keep up on events and outings.
FITNESS CENTER GOES VIRTUAL
The March Fitness Center has received the Wellbeats Virtual Group Fitness Kiosk. This kiosk allows participants to participate in a virtual fitness classes. The first class scheduled is a virtual spin class at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. Contact the Fitness Center at 951-655-2292 for a schedule of upcoming classes or more information.
FITNESS CENTER NEWS
*April – Extramural golf at General Old Golf Course
*April 11 & 12 – Mud Run (mud pits, 6- to 8-foot walls, tunnels, sand bag & rescue-dummy carry) for individuals and teams
*May – Intramural softball (Letter of Intent available at Fitness Center or call 655-2292.)
For more information, visit the Fitness Center or call 951-655-2284.
HAP ARNOLD CLUB NEWS
*The Hap Arnold Club will hold an Easter Luncheon on April 5th from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 951-653-2121 for more information.
*Volunteers are needed to participate in the Club Advisory Committee. Have a say on what goes on at your Hap Arnold Club. If you are interested, contact Phil at 951-653-2121 or Philip.navratil@us.af.mil.
OUTDOOR RECREATION NEWS (SINGLE AIRMAN PROGRAM)
*April 4 – 3/4 day fishing trip – Spend a day with friends competing to see who catches what on a fishing trip on the Pacific Ocean. $25 per person, age limit 10, deadline to sign up is March 27. Transportation, which is included, departs March ARB at 4 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m.
*Apr 17-18 – Black Canyon Colorado River canoe trip – Venture down to the waters emerging below Hoover Dam and explore incredible Black Canyon on the Colorado River. $55 per person, age limit 10, deadline to sign up is April 10. Participants will be camping Friday and Saturday night. All camping gear and transportation is included. Bus departs March ARB Friday night and returns Sunday (times TBD).
These trips are open to everyone but single Airmen have priority. For more information or to sign up, call March Tickets and Tours at 951-655-4123. Don’t forget to take your cameras so you can post your pictures to www.facebook.com/TeamMarch or tweet them @March_ARB.
OUTDOOR RECREATION CONTEST
March Outdoor Recreation is sponsoring a contest to help them improve their programs. To enter, answer the question, “What makes Outdoor Recreation vital to you?” Send responses to cary.kerr@us.af.mil and put CONTEST in the subject line. Responses will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a wrist watch from the Grenade Watch Collection (a $130 value). Contest ends April 30, 2015.
CONCERT FOR HEROES
Riverside National Cemetery will host its annual Concert for Heroes on July 2, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the cemetery’s amphitheater. The concert is free and open to the public.
THE A&FRC OFFICE HOURS REMAIN THE SAME
The Airman and Family Readiness Center’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
DEERS ID OFFICE HAS MOVED
The March DEERS ID office has moved to Building 441, Room 6. The DEERS ID office will re-open on March 30th.
APRIL YELLOW RIBBON EVENT
The Air Force Reserve Command Yellow Ribbon Program invites you to a Regional Yellow Ribbon Training event to be held in Orange County, California, April 24-26. This event will include activities, referral information, education, vendor booths and interactive breakout sessions that span the concerns and issues faced by reservists and their loved ones before and after a deployment, including: Tricare, Airmen & Family Readiness, ESGR, legal assistance for wills & powers of attorney, Military Family Life Consultants, Personal Financial Consultants, and more. For information on the event and the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, contact the 452 AMW Yellow Ribbon Representative, 2nd Lt Shelley Lawrence at 951-655-4615 or shelley.lawrence@us.af.mil.
2015 CIVILIAN TSP CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
Calendar year 2015 has 27 pay periods since the last pay day falls on Jan. 1, 2016 (a Federal holiday), which means you will be paid one day earlier on Dec. 31, 2015.
If you are under the Federal Employees Retirement System and you wish to receive the maximum agency matching contributions for 2015, you must ensure you do not reach the $18,000 contribution limit before the last pay day of the year. If you reach the contribution limit before the last pay period you will not receive matching contribution for the pay period (s) that no contributions were made.
If you want to distribute your TSP contributions over the remaining pay periods in 2015, update your election in the Employee Benefits Information System (EBIS). If you decide to change your election, take into consideration the effective date of your election and how many pay periods remain in the year.
For additional information on contribution limits and effective dates, visit the MyPers website and search “Thrift Savings Plan contribution limit”.
VOLUNTEER TO PACE RUNNERS
The Rising 6 is looking for volunteers to be part of its Fit to Fight Pacing Program for Airmen. Their mission is to help people improve F2F test run times. To volunteer you must score 90 percent or better on your last two F2F tests and have the confidence to pace at the desired time requested by the tester. You don’t have to be a fast runner to be a pacer. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tech. Sgt. Ygnacio Garcia at ygnacio.garcia04@gmail.com or 714-721-7683.
E-MAGAZINE FREE TO MILITARY, FAMILIES
Chronicling Greatness has just finalized its first issue of an E-Magazine, “The American Heroes of War World War II History From Those Who Lived It.” In conjunction with the non-profit International Urban Exchange Center (IUEC), they are offering the E-Magazine to all military personnel and their families for free. This E-Magazine presents first-person accounts from veterans and civilians who lived during, and participated in, the most monumental event of the 20th century, World War II. The accounts are from personal interviews by Adam P. Kennedy. You can access the EMagazine by visiting http://online.3dpageflip.com/wjhm/oxhr.
Mental health services available for all Team March members, families
March Field offers mental health services through Elaine Valentine, 452nd Air Mobility Wing, director of psychological health and a licensed clinical social worker with more than 15 years of experience in the mental health care field. Valentine is well-versed on how to conduct assessments and help those in need.
Her program, Comprehensive Airman Fitness, addresses mental health by encompassing it with spiritual, social and physical well-being through connecting, caring, committing, community and celebration.
Although mental health treatment was offered on the active duty Air Force side, the Air Force Reserve didn’t have that option until 2012, according to an article posted March 23, 2015 on www.afrc.af.mil.
“Positions such as mine were created in the Reserve so that reservists could have mental health treatment provided during UTA (Unit Training Assembly) weekends,” Valentine said.
Her services are available to all military and their family members as well as all Team March personnel, and include counseling for suicide prevention, relationship issues, sleep deprivation, stress management, parenting and any other mental health issues that may come up.
“Through the reservists I provide resources to their families during a deployment so those families don’t feel isolated. When the reservist comes back, I can provide resources to him or her that helps facilitate his or her reintegration, not only with families, but also with communities and the base,” she said. “Just because someone is in status versus out of status, the problem doesn’t go away. I try to reach out to them anytime or if I get a referral.”
Valentine said she does her best to help members identify warning signs that something may be wrong with themselves or others.
“Risk factors are events like job losses, financial problems, stressed relationships, deaths,” she said. “Warning signs are how those risk factors affect the person, like drinking, sleeping more or less, or being snappy at work.”
She encourages members to take the time to get to know each other so behavior changes will be more easily recognizable.
“Ask, ‘how are you doing?’ and be approachable. Leaders need to have troops feel safe around them,” she said. “Be work friends.”
Much of her job is providing services in her office to Airmen, although she does make house or office calls as needed. She credits the 452nd Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Russell Muncy, with her ability to offer her mental health services to others.
“The commander is extremely supportive of my position and ensures that I continue to get visibility,” she said. “He talks about me at the meetings. My name is on the marquee. I send my flyers out to first sergeants and chiefs.”
Valentine is also an active member of Team March, attending those meetings to connect with mission partners and their personnel.
“The commander has me seeing active duty Airmen, Reservists, Navy and Army Reserve, Army Guard, AMOC (Air and Marine Operations Center) and ANG (Air National Guard) as well as community partners,” she said.
Since setting up her office, Valentine has established other community relationships, such as family resources centers for veterans, VA centers, psychiatric hospitals, Pacific Grove that has substance abuse programs for military and community therapists, to expand her network of resources.
Providing safety a big issue, it’s confidential. I’m not documenting and I don’t go back to the commander. I let the member that the only time I need to report back is if they are a danger to themselves or others or if there is child abuse involved.
Valentine is located on first floor of Bldg. 317 for easy access and privacy. She said her location allows for safety and a lot of confidentiality, which is important for someone seeking her assistance.
“I feel that the stigma of seeking psychological services has been reduced here at March,” she said. “With that, I hope people feel safer in seeking my help for life’s situations.”
When you don’t seek the help, there’s deterioration in your psychological and physical well-being, Valentine said. The strain that results from that is detrimental to your ability to stay mission ready and often isolates your family, she said.
“I’m not documenting and I don’t go back to the commander,” Valentine said. “I let the member know that the only time I need to report back is if they are a danger to themselves or others, or if there is child abuse involved.”
Valentine sees walk-ins and her hours are weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. She is also available by request on evenings and drill weekends. She can be reached at 951-655-5097 or Olga.Valentine@us.af.mil.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of issues concerning loss and grief of family members,” she said. “I provide bereavement counseling. I’m open to any kind of group that could be beneficial to Team March members.”
Women can succeed in a man’s world
As most women in certain career fields will agree, most days you’ll find that you’re the only woman in the room. Since I chose a career in engineering there were often few women in my classes in college, but generally I was not the only woman in the room.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University (Go Aggie’s!), and accepting an internship with the Air Force Palace Acquire program, I was certainly the only woman engineer in the entire Engineering Flight right here at March Field back in 1997.
After leaving March, I was assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and from there, moved to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and Aviano Air Base, Italy. In 2004 I found myself back at March once again, but in my first supervisory job.
On May 15, 2005 I became the first woman in Air Force Reserve Command history to become a civilian, Base Civil Engineer (BCE). After an overseas tour to Kadena AB, Japan, and Andersen AB, Guam, I returned to my position at March at the end of 2010, and was still the only woman in AFRC to be a civilian BCE.
I would be remiss if I did not thank both Maj. Gen. James Rubeor and Col. Richard Stevens, who had the confidence to promote me to BCE all those years ago, and all the commanders since then to place their trust in me.
While I can’t be 100 percent sure without thorough research, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I am the first woman in the entire Air Force to be a civilian BCE. A number of great, active duty, military women have been Civil Engineer Squadron commanders and BCEs, and I admit that an AFRC BCE doesn’t have the same flights as regular Air Force. So, the argument for not comparing apples to apples could be made. That said, my BCE umbrella encompasses a base fire department, base engineering flight, base environmental flight and base resources flight, which is no small task.
After 18 years of service with the Air Force it remains an honor to serve my country and my warriors. Today when I find myself the only woman in the room and the only one not in uniform I hardly notice. It seems those in uniform, whether traditional reservist, Air Reserve Technician or active duty Airman, hardly notice either, which is why I’m pretty sure that the Air Force made the right choice all those years ago and so did I.
National Women’s History Month: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives
Dr. Peggy Whitson
Captain Kathleen McGrath
Colonel Linda McTague
Air Force General Janet Wolfenbarger
Army General Ann Dunwoody
Navy Admiral Michelle Howard
The National Women’s History Project’s 2015 theme is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.” In this ongoing series, we highlight individual women who made a difference in the fabric or our nation’s history.
This week we look at the 2000s.
Dr. Peggy Whitson, an American astronaut, becomes the first woman to command the International Space Station.
Captain Kathleen McGrath becomes the first woman to command a U.S. Navy warship.
Colonel Linda McTague becomes the first woman commander of a fighter squadron in U.S. Air Force history.
Michelle Obama becomes the first African-American first lady. She is an advocate for poverty awareness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle.
Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic-American woman to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Vicki L. Ruiz becomes the first Latina historian inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Navy Admiral Michelle Howard becomes the first African-American woman to attain four-star rank in U.S. military history. She joins two other women who achieved four-star rank: Army General Ann Dunwoody, and Air Force General Janet Wolfenbarger.
Janet Louise Yellen is an American economist. She serves as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the first woman to hold the position.
Six female soldiers pass the Army pre-Ranger course at Fort Benning, Ga., making them the first women who can attend the U.S. Army Ranger School.
“In the end all women and all men can only benefit from the more truthful and balanced image of women which will emerge from history where they are shown to have been actively involved in shaping their own destiny and that of the country.”
— Eleanor Flexner, 2015 National Women’s History Month Honoree
