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Total Exposure Health: an innovation in precision health

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FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Walking in sunlight, being stuck in traffic, painting in a studio, listening to music, washing a car … What do these things have in common? Each illustrates a form of “exposure” through our environment and lifestyle.

Health is not independent of environment and lifestyle. Our environment and lifestyle present a variety of factors which directly and indirectly affect our health and wellbeing. Each time we step out into the sunlight, we are exposed to UV rays. When we sit in traffic, we are exposed to vehicle emissions and pollutants. As we tend to our gardens, we are most likely exposed to some form of pesticide or herbicide. Physical exposure and chemical processes cause the body to change the way it performs, much like stress causes a change in the chemical makeup of the body. External exposures can impact the way organs perform and can lead to long-term health consequences.

Factors known as “exposures,” are critical to the development of preventive medicine, as we take into account the role of our environment and lifestyle in our total health assessment –through precision health.

Precision health is an outcome of the Precision Medicine Initiative, launched by President Obama in his 2015 State of the Union address. While precision medicine focuses on treatment of disease, precision health considers lifestyle and environment as factors in both disease treatment and prevention.

“To provide proper interventions requires an understanding of health effects and their root cause –the exposure,” said Col. Kirk Phillips, Associate Chief for Bioenvironmental Engineering, consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General for Bioenvironmental Engineering. “Our medicine is not the only pathway to health. The food we eat, the choices we make, etc., all contribute to our wellbeing,” said Phillips.

Precision health involves patient empowerment through research, innovations in technology and policy implementation. Understanding health impacts from exposures will help the total force make more informed choices during daily activities, to help reduce harmful exposures so they do not lead to future adverse health impacts. People will be better positioned to reduce certain exposures or avoid some harmful exposures altogether. This new era of medicine lays the foundation for patients and providers to work together to develop individualized care –putting patients at the helm.

Precision health has already begun to make advances. New discoveries and treatments to improve chances of survival and reduction of exposure to adverse effects are underway.

Bioenvironmental engineer Colonel Phillips developed the concept of Total Exposure Health to support the Air Force Surgeon General’s commitment to the healthiest and highest performing segment of the population.

“In order to be the healthiest population, it will take something extraordinary,” explained Phillips.

TEH is an embodiment of precision health. Considering human performance issues and the readiness of warfighters to perform missions, TEH is different because it looks at prevention. While restoring health is important, restoration does not transform a population into the state of “healthiest.” It is important to consider the role of primary prevention –the facet of medicine through which people are kept in the healthy state. Keeping people healthy is the foundation for progression towards the healthiest population.

While treating illness is an important part of precision medicine, Total Exposure Health would provide the total force with information that allows people to keep themselves healthy and become active participants in protection of their individual health.

Air Force Medical Service provides resources for protection, medical intervention, as well as health and medical testing. Through TEH, this would include advice on protective equipment that acknowledges exposures outside of the workplace. TEH would educate the total force on how to protect themselves from exposures, not just at work, but outside of work as well.

“Total Exposure Health will provide our population an opportunity to have their exposures combined from work, the environment and their life style [everyday life choices like hobbies, diet and household chemical use] to receive proactive advice on health and other every day decisions along with information on how to protect them from exposure and thereby protect their health,” Phillips said.

“Within the military, human performance issues are of critical concern. The Air Force recognizes the value of its beneficiaries and partnering with their health,” Phillips said.

While health care delivery currently offers advice on nutrition and the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption, Total Exposure Health seeks to expand to other exposures and provide more clear advice on protecting health.

Take for example, hearing and the different sound exposures which affect the status of our hearing. Based on the decibels, an activity such as listening to music through headphones can have compounding effects on the quality of our hearing over time.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders, noise exposure at work or during leisure activities can lead to high frequency hearing loss. Of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69, an estimated 15 percent have experienced high frequency hearing loss as a result of this noise exposure. The NIDCD reports that of Americans age 12 and older, one in eight has experienced hearing loss in both ears.

“The infrastructure of health care is changing, just like the world around us,” said Richard Hartman, Ph.D., Chief Health Strategist, Total Exposure Health, Air Force Medical Support Agency. “This is an incredibly exciting time in our history with the advances in science, technology, and information and especially medicine. What makes Total Exposure Health bold is that TEH bridges all those innovations into one common solution.”

Across the Air Force, bioenvironmental engineers are developing innovations to monitor, control and document exposures. Sometimes referred to as “exposure scientists,” BEEs have already been in the process of collecting exposure information on worker and community health. Using their expertise in occupational health of individuals along with individual wellbeing, BEEs have the capability to make significant contributions to the fundamental change in health care required for precision health. According to Hartman, the natural development in health care is to move into precision health.

“TEH is at the intersection of healthcare and technology … Specifically, it takes advantage of the advances [within] science, medicine, technology and IT to better collect, analyze and understand –workplace, environment and lifestyle– exposures to better inform the individual but also create a richer clinical experience with all the AFMS providers to create healthier lives,” said Hartman.

Total Exposure Health is an AFMS strategic priority, in the early stages of development and will be evaluated through ongoing studies.

Carter announces Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal

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DOD illustration/Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  Service members who serve or have served in Iraq or Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve will receive the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced March 30 in Tampa, Florida.

Carter announced the new medal during the U.S. Central Command change of command ceremony. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III transferred the command’s flag to Army Gen. Joe Votel.

“It is fitting then, that as we mark the change of command between these two leaders, that we introduce the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal,” Carter said. “I am pleased to announce today, by the president’s order and upon the chairman’s and my recommendation, that our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines serving in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve are now eligible for this medal and distinction.”

Medal retroactive

The medal is retroactive to June 15, 2014, and is for service members based in Iraq or Syria, those who flew missions over those countries, and those who served in contiguous waters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, officials said.

The medal distinctly recognizes service members battling terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. Service members who were killed or were medically evacuated from those countries due to wounds or injuries immediately qualify for the medal, as do members who engaged in combat.

Previously, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal recognized service in Iraq and Syria, and service members in neighboring countries such as Turkey will continue to receive that medal.

The president establishes campaign medals for large-scale and long-duration combat actions or operations. Inherent Resolve meets the criteria, officials said. The entire operational area has been subject to lethal combat operations. U.S. forces are executing an extensive air campaign in the region. A U.S. division-plus force is providing command and control, intelligence and other advisory services.

The medal is separate from the Iraq Campaign Medal, earned for service during operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, officials said.

Air Force ROTC detachment commander positions open to Reserve lieutenant colonels

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ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonels interested in becoming Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commanders have until April 15 to submit an application under the Voluntary Limited Period of Active Duty program.

Under VLPAD, opportunities to serve an active-duty tour for a period of three years and one day are being offered to Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members for certain Air Force specialties. During that time, selected Reservists will receive the same benefits as active component Airmen.

Right now the program has AFROTC detachment commander openings for lieutenant colonels at six locations:

– Detachment 10, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

– Detachment 12, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.

– Detachment 15, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama.

– Detachment 60, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

– Detachment 310, Louisiana State University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

– Detachment 470, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska.

According to personnel officials, officers will not have return rights to their current Air Reserve Component position upon completion of their extended active duty tour, but Air Force Reserve Command will work with them to find a position when their tour is over.

Officers wishing to apply for a Reserve or Air National Guard position upon completion of their extended active duty tour must contact an in-service recruiter for guidance and procedures. Reserve officers are encouraged to submit a reserve officer development plan (R-ODP) in the Virtual Personnel Center every year in order for the applicable Air Force Reserve development team to provide vectors and help facilitate follow-on assignments.

In addition to AFROTC detachment commanders, other officer opportunities are available under VLPAD including AFROTC instructors, Air Command and Staff College instructors, remotely piloted aircraft pilots, and T-6 instrument simulator instructors.

Opportunities will also be available for enlisted Citizen Airmen in a variety of career fields, including maintenance, aircrew operations and command control systems operations.

The VLPAD program and several other programs are being put in place to help bolster the Air Force’s end strength from 312,980 to 317,000.

“Being selected for any of these special duties or career fields is a significant achievement for any officer or enlisted Airman,” said Lt. Gen. James Jackson, AFRC commander. “Not only are these opportunities helping our Citizen Airmen but they are also allowing us to assist in some critical, yet undermanned career fields across our Air Force.”

The article, “Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment Commander Voluntary Limited Period of Active Duty Program,” located on the MyPERS website, has detailed information on VLPAD AFROTC Detachment commander openings, including eligibility criteria, the application process and medical clearance requirements.

The article can be found at:

https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/31290/kw/VLPAD/p/16%2C17.

And the winner is…

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U.S. Air Force photo/Sean Dath

Linda Welz, 452 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Operations Chief, is presented a basket filled with Nestlé Purina Petcare products by Retail Sales Representative Keri Romano at the March ARB Commissary, March 30. Welz won the basket through a drawing sponsored by Nestlé and the Defense Commissary Agency.

News Briefs 04/01/16

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COMMISSARY CASE LOT SALE MAY 5-8

Your March ARB commissary will have their May 2016 Case lot sale May 5-8. They will have savings of up to 60% on cases of your favorite products. Come out and take advantage of your benefit and save big with great prices on paper products, detergents, cereal, pet food and cases of can goods. They will also be offering great savings again this case lot on Johnsonville sausage while supplies last. Don’t forget to check out the great prices offered in their meat and produce departments. There will be refreshments provided courtesy of their commissary vendors. The commissary is located east of March ARB at the crossing of 6th Street and Meyer Drive. Your March Commissary, It’s Worth the Trip!

VOLUNTEER VICTIM ADVOCATES NEEDED

The SAPR Program March ARB is looking for a select group of individuals to act as volunteer victim advocates with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, March ARB. Basic requirements include: Formal application, approval from the volunteers’ commander and 40 hours of Victim Advocate training from an Air Force approved course. Applicants will then be required to apply for certification with the National Organization of Victim Advocates (NOVA). There will be a 40-hour course offered at March ARB on May 2. Applicants to the program must have clean background check, possess excellent communication skills, be of outstanding character and judgment and willing to respond to incidents of a very personal nature with great discretion while adhering to Air Force protocol in respect to the SAPR program. Please contact the SAPR office March ARB at 951-655-4551 or email at frank.pavone@us.af.mil

EDUCATION BRIEFINGS

The education office will hold mass briefings on Sundays of all UTA’s. The following briefings will be held in Room 12 of Building 441.

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) 8 – 8:30 a.m.

Tuition Assistance/GI Bill 8:30 – 9 a.m.

There is no need to sign up for the briefings. For more information, contact the Base Education and Training office at 951-655-6739.

APRIL MONTH OF MILITARY CHILD EVENT

Announcing the 3rd Annual April, Month of the Military Child event in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 17 from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. This event held at the Los Angeles Public Library – Downtown, is a collaborative effort by members of the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative – Families & Children Working Group. There will be activities and goodies for children up to age 12 years, but all are welcome to attend. Share this invitation with your military-connected families. Last year they hosted children from throughout the Southern California area. Complete the online registration to assist with planning for this event. Children registered by March 4 will receive a certificate from the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Registration closes on April 10th. For more information or to register, contact Deborah J. Hayes, dejhayesconsulting@gmail.com. You may also donate items in support of this event, (children’s books, gift cards, small toys, etc.)

RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

The March Retiree Activities Office is in need of volunteers who can donate just three hours of their time weekly to help fellow retirees and their families. To volunteer or for more information, call 951-655-4077/4079.

JOINT OFFICER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

The Defense Education Forum (DEF) in conjunction with the Reserve Officers Association Department of the Golden West with host a Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar (JOPDS) April 22-24, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Bayside, San Diego. The Department Convention is being held concurrently.

The JOPDS is one of the premier professional development opportunities available to our younger officers and is one of the only professional development seminars to emphasize joint service participation. To date, more than a thousand young officers from all services have benefited from these ROA DEF events.

The ROA Chapter #57, at March ARB, is part of The San Diego Chapter which is made up of Reserve Officers of the United States Armed Services. Their geographical area encompasses the greater San Diego area from the Mexican border north to the Orange County and Riverside County areas, and from the Pacific Ocean east to include Imperial County. Membership is open to any federally commissioned officer, warrant officer, of the National Guard, Reserve, Active Component, Former officers or Retired officers and their spouses and recently includes non-commissioned officers. The March ROA chapter Junior Officer Liaison is Capt. Lombardo at 951-655-5722.

Find The ROA Department of the Golden West, which covers California and Nevada, at roa.org/ca.

ENLISTED DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION BOARD

Air Reserve Personnel Center officials will release the Invitation to Apply and open the application cycle for the annual Enlisted Developmental Education Board Friday, Feb. 5. The EDEB will convene May 16 at HQ ARPC. All applications are due to ARPC no later than April 15, 4:30 p.m. MT. Call the Total Force Service Center at DSN 665-0102 or 210-565-0102 for questions or further information.

MARCH FIELD AIRFEST ON WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA

The March Field AirFest Website is now live at http://marchfieldairfest.marchfss.com. Also, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for AirFest updates. Find us on Facebook at March Field AirFest; on Instagram @MarchFieldAirFest; on Twitter @MarchAirFest. Join the conversations!!

DESERVING AIRMAN COMMISSIONING BOARD TO CONVENE

Great News! If you are interested in becoming an Air Force Reserve officer at Team March, the next Deserving Airman Commissioning Board will convene on May 21-22, 2016. If you are interested, and meet the qualifications located on the wing INFO drive – X:\MarchBaseInfo, in the DACB pamphlet, please have your completed commissioning packages submitted to the 452 FSS/FSMPD (Career Development) office not later than close of business, Monday, May 2, 2016. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call career development at 951-655-3113.

AIRFEST SEATING UPGRADES AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH FSS

March ARB FSS is offering upgraded seating options for the March Field Airfest on April 16-17, 2016.

The Afterburner VIP Chalet option includes:

* Exclusive, shaded lounge with private seating

* Continental breakfast

* Full buffet lunch

* Private restrooms

* Front row viewing of Thunderbird staging area

The Flight line Viewing Bleacher Seat option guarantees a seat in the grandstands and access to the best views of the show.

For more information visit www.marchfieldairfest.marchfss.com

BASE FOD WALK SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19

The next Base Foreign Object Walk is scheduled for Apr. 19 with a show time of 7:15 a.m. sharp in the vicinity of Air Traffic Control Tower, north of the construction barriers. There will be flags designating the official starting point. Please bring a plastic trash bag, like the one in your shop/office trash can. Be on time. Due to construction in this area, parking is very limited so carpooling is encouraged. Be diligent if walking or driving in this area as there is heavy equipment and semi-truck traffic traversing this reduced-access, traffic zone. Safety first! Thank you for your support!

SARC HOSTS FREE MIND BODY RESILIENCY CLASSES

Are you interested in learning more about the Mind and Body connection and how this can promote better overall health? Then come join the interactive and informational series of one-hour classes based on the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine’s Resilient Warrior. Classes are scheduled on the A and B Unit Training Assemblies through September 2016. Topics for the six-part series include

– Stress Reactions and Relaxation Response

– Getting Good Sleep

– Mindfulness and a Positive State of Mind

– Yin and Yang of Resiliency

– Yoga & Journaling

– Social Connections & Communication

Time and Location:

UTA Sundays, 11 a.m. – noon

Bldg. 470, room 205   

Contact frank.pavone@us.af.mil or 655-4551 for more information. No reservation required.

REGISTER FOR YELLOW RIBBON EVENTS

Upcoming dates for Yellow Ribbon events are Mar 18-20, Apr. 22-24, May 20-22, Jun 17-19. For more formation, contact 1st Lt. Shelley Lawrence, your 452nd Air Mobility Wing Yellow Ribbon representative, for details at 951-655-4615.

BACK STREET GRILL HOURS

Hours of operation for the newly renovated Back Street Grill are Monday – Friday for breakfast from 6:30 to 10 a.m., for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; UTA weekends for breakfast (Sat & Sun) from 5:30 to 9 a.m., for lunch (Sat & Sun) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for dinner (Sat only) from 4 to 8 p.m. Additionally, the Back Street Grill proudly serves Starbucks Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and UTAs (Sat & Sun) from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

GRILL NIGHT AT SALLY’S ALLEY

Every Wednesday night starting at 4 p.m., Sally’s Alley is open for business with Grill Night. For more information, call them at 951-653-2121.

FITNESS CENTER NEWS

The March Fitness Center has received the Wellbeats Virtual Group Fitness Kiosk. This kiosk allows members to participate in virtual fitness classes.

Daily WellBeats Fitness Schedule is:

Mondays: 10:30 a.m. – REV (spin); 12:15 p.m. – Yoga

Tuesdays: 12:15 p.m. –  Fit for Duty; 4:00 p.m. – REV

Wednesdays: 6 a.m. – Yoga/Pilates; 11 a.m. – V.I.B.E./Toning; 12:15 p.m. – REV

Thursdays: 11 a.m. – REV; 12:45 p.m. – Fit for Duty

Fridays: 11 a.m. – Core; 11:15 a.m. Pilates

Wellbeats offers many more classes available at the members’ request. 

FIP (Fitness Improvement classes) available through our Wellbeats Kiosk.

Additional opportunities for fitness:

Tuesday, 11 a.m. and Thursday, 12:15 p.m. – Battle ropes training

Monday, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. – TRX

A & B UTA Saturdays, 7 a.m. – Wellbeats Fit for Duty

A & B UTA Sundays, 7 a.m. – Wellbeats REV

A UTA Saturdays, 5 p.m. – Virtual Strength “Fit for Duty”

B UTA, 5 – 7 p.m. – Pick-up basketball

Coming in 2016: Inter-Services Golf Tournament, Team Cohesion Challenge, Armed Forces 5K Run.

Call the Fitness & Sports center at 951-655-2292 to sign up or for more information on these programs.

Class descriptions:

Circuit Training – a high intensity interval training class that integrated cardio and muscular endurance exercises

Core – various classes from our WellBeats system that focus entirely on working out your core

Fit for Duty – a high-energy, extreme, conditioning workout led by service members with expertise in fitness training

Functional Fitness – A type of high-intensity interval training combining cardio and weight training into one short but intense class with mobility drills, mountain climbers, lunges, push-up, kettlebells, goblet squats duck walk, run.

Fusion – an integration of yoga and Pilates exercises with attention to breath, form, flow and body balance.

Kinetics – a total body, multi-activity class that includes sports-style cardio intervals with resistance training circuits and muscle isolation work

REV – an indoor cycling class that combines sprints, climbs, intervals, drills, terrain, and technique training

Stomp – a total body, cardio-driven step class as it was originally meant to be taught

TKO – a blend of martial arts disciplines that includes a combination of punches, kicks, and strikes

TRX – introductory class that teaches basic exercises to strengthen core and transition into more advanced techniques on the TRX suspension system

V.I.B.E. – multi-dimensional dance exercises ranging from Latin to urban, hip-hop and more

Zumba/Zumbathon – well-known dancing class featuring exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats (Zumbathon is a two-hour Zumba class in which participants can win prizes.)

OUTDOOR REC UPCOMING 2016 TRIPS

The outdoor recreation division has scheduled trips for target audiences of Single Airmen (SAP), Pre/Post-Deployers (RecOn) and Deployed-affected family members (DP). There is special pricing for these members (SAP/RECON/DP column). All others (military/DOD ID card holders and their guests) are invited on a space-available basis at the higher, per-person price listed in the EOE column. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be made by contacting ODR at 951-655-2816.
DATE – TRIP SAP/RECON/DP EOE
Apr. 9 – Hollywood Hills Horseback Riding SAP – $15 $75
Apr. 21-23 – Black Canyon Canoe Trip SAP – $35 $112
May 13-15 – Whitewater Rafting DE – $30 $130
May 28 – Deep Sea Fishing SAP- $25 $102
Jun. 10-12 – Spelunking SAP – $40 $110
Jun. 18 – Skydiving SAP – $40 $199
Jul. 16 – Couples Ballooning RecOn/DE – $30 $148
Jul. 30 – La Jolla Kayaking RecOn/DE – $15 $70
Aug. 13 – Catalina Adventure RecOn/DE – $40 $150
Aug. 27 – Bridge to Nowhere Bungee Jumping SAP – $20 $85
Sep. 3 – Skydiving RecOn/DE – $40 $199
SEP. 3 – Zipline/segway tour SAP – $40 $200
Sep. 17 – Deep Sea Fishing RecOn/DE – $25 $102
Sep. 24 – Tandem Hang Gliding RecOn/DE – $50 $199

OUTDOOR REC EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Outdoor Recreation has a variety of equipment for rent such as camping gear, water sports equipment, bicycles, and trailers to carry it all! Special orders for Callaway, Odyssey, Cleveland, Never Compromise, Nike, Bag Boy, Sun Mountain and Staff golf equipment are also available. Download the full equipment rental price list at MarchFSS.com, call 951-655-2816 or come on by for more information.

 

MARCH TICKETS & TOURS

Amusement Park Specials

Castle Park: $16 per person includes unlimited rides, water park access, miniature golf and the new Sky Rider.

Disney 3-Day Park Hopper military special: $140 per person (adult/child)

Discount Movie Tickets

Available for only $10 each and valid for Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Cinemas.

Hotel Discounts

Receive 10% off any Best Western and 15% off any Choice Hotel

Visit the Tickets & Tours page at MarchFSS.com and download the Discount Ticket Price List for a full list of discounts tickets prices, hotel discounts and special promotions. Call Tickets & Tours at 951-655-4123 for more information.

 

FY16 UTA RESCHEDULE GUIDELINES

Brig. Gen. Muncy has determined that the following FY 16 Unit Training Assemblies may only be rescheduled if the reschedule date is for the alternate UTA during the same month of the A and B UTAs for the months of May and August 2016. The wing commander will authorize reschedules outside of the same month, if absolutely necessary, on a case-by-case basis.

March Airmen, civilian employees can help recruiting, earn rewards

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U.S. Air Force illustration by Master Sgt. Shawn J. Jones

Air Force Reservists and Air Force Reserve civilian employees have an opportunity to earn rewards and help shape the future of the Reserve here at March ARB by participating in the Get 1 Now – Share Your Adventure program.

The Get 1 Now program, which initially began in 2006, was recently revamped in an effort to get the word out and to better reward those Airmen and civilians who participate. One of the biggest changes made to the program was the point at which credit for the referral is awarded. Participant’s whose referral is considered eligible for service will be eligible for a reward.

“You used to have to wait for the referral to actually join the Reserve before you could get the reward,” said Technical Sgt. Anton Banks, 452 AMW/WRS Reserve Recruiter. “But now the referral just has to be deemed qualified to join in order to be eligible for the award.”

To be qualified to join a referral must meet basic AFRC qualification requirements for service.

“Members must meet the height and weight standards, must not have any type of morals violations such as having a felony or any criminal activity and make sure tattoos are within the instruction, Banks said. “Those are the more common disqualifiers that we see.”

In addition to the rewards, participants actually have a chance to hand pick their coworkers on March, something Banks believes is beneficial not only to the individual but also to operations here at March.

“It is important for March ARB Reservists and civilians to actively recruit quality people to join the ranks because it gives them a chance to pick and choose who they really want to work beside them,” Banks said. “The Reservist and civilians here at March ARB know what type of individual it takes to accomplish the mission.”

Participation in the program is easy, simply sign up online at www.get1now.us, or through the Get 1 Now app which is available on Apple App Store and Google Play. Once you have a candidate you wish to submit, log into the system, enter the required data and wait to be contacted.

“Once the lead is put into the Share Your Adventure system by the reservist or civilian, that info will automatically be sent over to an Air Force Reserve E-Advisor and they will be contacted via phone or email to get the process started,” said Banks. “So the referral literally has to do nothing but wait to be contacted.”

There is no limit to the number of referrals that can be submitted, but they must be submitted through the Get 1 Now–Share Your Adventure website or App to qualify for an award. Those who participate can earn up to four awards per AFRC fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 through Sept 30.

“All awards must be redeemed no later than 60 days following the end of the fiscal year and you are only eligible for the award if you submit the referral through the Get 1 Now website or app,” said Banks.

For more information about the program visit www.get1now.us.

Mental maintenance: Tools to keep a fit mind

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U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Micaiah Anthony/

Airmen often go to the fitness center; some spend several hours a week toning their bodies, while others go to simply maintain their physique. But what about strengthening the mind?

What’s going on in between the ears is just as important, if not more, than trying to build biceps or washboard abs. To help Airmen and their families stay mentally balanced, the Air Force provides several resources, such as mental health clinics, to assist them.

“The primary mission for all mental health clinics is making sure Airmen are mentally fit,” said Capt. Ingrid Gittens, the 48th Medical Operation Support Squadron Mental Health Flight director of psychological health. “We take care of them so they can go back to the mission and perform at their optimum level. We give them the tools to be able to weather any difficulties and stressors.”

Stress, both on and off duty, can have a negative impact on Airmen and ultimately the mission.

“We know that if an active-duty member is worried about something that is going on at home then they are more than likely not going to be able to perform at work,” said Gittens, who’s also a licensed clinical social worker. “We have our family advocacy program where we provide marital counseling as a part of our prevention services. We also offer individual counseling along with a variety of therapy protocols to address mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

According to Gittens, seeking professional care will not negatively impact an Airman’s career.

“Mental health does not kill careers,” Gittens said. “It’s how long you wait to get it treated that is the real concern. The earlier you come the better it is; that way you can address it, take care of it and do something about it. Early intervention is the best way to go.”

The mental health clinic isn’t the only resource Airmen can use. The Air Force provides several other options to keep its service members mentally sharp.

“The Military Family Life Advice Consultant program is one of them, the chaplain is another and now we have a behavioral health optimization program which is a mental health provider in the family health setting,” Gittens said. “They work together with the primary care manager. Anybody can see them if they just want to get some advice or they want to deal with some low-level stressors.”

Through the chapel, Airmen and their family members can speak privately to an Air Force chaplain regardless of their religious preferences.

“Privileged communication extends to anybody and is every Airman and their dependents’ right,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Porter, the 100th Air Refueling Wing head chaplain. “Their communication with us is protected and that helps in our mental fitness because there is a place where (Airmen) can go that they can talk to someone, vent, steam and even cry if they need to. They can problem solve with us and that information is not going anywhere. It’s going to stay between them and the chaplain.”

The chapel also offers marriage care retreats, family care retreats and single retreats to enable Airmen to unwind and reconnect with their family and friends.

“Socializing and gathering with people and talking though life issues with each other plays a huge part in your mental outlook,” Porter said.

Socializing is one of many key factors that play a role in maintaining mental fitness.

“Being mentally strong takes a community. It’s not just how you handle your emotions, it’s staying physically active and having good social connections,” Gittens said. “The stronger the roots are in your community the more likely the stronger the person, not that they wouldn’t feel stress, but they would be better able to cope with it.”

Gittens encourages Airmen and their supervisors to play an active role to be there for their wing man if they notice any behavioral or emotional changes.

“I encourage supervisors to ask questions,” Gittens said. “It opens a line of communication. They may not tell you everything but at least they know there is somebody they can really trust. Early intervention and building trust within your unit is what is important.”

Seeking help is vital and there are multiple resources for Airmen and their dependents. For more information on resources available, visit www.militaryonesource.mil.

“We’re here to help and support Airmen and their families so they gain a sense of purpose, continue to serve and continue to be a part of this great Air Force,” Porter said.

MiCare updates process for personal health record

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The Air Force’s secure patient portal, MiCare, also known as RelayHealth, is scheduled to make changes to the Personal Health Record process on March 28.

Automatic updates to MiCare PHR will be discontinued, however, electronic health records will continue to be available through the Blue Button feature on TRICARE Online. Beneficiaries can use TRICARE Online to access both past health records and health records which become available moving forward. TOL meets the cyber security requirements of the Department of Defense to keep personal information safe and secure.

TOL Blue Button provides the following:

Medication profile (DoD and VA data)

• Allergy profile (DoD and VA data)

• Problem lists (DoD and VA data)

• Encounters (DoD data only)

Laboratory results (DoD and VA data)

Radiology results (DoD and VA data)

• Vital signs (DoD and VA data)

• Immunizations (DoD AHLTA data only)

TOL Blue Button users are able to view all available personal health data or tailor a summary report; download, save and print personal health data; and share personal health data in an XML-formatted continuity of care document.

MiCare remains a secure patient portal for online communications between beneficiaries and their health care team. Secure messaging services remain available and beneficiaries and health care providers can continue to exchange messages through MiCare.

In addition, beneficiaries can download existing MiCare PHR information and message history through RelayHealth.

Instructions for accessing electronic health records through TRICARE Online’s Blue Button feature:

1. Go to www.tricareonline.com and click “Log in.”

2. Log in with your Premium DS Logon, DoD CAC or DFAS myPay credentials. If you do not have DS Logon credentials you may register by clicking “Register.”

3. Click “Blue Button” on the TOL homepage or top navigation bar to access your personal health data.

4. Click “Blue Button Download My Data.”

5. Select the data types and date range for download and then click “Save as CCD.”

6. Select “Save File” and click “OK” to save.

Instructions for downloading existing MiCare Patient Health Record through RelayHealth:

1. Sign in to your Secure Messaging account from a laptop or desktop computer.

2. Click on “Download My Data” from the Home screen.

3. Select the name of the individual whose information to download, and then click “Download Health Data.”

4. Choose the Health Data download format. For a readable format, choose “PDF.” For a format which can be recognized by a health record repository, choose “XML.” It is advisable to save both formats.

5. To download, click “Download my data.”

6. Choose the location where to save the file(s) on your laptop or desktop and click “Save.”

7. To print the data, click on “Print Health Record.”

8. Click “Print” at the top or bottom of the page.

For more information about MiCare visit www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/MiCare.

Commissary savings highlight Month of Military Child

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Savings, giveaways and nutritional tours for the entire family are on tap for April as commissaries worldwide observe Month of the Military Child.

“We know military family life is made better thanks to the commissary benefit, and we’re all about providing our customers with great values, especially for children during April,” said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s sales director.

DeCA’s industry partners – vendors, suppliers and brokers – are collaborating with commissaries to offer discounts beyond everyday savings. Overseas stores may have substitute events for certain promotional programs. Customers are asked to check their local commissary for details on dates and times for the following promotions:

All commissaries take Month of the Military Child as a time to highlight healthy lifestyles. The “5-2-1-0” message is prominent: Eat five fruits and vegetables every day; limit recreational screen time to two hours or less daily; get one hour or more of physical activity every day and avoid all drinks with sugar. Check with your commissary to find out about possible tours highlighting the nutritional value of fresh fruits and vegetables and recipes.

Keebler’s 17th Annual Hollow Tree promotion features savings on discounted Keebler products March 28 – April 10 at all stores. There are also coupons for free milk with the purchase of four packages of Keebler cookies or Keebler Rite Bite packages.

Eleven camps, two ways to win. Now through April 10, nearly 100 commissaries have a chance to win a football ProCamp for their installation. Eleven winning stateside installations will host a free, two-day football camp for military children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Camp participants learn from and play with NFL players such as Andre Roberts (Washington Redskins), Cortez Allen (Pittsburgh Steelers), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals), Steve Smith (Baltimore Ravens) and Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots). Installations qualify for a camp based on their commissary sales of select items such as Tide, Bounty, Charmin, Pantene, Crest and Gillette. Customers can also vote for their installation at thefamilyunitpg.com.

Small Planet Foods is sponsoring “Live Green Together,” a stateside organic food event. From April 11-24, it features product sampling and great savings through coupons on Annie’s, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, Larabar and Food Should Taste Good items including ready-to-eat cereal, granola bars, salsa, pasta sauce, healthy snacks and frozen fruit.

Overseas Service Corporation and their partners present a stateside-only sale to heighten awareness of The Fisher House Foundation. A Fisher House is a “home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers. Look for special product pricing, coupons and mass displays in all stateside stores. A percentage of the sale’s proceeds will go to support the Fisher House.

“The best way we recognize our military children is making sure the products and values of their commissary make it worth the trip,” Russ said.

Combat Veterans Get Telephonic Health Care Application Option

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has amended its enrollment regulations to allow Veterans to complete applications for enrollment in VA health care by telephone without the need for a signed paper application. The change is effective immediately for Combat Veterans and will be effective July 5, 2016, for all Veterans.

This phased implementation accelerates VA’s effort to enroll all Combat Veterans with pending applications as part of its ongoing Veterans Enrollment Rework Project. The VA is working to complete the review and rework of all pending health enrollment records for living and deceased Veterans this summer. Veterans can view the amended regulation on the Federal Register website at www.federalregister.gov.

“This improvement to our Veterans’ experience is one we can implement now, and it’s the right thing to do for Veterans,” said VA Deputy Secretary Sloan D. Gibson, “Enrolling all 31,000 Combat Veterans with pending applications is the top priority in our effort to fix our enrollment system. Our analysis of our current application process convinced me we could enroll Veterans more quickly using this method, particularly Combat Veterans and those who are transitioning from active duty to Veteran status,” Gibson said.

By adding this telephone application option to VA’s regulations, VA will now offer three ways to enroll.  This change provides Veterans an even more convenient way to apply for enrollment, in addition to the paper VA Form 10-10 EZ and online enrollment application process. With publication in the Federal Register today, Combat Veterans may now apply by phone. All other Veterans may apply by phone starting on July 5, 2016.

When Veterans choose to enroll, VA offers an enhancement to their enrollment experience through “Welcome to VA” (W2VA).  Veterans enrolled since July 1, 2015 have received a personal introduction to VA health care services, programs and resources to help them become more familiar with VA’s services. In addition, VA sends each new enrollee an introductory letter and personalized handbook in the mail. W2VA enhances communication by reaching out to newly enrolled Veterans through personal phone calls upon enrollment, providing assistance with health care inquiries and assisting with their initial appointment at their preferred VA healthcare facility.

For more information, Veterans can contact the Health Eligibility Center Enrollment and Eligibility Division toll free at 1-855-488-8440