This country was founded on the basic values of freedom, dignity, respect, and opportunity for all. In an ongoing struggle to ensure that these rights are enjoyed by all, we must continue to educate each other on the importance of equal opportunity. Values, attitudes and prejudices gained before enlistment or commissioning do not automatically dissolve…

The Exceptional Family Member Program offers Respite Care as a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. Respite Care may be provided in the EFMP Respite Care user’s home or other settings, such as special needs camps and enrichment programs. Respite Care is not an entitlement or a…

Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 48 minutes. The following is some information to consider before you begin enjoying beverages at home or at an event: • Prior to drinking alcohol, designate a non-drinking driver when…

Prescription drug abuse has become the number one drug problem among young Americans. Nearly seven million Americans are abusing prescription drugs—more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy, and inhalants, combined. Narcotic pain-relief prescriptions for injured United States troops have jumped from 30,000 a month to 50,000 since the Iraq war began,…

It’s RSV time again – the time of year that many infants and young children become ill from this particular type of virus. Respiratory Syncytial (pronounced sin-SISH-uhl) Virus, or RSV for short, is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. For most healthy older children and adults, it results in cold-like symptoms…

Post traumatic stress disorders do not automatically cause problems with alcohol use; there are many people with PTSD who do not have problems with alcohol. However, PTSD and alcohol together can be serious trouble for the trauma survivor and his or her family. Symptoms of PTSD often are worsened by alcohol use. •Although alcohol can…

Contribute to safety by heeding these tips when walking, driving Safety is a shared responsibility for all members of the Fort Irwin Community. With a daily population of approximately 21,000 personnel including almost 6,000 family members, their Soldiers and our civilian workforce, it is imperative that we take that responsibility seriously. The following are some…

Brain Injury Awareness Month helps bring awareness, keeps topic in forefront Did you know that 1.7 million individuals in the United States will suffer a traumatic brain injury each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? This number includes approximately 262,065 U.S. military servicemembers. Not all cases of TBI are combat related,…