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A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE 502nd A IR BASE W ING

J O I N T B A S E S A N A N T O N I O - L A C K L A N D , T E X A S • V o l . 7 3 N o . 4 6 • N o v e m b e r 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

INSIDE | Commentary 2 News 3 Community Briefs 14 ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil

Photo by Johnny SaldivarAirmen from the 737th Training Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland carry the American fl ag during San Antonio’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade Nov. 12 in downtown San Antonio.

JBSA, San Antonio honors veterans

newsPAGE 2 TALESPINNER November 18, 2016

This newspaper is published by EN Communities, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Talespinner are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or EN Communities, of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Deadline for story submissionsis noon Wednesday the week prior

to publication.

Offi ce2230 Hughes Ave.JBSA-Lackland, Texas78236-5415(phone) 671-2908(fax) 671-2022Email: [email protected]

Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)

For advertising information:EN CommunitiesP.O. Box 2171 San Antonio, TX 78297250-2052

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland

Editorial Staff

BRIG. GEN. HEATHER PRINGLE

502ND AIR BASE WING/JBSACOMMANDER

TODD G. WHITE

502ND ABW/JBSAPUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

OSCAR BALLADARES

JBSA-LACKLAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF

ALAIN M. POLYNICE

COMMAND INFORMATION CHIEF

SENIOR AIRMAN LYNSIE NICHOLS

SENIOR AIRMAN KRYSTAL WRIGHT

PHOTOJOURNALISTS

JEREMY GERLACH JOSE T. GARZA III

STAFF WRITERS

DOROTHY LONAS PAGE DESIGN/ILLUSTRATOR

By TSgt. Amelia Leonard439 Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

During the past fi ve years, I’ve made several bloody trips to the emergency room. As the mom

of three young kids, blood and tears just seem to come with the territory. My old-est is only fi ve years-old and has already gotten staples, stitches and glue adhesives to close wounds on his head.

I’m defi nitely not a “helicopter mom.” However, when it comes to car seat safety, I couldn’t be more determined to make sure he is as safe as can be at all times.

On average, 37 people die every day in a car accident. Since 1980, the amount of li-censed drivers in the U.S. has increased 45 percent, from 145 million to 210 million, and the total number of registered cars has increased 60 percent from 146 million to 242 million as of 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Increased traffi c on our roadways ne-cessitates increased safety measures. In 2015, there were 35,092 car accidents, up from 32,744 in 2014.

Children under the age of fi ve are most at risk for serious injury or death in a car accident. According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, or NHTSH, car accidents are the number one cause of accidental deaths in children. Children under fi ve are nearly four times more likely to die in a car accident than be kidnapped by a stranger before age 18.

It all comes down to physics and the physiology of young children. Physiology fi rst.

Unlike adults, the vertebrae of young children are connected with cartilage, not bone. At two-years-old, none of those cartilaginous spaces have ossifi ed to bone and can stretch up to two inches. However, it only takes a ¼-inch stretch to rupture the spinal column, resulting in paralysis or death. Three areas of the spine fuse over time and at age eight, there is only a 50 percent probability that the bones have fused completely.

Another big difference between adults

and children is the head to body propor-tionality. At nine months old, a child�s head makes up 25 percent of its body weight, whereas an adult head only makes up six percent of its body weight.

Now, let’s talk physics and numbers. Sir Isaac Newton, world-renowned physicist, stated in his fi rst law of motion that, “… an object in motion stays in motion.”

During a crash, occupants travel toward the point of impact, putting the stress of im-pact on the neck and spine. According to the NHTSA, 60 percent of all vehicle crashes are frontal crashes. This means that a young child with disproportionally large head could fl y forward while the child’s body remains harnessed in a car seat. The result is devastating: internal decapitation.

Driving children is a necessity. My kids probably spend more than 15 hours per week in the car going to the grocery store, doctor or extracurricular activities. Although driving may seem scary based on the facts above, there are several ways I ensure my children’s safety.

• Invest in a good car seat. There are many options available which can grow with your child from fi ve to 120 pounds. One car seat could last your child from infant into elementary school without replacement.

• Keep your child rear-facing and in their car seat as long as possible, until they hit the height or weight limits of their car seat. Remember, age is just a number, not a good indicator that your child is ready to face forward or transition to a booster seat. Many states have recently changed their laws and increased the minimum ages and weights children need to remain in their car seats. The minimum recom-mended age to remain rear-facing is two, according to the American Association of Pediatrics and NHTSA. Massachusetts law requires drivers follow the manufacturer’s recommendation of each individual car seat.

• Schedule an appointment with your lo-cal fi re station or other certifi ed car seat technician to ensure your car seats have been properly installed according to your

car manual and car seat manufacturer instructions. They may differ. According to a study conducted by Chrysler, 96 percent of parents and caregivers believe their child safety seats are installed correctly, but NHTSA research shows that seven out of 10 children are improperly restrained, putting them at risk for serious injury or death in a crash.

• Make sure the straps are buckled correctly. If your child is rear-facing, the straps should sit at or just below shoulder level. If your child is forward facing, the straps should sit at or just above shoul-der level. A chest clip is intended to go across the sternum, the strongest bone in the chest. Make sure to remove all jackets or large outerwear prior to being strapped in to ensure a snug fi t. You should not be able to pinch any slack between the straps and your child’s body.

• Never buy a used car seat. Car seats which have been involved in car accidents are no longer safe, regardless of how fast the cars were going or if there was any damage to the car. You also never know if or how the seat has been cared for. Most detergents remove the fl ame retardant from the cloth covers, and therefore most car seats and their straps should only be washed with warm water or a mild dish soap.

• The back seat is always the safest place for passengers. Many states prohibit children from riding in the front seat until 12-years-old. In Massachusetts, it is illegal for children under the age of 13 to sit in the front seat.

• Remember that even if you don’t have a child in your car, someone else might. That call, text or Facebook message can wait – a child’s life could depend on it.

While I may be okay with the occasion-al blood and tears resulting from getting hurt on the playground or in our backyard, I’m not willing to compromise on car seat safety.

People often ask me when I’m fi nally going to let my kids ride in a car without a car seat, and my answer remains the same, “when it’s safe.”

Using car seats is not a parenting ‘style’

“We’ve downsized” JBSA Social MediaFollow the offi cial home of JBSA at: Facebook: Joint Base San Antonio

Twitter: @JBSA_Official

November 18, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 3newsoperation home cooking phone lines are open

Families can invite Airmen/trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to enjoy a holiday meal through “Operation Home Cooking.” This program is designed for fam-ily participation, not for groups.

Requests can be made on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. by calling call 671-5453, 671-5454 or 671-3701. Reservations are required to host Airmen/trainees. The phone lines will remain open till Nov. 23 or until all eligible Airmen/trainees have been requested, whichever occurs first.

Families within the San Antonio metro-politan area may invite two Airmen/trainees as a “general request.” To make a “by name Request,” the requester must be an immedi-ate family member and live in San Antonio. Out-of-town relatives with trainees who are graduating during Thanksgiving week may request them by name for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner.

Due to heightened security measures, hosts without a current Department of Defense identification card are required to have a background check and visitor’s pass to enter the base. Hosts can pick up their visitor’s pass at the Luke Gate Visitor Reception Center, which is open 24/7 and located off Military Drive, until Nov. 23.

All Airmen/trainees must be returned according to their designated return time, which will be no later than 7 p.m.

holiday meals to go

Save some time during the hustle and bustle of the holidays by taking advantage of the Gateway Club’s holiday meals-to-go between Nov. 1 and Dec. 19.

Meat only pricing:• Turkey (12–14 pounds): $50/members

or $55/nonmembers• Ham (9–11 pounds): $55/members

or $60/nonmembersMeal pricing:• Turkey: $80/members or $85

nonmembers• Ham: $90/members or $95/nonmembers Meals includes: cornbread stuffing,

whipped potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce and apple pie.

Place orders by calling 645-7034 at least two days in advance of pickup. Add $15 to pick up freshly prepared hot meals, which is specified at the time of order. The last day to order is Dec. 15 and the last day to pick up is Dec. 17. Coupons are not accepted.

News in Brief

See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 18

By Jeremy GerlachJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

Senior Master Sgt. Brandon Lambert, 836th Cyber Operations Squadron superintendent, might have only arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland four years ago, but he’s already made his mark on the local San Antonio community.

Lambert, who spends about 20 hours each week working with more than 20 local non-profits, was honored with the Bexar County Veterans Service Office Leroy V. Greene Memorial Award Nov. 9.

The Bexar County Commissioners Court has annually presented the award since 2008, which recognizes a Bexar county citizen who makes out-standing contributions that enhance the well-being and quality of life for area veterans, service members and their families.

For Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez, Bexar County Precinct 1 commissioner, no-body fits this bill more than Lambert.

“For all the work that Senior Master Sgt. Lambert has done, I was expect-ing to meet someone in their sixties,” Rodriguez explained. “I was excited to see such a young individual involved in all the work he’s been doing.”

The award is named after retired Col. Leroy V. Green, an Airman who served as a combat control command-er, special operations advisor and missile systems logistics officer dur-ing his 30-year Air Force career until he retired in 1982. Prior to his death in 2007, Green actively volunteered his personal time in and around the San Antonio area and was ultimately appointed to the Bexar County civil service commission and the Bexar County Veterans advisory committee.

Lambert, nominated by his colleagues from the American Legion Post 300, was honored to receive the award.

“I’ve been volunteering my whole life, and my direction just happens to be the military and veterans,” Lambert explained.

Lambert’s volunteer contributions are “too many to name,” Rodriguez said.

The following are just some of his many accomplishments:

• As an American Legion Post 300 volunteer assistant, Lambert assists with monetary donations, sponsors

local boys and girls for leadership academies, sponsoring local boy and Cub Scout troops, and assisting eagle scout projects.

• Each Thanksgiving Day, Lambert and fellow legion members sacrifice their holiday time to provide meals for more than 100 security forces students and 150 local veterans and their fami-lies. In addition, Lambert adopts three wounded warriors for the Christmas holidays.

• As a Veterans of Foreign Wars organizer, recruiter and fundraiser, Lambert rallies volunteers to place American flags and wreaths on more than 140,000 graves of veterans laid to rest at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

• As a volunteer with the American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program, Lambert helps provide affordable housing that is accessible to wounded and disabled veterans, as well as providing housing and financial assistance to stabilize veterans as risk of homelessness.

• As a San Antonio Food Bank volunteer, Lambert helps pack, store and ship food to more than 80,000 local residents each year. Lambert de-signed a Texas flag to commemo-rate the 604 Texans and the 72 San Antonians who made the ul-timate sacrifice during Operations

Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Lambert manufac-tured these flags locally and donates them individually to each family during funeral and memorial services.

Though this list doesn’t encompass all of Lambert’s service, Rodriguez said it was more than enough proof of Lambert’s commitment to the San Antonio and Bexar County area.

“Lambert epitomizes service, not just through his active duty, but also through his many contributions as a volunteer in the local community,” Rodriguez noted. “His relentless drive to serve veterans in the area embod-ies the true spirit of volunteerism and selfless service.”

In addition to the Leroy V. Green award, Lambert got an extra bonus – four tickets to a San Antonio Spurs basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Monday.

For Lambert, volunteerism isn’t just about the big picture – it’s about the little moments shared with people in need.

“When you go to some of these ceremonies – where you are planting a flag or laying a wreath of the graves of a fallen solider – and you’re able to honor the families of a fallen soldier, or you see a wounded warrior get a new home that has been adapted for them, makes this all worthwhile.”

Airman honored for volunteer service to community

Photo by Johnny SaldivarSergio “Chico” Rodriguez (right), Bexar County Precinct 1 commissioner, presents Senior Master Sgt. Brandon Lambert (left), 836th Cyber Operations Squadron superintendent, with the Bexar County Veterans Service Office Leroy V. Greene Memorial Award Nov. 9 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Pfingston Reception Center.

TALESPINNER November 18, 2016

By Chief Petty Officer Sara E. HorvathNTTC Lackland Public Affairs

Naval Technical Training Center Lackland took pause to celebrate its record-breaking year of 1,994 graduates from Master-at-Arms “A” School.

Fiscal Year 2016 was one of the most productive and arduous years in the history of NTTC Lackland with an unprecedented 24 percent additional gradu-ates from previous years.

The NTTC Lackland leadership and staff suc-cessfully overcame limited resources in manpower, administration, logistic and berthing challenges to manage approximately 450 students daily.

The increase in new accession student numbers can be traced to the tragic events aboard the USS Mahan (DDG 72) at the Washington Navy Yard and the Chattanooga Reserve Center. In response to those events, the Mission Profile Validation – Protection, or MPV-P, manning model required an increase of secu-rity billets to meet Navy security needs worldwide.

“It’s not only the increase in the numbers of stu-dents trained this year, but also the very significant number of newly arrived instructors,” said Sonya Beasley-Lynch, Master-at-Arms “A” School course supervisor. “Many of our key positions – military and civilian – are being filled by new personnel who them-selves were fighting through a steep learning curve.”

Another challenge faced by the school was the potential lack of available berthing to accommodate the increase in student throughput.

NTTC Lackland worked with joint partners at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to expedite the renovation of a barracks that were utilized for temporary housing of transient students.

Obtaining rooms from the U.S. Air Force's 37th Training Group, NTTC Lackland was able to shore up the berthing gap in addition to coordinating support from base civil engineering to launch a major reno-vation project for the 30-year-old berthing facility.

“The collaborative efforts of Navy and Air Force towards this goal are not just a testament to operat-ing in the modern joint environment, but they also demonstrate the joint commitment to our shared mission in service of our country,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Martin, NTTC Lackland commanding officer.

NTTC Lackland expects fiscal year 2017 to be another record-breaking year and is seeking new ways to enhance the training experience for stu-dents through innovations in technology and training delivery.

Naval Technical Training Center Lackland pro-vides eight courses of instruction: Master-at-Arms “A” school, Life skills, Corrections Specialist, Corrections Counselor, Brig Afloat, Military Working Dog Handler, Military Working Dog Kennel Master

and Dog Training School. The command trains more than 2,600 students each year to prepare the best for the worst in defending freedom around the world.

For more information about NTTC Lackland, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/csf/nttc-lackland.

Master-at-Arms ‘A’ School Sets Record Year

Photo by Chief Petty Officer Sara Horvath.Cmdr. Jeffrey P. Martin (center), Naval Technical Training Center Lackland commanding officer; Master Chief Petty Officer Gregory Maxwell (left), NTTC Lackland staff mem-ber; and Seamen Carly R. Andrews (right), NTTC Lackland student, cut a cake Oct. 13 in celebration of the U.S. Na-vy’s 241st birthday and a record year at Naval Technical Training Command Lackland at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

November 18, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 5

Airmen with the 433rd Maintenance Squadron conducted their annual fuel extraction exercise Nov. 1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The annual exercise is graded for extraction protocol, execution time and safety.

The exercise began with the sound of a bull horn starting the clock. A call was placed by Staff Sgt. Eric Garcia, 433rd MXS fuel systems techni-cian, to emergency services on base indicating that an Airman was trapped inside the wing of a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft.

Senior Airman Jaydee Gonzales and Tech. Sgt. David Ragsdale, 433rd MXS fuel systems technicians, monitored the trapped Airman as they waited for emergency services to arrive.

Firemen with the 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron arrived on scene within minutes of receiving the call. Dressed in their confined spaces gear, the firemen began extracting the mannequin from underneath the aircrafts wing. Once the manikin was secured from the wing, Ragsdale along with other emergency personnel provided CPR to the patient as they waited for emergency medical services to arrive for transport to the hospital.

“We are moving to a younger Air Force with less experience and we have more work now than we ever have so the chance of something happening is much higher,” said Senior Master Sgt. Leonard Vidal, 433rd MXS fuel systems section chief.

(Source: 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

All hands on deck during fuel extraction exercise

Photo by Benjamin FaskeTech. Sgt. David Ragsdale, 433rd Maintenance Squadron fuel systems technician, helps evacuate a mannequin from the fuel tank of a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft during a fuel extraction exercise Nov. 1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Fire-men with the 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron assisted in the extraction by safely securing the patient from the fuel tank and providing basic life support.


NCO helps military families cope with deployment processJOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO FRONT AND CENTER

By Robert GoetzJBSA-Randolph Public Affairs

A master sergeant who once set his sights on being a fi rst sergeant is now exerting a shirt-like infl uence on Airmen and their families in a differ-ent position.

Master Sgt. Joe Ugarte, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center NCO in charge since 2012, is making a difference in the lives of Airmen and their families by ensuring they are prepared to meet the challenges of the deploy-ment cycle.

“I think it’s very important to take care of family members through the duration of a deployment,” he said. “If we can focus on making sure families are OK, the Airmen can focus 100 percent on the mission they’re doing downrange and come back home safely.”

As readiness NCO, Ugarte develops and provides personal and family readiness services related to the deployment cycle – from pre-deployment to re-integration and post-deployment education and con-sultation – to Total Force Airmen and their families, said Kathleen Moree, JBSA-Randolph M&FRC chief.

“Ugarte’s own deployment experiences make him a great fi t for this position,” she said. “He has built several relationships with base part-ners to provide fantastic monthly events for our Hearts Apart program. Over the years, he has worked to fi nd events that work for this community and our partners such as the chaplain service, Yellow Ribbon Spouses, and JBSA-Randolph offi cers and enlisted clubs look forward to partnering with him each year to make the events better and better.”

Briefi ngs play a major role in Ugarte’s duties as readiness NCO.

“There are six deployment-specifi c briefi ngs each month,” he said. “We have a pre-deployment per-sonal and family briefi ng twice a month and a rein-tegration briefi ng each week. I tell them about the services and classes we provide at the Military & Family Readiness Center.”

One-on-one sessions with Airmen and their spouses in his offi ce provide them with information about employment and educational opportunities as well as referrals to the Family Advocacy Program’s classes and other resources, Ugarte said.

Since Ugarte is the only military member at the JBSA-Randolph M&FRC, Airmen can easily relate to him, Moree said.

“Often at the end of a briefi ng, he will be approached for advice or be asked for help with an issue,” she said. “This is a time when he can educate on specifi c M&FRC programs and make an Airman feel comfortable visiting the center to ask for help or attend a class.”

An annual event allows Ugarte – assisted by a team of more than 100 volunteer Airmen and

civilians from JBSA organizations – to educate stu-dents at Randolph Elementary School about the de-ployment process and show them what their parents go through when they deploy to a faraway land.

“Each May, Ugarte has worked with the Ran-dolph Elementary School principal to host Operation FLAGS, which stands for Families Learning About Global Support,” Moree said. “Students go through a mock deployment to learn what mom or dad may be doing.”

In addition to being educational, the event is enjoyable, Ugarte said.

“First and foremost, we want the kids to enjoy themselves, but at the same time educate them and let them see the different organizations their mom or dad may encounter while they are deployed downrange, whether it’s Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq,” he said.

Operation FLAGS features Airmen and civilians from those organizations, including fi refi ghters, explosive ordnance disposal specialists and military working dog handlers and their canines.

Squad leaders even bark commands at the stu-dents during the mock deployment, Ugarte said.

“We want them to feel that sense of urgency, just like we feel on a deployment,” he said.

A San Antonio native who enlisted in the Air Force

following graduation from high school, Ugarte has served the Air Force as an information technology specialist for base intrusion detection systems. His fi rst duty station was Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a video maintenance technician, and he has also been assigned to such locations as Araxos Air Base in Greece and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Ugarte, a 20-year Air Force veteran, was assigned to the Air Force Cryptologic Systems Group at Port San Antonio and fresh off a deployment when the special-duty position as readiness NCO became available.

“I was looking at fi rst sergeant duty, but this po-sition opened up,” he said. “It was a job where I was still able to help Airmen and their families, so it’s been very rewarding to be able to just do that every single day.”

Helping Airmen and their family members brings Ugarte the most satisfaction in his job.

“We have a wealth of resources and helping agen-cies and we’re able to refer lots of families to dif-ferent entities in those moments of crisis,” he said. “Deployments are a big thing for family members, and the hardest piece is getting that family through that whole deployment process. That’s a key thing we do here at the center.”

Photo by Sean SchroederMaster Sgt. Joe Ugarte, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center NCO in charge, assigned to the Military and Family Readiness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, provides a client details about the Give Parents A Break program. For the past 4-years, Ugarte has provided support to active duty and family members during the entire duration of deployments.


Courtesy of Civilian Personnel Office Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

As we approach the end of the year, federal civil service employees should examine their accrued annual leave, and make plans to use it if they are approaching the maximum.

Employees may carry over to the new leave year a maximum of 240 hours of annual leave. Under cer-tain circumstances, some personnel may carry over to the new year up to 360 hours. All “use-or-lose” annual leave in excess of the maximum carry-over amount that is not used by the end of the leave year, is automatically forfeited.

If, however, you forfeit annual leave because your supervisor cancelled your leave because of an emer-gency or urgent situation (or “Exigency of the Service“), or because you became ill, the leave may be restored under the following circumstances:

1. Request and Schedule Leave. You must have requested the leave and it must have been sched-uled and approved in writing before the beginning of the third biweekly pay period prior to the end of the leave year. The 2016 leave year ends Jan. 7, 2017. Therefore, you must have your use-or-lose annual leave scheduled and approved no later than Nov. 26 to be eligible for restoration if the leave is subsequently forfeited. Your supervisor is responsible for ensur-

ing that you have an opportunity to use all of your use-or-lose leave before the end of the leave year.

2. Forfeiture Because of an Exigency of the Service. Before canceling your scheduled annual leave, your supervisor must have the “Exigency of the Service” approved in writing. Normally an exi-gency must be approved in advance. Promptly after the end of the leave year, you must submit a written request to your supervisor to have your forfeited use-or-lose leave restored. You will need to attach a copy of your approved leave schedule, your leave request (such as an approved Office of Personnel Management Form 71 or other proof the leave was scheduled and approved), and a copy of the approved “exigency” to your leave restoration request. You must specify in your request the dates that you lost scheduled leave, the number of hours that were lost on each date and why the leave could not be rescheduled before the end of the leave year. Your supervisor will be required to endorse your request and forward it to the Civilian Personnel Section.

3. Forfeiture Because of Illness. Promptly after the end of the leave year, you must submit a writ-ten request to your supervisor to have your forfeited use-or-lose leave restored. To your request, you must attach a copy of your approved leave request, such as an OPM 71. You must specify in your request the dates that you lost scheduled leave and numbers of

hours that were lost on each date. For illnesses in ex-cess of three consecutive workdays, you must attach a copy of the medical documentation from your doctor certifying your incapacity. If you are a bargaining unit employee covered by the Master Labor Agreement and you were not seen by a doctor, a personal state-ment self-certifying the incapacity is acceptable.

4. Taking Restored Leave. As a rule, you should use restored leave before using regularly accrued leave. Furthermore, you must use your restored use-or-lose leave within two years.

If you wish to donate use-or-lose annual leave at the end of the leave year, please remember that you can donate only the number of hours that you are scheduled to work and receive pay. For example, if two weeks before the end of the leave year you have 100 hours of use-or-lose leave and you are scheduled to work for 60 hours, you may donate up to 60 hours. Moreover, the amount of annual leave you may donate cannot exceed one-half the amount of leave you ac-crue during the year. For example, if you will accrue 104 hours of annual leave you may donate up to a total of 52 hours.

The form for donating leave is the Office of Personnel Management Form 630-A. It can be found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/OPM-forms/.

For questions, contact the servicing EMR specialist at the local Civilian Personnel Office.

Use-or-lose leave guidelines for civil service employees


By Jose T. Garza IIIJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

The average person spent more than $800 on holiday gifts in 2015, according to the National Retail Federation.

While it is generous to gift-wrap and deliver joy to loved ones, massive holiday shopping can generate massive debt.

Kevin Keith, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Military & Family Readiness Center community readiness consul-tant, provided four tips for people look-ing to deliver a Merry Christmas with-out stocking up debt.1. Set up a budgetPreparing a budget is the fi rst

victory for consumers, Keith said. “Understanding of being in control of your holiday budget is the fi rst and most important thing,” he said. “I tell folks that if you want to have a success-ful holiday season then it should begin in January of that year. If you estimate that you spent $1,100 on gifts the pre-vious year then divide that total by say 11 months. It equals to $100 a month.” “Instead of having to gather $1,100

in December, you can save that money between January and December and it will be there. Moving forward, you can determine how you’re going to spend that money.”2. Decide whom to purchase

gifts forOne of the biggest challenges individu-

als with large families face in holiday budgeting is feeling the need to pur-chase gifts for every family member, Keith said. He recommends people create a Secret Santa system where each person selects a family member to buy a gift for. “You’re buying a gift for one person instead of 15 gifts,” Keith said. Keith also advises they write a list

of people they are going to purchase gifts for to avoid stress because “they are not thinking at the last minute who they have not bought gifts for.”3. Open a Christmas Club accountChristmas Club accounts are short-

term saving accounts patrons deposit money into each week, and they receive that money at the end of the year for Christmas shopping. They are generally offered at local credit unions. “When we think of setting an ordinary budget, we think of budgeting for rent, car and utility payments,” Keith said. “But how often do you budget for gifts you are going to purchase? Look at what you spent on gifts last year and fi gure out if you put yourself in debt. Estimate how much you need to cut back on shopping this year if you did accrue debt. Christ-mas isn’t about how much you spend on a person but rather how much you love them.”4. Avoid credit cardsConsumers are enticed to open credit

card accounts when businesses offer discounts on their purchases. “They might get 10 percent off a purchase, but what the stores don’t tell you is they are going to charge 20 percent interest on that card,” Keith said. They should plan how much they are going to spend before shopping. “Know what stores you are going

to,” he said. “Go online and determine which stores have the best deals. Plan what you are going to buy and stay within your budget.”

For more tips on how to stay debt free during the holidays, contact the M&FRC at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at 671-3722, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 221-2705 or 221-2705 or 221-2418, or JBSA-Randolph at 652-5321.

Create joy not debt this holiday season

san antonio rampage military family nightDate/time: Friday, 7:30 p.m.Location: AT&T Center,

One AT&T Center ParkwayThe San Antonio Rampage hockey team hosts the

Charlotte Checkers with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. All military and friends of CAM can access this special discounted ticket offer by going visiting http://spursgroups.com/novemberhockey and using the offer code MILITARY. Children 24 months and younger get in free.

the stars behind the stripesDate/time: Saturday, 6 p.m.Location: La Fontana Springs, 27618 Natural

Bridge Caverns RoadA night of wining and dining presented by

Association of the United States Army, myKlick and friends. This special dinner is to honor the spouses and signifi cant others who support the members of the armed forces. Visit myklick.city/myklick-10000strong-event-stars-behind-the-stripes/ for additional information.

2016


For most people during the holidays, the kitch-en is the heart of the home. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.

Keeping fire safety at the top of the mind in the kitchen during this joyous, but hectic, time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home.

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA,

In 2013, Thanksgiving Day was the leading date for home cooking fires with 1,550, 230 per-cent above the average number of fires per day. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Unattended cooking was, by far, the leading con-tributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and associated civilian injuries and was the third leading cause of home fire deaths.

According to NFPA’s Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment Report and National Fire Incident Reporting System, or NFIRS, an aver-age of 445 daily fires are the cause of cooking and home fire injuries. Annually, fire departments respond to more than 162,000 home fires involving cooking equipment.

Ranges or cook-tops account for almost three of every five reported home fires that involve cooking equipment, with ovens accounting for 13 percent of all fires. Unattended cooking is the major con-tributing factor in home-related fires. Associated deaths and injuries fall under the umbrella of un-attended cooking.

Fifty four percent of civilians injured in home fires involving cooking equipment were hurt while

attempting to fight the fire themselves. Adults aged 75 or over faced a higher risk of

cooking fire deaths than other age groups while children under five were more likely to be hurt by touching hot cooking equipment or scalded by hot liquids than by actual fire.

As people start preparing their holiday schedule

and organizing the family feast, following a few safety tips will allow families to enjoy time togeth-er and stay safe as well.

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.

Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.

• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay at least three feet away.

• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gra-vy or coffee could cause serious burns.

• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.

• Keep knives out of reach of children.• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife,

coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dan-gling off the counter within easy reach of a child.

• Keep matches and utility lighters out of reach of children-up high in a locked cabinet.

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during the busy times. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen.

For more information about Thanksgiving cook-ing, visit the NFPA website at http://www.nfpa.org/education or the National Fire Incident Reporting System website at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/nfirs or contact the Fire Prevention Offices by call-ing Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston at 221-2727, JBSA-Lackland at 671-2921 or JBSA-Randolph at 652-6915.

(Source: National Fire Prevention Association at http://www.nfpa.org)

Thanksgiving: the heart of the home is the kitchen

Health literacy means how well you understand your basic health information and services available to you.

Nearly nine out of ten adults may lack the skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease, according to Health.gov.

First, you should know or have a copy of your health history, prior hospitalizations and a list of current and past medical problems.

Think of your health as a story that needs to be told. In order to accurately know what’s going on, your doc-tor needs every chapter. They also need to know if you’re having new problems or never received relief from prior symptoms. This is especially important if you are seeing several doctors at the same time or meeting a new one.

Keep in mind most of your health history is captured in records. While many agencies have moved to file

sharing or electronic file transfers, make sure you have the latest copies of your test results, X-rays, labs or any other work you’ve had done. In some instances, you may have to make the copies and bring them to the doctor yourself.

Next, be sure to have a list of all your current medi-cation - prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements, as well as the dosage. If you’re concerned about missing something, just throw every-thing in a bag and bring it with you. This will be a good exercise for you to see if there is any outdated medication that need to be thrown out or if you are tak-ing multiple medications that treat the same symptom.

While compiling records and gathering medication make a written list of the top three to five issues you want to discuss with your doctor. Having a list may help you stay on track and ensure you address the

most pressing concerns first, including a detailed list of symptoms.

Preparing a list of items to discuss also helps you feel more confident in talking to your doctor. Be direct, honest and as specific as possible when describing your symptoms or expressing your concerns. If you would like to but can’t, bring along a family member or friend to your appointment so they can help you ask ques-tions, listen to what the doctor is telling you, or just offer support.

Lastly, it is important to know your health care ben-efit. Do you know what your insurance covers; your copays or cost-shares? Do you know where to find this information if you have a question? Knowing details about your health care benefit helps when it’s time to make decisions about choosing a provider or specialist, getting important tests, and when planning preventive care. For more information about your TRICARE health plan, visit http://www.tricare.mil/plans.

(Source: TRICARE)

The importance of health literacy

Courtesy photo


By Robert GoetzJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

The holiday season is a joyful time of the year, filled with family gatherings, office parties, festive decora-tions, gift giving and bountiful meals.

However, many people are overwhelmed by the de-mands of the holiday season, while still others feel the pain of loneliness during a time of year defined by social interaction.

Fortunately, members of the military community can rely on a variety of resources to help them cope with the stresses of the holidays, including the chaplain services and mental health professionals.

Chaplains offer guidance through their faith perspective.

“Sometimes the Airmen and family members we see want practical suggestions, but we are not licensed professional counselors,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Richard Boyd, 502nd Air Base Wing. “What we offer is spiritual guidance.”

Boyd said he emphasizes the true meaning of Christ-mas.

“Commercialism is not what Christmas is about,” he said.

Young Airmen away from home for the first time,

deployed Airmen away from their families and re-cently divorced military members are especially vulnerable during the Christmas season, Boyd said.

Concentrating on the needs of others is one way Airmen – as well as others – can bring fulfillment to the holiday season, Boyd said.

“It’s important to focus on the people who are around you – turning outward to those who may have a bigger need,” he said.

People can volunteer for holiday causes on base or get involved with their local churches at Christmas time, Boyd said. “There are a lot of opportunities out there.”

Gina Ramirez, 359th Medical Operations Squadron

Mental Health Flight outreach/resiliency coordinator, suggested a simplified approach to the holidays for people who are struggling with their emotions due to the stresses of the season.

“The holidays can be full of activities, preparation and celebration, which can bring on stress for anyone,” she said. “So it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed during this time of year.

“The best approach to take is to simplify your life for the next couple of months,” Ramirez said. “This may mean cutting back on activities that may look very ap-pealing. For example, going to all of the holiday parties may not be in the best interest of keeping life simple.”

In addition to keeping it simple, she recommended finding activities that are fun, getting plenty of rest and exercise, prioritizing and organizing and asking for help.

Ramirez also listed ways for young Airmen away from home for the first time to cope with stress dur-ing the holidays.

Those suggestions included carrying on family traditions such as baking cookies, caroling and send-ing Christmas cards; doing something different, such as taking a trip; and taking advantage of technology to communicate with their loved ones through Skype or FaceTime.

Helping agencies offer suggestions to ease holiday blues

By Jose T. Garza IIIJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

The holiday season can spiral from joyous to depressing instantly for people.

Buying gifts for loved ones, organizing holiday par-ties, shopping for party dishes and dealing with chang-ing schedules are some of the factors that can contrib-ute to increased stress during the holidays.

Ursula Ramirez, 59th Medical Wing Family Advocacy outreach and prevention manager, outlined triggers of holiday stress and helpful tips to manage it.

Unhappy memories. Unpleasant thoughts can range from family conflicts to memories of deceased family members.

“They might wish the deceased person is there with them during the holidays,” Ramirez said.

Blended family situation. Co-parenting during the holidays can be stressful when the child has to split time at both parent’s households.

“You have to share your child with the other parent,” she said. “Co-parenting can be stressful if one parent’s family members haven’t seen the child in a while and he is at the other parent’s house.”

Toxic family members. Negative comments and memories from family members can trigger stress.

“You may have had a fight with a family member during the holidays last year and you have to confront them again,” she explained. “People want to enjoy their holidays and not have to deal with other people.”

Holiday expectations. Individuals may feel obligat-ed to purchase gifts for their entire family.

“The financial obligation is intense, and it escalates during the holidays because people are spending mon-ey on food, gifts, travel and unexpected events.”

Deployment. Dealing with the absence of a spouse on deployment can take a toll on the family.

“A parent may feel guilt when a child wakes up and mom or dad isn’t there,” Ramirez said. “That family may feel stress because they have a routine during the holidays, but mom or dad is deployed during that time.”

Understand stress triggers. People should under-stand first what makes them have a Grinch-like at-titude during the holidays.

“Be in tune with yourself,” Ramirez said. “If you feel anxious and irritated, look at your day and ask yourself what happened. It’s important to know your triggers because you don’t want to get to a point where you lash out at people.”

Ramirez recommends people practice breathing techniques if they are at a boiling point.

Avoid stressful situations. The holidays can be trau-matic for families overwhelmed with various issues and challenges, but it is how they cope those things that can improve their outlook.

“Your real-life issues don’t stop because Santa Claus is now at the mall,” Ramirez said.

Change outlook and perspective. Ramirez advises people to challenge their assumptions of the holidays.

“People can complain about going to grandma’s house and eating the same tamales, ham and turkey or seeing an uncle they don’t want to see,” she said. “Be positive about the situation and think about what you are wanting to get out of it. If going to grandma’s house every year doesn’t make you happy and has you stressed out, then change it up. Stay at her house for an hour instead of five hours.”

Alternative Solutions. People should participate in holiday gatherings that will make their holidays more joyful.

“I suggest going to a different family member’s house or hosting your own party,” she said.

Ramirez also recommends purchasing gifts for a select few people if on a strict budget.

“Draw names from a hat and buy a gift for the per-son you selected,” she said. “I have also seen family members focus on the kids and buy gifts exclusively for them. Those are alternative methods that can alleviate financial stress.”

Don’t expect miracles. Happy and stressful mo-ments are going to be common during the holidays.

“You have to accept things the way they are as op-posed to saying how things are going to be because of your assumptions and standards.”

For additional tips on how to manage stress for yourself and family members during the holidays, call the Family Advocacy Offices at JBSA-Lackland at 292-5967, the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 221-2705 and JBSA-Randolph at 652-2448 or 652-6308.

Don’t be a Grinch: Manage stress this holiday season

Courtesy photo


JBSA members selected for Air Force civilian leadership programBy David DeKunderJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

A language instructor and a research psycholo-gist who work at Joint Base San Antonio are both hoping an opportunity to participate in an Air Force civilian educational development program will help broaden their perspective of the Air Force and en-hance their careers in the civilian workforce.

Kristin Baer, Defense Language Institute English Language Center instructor at JBSA-Lackland, and Dr. James Johnson, Air Force Personnel Center per-sonnel research psychologist at JBSA-Randolph, are two of 24 Department of Defense civilians at JBSA who have been selected to the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program.

CALT is a two-week program which pre-pares Air Force civilians for future leadership, managerial and supervisory roles by focusing on the Air Force culture and mission and the role leaders play in the Air Force’s overall suc-cess, said Maj. Mathew Carter, Holm Center for

Officer Accessions and Citizen Development at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Courses for CALT are held at Maxwell Air Force Base and consist of seven two-week classes annu-ally. CALT is open to Air Force civilians with two to five years of federal civil service, who have a bachelor’s degree and who do not have any prior military service or professional military education.

Baer applied to the CALT program because she wants to learn more about the Air Force culture and its expectations as well as to better under-stand the needs of the foreign students she teaches English to at the DLIELC.

“The military side is new for me, which is why I think CALT will be beneficial,” she said. “It is understanding my own role as a civilian in the Air Force. Some of the students I am training are go-ing to professional military training courses in the U.S. I think it will help me understand what their follow-on training experiences will be like and what the expectations are when they are integrated with American military personnel.”

Baer has been a DLIELC instructor for four

See PROGRAM Page 18


By Ashley PalaciosJBSA-Randolph Public Affairs

President Barack Obama signed a presidential proclamation declaring November to be “National Military Family Month Oct. 8.”

“We must always be there for our service mem-bers and their families — just as they are there for us,” Obama said in the proclamation. “Through the thickest of fights and the darkest of nights, our extraordinary military families — our heroes on the homefront — stand alongside our patriots in uniform, and in their example we see the very best of our country’s spirit. During Military Family Month, let us thank them for their tremendous de-votion to duty and for their unyielding sacrifice. Let us honor their resolve and patriotism and uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure the priorities of our nation reflect the priorities of our military families.”

Maree Scanlan, whose husband is currently deployed, has been a military spouse since 2009. After seven years of being part of the Air Force family, she describes military life as a series of ups and downs.

Being part of the Air Force family has allowed her to meet new people, experience new cultures and travel, Scanlan said. Her worldview has been

expanded in a way that wouldn’t have been pos-sible had she lived in the same place her entire life.

But as all military families know, life in the Air Force has its challenges too.

It’s difficult to pack up and move to a new place, a new school and a new city with new peo-ple, Scanlan said. Dealing with the unknown, the

deployments and having to rearrange family rou-tines are some of the hardest parts of military family life.

“My kids are resilient but it’s still hard on them,” she said. “Change is scary and difficult. They have to leave their friends, family and way of life to start all over, but I also see how it’s building charac-ter, making them more resilient, teaching them to accept change, be problem solvers and overcome challenges.”

Scanlan’s advice to other military families who may be struggling, is to stay positive and be proactive.

“It will all be OK,” Scanlan said. “It’s tough, but you and your spouse have to rely on each other. As a spouse, be willing to be part of the military life, the base and the community. Don’t be scared of change and remember to stay flexible as a family.”

Scanlan’s proud to be part of the Air Force family. Moments like seeing her young daughter with

her hand over her heart as retreat played remind her why their service is important, she said.

“My husband and I joke that the Air Force is the first wife, but really, we’re just like any normal family,” Scanlan said. “No family is perfect. Every family has their ups and downs, their good days and bad days, their challenges and their successes; ours is no different.”

National Military Family Month: honoring heroes on the homefront

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder

TALESPINNER November 18, 2016 community

Air Force Aid Society 671-3722Airman & Family Readiness Center 671-3722Airman’s Attic 671-1780American Red Cross 844-4225Base Post Offi ce 671-1058Bowling Center 671-2271DEERS 800-538-9552Exceptional Family Member Program 671-3722Family Child Care 671-3376Legal Offi ce 671-3362Library 671-3610Medical Appointment Line 916-9900MPF ID Cards 671-6006Outdoor Recreation 925-5532TRICARE Info 800-444-5445Thrift Shop 671-3608

Lackland Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandsc.orgForce Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.comLackland ISD http://www.lacklandisd.netOffi cers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.orgJBSA Public website http://www.jbsa.milMy Air Force Life http://www.MyAirForceLife.com

JBSA-LACKLAND KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES—PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES

Freedom Chapel – Building 1528Contemporary Service Sun 9:30 a.m.

Religious Education Sun 11 a.m.

Gospel Service Sun 12:30 p.m.

Youth Ministry Mon 6 p.m.

—LITURGICAL SERVICEAirman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sun 9:45 a.m

Religious Education Sun 10:45 a.m.

—CHURCH OF CHRISTPfi ngston – Building 6300 Sun 7:30 a.m. (Room 175)

—SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTGateway Chapel – Building 6300 Sat 12:30 p.m.

—CHRISTIAN SCIENCEPfi ngston – Building 6300 Sun 7:30 a.m. (Room 113)

—ORTHODOX CHRISTIANAirmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sun 8 a.m.

—PENTECOSTAL Religious Education Building – 6300 Sun 8 & 9:30 a.m. (Room. 112)

—WICCAPfi ngston – Building 6330 Sun 9 – 11 a.m. (Auditorium)

Freedom Chapel – Building 1528Open Circle 1st Tue 6 – 7 p.m.

—REFUGE STUDENT CENTERBuilding 9122 (Tech. Training & TDY Students) Wed 6 – 8 p.m.

Thu 6 – 8 p.m.

Fri 6 – 11 p.m.

Sat 12 – 9 p.m.

Sun 11 – 5 p.m.

—JEWISHAirmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432Sabbath & Kiddush Fri 4:30 p.m.

Religious Education Sun 1:30 p.m.

—ROMAN CATHOLICFreedom Chapel – Building 1528Religious Education Sun 9 a.m.

Adult Religious Education Sun 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.

Youth Ministry Sun 4 p.m.

Reconciliation Sat 4 – 4:45 p.m.

Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment

—ISLAMICGlobal Ministry Center – Building 7452Jumu'ah Prayer Fri 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

—BUDDHISTPfi ngston – Building 6330 Sun 10:45 a.m. (Room 175)

—HINDU WORSHIP Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd and 5th Sat 2 – 4 p.m. (Room 13)

—ECKANKAR Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd and 5th Sat 12:30 p.m.

—BAHA'IGateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd and 5th Sun 11 a.m.

—THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTSGateway Chapel – Building 6300Religious Education Tue 6:30 p.m.

LDS Service Sun 1 p.m.

—LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNODGateway Chapel – Building 6300 Every third Sun 3:30 p.m.

CHAPEL SERVICES

For more details, contact Freedom Chapel at 671-4208 or Gateway Chapel at 671-2911

FRIDAYpeer-to-peer support group

Caregivers have the opportunity to build a support network, share experiences, and information. This group meets 9-11 a.m. at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Centers Airman Medical Transition Unit conference room, fi fth fl oor, building 4600. For details, call 557-2018.

SATURDAYthe spaZmatics: nerds that rock

The new-wave 80’s band, the Spazmatics, performing a free concert from 7:30–10:30 p.m. at the Joint Base San Antonio Amphithe-ater. In addition, DJ OMG Sounds will be spinning the latest and greatest tunes between their sets. There will be food and beverages available for purchase. Attendees are invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and dance the night away. For additional information, call JBSA Community Programs at 652-5763.

TUESDAYcreate an effectiVe resume

Attendees to this workshop will

review key elements of a resume and how to effectively write a career objective and a descriptive ac-complishment statement. Patrons should bring a copy of their most recent resume. It will be 2-4 p.m. at the Military & Family Readiness Center, building 1249. For additional information, call 671-3722.

NOV. 28carseat 101

Attendees to this workshop can learn which car seat is best for their child and the best practice for car seat safety. At the end of the class, each family will receive a certifi cate of completion, which grants a free infant/toddler seat. New Parent Sup-port Group will be hosting this class 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, room 9D09, located on the 9th fl oor. The class is by appointment only and is for military members and their spouses. To register, call 292-5967.

NOV. 29tree lighting ceremony

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland will be hosting a tree lighting ceremony 6-8 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Gateway Club. For additional

information, call 671-5357.

NOV. 30moonlight makers craft time

Crafty patrons of all skill levels can participate in do-it-yourself guided projects to build and take home. The library is hosting the event 4 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. For details visit http://www.jbsalbraries.org.

DEC. 3 flea market

The Skylark Community Center is hosting a Flea Market 8 a.m. to noon at the Warhawk Fitness Center, building 2418’s parking lot, where sellers can set up their wares for buyers looking for a bargain.

Reservations for space are available for $10. Tables are also available for $5 per table. Payment for reservations must be paid in cash and in person at the Skylark Community Center, building 6576. For additional information, call 671-3191.

DEC. 6bundles for babies

This course is for expecting parents assigned to Joint Base San

Antonio-Lackland. Cover fi nancial awareness of the cost for raising a child, Women Infants and Children, Family Advocacy, New Parent Support Programs, Pediatric Dental Clinic and car seat safety. Military mem-bers and their spouses will receive a gift from Air Force Aid Society at the end of class. The class will be from 1-4:30 p.m. at Military & Family Readiness Center, building 1249. Call 671-3722 to register.

DEC. 14moonlight makers craft time

Crafty patrons of all skill levels can participate in do-it-yourself guided projects to build and take home. The library is hosting the event at 4 p.m. For information, visit http://www.jbsalbraries.org.

INFORMATIONALwinter holiday camp

The Youth Center is hosting a winter holiday camp Dec. 19 to Jan. 3. Camp hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and cost varies by household income. School-Age Program paper-work must be completed and on fi le prior to registration. It will be closed in observance of Christmas, Dec. 26 and the hours will be limited

Dec. 27 for Air Education and raining Command Family Day from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This holiday camp is for youth ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 12 years of age. Please arrange schedule accordingly. The deadline to register is Dec. 13. For details or to register, call 671-2388.

lackland training anneX dining facility hosting thanksgiVing dinner

Military members, retirees and their immediate dependents are invited to eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lackland Training Annex Dining Facility, building 124. Prices are a la carte and reservations are required to better plan for this spe-cial event. Reserve a seat no later than Nov. 21 by calling 671-3866 or 671-2009.

trees for troops

Outdoor Recreation is host-ing Trees for Troops, a program supplying free Christmas trees to military members and their families, in December. Times and dates will be posted as soon as dates are confi rmed. For more information, call 925-5532 or 925-5533.

LOCAL BRIEFS


By Jeremy GerlachJBSA-Lackland

As holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan approache, 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron firefighters are reminding residents on and off-base to be careful when burning the candle at both ends.

The 502nd CES, which has a total of 215 firefighters, provides safety and emergency response across all three Joint Base San Antonio installations, as well as the JBSA-Randolph Auxiliary Airport in Seguin and JBSA-Camp Bullis Military Training Reservation. About 65 of these personnel are stationed at JBSA-Lackland.

Michael Guzman, 502nd CES deputy fire chief, and Anthony Willett, 502nd CES prevention inspector, urged area residents to make these firefighters’ jobs easier by focusing on the following problem areas:Cooking

Since the majority of house fires during the holidays are caused by unattended cooking, the kitchen is the best place to start safe fire-related choices, Willett said.

Cooking with high heat can be dangerous, but the size of the flames doesn’t necessarily correlate with the fire risk, added Guzman, who has seen several kitchen fires in homes where families cooked with low heat for foods taking longer to finish. This prompts cooks to potentially leave the room to attend to other, distracting household tasks.

“Any time you lose general awareness of what’s going on in the kitchen, that causes problems,” Guzman said. “Always attend your cooking, even if you think everything is fine.”

Indoor chefs aren’t the only culprit during the holidays, Willett noted.

“Most people here in Texas grill in the summer, but we still get some grill-related problems during the win-ter,” Willett said. “Make sure you’re not spilling coals, and you’re mindful of the fuel you’re using.”Lighting

As area residents begin decorating for the holidays, one of the things to be aware of is that electric lights can prove hazardous if left on extensively.

“Don’t leave your lights on 24-7,” he said. “Also, make sure they’re plugged in properly – you’d be sur-prised how many people have the plug hanging half-way out of the outlet.”

Even nativity scenes can pose a danger if assembled improperly, Guzman added.

“Please be mindful if you’re using hay to recreate a nativity scene,” he explained. “Don’t have any electri-cal wiring running through the hay or grass.”

Non-electrical decorations can also pose a challenge for firefighters.

“Holidays are when people bring out the candles – we’ll have residents with a ton of candles here,” Willett said. “Obviously, we’d like to remind people to extin-guish those before they leave the house or go to sleep.”

Christmas trees and trash disposalAs Thanksgiving passes and residents turn their

focus towards the December holiday stretch, firefighters are keeping an eye on items like Christmas trees, too.

“If you’ve got a live tree, remember to water it,” Willett said. “When it dries out, a tree becomes more of a fire hazard, especially with all those lights.”

Willett also urged individuals to be mindful when disposing of trees and other waste after the holidays.

When throwing out leftovers, especially turkey and chicken carcasses or ham, individuals should drain the grease and place it in a separate, disposable container. This grease can gather at the bottom of a trash bag and create a potential fire hazard.

In Bexar County, it is illegal to start a fire in a trash bin or other city or county-owned storage device. Still, Bexar County typically a large concentration of grease-related dumpster and trash fires during Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to the San Antonio Fire Department and the Bexar County Fire Marshall’s office.

When in doubt, residents can visit county and city websites at https:/Bexar.org or https://sanantonio.gov/solidwastemanagement/brushcollection for more information about resources available to county and city residents during the holidays.

Still, if local emergencies arise this winter, Guzman said his team of firefighters will be fully staffed and working around-the-clock to keep residents secure.

“We’re fully staffed, and we’re hoping everyone stays safe out there,” Guzman added. “If anything does happen, we’ll absolutely be ready.”

Firefighters push for safer holiday season


Lackland Activities Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thanksgiving Nov. 25 Nov. 26 Nov. 27

Arnold Hall Community Center 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. C L O S E D 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 7:30 p.m. (students only)

Arts and Crafts C L O S E D 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. C L O S E D 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m C L O S E D C L O S E D

Auto Hobby Shop C L O S E D 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. C L O S E D 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. C L O S E D

Bowling Center 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. C L O S E D 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Snack Bar 4 to 9 p.m. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 11 a.m. to p.m. C L O S E D 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gateway Child Development Program Normal Hours Normal Hours Normal Hours C L O S E D 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D

Kelly Child Development Program Normal Hours Normal Hours Normal Hours C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Lackland Child Development Program Normal Hours Normal Hours Normal Hours C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Lackland Family Child Care Normal Hours Normal Hours Normal Hours C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Gateway Club 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Chaparral Fitness Center 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Medina Fitness Center 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gateway Fitness Center 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Kelly Fitness Center 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Gillum Fitness Center 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Warhawk Fitness Center 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Golf Course 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. C L O S E D 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Golf Course Snack Bar C L O S E D 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. C L O S E D 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. C L O S E D 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ITT 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Outdoor Recreation 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Paintball Park Appointment only Appointment only Appointment only C L O S E D Appointment only Appointment only C L O S E D

Lackland FamCamp 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D 10 a.m. to 2 pm.

Skylark Community Center C L O S E D 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 to 11:30 p.m. Noon to 11:30 p.m. Noon to 11:30 p.m Noon to 7 p.m.

Smokin Joe’s BBQ C L O S E D C L O S E D 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D 11 a.m. to 4 pm.

Youth Program School Age Program Normal Hours Normal Hours Normal Hours C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Youth Teen Center 3 to 9 p.m. 3 to 9 p.m. 3 to 7 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Youth Program Open Recreation Normal Hours Normal Hours Normal Hours C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Skylark Swimming Pool 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D C L O S E D

Open Swim 4 to 7 p.m. 4 to 7 p.m. 4 to 7 p.m. C L O S E D C L O S E D 1 to 5 p.m. C L O S E D

2016 JBSA Thanksgiving Holiday Hours


By Shannon Carabajal59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

Warrior medics from across Joint Base San Antonio battled it out for bragging rights and a chance to take home the commander’s sword and shield during the 59th Medical Wing’s Warrior Medic Challenge Nov. 4 at the Gillum Fitness Center and sports complex.

With 1,310 points, the 959th Medical Group successfully defended their title, earning the right to be called cham-pions for the second consecutive time; the 359th Medical Group’s 1,220 points earned them second place.

The Warrior Medic Challenge pits active-duty and civilian Airmen from the wing’s seven groups against each other in friendly rivalry. Each of the seven groups chose representatives to participate in various sporting events and challenges throughout the day.

The event promotes camaraderie amongst the units and boosts morale within the wing, said Candido Ramirez, 59th MDW director of staff and event coordinator.

“Our warrior medics work hard all year long providing health care to the more than 240,000 beneficiaries from throughout the San Antonio area,” Ramirez said. “Today, we’ve taken time to come together as a wing for some friendly competition that allows us to

showcase our warrior ethos. My abso-lute favorite event was the seven way tug-of-war that had all seven groups pulling against each other at the same time. It was epic.”

The day-long affair also included a 59-mile cycling race, 5K/9K com-petitive run, basketball, volleyball and other sporting events, as well as the customary tug-of-war and the ultimate warrior medic challenge, a six-event CrossFit-style competition. The day also included a barbecue lunch and talent competition.

For Senior Airman Kelyn Maldonado- Artica, 959th Medical Operations Squadron medic, the entire day was a welcome break, but the ultimate warrior medic challenge was the most fun to watch.

“People were out there getting gritty,” she said.

“It’s not often we get the opportu-nity to come together as a wing,” said Maj. Gen. Bart Iddins, 59th MDW com-mander. “Today is about having fun, building solidarity and inspiring morale amongst our team, who work and train very hard to be the best. I’m proud of them and happy we got to let loose and have fun today.”

For full results and a complete scoreboard, visit http://www.warrior medichallenge.com. The next War-rior Medic Challenge is slated for November 2017

959th MDG defends title, wins Warrior Medic Challenge

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin IinumaThe 59th Medical Operations Group team pulls a 150-pound tire during the “Dragula”competition at the 2016 Warrior Medic Challenge at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Nov. 4. Teams – working in trios - competed to be the first to drag the tire a distance of 600 feet.

By Terri Moon CronkDOD News, Defense Media Activity

The probationary period for many new civilian employees hired by the Defense Department on or after Nov. 26, 2015, has changed from one year to two years, the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for civilian personnel policy said.

Julie Blanks confirmed the change to the statute governing the proba-tionary period in a memorandum to human resources directors Sept. 27.

The new law took effect Nov. 26, 2015, as part of the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, said Eric Pahon, DOD spokesman.Who’s affected, who’s not

The new probationary period affects employees who are appointed to permanent positions in the com-petitive service, and anyone who received career DOD appointments in the Senior Executive Service on or after Nov. 26, 2015, Blanks’ memo noted.

The change doesn’t apply to em-ployees appointed prior to that date or those appointed in excepted ser-vice, the spokesman said.

“DOD appointees serving a proba-tionary period who were appointed before Nov. 26, 2015, are not affect-ed by the new law and will continue to complete a one-year probationary period,” Pahon said. “The (one-year) supervisory probationary period … is not affected by the new two-year probationary period. However, those employees who are newly appointed to a supervisory position who are re-quired to serve both a supervisory probationary period and a proba-tionary period … will serve (both) concurrently.”

The law also allows DOD and its military departments to “exercise their discretion to extend a covered employee’s probationary period past the new two-year requirement,” Blanks’ memo read, and added DOD policy for that provision is being de-veloped.Transferring to DOD

Probationary terms can vary when an employee is appointed to a new position outside his or her current agency, officials said. These include:

— An employee transferring from another agency who has already completed a probationary peri-od under an initial appointment in the competitive service, having attained full appeal rights to the Merit Systems Protection Board, does not have to serve another probationary period under this authority.

— An employee transferring from another agency who receives a ca-reer appointment in the SES in the DOD on or after Nov. 26, 2015, must serve a two-year probationary period.

— An employee transferring from another agency who has not com-pleted a probationary period and is appointed to a position in DOD may be required to complete a new probationary period. Credit for prior federal civilian service toward com-pletion of a probationary period may apply in accordance with applicable federal regulation.Why the law changed

The reason for the change in the law stems from the increasingly complex nature of much of the work performed by DOD employees, Pahon explained. One year often does not allow sufficient time for a supervisor to form conclusions regarding the performance of a new employee, he pointed out.

For example, supervisors might not have adequate time to observe employees if the new hires must spend much of the first year in train-ing before beginning work, often ro-tate through various offices within the first year of employment, or be-cause occupations are project-based and new employees don’t have an opportunity to demonstrate all the skills associated with their positions, he said.

“Regardless of the reason, the longer probationary period offers employees a greater opportunity to showcase their talents and for super-visors to properly assess their capa-bilities,” Pahon added.

DOD announces new-hire probationary period

Be Responsible!Seat Belts Save Lives!Buckle Up And Wear Yours!


years. Since graduating from col-lege in 2004, she has been teaching English to international students, including a year in France and for several universities and companies in Dallas.

Her career goal is to take on a supervisory position at the language institute.

“I want to become a supervisor later on and understanding the Air Force culture will help me achieve it,” Baer said. “From my understand-ing, CALT is preparing us to be bet-ter leaders. Having leadership skills will benefit the unit and the people who I am training, the international students, and will help me better un-derstand their U.S. military follow-on training.”

The CALT program was recom-mended to Johnson by his supervisor, Dr. Laura Barron, AFPC senior per-sonnel research psychologist, because of the program’s emphasis on the Air Force culture, history and mission.

By participating in CALT, Johnson said it will help him better under-stand the needs of Air Force enlisted members and officers he works with. He helps develop cognitive and non-cognitive tests and works on projects, including assessing job fit and voca-tional interest of both enlisted Airmen and officers.

“The better I can understand and internalize the Air Force culture and history, it will help me do a better job of communicating with them on what their needs are and what their goals are for their career field,” Johnson said.

Johnson came to AFPC two years

ago, soon after earning his doctorate in psychology from the University of Oklahoma.

Since he is a civilian with no mili-tary experience, Johnson said he has been able to learn some things about the Air Force through experiences on the job.

He is willing to learn more about the Air Force to help further his career and learn more about the his-tory and culture of the organization he is working for, Johnson said.

“I think at this point in my career, I’m just an open book,” Johnson said. “I would like to absorb as much as possible. In turn that will help me be more effective at my job.”

Each year, 182 students are select-ed for and go through CALT, Carter said. Air Force civilians who are selected to the program must obtain

the recommendation of their super-visor and the endorsement of their group commander.

Students who go through CALT will participate in team-building ex-ercises, outdoor activities, simulation exercises and health and wellness ac-tivities to help maintain their physical fitness. The program will include out-side reading and projects and cover various topics and skills utilized in the Air Force, Carter said.

“The areas of instruction are lead-ership studies, communication skills, profession of arms, warfare studies and war gaming, and international security studies,” Carter said. “The course will benefit the participants by acculturating them to the Air Force and providing them with the neces-sary tools to become leaders in the Air Force.”

PROGRAM from Page 12

aafeshosting third-annual “your holiday bill is on us” sweepstakes

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is putting some jingle back in military shoppers’ pockets by picking up the tab on their Military Star card with the third-annual “Your Holiday Bill Is On Us” sweepstakes.

From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, shoppers will be automatically entered in the worldwide sweepstakes each time they use their Military Star card to pay for purchases at any AAFES location or on http://www.shopmyexchange.com. Each transaction counts as one entry.

Three grand-prize winners will have their Military Star card bill paid in full up to $8,200, with a minimum prize of $2,500.

Ten second-prize winners will be awarded a $1,000 credit on their Military Star card statement, while 25 third-place win-ners will receive a $500 credit. Winners with a balance less than their prize amount will receive a credit on their account and will be randomly selected and announced on or about Jan. 30.

For more information call 674-8917.

NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3

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