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Hey Shirt, You Got a Minute?

579th MedGroupTIMES 2 November 2012

Inside this issue: Page 2 RAPIDS Self-Service Portal SSgt Both PIMR Page 3 Booster Club Top 4 2012 CFC Week 5 Helpful links: Calendar of Events MilPDS CFC charity search Daylight Saving Time MiCARE 579 MDG on Facebook! Airmans Creed Safety Briefing

To a First Sergeant, the question, Hey Shirt, you got a minute? is what we love to hear. There are very few positions in the USAF that affect the lives of our Airman the way a First Sergeant can, and does! The funny thing is many people dont realize what a First Sergeant really is and what we really do. AFI 36-2113 defines The First Sergeant in great detail. The first thing that sticks out to me is that the Shirt works for and derives their authority from the unit commander. As a Shirt you are put in a position to carry out orders on members of higher rank than you. The Shirt is also the eyes, ears and mouthpiece of the commander for all issues pertaining to personnel, morale and welfare. The commander uses the Shirt and his/her knowledge of the people in the unit to assist in making decisions that affect the unit as a whole. The Shirt ensures that all members know and understand the commanders mission, vision and goals. The First Sergeant doesnt have set duty hours as most members do; they are truly 24/7/365. Ask any Shirt and they will tell you there is no specific time that things happen more than others. What is the fun part of the job you ask? We hand out awards to the shining stars of the unit, reward Airman for going above and beyond, set up promotion ceremonies, walk around and congratulate staff on a job well done along with many other enjoyable things.

The greatest reward that a First Sgt receives is the satisfaction of helping someone in need. The first time you assist an Airman that hit financial hardship, lost a loved one, provided a meal or clothes to a family in need you get this warm sense of accomplishment. Even better, when the Shirt receives a thank you because you changed someones life; makes every late night call or trip to the commanders office worth it. There truly is no better job in the USAF if people are your passion. Helping the total force is an amazing, heartwarming and one of a kind experience. I challenge all enlisted to at least consider becoming a First Sergeant or at the minimum becoming an Under Shirt. Never forget that People, all military ranks and civilians, are the Shirts business, and we love it! By: TSgt Wiley Acting Shirt

National Capital Region Joint Task Force Combat Dining In

JTF CapMed Presents

COMBAT DINING IN
Friday, 9 November 12, 1800 hrs Fort Belvoir Community Center
BBQ Ribs BBQ Chicken Beef Briskets Mac & Cheese Potato salad Corn Bread Caesar Salad Guest Speaker: Sgt Maj Bryan Battaglia Senior Enlisted Advisor to the CJCS

On behalf of the Joint Task Force Capital Region Medical Commander, Major General Steve Jones and the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Chief Master Sergeant Alexander Perry, all military members are cordially invited to attend a Combat Dining In on Friday, 9 Nov 2012 at 1800 at the Fort Belvoir Community Center. The guest speaker for this event is Sergeant Major Bryan Battaglia who is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Seats are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first served basis so please reserve your seat quickly if you plan on attending. R.S.V.P. by 7 November 2012! POC: MSgt Jeannie Washimgton (202)767-0611

UOD: ABU's, NWU's, ACU's Ticket Price: $20 - E-6 & below $25 - E-7 & above & CGO's, $30 - FGO's

R.S.V.P. by 31 October 2012 POC: MSgt Jeannie Washington mailto:jeannie.washington@afncr.af.mil 202-767-0611

(Click here for R.S.V.P.)

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579th MedGroupTIMES
On Sept 17, 2012 the Defense Manpower Data Center is making it easier for service members and their families to get identification cards and update dependents statuses. The center has launched its RAPIDS -- Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System self-service portal to allow anyone with the Defense Departments common access card, or CAC, to apply for family ID or retirement cards or update dependents statuses online. Dependent family members must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, and in many instances must have a valid dependent identification card, to access medical, dental and other benefits. In the past, Airmen geographically separated from their dependents faced a multi-step, back-and-forth process to accomplish some of these updates in DEERS.

Online Access Simplifies Dependent Updates

The RAPIDS Self-Service Portal is one of several tools developed by the Defense Manpower Data Center in an on-going enterprise wide initiative to expand online customer self service options for Department of Defense and uniformed service populations. Implemented in September, the RAPIDS Self Service portal allows Common Access Card-holders to digitally sign required documents which are then accessible to all ID card-issuing facilities world-wide. The new RAPIDS Self-Service process is designed to update DEERS records and renew or reissue ID cards only. Initial DEERS enrollment and ID card issuance requires the members presence. In addition to DEERS and ID card actions, members can access the RAPIDS Self-Service portal to add or change an email address for signature and email encryption certificates, download certain applications, view and update contact information and more. Go to www.dmdc.osd.mil access the portal, and follow the screen prompts to add or update information.

SSgt Both Of The 579th Dental Squadron In Action

Staff Sergeant Dustin Both at 379th Dental Clinic - Southwest Asia, inspects the teeth of Rex, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog, while being prepped to have his two front teeth extracted at 379th Expeditionary Medical Group. In addition to serving military members, this team also ensures our K-9 warriors are taken care of as well. This unique mission is not found at many other clinics in the Air Force. They treat all military working dogs here at the 379th and ensure these warriors receive routine cleanings, tooth extractions and any other dental service needed to keep them in the fight. The 379th Dental Clinic is staffed with one dentist and two technicians. The main focus of this highly-experienced dental staff is to return the warfighter back to their mission they were deployed to do. Active-duty members who are assigned here on permanent change of station orders can expect the same outstanding care they have grown to expect at any stateside base. This includes the yearly dental exam, a dental cleaning and all follow-up care that might be required.

View Your Individual Medical Readiness Status 24/7

Each military member is required to complete certain medical requirements each year in order to ensure readiness for war. Individual Medical Readiness, otherwise known as IMR, consists of the following items: preventative health assessment (PHA), laboratory tests, immunizations, dental exams, profiles and medical equipment, such as gas mask inserts. The Air Force has now created a way in which each military member can access their medical readiness requirements, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This link will give members direct access to the pre-deployment health assessment Form 2795, the new deployment resiliency assessment (DRA) and the post-deployment health re-assessment (PDHRA) form. In addition, commanders, unit deployment managers and unit health managers can use this same portal link to navigate to unit level IMR status, unit reports and obtain information on their personnel. In order to access individual information, follow the steps below: 1. Log onto the Air Force Portal. 2. Under "Featured Links," select "Fitness & Health." 3. Then select "Medical Readiness - Deployment Health." 4. Next, the screen will display the ASIMS Web DoD Notice and Consent page. Read and click "ok." 5. The top box is for the individual member. "My Individual Medical Readiness Status" is the first link.

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Booster Club! Upcoming Events/Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer Security for Sports events 04 Nov 12 Next Booster Club Meeting 09 November 12 POC: SSgt Nixon POC: TSgt Rich
vs
04 NOV 12 @ FEDEX FIELD

Holiday party (Masquerade Ball theme) POC: SSgt Pendilla 08 December 12 time TBD SrA Peters A1C Truesdale

It wouldnt be fall without the joy that comes from being with friends and family Please join us for

THANKSGIVING LUNCH
Hosted by the 579 MDG TOP IV 19 November, 2012 at 1100-1300 JBAB Main Chapel POC: (s)MSgt Smoots & TSgt McBride PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Air Force Standards

AFI 1-1

Topic: AFI 1-1 Air Force Standards Date: 29 Nov 12 Location: Dental Conference Room POC: MSgt Washington

2012 Combined Federal Campaign Week 5

The top charities voted on were the:

CFC Bake Sale Team would like to thank for all your donation and help to raised a total of $595.00!

Fisher House Foundation

Helpful Links:
Calendar of Events
(1 Oct 9 Nov) POC: Capt Schindler
7 Nov~ CPOD Flu line (POC: Capt Kelly/ Capt Umipeg)

15 Nov~ ALS Graduation. SrA Taylor (MDSS), SrA Brown (DS) & SrA Briggs (MDOS). (POC: Shirt)
19 Nov~ MDG Thanksgiving Luncheon. Main Chapel 1100-1300 Please bring: MDOS: Desserts DS: Sides MDG: Meats MDSS: Paper products/drinks (POC: MSgt Washington) 27/28 Nov~ AFMSA PCMH site visit (POC: Maj Jackson)

MilPDS Upgrade Delayed

Click here for CFC charity search.

5 Dec~ Wingman Day & Training Day

United States Air Force Airmans Creed

SAFETY BRIEFING!