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478 HR Co. Family Readiness Group

NEWSLETTER
Volume 3, Issue 5 October 2011

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NEW ADDRESS MY BROTHER- A U.S. ARMY SOLDIER

(A poem a sister wrote to her brother in Iraq) We are at our new location Camp Buehring, Kuwait. After My brother, a U.S. Army soldier...in Iraq is where he is. My brother, fighting for his country and some pride, while my mother, who loves him so much all she does is cry. I've been thinking about him lately, waiting for him so patiently. He's so far away, I hope he knew..."Angel, we do nothing but miss you." Faith and strength he will need, and that I know he has indeed. Fighting for what he stands for, I just can't stand it anymore. I can't stand the fact that he could get hurt, but I believe he's a smart soldier and he becomes alert. I hope that with this poem he knows how I feel, and that I will always pray for him as I kneel. He's the only brother that I have; when I think about all the good times I just laugh. A U.S. Army soldier who we think about daily, and who we depend on to come home safely. NEW ADDRESS!!! A message from overseas MAJ Lucas Veteran's Employment VA Offers More Details on GI Bill Changes Your Childs First Dental Visit Yellow Ribbon information Recipe Corner Kids Corner relocating to Camp Buerhing, Kuwait - we were informed that we were to relocate again. Decision A message from overseas.

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finally made to stay put today (Friday 30 Sep). It is an extremely dynamic fluid environment with the drawdown

of Iraq. We appreciate the support from family and friends; and grateful for your patience through this transition.

SOLDIERS NAME (NO RANK!) 478th HRC APO AE 09330

Inside This Issue

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Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Greetings;
The 478 Human Resource Company (HRC) is a great unit with equally outstanding Soldiers and families of which I am proud to serve with. The Adjutant General (AG) Branch is the best branch with the proudest tradition of the United States Army to serve in. It is the first organized branch of the Army-inaugurated in 1775 with General Horatio Gates as the first AG. Today the AG umbrella has three primary functions: Personnel Operations; Postal Operations; and Casualty Operations. Embedded into the organizations support are the following specialties that provide vital roles: cooks, transpirations specialist, supply specialists, information management (signal & computers) specialists, intelligent specialists, operations specialists, mechanics, and weapons specialists. The 478th has its headquarters (HQ) currently postured in Kuwait, with one platoon preparing for a future deployment. The 478th in Kuwait has a couple of hundred Soldiers & Air Force assigned to provide personnel support, postal support, and Casualty reporting support to all of Iraq dispersed over 138,000 square miles. The 478th Soldiers are performing their mission in a way that all of you can be proud of. The 478th HRC HQ and families that are sharing the experience of this mobilization under the Iraqi Campaign: Operation New Dawn is a historic event that all should be proud of. Consider 10 years of stay behind equipment (SBE), facilities, vehicles and more. Your Soldiers have the responsibility to clear all of these items and personnel out of theater. We are also the LAST Human Resource Company to provide Personnel Actions to all serving in Iraq. We are clearing out, and turning off the lights. During the MOB since July: JULY: 2 Anniversaries 7 Birthdays. AUG: 1 Promotion: PV2 Lockey to PFC Lockey 1 Birth to SPC & Mrs. Verma B 3 Aug SPC Verma (29) A 21 Aug SPC & Mrs Ocequara (7 years) A 24 Aug SGT & Mrs Dees (14 years) B 28 Aug PFC Lockey (22) SEP: B 17 Sep SSG Compton (39) B 21 Sep SGT Dees Son Mathew (11) OCT: B 1 Oct PFC Hubble (37) B 12 Oct SSG Sterling Daughter Charlotte (4) Hogle Zoo will be celebrating military personnel November 11. All military personnel, veterans and their immediate family (spouse and any children 18 and under) will receive free admission to the Zoo, with a current military or veteran ID.
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I want to close wishing the goblins, ghosts, wizards, princesses, fairies, super heroes, and more a safe and enjoyable Halloween. Safety tips to keep in mind: Go out with an adult or someone over 18 Do not wear a full mask or eye masks hindering full vision Carry a flashlight Inspect unwrapped items candy, popcorn balls, candied apples Inspect wrapped items Remember to brush your teeth for your big smiles, and give your parent a hug. We love you and think of all of you often. JOHN D. LUCAS MAJ, AG Commanding

HOGLE ZOO

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Veteran's Employment Preference Points

Military.com

If you are a Veteran you have a couple of different tools that can give you an edge in getting a civil service (Federal) job: the Preference Points and Veteran's Recruitment Appointment rule. The following is a summary of these tools and how they can help: Preference Points Overview General Requirements for Preference Types of Preference How it Works Filing Applications After Examinations Have Closed Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Veteran's Employment Preference Points Overview By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non veterans both in hiring from competitive lists of eligibles and in retention during reductions in force. The goal of the Veteran's Preference is not to the place a veteran in every vacant Federal job. However, preference does provide a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified veterans seeking Federal employment. Preference applies in hiring from civil service examinations, for most excepted service jobs, and when agencies make temporary appointments or use direct hire and delegated examining authorities from the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. General Requirements for Preference To be entitled to preference, a veteran must meet the eligibility requirements in section 2108 of title 5, United States Code. This means that: An honorable or general discharge is necessary. Military retirees at the rank of O-4, or higher are not eligible for preference unless they are disabled veterans. Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for preference. When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete form SF-15. Types of Preference

5-Point Preference Five points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served: During a war; or During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference. A campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173. 10-Point Preference Ten points are added to the passing examination score of: A veteran who served any time and who (1) has a present service- connected disability or (2) is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Individuals who received a Purple Heart qualify as disabled veterans. An unmarried spouse of certain deceased veterans, a spouse of a veteran unable to work because of a service-connected disability, and A mother of a veteran who died in service or who is permanently and totally disabled.

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

How it Works If you meet the criteria for preference and achieve a score of 70 or higher either by a written examination or an evaluation of your experience and education, you will have 5 or 10 points added to your numerical ratings depending on the nature of their preference. For scientific and professional positions in grade GS-9 or higher, names of all eligible are listed in order of ratings, augmented by veteran preference, if any. For all other positions, the names of 10-point preference eligible who have a compensable, serviceconnected disability of 10 percent or more are placed ahead of the names of all other eligible on a given register. The names of other 10-point preference eligible, 5-point preference eligible, and non-veterans are listed in order of their numerical ratings. Entitlement to veterans' preference does not guarantee a job. There are many ways an agency can fill a vacancy other than by appointment from a list of eligible. Filing Applications After Examinations Have Closed A 10-point preference eligible may file an application at any time for any positions for which a non-temporary appointment has been made from a competitive list of eligible within the past 3 years. In addition, a person who is unable to file for an open competitive examination because of military service may file after the closing date. In either of the above situations, the veteran should contact the agency that announced the position for further information. In addition certain examinations are open only to preference eligible as long as such applicants are available. These are custodian, guard, elevator operator and messenger. Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Under the VRA, a you can be appointed to a white -collar position through GS 11 without having to compete with other applicants. The VRA is open to you if you are a disabled veteran who served on active duty during a war or major campaign and you have left the service under honorable conditions within three years.

VA Offers More Details on GI BIll Changes

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs/ Effective October 1, 2011

Upcoming Changes to The Post-9/11 GI-Bill The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 was recently signed into law. This page lists changes to the GI Bill made by this law. Effective August 1, 2009, but not payable until October 1, 2011 Certain National Guard members mobilized on Title 32 orders on-or-after September 11, 2001 are now eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and any qualifying Title 32 mobilization may be used to increase your percentage of eligibility Effective August 1, 2011 The Post-9/11 GI Bill will now pay all public school instate tuition and fees; this includes graduate training, etc. For students attending private institutions of higher learning or foreign schools, the tuition and fee reimbursement is capped at the lesser of net out-ofpocket cost or $17,500 annually however the Yellow Ribbon Program still exists College fund payments will now be paid on a monthly basis instead of a lump-sum at the beginning of the term. Those training at time or less are now eligible for college fund payments Reimbursement is now available for multiple Licensing and Certification Tests Reimbursement is now available for fees paid to take national examinations used for admission to an institution of higher learning (e.g. SAT, LSAT, ACT, GMAT, etc) Vocational Rehabilitation participants may now elect the higher housing allowance offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill if otherwise eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill Break or interval pay is no longer payable under any VA education benefit program unless under an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency situation such as a natural disaster or strike. Entitlement which previously would have been used for break pay will be available for use during a future enrollment. o This means that if your semester ends December 15 your housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December only. Your benefits will begin again when your new semester begins (e.g. January 15) and you will be paid for the remaining days of that month and term. o Students using other VA education programs are included in this change. Monthly benefits will be prorated in the same manner. NOAA and PHS personnel are now eligible to transfer their entitlement to eligible dependent.

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

RESERVIST BENEFITS
Reserve and National Guard personnel have a plethora of education benefit programs at their disposal. However, with so many options and choices for using military education benefits, it can be difficult to know which to choose. From Tuition Assistance to the Reserve GI Bill, there is something for almost everyone. Tuition Assistance (TA) for Reservists Tuition Assistance pays you up to $250 per credit hour, with a $4,500 yearly cap, for tuition expenses for courses you take while in the Selected Reserves. Individuals can use Reserve Tuition Assistance to further their professional and personal development while serving their country.

Your Childs First Dental Visit

Taking your child to the dentist for the first time is an experience that may be filled with many emotions. You may be excited at the thought of your child reaching another milestone but may also feel a little uneasy and unsure of what to expect. You may have questions like: When is the right age for my child to see the dentist? Am I taking proper care of my childs teeth? Will this visit be covered? According to the American Dental Association, you should schedule your childs first dental visit as soon as the first tooth comes in or by his or her first birthday. The first dental visit provides an opportunity for the dentist to: See how your childs teeth are coming in Instruct you on how to properly clean his or her teeth and gums Check for tooth decay Address concerns, such as thumb sucking To help make this visit as pleasant as possible, the dentist may ask you to hold your child on your lap or to assist by holding his or her mouth open during the examination. Prior to the first appointment, you may also want to have your child practice playing dentist with his or her favorite doll or stuffed animal and bring that toy with you to the dentist. In addition to making sure your child is comfortable, you should note that children younger than age 4 must be voluntarily enrolled by the sponsor if TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) coverage is desired, even if other family members are already enrolled. Children are automatically enrolled in the TDP on the first day of the month following their fourth birthday, provided an existing contract is in effect. If the existing contract is for a single family member only, the premium will change from the single premium to the family premium. United Concordia Companies, Inc. will notify the sponsor of the childs enrollment and the change in premium rate. To learn more about TDP coverage for children, visit www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com.

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Yellow Ribbon FY12 Schedules

63RD RSC & 88TH RSC Beginning in FY12, the 2 PRE-DEPLOYMENT events will be combined into one event. The numbering for the POST DEPLOYMENT events will change to Event 4 (30 day), Event 5 (60 day), & Event 6 (90 day)! Q 1 FY12 Oct 21-23, 2011 Nov 05-07, 2011 Nov 18-20, 2011 Dec 16-18, 2011 Dec 16-18, 2011 Q2 FY12 Jan 20-22, 2012 Jan 27-29, 2012 Feb 03-05, 2012 Feb 24-26, 2012 Mar 09-11, 2012 Mar 23-25, 2012 Q3 FY12 Apr 20-22, 2012 Apr 20-22, 2012 May 04-06, 2012 May 18-20, 2012 Jun 08-10, 2012 Jun 15-17, 2012 Q4 FY12 Jul 13-15, 2012 Jul 20-22, 2012 Aug 10-12, 2012 Aug 17-19, 2012 Sep 07-09, 2012 Sep 21-23, 2012 Sep 21-23, 2012 88th RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC TBD San Diego, CA TBD Los Angeles, CA 5. TBD Anaheim, CA Hershey, PA 4. 63rd RSC 88th RSC 88th RSC 63rd RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC Anaheim, CA TBD TBD Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA TBD 3. 2. 88th RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC 63rd RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC TBD Dallas, TX TBD Dallas, TX Anaheim, CA TBD 88th RSC 88th RSC 63rd RSC 63rd RSC 88th RSC Schaumburg, IL Denver, CO Anaheim, CA Anaheim, CA Schaumburg, IL Registration: Army Reserve Family Programs/Yellow Ribbon Registration link: Copy or paste in to your browser.
https://www.arfp.org/skins/ARFP/display.aspx?mode=user&ModuleId=8cde 2e88-3052-448c-893dd0b4b14b31c4&action=display_page&ObjectID=63471a43-ff2c-45b9-9f844160041b15b4

Registration for Post Deployment Events Army Reserve Yellow Ribbon Program Post Deployment Event (Events 4, 5, & 6) Registration. To Register for an available Post Deployment Event, please click on the yellow registration button below. If there is not a button available for the event listed, the event registration is either not open yet or has already closed. If you have any questions about a specific event registration listed below, please click on the POC link next to the event to generate an email or click on the Yellow Ribbon POC's list button below. For information on how to register for the Pre Deployment and During Deployment Events (1-3), please click on the Yellow Ribbon POCs button below and contact the CMD Yellow Ribbon POC. How to Register for a Post Deployment Event 1. Click on the event. Click the yellow Event button for the event you are interested in registering for. If there is not a registration button available for the event you are interested in, the event registration is not open yet. Event Registration in the Event Planner Portal in JSS. When you click on the yellow registration button, you will be directed to the event registration in the Joint Services Support, Event Planner Portal. Complete the Form. Please click on the registration tab and fill in all required information in the conference registration form. Review/Submit. Review your information is accurate and confirm. Reference Number. Upon completion, you'll be issued a registration reference number. Make sure you keep this number if you would like to make any changes to your registration in the future. You're Done!

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

You should receive an e-mail within 24 hours to notify you that you have been successfully registered. As the conference nears and pending your approval to attend the event, you will be sent an approval e-mail with conference venue information and a Welcome Packet. If you have any questions pertaining to the events listed below, please click on the Yellow Ribbon POC button above and contact the POC for your event. If You Need To Cancel Your Registration Request... If you have registered yourself or Family Members for an event and are no longer able to attend, please click on the POC link next to the event and send an email to the registration POCs. Be sure to include the full name of each cancelled registration request. You can also get all POCs for the Command hosting the event, from the Yellow Ribbon POCs list. www.arfp.org

RECIPE CORNER
ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH

What You Need 1 jar (16 oz.) roasted red peppers, undrained 1 boneless beef chuck eye roast (2 lb.) 1/2 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing 1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese 1 loaf French bread (24 inch), cut into 8 pieces, partially split Make It

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DRAIN peppers, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Place meat in slow cooker; top with peppers, reserved liquid and dressing. Cover with lid. COOK on LOW 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 4 to 6 hours). Remove meat from slow cooker, reserving peppers and 1-1/2 cups liquid in cooker. Discard excess liquid. Shred meat with 2 forks; return to cooker. Stir in cheese. Serve in Bread

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

KIDS CORNER

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families