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8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
1/8
4th
Maintenance Battalion
family has a Merry
Christmas and Happy New
Year.
Semper Fidelis,
LtCol M. C. GriffinCommanding Officer
4th Maintenance Battalion
Dear Marines, Sailors and
Families of the Fourth
Maintenance Battalion,
We are entering into the
holiday season and winding
down both the fiscal and
calendar years. Lets takeadvantage of this
operational pause to
enjoy time with our families
and friends. Please also
remember to stay in touch
with our fellow Marines and
Sailors so that we can live
up to our promise to leave
no Marine (or Sailor)
behind. After a well
deserved rest from the
incredibly high operationaltempo, we need to be ready
to take on new missions and
tasks for the next year,
whether in support of the
4th
MLG or in support of the
Active Component.
Dont forget that in addition
to maintaining physical
readiness for the upcoming
year, take some time to
review your personal and
family readiness plans. Thecommand team, with the
outstanding Unit and
Personal Family Readiness
Officer Ms. Kati Toney, is
ready to assist and serve as
an information resource for
you and the families of
Fourth Maintenance
Battalion.
Lets use 2012 to build on
our stellar reputation inhow 4
thMaintenance
Battalion stands ready to
serve our Corps. I am
hopeful that everyone in my
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Commanders
Corner
1
SgtsMajStraight Talk
1
From the
FRO
2
Chaplains
Message
4
USPS
Christmas
Deadline
4
Nominate a
Family!
5
Get
Connected
with Tricare
6
Holiday Mail
for Heroes
7
Tutor.com 8
4th Maintenance Battalion
Unit, Personal & Family ReadinessW I N T E R 2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2V O L U M E I I I , I S S U E 1
S P E C I A L
P O I N T S O F
I N T E R E S T :
Holiday Safety Tips
Extreme
Makeover: Home
Edition
Get Connected
with Tricare
Tutor,com
and more!
Commanders Corner
Seargants Major Straight TalkI hope that you all have a
Happy Holiday Season.
Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj Braswell
Marines, Sailors and 4th
Maintenance Battalion
Families,
Greetings to all!
The last quarter has been
extremely busy for 4th
Maintenance Battalion. We
have celebrated the 236th
Birthday of the Marine
Corps, deployed forces to
Afghanistan and we did
Quantico Viper for our
Marines who will be
mobilizing early next year.
The Marines and Sailors
have preformed
outstanding during this
quarter. The comments
that we received from all
visitors at Quantico Viper
stated this was the best one
they had ever seen. Your
Marines and Sailors were
directly responsible for the
success.
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8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
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P A G E 2
4 T H M A I N T E N A N C E B A T T A L I O N
Ms. Kati ToneyFamily Readiness
Officer4th Maintenance Bn
Charlotte, NC
704-598-0015 x337
BB: 704-488-9770
FACEBOOK
Kati Toney-Fro
From the FRO:
During the holiday season, we are often busy, excited and sometimes we do not maintain situation
awareness. The following crime prevention tips should be shared to help keep you and your family
At Home
. Always lock doors and windows when you leave your house or apartment, even for a few minu
. Don't display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store gifts befo
you go away on a holiday trip.
. If you go out for the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house or apartmen
appears to be occupied.
. If you take a holiday trip away from your home, have some interior lights activated by an
automatic timer.
. When traveling, have a trusted neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up the
mail/newspaper.
. Participate in Operation Identification and mark your valuables with a unique identification
number.
. Be wary of strangers soliciting for charitable donations. They may attempt to take advantage
people's generosity during the holidays. Ask for identification, how donated funds are used, if
contributions are tax deductible, etc. If you aren't satisfied with the answers, don't give.
. Immediately after the holidays, mark new gifts with an identification number and record new
serial numbers.
. Test your smoke detectors.
Holiday Safety Tips
Greetings, Marines, Sailors,
Families and Friends!
The holidays are here!! Its a
time for celebrating with
your families, friends, andloved ones...a time for
reflecting on and counting
all the things we have to be
grateful for, no matter how
big or small.
Unfortunately its also the
time of year when crime
rates seem to soar. So,
please be careful when
going to your holiday parties
or shopping for those gifts!
Below youll find some very
useful tips for being safe this
holiday season from Marine
Forces Reserve ForceProtection Program
Manager.
Also, please remember those
who are overseas or
otherwise unable to be with
their loved ones this holiday
season. If you want to send a
card to one of our deployed
Marines, please contact your
Deputy FRO or myself for the
information. You may also send
a card through the Holiday
Mail for Heroes program
sponsored by the Red Cross.
More information about that
will be found later in this
newsletter.
The holidays can be a very sad
time for some people. Please be
mindful of that and help spread
some joy to those around you!
Have a wonderful holiday
season!
Kati
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8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
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P A G E 3V O L U M E I I I , I S S U E 1
. Use only fire resistant ornaments on a holiday tree and make sure electric lights are in good
working order.
. Don't leave decorative lights on overnight or when you are away from home.
. If you have house guests, advise them of your security precautions and make sure they follow them.
. Avoid leaving boxes from purchases (especially TV's, VCR's, computers, etc.) out on the curb for
trash pickup. Disassemble them, then place in a trash bag for disposal.Shopping
. Shop before dark if possible. Possibly coordinate shopping trips with a friend. Never park in an unlit
lot or area, no matter how convenient it is.
. Lock your packages and gifts in your vehicle's trunk. Keep your vehicle's doors locked and windows
closed.
. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check, credit card, or debit card
when possible.
. To discourage purse-snatchers, don't overburden yourself with packages. Have your purchases
delivered whenever practical.
. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse tightly under your arm. Keep a wallet in aninside jacket pocket or front pocket, not a back trouser pocket.
. Teach children to go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if you become separated.
They should never go into a parking lot alone.
Holiday Party Safety
. Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests.
. Serve something to eat before serving alcoholic beverages. High protein foods stay in the stomach
longer and slow absorption of alcohol into the system.
. Have alternative transportation for intoxicated persons. Don't let guests drink and drive.
Pickpockets
Pickpockets like to take advantage of crowds in stores, on the street and on forms of public
transportation. Many work in teams with one distracting the victim while the other does the actual pick
pocketing. Beware of anyone who jostles you. It may be accidental but, then again, it may not. For
women who carry a purse, one that has a flap which folds over the opening and fastens at the bottom is
preferable to one that can be opened simply by turning a clasp at the top. Men who carry wallets or a
money clip should keep them in inner or side pockets rather than rear trouser pockets.
If you have any questions or wish to report a suspicious activity, please contact Mr. Miller as provided
below.
Lawrence "Larry" MillerForce Protection Program Manager
MARFORRES G3/5 (OPS/PLANS)
2000 Opelousas Street, Room 3W2113
New Orleans, LA 70146
504-697-7313(Office)
504-722-3404 (Cell)
504 697-9903 (Fax)
DSN 647-7313
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
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P A G E 4
The realmeasure of
your wealth is
how muchyou'd be worthif you lost all
your money.
~AuthorUnknown
lives.
Peace. What does that meanto you? Im not talking about
cessation of hostilities on the
battlefield; Im talking about a
cessation of turmoil in your
own soul. Does this strike a
cord with you? Last week, my
hospital devotional was on
peace from Matthew 11:28-
30. You see, God never
promised peace to our
circumstances; rather He
promised peace to our souls.Look it up. See for yourselves.
That is a real promise.
Now, there is a catchyoumust look to God for your
satisfaction and strength. You
cant make it on your own in
the foxhole or on the flight
line. Ought we then think we
can make our personal
struggles better with only our
own strength? In Matthew 6
& 10, God cares for thehelpless little birds. And you
are of much more value than
many sparrows (verse 26).
God cares for you. Seek first
Gods kingdom, and you will
have no need to worryabout
your life. There will be peace
in your soul. This is a real
promise.
Thanksgiving has just passed
us. Arent you glad grass isnot red? Huh, Chaps? I
challenge youlook around
and take 5 minutes to write
down a list of all the things
you are thankful for. You will
be surprised! Really.
Most importantly, use your
chaplain. Thats why were
here. If you need a
confidential discussion,
spiritual counsel, or a religiousreferral, call me anytime.
Blessings,
Chaplain Turpin
Ph: 864-325-1828
Eml: [email protected]
Looking over the past few
months, the past few years, or
even the past few weeks,these have been unusually
turbulent times for our
economy, our military, and
our lives in general. Many of
you have been struggling to
make sense of job layoffs,
decreased benefits,
overwhelming responsibilities,
balancing of work-life
relationships, and
deployments that strain your
closest relationships.
You are not alone! As I was
contemplating what to share,
I thought of my own life and
how it could reflect in yours:
my daughters medical
challenges; my wifes home-
schooling of three of our five
kids: 9, 7, 5, 3, 1; my
balancing of Hospital Chaplain
CPE Training (full-time job
with homework) and EMSChaplaincy with Navy and
Marine Corps responsibilities;
my church; my family; my
friends; the list goes on.
Many of you could expand the
list significantly in your own
Chaplains Message
4 T H
M A I N T E N A N C E
B A T T A L I O N
To get mail to a service member by Christmas at APO/FPO/DPO AE 090-092, 094-098,
340, or 962-966, the latest a package can be sent to arrive on time is Dec. 17 -- that
means senders have to pay for Express Mail. If senders have already got packages ready
and they want to send earlier -- and pay less -- they can put them in the mail by Dec. 10
and pay for either 1st Class or Priority mail. Mail to APO/FPO/DPO AE 093 must be sent
by Dec. 3, regardless of the class of mail service used.
USPS Deadlines for
Christmas Packages
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8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
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P A G E 5V O L U M E I I I , I S S U E 1
Nominate a Family!
Extreme Makeover Seeks Military Families for Holiday Episode
By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2011The cast of ABCs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition would like to
brighten the holidays for a deserving military family this year.
The reality show is seeking nominations for military families in desperate need of a home makeover. The
selected family will be featured in an upcoming holiday episode.
We want to do a holiday-themed episode thats even bigger and more extreme than ever, David
Shumsky, the shows casting director, said in an ABC news release. In order to pull off such a huge
venture, we need the support of the entire community. We know that the military communities willcome out to help one of their own.
The popular reality show features Ty Pennington, his design team and a host of volunteers performing a
massive home makeover in just seven days. The show focuses on families whose home situation is a
severe hindrance to their quality of life, Shumsky explained.
We really want to help families whose homes present major problems for the family -- those big issues
that affect the family's quality of life on a daily basis, he said. We want to find deserving people who
just don't have the resources, ability or time to fix those serious issues without our help.
For this special episode wed love it if the holiday season had some special significance to the familys
story, he added. Maybe they have unique holiday traditions or volunteer in an organization specificallygeared toward the season. Ultimately, we want to give this family the best holiday theyve ever had.
Families in need of a home makeover or community members who know of a deserving family are
welcome to submit nominations. Nominations must include the names and ages of every household
member, a description of the major challenges within the home, a short description of the family story,
and a contact phone number.
People should also explain why the family is deserving, heroic or a great role model in their community
and, if possible, include recent photos of the family and home. People can submit nominations via email
For more information on how to apply, visit the shows website at http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
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P A G E 6
"Marines take
care of their own
- period. The
enduring pledge
between Marines
is never more
sacred than
during time of
war. Just as every
Marine makes a
commitment to
the Corps when
they earn the title
Marine, the Corps
makes an
enduring
commitment to
every Marine -
and an enduring
commitment to
their family."
(Quote by
General
Conway, 34th
CMC Planning
Guidance)
4 T H M A I N T E N A N C E B A T T A L I O N
Get Connected with Tricare!
MilConnect is New Online Portal for DOD Beneficiaries
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2011 A range of information about Defense Department benefits
information and eligibility is now available online, the director of the Defense Manpower
Data Center said yesterday.
Two new online efforts -- milConnect and eCorrespondence -- give beneficiaries 24/7 access
to personnel information; the ability to update information related to health, education and
other benefits; and e-mail notifications about changes in benefits, Mary Dixon told American
Forces Press Service.
At the Defense Manpower Data Center, one of our many responsibilities is to be the
interface with beneficiaries, especially on benefits and eligibility for benefits, Dixon said.
MilConnect, available online and through a mobile application for the Android smart phone,
was known for a year as the mydodbenefits website.
The revamped milConnect site is available online, around-the-clock, to all DOD beneficiaries
and their spouses and children age 18 or older.
Users can sign on in several ways, Dixon said.
Anyone who has a common access card, a Defense Finance and Accounting Services myPay
account logon, or a DOD Self-Service or DS logon can sign in on the MilConnect website, or
apply at the site for a DS logon.
MilConnect information comes from the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System called DEERS.Eligible users are active duty, National Guard and Reserve members; and military retirees,
spouses and eligible family members age 18 and older.
Sponsors can view information about all dependents listed in DEERS but for now eligible
dependents can see only their own information.
Beneficiaries who use milConnect, Dixon said, can update DEERS contact information,
manage health care enrollments, locate the nearest military ID card issuing facility, view
personnel information, transfer education benefits to eligible family members, view group
life insurance information, and manage other information.
Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard can update civilianemployment information.
The mobile application works today on Android phones, but Dixon said her center is in the
process of making MilConnect available for iPhones and other smart phones and mobile
devices.
The smart phone app lets users find sites for the Real-time Automated Personnel
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8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
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P A G E 7V O L U M E I I I , I S S U E 1
Identification System called RAPIDS, where military members receive new ID cards, military treatment
facilities, and contact information for Tricare regional offices.
Related to milConnect, Dixon said, is an initiative called eCorrespondence that will use e-mail
notifications of changes in benefits rather than postal service letters for active-duty service members
and National Guard and Reserve service members on periods of active duty.
E-mail notifications will be sent to the e-mail address associated with a service members common
access card, Dixon said.
Beginning this month, service members will receive e-mail notifications of a change in Tricare primary-
care manager, of potential eligibility changes when a child turns 21 or 23, and of the ability to view or
print a Tricare enrollment card and welcome letter after enrollment into a Tricare medical or dental
program.
The e-mail notifications will refer service members to the milConnect web portal.
Service members will be able to check Tricare eligibility and information through the MilConnect
portal, whether or not they receive an e-mail notification.
Dixon said service members also can opt out of the e-mail notifications.
Were hoping to continue to expand both the things that we let you know by e-mail and to expand
to other kinds of benefits changes and to additional populations, she said, including retirees.
Its a little bit hard with retirees because we dont necessarily know their e -mail addresses, she
added. But thats something they can enter into the system on milConnect.
The holiday season is just around the corner and its time again to start thinking about being part of the
2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes. For a fifth year, American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes
are partnering to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to send a touch of home this holiday season
to members of our U.S. military, veterans and their families, many of whom will be far away from home
this holiday season.
Starting this fall and throughout the holiday season, the Red Cross is working with Pitney Bowes, a mail
stream technology company, to collect and distribute holiday cards to American service members,
veterans and their families in the United States and around the world.
The process is very simple and takes no time at all - All you need is a pen and piece of paper to share your
appreciation for the sacrifices members of the U.S. Armed Forces make to protect our freedoms The
Holiday Mail for Heroes mail box is open and ready to receive for your cards. Please send all mail to:
Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
**Or if you would like the mailing address to our Marines currently deployed, please contact your
Deputy FRO or myself. Thank you!**
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8/3/2019 4th Maintenance Battalion - FallWinterFY12
8/8
6115 N Hills Circle
Charlotte, NC 28213
Phone: 704-598-0015
Fax: 704-598-0070
Useful Websites and Contacts
Military One Source: www.militaryonesource.com
Military Home Front: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
Military Spouses: www.milspouse.com
Marine Parents: www.marineparents.com
Blue Star Mothers: www.bluestarmothers.org
Marine Corps Community Services: www.usmc-mccs.org
Military Pay: www.dfas.mil/militarypay.html
Tricare: www.tricare.mil/mybenefit
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Marine Forces Reserve: www.marforres.usmc.mil
Official Marine Corps Website: www.marines.mil
DStress: www.dstressline.com or 877-476-7734
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-TALK ((8255)
4th Maintenance Battalion
USMC:
Improvise.
Adapt.
Overcome
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