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1/10
in how we as a Battalion
support the reserve and
active component. Thank
you for your continued
support to this battalion and
to our Unit Personal and
Family Readiness Program.
Semper Fidelis,
LtCol M. C. Griffin
Commanding Officer
4th Maintenance Battalion
Dear Marines, Sailors and
Families of the Fourth
Maintenance Battalion,
Summer is here and that
means we are in the thick of
annual training exercises
and mobilizations in supportof the overseas contingency
operations. Lets make sure
that all of our personal and
family readiness plans are
up to date. As always, our
command 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.
For those of you who were
able to attend the Yellow
Ribbon Program event in
Dallas, Texas, I am hopefulthat you were not only able
to take advantage of the
speakers, our command
team staff in attendance,
and to meet with other
Marines and Sailors in the
Battalion, but also the great
venue.
Lets continue to build on
our outstanding reputation
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Commanders
Corner
1
SgtsMaj
Straight Talk
1
From the
FRO
2
Chaplains
Message
3
Post 9/11 GI
Bill Info
4
MyCAA 5
Spouse
Employment
Partnership
6
Summer
Youth Camps
9
4th Maintenance Battalion
Unit, Personal & Family ReadinessS P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 1V O L U M E I I , I S S U E 3
S P E C I A L
P O I N T S O F
I N T E R E S T :
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Info
Spouse Education
and EmploymentOpportunities
VA Caregiver
Support Program
Vacationing on a
Budget
and more!
Commanders Corner
Seargants Major Straight Talkwill welcome LtCol
Castellano, who will be
reporting as our new
Inspector-Instructor for 4th
Maintenance Battalion.
I hope you all have a
wonderful summer, enjoythe very hot weather and be
extremely safe during this
dangerous and
very fun season.
Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj Braswell
Marines, Sailors and 4th
Maintenance Battalion
Families,
Greetings to all!
Summertime is upon us and
it is very busy here in the
Battalion. We just sent our11.2 Marines to Camp
Lejeune, NC and we have
many of your Marines
headed out on their Annual
Training events as well.
The Marines of 4th
Maintenance Battalion are
doing great things around
the globe. We continually
support operations in
support of the war on
terror, not to mention all
that is done in the United
States and other countries
throughout the globe.
We really appreciate all that
you do to support your
Marines and Sailors to
ensure we can accomplish
the mission. They
absolutely couldn't do it
without you.
In July we will be losing our
Inspector-Instructor, LtCol
Peterson. He is moving on
to the Marine Corps
Recruiting Command, and
they will be very lucky to
have him on their staff. We
8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
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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 Toney
Family Readiness
Officer4th Maintenance Bn
Charlotte, NC
704-598-0015 x337
BB: 704-488-9770
Kati Toney-Fro
From the FRO:
5/13/2011 By Lance Cpl. Fenton Reese , Marine Forces Reserve
DALLAS The stage was set; the tables were covered and the low roar of side chatter and laughte
filled the room as Marines, friends and families took their seats. The conference was about to begin
Marines of 4th Maintenance Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group were brought together in Dallfor a pre-and-post deployment conference sponsored by the Yellow Ribbon Program, April 29-May
2011. The event was coordinated by Katie Toney, the family readiness officer for the battalion.
This event is especially appreciated and understood by Lt. Col. Mike Griffin, the commanding offi
of 4th Maint. Bn. Griffin was mobilized in 2003 and again in 2005. During that time there was neithe
family readiness officer nor a Yellow Ribbon Program for pre- and post-deployment.
We had some pre-deployment training and some post-deployment programs, but nothing to the
level that this program is doing now, said Griffin.
Day one of the conference was set for meeting, greeting and registration. This was an opportunit
for the Marines and their guests to get settled in their rooms and prepare for the events of the
weekend to come.
Day two of the conference was a series of briefs that all Marines are required to have prior todeployment. These briefs included classes on such topics as combat operational stress control,
deployment awareness, Tricare information, sexual assault, administrative and legal rights while
deployed and more.
The third and final day was the highlight of the conference. This was an interactive workshop exerci
in which a panel of Marines returning from their second, third and even fourth deployments answe
questions from Marines and families preparing for their first deployment.
The workshop was set up as a question and answer open discussion. The topics consisted of wha
4th Maintenance Battalion Hosts Yellow
Ribbon Program Conference
Greetings, Marines, Sailors,
Families and Friends!
For those of you that were
able to join us in Dallas, Tx
for our first ever Battalion-wide Yellow Ribbon
Conference, it was
absolutely wonderful to be
able to spend some time
with you that weekend! I
hope you got a lot of useful
information out of it, but
just as importantly, I hope
you were able to take away
from that conference
validation in things that you
may be experiencing, new
friendships, and the
realization that you arent in
this alone. Not only do you
have each other to lean on
for support, but you have awhole support team at your
disposal, as wellyour FRO
and Deputy FROs, your
Chaplain, and your command
staff.
Below, you will find an article
written by Public Affairs on
our conference.
Summer is here! That means
FUN times are here
cookouts, 4th of July, NO
SCHOOL, and vacation! Just
remember the dangers that
come along with the summer
HEAT and all the festivities! Be
safe, but have FUN!!
We send our best wishes to
LtCol Peterson and his family as
they leave 4th Maintenance
Battalion! They will be missed!
We also welcome LtCol
Castellano and his family to our
family!
Hope to see some of you this
summer!
Kati
8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
3/10
P A G E 3V O L U M E I I , I S S U E 3
Duty. In the mean time, my
wife Barbara and five kids
(Grace, Micah, Faith, Daniel,
Joy) are enjoying this exciting
ministry to which God has
called us. Since graduating
chaplain school last November,
I have already had the privilege
to serve onboard CVN-77 for
two weeks, at a Yellow Ribbon
Event, at several family training
conferences, and most of all,
with you all at 4th
Maintenance
Battalion as your chaplain. My
desire is that I would exhibit
and promote a spirit of humility
and grace as we all serve
together as United States
Marines and Sailors.
What does your chaplain do?
There are about 850 Navy
Chaplains who provide pastoral
care to active and reserve
Marines, Sailors,
Coastguardsmen, and Merchant
Mariners. The DOD and
SECNAV take seriously both the
benefits and responsibilities of
the navy chaplains. LtCol.
Griffin, our 4th
Maintenance
Battalion CO, has given me
three primary responsibilities:
1) to provide or facilitate
counseling for anyone in the
battalion; 2) to provide or
facilitate worship services on
drill weekend Sundays for all
sites; 3) to be available for
advisement, special projects, or
anything else determined by
the command. During Julys
Command Conference, I will be
reviewing with leadership the
DOD & SECNAV instructions for
the command, as well as how I
can best meet the needs of the
battalion and specifically each
individual drill site. If you have
any input, please let me know.
One point needs to be clear
the CRP (Command ReligiousProgram) is owned by the CO,
not by the chaplain. The CO is
the one ultimately responsible.
As chaplain, I am responsible to
ensure implementation the
COs CRP.
Most importantly, use your
chaplain. Thats why were
here. If you need a confidential
discussion, spiritual counsel, or
a religious referral, call me
anytime at 864-325-1828. You
can also reach me on my
confidential e-mail at:
Blessings,
Chaplain Turpin
Ph: 864-325-1828
Eml: [email protected]
H U M I L I T Y & G R A C E
Who is your chaplain? I never
thought I would be a chaplain. I
was born in Canada and spent
most of my childhood in
Norway as a missionary kid. I
later went to school at both
Bob Jones University and
Seminary in Greenville, SC,
studying to become a pastor in
Norway or some developing
country such as Cambodia. I
also became an EMT so that I
could also have a community
skill for use in such a country.
But God turned our lives
around. My wife developed
some serious physical problems
(including brain, back, and fourother surgeries) that foreign
missions work was out. I had
also become a supervisor at
UPSmaybe I would be a well-
trained lay-leader in churches,
helping pastors with finances
so I began taking MBA
coursework. But I was not
satisfied. I had trained for years
to do pastoral care; anything
else left me less fulfilled. After
much prayer and counsel, the
Lord opened another door. I
remember the table at Atlanta
Bread Company where I sat
when I told my wife I had seen
a recruiter to become a
chaplain. She was like most of
your familycompletely
surprised, but wholeheartedly
encouraged me to take the next
step. As the Lord continues to
lead, I would like to go Active
Chaplains Message
(Cont from previous page)
expect while overseas, the kind of things Marines will see and deal with within the unit and abroad and
what families should know and be ready for during the time their Marine is deployed.
Overall I think this was a success. Weve learned what works and what to work on for the next
time, said Toney.
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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
Post 9/11 GI BillAs of August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is effective for training. Approved training under the Post-9/11
GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training
programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill benefits.
Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under
the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay your tuition based upon the highest in-state tuition charged by a public
educational institution in the state where the school is located. The amount of support that an individual
may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing.
This Post 9-11 GI Bill will pay eligible individuals:
Tuition & fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public
Institution of Higher Learning. See chart listing maximum in-state tuition rates
For more expensive tuition, a program exists which may help to reimburse the difference. This program is
called the "Yellow Ribbon Program". (Note: This is NOT the same as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program
A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at thelocation of the school.
For those attending foreign schools (schools without a main campus in the U.S.) the BAH rate is fixed
at $1,347.00 for 2011 and $1,348.00 for 2010.
An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
A one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals.
This benefit is payable only for training at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL). If you are enrolled
exclusively in online training you will not receive the housing allowance. If you are on active duty you will
not receive the housing allowance or books & supplies stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of
education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill todependents.
For more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, including how to transfer benefits to a dependent,
please visit the following links:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/index.html
http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.html
http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/
***For more information on upcoming IMPORTANT CHANGES to the Post 9/11 GI Bill, please
visit:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.html
4 T H M A I N T E N A N C E B A T T A L I O N
http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/tuition_and_fees_2010.htmhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.htmlhttp://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/index.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/index.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.htmlhttp://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/index.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/transfer_of_benefits.htmlhttp://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.htmlhttp://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/tuition_and_fees_2010.htm8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
5/10
P A G E 5V O L U M E I I , I S S U E 3
Spouse Education OpportunitiesMyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) News
October 25, 2010 - MyCAA is open and the response is great!!! Due to heavy phone volume, you are encouraged to
please use the MyCAA messaging system if you have a question and we will respond within 5 business days.All
Education & Training Plans and Financial Assistance requests will be processed within 15 calendar days, in the
order in which they are received and cannot be taken out of order. If additional information is needed to approve
your plan, notification will be sent via your MyCAA Message Box. Be sure to check your Message Box regularly for
information and notifications about your request. We thank you for your patience.
The MyCAA program is open to all eligible spouses under the new program guidelines below:
Spouse of an active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine service member, or activated Reserve member in pay
grades E1-E5, W1-W2, or O1-O2.
If the spouse of National Guard and/or AGR member, the sponsor must be on federal Title 10 active duty
orders as reported in DEERS.
Spouses of Guard/Reserve members in an Alert, Transition Assistance, or Post Deployment status are not
eligible.
MyCAA accounts will be limited to the new $4,000 maximum benefit with a $2,000 fiscal year cap. Waivers to
the fiscal year cap will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or credentials with a cost that exceeds the
$2,000 fiscal year cap up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000.
Spouses must finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course.
Funding is limited to only Associates degrees, certifications and licensure programs.
Spouses (even if you no longer qualify for the MyCAA program) that have had a MyCAA account can still access their
course information by logging in into the MyCAA Web site. If information is needed on other sources of financial
assistance please contact a Military OneSource consultant at 800-342-9647.
For this and more information, please visit:
https://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/
MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspx
MyCAA Fact Sheet
http://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/
FactSheet.pdf
https://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspxhttps://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspxhttps://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspxhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/FactSheet.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/FactSheet.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/FactSheet.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/FactSheet.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/FactSheet.pdfhttps://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspxhttps://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspx8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
6/10
P A G E 6
"A ship
without
Marines
is like a
garment
without
buttons."
(Admiral David
D. Porter, USN,
1863.)
4 T H M A I N T E N A N C E B A T T A L I O N
Military Spouse Employment Partnership
Launches June 29
By Robert L. Gordon III, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy)
Mark your calendars!
On June 29, we will launch the Military Spouse Employment Partnership MSEP. Through MSEP,
Americas employers will have direct access to a diverse and talented workforce, and military
spouses can connect with meaningful, long-term employment opportunities.
The Joining Forces: Launching the Military Spouse Employment Partnership ceremony marking
the formal launch of the program will take place at the Chamber of Commerce, in Washington
D.C. The event will feature speakers including Mrs. Deborah Mullen, wife of the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff and a powerful advocate for the employment of military spouses; Dr. Clifford L.
Stanley, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; and Thomas J. Donohue,
President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
At the launch ceremony, 15 new corporate partners will join 57 existing partners. Thats 72
companies committed to hiring our military spouses, and thats only the beginning!
Fortune 500 PLUS companies, which include businesses large and small, government agencies, and
organizations across America, are partnering with the military services to create career
opportunities for military spouses that move with them. The partnership is available to spouses in all
the military services, including the Coast Guard.
Over the past few months, youve told us that career advancement and steady employment are
extremely important to you. That portable, flexible career options are crucial in your ability to
provide continued support to your family and your service member as you transition from one duty
assignment to the next.
Lastly, your talents and skills deserve recognition in all career fields.
Comprehensive Summer Safety Tips
For comprehensive information and guidance on Summer Safety from Walter Reed Army MedicalHospital, to include topics such as Heat Exhaustion, Water Safety, Boating Safety, and Fireworks-
related Injuries, please visit their website at:
http://www.health.mil/Themes/Outdoor_Safety.aspx
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/06/military-spouse-employment-partnership-launches-june-29/http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/06/military-spouse-employment-partnership-launches-june-29/http://www.health.mil/Themes/Outdoor_Safety.aspxhttp://www.health.mil/Themes/Outdoor_Safety.aspxhttp://www.health.mil/Themes/Outdoor_Safety.aspxhttp://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/06/military-spouse-employment-partnership-launches-june-29/http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/06/military-spouse-employment-partnership-launches-june-29/8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
7/10
P A G E 7V O L U M E I I , I S S U E 3
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on May 9, 2011 they will be starting the appli-
cation process for eligible veterans and service members designated family caregivers. The applica-
tion process is simple. Those interested in applying should download a copy of the Family Caregiver
program application (VA CG 10-10), which is located at www.caregiver.va.gov. The application al-
lows eligible veterans and service members to designate a primary family caregiver and a secondary
family caregiver.
The application form is posted on the VAs website. Applicants must click on the banner Apply
Now! VA Family Caregiver to access the application process. The applicant will be asked a series of
three questions to help determine eligibility before completing an application form. The application
form must be completed online and then printed or the blank application form can be printed and
filled out by hand. The application form can be directly downloaded at: www.1010ez.med.va.gov/
sec/vha/1010ez/Form/1010EZ-fillable.pdf. The original application and supporting material must bemailed to the local VA medical center. Applicants can also call the VAs call center at 877.222.8387
for assistance with questions in applying for the caregiver benefit. Another method is to visit a Care-
giver Support Coordinator at your local VA medical center. The VA will be hiring caregiver support
coordinators at each of the 152 VA medical centers.
Caregivers of veterans from all eras are also eligible for additional benefits. They include: respite
care, education and training, plus VA services that are already being provided to caregivers. The VA
has created a caregiver website at www.caregiver.va.gov. In addition, there is a family caregiver as-
sistance healthy living center on VAs My HealtheVet website at www.myhealth.va.gov.
The National Military Family Association, along with several other organizations, have worked longand hard on the passage of this important benefit for caregivers of our wounded, ill, and injured ser-
vice members and veterans. Our Association is very pleased to hear the VA is beginning to take ap-
plications. We will continue to monitor the implementation and we would like to hear from you
about your experience with the application process.
We have also requested the VA provide retroactive stipend payments back to when the law was to
have been implemented, January 31, 2011. Recently, the VA stated stipend payments will only go
back to the date of the submitted application process and not to the date the law should have been
implemented. We believe the caregiver should not be penalized for the delay in implementation of
the law. We will continue to advocate for those caregivers who would have been eligible for these
additional stipends.
VA Announces Caregiver Enrollment
http://www.caregiver.va.gov/http://www.caregiver.va.gov/http://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/Form/1010EZ-fillable.pdfhttp://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/Form/1010EZ-fillable.pdfhttp://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/Form/1010EZ-fillable.pdfhttp://www.caregiver.va.gov/http://www.caregiver.va.gov/http://www.myhealth.va.gov/http://www.myhealth.va.gov/http://www.facebook.com/militaryfamilyhttp://www.facebook.com/militaryfamilyhttp://www.facebook.com/militaryfamilyhttp://www.myhealth.va.gov/http://www.caregiver.va.gov/http://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/Form/1010EZ-fillable.pdfhttp://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/Form/1010EZ-fillable.pdfhttp://www.caregiver.va.gov/8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
8/10
P A G E 8
"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
Vacationing on a Budget
From MC&FP E-Magazine, June 2011
When the weather starts warming up, everyone gets excited about a break from school, work,
and the day-to-day aspects of home. In these tough economic times, a family vacation may seem
out of reach, but there are several ways to enjoy a summer vacation and keep the familys
financial readiness goals intact.
When saving for a vacation, creating a separate savings account is always a good idea so that
vacation savings will not be confused with savings for retirement or incidentals. Make putting
money into this account painless by setting up an automatic transfer at a regular interval. This is
easy to set up and can really add up over time. A transfer of $14/week ($2/day) adds up to just
short of $730 by the end of a year. Be careful not to use money that is already allocated for
another purpose; it's important to keep building those savings separately. Discuss saving for a
vacation with the whole family. It can be a great time for children to learn about the financial
preparation needed to plan a vacation and the benefits of saving for a goal. Encourage children
to save their own allowances, so that they can buy souvenirs or other mementos on vacation.
Early planning and research can also help keep the family vacation within budget. Start bydeciding whether it makes the most sense to fly, drive, or take the train. In addition, check the
various travel websites for airfare, hotel, and excursion prices. Online travel sites offer travel
deal notifications on airline and hotel deals for specific destinations. By keeping travel dates
flexible, it is possible to get significant savings.
There are several resources designed to help military families take fun and affordable
vacations. The military recreationsection of Military OneSource, the Armed Forces Recreation
Centers, and the Armed Forces Vacation Club. If families decide to drive to their destination,
there are websites available to check gas prices in order to budget the anticipated cost. Local
libraries and Military OneSource's Best Kept Secretsare also great resources; they may have free
passes to nearby exhibits or information on destination ideas close to home.
Mini-vacations are another great way to get away on a small budget. They tend to be close tohome and short, so they allow families to spend less on accommodations. When planning a long
vacation far away from home, consider vacationing with another family to save money. Rental
properties often have several bedrooms and fully furnished kitchens, so families can save money
by not dining out each night. Be sure to research and reserve rental properties in advance
because they tend to book up fast, especially around the holidays. Other great budget options to
consider are cruises or all inclusive resorts where the price includes food, lodging, and activities
for the whole family.
Unnecessary purchases during the vacation can easily break a budget, so proper packing is
important. Every member of the family should pack for a variety of temperatures and weather
conditions to avoid buying extra sweatshirts, umbrellas, or swimsuits. Budget for daily spending
money and avoid credit card purchases, which can cost more in the long run with interest ratesand fees. Pack healthy lunches and snacks for the family in order to avoid stopping at restaurants
while on the road or purchasing expensive in-flight snacks.
With the proper research and planning, families can maintain financial stability, learn valuable
lessons about saving, and still have a fun-filled vacation this summer!
http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/Tools/MilitaryRecreationMWR.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/Tools/MilitaryRecreationMWR.aspxhttp://old.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/http://old.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/http://old.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/http://www.armymwr.com/travel/offdutytravel/afvc.aspxhttp://www.armymwr.com/travel/offdutytravel/afvc.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/Tools/MilitaryRecreationMWR/BestKeptSecretsMWR.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/Tools/MilitaryRecreationMWR/BestKeptSecretsMWR.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/Tools/MilitaryRecreationMWR/BestKeptSecretsMWR.aspxhttp://www.armymwr.com/travel/offdutytravel/afvc.aspxhttp://old.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/http://old.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/Tools/MilitaryRecreationMWR.aspx8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
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P A G E 9V O L U M E I I , I S S U E 3
From MC&FP E-Magazine, June 2011
As the air gets warmer and the flowers begin to bloom, everyone starts to look ahead to summer. For
children and youth, summer brings the end of the school year, a chance to unwind, and a lot of free
time. For parents, it's a great chance to get children enrolled in summer camp to learn a new sport orskill, get some fresh air, make new friends, or take their minds off of a difficult deployment. There are
a number of excellent choices designed just for military youth!
The Department of Defense is funding Military Teen Adventure Campsfor youth 14 - 18 years old. The
camps, developed through a partnership between DoD and of the United States Department of Agri-
culture, take advantage of the expertise of the land grant university system. These low-cost, high en-
ergy, high adventure camps take place all across the United States and offer a unique outdoor experi-
ence that allows teens to develop leadership, self-confidence, independence, and teamwork skills.
Teens can participate in activities such as river rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, ropes
courses, and much more. Camps for youth with special needs are also available in California, Ohio, andNew Hampshire. Families can visit the website to download brochures and get specific information on
dates, contact information, and locations. The camps will be open on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Another great resource for summer camps is Operation: Military Kids (OMK), which hosts hundreds of
camping experiences for children, youth, and families experiencing deployment. The camps include
opportunities for outdoor activities such as canoeing and camping, as well as indoor experiences such
as cooking, movies, and the arts. Campers can vary in age from six to eighteen and there are several
camps designed for youth with special needs, including a camp focused on providing horse therapy. By
visiting the OMK website, parents can view all of the camp options listed alphabetically by state, in-
cluding full descriptions and registration information.
The National Military Family Association also offers summer camps to children of deployed military
members free of charge through its Operation Purpleprogram. The camps provide military children
with a chance to have fun, learn coping skills, and develop relationships with other kids in similar situa-
tions. Parents can visit the website to learn more about different summer camp experiences, specific
locations, and dates.
In addition, parents and caregivers can contact their closest military installation youth programs to see
what other unique summer activities are available for youth in their immediate area. Contact informa-
tion for youth programs is available through MilitaryINSTALLATIONS. In the Looking for a specific pro-
gram or service? box, select "Youth Programs/Centers" from the dropdown menu.
Take advantage of the opportunities the military and its partners offer to enhance the lives of militaryyouth across the country!
Summer Camps for Military Youth
http://militaryfamilies.extension.org/military-teen-adventure-camps/http://militaryfamilies.extension.org/military-teen-adventure-camps/http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/EventDetail.aspx?ID=2487http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/EventDetail.aspx?ID=2487http://operationpurplecampinfo.com/http://operationpurplecampinfo.com/http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/http://operationpurplecampinfo.com/http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/EventDetail.aspx?ID=2487http://militaryfamilies.extension.org/military-teen-adventure-camps/8/6/2019 4thMaintBn Newsletter - Spring/SummerFY11
10/10
6115 N Hills Circle
Charlotte, NC 28213
Phone: 704-598-0015
Fax: 704-598-0070
Useful Websites
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
4th Maintenance Battalion
USMC:
Improvise.
Adapt.
Overcome
TurboTap.org:your connection to money, benefits, jobsTurboTAP.org is Department of Defense's official website providing information for servicemembers on
transitioning from military service. This site is also supported by the Departments of Labor and Veterans
Affairs. TurboTAP.org is intended to supplement the services offered by the Transition Assistance Offices
and other groups.
About Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
The DoD Transition Assistance Program was developed to assist in the transitioning of military personnel
and family members leaving the service. Returning to civilian life is an exciting time, but is also a complex
undertaking. There are many steps to take, with questions to be answered. The DoD Transition Assistance
Program is here to help.
TAP services are provided on major military installations by Transition Assistance Offices. For Army
installations, services are provided by ACAP Centers. On Navy and Marine Corp installations, the transition
assistance office is typically located at the Family Support Service Center. Air Force TAP services are
provided through the Airmen and Family Readiness Flight centers. Coast Guard TAP services are offered
through the Work-Life offices. Use our search engineto locate the transition assistance office near you.
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