January 2006

FLO Notes

There is still confusion when it comes to Well-Being. Well-Being didn't take the place of Quality of Life. In fact, Well-Being actually became the verbalization of what is the heart of noncommissioned officer business, solid leadership practice and understanding the human dynamic of military life.

The bottom line is Well-Being is the foundation for readiness in a very real way.

The Well-Being concept is all about four human elements that ensure our people are prepared to accomplish the mission while ensuring that they are able to sustain operations for an indefinite period of time.

These four human elements are the mental, physical, spiritual and material condition of our people.

Mental preparedness is as old as the hills and still is a foundational element of sergeants' business. The same is true for the physical state of our Soldiers as they must achieve and maintain a high level of physical fitness to accomplish the Army's missions.

Spiritual Well-Being is about moral courage, values, our belief system and character. Again these are fundamental building blocks of Soldiering.

Lastly, material readiness means that we provide for ourselves, our families and ensure we have the basics of our common needs. Financial health or preparedness means we make the right financial decisions and is as much about readiness as training, being physically prepared or materially solid.

There is nothing soft about these terms. They are foundational, actionable, and fall squarely in the bounds of good NCO leadership.

Taking care of our people means we do the right things to get the mission accomplished. Well-Being is as much about how we take care of those who serve this Army as it is about how we prepare our Soldiers and their families for the sustained battle to come.

When I look at the NCO Creed I see Well-Being written all over these hallowed words. Though the term Well-Being was used way before the NCO Creed was written there is no doubt that the backbone of our Army has a focused Well-Being mission.

---

Struggling to cope with deployment has become more commonplace in recent years, as the Army continues to be actively engaged in waging the Global War on Terror. However, one Army spouse and mother hopes that others may be able to benefit from her experiences.

"I am an Army wife and a mother. That pretty much sums up who I am. I wear lots of hats and play many roles, but first and foremost I am a wife and a mother," Vicki Cody wrote in the preface of her book "Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents' Guide."

"I've know my husband since he was a cadet at West Point, I've come up through the ranks with him and we raised two sons along the way," she wrote. "Both of our sons chose the Army as their career.

"When I began writing this book both sons were deployed to Iraq, serving in the same brigade," Cody wrote of her sons who are both serving in a unit that at one time was commanded by her husband. "You could say they're carrying on a family tradition — one that's making me go gray with worry!"

You might expect a book authored by a senior Army spouse, whose husband has served the Army for 30 years, would offer much advice about living Army life. Cody's book is no exception; however she chooses to focus her efforts on offering advice to a populace of the Army Family not often as directly connected to the Army — Army mothers and parents.

Many Army spouses are integrated into unit Family Readiness Groups. But the Army is beginning to see more Soldiers' parents trying to better understand Army life and seeking to become the same type of FRG integration that most spouses already have.

"For the past four or five years the Army has been very focused on the well-being of the Soldier and his or her spouse and children," Cody said. "However many other family members are affected by the Soldier's military service, especially parents and grandparents. What are we doing to help prepare them for deployments?

"During the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, while assisting in answering phone calls on the Army Information Line, I learned that the majority of calls were coming from parents," Cody said during a recent telephone interview. "It seems that for the most part spouses seem to know where and how to get information. But in many cases parents were worrying needlessly because they didn't have the information. I thought 'what a better way to teach parents [than through a book]?' Nobody had really thought about helping parents understand deployments."

In her book, Cody takes great effort to help parents become more familiar with Army life by offering information that may seem old hat to spouses — such as the "Soldier's Creed;" an explanation of the Department of Defense (DD) Form 2266, Hometown News Release; providing an overview of the deployment process; an introduction to the Virtual Family Readiness Group (vFRG); an explanation of the Army's organizational structure; a rank insignia chart; and even a glossary of Army acronyms.

Cody's book, which was published by the Association of the United States Army Family Programs Directorate through a grant from Newell Rubbermaid, is written in plain language and very thoughtfully put together in a manner that is very easy to use and understand. And the best thing about her book is that it can be obtained for free — while supplies last — by calling 1-800-336-4570, or via e-mail to familyprograms@ausa.org.

Additionally, you may download a copy of "Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents' Guide" in PDF (Portable Document File) format from Army Families Online www.armyfamiliesonline.org.

---

During the holidays many Americans open their purse strings to help those in need, but the Gift of Groceries and Scholarships for Military Children are programs that can help military families all year round.

Since the Gift of Groceries program began in 2002, the general public has been able to purchase commissary gift certificates to give to military friends and family, as well as to purchase and donate to charitable organizations assisting military families. The certificates can be purchased through a link on DeCA's Web site or by calling 1-877-770-GIFT.

"Donations of commissary gift certificates to worldwide charitable organizations such as the Air Force Aid Society, Fisher House Foundation, and the USO have totaled over $200,000 in the last three years," said Patrick B. Nixon, chief executive officer and acting director of the Defense Commissary Agency. That's in addition to the thousands of dollars in gift certificates that have been purchased and donated through installation charities.

"Increasingly, many installation holiday food programs seem to be utilizing commissary gift certificates as well," Nixon said. "Since the commissary benefit saves shoppers an average of 30 percent or more over commercial grocery stores, the commissary certificates have more buying power." A valuable military benefit, commissaries provide groceries "at cost" to servicemembers and retirees at 268 locations worldwide.

A recent addition to the gift certificate donation program is "Operation Homefront," a nonprofit volunteer organization that assists military families with emergency needs. Operation Homefront has 31 chapters in the U.S. and has handled over 20,000 cases ranging from car repairs to food assistance since 2002. It is affiliated with CinCHouse.com, a nonprofit organization created to help military wives and women in the military manage day-to-day life.

According to Amy Palmer, executive vice president of Operation Homefront, commissary gift certificates are a more efficient way for them to help families, giving the families the flexibility to shop for the food they need. More information on these organizations can be found at www.operationhomefront.net or www.cinchouse.com.

Commissary gift certificates are made possible through a business agreement with CertifiChecks Inc., at no cost to the federal government. Anyone can buy the certificates, but only authorized commissary shoppers can spend them. There is a small charge for handling, printing and shipping the certificates.

The general public can also help send outstanding military children to college. The Scholarships for Military Children program has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships to about 2,500 students since the program began in 2000. The program administrator, Fisher House Foundation, accepts public donations for scholarships at www.militaryscholar.org. Since program costs are absorbed by Fisher House Foundation, every dollar donated goes to fund the $1,500 scholarships. Applications and information on eligibility are also available online through the Web site.

---

Military life can place a lot of demands and stress on military spouses. Therefore, in an effort to better understand how families are making military life work for them, as well as learn what areas they could use help in, DoD is rolling out the 2005 Survey of Active-Duty Spouses in conjunction with the 2005 Survey of Reserve Component Spouses.

Survey invitations have been sent by mail to randomly selected active-duty and reserve-component spouses. Each mailing included the survey Web site and a ticket number required to access the survey.

These surveys were last done in 1999, so new voices are needed as times have changed.

Spouses can complete the survey on any computer with Internet access, at home or elsewhere. Responses will be kept confidential. No information will be released about individuals. Spouses who've received an invitation and have questions about the survey can ask their questions by e-mail to .

---

Volunteer organizations that benefit troops and their families are invited to compete for a share of $75,000 grants as part of the 7th annual "Newman's Own Awards."

"[Judges] are looking for projects that will benefit members of the military and their families with an emphasis on either support to servicemembers who are deployed, and equally important, to the families that are back here in the United States, the families of deployed servicemembers," said Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House Foundation vice president for communications.

The entry chosen as the most outstanding will receive a $10,000 grant to

elp implement that plan. The judges will allocate the remaining $65,000 in grants to other organizations. The awards are not specifically geared toward large nonprofit organizations, he said, but more toward smaller, community-level groups.

"The whole premise behind the Newman's Own Awards is there are a lot of small- to medium-sized organizations comprised primarily of volunteers," Weiskopf said. Instead of seeing people with great ideas possibly going through several fundraising efforts just to be able to implement their projects, the group would rather give them the money to get their plans under way.

During a recent announcement of this year's competition, Weiskopf said the 2006 contest award money has increased $25,000 — from $50,000 to $75,000.

Specific eligibility rules are available on the Fisher House Foundation's Web site, or by calling 1-888-294-8560. Entries must be received by April 28.

The awards are sponsored by Newman's Own, Fisher House and Military Times Media Group.

---

Becky Campbell's son, David, is in the 82nd Airborne Division, and after he returned home from Iraq safely in 2003, she decided to help military families who'd suffered the loss of a loved one.

"I wanted to do something," Campbell said. So she founded the nonprofit Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund in October 2003. The volunteer, nationwide group provides scholarship money to surviving military spouses and children.

"We're a grassroots organization not affiliated with anybody in the government. [We're] just a lot of people wanting to help the families," said Campbell, a resident of Gaithersburg, Md.

Thus far, the group has distributed more than $26,000 in scholarship funds to six families, Campbell said.

Her group receives donations from public and private sources across the country, and co-sponsors fundraisers for servicemembers' families, such as 5-kilometer runs.

Campbell said her organization plans to provide more college grants in January, bringing the total of distributed funds to more than $36,000.

People can donate through the organization's Web site, or by mail to: Children of Fallen Fund; P.O. Box 3968; Gaithersburg, MD 20885-3968. Churches, schools and businesses also donate to the cause.

"We have a lot of support from the public," she said, noting Americans are eager and proud to show support for deployed servicemembers.

"Our country is built of a lot of heroes that have died in past wars protecting our country or protecting other countries," Campbell said. And many Americans today have family in the military and want to do something to help.

At first Campbell just wanted to provide college money for one or two children of military families in need.

"And then," she said, "I just decided that I wasn't going to stop."

---

The Department of Defense recently enacted a traumatic injury protection insurance under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, or SGLI program. As of Dec. 1, 2005, all servicemembers eligible for SGLI became insured for traumatic injury protection of up to $100,000 unless they declined SGLI coverage.

The program, known as TSGLI, is designed to provide financial assistance to servicemembers during their recovery period from a serious traumatic injury. A flat monthly premium of $1 will be added to the monthly SGLI deduction, regardless of the amount of SGLI coverage that the member has elected, officials said.

A retroactive provision of the law provides that any servicemember, who suffered a qualifying loss between Oct. 7, 2001, and Dec. 1, 2005, will receive a benefit under the TSGLI program, if the loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Army has already received the first 144 claims for the Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance for Soldiers who incurred a traumatic injury in support of OIF and OEF.

"Our nation's commitment to our Soldiers is evidenced by this program," said Col. Mary Carstensen, the director of U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program.

"TSGLI is another benefit which assists our fallen warriors and their families so they can focus on recovery, further exemplifying the Warrior Ethos, 'Never leave a fallen comrade'," Carstensen said.

Administered by the Army Wounded Warrior Program, or AW2, on behalf of the Army, the mission of TSGLI is to ensure eligible Soldiers receive the monetary payments they are entitled to while providing them with the necessary information and assistance to complete and submit their TSGLI claims, officials said.

If a Soldier is unable to complete a claim due to incapacitation or death, family members with an appropriate Power of Attorney or letter of guardianship may apply for TSGLI benefits on behalf of a Soldier, officials said. Family members of a deceased Soldier who survived for 7 days after incurring a traumatic injury and qualifying loss may also apply for TSGLI benefits.

TSGLI covers a range of traumatic injuries, including, but not limited to:

Total and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes;

Loss of hand or foot by severance at or above the wrist or ankle;

Total and permanent loss of hearing in one or both ears;

Loss of thumb and index finger of the same hand by severance at or above the metacarpophalangeal joints;

Quadriplegia, paraplegia, or hemiplegia;

Third degree or worse burns covering 30 percent of the body or 30 percent of the face; and

Coma, or the inability to carry out two of the six activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury.

TSGLI is not disability compensation and has no effect on entitlement for compensation and pension benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs or disability benefits provided by the Department of Defense, officials said. It is an insurance product similar to commercial dismemberment policies.

TSGLI provides money for a loss due to a specific traumatic event while disability compensation is intended to provide ongoing financial support to make up for the loss in income-earning potential due to service-connected injuries.

The Department of Defense developed this program in close coordination with the Department of Veteran's Affairs. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will closely monitor implementation with the services and make necessary adjustments if required, officials said.

Claims may be submitted by fax to 1-866-275-0684, or by mail to: Department of the Army; Traumatic SGLI (TSGLI); 200 Stovall Street; Alexandria, VA 22332-0470.

More information on the traumatic injury protection benefit, as well as a listing on qualifying injuries, can be obtained by calling 1-800-237-1336 or through the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program's Web site.

---

Families First takes strategic pause

Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command recently announced that Phase II of the Families First Program will not launch in February as previously planned, but is however in a "strategic pause" to ensure a quality development of the Defense Personal Property System.

DPS will be the standard Web-based system that will support Families First. Recent hardware and software integration problems have caused a re-evaluation of current efforts. This pause will allow time to create a more efficient program, while not interfering with peak moving season (May through September).

The primary purpose of Families First is to improve the quality of life for DoD military and civilian employees, and their families, by improving the quality of all household goods movements. In addition, DPS will provide the convenience of 24/7 access to personal property shipment information and a conduit for a direct relationship between DoD members and TSPs throughout the entire moving process.

For more information, contact Mitch Chandran at (703) 428-3456, or via e-mail at chandranm@sddc.army.mil.

---

Senate OKs health insurance for child survivors

The children of Soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, or in support operations, would no longer have their military health insurance cut off after three years, under a defense spending bill recently passed by the Senate. Instead, these children would remain covered at no extra cost until they reach age 21, or 23 if they are still enrolled in school.

Previously, the children of Soldiers killed in combat had to pay a premium equal to what's paid by retired veterans' dependents if they wanted to keep the coverage more than three years after the Soldier's death.

---

Well-Being Liaison Office

The Well-Being Liaison Office would like to welcome the newest member of the Army Information Line Staff, Glenda A. Carter.

Carter has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Fort Valley State University of Georgia.

A mother of two — Tabious, 25, and Megan, 15, Carter is married to Lt. Col. Lopez Carter and has been an Army spouse for nearly 20 years.

She brings a wealth of experience with her, as she has been associated with military family support/readiness groups her entire life as an Army spouse. In her last position she was part of the initial stand-up of the Forces Command Family Readiness Group Assistant Program, where she served as the program site manager for the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.