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Army Agencies
ACS
- Army Community Services AR
608-1
Assists military families through their information and referral
services, budget and indebtedness counseling, household item loan
closet, information on other military posts, and welcome packets
for new arrivals. MORE
Adjutant
General
Provides personnel and administrative services support such as orders,
ID cards, retirement assistance, deferments, and in/out processing.
Army
Education Center
Provides services for continuing education and individual learning
services support.
AER - Army
Emergency Relief AR
930-4
Provides emergency financial assistance, and personal budget counseling;
coordinates student loans through Army Emergency Relief education
loan programs. MORE
ARC - American
Red Cross AR
930-5
Provides communications support between soldiers and families and
assistance during or after emergency or compassionate situations.
Armed
Forces Recreation Centers
Army Substance
Abuse Program AR
600-85
Provides alcohol and drug abuse prevention and control programs
for DA civilians.
Better
Opportunities for Single Soldiers DAC
608-04-1
Serves as a liaison between upper levels of command on the installation
and single soldiers.
Career
Counselor AR 601-280
Explains reenlistment options and provides current information on
prerequisites for reenlistment and selective reenlistment bonuses.
Chaplain
AR 165-1
Provides spiritual and humanitarian counseling to soldiers and DA
civilians.
Claims
Section - Staff Judge Advocate
Handles claims for and against the government, most often those
for the loss and damage of household goods.
Combined
Federal Campaign (CFC) Stateside
Combined
Federal Campaign (CFC) Overseas
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the annual fund-raising drive
conducted by Federal employees in their workplace each fall. Each
year Federal employees and military personnel raise millions of
dollars through the CFC that benefits thousands of non-profit charities.
Community Counseling Center
Provides alcohol and drug abuse prevention and control programs
for soldiers.
Community Health Nurse
Provides preventive health care services.
Community Mental Health Service
Provides assistance and counseling for mental health problems.
Defense
Commissaries DOD
Reg 1330.17-R
Operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to
military personnel, retirees and their families iAuthorized patrons
purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge. Shoppers save
an average of 30 percent or more on their purchases compared to
commercial prices.
Equal
Opportunity Staff Office AR
600-20
Provide assistance for matters involving discrimination in race,
color, national origin, gender, and religion. Provide information
on procedures for initiating complaints and resolving complaints
informally.
Family
Advocacy Center AR
608-18
Coordinates programs supporting children and families including
abuse and neglect investigation, counseling, and educational programs.
Fisher
House
These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during
the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
MORE
Housing Referral Office
Provides assistance with housing on and off post.
Inspector
General AR
20-1
Renders assistance to soldiers and DA civilians. Corrects injustices
affecting individuals, and eliminates conditions determined to be
detrimental to the efficiency, economy, morale, and reputation of
the Army. Investigates matters involving fraud, waste, and abuse.
Legal
Assistance Office - Staff Judge Advocate
Provides legal information or assistance on matters of contracts,
citizenship, adoption, martial problems, taxes, wills, and powers
of attorney.
Morale Welfare
& Recreation AR 215-1
NCO AUSA
Noncombatant Evacuation Operations
FM
3-05.104
Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) is, as the name suggests,
a plan to ensure that family members and other noncombatants can
be evacuated to a safe place in the event of a natural disaster,
civil unrest or any likelihood of military conflict. MORE
Social Work Office
Provides services dealing with social problems to include crisis
intervention, family therapy, marital counseling, and parent or
child management assistance.
Transition
Office AR
600-8-7
Provides assistance and information on separation from the Army.
Tricare
Dental (United Concordia)
Tricare
Health
USO - United
Services Organization
Provides morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed
military personnel. The original intent of Congress-and enduring
style of USO delivery-is to represent the American people by extending
a touch of home to the military.
AER CAN USUALLY HELP WITH EMERGENCY NEEDS
FOR:
AER can help active duty soldiers and their dependents, ARNG and
USAR soldiers on active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents,
retirees and their dependents, and surviving spouses and orphans
of soldiers who died while on active duty or after they have retired.
Rent
a. Payment of initial rent and deposit.
b. Payment of rent to prevent eviction.
c. House & trailer payments to prevent foreclosure.
d. Emergency Shelter.
Utilities
a. Payment for required deposits.
b. Payment of bills to prevent termination of utilities.
c. Phone bills (exception to policy, must be mission essential).
Food
a. Assistance may be provided for food and food stamps to prevent
deprivation.
Required Travel Expenses
a. Emergency leave.
b. Emergency travel.
c. Extraordinary costs involved in meeting port call or permanent
change of station (PCS).
d. Convalescent leave authorized by medical authorities.
Essential Privately Owned Vehicle (POV)
a. Must be essential for unit mission.
b. Must be essential transportation for dependents.
c. Cost of repairs essential to maintain one vehicle per family.
d. Vehicle insurance premium for period of emergency need.
Funeral Expenses
a. Assistance normally is not provided for costs that are reimbursed
by insurance, Social Security, Veterans benefits, etc.
b. Funeral costs should be commensurate with the applicant's desires
and financial ability.
c. Assistance is authorized for dependents, a parent of soldier
or a spouse.
Clothing
a. Assistance for clothing is provided only when the clothing is
needed for everyday living.
Medical, Dental and hospital Expenses
a. Medical treatment or hospital expenses that are not elective
but medically required.
b. Paying bills or a required down payment cannot be deferred through
usual repayment period.
c. Dentist requires a down payment.
d. Assistance for prosthetic devices, such as orthopedic shoes,
hearing aides, glasses etc.
Non Receipt of Pay
a. Assistance will not be based on amount of pay due.
b. Will be limited to basic needs for subsistence.
Loss of Funds
a. Will not be based on amount of funds lost.
b. Will be limited to basic needs for subsistence.
c. Gambling losses are not valid.
d. The loss must be reported to military or civilian police.
AER CANNOT HELP WITH:
Nonessential needs Ordinary leave or vacation
Fines or legal expenses Debt payments
Home purchase or improvements Purchase, rental, or lease of a vehicle
Funds to cover bad checks Marriage or divorce
Continuing assistance Active duty soldiers needing assistance need
to pick up the appropriate forms (DA 1103), Air force members need
to pick up AFAS Form 2 at their unit, complete the forms, and obtain
the commander's signature. Unaccompanied dependents, surviving spouses
or orphans, retirees, and others not assigned to or under control
of a Fort Meade unit may pick up forms at the AER office. All applicants
need to bring their military ID card, current LES and substantiating
documents (car repair estimate, rental agreement, etc.).
Our office also provides emergency assistance to members of other
services through their relief agencies. Army members can also receive
assistance at any Navy Relief, Air Force Aide Society, or Coast
Guard Mutual Assistance Office. If not near a military installation,
soldiers can receive assistance through a local American Red Cross
Chapter.
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ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE (ACS)
Designed to assist commanders in educating military personnel in
matters pertaining to personal and family wellness; all military
I.D. card holders and DoD civilian employees are eligible to receive
ACS assistance and enroll in ACS programs. ACS offers the following:
Army Emergency Relief Program:
Service members can apply for emergency financial assistance through
Army Emergency Relief. AER provides interest-free loans and/or grants
to active-duty soldiers, their family members, and retirees for
emergency needs. AER does not provide funds for legal fees, fines,
taxes, monthly bills, ordinary leave travel or to cover bad checks.
Consumer Affairs and Financial Assistance Program:
Provides education, client advocacy and advice on consumer and financial
matters. Facilitates training on money management, investments,
banking and smart shopping. Sponsors Money Management classes, PCS
and Deployment Financial Preparation, specifically designed to assist
target audiences. Provides assessments to determine if an exception
to policy for immediate on-post housing or child care is warranted,
based on financial need. Advocates to resolve consumer complaints,
fraud and scams.
Army Family Team Building:
Assists the military members and their families with adapting to
the military lifestyle, and offers a resource for those new to the
community and needing information on the community.
Community Symposium:
The Community Symposium implements the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)
and is a community-wide symposium designed to give individuals an
opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions on how to improve
life and living conditions for all members of military community.
Exceptional Family Member Program:
An installation Exceptional Family Member Consultant is available
to ensure that Exceptional Family Members receive comprehensive,
coordinated special needs services through the military and/or civilian
community. Assist families in developing solutions to individual
and community EFM issues and problems (for example, inaccessible
facilities and programs). Informs and advises the installation commander
of EFM needs and resource requirements. Co-facilitates "Mom's
Night Out" support group, an opportunity to support and share
information with moms of special needs children. Provides assessments
to determine if an exception to policy for immediate on-post housing
and child care is warranted based on medical need.
Family Advocacy/Emergency Services:
Provides education and advocacy to minimize incidents of child,
spouse and elder abuse (physical, verbal, emotional). Education
topics include Stress Management, Child Lures, and Active Parenting.
Information & Referral Program:
Provide Commanders, Soldiers and Families with comprehensive information
regarding military and civilian community resources. Link soldiers
and families with available resources at the lowest cost and without
duplication of services. Follow-Up with families who have long terms
needs.
Employment Assistance Program:
Conducts employment and personal development workshops to help improve
job seeking skills. Maintains up-to-date information on job vacancies
and required experience/training. Provides information, referrals
and job search workshops. Offers a computer lab with access to the
World Wide Web for job searches, and provides instruction on resume
writing and preparing for job interviews.
Relocation Assistance Program:
Assists military families through phases of transition (PCS's, ETS's,
extended TDY's). Provides world-wide installation information through
welcome packets and an automated information system. Facilitates
sponsorship training, cross-cultural adaptation, and Stress Management
workshops. Coordinates family support groups and Family Care Plan
training. Chairs the Relocation Assistance Coordinating Committee
formed to resolve transition issues. Loans household goods (futons,
pots, pans, dinnerware, irons, coffee makers, playpens, high chairs,
etc.). Conducts overseas workshops.
Volunteer Program:
Gives the members of the community the opportunity to use their
skills and talents to enhance the ACS programs. For those who volunteer
their time, ACS can provide training, job opportunities, free child
care and the chance to form lasting friendships.
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FISHER HOUSE
The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership
that supports America's military in their time of need. The program
recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform
and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian
need beyond that normally provided by the Department of Defense.
These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at
the most stressful time -- during the hospitalization for an unexpected
illness, disease, or injury.
There are currently 32 houses located on the grounds of every major
military medical center and several VA medical centers. These houses
play a key role and are a vital asset to our military by allowing
them to care for casualties, and their families, from Operation
Enduring Freedom and will play a critical role in caring for casualties
from Operation Iraqi Freedom as well.
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NONCOMBATANT EVACUATION OPERATIONS (NEO)
NEO is, as the name suggests, a plan to ensure that family members
and other noncombatants can be evacuated to a safe place in the
event of a natural disaster, civil unrest or any likelihood of military
conflict. NEOs are conducted to assist the USA Department of State
in evacuating noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, selected
host-nation citizens, and third country nationals whose lives are
in danger from locations in a host foreign nation to an appropriate
safe haven. They usually involve a swift insertion of a force, temporary
occupation of an objective (e.g., a USA Embassy), and a planned
withdrawal after mission completion. NEOs are usually planned and
operated by a JTF and conducted under an Ambassador's authority.
Force sizes can range into the hundreds with all branches of armed
services involved, while the evacuees can number into the thousands.
At least ten NEOs were conducted within the past decade (e.g., Eastern
Exit (1991, Mogadishu, 300 evacuees), Assured Response (1997, Monrovia,
2400 evacuees)). Unclassified publications exist that describe NEO
doctrine (e.g., DoD, 1994), case studies (e.g., Siegel, 1991; 1995),
and more general analyses (Stahl, 1992; Lambert, 1992) are also
available.
In order for any plan to work, it is essential that the participants
fully understand all aspects and stages of the plan. The readiness
of participants will ensure that the process of evacuation will
be achieved smoothly and without unnecessary stress. Noncombatant
readiness is like buying insurance, you hope you never have to use
it, but you are glad you have it if and when you need it.
Unlike other insurance, this insurance only costs a bit of time
and preparation for it to be successful.
One of the key things to remember is that because of the limited
time during a crisis, noncombatants should prepare for any contingency
by having a NEO kit assembled. The kit should include a backpack;
documentation of US citizenship or legal residency; a three day
supply of light weight, high energy, ready to eat food; a 30 day
supply of prescription medication; a small transistor radio with
extra batteries; bottled water; toiletries and a three day supply
of baby formula, diapers and other baby hygiene items.
In the event of a NEO situation, noncombatants should also carry
with them any non-replaceable documents, about $100 in cash for
any emergencies, extra seasonal clothing, a first aid kit, a flashlight
with extra batteries and a blanket or sleeping bag. More detailed
information and helpful things are available in the Department of
Defense Noncombatants Handbook.
The groups that will be covered by the NEO will include Military
sponsored family members, DoD Dependent Schools faculty and staff,
U.S. Embassy non-essential staff and dependants, DoD invited contractors
- who are not mission essential - and their dependants. Others who
will also be covered by the plan will include U.S. citizens in commerce
and industry, U.S. citizens' alien spouses and/or children, legal
permanent residents of the U.S., nonessential diplomatic staffs
and U.S. citizen tourists.
In the event of a crisis, the U.S. Embassy will monitor the situation,
and based on the seriousness of the crises, will put the NEO plan
into effect in stages. "First, the embassy will advise the
American community through travel advisories and warnings. This
is the voluntary phase of NEO. Noncombatants would be advised by
the embassy about the changes to the current security situation
and might be advised to consider departing the affected area or
not traveling there. During this phase, the embassy would provide
all possible assistance to U.S. noncombatants.
The second phase is more serious and might include an ordered departure
of U.S. government and DoD noncombatant personnel. The embassy would
inform al U.S. citizens about the ordered departure and would again
advise U.S. citizens to depart the affected area.
If a situation develops quickly and the Department of State requires
assistance in the evacuation of noncombatants, the the Secretary
of State will request that the military assist in the evacuation.
This is the third phase of NEO. During this stage, the military
will assemble the noncombatants and then either relocate or evacuate
them to a safer place.
Each unit has NEO wardens who are responsible for checking on his
or her group of noncombatants and continuously updating the group
on any new information. In the event of a developing crisis, people
should stay at home or a safe place, listen to American Forces Network
television and radio for advisories, and prepare to react to instructions
from their NEO wardens.
In the event of a military assisted evacuation, US Forces would
establish assembly points where noncombatants will assemble. Once
the noncombatants are screened for eligibility, the military will
move the noncombatants to an evacuation port or relocate them to
a safe place until they can be evacuated.
To make the whole process work successfully requires practice.
Noncombatant readiness exercises conducted, usually during the spring
and fall each year. During these exercises, a full dress rehearsal
of NEO is conducted. The purpose of this exercise is to train all
participants in the procedures to follow during the alert and assembly
phases to instill realistic expectations. During some exercises,
selected noncombatants will be evacuated through the system to test
the relocation, evacuation and safe haven phases of the plan. The
full time NEO staff uses the lessons learned from these exercises
and from actual evacuations around the world to continually refine
the military assisted evacuation plan.
Evacuation can be made easier and less stressful by attending regularly
scheduled NEO briefings, and knowing how to get there quickly. Always
carry U.S. citizenship documents, a portable radio and be prepared
to evacuate on short notice.
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