4th Maintenance Battalion Unit, Personal & Family Readiness

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Commanders Corner
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Holiday Safety Tips Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Get Connected with Tricare Tutor,com and more!

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 take advantage 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 operational tempo, 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. The 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. Lets use 2012 to build on our stellar reputation in how 4th Maintenance Battalion stands ready to serve our Corps. I am hopeful that everyone in my

4th Maintenance Battalion family has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Semper Fidelis, LtCol M. C. Griffin Commanding Officer 4th Maintenance Battalion

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Commanders Corner SgtsMaj Straight Talk 1 1 2 4

From the FRO Chaplains Message USPS Christmas Deadline Nominate a Family! Get Connected with Tricare

Seargants Major Straight Talk

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. I hope that you all have a Happy Holiday Season. Semper Fidelis, SgtMaj Braswell

Holiday Mail 7 for Heroes Tutor.com

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From the FRO:

Greetings, Marines, Sailors, Families and Friends!

Ms. Kati Toney

Family Readiness Officer 4th Maintenance Bn Charlotte, NC 704-598-0015 x337 BB: 704-488-9770 kati.toney@usmc.mil FACEBOOK Kati Toney-Fro

The holidays are here!! Its a time for celebrating with your families, friends, and loved 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 Force Protection 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

Holiday Safety Tips

During the holiday season, we are often busy, excited and sometimes we do not maintain situational awareness. The following crime prevention tips should be shared to help keep you and your family safe.

At Home
. Always lock doors and windows when you leave your house or apartment, even for a few minutes. . Don't display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store gifts before 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 apartment 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 of 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.

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VOLUME III, ISSUE 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.

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. 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 an inside 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" Miller Force 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 lawrence.miller1@usmc.mil lawrence.miller.civ@mfr.usmc.smil.mil

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Chaplains Message
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 homeschooling of three of our five kids: 9, 7, 5, 3, 1; my balancing of Hospital Chaplain CPE Training (full-time job with homework) and EMS Chaplaincy 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 lives. Peace. What does that mean to 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 11:2830. 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. struggles better with only our own strength? In Matthew 6 & 10, God cares for the helpless 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 worry about your life. There will be peace in your soul. This is a real promise. Thanksgiving has just passed us. Arent you glad grass is not 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 religious referral, call me anytime. Blessings, Chaplain Turpin Ph: 864-325-1828 Eml: chaplainturpin@me.com

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money. ~Author Unknown

Now, there is a catchyou must 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

USPS Deadlines for Christmas Packages

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 4TH M A I N T E N A N C E 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. BATTALION

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Nominate a Family!
Extreme Makeover Seeks Military Families for Holiday Episode
By Elaine Sanchez American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2011 The 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 will come 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 specifically geared 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 to jax@emhe.tv. For more information on how to apply, visit the shows website at http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply.

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Get Connected with Tricare!

MilConnect is New Online Portal for DOD Beneficiaries
By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service

"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)

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 civilian employment 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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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 primarycare 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!**

4th Maintenance Battalion

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

USMC: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome

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)

Tutor.com - Now Available for Reserves!!

Tutor.com for Military Families is the DoD's online, on-demand tutoring and homework help service, offering students a connection to a live tutor for individualized one-to-one academic assistance. Students can get help in over 20 subjects in math, science, social studies and English from kindergarten to 12th grade and for introductory college courses, including calculus and statistics. Because it is funded by the Library MWR Program and the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, it is free for eligible users! Tutor.com fast facts: Math, science, social studies and English help , as well as a real-time proofreading center Tutoring in standardized test prep and introductory college courses 2500+ tutors who have all passed a seven-year criminal background check as well as subject matter and communication exams 98% of our students say that they would recommend Tutor.com to a friend 86% say that they would feel more comfortable taking an advanced or AP level course if they knew they would have access to our service You can watch a brief video about our program at our website, www.tutor.com/military. This week we launched our expanded Tutor.com Mobile Services, which give military families the ability to connect to a tutor from any mobile device or tablet-including Androids! For more information about Tutor.com's Mobile Solutions, you can go to www.tutor.com/mobile.