512th AW Airman & Family Readiness supports the needs of the Reserve force

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  For 512th Airlift Wing Reservists, one of the major components of being mission ready is ensuring family and personal matters are in order. This is where the 512th AW Airman & Family Readiness office can help.

Commanders and first sergeants from across the wing received a briefing during the Unit Training Assembly on Jan. 10, 2015 on the programs and services offered by the 512th A&FR office. The briefing focused on increasing awareness of the support the organization provides to Air Force Reserve Airmen and their families throughout their military careers.

Working in tandem with the active-duty Airman & Family Readiness Center here, the 512th A&FR office takes on a Team Dover approach to meeting the physical, social, mental and spiritual needs of wing Airmen and their families.

Programs covered at January's leadership briefing included:

· Deployment readiness: provides assistance and support to families across the four phases of the deployment cycle
· Transition assistance: includes information and skills training for those separating from active duty
· Personal financial readiness services: promotes information, education and personal financial counseling to help individuals and families maintain financial readiness and build resiliency
· Employment hiring assistance: offers services to support military, civilians and family members in achieving short and long-term employment
· Personal & Work life services: assists with the readiness of the force and includes prevention/enrichment education designed to enhance the individual's knowledge, skills and abilities to anticipate and meet challenges throughout the various stages of the family life cycle

Organizations partnering with the 512th A&FR to provide programs and services to Reserve Airmen and their families were also on hand during the briefing to distribute information and answer questions from the wing's leaders.  These organizations included:

· Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

· United Services Organization (USO): provides morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel. Nearly 120 USO Centers around the world.

· Heroes 2 Hired (H2H): provides quality career readiness assistance to Reserve Component Service members preparing for the next civilian career.

· Operation Military Kids: the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment.

· Military One Source: Department of Defense program that provides information on military children and youth issues, programs, initiatives, and military and civilian partnerships.

· Liberty Wing Key Spouses: ensures the well-being of family and friends of deployed Reservists by providing them information, communication and resources.

During the March UTA the 512th A&FR will be focusing on Financial Readiness just in time for the 2015 tax season. Several classes will be offered and financial advisors will be available to assist Reservists with financial questions and concerns.

The 512th AW A&FR is co-located with the active-duty 436th A&FR office on the housing side of the Dover Air Force Base golf course here. For more information on the programs and services offered by the 512th AW A&FR as well as office hours and telephone numbers, visit their unit website (512th AW A&FR).