10 JAX AIR NEWS, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, July 16, 2009 FFSC: 'Truly embodies the idea that readiness begins at home' From Page 1 and other work/life special- ists who devote themselves to the well being of service members and their families. During this period of high-tempo deployments, utilization of Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) is at an all-time high. FFSC provides infor- mation and teaches practi- cal skills that help service members and families to cope with a highly mobile and sometimes-stressful military lifestyle. NAS Jax FFSC Director Carolyn McCorvey ex- plained, "Thirty years ago Navy leaders saw the need to put an agency in place that focused on fam- ily needs related to mis- sion readiness. FFSC truly embodies the idea that readiness begins at home. In my 10 years with FFSC, we've seen a lot of won- derful programs come on board. The most recent is our Individual Augmentee Support Program, but we also have added a number of classes that help prevent potential abuse by help- ing Sailors and spouses to improve their parenting skills." She added, "Any negative stigma about seeking help at FFSC has been removed because Navy commanders all the way up to CNO have long ago bought into the benefits of FFSC." "From stress and anger management, financial planning and couples com- munication to suicide pre- vention, new-parent classes, domestic violence preven- tion, relocation and transi- tion counseling and the list goes on FFSC helps make life more meaningful for Navy and Marine Corps families. Perhaps best of all, every program is free, so there's no reason not to uti- lize our wide-ranging ser- vices," concluded McCorvey. "Congratulations to our colleagues at Fleet and Family Support Centers for a phenomenal job," said NAS Jax Command Chaplain (Cmdr.) Gerald Felder. "The past 30 years Photos by Clark Pierce (From left) AFCM Ray Dimonda, a senior enlisted advisor from VR-58, joined NAS Jacksonville Command Master Chief Jeff Hudson and CWO5 Wayne Elliott, OIC of Southeast Regional Calibration Center, to pay tribute to FFSC for 30 years of accomplishments in support of Sailors and their families. have seen a true team effort evolve between FFSC and the Navy Chaplain Corps to make sure we effectively take care of the families, and single Sailors, in all our commands in the tri-base region. I serve on several boards and work closely with Carolyn McCorvey on a weekly basis to ensure our spiritual and family coun- selors work cohesively with FFSC to serve the needs of our personnel." Felder added, "FFSC is not only a partner with the Chaplain Corps, but also with other commands and organizations to make sure our people do not fall vic- tim to the pressures of life - and are well-prepared to take on their assignments in the fleet." "The relationship between command master chiefs and FFSC is a 30-year testa- ment to the Navy's commit- ment to enhance the quality of life for all military mem- bers and their families," said NAS Jax CMDCM(SW/ SS) Jeff Hudson. "Their counselors and work/life specialists never hesitate to come in early or stay late to assist with all phases of the deployment cycle. We appreciate this opportunity to show our appreciation to the profes- sionals at FFSC." "I first worked with Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Director Dave Faraldo dis- cusses the value of FFSC to maintaining squadron readiness with VP-16 Executive Officer Cmdr. Mark Melson. FFSC in 1984 at NS Philadelphia," said NAS Jax MWR Installation Program Director John Bushick. "Since then, I've always appreciated the strong, cooperative effort that they exhibit in complementing our programs. That's very evident in our childcare and youth activities initiatives, as well as their new-parent support program." Dave Faraldo, director of the NAS Jax Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, said, "We're delighted to be part of this celebration. We work hand-in-glove with FFSC financial specialists, as well as command financial spe- cialists, to provide inter- est-free loans or grants to service members who need money for emergency situ- ations. We look forward to the next 30 years." Cmdr. Mark Melson, exec- utive officer of VP-16, said FFSC is an integral part of the squadron's readiness program. "Our ombudsmen and command financial specialists have a strong relationship with Fleet and Family Support Center. In my first two months as XO, I've already witnessed a number of cases where they helped our Sailors and their families overcome some of life's obstacles." The "Windward Brass" quintet of Navy Band Southeast entertained guests at the Navy Region Southeast luncheon celebrating 30 years of accomplishments by the Jacksonville Tri-Base Fleet and Family Support Centers. Stratton helped plant FFSC seed By Clark Pierce Editor (( he idea for Fleet and Family Support Centers was conceived in the late 1960s and birthed in I. the late 1970s. It grew up in the 1980s and 1990s and has now matured in the new millennium," said guest speaker Alice Stratton, a former deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for force support and families, from 1985-89. "My husband, Richard, was a POW in Hanoi from 1967 to 1973. And that made me a single parent of our two small sons. Myself and other POW/MIA families were starved for information. We needed help to deal with the stress and uncertainties concerning our service members as well as keeping our lives together. We advocated for ourselves because at that time the Navy had no way to advocate for us. After our husbands returned from captivity, we contin- ued to build our advocacy for Navy families." "In 1978, I was honored to attend the Navy's first family awareness conference in Norfolk, Va. Despite a multitude of naysayers, our goal was to improve the status of Navy fami- lies in a time of shrinking resources some things never change. God bless our Chief of Naval Operations at the time, Adm. Thomas Hayward, who declared, 'We're going to do this because it's the right thing to do.'" "I was one of the principle organizers of the group that recommended the FFSC concept to the Department of Defense and presented it to the U.S. Congress 30 years ago. She said that in 1979, the first pair of Family Service Centers (FSC) opened in Norfolk and San Diego. In 1982, the first overseas FSC opened in Naples, Italy. Since then, more than 100 centers have opened around the world. In 2001, FSC changed its name to Fleet and Family Support Center. "Now, 30 years since the first center opened, we must con- tinue to evolve how we serve the readiness needs of our next generations of military families. As always, resources are scarce and we are tasked to do more with less. The lesson for us today is to maintain close contact between the FFSC and the Navy, its various commands and their ombudsmen to remain proactive, not reactive, in supporting our spouses and families. Thank you for your service, God bless you all, and God bless America," said Stratton. VP-30: Yaw takes over 'Pro's Nest' From Page 1 the executive officer and assumed command in May 2005. During this tour he completed a multi-site deployment to Diego Garcia, Bahrain, Kandahar, Afghanistan and Djibouti deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2006, Yaw reported to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. as the U.S. Navy's representative to the international program in the Naval Command College. In July 2007, Yaw reported to the Naval Personnel Command where he served as the assistant aviation captain detailer. Yaw assumes command of a squadron that has been marked by profound achievements during Fite's tenure from August 2007 to July 2009. During this period, the squadron earned the Cmdr. T.G. Ellyson Award for aviator production excellence presented to the Navy's most effective fleet replacement squadron; Golden Anchor Retention Excellence award; back-to-back CNO Safety "S" awards; and the Golden Wrench award for outstanding maintenance a first for VP-30. Additionally, the "Pro's Nest" FRS was awarded the Blue "M" and Blue "H" for medical and wellness excel- lence. Moreover, under Fite's leadership, he shepherded and championed the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPR) community's comprehensive transformation plan that will ensure the efficient and effective fleet integration of the Navy's newest combat aircraft the P-8A Poseidon and introduction of the BAMS unmanned aerial system. By establishing the MPR Weapons School, Fite revolu- tionized the post-FRS training continuum, which provides highly trained warriors to the fleet. Of perhaps the great- est significance, VP-30 continued its record of safe flying operations under a high-tempo training environment. The squadron recently achieved 45 years of mishap-free flying totaling more than 435,000 flight hours. NsAPA. i LA&BO Y CRIMINAL MILITARY DEFENSE We are here for Article 15s and Courts-Martial. We also advise on LORs, demotions, discharges, and other UCMJ or adverse administrative actions. 4309 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216 M fIl 1 Len Hackett Phone (904) 296-6751 Fax (904) 296-2712 Wolfgang Mertz Former CAPT US ARMY Former JAG Chief of Justice www.florida-law.com Area Defense Counsel ] U, 1. MAGNOLIA WEST 904-284-2559 close to Magnolia Golf & Country Club lot 135 3 bed/2 ba lot 147 4 bed/2 ba save $36,000 save $42,000 NOW $177,880 NOW $185,220 2. TRAILS AT BENT CREEK 904-573-6026 located in Bent Creek lot 56 lot 157 lot 195 3 bed/2 ba 4 bed/2 ba 3 bed/2 ba save $25,000 save $49,000 save $40,000 3. GENTLE WOODS 904-908-0050 choose home ownership! lot 4-87 3 bed/2 ba lot 4-103 3 bed/2 ba save $28,000 save $38,000 NOW $184,990 NOW $192,990 NOW $187,990 NOW $174,990 NOW $164,990 4. OLD PLANK PLANTATION 904-573-6387 sDacious inside & out lot 81 4 bed/2 ba lot 86 3 bed/ 2 ba save $38,000 save $53,000 NOW $211,990 NOW $204,990 5. WATERMILL 904-573-6387 convenient to Oakleaf Town Center lot 12-59 3 bed/2 ba save $20,000 lot 12-56 4 bed/3 ba/bonus rm save $57,000 NOW $239,990 NOW $243,990 SEACosruto Cman-G0280 rc &aaiaiit~~ f1hK!y sbet lto change without ntice~. S ayu o$,00twr oalcoigcst ihSD ppoe edr.*$ oeinS Alas SEDA NEW HOMES 9