Family Support Group News
Dear JPJ Families and Friends,
I hope everyone’s Holidays were enjoyable.
Now that the Holidays are coming to a close our sailors will once again be getting underway and activities for JPJ FSG will
once again be beginning. Our December meeting was productive and I would like to thank Jolene Mitchell for volunteering as
our Children’s Committee Chair and continuing on as the United Through Reading contact person and chair. I would also
like to thank Maggie Martin for taking over as Hospitality Chairperson. Our next meeting will be Tuesday January 8, 2008 at
the Murphy Canyon Chapel, 6:30pm. As always childcare will be provided.
Hope to see you at the next meeting,
Julie Gushlaw
JPJ FSG President
Fsg_53@yahoo.com
United Through Reading
The families of the
USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) can
stay connected in a very special way during our upcoming deployment- through reading aloud on DVD! As we did last deployment we will are proudly participating in United Through Reading (UTR) throughout
this deployment. Simply pack a couple of age-appropriate books for your Sailor to take on deployment, and their face and voice will be in your living room in no time. During our 2007 deployment the JPJ mailed out 172 DVD’s
thru the UTR program. This is success rate we can all be proud of. This deployment will surly bring new challenges for everyone
since it is so close to the last one, the hope is the UTR program can ease the challenge a little by helping
the families stay connected.
If Dad is going to be deployed for the birth of his child, or if Mom is leaving a newborn during this deployment,
participation in United Through Reading is a great way to start the bonding process. Seeing your face and hearing your voice
on a regular basis assures your child that you are okay and helps your child learn the rhythm of your voice.
This program can also
benefit the older kids in their preteens & teens. I know they may think they are too old for this, but it can be comforting
for them to see their deployed parent and hear their voice. Please contact for me details on how to make this program work
for your older children, I am here to help.
Please remember, this program isn’t just for Moms and Dads;
everyone can participate. If
you have nieces, nephews, little brothers or sisters, grandchildren, or any other child in your life who you know will miss
their special Sailor plan ahead by packing books to send along with your DVD.
Are there any favorite stories your child has? Don’t forget to pack
that book. Remember to consider any holidays (Valentines Day, St Patty’s Day, and Easter) or special events (birthdays, loosing the first tooth, performances
and games) that you will be missing while deployed. Celebrate with a recording
of your loved one reading a
storybook for that special occasion. To learn more about United Through Reading,
visit www.unitedthroughreading.org or contact me, Jolene Mitchell your home front coordinator at annafia8@yahoo.com
The ship has a small collection of children’s books onboard for anyone to borrow
for reading purposes (not to be mailed home). If anyone would like to help expand the ship’s onboard library of children’s
book by donating a book or books please feel free to contact me and we can set up a drop off arrangement.
***********************************************************************
Educational
and Emotional Benefits
Ø Children’s self-esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent
or other caring person read aloud with them.
Ø Research has shown that reading to children in the early years stimulates brain growth
and leads to greater success in schools.
Reading
aloud explores a child’s curiosities and interests
***********************************************************************
Navy
Trivia:
True or False:
At one time some rates wore their insignia on their right sleeve.
Save the Date!
January is National Thank You Month: Don’t
forget to say “Thank you” more often to those around you! Try writing a thank you note or card or have a family
contest to see who can say thank you (and mean it) the most to help you remember to say “Thank you” more often.
January 1, 2008: Happy New Year!!!!!!
January 8, 2008: FSG Meeting; Murphy Canyon Chapel
beginning at 6:30pm
January 21, 2008: Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. Day
Ask the Ombudsman!
Question: Can you tell me what will be in this section?
Answer: This is your chance to
ask me a question and get an answer to it. Questions can be as simple as “What do you do?” or more complex questions
pertaining to resources that you want more information on or “Why is such and such done this way?” Unfortunately I won’t be able to answer every question in the newsletter but every effort will be
made to answer as many questions as possible throughout the year. I will
be choosing the questions that I believe will be needed by a majority of people. Even
if your question isn’t answered in the newsletter, I will email you the answer to your question as soon as possible-and
if I don’t know the answer I will give you a resource from whom you may get the answer.
To participate in this section, please email your questions to jpjombudsman@yahoo.com before the 20th of each month. Questions received after the 20th
of the month will be saved for possible use the following month. Please let me
know if you want to remain anonymous or if you don’t mind your name being used.
I hope you enjoy being able to increase your participation in the Ombudsman program.
Question: Why is the ship doing back to back deployments?
Answer: The Navy has a Fleet Readiness Plan (FRP) which was adapted in 2003
in order to maintain a quick response to the world events. The FRP calls for
6 of the 12 carriers to be able to deploy in 30 days and two more to be ready to deploy in 90 days. The idea here is to maintain the ships’ peak level of readiness for a period of time during which
they can be deployed. The period during which the ships can be deployed is called
“Surge”. The three levels of surge are: emergency surge status, surge
ready status, and routine deployable. Because we are in our surge period and due to the need for the USS Kitty Hawk to be
in dry docks, the Nimitz Strike Group, of which JPJ is a member, is needed to help maintain the US’s presence in the
world.
This Resource is for You!
Fleet and
Family Support Center(FFSC)-The FFSC offers a wide variety of services and programs to service members
and their dependents. Services include: clinical counseling, information and
referral, the Ombudsman program, Spouse Employment Assistance, New Parents Support, Relocation Assistance, Transition Assistance,
Personal Financial Management, Family Advocacy, Deployment Support and Sexual Assault Victim Intervention.
Fleet and Family Support Centers, found on Navy or Marine Corps bases around the world, are available to you if you are
eligible for services on base (e.g. you can shop at the commissary or can use a military medical facility at no cost). For those that don’t live near a FFSC, contact your nearest FFSC to get more
information on where to find resources near you.
To find the your local FFSC or to get more information about FFSC log onto https://www.nffsp.org/
Disclaimer: The Department of Defense,
Department of the Navy, and Navy Personnel Command do not endorse any commercial enterprise or their websites that may be
found within this section. Information on any commercial enterprise or
their websites are provided because of the useful information provided on these sites at no cost to the visitor.
Navy Trivia Answer: True
Established in 1841 and disestablished 2 April 1949, originally signified men of the Seaman
branch. During WW II these rates included Boatswains Mate, Turret Captain, Signalman, Gunners Mate, Fire Controlman, Quartermaster,
Mineman, and Torpedomans Mate. Other ratings wore rates on the left sleeve.
Source: Smith
Sr., Daniel. "Navy Historical Facts and Trivia." State Guard Association of the
United States. 1 December 2007.
<http://www.sgaus.org/hist_fac.htm >.
Handling Money During a Deployment
Six tips to financial success
by Rich Strickler, USAA Deployment Assistance Program
Manager
When service members are deployed, their spouses
are often left to run the household on their own, including paying the bills and balancing the checkbook. How can you
keep track of your family’s finances during this stressful time?
- Understand your family’s finances, including your monthly budget,
how much debt you owe and what funds you have for emergencies. Taking advantage of online banking services and automatic
payment plans can help ensure all bills get paid on time.
- Ensure you’re listed as a joint account holder on your spouse’s credit
card, banking and investment accounts so you’ll be authorized to make changes to the accounts, if needed, without your
spouse’s signature.
- Contact your local JAG office to create or update a durable power of attorney.
It will allow you to manage legal matters, such as refinancing your home. At the same time, ensure your wills are up-to-date.
- Seek out special deals and take advantage of the Servicemembers Civil
Relief Act, which affords active-duty military members exclusive benefits, such as reduced interest rates on credit cards,
mortgages and auto loans.
- Research financial institutions and the options they offer.
Some banks offer interest-free mortgage assistance loans to help military families who may experience a financial hardship
during a spouse’s absence. Some insurers offer reduced auto insurance rates for cars that will be stored.
- Save often. While it might not be a priority while on a stretched budget,
time is your biggest asset when it comes to growing your savings. If your credit card debt is under control, begin saving
for an emergency fund in a savings or money market account. Try to save at least three months of living expenses.
Then, start contributing to a retirement savings plan, such as a Roth IRA or the government’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
With a loved one in harm’s way, it can be hard to
stay focused on routine financial matters. But keeping your money goals on track can help ensure your household is prepared
for the future.
Source: Stickler, Rich " Handling Money During a Deployment” Military
Spouse. 1 December 2007. <
http://www.milspouse.com/money-during-deployment.aspx?terms=handling+money+during+deployment>.
CONTACT
YOUR SAILOR:
Sailors
love snail mail! Although we have the convenience of email, don’t forget
to send letters and packages to your loved one at sea! Send mail to:
Service Member’s
Name
USS JOHN
PAUL JONES (DDG-53)
FPO AP 96669-1271
Remember…sailors love snail mail!
