Blog Posts from March, 2009
USAFE Blog: First C-130 delivered to Poland
It was a cold and snowy day at Powidz Air Base, but the spirits of all those who turned out to welcome the arrival of the mighty Hercules to Poland were high. With the dense cloud cover, we could hear the engines of the C-130 and its 2-ship F-16 escort before we could see them, but all looked skyward as the Herc flew over the assembled crowd.
The first Polish C-130E Hercules arrived at Powidz Air Base on 24 March 2009. In my role in the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, I serve as the in-country program coordinator; linking the many people in the U.S. who make this program a reality with their Polish counterparts. (more)
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www.EUCOM.mil: A Continuous Work in Progress
The feedback we've received from many of you has been phenomenal, and we've incorporated many of them, including daily EUCOM news headlines, better graphics, and, most recently, an improved blog page. We have a few more "upgrades" left in the queue, as we ramp up to support the Public Affairs effort for the 65th anniversary of D-Day in early June.
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Leaders are Champions for the QoL Cause
When General Craddock hired me as EUCOM Senior Enlisted Leader three years ago, he laid out four priorities for me. One of them was quality of life for Service members and their Families. A couple years ago at the December 2006 QoL conference, I spoke to the delegates and laid out what I foresaw to be our greatest quality of life challenges. A lot has happened since 2006. As co-chairman of the EUCOM Quality of Life Executive Steering Committee, I’ve seen tremendous diligence as we address issues brought to us from the conferences and resolve them through the QoL Action Plan.
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Programs to Support Soldiers and Families Affected by Current Housing Market
A message on the HAP's website states, "The President signed the American Economic Recovery Act which included expansion of the HAP authority. HAP is a Department of Defense (DoD) program, and they will establish policy guidance on applicant processing and benefits. Until that time, potential applicants may submit applications to appropriate HAP districts; however, no action will be taken on the applications until any change to the HAP authority has been enacted and DOD guidance is received."
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Delegates Present Issues for Commander's Consideration
Our fifth Quailty of Life Conference since 2004 is coming to a close. The conference culminated with five delegate spokespersons briefing their group's top issues to the EUCOM Commander, component commanders, Senior Enlisted Leaders, Senior Spouses, and conference participants. Below are the issues brought forward by the focus groups:
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DeCA Europe attends and supports quality of life conference
DeCA Europe Director, Thomas Milks, his wife Mary, and members of his staff attended this terrific conference this week. We are all grateful for the opportunity to meet and share with many of you in order to obtain a greater understanding of what is important to your life in the military. Many of you expressed great satisfaction with our stores and those of you who had issues provided excellent insight to areas where we need to take a closer look. The many employees of DeCA Europe are here to serve you and your families. We strive to make sure your commissary is always worth the trip! Keep up with your commissary benefit on www.commissaries.com. We hope to see you all next year...or even sooner at the May 09 AWAG conference here in beautiful Garmisch.
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Senior Spouse Briefings
We were fortunate this morning to have the opportunity to meet with Ms. Miles, director of DoDEA. She answered many of our questions concerning the changes and assessments they are working on with our schools. We all feel that DoDEA is on its way to being a better place for our children to learn, no matter the location of the school. Our day continued with informative meetings from the USO, and DECA. After a working lunch where we were informed and entertained by Chris Underwood, as he spoke about the Diversity of the Generations in the Work Force, we reconvened and learned more about
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Latest session in the EUCOM Forum for International Affairs
Yesterday the Commander s Interagency Engagement Group CIEG hosted the latest speaker in the EUCOM Forum for International Affairs series. Dr. Kathleen Reedy took a few days away from her work at the Human Terrain System Iraq Reachback Center to talk to roughly 50 EUCOM and AFRICOM personnel about identity and Islam with a focus on Muslims living in Europe and the Middle East. Dr. Reedy is an anthropologist PhD U. Edinburgh who has done a good deal of research into identity formation political symbols social and political identities and ethics. She raised a number of very interesting points in her talk which generated quite a lot of discussion and Q A afterwards.
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Focus Group Process Really Works!
One of the issues that came from my group was the active marketing of programs and services that are available in our communities. Through this conference alone, I have been made aware of programs and resources that are literally at the tips of our fingers! For those of you who have never browsed around on http://www.militaryonesource.com you are seriously missing out. In 38 minutes, I increased my knowledge of available resources by at least 50%. Want to do your taxes? Military OneSource! Want something translated? Military OneSource! Frustrated and want to talk? Guess where you can go…:)
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Focus Groups: The Heart and Voice of the QoL Conference
Why do we have focus groups at the Quality of Life Conference?
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Quality of Life Steering Committee Engages DoD Leaders
On Tuesday, members of the EUCOM Quality of Life Executive Steering Committee (ESC) met with senior Department of Defense officials. The QoL ESC is a body of leaders that govern the Quality of Life Action Plan. Members include the Directors of Personnel and the Senior Enlisted Leaders from EUCOM and each of the service component commands in Europe. The QoL Conference give members of the ESC the unique opportunity to engage with senior DoD officials and carry the command's QoL message to the Pentagon.
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Update on Teens
Today we received our feedback from 'upstairs' for of our issues got a green light, and from those we picked two. #1 Two flights back home for college students, and #2 A DoDDs foreign exchange program. So we split into two groups to polish these up. As I was in the group working on the foreign exchange program I am more informed on that one (and the other is rather self-explanitory: getting college students two round-trip tickets home if their family is overseas). As for the foreign exchange basically we are asking that DoDDs implement an exchange program between schools allowing students to completely experience other cultures in their theater. Said student needs a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
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The Value of a Military Experience
This has been a true and honest opportunity to express & share past experiences throughout the military. These good and bad experiences have been heard and considered for the future we hold within ourselves. These experiences may not be taken into action overnight, but someday we will see it happen.
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My voice counts
When I first came to the conference I wasn't sure what to expect. But each passing day provided me with the knowledge that I represent thousands in my position. That my opinions, and experiences were a vital part of making this conference work. So I asked myself if not me then who?
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More Teen Progress
Today we received our final feedback, since today was our last working day we had to finish up refining and work on our representative's speech for the out brief tomorrow.
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EUCOM QOL 2009 off to a roaring start
The 2009 QOL Conference started with a roar today, starting with some group focus time and moving on to some pretty informative and good information from some great speakers. I came to this conference with a tepid knowledge of the conference, but what I have learned today is that we are here all to make difference. From the encouraging words of GEN Craddock to the motivational words of Jacey Eckart, the road for this conference is clearly stated. Sitting in the Wounded Warriors/ Medical/ Dental care focus group has not only afforded me opportunity to announce my concerns for fellow Servicemembers, but also allowed me to see that a lot of these issues are multi-service issues. It has been great hearing from others who have been there done that, as well as hearing from subject matter experts on particular issues. I am learning more and more as the conference goes on. All in all I am looking forward to the rest of this conference, and I know that only good can com from a forum like th
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Teen Delegate Progress
So far we have succeeded in narrowing down our issues into our Top 10. These were submitted today to 'the guys upstairs' for approval. Our Number One topic submitted was getting plane tickets for college students (who live) CONUS to visit their family OCONUS twice a year instead of the current once a year. Our other issues include working on allowing high school students to learn to drive hands on, as few instillations have the new simulators to use. Also gaining a wider variety of vocational and academic curriculum; creating a specific time slot at facilities for teen use; Hiring better qualified individuals to work at the teen/youth center; providing services for high school graduate dependents studying/living from home. Tomorrow we will be working on polishing up these issues and more clearly defining them.
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DeCA Commissaries Accept Certificates through July
Representatives from the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) are at the EUCOM Quality of Life Conference in Garmisch. DeCA announced Friday that they WILL accept Certifichecks (gift certificates) through the end of July. No more "Certifichecks" will be sold in commissaries or onlin until a new gift certificate contract can be obtained.
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EUCOM Conference Update (from a delegate)
The EUCOM conference has been very interesting so far. We had some speakers for the morning and then it was back to the conference rooms for the remainder of the day. I would like to say I wish we would have more time to be 'delegates' to focus on the issues and to frame the needed topics in which to push forward. The shared experiences and interesting points of view are well worth the time and commitment to make an outstanding product. We feel connected as a team and feel a sense of accomplishment when we get the right word or right bullet to add to the paper. Each person brings a unique perspective to the table and can articulately and constructively get their point across. I am looking forward to tomorrow.
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Community outreach onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)
My intent is to ensure these folks become acquainted with the strength and readiness of the U.S. military through personal observation and direct engagement with the Sailors working aboard Eisenhower. These 6,000 Sailors are men and women of the highest caliber the United States Navy has to offer. They perform arduous duty under the most trying conditions.
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Recap: First Day Starts with Enthusiasm
The EUCOM 2009 Quality of Life Conference got underway Sunday. Delegates, guest speakers and command leaders arrived safely as they converged on the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany. After registering and checking in, delegates attended an orientation at which they were introduced to key conference staff members. Wayne Boswell and Tawania Brulles of the EUCOM Quality of Life Branch highlighted what delegates should accomplish this week, with the help of their facilitation team. Following the orientation, the delegates met in their focus groups to introduce themselves and start the "gelling" process necessary for effective focus group work. Each focus group is led by a facilitator and recorder, with support from subject matter experts in respective fields.
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Teens Share Their Voices to Advance Youth/Teen Issues
For the first time, this year's Quality of Life Conference has a focus group dedicated to teens. Ten teenage students from throughout Europe are digging in to represent the youth voice at the conference. Last year, two teenagers participated in a focus group made up primarily of adults. Their performance was so stellar, one of the teens, Victoria Rivera, was selected by her focus group to be the spokesperson during the outbrief to the EUCOM Deputy Commander. Their contribution inspired planners to have a focus group solely for teens.
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Day 2 Recap: Speakers, Focus Groups fill the day
European Command continued the Quality of Life Conference Monday, March 9. Speakers included Dr. Shirley Miles, Director, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA); Mr. Sam Retherford, representative from Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy and Jacey Eckhart, a motivational speaker, syndicated militarycolumnist, and author of "The Homefront Club."
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Provide Input and Issues
Single service members send us your thoughts.
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We're Off and Running at the 2009 QoL Conference
After months of planning we are off to a great start in Garmisch, Germany as delegates and senior leaders arrive for this year's EUCOM QoL Conference. Excitement is high, as the only worldwide joint event of its kind lifts off. Stayed tuned to the QoL Conference website for updates, photos and news from Garmisch. As we say here, the voice of one can have a worldwide impact in improving quality of life for the warfighter and family.
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2009 EUCOM Quality of Life Conference
The U.S. European Command is gearing up for its fifth annual Quality of Life Conference March 8-12, 2009, in Garmisch, Germany. Grassroots representatives from throughout the command will gather to share their concerns about subjects such as housing childcare deployment support services Wounded Warrior Care issues facing teenagers and much more. During the conference the 60 delegates will have opportunities to interact with senior EUCOM leaders Component Command leadership and Department of Defense officials.
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EUCOM Commander's Quality of Life Priorities
The 2009 EUCOM Quality of Life Priorities are:- Predictable Access to Mental and Physical Healthcare- Quality of Life Military Construction (incl. schools) and Funding- Adequate Housing and Full Dependent Education Support- Support for Child, Youth and Teen Programs- Deployment and Counsling Support for Servicemembers and Families- Advocacy for Servicemember Benefits and Entitlements
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Welcome to the 2009 QoL Conference
The US European Command hosted its fifth annual Quality of Life Conference, March 8-12, 2009, in Garmisch, Germany. Representatives from throughout the command gatheredto share their concerns about subjects such as housing, childcare, deployment support services, Wounded Warrior Care, issues facing teenagers, and much more. During the conference, the 66 delegates had the opportunity to interact with senior EUCOM leaders, Component Command leadership, and Department of Defense officials.
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What does Social Networking have to do with Quality of Life?
Next week, U.S. European Command will host its annual Quality of Life Conference in Garmisch, Germany.
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