1.  Click on hyperlinks to
go to websites that are
seen in this newsletter
February 2012
 FREE TAX ASSIS-
TANCE
Family
 Joint FRG Meeting
with Blackfoot FRG
FEB. 26th
NEWSLETTER FOCUSING ON SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF
DELAWARE FAMILY READ INESS GROUP. focus
Achieving your
Deployment Goals
As we approach our 4th month of separa- their circles.
tion from our Soldiers many of you have
either made resolutions before or after Don’t lose focus and keep a journal on
the new year. Many of you have chosen what you have accomplished so far. In
one or more of the following to loose months you will see that you have much
weight, workout more, volunteer, go to be proud of.
back to school, get out of debt, or save
money. Just know that there are many Remember that there are FREE benefits
other spouses in the same boat as you. during this deployment that can be used
Also you are not alone in obtaining your as a incentive for your hard work. The
goals. I know that there are days where I list of benefits are in this newsletter.
do not want to get off the couch but I
know if I don’t I will never hear the end There is nothing wrong with treating
of it from my workout group. yourself from time to time. We all need a
little boost to keep trucking along.
If you would like to become part of a
group, put yourself out there. Talk on the Sincerely,
Facebook groups and let people know
what you are interested in. Many of the Andrea Young, Delaware FRG Leader
spouses are looking to add members to
ARMY LIFE 101 

Lesson 1.2 - Military Acronyms and Terms
Lesson 1.3 - The Chain of Command
Are you a new spouse to the Army? Do you need
refresher course? Go to  Lesson 1.4 - Introduction to Military Customs and Courtesies
www.myarmyonesource.com and take the online  Lesson 1.5 - Basic Military Benefits and Entitlements
Army Family Team Building (AFTB) courses.  Lesson 1.6 - Introduction to Military and Civilian Community Resources
Level 1 Class Descriptions:
 Lesson 1.7 - Introduction to Family Readiness Groups
 Lesson 1.8 - Supporting Your Child's Education
 Lesson 1.1 - Expectations and Impact of  Lesson 1.9 - Introduction to Family Financial Readiness
the Mission on Family Life  Lesson 1.10 - Basic Problem Solving

2. Letter from the Commander
First I want to congratulate do not know how to devel- take ownership and estab-
Katherine and SGT Griffith op it further. The other lish an eight day patrol
for their new baby boy, thing that the NCO’s from schedule. Again, I don’t
Christopher Griffith. 3/B is working on is in- know how they did it but
creasing the ABP soldier the ANA that we work with
Well I am a bit late on this skills. The ABP is well today is far better than the
newsletter but better late skilled in basic soldier description from the last
than never. The Team and tasks; however, they lack on unit. I believe all ANSF
Battalion are doing great map reading. 3/B has been forces see the sincerity and
thing over here in getting teaching them classes and professionalism of our guys
after the enemy and transi- they are getting better. and strive to be the same.
tioning responsibility over Hopefully soon ABP will Also 2/D has a couple of
to Afghanistan security be able to navigate and guys who know some of the
forces (ANSF). Our mis- communicate exactly where ABP guys from last deploy-
sion here at COP Narizah is they received intelligence ment. SGT Wiley, SGT
focused on transitioning report, IED reports, and Viers, SPC Valentine, SPC
control to a Kandak basic SITREPs. Tabor, and SPC Wolford all
(Battalion) of Afghan Na- Other than that, 3/B has remember and were remem-
tional Army (ANA) with a been conducting some small bered by Taj Ali and the
Coy (Company) of Afghan basketball tournaments. ABP. They have ate with
Border Police (ABP) and Not sure which team has the ABP a couple of times
the district Police. been winning but my mon- to reminisce about last de-
ey is on SPC Woods and ployment. They have been
So far 3/B has done an ex- SPC Cotton’s team, height doing a great job and con-
cellent job of mending rela- wins out in basketball most tinue learning while they
tionships between ABP and of the time. 3/B has had a are here. SPC Sarris and
CF. I do not like to talk bad change of Platoon Leader. SPC Casey are getting some
about the last unit but they LT Carpenter has moved good learning experience
severely hurt the relation- into the S3 shop to fill the with new communication
ship that was built with gap that CPT Mobley will equipment to include almost
ABP and Delaware Compa- be leaving when he changes everything from computers,
ny last time. The unit that command with CPT Odowd HF to SATCOM radios.
replaced this company last in early March. LT Diaz is We all appreciate your sup-
time continued with the the new Platoon Leader. I port and love.
good relationship but 1- had a small fight to get him
26IN did everything they before A Co grabbed him. VR
could to separate them- He has spent time in the S2 CPT Dovie
selves from Afghan forces, shop. Diaz is a smart guy
which left 3/B with a daunt- who will learn a lot from 3/
ing task of fixing the rela- B. He will do great things
tionship. Not only has 3/B as 3/B has and will continue
mended the relationship but to excel.
they have given ownership
of the mission and areas of 2/D has been working with
operation over to ABP. the ANA to get them to take
ABP is planning and setting ownership and the lead in
a patrol schedule. 3/B’s the District. The last unit
next goal is to mentor them said the ANA is a good
into developing intelligence fighting force but is happy
from what they know al- with following. I do not
ready. They have a lot of know what 2/D said or did
good information but they but they got the ANA to

3. 3RD Platoon Blackfoot
Ten things you can do for
military saves week
For 2012, Military Saves Week is 19 to 26 4. Call your cable, telephone and cell
February. Military Saves Week is a cam- phone companies and ask for a less make a menu using as much of that food as
paign to motivate families to reduce debt, expensive plan. possible.
save money and take control of their finan- 5. Start an allotment or automatic transfer 10. Sit down and consider your long term goals,
cial lives. Maybe you can use Military to a savings account that is hard to ac- then think about how you are going to man-
Saves Week to make a positive change in cess. Not impossible, just hard. age your finances to make them happen
your financial life. What sort of things 6. Keep track of your spending for one There are probably a hundred other things that you
could you do? week. Better yet, one month. Look over could do to make financial progress during Mili-
1. .Start contributing to a Thrift Savings your spending at the end of the month tary Saves Week. I hope you will use this list to
Plan account (TSP), or increase your and evaluate how you feel about your spur your own imagination.
current contribution. purchases.
2. Call a creditor and ask them to lower 7. Sell some excess stuff on Craigslist or
your interest rate. Keep paying the Read more: http://www.militarysaves.org/
eBay, then put that money towards debt
same amount to pay off your debt or an emergency fund.
faster. 8. Open an IRA, or increase your contribu-
3. Use your tax refund to pay off debt or tions to your current IRA.
build an emergency fund. 9. Inventory the food in your house, and

5. Announcements!
Rank, Full Name
TF Blue Geronimo / Team Delaware
COP NARIZAH
What would you FOB SALERNO
APO AE 09314
like to see on
the
announcement
board? Got an
idea for a
Congrats to The Fundrais-
ing?
Griffith Family
on their
Baby BOY!
Got an
idea for a
Do you have teen SSG Elswick promoted
to SFC.
FRG who is interested
PFC Sarris promoted
meeting? in babysitting? If to SPC
so let us know. PFC Vanaman promot-
ed to SPC

6. Delaware FRG
Contacts
FRG Key Callers By platoon Email :
Delware1st501stFRG@gmail.com
HQ PLT /Dco — Teri Hahn
706.587.4186
FRG Contacts
rthahn92@gmail.com
FRG Leader — Andrea Young
1st PLT /Dco — Deidra Burns
253.297.4194
Deidra.burns@gmail.com
Mrsandiyoung@gmail.com
2nd PLT /Dco — Katherine Griffith
kathrine.griffith1@gmail.com FRG Co-Leader — Teri Hahn
706.587.4186
3rd PLT /Dco—Nicole Collins rthahn92@gmail.com
706.761.8664
Nicole33004@aol.com FRG Treasurer — Abby Warner
Stargazenlily@hotmail.com
4th PLT /Dco— Andrea Young
Mrsandiyoung@gmail.com FRG Secretary — Carol Sluser
253.297.4194 904.881.0655
Carol.Sluser@yahoo.com
3rd PLT/ Bco– Laura Forrest
stealthygr@aol.com
907.720.2742

7. New TRICARE Dental Contract
Starts May 1
New contract change will impact them in several rollment on March 21. Beneficiaries that pay by
ways. The cost of the TDP premiums will de- credit cards or personal checks MUST Re-enroll
crease. Single plans will now cost $10.30 instead with MetLife. Affected beneficiaries will receive
of $12.69. Family plans will now cost $30.89 letters from MetLife outlining the re-enrollment
Article By: rather than $31.72. There will also be improve- process.
www.militaryfamily.org ments to the benefit. These include: The National Military Family Association is
 New benefits: pleased with the new TDP contract that decreases
premium costs to beneficiaries and provides new
The TRICARE Management Ac-  Composite resin (white) fillings on posterior and enhanced dental benefits. However, our As-
tivity (TMA) announced the new teeth sociation raised a concern that some beneficiaries
TRICARE Dental Program (TDP)
contract for active duty family
 Dental accident with a $1,200 annual maxi- may experience a change in dental providers fol-
members, members of the Select- mum lowing the transfer to MetLife. We have been
ed Reserve and Individual Ready  No cost shares for scaling and root planning assured by TMA and MetLife every effort is be-
Reserve and their eligible family for diabetics ing made to maintain a robust network of dentis-
members, and survivors will begin try providers. Please let us know if you experi-
on May 1, 2012. TDP is only for
 Third cleaning during pregnancy ence a change in your dental provider because we
those residing in CONUS. TDP  Enhanced benefits: want to make sure there is as little impact on ben-
will now be managed by Metro-  Increase annual maximum for $1,200 to eficiaries as possible regarding access to dental
politan Life Insurance Company, $1,300 care.
Inc. (MetLife) instead of United
Increase of lifetime orthodontics maximum from It is important to be familiar with your TRICARE
Concordia. United Concordia will benefits.
$1,500 to $1,700
still manage the Active Duty Den-
tal Program. MetLife’s website is www.metlife.com/tricare.
Their phone lines will open and begin taking en-
H&R Block at Home® Free Tax Filing Service
Military OneSource is once again offering a free, electronic tax filing service. If you
are eligible under the Military OneSource program, you can complete, save, and file
your 2011 federal and up to three state returns online free with the H&R Block At
Home® tool.
To access this free version of H&R Block At Home®,
you must start your return from the Military OneSource H&R Block At
Home® link. Once you click the link you will be required to log in to Mili-
tary OneSource. From the login page you will be directed to a site con-
taining additional information on tax preparation, including the link to the
Military OneSource free H&R Block At Home® service.
If you have questions about this tax service or about preparing your own tax returns, please call 1-800-
342-9647 and ask to speak with a Military OneSource tax consultant. Trained tax consultants are avail-
able 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., EST. For information about deductions, exemptions, and
filing deadlines visit the Military OneSource Tax Program page.
Special alert: H&R Block does not send urgent or time sensitive text messages or emails asking
clients to provide, update or confirm sensitive data. These text messages are scams and are not
information requests from H&R Block. More information is available on the Military OneSource
Tax Program page

8. http://www.myarmyonesource.com/childyouthandschoolservices/CYSServicesOnlineTutoring/default.aspx
How it Works:
Army affiliated students submit a one-time registration (at right) to obtain their
passcode. Students can then use it to log in (at right) from home or any computer.
They enter their grade level and the subject they need help in. They are then connect-
ed to the first available subject expert tutor in an online classroom. Students and tu-
tors work together in an online classroom using controlled chat and an interactive
white board. Students can send computer files, such as essays, to the tutor for review
and assistance. They can also share educational websites.
 Educational support is available for Kindergarten – 12th grade and college prep.
 Subjects supported are all grade levels of math, science, English, and social stud-
ies.
Preparations for career transitions, writing resumes and studying for exams are avail-
able for Adults.
About the Tutors:
Tutors are certified teachers, college pro-
fessors, professional tutors or graduate
school students from across the country,
who have been hired by Tutor.com, the
provider of Live Homework Help®. Tutors
with expertise in math (including algebra,
geometry and calculus), science (including
earth science, biology, chemistry and phys-
ics), social studies and English composition
are available.
*For United States (U.S.) active duty military service members, U.S. military reserv-
ists, U.S. National Guard personnel on active duty and DoD civilians, and their de-
pendents

10. 2012 Tillman Military Scholar Program PAT
Courtesy: Department of The mission of the Pat Till- itary.com Military Scholar- TILLMAN
Veterans Affairs man Foundation is to invest ship Finder for other oppor-
in Veterans and their spouses tunities to help pay for col-
Tillman Military Scholar through educational scholar- lege.
Program Opens Monday, ships and building a diverse
February 13 community of leaders com- Read more: http://
mitted to service to others. militaryad-
The Military Scholar Pro- vantage.military.com/2012/0
On Monday, February 13, the
gram offers financial assis- 2/tillman-military-scholar-
Pat Tillman Foundation will
tance to Servicemembers, program-2012/
begin taking applications for
Veterans, and their spouses #ixzz1lFaaPRBf
the Tillman Military Scholar
to cover academic and/or MilitaryAd-
Program. Applications will
living expenses while in vantage.Military.com
be accepted until March 16th.
school. You must pursue an
In 2002, Pat Tillman left his
undergraduate, graduate or
post-graduate degree as a full
Apply to Become
NFL career and turned down -time student at a public or
a multi-million dollar con- private, 4-year U.S.-based a Tillman Military
tract with the Arizona Cardi- accredited institution to qual-
nals to enlist and serve his
country as an Army Ranger
ify. Scholar – Applica-
in the aftermath of the Sep-
tember 11th attacks. A role
For more information on
application and eligibility
tion Opens on
model of courage and patriot-
requirements please go to
ism, he served several combat
The Pat Tillman Foundation. February 13
tours, but was killed in a fire-
fight in Afghanistan on April
22, 2004. Be sure to check out the Mil-

11. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The following positions are still open and need to be filled:
Hospitality/Welcome Committee Chairperson Fundraiser Committee Chairperson
Coordinates with FRG leader and special
Keeps up with news of incoming families, new-
events coordinator on upcoming events
ly married couples, new babies, single
and financial needs
soldiers, illnesses, injuries, hospitaliza-
Coordinates with commander or first sergeant
tions in the unit
on training schedule and open times for
fundraisers
Calls new spouses and welcomes them to the
Canvasses membership about types of fund-
unit; invites them to upcoming FRG
raisers desired
events; provides an ACS welcome packet
Coordinates with commander about proposed
fundraiser(s)
Gathers information on the number and ages
Prepares fundraiser permission letter and
of children in each family and their special
delivers to FRG leader
interests
Works with publicity and phone tree chairper-
sons to get the word out about upcoming
Informs the FRG leader and Key Caller com-
fundraiser
mittee chairperson of incoming families
Complies with Army regulations and post rules
Works with fundraiser committee to plan the
Ensures that new families have been assigned
fundraiser
sponsors and Key Callers
Recruits volunteers and delegates to work
Supervises the fundraiser on the appointed
Sends flowers and cards to home or hospital
day
as appropriate
Safeguards funds and turns them over to the
treasurer or alternate as soon as practica-
Attends unit/battalion planning meetings and
ble
FRG events
Reports fundraiser results to FRG leader and
membership

12. February 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29
Helpful Websites Military Life
Military www.armyfamiliesonline.org Army Families Online
www.ice.disa.mil Customer evaluation system www.armyfrg.org Virtual FRG
www.army.mwr.com/portal/family/childandyouth/
www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm Gifts from the programs.asp CYS Programs
Homefront www.militarylife.com
www.militaryonesource.com general military
www.aw2.army.mil Army Wounded Warrior Pro- knowledge and info
gram www.milspouse.org
www.deploymentconnections.dod.mil www.military.com/spouse Military Spouse Career
Center
www.freedomquilts.net www.myarmylifetoo.com Family info, links to AFTB,
ACS
www.taps.org Tragedy Assistance Program www.nmfa.org National Military Family Assoc.
www.safety.army.mil/home.html
Medical
www.nmha.org National Mental Health Associa-tion Children
www.armyteenpanel.army.mil
www.tricare.osd.mil/ Tricare www.deploymentlink.osd.mil/kidslink/
grade_select.html
www.arfp.org/teenclasses Teen deploy-ment clas-
ses online
www.dod.mil/mtom Military Teens on the Move
www.military.com scholarship info
www.militarychild.org school issues
www.militarystudent.org DoD website for children in
transition
www.naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_milita.cfm Facts for
Military families and adoption