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478 HR Co. Family Readiness Group

NEWSLETTER
Volume 4, Issue 1 July 2012

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OPSEC & Ham!

~Author Unknown
(Found on various social media sites)

Superfoods for All-Star Heart Health

You know diet plays an important role in living a heart-healthy life, but do you know which foods can keep your heart pumping stronger, longer? These top five superfoods from The American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the Nutrition Action Health Letter will not only make you feel good, but will help protect you against heart disease, the top killer of adults in the U.S. 1. Beans. Each tiny bean, according to the ADA, has a powerful combination of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Researchers have found that diets including beans may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. 2. Salmon. The omega-3 fats in salmon can help reduce the risk of sudden-death heart attacks. Not into fish? Some other options to get omega-3 fats include walnuts, fresh ground flax seed and canola oil. 3. Mushrooms. Stocked full of antioxidants that help protect cells from free radicals, which can lead to cancer and sometimes heart disease, mushrooms are a great source of potassium, copper and certain B-vitamins. 4. Garlic and onions. Research shows these two foods may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, control blood pressure, prevent life-threatening blood clotting, act as antioxidants to reduce cancer risk, and even promote immunity. For the greatest benefit, use the actual vegetable and stay away from onion and garlic powders. You may need to eat one garlic clove daily to make a difference. 5. Blueberries. These fun little berries are bursting with antioxidants. In addition to fighting off heart disease and cancer, blueberries can also fight aging. Theyre loaded with dietary fiber and vitamins A and C. Surprise superfood: Dark Chocolate! Eating heart-healthy can be a special treat, too. The ADA reports that recent research shows components of the cocoa bean and dark chocolate could positively impact the cardiovascular system, kidney function, brain health, immune system, diabetes and blood pressure. In fact, dark chocolate may help limit the build-up of plaque in arteries by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. To reap the health benefits of dark chocolate, make sure the chocolate has at least 70 percent cacaootherwise, its just candy. For more heart-healthy living tips, visit TriWests Heart Health website at www.triwest.com/hearthealth.

I am Sam. Sam I am. Do you like OPSEC and Ham? I do not get it, Sam I am.... We must use it her and there. We must use it everywhere. You CAN share it in a car. But you CANNOT in a bar. You CANNOT share it in a text. You CANNOT share it in the PX. You CAN say it in your house. But should NOT tell a random spouse. You CAN say it in your shower. But do NOT go sharing at happy hour. DONT make the FRSA sweat. DONT post it on the internet. You CANNOT share it in a tweet. That would not be very sweet. Beware of Facebook and Myspace too. It's tempting to let your feelings through. You CANNOT tell it to a friend. NOT even at the very END. It isn't a privilege to know a date. DON'T tell ANYONE or they may be late! Oh, I get it, Sam I am. Now I get OPSEC and Ham! I will NOT tell anyone, I will keep hushed until they're done! I will not tell him or her. I will NOT tell my dog with fur. I will NOT tell my child's teacher. I will NOT tell any creature. Thank you, THANK YOU, Sam I am. Thank you for clearing up OPSEC and HAM!!!

In this Issue OPSEC & Ham Avoiding Frauds and Scams After a Natural Disaster Military's New R&R Plan PTSD Those Eligible Must Submit a Claim Iron Chef gets creative with MREs A Summer in Your City

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Avoiding Frauds and Scams After a Natural Disaster

Unfortunately, natural disasters tend to attract con artists and criminals who take advantage of people who have been devastated. The best way to protect yourself from frauds and scams after a natural disaster is to stay alert and be cautious. The following information will help you understand what to look for and how to stay away from the most common scams. Home repair frauds Home repair and cleanup frauds are especially common after natural disasters. It's important to be very careful about hiring anyone to work on your home. Be wary of anyone who comes to your home offering rebuilding or cleaning services after a natural disaster. Disreputable contractors often solicit door to door. Don't hire anyone to work on your home without getting references and checking out the business with the Better Business Bureau. Also confirm that the business or individual is licensed to do work in your state by contacting your local or state building department. Never pay a home contractor or any other vendor in cash. Do not sign over your insurance settlement check. Only pay by credit card or personal check. Be sure not to pay in full up front. Always ask for written estimates. Get a second opinion before hiring anyone. Don't be pressured into hiring someone who is offering a "one-day-only" special or a discount for hiring him on the spot. Fake charities Con artists may pretend to solicit money to help the victims of a natural disaster. The made-up name of their group will often be almost identical to a well-known, reputable charity. Check out any charitable group you are unfamiliar with. There are nonprofit watchdog groups that evaluate charitable organizations on their performance in a number of areas. Here are some respected organizations to contact: Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, rates organizations based on their financial filings and other information. Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau, www.give.org, offers guidance to donors on making informed giving decisions. If the charity isn't listed on any of these sites, call the charity-registration department in your state attorney general's office to make sure it is legally registered as a nonprofit in your state. Ask for and read information about the charity. Give money to organizations you know. Be wary of out-of-state organizations, especially if their only address is a post office box. Ask the solicitor to describe clearly how your donation will be used. Request a copy of the organization's annual report. Legitimate charities will gladly send you written information when requested.

Never make cash donations and always make your checks payable to the organization, not to the individual soliciting. Do not give out your credit card number to a solicitor. Be careful when responding to charitable solicitations that come through the mail. Read all solicitations carefully, including the fine print. Be alert to potential e-mail scams. E-mail solicitations may actually link you to a fake Web site that looks like the site of an established charity, but exists solely to obtain credit card or other personal information illegally. Some con artists may also pretend to be Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives collecting a "processing fee" for an emergency loan or other assistance. If you get a phone call or visit from someone claiming to be a representative of a particular agency, always call the agency to confirm that the representative is legitimate. Identity theft Many people lose important papers and documents after a natural disaster. These items, which often contain personal information such as Social Security and credit card and bank account numbers, can be used by identity thieves to make purchases and open new accounts in your name. Contact your creditors immediately to report lost credit cards. Contact your bank if you have lost checks or a bank card. Use a paper shredder to dispose of any papers or documents with personal information when you are cleaning up after a disaster so identity thieves can't get your personal information. Get a copy of your credit record a few weeks after the disaster to be sure that no one has illegally used your personal information. All Americans are eligible for a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Resources Credit reporting agencies 1-877-322-8228 www.annualcreditreport.com All Americans are eligible for a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Due to security reasons, www.annualcreditreport.com does not work from overseas. If you are stationed outside the U.S. or deployed overseas, you can print the form to order your report by mail at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/include/requestformfinal.pdf. DisasterAssistance.gov www.disasterassistance.gov This comprehensive site will help you search for disaster relief by the type of assistance you need or by federal agency. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 1-800-621-3362 www.fema.gov/rebuild/ The Recover and Rebuild page has information on what to do immediately after a disaster. You'll also find information on applying for emergency assistance from FEMA, as well as tips for filing an insurance claim. Military Relief Organizations Army Emergency Relief (AER) 1-866-878-6378 www.aerhq.org Emergency financial assistance is available to active-duty Soldiers, members of the Reserve component on extended duty, certain retirees, and their families.

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) 1-703-696-4904 www.nmcrs.org Provides interest-free loans and grants to help with emergency needs to active duty, Reserve, and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their eligible family members. Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) www.afas.org Provides emergency financial assistance to active Air Force members, Reserve component members on extended duty, retirees, and their dependents. The Disaster Center www.disastercenter.com This commercial site has links and phone numbers for most major insurance companies. Click on "Disaster & Emergency Insurance Claim Reporting Information." Go to www.disastercenter.com/agency.htm for an extensive listing of agencies that help victims of disaster. Your military support services Each service branch sponsors information and support programs for service members and their families. You can call or visit any installation Army Community Service Center, Marine Corps Community Services, Fleet and Family Support Center, or Airman and Family Readiness Center regardless of your branch affiliation. If you aren't near an installation, National Guard Family Assistance Centers are available in every state. The Local Community Resource Finder on the National Guard Family Program at www.jointservicessupport.org will identify your closest center. Military OneSource This free 24-hour service is available to all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members (regardless of activation status) and their families. Consultants provide information and make referrals on a wide range of issues. Free face-to-face counseling sessions (and their equivalent by phone or online) are also available. Call 1-800-342-9647 or go to www.militaryonesource.mil to learn more.

Thousands of Veterans Sign Up For Job Education

http://www.gibillmagazine.com/thousands-of-veteranssign-up-for-job-education.html

Unemployed veterans may be heading back to school in mass under a federal program to get out-of-work veterans trained and back in the job market. Officials at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs say there has been an enormous response to a new skills-based program that pays for up to a year of education toward an associate degree or a noncollege-degree or certificate. In fewer than seven weeks since the VA began accepting applications for the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), 27,080 unemployed veterans have applied. Thats more than half the maximum amount the VRAP program will allow in its first year, VA spokesman Randal Noller said this week. The VA introduced the program on May 15 and received 12,000 applications within the first two weeks of the announcement. But while the response is encouraging, Noller said they will continue to promote the program until every slot is filled. We are hopeful that we leverage all 45,000 slots for FY (fiscal year) 2012 but are not letting up on our outreach efforts until all 99,000 slots through the end of the program are approved, Noller said in an e-mail. The program is first-come, first-serve for qualifying veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 who are unemployed at the time of the application. Veterans who are currently receiving unemployment benefits or are enrolled in a federal or state job training program do not qualify. This clause disqualifies most veterans who recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan because they qualify for other forms of relief including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance that can provide similar assistance, Noller said. Veterans who do qualify can receive up to 12 months of education assistance in high demand areas including health care, management and legal services. The VA will approve up to 45,000 veterans through September 30 of this year and up to 54,000 veterans in the next fiscal year beginning October 1. The program runs through March 2014. Its a very new and very fast-moving program that were getting out there to help veterans as quickly as possible, Noller said.

Military's New R&R Plan Doesnt Include Leaving Afghanistan

The U.S. military is rolling out a new rest and recuperation program for troops fighting in Afghanistan. But some wont be leaving Afghanistan under the rest-in-place program. R&R sites are being established within brigade or regional areas of operation, with a range of amenities provided by Morale, Welfare and Recreation. A fourday Special Liberty Pass is the ticket in! The decentralized approach at the brigade level was chosen because it provides leadership the flexibility to design R&R programs that fit their requirements, yet takes care of Servicemembers needs for a break close to their unit area. Most sites have been identified and some are operational. The rest will be operational soon. The Special Liberty Pass program is for all Servicemembers not authorized for the only other formal R&R program, the 15-day Non-Chargeable Rest and Recuperation (NCR&R) leave program. For details about this program, click:
http://1.usa.gov/PehoKX

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Effects of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Family

https://www.militaryonesourceeap.org/achieves olutions/en/militaryonesource/Content.do?conte ntId=8393

Trauma that happen to one person can affect everyone else in the family and cause major problems. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make somebody hard to be with. Living with someone who is easily startled, has nightmares and often avoids social situations can take a toll on the most caring family. Early research on PTSD has shown the harmful impact of PTSD on families. This research showed that Vietnam veterans have more marital problems and family violence. Their partners have more distress. Their children have more behavior problems than do those of veterans without PTSD. Veterans with the most severe symptoms had families with the worst functioning. How does PTSD have such a negative effect? It may be because those suffering with PTSD have a hard time feeling emotions. They may feel detached from others. This can cause problems in personal relationships and may even lead to behavior problems in their children. The numbing and avoidance that occurs with PTSD is linked with lower satisfaction in parenting. Common reactions of family members Family members of a person with PTSD may experience the following: Sympathy. You may feel sorry for your loved one's suffering. This may help your loved one know that you sympathize with him or her. However, be careful that you are not treating him or her like a permanently disabled person. With help, he or she can feel better. Negative feelings. PTSD can make someone seem like a different person. If you believe your family member no longer has the traits you loved, it may be hard to feel good about them. The best way to avoid negative feelings is to educate yourself about PTSD. Even if your loved one refuses treatment, you will probably benefit from some support. Avoidance. Avoidance is one of the symptoms of PTSD. Those with PTSD avoid situations and reminders of their trauma. As a family member, you may be avoiding the same things as your loved one. Or, you may be afraid of his or her reaction to certain cues. One possible solution is to do some social activities, but let your family member stay home if he or she wishes. However, he or she might be so afraid for your safety that you also can't go out. If so, seek professional help. Depression. This is common among family members when the person with PTSD causes feelings of pain or loss. When PTSD lasts for a long time, you may begin to lose hope that your family will ever "get back to normal." Anger and guilt. If you feel responsible for your family member's happiness, you might feel guilty when you can't make a difference. You could also be angry if he or she can't keep a job or drinks too much, or because he or she is angry or irritable. You and your loved one must get past this anger and guilt by understanding that the feelings are no one's fault.

Health problems. Everyone's bad habits, such as drinking, smoking, and not exercising, can get worse when trying to cope with their family member's PTSD symptoms. You may also develop other health problems when you're constantly worried, angry or depressed. Family members may feel hurt, alienated or discouraged because your loved one has not been able to overcome the effects of the trauma. Family members frequently devote themselves totally to those they care for and, in the process, neglect their own needs. Social support is extremely important for preventing and helping with PTSD. It is important for family members to take care of themselves; both for their own good and to help the person dealing with PTSD.

DOD, VA Partner to Help Prevent Suicide

Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said his agency is working with the Defense Department (DoD) to end veteran homelessness and to identify possible contributors to Servicemember and veteran suicide. Suicide is the second-highest cause of death for young people ages 25 to 34. Shinseki stated that intervention, or the act of interrupting a potential suicide, primarily is a reactive response. Veterans suffer disproportionately from depression and substance abuse, and they are high on the list for joblessness as well. All of these factors contribute both to homelessness and suicide. Another focus at VA is the transition of the Servicemember to veteran, and how that process works for those who may be vulnerable to suicide or its precursors. Efforts at the VA must focus on aggressive outreach to veterans and families, and the provision of high-quality and cutting-edge mental health treatments to those in need. To aggressively tackle some potential precursors of suicide, the VA is focusing on veteran homelessness and on creating a "warm handoff," referring to a fledgling process through which a health care liaison is tasked to collect transitioning service members' medical records, make initial appointments in an appropriate VA medical center, and facilitate a personal handoff to the new facility, for Servicemembers who transition from the military to the VA. To understand more about this topic, please go to: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=116833

VA Continues PTSD Outreach with AboutFace Campaign

In observance of June as PTSD Awareness Month, the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has begun a new online initiative, AboutFace, focused on helping Veterans recognize PTSD symptoms and motivating them to seek treatment. The AboutFace campaign introduces viewers to Veterans from all eras who have experienced PTSD and turned their lives around with treatment. Through personal videos, viewers will meet Veterans and hear how PTSD has affected them and their loved ones. Visitors will also learn the steps to take to gain control of their lives. AboutFace, which is PTSD specific, was designed as a complementary campaign to VAs current Make the Connection (www.MakeTheConnection.net) campaign. Make the Connection uses personal testimonials to illustrate true stories of Veterans who faced life events, experiences, physical ailments, or psychological symptoms; reached out for support; and found ways to overcome their challenges. VA is committed to ensuring the men and women who bravely served our Nation can access the resources and services tailored for them that can lead to a more fulfilling life. For more information on this program, please click: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Blue Star Museums Offer Military Families Free Tickets

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/05/26/blue-star-museums-offermilitary-families-free-tickets/

Dozens of museums in Michigan will offer free admission this summer to active duty military personnel and their families. In its third year, the Blue Star Museum program is available to active duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members), which includes active duty Reserve and active duty National Guard. More than 1,500 museums across the country are taking part. The offer is good from Memorial Day, May 28, through Labor Day, September 3, 2012. In addition to the Detroit Institute of Arts, several other cultural cornerstones in Metro Detroit are participating partners with Blue Star Museums. Military personnel can also gain free admittance to: Detroit Historical Museum Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Cranbrook Art Museum (Saarinen House) Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Flint Institute of Arts Grosse Pointe Art Center Longway Planetarium Museum of Cultural and Natural History Pine Grove Historical Museum Plymouth Historical Museum Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm University of Michigan Museum of Art Walter P. Chrysler Museum Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways For a complete list of participating museums and more information about the program, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Eligible members should visit their specific service's Web site and submit their application on-line; on-line submission provides a claim number, allows for automated status updates, and provides a means for the military service to contact the applicant. If eligible members do not have internet access, they should print, complete and sign Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment. Next, choose the appropriate method for submitting the claim form and available supporting documents based on your service specifications. This information can be found on your service's stop loss Web site. The following documents are examples of authorized source documents but may not be comprehensive, depending on specific status and service. Note on Eligibility Effective Dec. 19, 2009, per the Defense Appropriations Act, stoplossed servicemembers who voluntarily reenlisted or extended their service, and received a bonus for such reenlistment or extension of service, became ineligible to receive retroactive stop loss special pay. There may be rare circumstances where an individual can be eligible for this pay and have received a bonus. The Department continues to encourage all who believe they may qualify to apply and allow a service counselor to review each individual situation. Source Documents 1. DD 214 (8-09), Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or DD 215 (8-09), Correction to DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 2. Personnel record or enlistment or reenlistment document recording original expiration of service date. 3. Approved retirement/transfer to the Fleet Reserve memorandum or orders establishing retirement prior to actual date of retirement as stipulated in DD 214 or DD 215. 4. Approved resignation memorandum or transition orders establishing a separation date prior to actual date of separation as stipulated on DD 214 or DD 215. 5. Signed documentation or affidavit from knowledgeable officials from the individuals chain of command acknowledging separation/deployment, etc. 6. Revocation of retirement or separation orders.

Those Eligible Must Submit a Claim By October 21, 2012

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP. To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to servicemembers, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media. But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. The average benefit is $3,700. General Procedure Individuals who meet eligibility criteria should submit an application by October 21, 2012. By law, there is no authorization to make payments on claims that are submitted after the deadline.

Military.com Launches Military Transition Center

Military.com announced the launch of their online Military Transition Center today, which features revolutionary personalized checklists to guide a member through transition even before they begin their separation process from the military. Designed to be the first place a military member goes to plan their transition, members input their estimated separation date and will then receive scheduled email notifications with checklists to help them prepare for their exit from the military due to retirement, separation, or a move to the National Guard or reserves. The checklists not only help to ensure the member is on track for planning for their future, but provide valuable information on healthcare, benefits, relocation, and translating military skills for potential civilian employers and resume writing assistance. This tool was built to bridge the communication and cultural gap between the military and civilian worlds. Read more at: http://on.mktw.net/LiFDty

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Iron Chef gets creative with MREs

http://www.army.mil/article/14328/iron-chef-gets-creative-with-mres/

Can a celebrity chef, restaurant owner, cookbook author and winner of the Food Network's "Iron Chef," create five-star, restaurant-quality dishes out of two Meals Ready to Eat' "Mission: MRE" assigned Chef Roberto Donna and Sous Chef Claudio Sandri only 30 minutes to create at least two dishes out of two MREs. They were allowed to use only five ingredients total, in addition to unlimited herbs and spices, in Donna's Arlington, Va., restaurant "Bebo Trattoria." The mission was assigned by Soldiers Radio and Television's Ana Allen, who produced it as a segment for "Army Newswatch," now airing on the Pentagon Channel, American Forces Networks overseas and almost 1,000 cable channels nationwide. "It's for our guys in the Army, so anything that makes them feel good and (helps them) do their job is a pleasure," said the Italian Donna, admitting that he wasn't sure about the idea at first. "I say, 'What' What are you talking about'' I was kind of surprised, but then, talking to Ana, she explained it. It's challenging and it's for a good cause. If you can make people feel better and laugh a little bit, it's good." Given a list of MRE flavors ahead of time, Donna picked vegetable manicotti and grilled chicken, but he couldn't open the packages until the clock started, so he didn't know exactly what he was getting. He said that as a chef, the MREs were a little scary, but that it's amazing that Soldiers can carry full meals with them. The manicotti and chicken weren't that bad, either. According to Donna, they were very similar to what can be found in many supermarkets. They just needed a little help. Donna added some pork sausage, tomato puree, basil, onion and garlic to the manicotti, topping it with the ubiquitous cracker found in almost any MRE. The pasta wasn't very al dente, so he wanted to add some firmness and texture with the cracker. The whole mixture then went into the oven. He added some of the same tomato puree to the grilled chicken and melted some mozzarella on top to make chicken parmesan. Then Donna toasted some flatbread he found in the MRE and rubbed garlic on it, serving it alongside the chicken. Desserts were more of a challenge. First, Donna cut out a circle from a poppy-seed cake and sliced it in half, layering the pieces with homemade fig preserves and adding an orange sauce. For the second dessert, Donna used only MRE ingredients, topping a caramel-apple Ranger bar with peanut butter, M&Ms and a sauce he made from a hazelnut-chocolate drink mix. This was the least favorite of Army taste-testers Sgt. 1st Class Randy Randolph and Sgt. Ashleigh Torres of SRTV. They gave it two stars, Torres saying it tasted like medicine. The other dishes were a much bigger hit, especially the chicken parmesan, which earned four stars. "It's delicious," said Randolph, adding that he thought it deserved five stars. "This is definitely a five-star meal. It beats throwing water into a bag." The poppy-seed cake also received four stars, while the manicotti earned three, although the Soldiers still said it was fantastic. "A little bit of olive oil and garlic, they taste good," said Donna. "It's just a little bit of imagination. This is Italian style. I think any cuisine can fix them their own way. "I'm very happy with the two main dishes. I agree with the chocolateand-apple cracker and peanut butter was a little strange-tasting, but if you like those tastes, it's good. I think all together I'm pretty happy

with the job that we did. I added ingredients that were pretty good and easy to work with." Vegetable manicotti in a tomato and sausage ragout with breaded topping: three Army stars Ingredients: 1 vegetable manicotti in tomato sauce (MRE item) 1 cup pork sausage A,A1/2 cup tomato puree A,A1/2 cup wine A,A1/4 of an onion 1 clove garlic 1 white cracker (MRE item) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil Fresh basil Tabasco sauce (MRE item) Method: Finely chop onion and garlic. Pour olive oil in a medium sized skillet and sautAfA onion, garlic and pork sausage over medium heat. Add wine, tomato puree, salt, pepper, fresh basil and Tobasco to taste. Add vegetable manicotti and warm it all the way through. Coarsely chop a white cracker and set aside for topping. Plate manicotti and ragout sauce in an oven-proof dish. Add cracker topping and bake in the oven at 350 A,Ao for 15 minutes. Serve hot. Chicken parmesan in a tomato sauce over garlic bread: four Army stars Ingredients: 1 grilled-chicken breast (MRE item) Two large slices of mozzarella cheese 2 slices of flatbread (MRE item) A,A3/4 cup tomato puree 2 cloves of garlic A pinch each of salt, pepper and oregano 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 sprig of rosemary Method: Coat pan with olive oil over medium heat. Chop one clove of garlic and sautAfA until golden. Pour in tomato puree. Add salt, pepper and oregano to taste. Place grilled-chicken breast into sauce and then place mozzarella cheese on top of chicken to melt over medium-low heat. Coat another pan with olive oil and toast flatbread until golden brown. Remove bread from pan. Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub it over the flatbread. Place bread on a plate and scoop finished chicken parmesan on top. Decorate with a sprig of rosemary. Lemon poppy-seed cake with fig marmalade and orange sauce: four Army stars Ingredients: 1 lemon poppy-seed cake (MRE item) A,A1/4 cup fig marmalade A,A1/2 cup sugar 1 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon orange rind 1 cookie cutter Method: Take lemon poppy-seed cake and cut it into a circle with a cookie cutter. Carefully slice dessert horizontally into two cakes with a knife and place on a dessert plate. Spoon a generous amount of fig marmalade between the cake slices. Place a dollop of marmalade on top of the cake.

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families

Caramelize A,A1/2 cup sugar over low heat. Once the sugar has a golden-brown color, pour 1 cup orange juice and 1 table spoon orange rind and reduce sauce over medium heat. Place left over poppy seed cake pieces around the dessert and dribble reduced orange sauce all over cake. Caramel-apple Ranger bar in a chocolate hazelnut sauce with M&Ms and a crunchy peanut butter topping: two Army stars Ingredients: 1 caramel-apple Ranger bar (MRE item) 1 packet of chocolate-hazelnut cocoa powder (MRE item) 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon peanut butter (MRE item) 1 packet of M&Ms (MRE item) Method: Slice the caramel-apple ranger bar into 1 inch slices and save the crumbs for topping. To make chocolate sauce, mix chocolate-hazelnut powder with a couple of tablespoons of water in a separate bowl. Pour sauce into a shallow dish. Place the sliced ranger bar on top of the chocolate sauce and decorate with M&Ms around the dessert. Take a tablespoon of peanut butter and mix in crumbs left over from ranger bar. Place dollop of peanut butter topping on top of dessert and enjoy.

A Summer in Your City

Military kids go places. There even used to be a t-shirt that said so, with a giant picture of the earth placed prominently in the center. And its truemilitary kids get to visit and live in countries all across the world, from Japan to Turkey to Guam. Ask them, and theyll likely say this is one of the best parts of being a military kid. Ask the parents and guardians of these children, and they might tell you that going places is one of the most difficult parts of being a military family but a summer without a PCS move can present its own set of challenges. When your family is conditioned to being constantly on the move, what can you do during a summer season when youre not scheduled to be anywhere? Here are a few ideas for creating a memorable summer of adventures close to home. Stay Organized First things firstmake a schedule. When youre a kid, the days of summer seem infinite and wide-open with possibilities. This is true to some extent, but when there isnt any structure to this infinity, youll start to hear the dreaded chorus of no ones favorite song: Im bored. Of course the summer months should include all of the fun activities your family wasnt able to do during the school year, but it can also be a time of high productivity. As you set your daily, weekly, or monthly schedule (or all three), be sure to include your family in this planning process, so your schedule doesnt turn into another chore list. Blending the fun with the functional, take this opportunity to keep up good habits practiced during the school year (kids making their beds in the morning) and schedule social events you now have more time for (sleepovers, block parties, movie nights, etc.). Take a Mini Vacation Most think that vacations need to involve an epic journey to a mysterious island thousands of miles away. In reality, most of us only need a few days to relax and recharge, and you dont have to break out the atlas or the big bucks to find a place to do it. Plan an overnight trip to a campsite for fishing and hiking. Take a look at Reserve America (www.reserveamerica.com) for a list of nearby sites by state, most of which are pet friendly. Are there state or amusement parks within a few hours of you? Whether youve finally been sucked in by those ads for the new X-treme Death Coaster

5000, or were planning to visit out-of-state relatives or friends, these might be some great places to stop along the way (and staying with friends and family could take care of lodging). Dont forget the attractions already in your backyard! Take a day to check out monuments or museums, many of which are free or have discounts for military families. Also, if youre near a military installation, you can check with the Leisure Travel Services at their Community Center, who might not only have ideas for weekend getaways, but also deals. Take on a Challenge August will be here before you know it, and wont it be nice to look back and have accomplished something? In addition to creating a schedule for the summer, it could be helpful to also set summer goals for both your kids and the entire family. Could your sons reading comprehension be better? Create a chart that tracks his progress and helps him build to a reward for every book he reads. Does your daughter want to make the swim team in the fall? Schedule some time for her to do laps and drills at the local pool, or find a summer team for her to join. Maybe youve found out that the next duty station will likely take your family overseas. Why not use the summer to take a crack at learning the native language? Some challenges are even inspired by the seasonare you hoping to somehow stay (or get) in shape after months of ice cream, cookouts, and late night pizza parties? Sign the family up for an end-of-summer fun run/walk, and make sure you carve out time each day to be actively working toward completing that goal together. Be Creative Yes, TV is amazing, and it seems like they come up with extra addictive programming for the summer months, but remember back in the day how much fun it was to get lost in a good book all afternoon? It still is fun. Of course there are great choices for purchase and download, and there are always tons of options at the old free book store: the library. You can create reading challenges, or use what your family reads as inspiration to put together homemade books with original stories. An added bonus to burning time is hopefully burning off some energy as well. Organize a neighborhoodwide field day, dividing kids into teams (complete with decorated t-shirts) to compete in fun games for a few hours, or create a neighborhood water park, with different stations at each house: water guns at your house, sprinklers and a slip-n-slide next door, water balloon wars across the street. It could be so much fun that the adults will want to join in, too! No matter what you do, the summer break will come and go, but with a little work, you can make the months both productive and fun-filled for the entire family. Start

Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families