Installation Issue Paper

2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

LOCAL ISSUE # 1: Availability of Self-Service Mailing

SCOPE: There is no provision for customers to self mail packages. Availability of a

self-service parcel postage machine eliminates the need for waiting in the general
customer service line while providing Soldiers and family members more flexibility with
mailing time. Post office hours coinciding with normal Soldiers duty hour limits access
to mail services.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Install a 24-hour self-service parcel postage machine at the Fort Carson Post Office.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: This issue has been sent to the Installation AG Office to research.

STATUS: Active
 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

LOCAL ISSUE # 2: Re-Integration Programs for Parent/Teen Relationships

SCOPE: There are no programs that focus exclusively on the needs of teenagers
during the reunion process following deployments. Parents and teens often have
difficulty reconnecting during post deployment reunions. Anxiety surrounding the re-
establishment of parent/teen relationships during this critical period causes disruption of
family dynamics.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Establish programs that specifically deal with parent/teen relationships during post-
deployment.
2. Establish teen support groups for discussion of post-deployment issues with their
peers.
3. Provide training to liaisons to be a bridge between parent and teens to maintain
support structure.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by Mr. Kemp, Director, DMWR

1. Teen Reunion will be established as part of the CYS Keystone Club. The Keystone
Club will be open to all youth. The Teen Reunion group will begin in January 2007.
2. CYS will establish a teen-parent reunion group with the support of installation
partners. Groups will be both separate and together to discuss issues and problems
solve. Group sessions will begin in February 2007. Vernita Wimbish will establish the
installation team and plan the curriculum for the group sessions. Because reunion
issues can begin at anytime, this group will be on going as a part of the deployment
cycle. The teen/parent group will be open to all parents and teens as support during
deployments.
3. To ensure the teen/parent group is meeting the needs of the attendees, an
evaluation survey will be developed by the installation team. The evaluation survey will
allow both the professionals conducting the group and the participants attending the
group to provide necessary feedback for the success of the group. This tool will assist
the team members in the preparation for the group to ensure the needs of teens and
parents are being met at the meeting. Group dynamics could change the focus of the
group session.
4. Deployment support for schools will include parent workshops on a monthly basis to
discuss the children and youth issues. The CYS School Liaison Officers will work
closely with the installation team to facilitate parent workshops. McDonald Kemp, MWR
STATUS: Active. Planning stage with implementation beginning in January and
February 2007
 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

LOCAL ISSUE # 3: On-Post Dog Park

SCOPE: There is no enclosed, off-leash dog exercise area on Fort Carson. In the past
two years, housing has replaced approximately 1500 carpets, 80% of those due to pet
damage. In addition, pets damage walls, glass doors and sod in the yards. According
to Fort Carson Veterinary Services, properly exercised and socialized dogs will be less
likely to be destructive and aggressive in the housing areas. A dog park will help
reduce damage to government quarters and property and will promote safe interaction
with people and pets.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Create an enclosed dog park on Fort Carson.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by Mr. Kemp, Director, DMWR DMWR has

considered building a dog park for several years. However, the project has not been
developed because of funding shortfalls. MWR has a CRB scheduled in January 2007,
where construction projects will be discussed. This AFAP issue will be used to support
the project as priorities are established. McDonald Kemp, MWR

STATUS: Active. This issue will not be implemented until funding becomes available.
 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

LOCAL ISSUE # 4: Pre, During and Post Deployment Family Retreats

SCOPE: There are no Army Family retreats to deal specifically with pre, during, and
post-deployment stressors on the family unit. Families unable to cope with these
stressors place a larger burden on the Soldier and available post resources. The
increased operational tempo of our forces causes repeated separations for extended
periods of time; therefore strengthening the individual family units strengthens the total
Army family.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Create a retreat program specifically for families pre, during, and post deployment.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by Family Life Chaplain Williams.

I agree that there needs to be retreats before, during, and after deployments
that help families and single Soldiers cope with stressors.
The way that this can be accomplished is that each individual Chaplain whose
unit is deploying be tasked by his/her battalion commander to conduct a one pre-
deployment retreat for marriage families and one pre-deployment for single Soldiers.
Once the unit gets back, the Chaplain can do one post-deployment retreat for single
Soldiers and one for families. Many times it is often hard for a chaplain to get funds for
one reason or the other, but if funds can be released from their commanders, these
retreats can be accomplished. If a Soldier or family is not interested in a pre-
deployment or post-deployment retreat because he/she is not "religious", ACS or MWR
may be able to provide these events. It would be good if ACS or MWR provide training
on stressors for those not interest.
It needs to be emphasized that these retreats not just be events in which a
person goes skiing, etc. Of course, this can be done, but to emphasize that this will be
a "training" event in which families or single Soldiers can receive training on how they
can deal with the stressors of pre-deployment and post-deployment. In regard to
helping children and teenagers, there could also be a subject matter expert who could
teach the children &/or teens about the stressors that they will experience and how to
adequately handle how things will be when Mom or Dad returns.
During deployment is also important. The FRGs give a great deal of support
during deployments, but unfortunately many spouses do not come for one reason or the
other. It could be that the rear-detachment Chaplain could work with the FRGs and set
up support groups for spouses and teens and have a "retreat or training event" in the
middle of the year's deployment. Other sources that could be used would be the
Chapels and Family Life Chaplain who could provide a retreat, training, and counseling
to family members.
 Response provided by Mr. Kemp, Director, DMWR. CYS recommendation –
installation partners (Chaplains, ACS, Family Life, and DMWR/CYS) work together to
establish on-going family retreats to support the deployment cycle. Family Retreats
would include but not be limited to family enrichment, couples and parent/child/youth
relationship. Retreats would include the entire family. The Retreats need to be on-
going by providing a Family Retreat Center that is easily accessible and that can be
used to support the entire deployment cycle. There are 3 possibilities: Coordinate and
collaborate with the Air Force to use Farrish Recreation Center (Woodland Park) for the
Family Retreats. Instead of being Army only become purple to support military families;
Develop Turkey Creek Ranch by building cabins and infrastructure to support the
Family Retreat Center estimated cost is $400.0K; Partner with the State of Colorado
concerning the development of Cheyenne Mountain State Park to support Family
Retreat activities. McDonald Kemp, MWR

STATUS: Active.
 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

Local # 5: Single Soldiers Meal Deductions

SCOPE: Basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) is automatically deducted from single
Soldier’s pay whether Dining Facility (DFAC) service is used or not. Single Soldiers are
not using the dining facility because of repetitive menus, lack of choice, scheduling
conflicts, and inconvenient hours of operation. Single Soldiers pay-out-of-pocket for
other meal choices and options; therefore, single Soldiers are paying for unused DFAC
services.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Eliminate automatic meal deductions while in garrison.
2. Institute a pay-as-you-go system when utilizing the dining facility.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Issue sent to IG for response.

STATUS: Active
 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

Local # 6: Injured Soldiers Support Network

SCOPE: There are no support networks available to individually redeployed injured

Soldiers. These Soldiers are not welcomed home the same as Soldiers returning with
their units. This creates a feeling of exclusion and lowers morale and unit cohesion.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Establish a trained installation support network for injured Soldiers upon return to
home station.
2. Create a “Welcome Home Team” within this network to provide support and
returning home ceremonies similar to the monthly installation retirement ceremony.
3. Develop a column in the installation newspaper to welcome home all soldiers.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Issue sent to medical hold companies for the AD and Reserve element
for response.

STATUS: Active
 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

FORSCOM ISSUE # 1: Inter-Region TRICARE Support Center

SCOPE: Transitory TRICARE Prime Beneficiaries are required by TRICARE policy to

re-enroll in a new region to receive routine, non-urgent care. The time-consuming re-
enrollment process between regions results in delayed care and wasted hours to
process the administrative paperwork. The current system steers Beneficiaries toward
expensive urgent and emergency care which increases expenditures system-wide.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Establish a support center that interfaces with all three CONUS TRICARE contractors
and requires a centralized point of contact.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by Steve Alcock, Service Area Director,

Colorado/Wyoming. Authority to fix is not within the purview of TriWest (nor any of the
individual Managed Care Support Contractors) or TRO-West. Recommend action be
elevated to TMA.

STATUS: Complete. Referred to FORSCOM for further action.

 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

FORSCOM ISSUE # 2: In-State Tuition Rates Regardless of Duty Station

SCOPE: The transitory requirement of the military life often prohibits military families
from being eligible for in-state tuition benefits. Military family members do not qualify for
in-state tuition in the U.S. and its territories when the selected academic institution is not
co-located in the state of the sponsor’s duty station. As a result military family members
are often limited in higher education choices due to the added costs of out-of state
tuition fees.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Arrange with states to waive out-of-state tuition fees for active duty family members
regardless of the duty location of the service member.
2. Generate support from public universities, state governors and legislators for
implementations.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by Ursula Miller, Fort Carson Education Center.

In-State determination is established through individual state statute. The state of
Colorado for example does provide in-state tuition benefits for both the Soldier Member
and family members stationed in Colorado and once attending a state institution the
family member can continue at the in-state rate even if the sponsor is transferred, as
long as the enrollments are continuous and the family member remains in Colorado.
Most states have similar laws tied to the co-location of the sponsor’s duty station or
home of record. Beyond these requirements a family member is viewed, just as the rest
of the civilian populace, that they must be from the state of the institution to receive an
in-state tuition rate. The primary reason for this is because in-state rate is supported
through the state income tax. The only way of accomplishing the issue is through state
legislative changes generated by strong lobbying within Congress and the individual
states.

STATUS: Complete. Referred to FORSCOM for further action.

 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

FORSCOM ISSUE # 3: Transferability of Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) Benefits to

Family Members (FMs)

SCOPE: There is temporary limited transferability of MGIB benefits to spouses. This

pilot program limits transfer of MGIB benefits to the spouse, but not other military FMs.
The entitlement is used as a re-enlistment option with restricted circumstances. These
restrictions are based on time in service, military occupation specialty, and length of re-
enlistment. Many Soldiers do not meet the re-enlistment criteria, preventing and
transfer of benefits to FMs. Soldier contribute to the MGIB through payroll deduction,
therefore Soldiers should be able to transfer their MGIB benefits to any FM (ID Card
Holder) rather than letting it go unused.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Authorize Soldiers the right to transfer the MGIB benefits to FMs (ID Card Holder)
regardless of time in service, or re-enlistment options.
2. Mandate transferability of full benefits to FMs (ID Card Holder) under the same
stipulations that apply to the sponsor.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by Ursula Miller, Fort Carson Education Center.

Requires congressional and legislative approval for a change in Chapter 30 MGIB
benefits.

STATUS: Complete. Referred to FORSCOM for further action.

 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

FORSCOM # 4: Home-Based Business (HBB) Approval Process

SCOPE: On-post retail agencies have input into approval or disapproval of on-post
HBB. This is a problem because on-post retail “agencies” position on potential
competitors negatively impacts HBB permits approval. Denial of HBB permits limits
portable career opportunities, restricts entrepreneurship and development/continuation
of HBBs. Limiting HBBs in military housing has a financial and negative impact on the
Total Army Family

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Remove on post retail from the approval process of HHB application.
2. Publish clear regulatory guidance for on-post HBBs.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Fort Carson Garrison Commander will research action that may be taken
locally.

STATUS: Local/Active FORSCOM/Complete. Referred to FORSCOM for further action.

 Installation Issue Paper
2007 FORSCOM Army Family Action Plan Conference

FORSCOM ISSUE # 5: Travel Cancellation Reimbursement

SCOPE: Most travel companies do not reimburse in full deposit, fees, and other
expenses associated with travel when cancellations are caused by unexpected military
commitments. Changes in deployments, permanent changes of station, temporary duty
(TDYs) and rest and relaxation (R&R) leave. This causes financial burdens, undue
stress and low Soldier morale affecting the military families’ life. Soldiers and their
families are losing money when unexpected military commitments require cancellation
of trips and/or relocation plans.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Amend the Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to include release from
commercial obligations of contract without penalization due to unforeseen military
commitments
2. Publish local directory of companies with full reimbursement policies.

Originating Installation: Fort Carson, Colorado

Originating Installation POC: Nancy Montville 526-4590

RESPONSE: Response provided by COL Kent Meyer, SJA Fort Carson. We can
accomplish recommendation #2 locally, but recommendation #1 can only occur by
changing the statute. That can only be done by the U.S. Congress.

STATUS: Local/Active FORSCOM/Complete. Referred to FORSCOM for further

action.