corps connections october 2013

cORPS cONNEcTIONS

Serving MarineS and their FaMilieS in the national Capital regioniSSUE 24 • OCTObEr – DECEmbEr 2013

ThE FaCES bEhinD ThE FOODp. 8

Celebrate with the Marines ofH&S Battalion, HQMC, Henderson Hall

Saturday, November 2, 2013Cocktail Hour 6 PM Ceremony 7 PM

Followed by Dinner and Dancing ‘til Midnight

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel2800 South Potomac Ave. (Crystal City),

Arlington, Virginia 22202

for Tickets & Information, please visitwww.mccsHH.com/birthdayballHH2013.html

OCTObEr – DECEmbEr 2013 • Corps ConneCtions 3

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direCtorRoger Weger

depUtY direCtorSusan M. Lindquist

MarKeting oFFiCerDoriann Geller

advertiSing & SponSorShip teChniCianVacant

GraPhiC arTiST/WEbmaSTErJ. Felix Gonzalez

MarKeting teChniCianBarbara J. Mitchell

For advertiSingCall 703-309-7581Advertising rates at www.mccsHH.com.

Corps Connections is published quarterly by Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, P. O. Box 4009, Arlington, Virginia 22204-0009. Content is intended for military members in the National Capital Region and beyond. Copyright 2013 by MCCS. All rights reserved. The appearance of advertising and sponsors’ logos does not constitute federal or Marine Corps endorsement. For copies, please phone 703-693-5351.

Serving ThoSe who Serve ............................................................................................ 4Marine Corps Community Services enhances Marines’ quality of life and those who support them throughout the National Capital Region and beyond.

eSoS: who’S Your BeST Friend, now? ........................................................................ 6Bart MacMillan explains the role of the Education Services Officer.

The FaceS Behind The Food .......................................................................................... 8Meet the faces behind your lunch at the Marine Club.

Think L.i.n.k.S. ............................................................................................................... 10Erica Ramos, L.I.N.K.S. trainer provides an overview of the program.

heaLThY TipS For Managing hoLidaY STreSS. ......................................................... 12New Parent Support Program Home Visitor Diane Waters offers tips to parents of young children for reducing holiday stress.

TeLephone nuMBerS and hourS oF operaTion ....................................................... 15

[contents]

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CorpS ConneCtionS

Corps Connections brings information on MCCS programs and services to Marines and their family members in the National Capital Region and beyond. Please visit us at www.mccsHH.com.

[Who We are and What We do]

ocToBer – deceMBer 2013

Find this publication and other MCCS Henderson Hall documents at http://issuu.com/mccsHH, where a “flipbook” interface makes reading online easy.

[QUarterlY ConteSt]Tell us what you think of the feature article “Faces Behind the Food” in this issue. Send your comments to [email protected] by midnight December 15, 2013, to be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. Winner will be drawn at random from all entries and will be notified by e-mail.

4 Corps ConneCtions • OCTObEr – DECEmbEr 2013

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[FroM the editor]

There’s a touch of fall in the air. Autumn is traditionally the busiest time for MCCS Henderson Hall, with events in October and November and the traditional start of the holiday season.

This issue features an article on Education Services Officers by regular contributor Bart MacMillan, an overview of L.I.N.K.S. by Erica Ramos, and a peek at the faces behind the food at the Marine Club. Also, speaking of the holidays, read about handling holiday stress in an article by Diane Waters of the New Parent Support Program.

Don’t forget that everything you need to know about MCCS Henderson Hall is on our website, www.mccsHH.com. The website is now optimized for viewing on mobile devices. View Corps Connections on issuu.com, where you’ll also find our annual Guide to MCCS Henderson Hall. And follow us in cyberspace on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook.

Doriann GellerMarketing Officer

MCCS Henderson Hall

Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall reaches Marines and their family members in the National Capital Region and beyond. We provide quality-of-life enhancing goods, services, and programs to service members and their families from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia.

Want to know more about MCCS? Find out about what we offer to those whom we serve by visiting www.mccsHH.com for more comprehensive and continually updated information.

Serving Those Who Serve

[reSoUrCeS] Military OneSource stands ready to assist you, and it’s all free to military service member and their families! www.militaryonesource.com or call 1-800-342-9647.

[FolloW US, liKe US]

www.twitter.com/mccsHH www.facebook.com/mccsHH

[UpCoMing]

Fall Education & Career Fair, Thursday, October 17

Fall Family Fun Festival, Saturday, October 19

H&S Battalion, HQMC, Henderson Hall Marine Corps Birthday Ball, November 2

http://www.ihgarmyhotels.com


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Career Fair Strategies Workshop Thursday, October 10, 2013

See website for details! www.mccsHH.com/CRMC.html

Career experts on-site will provide FREE résumé review!

education & career fair

http://bitly.com/Fall13ECFCpl Terry L. Smith GymJoint Base Myer-Henderson Hall 703-614-6828

Meet with local, national, and international educators and employers looking to connect with you!

Sponsored by

No federal or Marine Corps endorsement implied

Take charge of your future and prepare for the fair!

Thursday, October 17, 2013 10 AM – 1 PM

Scan the QR code for more information


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[Marine & FaMilY prograMS]

Corps base carries, or at the very least has access to Marine & Family Programs, which includes family counseling, family member development services, and education services. The ESO coordinates all activities of the Education and Career Center. Most Marines — active, veteran and civilian — that have the opportunity to work directly with an ESO, eventually discover that these people are, universally the biggest advocates for secondary education, military education benefits, and career guidance. They are also some of the most knowledgeable, as well as some of the nicest people, one could ever hope to meet.

The ESO holds the final responsibility for enforcing the Marine Corps Order

The Henderson Hall Education and Career Center hosted a four-day training in June for all

United States Marine Corps Education Services Officers (ESOs). All Marine Corps Bases were fully represented, including all installations south of the National Capital Region, in the southwest U.S., Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii and Okinawa and Iwakuni in East Asia. When word of this training spread across Henderson Hall and the National Capital Region, the questions began to emerge: What is an ESO? What do they do? Why did they all get together?

Exploring all the responsibilities of the USMC ESO provides a surprisingly far-reaching range of activities. Every Marine

and policy amendments that pertain to active duty military education benefits, known as Tuition Assistance. The ESO also holds the final responsibility for all activities within the Education and Career Center.

The Education and Career Center offers seminars to prepare retiring and separating Marines (as well as other servicemembers) for transition to civilian life. The seminars provide information about college and vocational education, as well as guidance to prepare for the next career and the next stage of life, either as an employee of another organization or as a self-employed entrepreneur.

Consequently, the bulk of the topics of the presentations and discussions

ESOs: Who’s Your Best Friend Now?

http://www.NU.edu


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experienced by the ESOs in attendance at the training in June included Tuition Assistance policies (especially as affected by the sequestration) as well as all other forms of college financial aid, curriculum content for the transition seminars, college and university accreditation, and Department of Defense regulations regarding schools receiving military education benefits and otherwise labeling themselves as “military friendly.”

Given that Marines and veteran servicemembers represent professional adults, who are often married to other adults who are — or aspire to be — professionals, these same professional development services are available to spouses. Add to this that the GI Bill now

by Bart MacMillan

“The ESO holds the final responsibility for enforcing the Marine Corps Order and policy amendments that pertain to

active duty military education benefits.”

has an option allowing for transferability of education benefits to children and spouses, and the Education and Career Center now has resources that can serve literally every adult member of the military and veteran community, in literally any

professional development capacity. These are all overseen by the ESO.

Other duties of the ESO pertain to other education and career responsibilities. ESOs will seek out schools that can bring

cost-effective programs directly on to the Marine Corps installation. School faculty and staff will use base classroom and office space to teach courses in the traditional “face-to-face” method and to offer enrollment, administrative, and

academic guidance to their students. ESOs, who are often retired military

personnel themselves, are fully aware of

continued on page 15

http://global.cmich.edu/lf/?type=L&c1=FMYER&mktid=37181


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The Faces Behind the Food

[Food & hoSpitalitY]

It’s just past 8 a.m., and the cooks at the Marine Club are preparing for the lunch run. It’s another weekday, another chance to feed the stomachs—and souls—of service

members and civilians who work or live on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Sean Dickerson and Christina Benson have been cooking at the Marine Club for a combined 20 years. Considering that the club is usually open five days a week, nearly 52 weeks a year, that’s approximately 5,000 meals. While they could not work without the support of their team members, we thought our readers would like to know something about the people who seek to prepare a lunch just like they would for their mom...or wife...or daughter.

It’s all about the food, but it takes a team, of course. That team includes servers, bussers, bartenders, and managers. The people who ask you how your day is, serve with a smile, and clean up after you once you’ve left...satisfied...from another lunch meal prepared by Sean and Christina.

how long have you worked at the Marine Club?14 years.

Who taught you to cook?An old Navy guy who was working at the Marriott. I started

as a prep person while I was going to school.

Who inspires your cooking?My mom.

Meat-eater, vegetarian, or vegan?Meat-eater.

What is your favorite dish to prepare?Spaghetti.

What is your favorite dish to eat?Pizza.

do you taste while you cook?Yes, because I want to know what I am giving my guests. But

I don’t use a lot of seasonings so guests can season to their taste.

if you could cook a meal for any person living or dead, who would it be?

My wife and daughter.

Why?My wife because she’s my best friend, and my daughter

because she’s my heart.

how long have you worked at the Marine Club? 6 yearsWho taught you to cook? I’m self-taught. I’ve been

cooking seriously since I was 21 or 22.

Who inspires your cooking?My family.

Meat-eater, vegetarian, or vegan?Vegetarian.

What is your favorite dish to prepare?Stew.

Sean Dickerson

Christina B


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Christina B

The staff at the Marine Club who served for the gathering of sergeants major this July, along with GySgt Nguyen Le (in uniform, left), Sgt

Adam Coffman (in uniform, center), and SgtMaj Micheal P. Barrett (in uniform, right). Club manager Shannon Thomas is at far right.

photo by J. Felix Gonzalez.

What is your favorite dish to eat?Whatever I feel is healthy for me at the time.

do you taste while you cook?Yes, if it is vegetarian. If not, I have someone else taste it.

if you could cook a meal for any person living or dead, who would it be?

My mom.

Why?’Cause I love her!

enson

by Doriann Gellerphotos by Barbara J. Mitchell


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[marinE COrPS Family TEam bUilDinG]

What do you think about when the acronym L.I.N.K.S. comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the Marine Corps culture, traditions, or networking

among spouses of Marines. The military is full of many acronyms that mean many different things but L.I.N.K.S. is defined as our Lifestyle, Insight, Network, Knowledge and Skills of this military life. The military culture is very different from a civilian one. We have a different language, many acronyms, traditions, support and hardships that other families don’t. So how can we learn about this culture or lifestyle? We have the opportunity to come together at each duty station and attend a L.I.N.K.S. workshop through Marine Corps Family Team Building to network, learn and engage in this military lifestyle. Military families discuss opportunities and or recommendations on how to thrive as a military family.

L.I.N.K.S. is designed to be a holistic approach to support Marines, Spouses, Families, Teens and Kids of Marines in the

Marine Corps. L.I.N.K.S. educates military families about our culture and provides opportunity for growth and knowledge of this military culture.

Spouses engage in a L.I.N.K.S. workshop to learn about military culture, history, benefits and resources, moving in the military, financial awareness, separation and deployment, along with connecting in the community to which they reside at their specific duty station. L.I.N.K.S. is also an opportunity to connect with other military spouses to network and share experiences this military lifestyle. Mission, Life, Career

MARINES

L.I.N.K.S. for Marines is designed to discuss benefits and resources that the Marine is entitled to at their current duty station. Knowledge of resources, financial wellness and pro-active programs among Marine and Family Programs are topics for military education and workshops. The goal of the program is to provide support and resources to single and married Marines to increase personal and family readiness.

L.I.N.K.S. for Families and Extended Families educated the loved one with all of the benefits and resources available to the military family. We educate family members about the military so they in turn are better equipped with the resources, programs and military history to support or refer their Marine or family when in need. Families whether direct or indirect play an important role in the military lifestyle as it takes the family holistically to support the Marine.

Lastly, L.I.N.K.S. for Kids and Teens are workshops designed to engage military children to adapt and overcome this military lifestyle. It provides an avenue of support, education, and family readiness to the military child. Workshops are designed to be fun and interactive; to provide tools for PCSs, deployments, military traditions and internet safety tips. Information is given for succeeding in the military lifestyle and in social settings.

Overall L.I.N.K.S. is offered throughout the Marine Corps. It provides positive avenues for support, education and family readiness with the Marine and their family. No matter where you’re stationed you have the ability to access a L.I.N.K.S. workshop to network, volunteer, empower and educate yourself. In the end you’ll have some extra tools in your toolbox to strive in this military lifestyle. Please contact your L.I.N.K.S. trainer at your nearest installation to connect and inquire about L.I.N.K.S.

Erica Ramos is the L.I.N.K.S. TrainerMarine Corps Family Team Building

MCCS Henderson Hall

Think L.I.N.K.S. by Erica Ramos


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Hosted by New Parent Support Program

FESTIVALFall Family Fun

*There are two ATMs available at the Marine Corps Exchange.

Saturday, October 19 10 AM — 2 PM

Cpl Terry L. Smith GymnasiumJoint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Join us for games, bounce houses, face painting, and

music! Family friendly lunch available for sale —

cash* only.

Sponsored by

No federal or Marine Corps endorsement implied

Open to DoD ID card holders703-614-7208 www.mccsHH.com

3rd Annual


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During the holiday season, it is almost impossible to avoid some stress. Families with young

children are especially aware of this. The three things that we all have in limited quantities are time, energy, and money, and the holidays, especially, can strain all three.

Listed below are some tips to help you and your family recognize signs of stress and how best to deal with it.

Some signs of stress in young children are:• Physical complaints (stomachaches,

headaches, backaches, and pains).• Regressing to younger developmental

age. For example, some children who are toilet trained might have accidents; other children might want a bottle even after being able to drink from a cup for several months.• Overly active and/or hyperactive

behavior.• Insecurity: more fretful and becoming

more insecure when away from parents or familiar surroundings. Children may cry when they have to get ready to leave home or the car.• Testing behavior: children might try

your patience. This is a way for them to make sure you will follow through with discipline and that you are still paying attention to them.

The New Parent Support Program can offer suggestions for decreasing the acting out behavior and stress in your household during the holidays. Try these when planning your holiday routines or special events.

Maintain daily routines, especially at night time. Take care not to overdo it with

too many parties and holiday themed shopping.

When going out of town, even for a day trip, include children in the planning. For example, give children adequate notice and mark it on a calendar so that they can have a visual. Let them mark off the days before the trip so they know how to measure time. These acts may help children feel as though they are part of the decision, even if they are not. After all, according to Thomas W. Phelan (2010) of 1-2-3 Magic™, “the family is not a democracy. The family is more like a dictatorship.” But you can choose to be a kind and gentle dictator!

Most importantly, be a good role model to your children for dealing with holiday stress. Keep up good eating habits by having fruits and vegetables cut up into pieces easily available for little hands. If the family will be attending an event with only sweets, make sure the children eat a good meal before. Also, be sure to take healthy snacks along on road trips and keep the children and yourselves hydrated. Often times we mistake thirst for hunger, and being dehydrated can make children —and adults—irritable and tired.

Also remember to keep up the good sleep habits. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night yourself, and make sure the kids get plenty of sleep as well. Depending on their age, children can require as many as 10 hours of sleep a night. If your children take naps, try to keep their nap at the same time even if you are traveling. Also, remember to take their special blanket or stuffed animal to give them a sense of safety and make them feel more at home.

Traveling and seeing relatives is a wonderful opportunity for children to get to know one another and feel part of the extended family. However, family get- togethers can pose their own challenges with unresolved family issues and ongoing complicated family dynamics. At some point, parents might want to consider making their own traditions and celebrating at home with their children.

Finally, remember that special childhood memories most often include the time spent with loved ones, not the places visited or the gifts received.

For more information about raising children and keeping them healthy all year long, contact the New Parent Support Program at MCCS Henderson Hall. You can visit us online at www.mccsHH.com or give us a call at 703-614-7204 to learn more about our home visitation services, classes and Parent Child Interaction Therapy.

We also offer in-office services, including resources, from our offices located in the Marine and Family Programs Building (#12). Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to our office location, we offer, Play Groups at Indian Head, Maryland, every Wednesday starting at 10 a.m. during the school year, and monthly at Marine Barracks Washington.

Diane Waters is the New Parent Support Program’s Home Visitor

Behavioral Health BranchMarine & Family Programs

MCCS Henderson Hall

by Diane Waters, MSW, LCSW

Healthy Tips for Managing Holiday StressFor Parents with Young Children



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Healthy Tips for Managing Holiday Stress

Proven to work. Simple to use.

Insert contact or course details here or delete this text

Proven to work. Simple to use.

Insert contact or course details here or delete this text

Marine & Family Programs Behavioral Health Branch, MCCS Henderson Hall

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall703-614-7204

www.mccsHH.com/prevention.html


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the fact that the traditional academic scene is not for all Marines. They will seek out the best available area vocational and technical programs, as well. This may represent an entirely different type of education and career skill preparation, but the same principles are in place: there is a cost for the education and training and there is guidance and knowledge necessary for careers in these professions. Again, the ESO heads up the center that provides this knowledge and guidance for these and all potential careers.

The additional aspect of the duties of the Education Services Officer and the potential impact of the ESO’s responsibilities — admittedly a matter of opinion — stem from the idea of what the servicemember brings to the civilian sector upon separation from active duty. Veterans have proven to be some of the finest leaders and managers, especially of personnel in the civilian world, because they take with them the values instilled in them while they were active duty. The military builds the character of the servicemember — character often at the highest level of integrity — and the Education and Career Center provides information and opportunities that guide them on how to take that character most beneficially into the civilian sector.

The Education and Career Center on the Marine Corps base, therefore, is connected directly or indirectly to almost every aspect

of professional development for active duty Marines, veteran Marines, civilian Marines, and Marine family members. Given the potential “ripple effect” as to how this affects the people within the military community and reaches out to the civilian sector, possibly over generations, it should be clear that the ESO fills some mighty “big shoes.”

It is worth re-stating that the ESOs visiting Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall earlier this year are some of the most pleasant people anywhere. They are knowledgeable and friendly, providing education and career guidance that can contribute, even shape, the “Marine for life.” It just might be time to ask the question: “Who’s your best friend now?”

Why not go to the Education and Career Center and say hello to one of your new best friends. At MCCS Henderson Hall, he can be reached by calling 703-614-9104, or by visiting the Personal & Professional Development Office in Building 29, Room 204, on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Bart MacMillan is the Education and Career Specialist Personal & Professional Development Branch

Marine & Family Programs MCCS Henderson Hall.

Friday, October 4Marine Club • Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Lunch Buffet11 AM – 2 PM

$11.50

Social Hour4 – 6:30 PM Door Prizeswww.mccsHH.com • 703-614-2125

Music!Food!Drinks!

ESOs: Who’s Your Best Friend Now? continued from page 7


October isDOMESTIC VIOLENCE

AWARENESS MONTH

“Domestic Abuse Hurts... Children, Families, Command and Community”

VICTIM ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE 24/7703-693-6611

Please check our website for Classes, Activities, and Resources: www.mccsHH.com/Prevention.html

Family Advocacy

Program


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[TElEPhOnE nUmbErS & hOUrS OF OPEraTiOn]

administrative officesBldg. 29, Rm. 305703-979-8420 ext. 323 Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Barber ShopBldg. 31 “The Shoppes”703-271-8177Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PMSaturday 9:30 AM – 3 PMSunday 11 AM – 3 PM

career resource Management centerBldg. 29, Rm. 201703-614-6828Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4 PM

gear issueBldg. 27 Smith Gym 703-693-4731 Monday – Friday 9 AM – 4 PM

health promotionsBldg. 27 Smith Gym703-614-5959Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM

information, Tickets and ToursBldg. 31 “The Shoppes”571-483-1963 Wednesday – Friday 11 AM – 6 PMSaturday 9 AM – 3 PM

Java caféBldg. 26, 1F571-463-1962Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 3 PM Saturday 9 AM – 3 PMSunday 10 AM – 3 PM

Lifelong Learning centerBldg. 29 Rm. 205703-614-9104Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Marine and Family programsBldg. 12703-614-7200Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Marine clubBldg. 21703-614-2125Monday – Friday Lunch 11 AM – 2 PMThursday Bar ’til 8 PMFriday Bar ’til 11 PM

Marine corps exchangeBldg. 26703-979-8420Monday – Friday 10 AM – 8 PMSaturday 9 AM – 8 PMSunday 10 AM – 6 PM

Marine corps Family Team BuildingBldg. 29, 1F703-693-4840Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Marine Mart at eighth & i202-433-2848Monday – Friday 7 AM – 6 PMSaturday and Sunday 11 AM – 4:30 PM

Military clothing SalesBldg. 26, 3F703-979-8420 ext. 104Monday – Friday 10 AM – 8 PMSaturday 9 AM – 8 PMSunday 10 AM – 6 PM

Semper Fit administrationBldg. 29, Rm. 305703-693-1591Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Single Marine program703-614-4947

MCCS HENDERSON HALLSmith gymBldg. 27703-614-7214Monday – Friday 4 AM – 9 PMSaturday 7:30 AM – 6 PMSunday 9:30 AM – 6 PM

The vineyard wine & SpiritsBldg. 31 “The Shoppes”703-979-8420 ext. 105Monday – Friday 10 AM – 8 PMSaturday 9 AM – 8 PMSunday 10 AM – 6 PM

Zembiec poolBldg. 11703-693-7351Check online for seasonal hours

24 hours a day • 365 days a year

victim advocacy

hoTLine703-693-6611

Se habla español

www.mccsHH.com

STAY CONNECTEDsales • events • classes • tickets • hours • food

http://www.navymutual.org

corps connections october 2013

Documents

marine corps endorsement

national capital regionissue

mccs henderson hall

henderson hallsaturday

marine club

joint base myerhenderson

education services officer

holiday stress