By: Mr. Michael Roos, SFAC Social Services Coordinator

I am almost always surprised at how fast the holiday season catches me off-guard

every year. While writing this article it dawned on me that Thanksgiving is just one

week away. Being now aware of the things I need to do to prepare, feelings of excite-

ment and anticipation somehow seem to accompany other uncomfortable feelings of

sadness and uncertainty. Why is that? Thinking back on past years, I realize that not

every holiday season has been a joyful and fulfilling one for me. Without going into

great detail, I experienced a significant life event many years ago during the holiday

season that was very difficult for me. During that time I felt alone and with the belief

no one understood how I was feeling or even cared enough to ask. I eventually worked

through it all, but it wasn’t something I really want to go through again. But somehow

those past memories tend to creep in every now and again and before you know it,

those unwanted feelings come right back as if I was reliving the whole thing. To be

realistic, life happens to us and we’re not always prepared for how things turn out. So

I’ve learned to avoid the past repeating itself in my life by making some much needed

changes in taking personal responsibility for how I feel in the present.

A few things have helped me get a better handle on keeping the holiday blues from

grabbing hold of me. In a lot of ways I call these things my preventative maintenance.

You know what I’m referring to…the periodic checks you make to ensure your vehicle

is running properly for when you need it. The first personal preventative maintenance

check I do is to ensure I complete at least three physical activities every week. This

can be accomplished through a workout exercise at the gym, a brisk walk outside, or

even playing “Just Dance” on the Wii with my kids. The next thing I try to do weekly

is “hunt for the good stuff”. You remember? Yeah this is from the resiliency training

you may have taken (If not, I encourage you to contact the SFAC to get scheduled for

the next class). Even when I feel things are going pretty well, this helps me stay fo-

cused on the positive things in and around my life. Lastly, this one is a little more

challenging, mostly because we really have to stop and think about it. How grateful

am I? Without going to deep into this one, just remember that “gratitude” increases

closeness in personal relationships. Simply put, being thankful for those who have im-

pacted your life in a special way. To help you take this a step further, make it a point

to tell someone close to you “thank you” for how they have helped you. Another way

to be grateful is giving of yourself …like your time; especially when money is tight.

The most important thing to remember is change CAN happen. The toughest part is

getting started so just start with the ONE thing you can do today.

Social Services provides assistance with crisis intervention, anger and stress management, alcohol/

substance prevention, PTSD caregiver education and a host of other social services. If you would

like to schedule and appointment with a Social Services Coordinator, please call Mr. Michael

Roos, 253-966-8657 or Ms. Juliann (Juli) Bryant 253-967-6936

Our commitment,

our mission

Provide compassionate,

coordinated services to

Warriors in Transition, their

families and caregivers.

Our efforts are aimed at

fostering dignity and inde-

pendence, while assisting

the Service Member and

their families in their return

to duty or transition to

service and employment as

a vital member of our na-

tion.

Shaking the Holiday Blues

The Soldier and Family Assistance Center BLDG 9059 Gardner Loop Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433 December 2013

TRICARE at the SFAC

For more information

concerning TRICARE

benefits and policies,

please visit the SFAC on

Fridays. Ms. Pamela Eis-

feldt will be on hand at

the SFAC to answer all of

your TRACRE question.

Ms. Eisfeldt will be in the

SFAC from 0730-1200

each Friday except holi-

days. For more informa-

tion please call 253-973-

1814

Happy Holidays

SFAC December Class Schedule.

Classes will be held in the SFAC classroom,

Rm 104 .

ACAP Transition Overview MOS Crosswalk

Dec 10th, Mon 1300-1500hrs

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Brief

Dec 9th, 1300-1500hrs

Dec 16th, 1300-1500hrs

Dec 23rd, 1300-1500hrs

Dec 30th, 1300-1500hrs

SFAC In-Processing

Dec 10th, 0900-1200hrs

WDVA State Benefits & SSDI Brief

Dec 2nd, 1500-1600hrs

Dec 9th, 1500-1600hrs

Dec 16th, 1500-1600hrs

Dec 23rd, 1500-1600hrs

Dec 30th, 1500-1600hrs

SSDI Lab

Dec 17th, 1300-1600hrs

Financial Planning Seminar

Dec 4th, 0800-1200hrs (AACAP)

Financial Readiness Class

Dec 5, 0900-1130hrs

Dec 18th, 0900-1130hrs

Federal Resume Workshop

Dec 17, 0900-1100hrs

Advanced Resume Course

Dec 3th, 0900-1100hrs

AACAP DOL Class

Dec 8th, 0800-1500hrs

Dec 11th-13th, 0800-1600hrs

Family Readiness Group

Dec 12, 1700-1800hrs

First Time Home buying Class

Dec 18th, 0900-11:30hrs

Outreach Events for December

Date Event Time Location

3rd Tue SFAC IDES Rodeo 1300-1500 SFAC, RM 104

4th Wed Dinner Night Out Applebee's 1730 Tacoma, WA

8th Sun Polar Plaza Ice Skating 1200 Tacoma, WA

17th Tue Tacoma Zoo Lights 1730 Tacoma, WA

Note: ALL WTB provided transportation departs from 9057 CQ desk. Please arrive early for accountability, and all

transportation is dependent on PAX registration.

For more information and trip registration contact:

Ms. Taylor Morgan

253-966-8644

susan.t.morgan3.ctr@mail.mil

Bldg 9059 SFAC Lobby

SFAC Programs & Services Bldg 9059

SFAC Director 253-966-8434

Human Resources/TSGLI 253-966-2564/3754

Social Services 253-966-8657/967-6936

Financial Readiness 253-967-1226

Education Services 253- 966-3837/967-6916

Transition Program Services (ACAP) 253-966-3745/968-6861

Child Youth & School Services 253-966-3742/9707

Outreach & Recreation Services 253-966-8436/8644

WA State Dept. of Veterans Affairs 253-966-4285

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) 253-967-7065/64/53

AW2 253-966-4636

American Legion 253-966-6202

Ombudsman 253-966-2716 M:253-320-9725

Information & Referral Program Managers 253-966-3979/3747

GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE!!! The Soldier and Family Assistance Center of Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of the wounded warrior agencies that supports the Warrior in Transition Battalion (WTB). We support the Warriors in Transition (WTs) and their Family mem-bers . There is 0 % administrative costs, all contributions will go directly to the wounded warriors and their Families to assist them in all types of emergencies and needs.

Please contribute to the SFAC this year, CFC Campaign No 20160, Pg 74.