Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class William Carlisle | 180412-N-TB148-021 BUSAN, Republic of Korea (April 12, 2018) Mr. Michael Smith, fleet...... read more read more
BUSAN, Republic of Korea (April 3, 2018) – Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea (CNRK) opened its Busan Family Support Center (BFSC) April 3.
This will be the first official opening of a Fleet and Family Support Center in Busan since CNFK headquarters moved to the area Feb. 2016. The center provides a variety of services to Sailors and families including: SARC, SAPR, family housing, recreational aid and a community loan locker.
“This center exemplifies the importance we place on taking care of our people,” said Rear Adm. Michael E. Boyle, commander of CNFK. “The culmination of input from Sailors and families, the new family support center is a milestone in solidifying the CNFK footprint here in Busan.”
The center, originally just a few office spaces on the Republic of Korea Navy’s Busan base where CNFK is located, was expanded to ensure the quality of service provided to Sailors, civilian staff, and families equals services available at installations throughout the fleet.
“When CNFK moved from Seoul to Busan there was no plan in place, staff or real estate,” said Douglas Smith, director of Fleet and Family Readiness in Chinhae. “It was an unfunded requirement. After discussions with the region commander and the community, we realized there was more of a need to provide services to Sailors and families in Busan.”
Smith said Sailors and families in Busan are different than most other service members in Korea because they live on the local economy. With the nearest U.S. base located approximately 90 minutes away, being able to access basic services like family housing, clinical counsel or Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) was a unique challenge.
“This office is the birth of something new,” said Roneiko Beasley, BFSC social services support specialist. “This office has been talked about for so long and now it’s finally a reality. Now we have a proper location to provide the support families need.”
Beasley said now, with an off-base office located in the heart of the community, BFSC is now a short walk or cab ride away from home. The new facility includes a 30-seat classroom for training, town hall meetings and MWR events.
“I think in the short term there will be a learning curve to get families used to utilizing the new support center office,” said Smith. “However this office is a long-term endeavor, allowing us to get more support and programs.”
Smith said the creation of BFSC was a team effort, including: CNIC for funding, NAVFAC Far East for finding the location, the Executive Director and Navy Region commander.
“This is a groundbreaking experience,” said Beasley. “As for the future, the sky is the limit.”
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnfk.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2018 01:41 |
| Story ID: | 273149 |
| Location: | BUSAN, BUSAN GWANG'YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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