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SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. – Joining the Michigan Air National Guard is like joining a family. From the wild uncle who makes family get togethers entertaining, to the brother or sister that can be relied on for anything, Guard members never go through life alone. The Military and Family Readiness Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is like the reliable brother or sister, and connects service members with the resources they need at every phase of their lives.
“Having a Military and Family Readiness Center at Selfridge is important to our military members,” said Mr. John Harvey, the MFRC coordinator at Selfridge ANGB. “However, a major roadblock we have is that people don’t know they have access to all the support programs we have to offer.”
From a military member's first enlistment through retirement, the MFRC’s wide-ranging assistance provides support as simple as giving stuffed animals to deployed members’ children, or more complex programs such as explaining health care benefits to the newly retired.
When first joining the 127th Wing, Airmen attend a First Duty Station course facilitated by the MFRC. The class educates Airmen on the basics of their financial benefits, such as how to read their military pay stub. The class later breaks down options available for retirement savings, and why it can be a benefit to start saving as soon as possible.
“The course I teach goes over how credit works, budgets, investments, earnings statements and the options available for retirement savings,” said Mr. Gary Salach, the financial advisor at Selfridge ANGB.
“This course helps Airmen understand their inflow and outflow, and encourage them to make responsible purchases,” said Salach.
Salach also helps service members in need of more personalized financial assistance. He can help troops navigate life events such as adoption or divorce, provide insight into large purchases, or direct them to grants and loans.
Deployment unlocks a new degree of support needs. Leaving home for long periods of time and being separated from family can create unique challenges. “The Comfort Crew for Military Kids,” a free MFRC resource available to military members, provides resources for children, such as animated movies and guided journals to help them open up about difficult subjects like parental separation.
During deployments, families are engaged by Key Support Liaisons, the MFRC volunteer program. These volunteers check in with family members monthly to ensure they are handling the separation well and provide a sense of community and connection to the unit and base. If a family member is struggling, the KSL may offer strategies to stay connected or put them in contact with free counselor resources.
"The Key Support Liaison plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and support for our military families,” said Micaela Brancato, a KSL at Selfridge ANGB.
This personal level of support provides care and assistance to military families during the deployment.
As with all good things, military careers inevitably come to an end. When that time comes, the MFRC is ready to help through the Transition Assistance Program. TAP guides retirees transitioning into civilian life, educating them on health care benefits, claiming VA disability, planning for further education, and even providing resources for starting a business. Members can go through the program up to 24 months prior to their anticipated separation date.
Serving in the military has its ups and downs, but the MFRC team at Selfridge ANGB ensures service members have access to the resources available to stay ready and resilient for whatever challenges come their way. To learn more about Military and Family Readiness Center resources and events at Selfridge, contact their office, find them on the AF Connect app, or visit https://www.127wg.ang.af.mil/About-127th-Wing/Military-Family-Readiness/.
The MFRC team at Selfridge is also looking for community volunteers to become Key Support Liaisons. There is no minimum time commitment and anyone can volunteer. No military service or connection is required. If you are interested in supporting our troops, email the MFRC at 127FSS.MFR.Mil-Fam-Support@us.af.mil
| Date Taken: | 11.03.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2024 09:23 |
| Story ID: | 484555 |
| Location: | SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Military and Family Readiness: Provide, Guide, Empower, by 2nd Lt. Elise Wahlstrom, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
