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Air Force Families Forever (AFFF) is a long-term survivor aftercare program established to provide support to family members of deceased Regular Air Force and Reserve Component Airmen who died in an Active Duty, Inactive Duty for Training (IDT), or Annual Training (AT) status and whose relationship was established prior to the Airman’s death. This includes RegAF, Guard, and Reserve Airmen. Specific procedures have been devised to provide support to eligible Next-of-Kin (NOK) through Airman & Family Readiness Centers (A&FRCs) at installations closest to where the survivor resides.
Next of Kin (NOK): widow or widower (remarried or not), each parent (mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, foster parents who stood in loco parentis), each child (natural, step-children, adopted), and each sibling (brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister) of an Airman.
Each active-duty installation’s A&FRC is the point-of-contact for NOK to receive long term support, including:
Information and Referral
◾ Engagement through targeted contact and incremental outreach
◾ Referral to eligible federal, state, and local resources to include partnering non-governmental organizations
Remembrance and Connection
◾ Connection to installation and community support networks
◾ Recognition/memorialization of deceased Airmen
◾ Coordination with installation leadership to include family members in the AF culture
Installation Access
◾ Sponsorship for NOK through the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) process
◾ Introduction to installation approved Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities
For more information please contact Laura Mellon, Buckley Garrison AFFF Representative, @ 720-847-6681 or Laura.Mellon@spaceforce.mil
The Casualty Office provides guidance to Commanders, Family members to ensure their families are taken care of as expeditiously as possible in a family emergency. This office also assists in times of injuries and deaths and is responsible for providing prompt and accurate casualty reporting, notification to surviving families, as well as follow-on assistance for as long as needed. Education is provided regarding Service member’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Virtual Record of Emergency Data (vRED) completion. SGLI provides insurance up to $400,000.00 to designated beneficiaries while the vRED is a vital part of each member’s military personnel file, providing the Sole source contact information for primary next-of-kin, secondary next-of-kin, and other persons to notify in case of an injury, emergency or death. The vRED serves as the official document required by law for designating beneficiaries for Death Gratuity, Unpaid Pay and Allowances and the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition of remains.
The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Office also provides education and counseling to retiring service members and their spouses. Prior to retiring, members will receive a thorough briefing on various aspects to consider regarding whether or not to participate in the Survivor Benefits Program (SBP). The briefing is mandatory for the service member and encouraged for spouses.
The local Airman & Family Readiness Center, or A&FRC, serves as the Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) Office. The IVA Office provides uniformed service members, their family members and overseas citizens with information and assistance on how to request an absentee ballot and vote absentee. These functions are accomplished through the use of two forms:
◾Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which serves as a request for registration and a request for an absentee ballot; and
◾Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), which serves as a backup in the event an official absentee ballot is not received.
Installation Voting Assistance Officers (IVAOs) at the A&FRC also provide civilians with access to the IVA Office information and assistance on procedures for registering to vote and updating voter registration information (e.g., change of address). This is accomplished by completing the National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF).
In addition to IVAOs, each Air Force unit is required to appoint Unit Voting Assistance Officers (UVAOs) to provide unit personnel with voting information regarding their home state, election dates and absentee voting registration and procedures.
To successfully vote absentee, UOCAVA citizens should:
◾Allow sufficient time to request, receive, and return the absentee ballot
◾Notify your election office each time your mailing address changes
◾Know your state’s absentee voting deadlines and procedures to ensure your ballot is properly executed and counted
◾Complete a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) if you do not receive your state absentee ballot in time to return it to your election office by the state deadline
Visit the A&FRC for more information about voting.
Members who are separating or retiring from military service are required to participate in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) which includes:
Individualized Counseling, Pre-Separation, Department of Defense Brief, Department of Labor, VA Benefits Brief and the Capstone are MANDATORY. Individualized Counseling and Pre-Separation counseling must be completed at least 365 days prior to separation or retirement, and is a prerequisite to attend the mandatory TAP GPS workshop. Capstones must be completed less than 120 days and before separation or retirement. It is also important to register on www.va.gov and establish a DS Login ID prior to the first day of class.
Additional assistance for Federal employment, resume writing, job searches, interviewing skills, goal setting, etc. is provided in workshops and may be requested via one-on-one appointments. To learn more about the TAP GPS curriculum, visit: milconnect.
Meeting financial obligations and goals is a common objective of every family. The Personal Financial Readiness Program offers information, education, and personal financial counseling. The Airman & Family Readiness Center, or A&FRC, has staff available for one-on-one appointments. We can also provide various financial workshops including:
A&FRC also provides mandatory financial briefings for First-Term Airmen and First Duty Station Officers. The center has AFCPE Certified Financial Counselors and staff certified as Identity Theft Specialists & Credit Report Reviewers.
The Airman & Family Readiness Center, or A&FRC, connects individuals and families with the right resources. Should the A&FRC be unable to provide direct assistance, referrals will be made to the best resources for their presenting need.
Airman and Family Readiness Center staff is ready to assist service members and their families who are seeking alternate employment opportunities. Through the Employment Assistance Program, individuals will learn to utilize the skills and techniques required for a successful job search. Our services include:
Staff is available to assist in identifying skills and interests. Our Discovery Room contains up-to-date computers to assist with job search, resume writing, and filling out federal forms and applications.
During times of crisis, whether from natural (Katrina) or man-made disasters (9-11), the A&FRC converts to the Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC). Normal center operations cease and the A&FRC becomes the focal point for assisting individuals impacted by the event. Partnering agencies such as Mental Health, Legal, Chaplains, American Red Cross, Public Affairs, and Air Force Aid provide one-stop assistance to those impacted by the crisis. In addition to information, advice, financial aid, and counseling and care services, individuals can utilize the EFAC communication center with phone lines and computers to reach loved ones around the world. The EFAC also provides a lifeline of information to the community and victims via the EFAC line 720-847-EFAC (3322).
A successful move is not a matter of chance, it is the result of planning and hard work. At the center of these efforts is you, the mover. If you expect a good move, you must play an active role. There are steps you can take and resources available to help you plan and stay organized during your military move. You can access online tools to assist at every stage of the permanent change of station. Two of the most notable are MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Plan My Move.
MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is a computerized or paper booklet of the detailed information of a military installation. It includes phone numbers, arrival procedures, and detailed information on health care, child care, housing, moving with a family member with special needs, education, and other critical installation information. Plan My Move is a unique Department of Defense moving tool that connects members and their families to moving resources ensuring a smooth move.
The Buckley Relocation Assistance Program provides:
The Airman and Family Readiness Center, or A&FRC, is the focal point to assist all service members and their families, to include the Department of Defense civilians, in easing their adaptation to the military lifestyle and enrichment of their personal and work life.
The A&FRC assists by offering skills development workshops and providing referrals to other agencies if needed. P&WL activities are educational in nature and offered in small group settings. Several offerings aim to facilitate and connect customers to information and agencies they will encounter throughout their military experience. These include the Key Spouse Program and Heart Link. Our P&WL services compliment those offered by other helping agencies. The following programs are available:
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the US Air Force. Assistance is provided to active duty members, and on a case-by-case basis to their spouses. Assistance is also provided to other branch personnel through an agreement with AER, NMCR, and Coast Guard Relief to eligible personnel. Financial assistance can be provided for help with some of the following:
In addition, the Air Force Aid Society also offers educational assistance programs and community programs.
The Airman & Family Readiness Center provides support for active duty members and their families in all phases of deployment, from pre-deployment to sustainment to reintegration for homecoming. Workshops and resources are available, including:
The Department of Defense established the Exceptional Family Member Program to recognize and meet the unique needs of military families with special needs dependents. The A&FRC has a dedicated EFMP-Family Support Specialist on staff to help families discover local resources, accessing EFMP sponsored activities, navigating the educational and medical system, accessing information, and ultimately getting your family’s unique needs met. The staff is also available for one-on-one consultation as needed.
The Fitness Center cardio room features a wide variety of state-of-the-art equipment to include treadmills, elliptical trainers, upright and recumbent bikes, stair steppers, step-mills, rowers and arm ergonometers.
*NEW* Simply Delicious Bakery Items, Lemon Loaf, Brownies, Caramel Bars, Cookies, Donuts, Honey Buns, Cinnamon Rolls, Cherry Danish, Raspberry Turnovers, Cream Cheese Turnovers and Choc Marshmallow Crispy.
Consider us for your next office work function.
Small – 10 cups $15.00
Large – 21 cups $30.00
Outdoor & Fitness enthusiasts now have a one-stop-shop where they can refuel and gear up inside the main lobby of the Fitness Center. The Buck Stop is an outlet of Outdoor Recreation, ITT and Panther Den featuring a grab-n-go food and drink station, Starbucks coffee, fitness items, seasonal clothing and tickets to local attractions.
The Buckley Fitness Center is a fully equipped facility that includes a 4,600sq ft weight room with the best plate loaded selecorized equipment.
Offered at the Fitness Center, enjoy a sensual relaxing massage that will benefit you mentally and physically.
Parents can now tackle weights or work on their cardio while watching their children in the Cub Corral featuring Buck Lee Jr. The Cub Corral is a fenced in play area for children to safely play while their parents work-out. the Cub Corral also features a TV and DVD player to keep your children entertained.
The Fitness Center features group exercise classes taught by the Fitness Center staff that target a wide range of participants on a daily basis.
*For a small fee
The Airman and Family Readiness Center coordinates requests for volunteers with agencies needing assistance. Both active-duty members and dependents are invited to visit the A&FRC to learn about available volunteer opportunities. In addition to the altruistic benefits of volunteering, volunteers can also:
