AFRC offers something for everyone

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Have you ever wondered where to go for financial advice? Have you ever needed financial counseling but didn't know where to turn? Are you concerned about how an upcoming deployment might affect your family? Would you be surprised to learn help is just a phone call or mouse click away? 

The Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center offers numerous programs to assist servicemembers and their families. Courses such as "Growing Your Money," the Transition Assistance Program and pre-deployment briefings are all available at the center. 

According to the center many people take advantage of their readiness programs. One such program is the pre-deployment briefing, offered every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. at the center, for all personnel deploying for 30 days or more. 

Prior to deploying, people tend to focus on themselves, said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie R. Bergstrom, readiness non-commissioned officer in charge for the 55th Force Support Squadron. 

"During the briefing we try to encourage people to step out of their bubble and understand there are people other than themselves, who have needs that need to be addressed," she said. 

Communication is a focal point throughout the briefing and one that Sergeant Bergstrom said is incredibly important. 

"We talk about daily household things that most people don't think about," she said, "If you are deploying for six months and your spouse has never lit the pilot light for your water heater, you probably don't want to spend 15 minutes of your one phone call a week explaining to him or her how to light that water heater," said Sergeant Bergstrom. 

"Teaching your spouse how to pay the bills, perform basic vehicle maintenance and introducing him or her to someone who can help is essential," Sergeant Bergstrom said.
Another important aspect to communication emphasized is ensuring children understand what's going on throughout the deployment process. 

"Recently, a young man got in trouble in school two days before his father deployed. His father disciplined him and over the next 24 to 36 hours they didn't talk much. His father never spoke about his deployment," Sergeant Bergstrom said. "Months later, the child was doing poorly in school and he thought his father left because of him." 

For personnel returning from deployment, the center offers a reintegration briefing which focuses on helping servicemembers transition from a deployed environment to normal family life. 

"During the reintegration briefing we talk about the impact of being away for a long time - especially in a combat environment; because those things can cause long range difficulties with getting back to normal life," said Judith J. Davis, a team leader and community readiness consultant with the AFRC. 

People who have returned from a deployment may find their home and the people in it have changed, Mrs. Davis said. 

"Taking your time with returning to normal, everyday life is essential. The spouse who was left behind may have become accustomed to doing things a certain way and the returning servicemember needs to understand that," she said. 

Capt. Wayne M. Straw, a 55th Mission Support Group executive officer, said the reintegration briefing does a good job of explaining the changes people may have to deal with upon returning from a deployment. 

"The reintegration briefing helps you know what to expect when you come back to your family," Captain Straw said. 

After recently returning from Balad AB, Iraq, Captain Straw found that he had to reestablish household rules with his daughter. "The briefing helped me understand there would be some adjustment." 

Another popular program at the AFRC is financial management. One financial class offered is "Growing Your Money," a two-part course focused on helping people realize their dreams by learning necessary financial skills. 

"Most people are not aware of where their money goes," Mrs. Davis said, "We try to make people aware of their spending habits and help them live responsibly within their income." 

During the course, attendees learn about debt management, checkbook management, budgeting and establishing a spending plan, she continued. 

The financial classes the center provides are very beneficial to Airmen and their families, Captain Straw said. "They provide excellent resources to help families work out a budget, balance a checkbook and save for the future." 

The center also offers classes on a monthly basis such as "Car Buying Strategies" and the "Home Buying Workshop." 

"Buying a home or a car can be a complicated process," Mrs. Davis said. "Our car buying classes teach members how prices are set and dealers benefit." It also explains some of the pitfalls associated with buying a car. 

"The home buying classes teach people about immediate and long term home buying expenses," she said. 

The Airman and Family Readiness Center, located in Bldg #323C in Room 206 offers many programs to help servicemembers and their families. Anyone interested in registering for a class or obtaining more information can call 294-4329, or visit http://www.offutt55fss.com/