Ombudsman Update for W/E 02/20/04

Welcome to the weekly PACAREA TACLET update for week ending 02/20/14! It's been a busy week for TACLET as our men and women train hard for a job that seems to grow more important every day, and perhaps an even busier week for families who are keeping the home fires burning while their loved ones are deployed. Hope everyone stays dry during this much-needed rain - and safe on our wet highways. The good news is - the first day of Spring is exactly one month away...

 

Below are items that have come across my desk in the past week that may be of interest to our families. If you are not able to access this information by clicking on the underlined text, please reply to this email and request that a text version be sent to you.

 

Comments and feedback are always appreciated. Just hit reply!

 

USO STILL NEEDS CARE PACKAGE VOLUNTEERS:

 

The San Diego USO is still looking for volunteers to help hand out USO Care Packages from February 23 - March 31.  Day and evening shifts as well as weekday and weekend shifts are available. Nearly 20,000 Marines and sailors will be leaving from March Air Force Reserve, Camp Pendleton, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in the coming weeks, many of whom returned from Iraq less than five months ago. Please visit this page for more information on how you can help make a difficult time a little easier for members of our sister services. Or, call Kate at the USO directly at 619-235-6503.

 

NEW ON THE TRICARE WEBSITE:

 

TRICARE Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
Ever wonder what that explanation of benefits is really all about?  The EOB is a statement of the action taken on your TRICARE claim. Visit the EOB Web site for an explanation of items on an EOB.
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/eob/

 

For other TRICARE news and updates, visit the TRICARE page on the TACLET Ombudsman website.

 

2004 AIR SHOW:

 

"The Navy's Best Air Show" is coming to Naval Air Facility El Centro on March 13. Featuring the world-famous Blue Angels and the Navy Leapfrogs, this is an event worth the drive east. Flying begins at 9:30 AM, and gates open at 8:00 AM. Admission, parking, and "blanket seating" are free; preferred seating is available. The night before, NAF El Centro also hosts the Sixth Annual Food Festival in Hangar 6 from 5:30 to 10 PM. Enjoy great food from local merchants while mingling with the Blue Angels and other Air Show performers. Advance tickets are only $3.00 and include Imperial Valley's only aerial Pyrotechnic Night Show and a Silent Auction where you can win a ride with one of the Air Show Performers! Click here for details.

 

SEMPER FIT:

 

The fun and fitness never stop at MCRD! If you haven't visited the Fitness Center lately, you're in for a treat. In addition to a newly-renovated weight room and aerobics classroom, lots of new classes have been added to the schedule. Now there's truly something for everyone - Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing, and the ever-popular No Pain-No Gain class at 0600! Call 619-524-4427 or visit www.mccsmcrd.com for the complete schedule and put fitness on your schedule today!

 

WHAT'S ON SALE AT THE COMMISSARY THIS WEEK:

 

Click here to view the sale flier for local DeCA commissaries, including 32nd Street (NBSD) and Miramar. If you've never shopped at either of these commissaries, give one of them a try if you need to stock up. You'll find fantastic prices, great selection, and, best of all, no picket lines!

 

 MWR THIS WEEK:

 

In addition the the 2004 Navy Air Show, this week's MWR events include the Bay Bridge Run/Walk (May), a ski and snowboard trip to Big Bear Mountain, and sailing and SCUBA classes. Click here for all the details!

 

 COMMANDING GENERAL'S CUP:

 

Horseshoes:

 

Congratulations to PO Shreve for a fantastic second place finish in the CG Cup Horsehoe Tournament Finals! Overall results are not yet posted on the MCRD Website, but those five points for second place in this event should keep us right up there in contention for the Cup. Once again, great job Team Coast Guard!

 

Next Up:

 

The next CG Cup event is the Tennis Tournament, a one-day event to be held on Tuesday, February 24. I did not have the time or location for this event as of this writing, so email me if you'd like to attend and I'll give you the details.

 

 NEW LINKS:

 

I am still working on updating and organizing the links page. Amazingly, I didn't add that much this week, but I'm sure you'll find something new to you if you drop by - grab your favorite beverage and click away! Some links you might enjoy:

* National Military Family Association - Serving the families of those who serve. NMFA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) association that has been working since 1969 to educate the public, the military community, and the Congress on the rights and benefits of military families and to advocate an equitable quality of life for those families. Their website also offers a range of publications, resources, and even Moving/Relocation Services through the NMFA Connection Service.

 

* The Ombudsman Program - You can tell it's a slow news week now, can't you? Still, I encourage you to visit this page to learn more about what an Ombudsman does for his or her Command and how rewarding this program really is. As most of you know, I'll be leaving in early June, and the Command is looking for someone to take over this vital position at TACLET. If you have any questions about that, or the program in general, please don't hesitate to contact me or CDR DeQuattro.

 

That's it for this week! My email box is always open if you have any questions or concerns that I can assist you with. As MCPO Fuller often says, "The only silly questions are the ones not asked."

Semper Paratus,

Nancy L. Kramer
PACAREA TACLET Ombudsman
(619) 659-8910 Cell (619) 244-1407
pactaclet_ombud@yahoo.com
http://www.oocities.org/pactaclet_ombud/

 

 

 

Click here to read the latest Ombudsman Newsletter.

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