JOINT BASE LANGLEY EUSTIS, Va. –
Army Community Service is hosting Fort Eustis' annual Army Family Action Plan Community Forum Oct. 14-15 at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
The forum is held to identify and address Soldiers, retirees, civilians, Wounded Warriors, family members and surviving spouses' issues of concern by taking in installation questions and working with subject matter experts to find solutions. Approximately 27-36 delegates representing each unit will team up in working groups to break down community concerns.
"The Forum is another avenue active duty, family members, retirees and DoD civilians can submit their issues and or ideas to, to make Joint Base Langley-Eustis and the Army a better place to work and play," said Sharon Rector, ACS community readiness consultant. "It also gives commanders a gauge to validate concerns and measure satisfaction, and results in legislation, policies, programs, and services that strengthen readiness and retention."
During the forum the delegates will meet in working groups to resolve the top six issues submitted by the community.
Rector encourages community members to submit questions because some of the issues reviewed in AFAPs have initiated legislative changes, and smaller issues are brought to the commander's attention to address at a local level.
"Every issue that is submitted whether it is one of the six going forward or not, is sent to the garrison commander for review," said Rector. "This gives leadership another way to see what post members would like to improve upon and it helps with quality of life."
Results seen from last year's Fort Eustis AFAPS include:
· Increased number of copiers, printers and fax machines for customer use at the installation library
· Added customer service hours at the ID card section
Some executive and legislative initiatives that were addressed at AFAPs are:
· Public Law 110-245 authorized the Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief Act of 2008 (HEART Act) and tax credit for employers who pays a salary differential to mobilized reservist. (AFAP Issue 486)
· Public Law 110-314 authorized the Higher Education Opportunity Act mandating that states charge no higher than in state tuition rates for military personnel and their dependents. (AFAP Issue 521)
· FY09 national Defense Authorization Act granted professional weight allowance for military spouses (AFAP Issue 531) and paternity leave for new military fathers in addition to normal leave. (AFAP Issue 578)
· Post 9/11 Veteran's Educational Assistance Act of 2008 authorizing distribution of Montgomery GI Benefits (MGIB) to dependents. (AFAP Issue 497)
· MGIB for Veterans Education Assistance Program Era Soldiers. (AFAP Issue 385)
· Executive Order 13473 (spouse employment) allowing noncompetitive appointment authority for spouses of active duty (AD) military, disabled service members (SM) and un-remarried widow/widower of a SM killed on AD. (AFAP Issue 591)
While some issues may be deemed unattainable at the local installation level, they will be forwarded for resolution at the appropriate higher level of command.
The report of the issues worked by Fort Eustis command representatives will be addressed to the community during a report-out scheduled for Oct. 16, 10:00-11:30 a.m., at Wylie Theater.
To submit an AFAP issue, visit the ACS in Building 650, or email the issue to Eustisacs@gmail.com, or go to www.myarmyonesource.com - "Family Programs and Services-Army Family Action Plan-Submit Issue".
To volunteer as a forum facilitator, room manager, transcriber or issue management team member, call Rector at 757-878-3638.