Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks,parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.
This Guard and Reserve Personnel Fact Sheets book is published annually as a desktop reference for personnel issues affecting all Air Reserve Component Airmen.
2015 Guard & Reserve Fact Sheets
Due to the annual nature of this publication, laws, policies and procedures may change before the next edition is released. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Air Reserve Personnel Center public website, www.arpc.afrc.af.mil
Customer service counselors in the Total Force Service Center are available 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and the first three Saturdays of each month. Customers are encouraged to use the numbers below.
Commercial: 210-565-0102 Toll Free: 800-525-0102
You never know where you will be when an emergency occurs. That’s why it’s important to always be prepared! In addition to having a disaster supply kit at home, you should also store one at work and in your car. The contents of your kits should vary depending on the storage location. The Ready campaign outlines what to pack in your disaster supply kit whether you’re at home or on the go:
* Your home kit should contain items like non-perishable food items and water to last for at least three days. Keep it in a designated area, so that everyone has access to it. You may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks;
* Your work kit should have enough food, water, and any necessary medications to last for at least 24 hours. You should also have comfortable shoes in case you have to walk a long distance in the event of an evacuation; and
* Your car kit should include flashlights, jumper cables, a first aid kit, water, a shovel, and warm clothes!
Please note that here in Hawai‘i, we need to stock water and supplies for at least 7-10 days. Most government websites recommend 3 days, and that is a reasonable supply if you live on the continental United States. Hawai‘i remains dependent on container ships that take 7 days to get to Hawai‘i from Oakland or Los Angeles.
Not only is it delicious, but ginger is also a miracle root that can help you feel better on so many different levels!
The pūpūkahi is the State of Hawaii Department of Defense monthly newsletter. Printed versions of the pūpūkahi have been the “command information” newsletter for decades, however, it was suspended in 2009 due to budget cuts.
Click here to read the June 2015 digital pūpūkahi
“Warm Line” Dedicated to Suicide Prevention in Hawaii
In Hawaii, suicide is the most common cause of fatal injuries among residents, outpacing car crashes, homicide, poisoning and drowning. It is estimated that one suicide is committed every two days in Hawaii. In fact, about 20 percent of the 75,000 calls received on the Department of Health’s ACCESS Line last year related to crisis intervention, according to Steven Balcom, Crisis/Residential Treatment Services Coordinator with the Adult Mental Health Division of the Hawaii State Department of Health.
The Hawaii State Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) is keeping pace with our community’s growing need for mental health services
Since the statewide ACCESS Line program was launched in 2002, this phone line has served a two-fold purpose. It has provided phone counseling and support to individuals who are contemplating suicide or experiencing other types of personal crises and it has been a valuable resource for Hawaii residents seeking personalized advice on how to access State-funded mental health services.
After thoroughly reviewing how to effectively address both needs, AMHD has decided to offer two separate phone lines to the public. One phone line will be dedicated to helping people find out if they are eligible for government-sponsored mental health services. The number for the new AMHD Eligibility Line, which is now operational, is 643-AMHD.
The other phone line is the newly named Crisis Line of Hawaii, which goes into effect July 1, 2015. The Crisis Line of Hawaii is “warm line,” staffed 24/7, thanks to funding for two additional full-time equivalent positions. AMHD also continues to use call-in staff to ensure around the clock phone coverage.
“This new phone line is strictly dedicated to helping individuals who are facing crises,” Balcom said. “To ensure easy access, we have renamed the ACCESS Line the Crisis Line of Hawaii. This reflects our renewed focus on our program’s primary mission of providing crisis support to the community.”
Although the name of the suicide prevention and counseling line has changed, the phone and fax numbers remain the same.
On Oahu, it is 832-3100.
Neighbor island residents may call toll free at 1-800-753-6879.
The fax number is (808) 453-6391.
Governor David Y. Ige hosted a ceremony yesterday for Brigadier General Arthur “Joe” Logan promoting him to the rank of Major General. The ceremony was held at Washington Place and there was a reception following to the pinning.
In attendance were a number of Hawai‘i National Guard retirees. Mert Agena, Tim Fujino, Clara Furubayashi, Ron Han, Ray Jardine, Walt Kaneakua, Robert Lee, Vern Miyagi, Vern Nakasone, Stan Osserman, Edward Richardson, Richard Tanaka, Skip Vincent, Sam Wong.
There was a contingent of the general’s high school classmates from Saint Louis School. Chief Louis Kealoha and several senior members of the Honolulu Police Department were there. The general served for 20 years in the police department.
Photographs from the ceremony are posted on three venues.
Hawai‘i DOD Public Affairs flickr account
Hawai‘i Adjutant General Facebook page
Hawai‘i Governor Flickr Account
A big Mahalo to everyone involved with the planning and carrying out this promotion ceremony
The May issue of the Office of Veterans Affairs newsletter, Hawaii Veteran, is out. Another great issue by Editor Jayme Nagamine.
Hawaii Veteran Newsletter May 2015
The Office of Veterans Services (OVS) is the principal state office responsible for the development and management of policies and programs related to veterans, their dependents, and/or survivors. The OVS acts as a liaison between the Governor and veterans’ organizations and also between the Department of Veterans Affairs and individual veterans. Our objectives are to assist veterans in obtaining State and federal entitlements, to supply the latest information on veterans’ issues and to provide advice and support to veterans making the transition back into civilian life.
U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Blake R. Borsic (Released)
The Air Force based its plan to retire the A-10 on an inaccurate projection of cost savings, and will run into a capability gap associated with providing close air support, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Thursday.
The GAO’s report punches holes in the Air Force’s justification for its controversial decision to retire the attack jet, saying planners did not “fully assess” the cost savings associated with the A-10 divestment.
The last two paragraphs of the article are interesting and shows the Air Force’s continuing goal to retire the A-10s.
When a bad mood strikes, it’s tempting to lean into the emotions and just ride it out. But there are ways to take a more proactive approach — even with what you eat. Emerging research suggests that the bacteria living in your gut may be impacting your mood, and changing what you eat can be the bad-mood-buster you’ve been looking for.
Retirements
As reported earlier in Retiree News, Sandy Hashimoto will retire on Thursday – yes this week! Sandy has worked for many years in the Human Resource Office (HRO) as the retirement expert. She helped all those who retired as a federal technician from the Hawaii National Guard. Happy Retirement Sandy!
Another retiree to be is SMSgt Roxanne Bruhn. Rocky worked in several Hawai‘i Air National Guard units over the years. She retires as the HIANG AGR manager at the Human Resource Office (HRO) on October 1, 2015. Rocky starts here terminal leave next Tuesday. Happy Trails Rocky!
Transitions
Congratulations go to Brigadier General Keith Tamashiro. The Adjutant General, Major General Arthur “Joe” Logan selected Gen. Tamashiro as the new commander of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard. There will be a ceremony during the August training weekend.
The current HIARNG commander, Brigadier General Bruce Oliveira will become the Assistant Adjutant General, Army. General Oliveira will continue in his fulltime state position with the department.
Congratulations go to Colonel Suzanne Vares-Lum. She was selected to serve the Chief of the Hawai‘i National Guard’s Joint Staff. She replaces Colonel Kenneth Hara, who now serves as the Deputy Adjutant General.
SMSgt Ramon “Maui” Quizon has left Headquarters, Hawai‘i Air National Guard to return to a position with the Air Guard Liaison office at Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces. He will work with Colonel Chris “Frenchy” Faurot, who serves as the Director of ANG Forces. Frenchy replaced Colonel Steve Su‘a-Filo, who retired.
Another round of base realignments and closures looks to be out of the question for now, but BRAC — and its potential costs — dominated some discussions at a summit on the future of military communities.
The Association of Defense Communities summit was the backdrop for exchanging ideas on how the private sector could get more involved in the installations of the future, to the point of perhaps even managing military bases.
Ongoing talk of budget constraints in the near future has led the Defense Department and the services to seek another BRAC round, to reduce unneeded infrastructure that costs precious dollars to maintain.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
During June, the following postings received a high number of viewings.
Over 50? Add These 7 Foods to Your Diet Now After age 30, our metabolism begins to gradually decline, so there’s less room for empty calories from sugary drinks and desserts. But nutrient-dense foods can help protect you from developing health conditions.
Big Changes Coming for Medicare, Social Security Some changes are in the wind for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid—entitlement programs that account for 45% of the federal government’s payouts.
What’s Inside: Sricacha Wired Magazine has a monthly feature called “What’s Inside”, where the staff researches and shares the ingredients of some of your favorite products. This article and video covers Sricacha, which quickly has become an American favorite
