The Kadena Townhall for Mil-to-Mil families was conducted on 3 October 2024. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
Concerns
Question: CDC – Is there a potential to get childcare through the CDC on 18 WG Family Days? For Mil-to-Mil families when one member is TDY/Deployed, it’s difficult to find time to do self-care when the CDC is closed on those days as well. Could it potentially be open to just this demographic?
Answer: CDC staff also have young children, and they are not able to get time off when they have to work but could potentially be open to just single and Mil-to-Mil parents. More information will be provided once it’s been decided whether it is possible or not.
Question: Is there a potential to be able to allow 15-year-olds to have a driver’s license.
Answer: 18 WG leadership will look into it, but not sure if willing to take the risk.
Question: NEO – How does it work for Mil-to-Mil families?
Answer: 718 FSS will have to get more details, however, members should have family care plans to ensure that dependents are able to evacuate. For contingencies, members should expect both Mil-to-Mil parents have to implement their Family Care Plan and while remaining on island. In the case of an increased threat from adversaries or environment, some members could take dependents earlier and return to duties, just dependent on the situation. During a contingency, military members will have to remain on island and activate their NEO / Family Care Plan in order to get dependents off island.
Question: If both parents are going to deploy at the same time, is there a way to get the individual who is identified as the long term caregiver in the Family Care Plan authorization to stay on island with dependents? This would reduce the back-and-forth travel and adjustments for the children if they are able to remain on island with their caregiver.
Answer: Yes, there is an option to make this happen. Ensure that you and your spouse also coordinate with your CSS to deconflict your AEF indicators. This will help prevent the potential of deploying at the same time. 18 WG Leadership is advocating to get 18 LRS deployment taskings cancelled or reduced.
Question: Clubs are not more family friendly on First Friday evening events and members would appreciate it if there is space available to designate as a family area and still have an alcohol beverage.
Answer: Bars will be off-limits for children. The Officer’s Club has now designated a family friendly area for First Fridays.
Key Takeaways
Any Mil-to-Mil families who are having issues with getting a joint assignment should request assistance from the 18 WG/CC and 18 WG/CCC. They have been able to help get Mil-to-Mil families joint assignments and are willing to help members who need it.
For members that are married to a joint service military member, start to work on getting a joint assignment about a year out and ensure that you get Colonel (O-6) level support. This type of joint assignment is complex and typically takes an O-6 or higher to get quick support.
A Family Childcare Coordinator is available for families who need support with complex schedules. This individual can be emailed with your family’s limiting factors, and they help you find childcare that works best for your family.
Ensure that your supervisors are tracking that you are a Mil-to-Mil family to help work schedules, deployments, etc.
The Kadena Townhall for Small Business Owners was conducted on 10 October 24. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
Concerns:
Question: Is there a way to authorize base approval for the length of orders instead of annual approval? USMC and Army approve for length of orders and makes it easier on businesses, so they don’t have to wait for JAG approval.
Answer: Kadena AB currently requires annual approval due to specific regulations; KABI 36-2901, paragraph 1.7 states that persons approved from employment will “obtain reapproval annually.” 18 WG will look into whether or not it’s possible to update this to match the length of orders.
Question: Attendee was disappointed to find out that the Legal Office cannot discuss rules/regulations for small businesses on Kadena. Is there anyone to consult with?
Answer: DoD cannot endorse businesses, therefore providing legal advice from the Legal Office could be viewed as endorsing a business and they are not able to. The Legal Office is currently looking into if there is anyone that business owners can consult with.
Question: With base approval, what protections do we have as far as customer disputes, defamation, and other issues that could affect our business and reputation?
Answer: DoD cannot endorse businesses, therefore providing legal advice from the Legal Office could be viewed as endorsing a business and they are not able to. Any disputes must be handled between the business and the customers or find legal advice through different avenues.
Question: Can flyers promoting businesses be distributed on military installations?
Answer: Ask the agencies that you are requesting to solicit through or around for approval. The Marquee that is located by Risner on Douglas Blvd is currently limited to NAF. For advertisement in the Venture Magazine, get with the Marketing office at 315-634-5078 or venture@kadenaFSS.com
Question: Owners have difficulty shipping and receiving items because they can’t utilize their PO box What are some other shipping options in Japan?
Answer: Reach out to Shop Oki Local Directory at shopokilocal@gmail.com to request guidance on how to utilize Japan shipping options.
Key Takeaways:
Reach out to Shop Oki Local Directory at shopokilocal@gmail.com or follow on Facebook for information on where there are available markets to sell at.
The Kadena Townhall for Exceptional Family Member Program was conducted on 24 October 24. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
Question: How early do you recommend families start the medical clearance process prior to a PCS?
Answer: As early as possible. Especially anything EFMP or pets related should be started early on because these two processes take the longest to get finalized.
Question: EFMP affects manning when orders are cancelled last minute. What can we do as an organization to request more personnel to fill those gaps?
Answer: We can’t request more people, and we won’t be able to have two personnel to one billet. For high profile gains (CC, SEL, etc) reach out to give them a heads up about the lengthy processes. Tell sponsors at all levels to also help their incoming personnel and help them be proactive.
Question: When I’m missing documents in my EFMP paperwork, why am I not notified instead of being denied?
Answer: Unfortunately, the EFMP office cannot send the EFMP site back to the member in MyVector. They have been requesting to AFPC to make this possible, however, they have not been successful. When documents are missing, the EFMP process will send a message through MyVector to the member requesting the missing items. Sometimes the system will glitch, so they also send an email directly to the members. If there is no response, they will reach out to the First Sergeants to request the information again. If all these processes fail, they can only send it up to AFPC without the documents and it will be denied.
Question: What is some advice you can give to help people get through the EFMP process faster?
Answers:
Each member of the family is required to complete a screening questionnaire. Dependents over the age of 18 are required to complete their own questionnaire, sponsors will not be allowed to complete it.
HIPA release form – Form 2870 allows sponsors to see information for dependents 18 years and older. This will help streamline the process because sponsors can only access if permission is given. If this form is not signed by dependents, sponsors will not be able to assist or view any information for their dependents that over the age of 18.
Automatic Requirements: DD 2792-1 (per child) ; medical physical within 2 years of PCS date ; Dental Exam within 1 year of PCS date ; updated IEP (if required for child) ; DODEA assessment within 1 year of PCS date
With the requirements listed above, you and your family members can be proactive and accomplish them prior to even starting the EFMP process. Complete appointments to ensure that the requirements are still within the timeframe needed until you PCS.
If you have ever been given a referral but decided to not get seen, you will automatically be denied because you did meet the doctor’s recommendation. Make sure to be seen for the referral to prevent a denial. Ensure any off-base visit records have been provided to the 18 MDG so that all documentation is in their records.
DODEA – Get your IEP updated right before you leave to have the most current information. Verfy records and make sure you have them in order to ensure that you have a smooth transition to the next school.
Family Vector site URL – This website allows you to see what percentage of approvals/denials there have been in the past 2 years based on your PCS location and your conditions.
https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil/MemberSite/ProviderTrends
EFMP & Me – Military One Source tool which provides checklists, resources, and referrals to help guide families through the process.
https://efmpandme.militaryonesource.mil/
EFMP does not want to restrict families long-term; families who may have been considered EFMP before will be re-evaluated each PCS to ensure that families are given all options available for their situation. This also allows bases to give flexibility and re-evaluate availability since there is only availability for a certain number of personnel. For example, a family had a child who was considered EFMP, but the child no longer has this condition and has been removed from the EFMP restrictions. Re-evaluating when a new PCS is generated allows more options to be available for this family instead of being restricted to only bases that can support EFMP members. You can also be re-evaluated when symptoms change, for better or worse.
The EFMP conditions that 18 MDG must consider is availability for mental health, pediatric specialties, ADA, and level 2-3 autism. Even if you have done your research around Kadena AB and have found local clinics that could provide you assistance, it’s not a guarantee they will provide services. There aren’t any written agreements between 18 MDG and the local off-base clinics, so members could be denied services even if they were given a referral. EFMP can only accept or deny based on availability on Kadena AB. 18 MDG also has to consider/account for people who are already stationed on Kadena AB and may develop needs for EFMP.
18 WG/CC has been advocating for EFMP auto approval for some EFMP conditions, however, it’s not a guarantee.
KTH – 5 Sep – Healthcare
12 members attended
Optometry
Will LASIK/PRK be available to members at Kadena? When will Kadena be able to provide the provide appointments to get approved for TDY for procedures again?
Currently the optometry office is not manned to provide this. They are looking at potentially being able to provide appts for procedure approvals in late fall, however, this will only be possible if they get more manning. The USNHO has recently been filling the gap for MDG and taking some optometry patients for routine checkups.
MDG Manning
Wing and MDG leadership have expressed concerns and continue to advocate for manning through DHA and PACAF.
MHS Genesis
This system is complicated to use and when people try to sign up for an appointment online, there is a long list of providers. Sometimes new providers are not listed, old providers are listed or USNHO providers are not listed. 18 MDG does not have access to update this listing, but they will reach out to figure out how they can get access to modify it or have the list modified.
This system is beneficial because when you message your provider through the patient portal, it automatically pops up on their computer screen. This is the fastest and most effective way to contact your provider for quick updates or changes.
Space Available appointments are available after 1000 on M-F. Space Available-eligible patients include: Active Active-duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Select or TRICARE Young Adult – Select Option; Retired service members and their eligible family members; DOD civilians and contractors
Translation services are available through the Tricare Referral Office/Program for off base appts. Essentially when you get a referral to an off-base clinic, the Tricare Overseas Office coordinates with the Tricare Referral Office and helps assign a translator to go to appointments with you, if needed. For medical documents / records, the off-base clinic sends them to the Tricare Overseas Office, who translates them and coordinates with the Tricare Referral Office to put them in your medical records.
There is a contract in process to help civilians medical care insurance, which will allow them to utilize their insurance at off-base medical facilities.
Kadena Health Promotion Center: Located in building 108, next to Risner Gym. Available programs: Nutrition 101, Tobacco Cessation, Commissary Tours, Bod Pod Analysis, Food 4 Thought, and InBody Analysis.
TBA
The Kadena Townhall for Motorcycle Riders was conducted on 1 August 2024. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
Basic Rider Course (BRC): Motorcycles aren’t provided for the course due to the cost of the contract. Members who want to get certified have to either borrow a motorcycle from a friend or rent one. There are rental companies near Kadena AB that will rent motorcycles to utilize for the course. These rental companies are not associated with the BRC that is held on Kadena AB.
Lack of classes, sometimes members have to wait months to attend a BRC. MCIPAC owns the motorcycle training course contract, but 18 WG leadership will reach out to see if they can increase the number of classes available to help the backlog.
Be aware that if you have modifications on your motorcycle and they are not listed on the title, the JCI will most likely fail.
Per 18 SFS, All motorcycle riders need to physically carry their original MSF card on them, digital cards are not authorized. This could be deemed as driving without a license if you are pulled over and do not have this card on you.
Rider communities:
American Legion https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionRidersOkinawa/
The Kadena Townhall for Female Airmen was conducted on 25 July 2024. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
BX does not consistently stock women’s uniforms, especially hot weather gear. We will reach out to the manager to see about getting more stock available.
Issues with pharmacy not being able to provide certain medications. Doctors put in the prescription, but when members try to pick up the prescription from the pharmacy, they must get an alternate because they don’t have that medication. The Genesis website has the list of medications, but they don’t match up with the medications the Pharmacy has. Medical Group will have to reach out to the Genesis program managers to get this updated.
To refill prescriptions at the pharmacy, it’s best to requires a refill online through Genesis and it will be typically available 24 hours after the request. This is to ensure that patients who have appointments that day have shorter wait times. If you need a same-day prescription, it is possible. Please speak to the Pharmacy about getting your prescription filled same day.
Risner Gym Parent’s room is not big enough for multiple parents to be in there at the same time. Risner gym manager will allow parents to utilize the big mirror room next to the parent’s room if it’s available. Please just get with the front desk to verify that it hasn’t been reserved by a big group during that time.
Lactation specialists are available from the med group if needed.
Mental Health provides services to active-duty members to help with Postpartum Depression. Kadena Family Advocacy has a program called New Parent Support where you can get assistance or attend classes for many different support groups, prevention services, and classes. To name a couple, there are breastfeeding support groups, Dad’s 101 and Newborn 101 classes, playgroups to meet up and socialize your children, etc. These programs are available to all SOFA status personnel.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090739406363
For more mental health and physical health options, Risner Gym offers massage therapists and a coed sauna. Health promotions is right next door in building 108, which offers a zen room, Bod Pod and InBody analysis, nutrition classes, etc.
The Kadena Townhall for GS Civilians was conducted on 13 June 2024. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
There were 10 Attendees.
5-year rule
The NDAA 2025, which has not yet been signed, will eliminate the 5-year limit on GS civilians who can stay overseas. Only individuals hired for travel-based employment are subject to this; Local Hire Civilians are still subject to the 5-year overseas limitation policy.
Civilians Mental Health Care
The Department of Defense is also looking into extending mental health services to civilians. Currently, the DoD only offers mental health services to active-duty members due to staffing constraints, but they recognize the importance of the civilian workforce to the military base's success and are actively exploring this possibility. In the meantime, the chaplains serve as valuable resources for developing mental health services. Chaplin will serve active duty, dependents, and civilians with confidentiality.
Promotion Opportunities:
You need to be adaptable and ready to relocate. You can find job and promotion opportunities worldwide. To maximize your potential for promotion, be flexible with your location and schedule.
Civilian Professional military Education opportunity
Wing Leadership is actively investigating this matter. We will open more opportunities for our civilian work force.
Civilian Deployment Opportunities
There are ways civilians can deploy just like Active Duty does, reach out to the supervisor and UDMs to find out more.
The Kadena Townhall for Shift Workers (PM) was conducted on 27 June 2024. This Townhall was held at the Schilling Center on Kadena AB to provide a forum for open communications with 18th Wing Leadership.
There were approximately 11 attendees.
Common Concerns:
Personnel under the 18th Wing, who are not working at Kadena AB, experience a sense of exclusion from the vibrant events taking place depending on the shifts they are on.
Shift work has a profound impact on family dynamics, as shifts change, the search for suitable childcare becomes more challenging, especially for single parents due to the situation requiring them to navigate the complexities of balancing work and childcare responsibilities with limited support.
The strain of managing time and energy makes it increasingly difficult to fulfill responsibilities such as going to appointments, training, grocery shopping, etc.