December 2011/January 2012 - Navy
By Raymond J. Torp

We often hear of the Navy referred to as a family, and in many ways the Navy is a second family to those who serve. Whether we are currently serving in the active, reserve or retired component or are a former Sailor, we know the camaraderie that service entails and the extraordinary bond that is built among those who serve. Our continuum of service helps make the Navy family stronger.

As in any family, we have our good days and bad, times when we feel a close affinity to the organization and times when we just want to dissociate ourselves from the clan. We usually find a way to reconcile. Our Navy family has a long and storied history and we can be justifiably proud of the family accomplishments and achievements.

As senior officers and leaders, we are in some ways like the patriarchs of this family, elders who have experience that needs to be passed down to the next generation. New members of the family are sometimes reluctant to ask for help. We can assist those serving and let them know that help is available. By keeping a door open, we can assist our shipmates who may need our help. This also includes our shipmates’ family members who may have special needs during deployments, mobilizations and individual augmentation assignments.

No one size fits all and all are encouraged to familiarize themselves with some of the resources available to assist our Sailors and their families. A few of these are listed below:

Active, Reserve, and their families

U.S. and possessions: 1-800-342-9647 Worldwide: Follow local instructions for placing a collect call to the U.S. 484-530- 5908.

Military OneSource (https:// www.militaryonesource.mil)

Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense to service members and their families to help with a broad range of concerns including money management, spouse employment and education, parenting and child care, relocation, deployment, reunion, and the particular concerns of families with special-needs members. They can also include more complex issues like relationships, stress and grief. Services are available 24 hours a day––by telephone with professionally trained consultants and on-line. Many Military OneSource staff members have military experience (veterans, spouses, Guardsmen, Reservists), and all receive ongoing training on military matters and military lifestyle. The program can be especially helpful to service members and their families who live at a distance from installations.

Fleet and Family Support Programs (http://1.usa.gov/vMrNym) support individual and family readiness and adaptation to life in the Navy. There are 81 sites around the world that provide services for Sailors and their families.

The Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control (http://bit.ly/ uwN9BH) is dedicated to the mental health and well-being of Navy and Marine Corps service members and their families.

Navy Retirees and their families
(http://bit.ly/v7r5LM)

There are many other resources available for those serving and their families. Thanks to all for your service and your assistance in keeping our Navy family strong.