san antonio express-news - inside: shutdown information, p2 aetc welcomes...

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH No. 39 • OCTOBER 11, 2013

A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio

INSIDE: SHUTDOWN INFORMATION, P2 ... AETC WELCOMES NEW COMMANDER, P4 ... DFAC CHANGES, P9

OCTOBER 11, 2013PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD

Joint Base San Antonio-RandolphEditorial Staff

Brig. Gen. Bob LaBruttaJBSA/502nd Air Base Wing Commander

Todd G. WhiteJBSA/502nd ABW Public Affairs Director

Marilyn C. HollidayJBSA-Randolph Public Affairs ChiefAirman 1st Class Lincoln Korver

EditorAirman 1st Class Kenna Jackson

Airman 1st Class Alexandria SladeRobert Goetz, Alex Salinas

Staff WritersMaggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

ON THE COVER

This newspaper is published by Prime Time Military News-papers, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Wingspread are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ-ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Prime Time Military Newspapers, of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of JBSA-Randolph. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

The deadline for submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior to publication. All submissions can be emailed to [email protected].

Wingspread Offi ce1150 5th Street East

JBSA-Randolph, Texas 78150Phone: (210) 652-4410

Wingspread [email protected]

Wingspread Advertisement Offi cePrime Time Military Newspapers

2203 S. HackberrySan Antonio, Texas 78210

(210) 534-8848

Check us out . . .• On Facebook: Joint Base San Antonio, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston,

Lackland JBSA and JBSA-Randolph

• On Twitter: @JBSA_Offi cial, @JBSAFSH, @JBSALackland and @JBSARandolph

• On YouTube: Joint Base San Antonio

502nd Air Base Wing:1st Lt. Amanda McGowin, 221-4321Alternate: Master Sgt. Mason Wilson, 671-6705502nd Mission Support Group:Manny Henning, 221-1844Alternate: Duane Dunkley, 221-2207

802nd MSG:1st Lt. Brandon Langel, 671-2528Alternate: Master Sgt. Robert Brinson, 671-5511902nd MSG:Matt Borden, 652-3797Alternate: Master Sgt. Ennis Fowler, 652-6915Alternate: Master Sgt. Shawn Waghorn, 652-3088

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN POINTS OF CONTACTThe 2013 Combined Federal Campaign runs through Dec. 15. The following is a list of points of contact for Joint Base San Antonio:

National Night Out, an event created to spread community awareness on drug and crime prevention, was host-ed Oct. 1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The event included opening remarks by Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, JBSA and 502nd Air Base Wing commander, in-formation booths, child-friendly activities, food, contests and a performance by the Randolph High School Marching Band.Photos by Airman 1st Class Lincoln Korver

By 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

For an updated list Joint Base San Antonio services affected by the shut-down, visit: http://www.jbsa.af.mil

Q. Will the military be paid? Will civilians receive back pay?

A. From the Defense Finance and Accounting Service;

Military members: Final guidance on making military pay under the Pay Our Military Act was received from the DoD. Normal pay and al-lowances have been processed and you will receive them in your mid-month pay. The amount reflected in your mid-month statement will be deposited.

Civilian employees: DFAS has also processed civilian payroll. All employ-ees will receive normal pay through Sept. 30. The amount of pay for Oct. 1-5 will be dependent on whether an employee is exempt, excepted from furlough or furloughed. Pay will be received on your normal pay dates beginning Oct 11.

For DOD Employees designated as Excepted from Furlough, timecards should be coded based upon type of work performed (Regular, Overtime, etc.) between Oct. 1-5.

(Source: http://www.dfas.af.mil)

For more information on time and attendance and civilian pay, go to: http://www.jbsa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123366526.

Q. Are commissaries open?A. Stateside commissaries that

closed due to the government shut-down resumed normal operations effective Monday. JBSA commissary contact information; JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 221-4678, JBSA-Lackland 671-2838, JBSA-Randolph 652-2894.

Q. Are child development centers open? Department of Defense Edu-cation Activity schools open?

A. All Joint Base San Antonio schools and child development cen-ters are open and operating normal hours.

Q. Are JBSA Morale, Welfare and Readiness facilities open?

A. Yes; Community centers (JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Lack-land); Skylark Swimming Pool (JBSA-Lackland); JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Middle School Teen Center (consoli-dating programs at Youth Center for Children); JBSA-Camp Bullis Outdoor Recreation; JBSA-Lackland Outdoor Recreation; JBSA-Lackland Paint Ball; Java Café within JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Community Center; All fi t-

ness centers; all arts and crafts to in-clude auto skills; all youth programs are open until 6:30 p.m.;

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Outdoor Recreation, Information, Tickets and Tours within JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Community Center, open until 2 p.m., ITT within JBSA-Lackland Arnold Hall Community Center; JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Equestrian Center; JBSA-Randolph Community Services Mall; JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Harle-quin Dinner Theatre; Canyon Lake, Golf, Bowling and clubs are all open.

Q. What is the difference be-tween an administrative furlough and shutdown furlough?

A. There are two types of fur-loughs – an administrative furlough is a planned event by an agency designed to absorb reductions ne-cessitated by downsizing, reduced funding, lack of work, or any budget situation other than a lapse in ap-propriations. Furloughs that would potentially result from sequestra-tion would generally be considered administrative furloughs.

A shutdown furlough (also called an emergency furlough) occurs when there is a lapse in appropriations, and can occur at the beginning of

Government Shutdown Information for JBSA

See SHUTDOWN P3

WINGSPREADOCTOBER 11, 2013 PAGE 3

a fiscal year, if no funds have been appropriated for that year, or upon expiration of a continuing resolution, if a new continuing resolution or ap-propriations law is not passed.

In a shutdown furlough, an affected agency would have to shut down any activities funded by annual appropriations that are not excepted by law. Typically, an agency will have very little to no lead time to plan and implement a shut-down furlough.

More information about furloughs is available at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/.

Q. How does this shut down affect Permanent Change of Station assignments?

A. Currently, only those who have PCS orders in hand, prior to Oct. 1, will be allowed to proceed with their PCS, since their move has been funded by the prior fiscal year’s budget. For all others, they should continue with the PCS process, but must wait for funding to be authenticated before they are able to complete their move. PCS orders

coded “A” for accession and “S” for separation are authorized to continue.

Q. Will the active duty Guardsmen come back to work, too?

A. Active duty Guardsmen were still working throughout the shutdown.

Government Shutdown Websites / Points of Contact

• Office of Personnel Management: http://www.opm.gov

• Department of Defense: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0913_govtshutdown/

• Defense Finance and Accounting Service http://www.dfas.mil/pressroom/govtshutdown/crafaq.html

• Total Force Service Center: (800) 525-0102• Air Force Aid Society: http://www.afas.orgRead the full DOD Guidance for Implementation

of Pay Our Military Act memo, http://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/news/POMAimplementation-guidance.pdf.

Resources available for financial counseling and/or stress counseling are below:

MILITARY:Military One Source is available at 1-800-342-

9647, or their crisis line is 1-800-273-TALK. They are available online at http://www.militaryone-source.mil/army and http://www.militaryonesource.mil/airforce.

CIVILIANS: For stress counseling contact the Employee

Assistance Program. EAP (FOH4you) is a free, 24-hour confidential counseling and referral service that can help you and your family deal with life's challenges. They are available via phone at (800) 222-0364, or online at http://www.foh4you.com.

Federal Occupational Health's Work/Life pro-gram is offered to you and your dependents at no cost and you can use the services as often as you like.

Call or log on today at (877) WL4-NOAA ((877) 954-6622), (TTY (800) 873-1322), or online http://www.WorkLife4You.com.

(Article compiled from AFNS, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army products.)

SHUTDOWN from P2

To advertise in the Wingspread, call 534-8848


NEWS

By Tech. Sgt. Beth Anschutz Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

The commander of Air Education and Training Com-mand retired Oct. 10, ending a 35-year career of service and commitment to the U.S. Air Force.

General Edward A. Rice Jr., a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, retired after handing AETC’s reins over to Gen. Robin Rand in a change of command ceremony here Oct. 10.

The son of an Airman, Rice grew up in Ohio near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where his father was stationed and worked in research and development. At the age of nine, Rice was first drawn to flying after see-ing literature on the Air Force Academy.

“I was very much captured by the idea of the academy and what it stood for,” Rice recalled. “I saw the challenges involved and, at a very early age, decided that I wanted to fly.”

The general achieved his goal and then some, be-coming the U.S. Air Force Academy’s cadet wing com-mander before earning recognition as a distinguished graduate as well as his officer’s commission in 1978. He then continued on to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Ariz., where the future general was named distinguished graduate in 1980 before heading to his first flying assignment with the 69th Bombardment

Squadron at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, as a B-52G co-pilot and, subsequently, aircraft commander.

Although the majority of flight duties throughout his career have been with bomber units, Rice has accu-mulated flying hours in eight different aircraft, to include the KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System, and the C-130 Hercules. When asked if he has a favorite airframe, Rice said it’s like trying to name a favorite child.

“I’ve been really fortunate to have flown a large number of aircraft and fly for a long period of time,” he said. “All the aircraft are very different and there

AETC commander retires after 35 years of service

By Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph

Gen. Robin Rand took command of Air Education and Training Command from Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr. during a ceremony here Oct. 10.

Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff, presided over the ceremony.

Rand previously served as the 12th Air Force, Air Combat Command, commander. He is a command pilot with more

than 5,000 flying hours, including 470 combat hours. Rand has held multiple flying tours, served as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army and has had staff tours on the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense and Air Staff.

As the new AETC commander, Rand is charged with re-cruiting, training and educating America’s Airmen through innovation. With an assigned force of more than 60,000 ac-tive-duty Airmen, Reservists and civilians, AETC trains and educates more than 300,000 American and International stu-dents each year on bases throughout the country.

AETC welcomes new commander

Gen. Robin Rand

Then Capt. Edward A. Rice Jr.

Courtesy photo

“The Air Force might seem different to me now because I’ve been in it for a while, but it’s not to the new Airmen; it’s the only Air Force they know. The same things that allowed you and me to be successful will allow them to be

successful. How far and how fast you go in the Air Force is up to the individual more than it

is anything going on around them.”

Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr.former Air Education and Training Command commander

See GENERAL RICE P5

Courtesy photo


are things you like about each, but you can’t pick one over another.”

The general’s assignments have taken him all over the United States and the world, from Washington, D.C., to Guam to Japan. He feels blessed about the opportunities the Air Force has given him over the last four decades.

“One of the great aspects of the Air Force, and the military in general, is the ability to experience different places and, most importantly, meet different people,” Rice said.

The general said the people he’s served with through-out his career have been the best part of his job, despite having presented the most challenges.

“People are the most complex part of our business,” he said. “You may get frustrated with people when they don’t do what you would like them to do, but then you step back and realize you are dealing with human beings and that is what leadership is all about.”

The general said a key to his success has been focusing on the right people.

“You have to be careful not to focus on the people who are problematic, because it’s the people who are strong in an organization on which the success of an organiza-tion depends,” he said.

His advice to new Airmen joining an ever-changing Air Force is to always remember why they were motivated to join and keep working toward those goals.

“The Air Force might seem different to me now because I’ve been in it for a while, but it’s not to the new Airmen; it’s the only Air Force they know,” Rice said. “The same things that allowed you and me to be successful will allow them to be success-ful. How far and how fast you go in the Air Force is up to the individual more than it is anything going on around them.”

Rice said being a part of AETC and having a place in the initial contact and continuous improvement of all U.S. Airmen has been very rewarding.

“AETC really is the fi rst command. When we come into the Air Force, we come through the Air Education and Training Command and then we all come back here many times throughout our careers,” Rice said. “I en-joy the continuity of trying to develop Airmen and make them bigger contributors to their units, our Air Force and our Nation.”

Rice said the hard work of everyone in the com-mand will reap benefi ts.

“I’ve been very pleased with how the command has positioned itself to continue to accomplish the mission the Air Force has asked us to do,” he said. “We have diffi culties just like everyone does and we are adapting to a world that is changing very quickly, but our Airmen have stepped up to that challenge and set the command up for success in the future.”

As for his future after the Air Force, Rice said he doesn’t have much planned just yet.

“We have a house here in San Antonio, so we are going to move in and get settled. My wife, Teresa, has plenty for me to do that will keep me busy not for days or weeks, but probably months,” he said with a smile.

The fi rst order of business, Rice said, will be re-fl ecting on 35 years of service to the nation and to our Air Force.

GENERAL RICE from P4

Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Education and Training Com-mand commander, completed

his fi nal fl ight Monday in a T-38 Talon at Joint Base San

Antonio-Randolph. The general retired Thursday after more

than 35 years of Air Force ser-vice and 4,000 fl ying hours. As is customary with a "fi ni

fl ight," at the end of the sortie he was greeted by friends and

acquaintances and doused with water hoses.

Photo by Rich McFadden


Soccer time

Photos by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Slade Above: The Lil’ Renegades gather for a group cheer Sept. 26 in front of the Youth Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Lil’ Renegades is a six-week parent-involvement program that takes place three times per year to teach 3- to 5-year-old children the fun-damental skills of soccer, basketball and tee ball. Parents get an opportunity to bond with their children while teaching them sports basics. For more information or to register for the program, call the youth center at 652-3298.Right: Tech. Sgt. Ryan Milette and his son, Jacob Milette, practice throw-ins during a Lil’ Renegades practice Sept. 26 in front of the Youth Center on JBSA-Randolph.


To report a sexual assault, call the 24/7 Joint Base San AntonioSexual Assault Prevention and Response Hotline at 808-7272

or the Department of Defense Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247.

• When shopping for a new dishwasher or washing machine, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-effi cient than older appliances.• Time showers to keep them under 5 minutes. This may save up to 1,000 gallons of water per month.• Install low-volume toilets.• Adjust lawn mowers to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn. • When cleaning a fi sh tank, use the old nutrient-rich water for plant fertilizer.

Water Conservation Tips

Library hosts OktoberfestThe JBSA-Randolph Library hosts an Oktoberfest celebration 3:30-5 p.m. Oct. 24. There will be games, activities, coloring, crafts and a movie for the kids. For more information, call 652-5578/2617.

Thanksgiving campFamilies who need care for their children during the Thanksgiving school break can register at JBSA-Randolph Youth Programs Oct. 28-Nov. 8 or until the program is full. The Thanksgiving Camp takes place Nov. 25-27. For more information, call 652-3298.

2013 Federal Employees Health Benefi ts FairJBSA-Randolph's Civilian Personnel Section will host the 2013 Federal Employees Health Fair 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Military and Family Readiness Center Ballroom, located at 555 F Street, building 693. Health Insurance representatives will answer questions. For more information, contact Patrice Jackson at 652-5153.

Library hosts Oktoberfest

JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention, Response

Joint Base San Antonio-LacklandFire Station No. 1 Open House

Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m., Building 2325


By Alex Salinas Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

As part of a Randolph Elementary School effort to encourage participa-tion by students interested in tech-nology, engineering, construction and computer programming, fifth-graders attended their first robotics club meeting Sept. 24.

During the after-school meeting, 16 children racked their minds to answer a seemingly obvious question for the 21st century: “What is a robot?”

Students formed four teams and were assigned Lego Mindstorms kits, which included parts for remote-controlled car-sized robots on wheels with arms, color sensors and speaking devices.

The groups will build and program robots following directional com-mands via computer chips that sync with software during monthly meet-ings until May.

“The hands-on approach makes the kids think and physically apply technical and problem-solving skills,” Elizabeth Henry, Randolph Elemen-tary School computer teacher and robotics club sponsor, said. “This is a different type of learning than in a typical classroom.”

The robotics club, now in its third year, will soon be joined by a new video game design club open to fourth- and fifth-graders, also sponsored by Henry.

Using two websites, http://www.mine-craftedu.com and http://www.gamestar-mechanic.com, students will learn basic tenets of level design and create their own video games. The first video game design club meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Henry said the clubs are important because they promote professional fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to young learners.

“After a request for STEM funding, the district received a $1.4 million grant from the Department of De-fense,” Henry said. “The money helps fund programs like these that give stu-dents the option to become something other than doctors or lawyers. They allow them to step into the technology arena, which is rapidly expanding the job market.”

Lt. Col. Lex Cloutier, 99th Flying Train-ing Squadron instructor pilot, is involved with the robotics club as a second-year volunteer. He signed up when he learned his daughter was joining.

“When kids see adults come to this, they get excited,” Cloutier said. “Interacting with them and watch-ing them make real connections with math and science is extremely rewarding.”

The best part, Cloutier said, is ob-serving students react to failed robot designs “because their minds become stimulated and they work as a team to overcome obstacles.”

Last year, one group successfully pro-grammed its robot to navigate around an obstacle course, Henry said.

The robotics club meets 3:15-4:30 p.m. once a month on a Tuesday, and the video game design club meets 3:15-4:30 p.m. once a month on a Thursday.

Anyone with a Department of De-fense ID card and a valid driver’s li-cense or ID can volunteer by email-ing Henry at [email protected].

School clubs teach fundamental robotics, video game design

Photo by Don LindseyLt. Col. Lex Cloutier, 99th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, demonstrates how robots work to fifth graders at Randolph Elementary School during a meeting of the school's robotics club Sept. 24.

“When kids see adults come to this, they get excited. Interacting with them and watching them make real connections with

math and science is extremely rewarding.”

Lt. Col. Lex Cloutier99th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot


By Robert Goetz Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Another round of budget reductions throughout the Air Force for fiscal 2014 is again affecting the service’s dining facilities.

At Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Rendezvous Dining Facility, one of several cost-cutting measures that began Oct. 1, the first day of the fiscal year, was trim-ming the lunch period on weekdays by 30 minutes. Lunch is now served from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

“We looked and saw some oppor-tunities to make cuts without affect-ing our main customers – the Airmen who live in the dorms,” Robert Murray, 902nd Force Support Squadron food service officer, said.

Two other cost-cutting measures also took effect Oct. 1, Murray said.

“We eliminated sitting for breakfast during weekdays,” he said. “Diners will have the same food options, but they won’t be able to sit. They’ll have to take their meals out.”

Another change is that DFAC workers no longer pick up trays from tables, he said. Instead, diners take their trays to a designated area.

For weekend and holiday meals, breakfast has been eliminated and replaced by a brunch from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. The supper hour, 5:30-6:30 p.m., remains the same.

A drop in the number of Airmen who use the DFAC after 12:30 p.m. influenced

the decision to stop serving lunch at that time rather than 1 p.m., Murray said. In addition, use of the dining facility on weekends also drops, which led to the

decision to serve two meals each day on weekends and holidays. The DFAC will continue to be closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

The changes will save money by re-ducing man-hours at the DFAC, Murray said. Training, Rehabilitation and Devel-opment Institute Inc. of San Antonio is the contractor for the dining facility.

Last year, budget cuts led to a deci-sion to limit use at the JBSA-Randolph DFAC to pay grades E-5 and below as well as authorized members on tem-porary duty. JBSA’s food contracts were reduced by $4.4 million in fiscal 2013.

Murray, who said the DFAC also intro-duced a new menu with the beginning of the new fiscal year, said the choices made were “hard, but necessary.

“This is Air Force-wide,” he said. “Everybody’s feeling the strain, but our mission is still the same. We will continue to provide the same excel-lent service we always have, despite the decrease in funding.”

Dining facility responds to budget cuts with changes

Photos by Joel MartinezAlene Cooper (right) serves Airman Rashawn Williams Sept. 26 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Rendezvous Dining Facility.

Left to right: Airmen 1st Class Karen Leal, 359th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Kevin Failla, 902nd Comptroller Squadron, and Andres Gomez, 359th AMDS, have lunch Sept. 26 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Rendezvous Dining Facility.

“This is Air Force-wide. Everybody’s

feeling the strain, but our mission is still the same. We will

continue to provide the same excellent service we always have, despite the

decrease in funding.”Robert Murray

902nd Force Support Squadron food service officer


By Andres HinojosaJoint Base San Antonio-Lackland Energy Manager

October is Energy Awareness Month and Joint Base San Antonio is commit-ted to reducing energy consumption to meet all conservation directives.

The JBSA Energy Program is de-signed to comply with federally man-dated energy goals while maintaining a healthy and productive workplace.

Energy reduction goals are specified by Executive Order 13423 and the En-ergy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires federal installations to reduce its energy use by 3 percent every year for 10 years. The goal is to reduce en-ergy per square foot by a total of 30 percent by fiscal year 2015, based on a FY 2003 baseline.

JBSA is currently at 18 percent of its energy re-duction goal for FY2013. Everyone is encouraged to be vigilant and persistent in our efforts to reduce energy consumption in FY2013. Keep conservation in mind at all times, not only to meet base goals, but to become good stewards of our natural resources for generations to come.

JBSA and San Antonio utility providers are planning to promote en-ergy awareness month by setting up energy conservation display tables at some of the installations throughout the month of October.

City Public Service Energy, San Antonio Water System and Civil Engineering Squadron

will be handing out pamphlets on energy and water conservation, including informational tips

on how to conserve our natural resources. Keep in mind the Air Force theme for this year’s

energy awareness campaign is “Power the Force. Fuel the Fight. I Am Air Force Energy.”

Energy Awareness Month: Keep conservation in mindJBSA and San Antonio utility providers are planning to promote

energy awareness month by setting up energy conservation display tables at some of the

installations throughout the month of October.

By Chandra N. Peterson Family Advocacy Outreach Manager

“Break the Silence” is the theme for the 2013 Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which began Oct. 1.

The prevention of intimate partner violence extends beyond victims reporting abuse. It must be a multifac-eted approach that includes education and awareness – not just for individuals in abusive relationships, but also coworkers, leadership, healthcare providers, fam-ily and the community at large.

The goal is to break the cycle of abuse and help people learn to have happy and healthy families. Breaking the silence is one of the hardest – but most courageous – steps, because speaking out is the first step to getting help.

The Joint Base San Antonio Family Advocacy Pro-gram looks to bring awareness to this issue and give a voice to the men, women and children affected by in-timate partner abuse. Each year, the program receives thousands of domestic abuse reports from members of the military community who have broken the silence.

Unfortunately, many incidents are still never reported. Why victims choose not to report vary,

Breaking the silence: Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights awareness

See ENERGY AWARENESS P13

See DOMESTIC VIOLENCE P13

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's iconic Taj Mahal

is illuminated with purple lighting throughout October

in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Courtesy photo


By Alex SalinasJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

A simple checkup is the fi rst step people can take to learn and control their cholesterol levels, which if too high, can lead to heart disease – the leading cause of death in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with high cholesterol have about twice the risk of heart disease than those with lower levels, but knowing their number as well as the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol can lead to healthy lifestyle changes.

Cholesterol, a waxy, fatty substance produced by the liver, is essential for hormone production in males and females, and serves as an energy source for cells, but “for treatment purposes we focus on lowering low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) in patients,” Maj. Mark Tenn, 359th Medical Group physician’s assistant, said.

Because LDL transports fat molecules into blood vessels and artery walls, “if it’s too high, it can clog arteries,” Tenn said.

Diets greatly infl uence cholesterol levels. “Cholesterol is genetically predisposed, but about 25 percent of LDL is

controlled by dietary intake,” Tenn said. “The best ways to get rid of LDL are exercise and a balanced diet consisting of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) foods that help remove LDL from the body like nuts, oatmeal, fi sh and avocado.”

Foods with LDL that should be consumed in limited quantities usually contain high amounts of saturated or trans fat, including whole-fat dairy products, red meats, processed foods and com-

mercially baked goods such as chips, cook-ies, cakes and pastries.

While diet can lower bad cholesterol, cardio-

vascular

exercise “is a big one,” Tenn said. “If you exercise four to fi ve times a week for 30 minutes per day,

the heart becomes stronger,” he said.A clinical checkup is the only way to know for sure if one has high

cholesterol, but weight is a likely indicator. “There is a positive relationship between obesity and high choles-

terol,” Tenn said. “Not every person who is obese has high cholesterol, so that’s why checkups are important.”

Another possible sign of high cholesterol is chest pain called angina caused by lack of oxygen fl ow to the heart, which usually precedes

a heart attack, Tenn said. “Angina has two forms: stable and unstable,” he added. “Unstable angina occurs when a person

is at rest, as when sitting down, and experi-ences shortness of breath and sharp chest pain lasting less than 10 minutes.”

An American fast-food culture offering a variety of greasy, unhealthy food in abun-

dance for a low cost has caused obesity – and therefore cholesterol levels – to spike in children

as young as age 12, Tenn said. As such, Tenn recommended people get their choles-

terol examined starting at age 18. If their cholesterol levels are normal, they should get them rechecked every three to fi ve

years. Abnormal levels should be rechecked more often. Those with the most risk factors for heart disease should have an

LDL level less than 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood. For people with moderate risk factors, less than 130 mg/dL is ideal, and those with low risk factors should have less than 160 mg/dL, Tenn said.

For more information, call the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Medical Clinic at 652-6403 or visit the American Heart Association’s website, www.heart.org, and type “cholesterol” in the search.

SPORTS – FITNESS – HEALTH

SportsSportsSportsBRIEFSBRIEFSBRIEFSSportsSportsSports

Bowling specialThe Randolph Bowling Center celebrates Colum-bus Day with a special rate of $2 per game, per person (excluding Thunder Alley) and $2.35 shoe rental. This special price is good today through Monday during regular business hours. For more information, call 652-6271.

Three-mile relayThe Rambler Fitness Center will conduct a three-mile wingman relay 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Eberle Park. The fi rst team member must com-plete a 1.5-mile run in order for the second team member to start running the fi nal 1.5-mile portion. For more information, call 652-7263.

Oktoberfest fi tnessThe Rambler Fitness Cen-ter celebrates autumn by getting a jump start on holiday calories with a fitness event, 7:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at Eberle Park. There will be a 5K run/walk, a 1.5-mile run/walk for young athletes and their parents, and a 10K bike ride starting after the 5K is completed. For more information, call 652-7263.

Golf tournamentGolfers are invited to sign up for the Randolph Oaks Golf Course Columbus Day tournament Monday. The tee times are 7-9 a.m. The entry fee is $10 per person plus green fees and cart. For more infor-mation, call 652-4653.

Lowering bad cholesterol helps prevent heart disease

Maj. Mark Tenn359th Medical Group physician's assistant

“Cholesterol is genetically predisposed, but about 25 percent

of LDL is controlled by dietary intake. The best ways to get rid of LDL are exercise and a balanced

diet consisting of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol)

foods that help remove LDL from the body like nuts, oatmeal,

fi sh and avocado.”


Here’s a simple checklist with ideas you can do in your office or work area to reduce energy:

• Buy Energy Star certified appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, desk lighting, etc.

• Turn off office equipment such as monitors, printers, copy machines and fax machines at night and on weekends.

• Report energy wastes, including water leaks, building deficiencies and energy abuses.

• Check the age and condition of your major ap-pliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy efficient model.

Survey your incandescent lights for opportuni-ties to replace them with compact fluorescents. These lamps can save three-quarters of the elec-tricity used by regular bulbs. Compact fluorescents come in many sizes and styles to fit in most stan-dard fixtures. Other good targets are the four-foot lamps fixtures with metallic ballast. Replace these with 28-watt lamps and electronic ballast.

Remember, do not overcool air-condi-tioned spaces and report all energy prob-lems in your building to the facility manager or energy monitor.

For more information about energy con-servation, call the JBSA Energy Managers. At JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, call 221-4203; at JBSA-Randolph, call 652-6988 and at JBSA-Lackland, call 671-0252.

ENERGY AWARENESS from P11 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE from P11but reasons include economic challenges, disagree-ments on parenting, lack of information about avail-able services, fear, believability, love for their partner and continued hope the relationship will improve.

FAP first sees individuals and families at a period of crisis in their relationship. However, during that time, we also see the strength, resil-iency and hope of these individuals and families as they face those challenges.

Part of breaking the silence on abuse is redefin-ing domestic violence. In many areas, the terms “domestic violence” and “domestic abuse” have been replaced with “intimate partner violence” or “intimate partner abuse” to be more inclusive.

The term “domestic violence” often conjures ideas of physical violence between a husband and wife and appears to exclude types of maltreatment other than physical abuse, such as neglect, emo-tional abuse and sexual abuse.

This narrow definition marginalizes many victims and their situations, so they incorrectly assume some services are not applicable or available to them.

Intimate partner abuse can occur between individuals of the opposite or same sex who live together, have lived together or share children in common. With the repeal of “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell,” the military has updated instructions to support this inclusion.

Another misconception is the idea that in-timate partner violence is a “women’s issue.” Categorizing intimate partner abuse this way allows others to minimize or ignore the problem and not act. It also diminishes the pervasiveness of intimate partner abuse in daily life, as well as the impact on men and children.

Men play an important and unique role in the prevention of abuse, which could go unrecognized and underutilized, if this pervasive attitude of inti-mate partner abuse as a “women’s issue” persists.

Prevention is not about jumping in to stop a fight, but rather working to change attitudes and create environments that affirm abuse is not okay.

Although women are overwhelmingly the vic-tims of intimate partner abuse, men experience abuse and need support as well. As a result of these myths and stereotypes, many continue to suffer in silence.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Don’t let your silence give consent or permission for abuse to continue.

Get educated and get involved this October – National Domestic Violence Awareness Month – and every month. For questions about any upcoming events or if you need help, contact Family Advocacy at 292-5967 for JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and 652-2448 for JBSA-Randolph.

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