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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Excitement buzzed in the Marine Corps Family Team Building conference room as students tested their military knowledge during games during the Advanced Lifestyles, Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills for Spouses class, Jan. 24.
This is the first Advanced LINKS class of the year, and the second overall aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The class, coordinated by MCFTB, is open to Marines, sailors and their families.
Unlike the regular LINKS class, which helps new spouses adjust to military life, Advanced LINKS for spouses is tailored toward the seasoned spouse, or the service member and spouse who are separating or retiring from the military.
“This is not the basic [LINKS] 101,” said Amanda Taylor, LINKS trainer. “This is taking it a step further.”
Advanced LINKS for Spouses is offered on a quarterly basis throughout the year. In addition to using lecture, hands-on activities, games, and guest speakers, MCFTB provides a mini resource fair for LINKS participants.
Representatives from various organizations including TriCare West and the New Parent Support Program hand out informational brochures and flyers while chatting with participants.
“We’ve had a great response,” Taylor said. “The [students] liked the fact that they got more in-depth information from the resources themselves.”
Jeff Esposito, the Transition Assistance Program manager, is just one of many guest speakers featured at Advanced LINKS for Spouses to give an overview of requirements for separation or retirement. One of his key topics include taking a Transition Assistance Program seminar.
This seminar guides outgoing service members through the process of leaving the military, including “starting a new career and successfully relocating.”
Esposito said service members can take a TAP seminar as early as
two years ahead of retirement or one ahead of separation.
“Networking, research and being proactive are key ingredients to a successful transition out of the service,” Esposito said. “It cannot be overstated how crucial it is to get into a TAP seminar as soon as possible.”
Base resident Sandra Sharpless attended LINKS twice, and took Advanced LINKS for Spouses on Tuesday. Sharpless, has been married to her husband, a Marine, for 11 and a half years. She came to the class to find out information to help her when her husband retires.
“I want to know how to make a smoother transition out of the Corps,” Sharpless said. “There’s a lot of information that I didn’t know.”
For instance, while attending LINKS, Sharpless said she learned how to use her GI Bill, and what she needs to do if she chooses to return home while her spouse is deployed.
After attending Advanced LINKS for Spouses, Sharpless said she would save for retirement and make use of resources available to her, such as Marine One Source.
Like Sharpless, Ann Davis is also a seasoned spouse, having been married to her service member for eight years. Davis, a base resident, is a family readiness assistant for her husband’s unit, and wants to be able to offer her fellow spouses more information.
She described Advanced LINKS for Spouses as “refreshing, very educational” and “empowering.”
Davis said the class is empowering because she now has more information to share with the spouses within the unit.
Through Advanced LINKS for Spouses, Davis said she was able to learn about grants for spouses.
“It’s a must-do,” Davis said. “[LINKS is] very worthwhile regardless of upcoming retirement.”
Taylor who also teaches LINKS for Spouses monthly, alternates between LINKS for Kids and LINKS for Teens each quarter, and LINKS for Marines as needed.
The next LINKS for Spouses will be on Feb. 14 and 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Waikulu Community Center. The next Advanced LINKS for Spouses is scheduled for March 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Waikulu Community Center.
For details, call 257-2657.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2012 16:25 |
| Story ID: | 82955 |
| Location: | KANEOHE, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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