www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, February 29, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE NAVSTA Norfolk Fleet and Family offers support to Sailors and family members FFSC’s wide-ranging portfolio of programming includes free workshops, classes, and counseling to the Naval Station Norfolk service members, support personnel, and family members within the Hampton Roads area. PAGE A7 VOL. 32, NO. 8, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
February 29-March 6, 2024
Patrons’ generosity benefits Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society By NEXCOM Public Affairs
Cracker Jack the Sailor Cat is celebrated by sailors on International Cat Day, Aug. 8, 2023. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO)
Service members get new benefit: Pet travel allowance By David Vergun DOD News
As of Jan. 1, active-duty service members are now authorized to receive reimbursement for costs related to relocation of one household pet due to a permanent change of station move. The relocation expense for either one dog or one cat includes travel costs within the U.S. or overseas and any other travel requirements, according to the Joint Travel Regulations Office. Since taking office, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has prioritized efforts to strengthen support for Defense Department personnel and family members under his “Taking
Care of Our Service Members and Families” campaign. Those efforts include key initiatives to improve the lives of service members and their families through access to quality and affordable child care and by easing the burden of relocation for military families, among other things. “DOD recognizes that pets can be a source of stability and security to service members and families who often move. Defraying the cost of PCS moves involving a pet acknowledges the role played by these emotional constants and will improve quality of life for the force,” said Jennifer McPherson-Todd, director of the Defense Travel Management Office.
Navy Exchange and Marine Corps Exchange patrons showed their generosity when they supported the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society twice in Fall 2023. For the two separate campaigns, NEX patrons donated $646,260 to the organization while MCX patrons gave $158,965. “Thank you for your dedication to our nation’s greatest asset,” said retired Lt. Gen. Robert R. Ruark, United States Marine Corps, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. “Last year, NMCRS provided over $50 million in financial assistance to Sailors, Marines, and their families. That level of support is impossible without the incredible community of shoppers and support of the Navy Exchange Service Command and the Marine Corps Exchange.” Both NEX and MCX locations sold NMCRS benefit tickets, in October and then again in December, to interested patrons. By purchasing the $5 benefit tickets, patrons received $5 off and a 5% discount applied to a one time purchase made at a later date. Through the three benefit ticket sales in 2023, NEX patrons donated $1.1 million and MCX patrons donated $429,690 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to support active duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their families in need.
Other Travel Expenses Covered Under the Regulations Quarantine fees Mandatory microchipping Boarding fees Hotel service charges Licensing fees at the new duty station Shipping fees if the service member flies, rather than drives Also, service members’ dependents, DOD civilians, and DOD civilian employees’ dependents who are ordered to evacuate from a foreign duty station are authorized for transportation and quarantine fees for up to two pets — dogs or cats.
Navy Exchange and Marine Corps Exchange patrons showed their generosity when they supported the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society twice in Fall 2023. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO)
Lifeguards needed at Hampton Roads Navy installations By Ninoshka Basantes
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Public Affairs Specialist
NORFOLK, Va. — Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA) installations in Hampton Roads are in need of lifeguards to safely operate all Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) pools. MWR is seeking candidates for full-time and part-time lifeguards at installation pools and beaches. “Not having any lifeguards affects fitness, mission readiness, and annual physical readiness tests,” said John Lucas, NRMA fleet readiness director. “It also forces us to remove aquatic programs for families to use.” Lifeguards in Hampton Roads are paid $17-$20 per hour, depending on level of expertise. Certified lifeguards are preferred, but training is available for those
who are not.” According to Lucas, certification training is provided by MWR through the American Red Cross and takes as little as 16 hours to complete. “This is a great opportunity for someone looking to make some extra cash on summer break, or for someone wanting to make this a long-term career,” Lucas said. Indoor pools are currently open on Hampton Roads naval installations and outdoor pools will be opening around Memorial Day weekend, but that is all dependent on filling these much-needed lifeguard positions. MWR employees have the opportunity to have access to all MWR facilities on any naval installation worldwide, and the benefit of shopping at the Navy Exchange. Interested applicants can locate and apply for open lifeguard positions at usajobs.gov. Minimum application age to is 16-years-old.
Norfolk, Va. (February 26, 2024) Outdoor pool at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY NINOSHKA BASANTES/RELEASED)
Fort Story’s Norwegian Foot March tests mental, physical endurance More than 150 Soldiers, Sailors, multinational NATO military members, and civilians participated in the Norwegian Foot March, a time-honored tradition dating back to World War I, when the Norwegian Army designed the challenge to build endurance and resilience in their soldiers. PAGE A3
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