Stand-To!- Military OneSource - February 14, 2008

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Edition: Thu, February 14, 2008
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SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

"By providing VA support to Soldiers, this agreement formalizes a resource that will help them get the health care and benefits they earned with their service. We must look at our policies through the eyes of our Soldiers and their Families, as we have done in developing this agreement."

-Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, regarding a mutual support agreement outlining continued assistance to servicemembers and their Families transitioning through the military Disability Evaluation System.

Army, VA Sign Mutual Support Agreement
TODAY'S FOCUS

Military OneSource

What is it?
Military OneSource is a Department of Defense (DOD)-funded service that supplements existing Family programs. It provides 24-hour, seven-days-a- week access to information through telephone and the Internet. Web-based service includes up to six face-to-face counseling sessions available to active component, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers; deployed DOD civilians; and Family members worldwide. Military OneSource provides information ranging from everyday concerns to deployment and reunion issues. Additionally, if there is a need for face-to-face counseling, Military OneSource will provide referrals to professional civilian counselors in the Continental United States (CONUS), Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Outside-CONUS (OCONUS), face-to-face counseling is provided via existing medical treatment facility services. Military OneSource also provides short-term, solution-focused telephonic consultation to Military OneSource users worldwide for individuals unable to attend non-medical face-to-face counseling sessions available through the service. The Military OneSource consultants explain the counseling options when Soldiers and Family members call the service.

What has the Army done?
Army use continues to show strong gains in FY07. Since the service was first provided to the Army in August 2003, there have been 253,217 calls to the daily 24-hour call center, 513,551 visits to the Web site, and 50,505 referrals for non-medical counseling (as of Oct. 26, 2007). Current use in FY07 has already reached 286,477 instances. Additionally, there have been 20,206 Army referrals for non-medical counseling, an increase of 36 percent over FY06. About 58 percent of the users are Soldiers, and 8 percent are repeat users. Military OneSource continues to provide cost-effective support for local marketing efforts by providing train-the-trainer or program assistance support to 776 Army events reaching over 157,000 individuals.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
Military OneSource program managers are working with installation, state, and regional helping agencies as well as unit leaders to support marketing efforts to Soldiers and Families. Efforts include providing information regarding the About Military OneSource and Service Provider Tools links on the Military OneSource homepage at http://www.military onesource. com, as well as information to the field on new features and offerings. Military OneSource will continue to support local deployment and reunion events subject to approval by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the availability of travel funds.

Why is this important to the Army?
In FY07, Military OneSource identified 396 new cases of domestic violence, child abuse, and threats of harm to oneself or others among Soldiers and Army Family members. By providing a private service where Soldiers and Family members in need can call or go online and get help, the Army is using effective risk communication strategies to mitigate the negative effects of the deployment cycle and improving well-being and readiness.

For more information:
My Army Life Too

Military OneSource
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

• 2007 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

• Army Public Affairs Portal

• Stories of Valor
CALENDAR

Putting six years of combat experience in context and on paper...for the current fight ... and the next one ... and the next one...and the...FM 3-0. Coming Feb. 28.

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Senator questions injured Soldier deployments (DP)
• Army demonstrates training tools to Congress (ARNews)
• War College previews future robotics (CPD)
• Army testing 'Advantage Fund' recruiting incentives (ARNews)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• U.S. learns from Israel-Hezbollah war (USA)
• Commandos capture key Taliban leader (ARNews)
• Former Iraq corps commander leads IED Defeat effort (AFIS)
• ‘Fight for intelligence’ is key to Mosul campaign, general says (AFIS)

OF INTEREST

• All-Army soccer team wins silver medal (ARNews)
• Family-leave law to cover military needs (WSJ)
• Defendants' lawyers fear loss of potential evidence at Guantanamo Bay (WP)
• Warning on cuts in veterans' health care (SPI)

WORLD VIEW

• U.S. troops to stay in Iraq beyond 2008 (ME | Story)
• It’s mistake to recognize Kosovo’s independence – Lavrov (IT | Story)
• Miliband 'concerned' by Guantanamo trial (IW | Story)
• War and U.S. elections (AA | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• Accept only the best (NTG)
• Inaugural meeting held by Hawr Rajab Women’s Committee (SM)
• Badgers Forward gets results!! AAFES lowers camera price in the AOR (BF)
• Mugniyah dead (SAG)