CASEY GARRISON, South Korea - Lauren Gasper arrived at the Army Family Action Plan Conference here Oct. 26 with her sleeves rolled up and prepared to make life better for Soldiers, civilian employees and their family members living in Warrior Country.
"I came in with the attitude, 'Ok, let's change stuff, let's fix things' and I was really excited about being able to take part in that," said the benefits and entitlements delegate and spouse of Spc. William Gasper, Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion.
Gasper was one of the 54 delegates actively participating in the Army Community Service-hosted conference that reviewed 25 family services, force support, benefits and entitlements, and medical and dental issues. Each of the groups reviewed the issues before settling on one or two they further developed and presented to 2nd Infantry Division and U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud leaders.
"A lot of the issues we had and other groups presented were issues my friends brought up and I may have brought up so a lot them hit close to home," said Aryana Conyer, a force support delegate and wife of Pfc. DeJurnett Conyer, Company C, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment.
The presentations got off to a humorous start when Scott Widmayer, a Department of the Army Civilian and family services spokesperson, asked his committee their motto and a hush fell over the room. Undaunted, he asked again, "Who do we support'" His team responded with an enthusiastic "families," which was greeted by thunderous laughter and applause.
Widmayer noted that more needs to be done to help unemployed spouses find jobs. He said there were a large number of jobs listed on CPOL in Septemberand only a small number of applicants.
"I don't believe it's because of the lack of want or need," he said, "it's because of the lack of advertising for those positions."
The committee asked for jobs to be advertised through ACS and in the Morning Calm Weekly and In the Zone publications, and suggested spouses be required to attend the newcomer's orientation where they could also get the information.
Spc. John Skillman, a trombonist in the 2nd Infantry Division Band, briefed force support issues that examined Casey and Red Cloud Garrisons' support services and the One-Stop Center.
The common issue between the two is that they cause patrons to "jump through a lot of hoops mainly because of the hours the services are available." He said making multiple trips between the installations is common and the schedules need to be standardized.
While he praised the One-Stop Center concept, Skillman said it has the same problem.
"I went once and then had to go back two more times," he said. He recommended tweaking the hours so each organization in the facility is open throughout the duty day, including the lunch hour.
Automobile fueling facilities and partial pick-up of borrowed government furniture were the top issues addressed by the benefits and entitlements committee.
Maj. Cherrie Davis, deputy chief of personnel for the 2nd Inf. Div., said Warrior Country has 945 registered vehicles, but only seven gas nozzles to support them during limited operating hours. She recommended 24-hour credit card support at the pump.
She also offered recommendations about how the Housing Office could be re-distribute its furniture if it offered a partial pick-up of furniture.
"Some families are going without furniture because another family has it, but doesn't need it and can't get it picked up," Davis said.
Medical and dental issues again hit a nerve as they often do in military forums. There is shortage of healthcare providers, but Spc. Ione Barrera, Company A, Division Special Troops Battalion, cited the failure of families to in-process with Tricare for the problem.
Brig. Gen. Charles L. Taylor, assistant division commander (maneuver) for the 2nd Infantry Division, said Tricare in-processing should be a requirement.
"The point is you're not going to get more healthcare providers if you do not understand what the demand signal is," he said.
In his closing remarks, the general thanked the delegates and told them much work lies ahead. He said two commander's steering committee meetings will further examine their recommendations and that they will continue to play an important role in the way ahead.
"Who is the person who adjudicates this and says it is working," he asked them. "Everybody raise your hand because at the end of the day the effectiveness of anything we do isn't based on something I say or any of the commanders say, but what you say."
The delegates were impressed with the general's concern and praised AFAP as a forum to improve the quality of life not only in Warrior Country, but also in other military communities.
"Get involved and get your voice heard" said Spc. Benjamin Sutta, a medical and dental committee delegate from Troop C, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. "This is where it happens."
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