RSP Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist Newsletter

The Guardian Welcome to the Colorado National Guard Family! My name is Henry Hernandez Jr., and June 2021 I am your Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist (SFRS). Your commitment to the Volume 3, Issue 6 country and state entitle you to numerous resources. My mission is to ensure that you and your family members can access these resources.

I am available to offer assistance in whatever way I can during your time in the National Guard. No matter where you go, you and your family members will have a SFRS there to provid090377e support, guidance and assistance. I’m excited to be serving you during this transition from civilian to Soldier. Here is a little bit about myself: I am retired Army, and as a retiree of the CO Army National Guard, I am very acquainted with what you and your loved ones are going through while you attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) and AIT. Few, if any states, do a better job preparing their Soldiers for BCT and AIT than Colorado. This includes helping you to resolve any concerns that you or your family may have before, during and after BCT. If there are any concerns, whether they are simple questions or things keeping you up at night, please let me know and we can work If you need to together to locate resources or a solution. Whether it’s TRICARE, education benefits, power of attorneys or wills, ID cards/DEERS, financial counseling, crisis management, complete or even as simple as a mailing address or anything else you can think of, please reach out to me for assistance. If we can’t get you an answer, we’ll do our best to get you in touch update your RSP with someone who can assist you.

Profile Form use As your SFRS I am available to help you and your family throughout your time with RSP, QR code below BCT and AIT. I am located at the Family Program Office 12200 E. Briarwood Ave, Ste. 160, Centennial 80112, 6am INSIDE THIS ISSUE: – 4pm, Tue thru Fri. If you have any questions please to access form. What is RSP 2 contact me by any method you feel comfortable, whether it’s a phone call, email, text or in person. If you wish to BCT Graduation INFO 3-6 meet in person, please schedule an appointment as I TRICARE 7 may be out of the office assisting service members. In IHG Hotels 8 addition, visit the RSP Soldier and Family Specialist Personal Financial Counselor 9 Facebook page or Instagram @co_rsp_fas frequently for upcoming events, job fairs, basic training information, Employment 10 and other information that you may find helpful. Education Services 11

On behalf of Colorado Family Program Office Education Services 11 welcome to the CONG family, and we would like to USO 12 extend our sincere appreciation to you and your family Notary Public Services 12 for your service as being a successful Soldier is truly a team effort! RSP SFRS Contact Info 12 What is the Recruit Sustainment Program? (RSP)

Before you ship to Basic Combat Training (BCT), you will attend the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP). These weekends will be your introduction to BCT and will get you started and keep you on track mentally, physically, emotionally and administratively while you prepare for your career in the Colorado National Guard. RSP drills give you an opportunity to start getting comfortable with the terminology and protocols that are part of Guard service—and you will be getting paid for the time you spend at RSP. There are four phases to RSP as described below.

RED PHASE WHITE PHASE BLUE PHASE GREEN PHASE

Your 1st & 2nd RSP drill is Red Depending on the number of At your final drill before shipping Green Phase courses are Phase. In this intensive training, months between when you to BCT, in addition to physical designed for recruits in the Split you will learn basics you need to enlisted and when you ship to preparation, you will cover all the Training Option (STO) Program. know right away, like: BCT, the length of your White final details that have to be taken Generally, these are Soldiers who  RSP Introduction Phase in the RSP will vary. In care of before you leave. joined the Army National Guard  Army Structure addition to physical training, during their junior year in high instruction in this phase may This allows the RSP Cadre one school After you graduate from  Chain of Command include: last quality check to ensure you're BCT and during your senior year  Rank and Insignia Proper Wear of the Military mentally prepared, of high school.  Customs and Courtesies Uniform administratively correct and  General Orders  Army Values, Soldier’s Creed physically fit for BCT Additionally, Soldiers in this phase  Reporting Procedures and Warrior Ethos are awaiting attendance of  Drill and Ceremony  Employ Camouflage, Cover Advanced Individual Training (AIT).  Physical Fitness and Concealment

 Tactics  AKO & MyPay Setup Training offers additional  Weapons Familiarization instruction in leadership and As you learn the Army structure, physical readiness. chain of command and rank During the White Phase, you will insignia, you will quickly learn continue to focus on physical how to follow the rules and training and cover Soldier skills extend the proper courtesies to that will further prepare you for fellow Guard members. BCT. The wait is over! In-person attendance of BCT Graduations at all 4 training post has begun as of May!

Through implementation of preventative measures combined with continued participation in the COVID-19 vaccination program, the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, will begin the process of safely returning to normalcy. Our community can expect to see the reopening of many post events, including many of the graduations that occur here. The first graduation open to invited guests will occur during May, followed by increased openings in the following months. Due to the nature of this virus, certain continued prevention and mitigation measures remain necessary to reduce the risk of transmission and ultimately preserve the health, protection and readiness of the force. As graduations begin to open for attendees the health, safety, and readiness of our Soldiers, Families, and Community remain our highest priority. Outlined below are the mitigating measures that will best position us to continue training to remain ready to fight; while ensuring the highest quality of life of our most precious resource— People. Graduations · Graduation passes are restricted to the installation. · Beginning April 30, 2021, guests at open graduations must show either proof of a negative COVID-19 test (within the last 72 hours) or valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination. · Beginning June, 10, 2021, trainees and/or students must be fully vaccinated (received a complete vaccine and greater than 14 days from the final dose) to invite guests to an open graduation. Invited guests must show either proof of a negative COVID-19 test (within the last 72 hours) or valid proof of vaccination. · Face masks are required at all times at open graduations, except when consuming food or drink. Face masks will be available for guests and provided by the units as needed. · Families in reviewing stands and/or auditoriums must socially distance at least 6 feet. Graduations are limited to 60 % capacity of the facility where the graduation is being held. · Travel to Advanced Individual (AIT) / Inter-service Training Review Organization (ITRO) sites with Family members or friends is not authorized. Soldiers must travel via Department of Defense transportation only. Face Masks · All individuals are required to wear a face mask to enter the following areas located on the installation: Commissary, Post Exchange, shoppettes, businesses and customer service facilities and public buildings. *Masks may be removed at establishments where dining is available while eating or drinking. · All guests to the installation are encouraged to adhere to social distancing (6-feet or more) and other COVID mitigation efforts set forth by the CDC while visiting the installation. Watch for an upcoming Facebook Town Hall hosted by the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning leadership team. Training Brigade commanders from across the installation will be on hand to provide the latest updates and answer your questions regarding graduations.

Please confirm graduation details with your Soldier prior to scheduling attendance of graduation. www.benning.army.mil/OSUT Ft Sill Tribune Staff 21 April 2021-Basic combat training (BCT) graduations will reopen to the public here in May. Graduations will reopen for advanced individual training (AIT) courses in June. All graduations will continue to be livestreamed. “Moms and dads and families all across America are going to have a chance to come see their loved ones graduate,” said Maj. Gen. Ken Kamper, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general.

“Fort Sill cannot require vaccinations, but strongly encourage them as our best defense against COVID spreading,” posted Joe Gallagher, civilian deputy to the FCoE and Fort Sill commanding general, during the meeting. Fort Sill will step up offering vaccinations to AIT Soldiers and BCT trainees in the coming days, Kamper said. The brigade’s first open BCT graduation will be May 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Polo Field. In cases of inclement weather, graduations will be held at Cache Creek Chapel and those plans are being finalized, he said. Following graduation, families are welcome to join their Soldiers until 1 p.m. BCT family day will be held the day before graduation. Family day for the two batteries graduating May 21, occurs May 20. Families can pick up their Soldiers from their battalion’s designated location starting at 9 a.m. and can spend the day on or off Fort Sill. Soldiers must return to their respective battalion before 8 p.m., continued Slater. A dedicated lane of traffic for BCT graduation visitors will be set up at Key Gate West, said Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Blackwell. Those visitors do not have to go through the Visitor Control Center (VCC) for a pass. Instead, IDs will be scanned to determine if people have outstanding warrants, are on a barred list, are felons, etc. If so, they will have to go through the VCC, and/ or other appropriate actions will be taken. AIT graduations open to the public June 1, with the same pandemic protocols used for BCT graduations. Q & A During the pandemic, Soldiers are not authorized annual leave between BCT graduation and their AIT school reporting date; nor are they authorized it between AIT and their first duty station, reiterated the command sergeants major. Also, families cannot transport their Soldiers to their next assignment because the Army is using sterile air and ground transportation because of the pandemic, Slater said. It’s not a good idea to bring your dog to graduations, said Blackwell responding to a question. A Yorkshire terrier might be OK though, interjected Kamper. Family members should monitor and stay tuned to their respective unit Facebook pages and Fort Sill Facebook page for updates on graduations and family days as information may change. https://sill-www.army.mil FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Family and friends will soon be able to watch their Soldiers graduate here in person. Officials from the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood said plans to allow in -person visitors are being carried out in a phased approach. Graduations for functional courses, basic officer leadership courses, captains career courses and courses with the NCO Academy will be open to in-person visitors starting May 1; One Station Unit Training and Advanced Individual Training, May 20; and Basic Combat Training, June 1. Soldiers in training will contact their family, friends and loved ones to provide information about their specific graduations. Units will also provide updates and additional information on their social media sites. Units will continue to provide graduations virtually on their social media sites as well. COVID-19 safety measures in place Fort Leonard Wood follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and face coverings are required of everyone attending graduations. In addition, social distancing will be observed and hand-washing stations will be available on site. To provide another layer of protection, all graduations with more than 50 graduates will be held outdoors, weather permitting. If a graduation is moved inside due to unexpected circumstances, such as weather, visitors may not be allowed to attend the graduation if social distancing cannot be observed in the indoor facility. If this happens, the graduation will be available to view virtually on the unit’s Facebook page and Soldiers will be able to visit their family and friends on family day and before and after the graduation ceremony based on what the unit has planned. Although vaccinations are highly encouraged, they are not required to attend graduations on Fort Leonard Wood at this time. However, units may have additional safety measures in place. “The best advice I can give is to follow your Soldier’s unit on social media,” said Col. Richard Ball, MSCoE chief of staff. “That’s one of the best ways to get up-to-date information on specific graduations.” A list of unit social media pages can be found here. Visiting Fort Leonard Wood Visitors to Fort Leonard Wood aged 18 and older must present a state- or federally issued picture identification. Visitors operating a vehicle are required to have in their possession a current driver’s license, proof of current vehicle insurance and current vehicle registration. “Security personnel here conduct 100- percent ID checks at all gates of entry,” said Don Rose, deputy director of the Directorate of Emergency Services. “Please also note that marijuana in any form is not authorized on the installation; nor are firearms. Fort Leonard Wood also does not recognize any state or federal concealed-carry permit.” Civilian violators — to include contractors, military family members and retirees — can expect a mandatory appearance in Federal Magistrate Court, Rose said. “Service members are referred to their chain of command for adjudication under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice,” Rose said. Visitors who will be staying overnight at one of the installation’s lodging facilities will need to obtain a visitor pass at the main gate visitor center. Visitors requesting a pass will be subject to a criminal background check. More visitor access information is available here. The visitor center can be reached at 573.596.0590. Family Days to return On- or off-post passes will be authorized by the unit commander, and unit-specific information and updates regarding family day activities will be made on individual unit Facebook pages. “We look forward to welcoming the loved ones of our graduating Soldiers to Fort Leonard Wood again very soon,” Ball said. “It’s important to recognize the achievements of those who choose to defend our nation, and nothing makes that recognition come together better than having friends and family members around to witness it — in person.” https://home.army.mil/wood/ Ft Jackson, COLUMBIA, S.C. - In-person graduations will be resuming soon at Fort Jackson, but with a few modifications. “It is going to be invite only and it’s going to be a process,” said Fort Jackson spokesperson Leslie Ann Sully, “but we want to do this right so we can replicate it and make it larger as we go.” All invited family members and guests must be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus to enter the installation. Graduating units will check COVID vaccination cards at Gate 4 and again at Hilton Field. Children under the age of 16 are not required to be vaccinated. Vaccinating trainees “is not on the docket right now,” Sully said. “This is another reason for people to understand that this has to be a very deliberate process. Trainees will not be vaccinated and that’s why we are requiring to you be.” Families, who attend the graduation, will be able to meet their Soldiers on the field immediately after the ceremony, and spend up to several hours with them. Soldiers will not be able to leave the area. Family members will not able to meet their Soldiers anywhere else on the installation. Invitees will not be allowed into the area before 7 a.m. Recreational vehicles are not allowed at the venue and cookouts are prohibited as well. Guests at Hilton Field may not bring pets unless it is a service-related animal. On-site food vendors will be available. All attendees will go be screened and temperatures taken, before entry into the seating areas; face coverings must be worn at all times; and social distancing in the stands will be enforced. Visitors are encouraged not to bring any type of bag inside Hilton Field. However, visitors may bring one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Security personnel will inspect bags before visitors will be allowed into the venue. Invitees will be allowed return to the vehicles to get items left behind, however if they leave Hilton Field they will not be allowed to return. Graduating units will provide family members a link to an electronic registration process. Invitees should include all people in their party, by name, when registering. Graduation ceremonies will take place rain or shine, unless there are heavy winds and lightning strikes in the area. Invitees should wait until their registration is verified before making travel arrangements and securing lodging. Visitors may inquire about vacancies on Fort Jackson is (803) 782-9802 for IHG or (803) 751-5812 for Victory Travel. Invitees must print their registration confirmation and bring it with them to the gate. Do not lose or misplace the confirmation because you will be prevented from entering the installation and graduation. Security personnel will check the registration three times: at the gate; when entering Hilton Field; and at the security checkpoint near the bleachers. To enter Fort Jackson visitors will need their confirmation, government-issued ID card, and if driving, a valid state-issued driver’s license, copy of vehicle registration and proof of insurance. There are only three licensed taxi services authorized to operate on Fort Jackson: Checker Yellow Taxi Co. (803) 799-3311, Blue Ribbon Taxi Co. (803) 754-8163, and Capitol City Taxi Co. (803) 794-2240. Ride- sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are not allowed. Any graduation updates will announced on the post’s social media pages and the Digital Garrison application. “Download the app today,” said Pat Jones, Fort Jackson public affairs officer. “It will help you as you navigate Fort Jackson and will provide immediate notifications of changes to events such as the graduation. When you download the app make sure to register it as Fort Jackson.” The application may be downloaded in the Google Play Store for Android devices, and in the Apple App Store for IOS devices . TRICARE Reserve Select is: A premium-based plan, Available worldwide For qualified Soldiers and their families TRS Monthly Premiums Effective Jan1 - Dec 31, 2021 Service Member $47.20 month Service Member &Family $238.99 month www.tricare.mil 1-844-866-9378

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Joni Fernandez State Tuition Assistance Administer Department of Military and Veterans Affairs 6868 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste 160 Centennial, CO 80112 (720) 250-1550 Office (720) 250-1559 Fax [email protected] Center at Denver International Airport welcomes over 125,000 currently serving military members, their families, as well as military retirees and their families each year. We hope you’ll come visit the next time you’re flying through Denver!

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Free Notary Public Services for Soldiers and Family members Henry Hernandez Jr. Notary Public, State of CO Commission expires May 6, 2024

Henry Hernandez Jr. Lead Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist 12200 E. Briarwood Ave, Ste. 160 Centennial, CO 80112 C:303-905-0009 Office 720-250-1177 Email: [email protected] Your satisfaction is important to me, please take 30 seconds to let me know how I am doing. www.surveymonkey.com/r/SFRSHernandez