MILITARY CONTRACTS September 2, 2008

Air Force

The Air Force is exercising an option with Computer Sciences Raytheon, of Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., for $78,134,869. The Eastern Range Technical Services will provide operations, maintenance, and sustainment of critical range and launch processing systems that support the launch processing mission of the 45th Space Wing and its launch customers at Cape Canaveral Air Station. The scope of this acquisition will include all critical range systems and associated support system. Services include downrange facilities support, base and range local area network/metropolitan area network services, and other minor technical supports required for successful range mission accomplishment. The location of performance is Computer Sciences Raytheon, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. No money has been obligated at this time. Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2521-07-C-0011).

The Air Force is modifying a contract with United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney, of East Hartford, Conn., for $30,042,543. This contract will exercise an option for three combined test force engines. The location of performance is United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, Conn. At this time $30,042,543 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-06-C-2900).

The Air Force is modifying a time and materials contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Fort Worth, Texas, for $7,290,485. This action will increase the T&M ceilings on the over and above contract line items 0313 and 0318 to allow the continued authorization of over and above work until the end of the calendar year. The location of performance is Lockheed Martin Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas. At this time $7,290,485 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8611-08-C-2897)

The Air Force is exercising an option with Tybrin Corp., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for $52,849,939. The Air Force is exercising option year six for software engineering support of guided weapons systems evaluations, simulations, and other services supporting research and development for the principals and customers of the Air Armament Center. The location of performance is Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. No money has been obligated at this time. Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is the contracting activity (F08635-02-C-0034).

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., for $9,539,622. This contract action will provide Joint Functional Component Command for space J2 survivability and vulnerability analysis. The location of performance is Santa Maria, Calif., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. At this time, $439,614 has been obligated. Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., for $21,520,038. The action will provide U.S. Marine Corps Mission Assurance Program Development with technical analysis and operation integration. The location of performance is Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va. At this time, $4,554,591 has been obligated. Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380)

The Air Force is awarding a contract to Booz-Allen and Hamilton, of McLean, Va., for $7,246,345. This action provides for financial sector resilience studies, analysis, and exercise. The location of performance is McLean, Va., and Washington, D.C. At this time $2,415,459 has been obligated. Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).

Navy

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded an advance acquisition contract with an estimated value of $78,065,000 for long lead components, parts and materials associated with the lot three low rate initial production of 8 Joint Strike Fighter Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy, 10 Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) propulsion systems for the U.S. Air Force, 2 CTOL propulsion systems for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and three STOVL propulsion systems for the United Kingdom Royal Navy. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn.,(70 percent), and Bristol, United Kingdom, (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jan. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($37,800,000; 48.4 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($26,900,000; 34.5 percent); the Governments of the Netherlands, ($2,025,000; 2.6 percent); and the United Kingdom, ($11,340,000; 14.5 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0033).

Knik Construction Co., Inc., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a maximum $50,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for paving and resurfacing projects at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Task Order 0001 is being awarded at $4,138,785 for paving and resurfacing in the Guantanamo Bay, Housing at the time of award. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. All work on this contract will be performed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. Contract funds for Task Order 0001 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-08-D-1272).

ILSC Holdings LC, dba Katmai Research*, Van Nuys, Calif., is being awarded a ceiling $45,673,958 modification to previously awarded delivery order contract (M67854-08-D-2007). to perform post-deployment software support and system software support facility (SSSF) support and sustainment of the AN/TYQ-23, Tactical Air Operations Module. This contract modification will provide increased support for the design, development and implementation of Interface Change Proposals and Problem Change Requests of tactical software for the AN/TYQ-23 version four ((V)4). No funds are associated with the base contract award requirements will be identified in individual delivery orders issued under this contract. Work will be performed in Van Nuys, Calif., and is expected to be completed in May 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity

Basile Baumann Prost Cole & Associates, Inc., Annapolis, Md., is being awarded a maximum $40,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity time and materials contract for professional services in support of the Department of the Navy public-private ventures and other special programs located within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic area of responsibility. The work to be performed consists of providing research and analysis for all aspects of special venture acquisitions, including family and unaccompanied housing public private ventures, enhanced use leasing, portfolio management, program development, financial analysis, and other public-private venture opportunities. Work will be performed primarily in Va., (50 percent) and Md., (50 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-08-D-2006).

Webco Roofing and Waterproofing*, Ventura, Calif., is being awarded $6,538,679 for firm-fixed-price task order #0020 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-06-D-1010) for various roofing projects at Naval Base Ventura County. The work to be performed provides for labor, materials, equipment, supervision and transportation necessary to complete roofing projects. Work will be performed in Ventura County, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division, Naval Base Ventura County, Calif., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

BOH Environmental, LLC, New Orleans, La., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, sole source contract for specialized shipping and storage containers with accessories. Other locations of performance are in Texas and Penn. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Aug. 28, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM8ED-08-D-0251).

Army

C.W. Roberts Construction, Inc., Tallahassee, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $42,439,910 firm/fixed price contract to provide 8.5 linear miles of roadway shoulder sheet piling for shoulder and roadway protection against erosion and scour, caused from hurricane storm surge. Work will be performed in Elgin Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2010. Bids solicited were FEDBIZOPS and nine bids were received Corps of Engineers Mobile, Mobile Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-08-C-0048).

BAE Systems, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $11,638,114 firm/fixed price contract. This contract requirement is for the incorporation of the approved engineering change proposal on the Bradley automated fire extinguishing system (AFES) for 419. Work will be performed in York, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 29, 2009. Aug. 31, 2009. One was bid solicited and one bid was received. US Army TACOM LCMC Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-G-0005).

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Co., Bedford, Mass., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $6,239,038 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract fiscal year 2008 engineering services contract option award for 11,195 man–hours of effort. Work will be performed in Burlington, Mass., Huntsville, Ala., Andover, Mass., Tewksbury, Mass., El Paso, Texas, and Norfolk, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-04-C-0020).

Sheets T.A. Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Norfolk, Va., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $5,664,000 firm/fixed price contract design and construction of fiscal year 2008 permanent party chapel complex at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. Work will be performed in Fort Lee, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 29, 2010. Bids were solicited via Internet and one bid was received. US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-08-C-0019).

Canada Helps Gustav Effort Through Civil Assistance Plan

By Canadian Air Force Maj. Brian Martin
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 2, 2008 - A civil assistance plan signed six months ago between U.S. Northern Command and Canada Command was used for the first time over the weekend to expedite and coordinate Canadian military support to the U.S. Gulf Coast region in response to Hurricane Gustav. "This was a great first use of the civil assistance plan," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart, NorthCom commander. "Everything went exactly as it was designed to."

After receiving approval from both the governments of Canada and the United States, the Canadian Forces quickly deployed a CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, to Lakefront, La. The aircrew and medical team aboard the aircraft flew seven littered and 13 ambulatory patients from New Orleans to Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 31.

"I am proud of our men and women in uniform for answering this call and know that we have the mechanisms in place to respond to these types of requests quickly and effectively," said Vice Adm. Dean McFadden, commander of Canada Command and former commander of the Canadian task group that deployed to the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005 to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Signed on Feb. 14, the civil assistance plan formalized the longstanding tradition of military-to-military cooperation that has long existed between both countries, officials said.

(Canadian Air Force Maj. Brian Martin serves in the U.S. Northern Command/North American Aerospace Defense Command Public Affairs Office.)

Hurricane Hunters Track Gustav on Katrina Anniversary

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 2, 2008 - Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing here spent the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina flying into yet another tempest, Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall yesterday just west of Grand Island, La. Three years ago, the Hurricane Hunters evacuated aircraft and personnel from this Gulf-Coast base to forward operating locations, where they continued flying into Katrina to provide the National Hurricane Center with critical data used by forecasters to make warnings to areas in the path of the storm.

Crews watched from 10,000 feet as the pounding surf and pulverizing winds destroyed the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including their homes, businesses and those of their friends and family. In the days following Katrina, the citizen-airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron continued flying missions, never missing a single tasking.

Officials deployed the 403rd Wing's fleet of WC-130J and C-130J aircraft to forward operating locations last month when Tropical Storm Fay threatened heavy winds across the Gulf Coast. Aircraft remained in place as follow-on taskings called for them to fly missions into Hurricane Gustav and another recently developed system, Tropical Storm Hanna.

Any time a tropical system threatens the U.S. coastline or those of U.S. interests in the Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean basin, the Hurricane Hunters fly around-the-clock missions.

Tasked by the National Hurricane Center, the Hurricane Hunters flew several missions into Gustav, pinpointing the location of the center of the storm and providing real-time data to forecasters via satellite communication.

Information relayed to the National Hurricane Center helps forecasters to narrow warning areas by more than 30 percent. With increased accuracy in the forecast, the likelihood that people in those areas will heed watches and warnings also improves.

This year, all 10 state-of-the-art WC-130J aircraft are equipped with the stepped-frequency microwave radiometer, which allows airmen on board to measure surface winds directly below the aircraft constantly. The SFMR, affectionately known as the "Smurf," also can determine rainfall rates within a storm system. This, in addition to wind speed measurements at flight level, provides structural detail of the storm.

Already this season, the Smurf has given forecasters significantly more data to feed into their models and provided more accurate surface-level wind data not always available in the past.

Having the Smurf on board is the most important advancement for this season, according to Air Force Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, chief aerial reconnaissance weather officer for the Hurricane Hunters. With the full capability to provide surface wind speed data, the unit gives National Hurricane Center forecasters the most accurate surface wind speed information prior to landfall.

"This translates into more accurate warnings for the public," he said.

(Air Force Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett serves in the 403rd Wing Public Affairs Office.)

Conversation in Diner Solidifies Texas Gustav Support

By Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 2, 2008 - Rescue efforts in a large state like Texas and a large neighboring state to the east take many levels of support and cooperative efforts, and sometimes a simple conversation struck up in a diner. Army Lt. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez, adjutant general for Texas Military Forces, visited a 136th Airlift Wing crew and medical personnel here as they were beginning the careful task of medically evacuating patients from Beaumont to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

He met with Port Arthur police officer Tim Dinger at a diner on Aug. 29, and compared the responsibilities of the police with those assigned to the Texas Military Forces and made a connection that may prove valuable in the future.

"We are so much more aware of what needs to be done," Dinger said. "Now, we have backup generators and contracts to keep important facilities like this running."

Back at the airport, the medical crew was busy getting people comfortable on the aircraft. "This is something we did three years ago with two hours' notice," the airport manager said. "This time it was so much different. I am no less tired, but it is really worth it," he said with a weary smile.

As the transport aircraft rumbled down the tarmac and lifted off to the west, yet another bus arrived with more patients. In the meantime, fleets of buses were lined up, carrying up to 500 area residents to Tyler, a four-hour trip to the north.

"I really care about this," Army Sgt. Jessie Conley, assigned to Company A, 536th Forward Support Battalion, said. "If I did not, I would not be here."

By yesterday, seven missions had been flown from Beaumont to San Antonio and three from New Orleans to Austin, Texas, with a total of nearly 300 patients.

(Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada serves in the Texas National Guard as state public affairs deputy. Army Col. William D. Meehan, state public affairs officer, contributed to this story.)

Mullen Praises Military Response to Hurricane Gustav

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 2, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today praised the U.S. military, in particular the National Guard, for its role in the government's response to Hurricane Gustav, which lashed the Louisiana coast yesterday. The National Guard has more than 14,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen deployed to the Gulf Coast, according to the latest Defense Department statistics, with troops manning security positions and evacuation vehicles.

"They've been called out in several states; they were called out early," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said of the Guardsmen in a Pentagon Channel podcast interview. "We made them available earlier, we supported them from the federal standpoint very early, and I know that that made a difference."

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized the call-up Aug. 31 for a period ending Sept. 15.

Mullen expressed gratitude for the Guard's effort so far, but stressed that assessments are ongoing to determine the effects of Gustav, which caused some 2 million people to evacuate their homes. He added that the military is now watching two other storms that ponentially could strike the U.S. coast.

"We're very much in preparation for the next two hurricanes, and I'm confident we'll do all we can to prepare for those disasters," he said.

The armed forces' response to Gustav assisted the overall government effort, Mullen said.

"We were able to plan for and prepare for this in a way that allowed us to, as a military, greatly assist the rest of government organizations, whether it was national, state or local governments," he said.

Mullen said the government learned lessons from Hurricane Katrina, which battered homes, flooded cities and led to widespread looting and death in 2005.

"We put those lessons into play, and done it in a way that ... [generated] a very positive outcome," he said, referring to the response to Gustav. "So I'm proud of our participation. The military has really made a difference here."

Hurricane Gustav Slams Into Louisiana

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 1, 2008 - With Hurricane Gustav hitting the southwestern Louisiana coast, all preparations have been made. "Now, we pray," said an official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency today. More than 7,000 National Guardsmen from Florida to Texas have been called up for state missions and are patrolling New Orleans and other cities and towns in the region. Active-duty military personnel are standing by ready to lend a hand if needed, FEMA officials said. U.S. Northern Command is working closely with civilian and state agencies along the Gulf Coast, and will provide needed capabilities if asked.

U.S. Transportation Command, based in Scott Air Force Base, Ill., coordinated the evacuation of 16,000 "special needs" citizens out of the affected areas. Canada sent a CC-177 Globemaster 3 aircraft – the Canadian version of the C-17 – to help evacuate people from Louisiana.

Dubbed Operation Unify, the CC-177 and Canadian Forces crew flew from Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ont., to Lakefront, La., to aid in the evacuation. The aircraft is part of Canada Command – the Canadian Forces formation responsible for the conduct of all Canadian military routine and contingency domestic operations in North America. The command is working closely with its U.S. counterpart, U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Transportation Command, as part of a whole of government approach to ensure appropriate support.

Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, La., with near 110-mile-per-hour sustained winds. Storm surge could be up to 15 feet and could challenge the levees and flood control projects to the west and south of the city, officials said.

Forecasters said the storm is a category 2 hurricane with winds between 96 and 110 miles per hour. The winds in New Orleans should be somewhat less at a category 1 level – 74 to 95 miles per hour.

Once the storm moves ashore there is a chance it will breed tornadoes and drop significant amounts of rain on an area extending into Northern Louisiana and East Texas. Flooding is a real possibility in those areas, officials said.

"The Army Corps of Engineers informs me that while the levees are stronger than they've ever been, people across the Gulf Coast, especially in New Orleans, need to understand that in a storm of this size there is serious risk of significant flooding," President Bush said following an operations update at FEMA headquarters, yesterday.

President Bush declared the states federal disaster areas well in advance of the storm's approach to make delivering aid easier. Almost 2 million people evacuated in advance of Gustav's approach. News reports indicate the states and federal government's learned the lessons of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the evacuation went smoothly.

"The most important aspect was that people all over the Gulf Coast took this storm seriously," said the FEMA official.

Guard Aids New Orleans Evacuation, Braces for Storm Mission

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 31, 2008 - With the full force of the Louisiana National Guard activated, more than 7,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen are assisting local authorities with evacuation and security efforts in New Orleans and performing dozens of other missions across the state as Hurricane Gustav approaches. As the Guard and the state brace for the powerful storm, each day brings new challenges that all agencies involved must work together to overcome. "Louisiana citizens and our governor needed the Guard, and we were there immediately, redirecting hundreds of troops to assist New Orleans with their evacuation plan," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general, said.

Guard soldiers began patrolling the streets of New Orleans yesterday, assisting with security as the area began evacuating citizens. They were scheduled to begin helping the state police with "contraflow" operations today, a process that converts normally inbound roads to handle outbound evacuation traffic.

About 400 National Guard soldiers and airmen are driving buses, transporting citizens to shelters across the state.

In other areas, convoys carrying more than 900 soldiers from the 225th Engineer Brigade arrived in Lake Charles, Napoleonville, Iowa, Breaux Bridge, Lake Charles and Rayne yesterday to assist civil authorities with evacuation and security of citizens moving from southwestern Louisiana on contraflow routes.

"One of our greatest strengths is that we are citizen-soldiers and live in the communities we serve, Landreneau said. "We are able to transition from our civilian careers to military roles quickly when called upon."

The activation of the 225th Engineer Brigade calls into service soldiers who are responsible for boat search-and-rescue missions, engineer assessment teams that will deploy to support coastal parishes, security teams and contraflow support.

As the Louisiana Guard activation has reached full potential, officials have called on sister states to support additional requirements created by Gustav's landfall, expected tomorrow afternoon. Battalions from Kentucky and Tennessee and 28 aircraft arrived in Louisiana yesterday, thanks to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states.

A Guard military intelligence battalion already serving in hurricane operations has provided a Spanish-speaking soldier to relocate to New Orleans and assist residents in understanding instructions being given by the governor and other agencies.

In an advisory issued at 1 p.m. EDT today, the National Weather Service said Gustav was 270 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving toward the northwest at 17 mph. Though maximum sustained winds had dropped to 115 mph with higher gusts, forecasters said, it could regain Category 4 status tonight or tomorrow. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph.

Governor Calls Louisiana National Guard to Full Operational Status

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 30, 2008 - As 1,500 National Guard members arrived in New Orleans yesterday to support the city's police department and assist in executing civil support missions, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the activation of all available remaining Louisiana National Guard forces to assist with emergency operations in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. With the newly activated troops coming on board today, the total of Louisiana Guard members activated reaches 7,000.

Gustav, which grew to a Category 3 hurricane overnight, is bearing down on western Cuba today with sustained winds of more than 120 mph, and is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Sept. 1 or early Sept. 2.

The Guard troops who arrived in New Orleans yesterday will safeguard homes and businesses during evacuation and instill confidence in the citizens, state Guard officials said.

The state's adjutant general assured residents of a response to Gustav that's based on lessons learned three years ago, when back-to-back hurricanes struck the region.

"The Louisiana National Guard is fully prepared for a hurricane disaster and has improved reaction times, communication and equipment resources by learning from hurricanes Katrina and Rita," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau said. "Throughout the year, the Louisiana National Guard, in coordination with other state and local agencies has conducted numerous statewide emergency response exercises testing capabilities, and validating plans to improve overall efficiency and reaction time. These coordinated efforts were and continue to be crucial to our current success."

As state forces in Louisiana have reached a full operational capability status, neighboring states are preparing assets in the event they are needed as well.

The Louisiana National Guard has requested additional aviation assets and personnel through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact -- a mutual-support agreement -- to assist with meeting potential mission requirements, with the Arkansas National Guard responding and moving into place.

Headquarters 1-114th Aviation Battalion of North Little Rock, Ark., is sending 44 personnel to Esler Field in Pineville, La., to fill in for Louisiana's 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Other neighboring states also have National Guard forces ready to deploy if additional support is needed, officials said.

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

Program Ensures Reserve Component Medical Readiness

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - The Reserve Health Readiness Program ensures that reserve-component servicemembers have the ability and access to meet their deployment requirements, the program's director said yesterday. "The program was designed to supplement the reserve component readiness mission, and to add another resource that they could tap into to have these services done so they could satisfy their deployment requirements," Navy Cmdr. Diedre Presley, program manager of the RHRP, said during a "Dot Mil Docs" radio program on BlogTalkRadio.com.

The RHRP has a provider network that provides a wide range of medical, dental and behavioral health services, using a nationwide network of about 45,000 private providers of various disciplines. Since the beginning of the year, the RHRP has provided more than 151,000 services.

Presley said the RHRP provides immediate access to a program that service components can tap into to get these services done, especially when troops are being mobilized on a daily basis.

"It is also a tool for the service components to increase their individual medical readiness and to make sure they have a staff that is ready to deploy at any time," she added.

RHRP services include physical examinations, dental examinations and X-rays, dental treatment, immunizations, vision services, audio services, laboratory services, occupational health services, vaccine storage and distribution and other services required to satisfy the service components' readiness needs, Presley said.

"These services are delivered through two channels. Services can be provided in clinics, where we will send that servicemember within 50 miles of a designated ... work or home location, and they will go into an actual provider in their local area," she explained. "We can actually send teams out to a particular location to do a [Servicemembers Readiness Program] or a group event where we will send a team out that is customized depending on the services particular units require."

Presley said sending teams out to units is not a new capability, but what is new is the capacity to plus up the number of team members sent out to a particular unit.

"We're now able to either plus up that team or minimize that team, depending on how many servicemembers actually need to be serviced during that time," Presley said. "We can send a team out that services 30 servicemembers, or we can send a team out that services 100-plus servicemembers."

This ability is available to servicemembers in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Germany.

The large provider network is composed of trained and accountable providers who have been brought up to speed on all of the service component requirements, Presley said.

Once called the Federal Strategic Health Alliance Program, RHRP was created in 2007 to acknowledge the expansion and enhancement of the services and to recognize the program's movement from the Department of Health and Human Services federal occupational health function to the Defense Department's office of force health protection and readiness.

The change also provides services such as periodic health assessments, post-deployment health reassessments and individual medical readiness services to the active component, Presley said.

"We were also able to add some flexibility into the RHRP program that reduced the minimums required for scheduling services," she added.

(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)

MILITARY CONTRACTS August 28, 2008

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

ExxonMobil Fuels marketing Co., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a maximum $84,669,874 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel oil, diesel fuel and gasoline. Using service is Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and US/NATO personnel. There were originally seven proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-9410).

Eni S.P.A. Refining & Marketing Division, Rome Italy is being awarded a maximum $83,994,105 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel oil, diesel fuel and gasoline. Using service is Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and US/NATO personnel. There were originally seven proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-9411).

Mabanaft Deutschland GMBH, Kassel, Germany*, is being awarded a maximum $25,051,905 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Germany. Using service is Army. The original proposal was web-solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va.,(SP0600-08-D-9405).
Valentin Gas W. Oel GMBH & Co., KG, Mainz*, is being awarded a maximum $8,010,833 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Germany. Using service is Army. The original proposal was web-solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va.,(SP0600-08-D-9407).

Georg Schart, Amberg, Germany*, is being awarded a maximum $6,134,798 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel oil, diesel and gasoline. Other locations of performance are in Germany. Using service is Army. The original proposal was web-solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-9406).

World Fuels Americas dba Trans-Tec, Greenwich, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $47,378,119 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuels. Other locations of performance are in Va., Fla., Texas and La. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally 55 proposals solicited with 18 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Apr. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Air Force

Dell Marketing L.P., of Round Rock, Texas, is being awarded a contract for $5,599,256. The objective of this award is to procure Symantec Software licenses and original equipment manufacture consulting support. The Combat Information Transport System program office deployment of Block 30 network management/network defense systems includes deploying the Symantec Mail Security, Netback up, and Command Central Storage licenses at Air Force locations worldwide. The location of performance is Dell Marketing L.P., Round Rock, Texas. At this time $5,599,256 has been obligated. Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8771-05-A-0301).

Battelle Memorial Institute, of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a contract for $9,984,489. This contract action will provide an extensive chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear knowledge base is required to identify and analyze chemical and biological defense archival information and make it available to the entire Chemical Biological Defense community. The location of performance is Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio. At this time $1,062,802 has been obligated. Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180).

Today the Air Force is a exercising an option with Call Henry, Incorporated, of Titusville, Fla., for $6,922,868. The action is a launch operations support contract. This contract provides management, modification, and modernization for aging facility, property and western range support equipment to ensure successful performance during tests, operations and launch. The LOSC program will satisfy the requirement for radi, reliable, economical and secure maintenance and operation service. These services include periodic maintenance, operation, and repair of various infrastructure, and mandatory certification, maintenance, operation, and repair of various infrastructure, and mandatory certification, maintenance, and operations of facility property and equipment (e.g. alarms, cranes and hoists, elevators, generators, mechanical, pressure vessels, structural, towers, utilities) which support critical mission requirements. This is the fourth option to be exercised out of five. The location of performance is Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.; California Coastal Sites, (Pillar Point, Anderson Peak, and Santa Barbara); and the following Hawaii locations; Wheeler Army Base, Ewa Beach, Kaena Point and Molokai, Hawaii. At this time money has not been obligated. Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity. (F04610-04-C-0004).
Navy

Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems Div., Melbourne, Fla., is being awarded a $53,061,171 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-04-C-0130) for the procurement of 11 AN/ARQ-58 Aircraft Terminal Equipment (ATE) sets and 3 AN/ARQ-58 spare ATE sets for the MH-60R helicopter program, and 5 AN/SRQ-4 (ku) radio shipboard terminal sets for surface combatant ship classes CG-47, DDG-51, and FFG-7. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., (63 percent) and Wayne, N.J., (37 percent), and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Services, Inc., Marlton, N.J., is being awarded a $43,387,937 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for engineering, technical and programmatic support for maintaining and updating simulations and intelligence data bases for the EA-6B and EA-18G aircraft. In addition, this contract provides support for the transition of the EA-6B mission to the EA-18G. Work will be performed in Camarillo, Calif., (67 percent); at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Pt. Mugu, Calif., (37 percent); and Virginia Beach, Va., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $129,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-08-D-0027).

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is being awarded a $40,712,276 modification under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-C-2052) for CapSet II add/delete components and procure nine Combat Operations Center (COC) systems including 18 common ,modules and 36 Capability Set IIs. The CapSet II, COC system is an integrated, mobile, command and control center consisting of shelter, power, cabling, processing systems, and trailers. Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., and work is expected to be completed Jul. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, is being awarded a $25,660,046 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with provisions for the issuance of cost-plus-fixed-fee (level of effort and completion) task/delivery orders to provide specialized technical and engineering support services for Navy's identity management development and operations capability and other anti-terrorism/force protection programs. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured; it is a sole source procurement. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-08-D-3007).

Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $24,836,648 firm-fixed-price delivery order under a previously awarded contract (W58RGZ-06-G-0003) in for spares used on the H-1 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and work is expected to be completed by Dec. 2011. Contract funds will expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded an $18,500,000 modification to the previously awarded contract (N00024-96-C-2100) for the execution of the USS Hawaii (SSN 776) post shakedown availability. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn., (99 percent) and Quonset Point, R.I., (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair, Groton, Conn., is the contracting activity.

Kalman & Co., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded $14,125,627 for task order #0016 under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-03-A5158). The scope of this effort is to provide business and analytical support to the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense systems. Objectives of this initiative include risk analyses supporting enterprise-wide efforts and current programs of record, leading to concise business case analyses that identify cost and performance projections, schedule impacts, and sustainment/ lifecycle considerations. Work will be performed in Falls Church, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $4,800,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Marshall Co., Ltd.*, Corpus Christi, Texas, is being awarded $12,562,000 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62467-04-D-0078) for construction of a T-45 flightline re-capitalization at Naval Air Station, Kingsville. The work to be performed provides for the design, renovation and repair of three buildings – Buildings 760, 2713, and 3786. Overall, this project will renovate existing building space, demolish substandard space and construct new warehouse/shop space. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $10,400,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order contract (N68936-06-D-0024) to provide specialized technical services in support of Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) work performed at the Fleet Readiness Center, Southwest (FRC-SW) on aircraft and rework of associated components and materials. Services to be provided include modifications, in-service repairs, and all other categories of service associated with aircraft DLM and its planning. The estimated level of effort for this modification is 346,666 man-hours. Work will be performed at FRC-SW, San Diego, Calif., (78 percent); the Marine Corps Air Station, (MCAS), Camp Pendleton, Calif., (9 percent); the Naval Air Station, (NAS) Lemoore, Calif., (4 percent); the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Pt. Mugu, Calif., (2 percent); NAS Whidbey Island, Bremerton, Wash., (2 percent); MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, (2 percent); MCAS Yuma, Ariz., (2 percent); and MCAS Miramar, Calif., (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.

CACI, Chantilly, Va., is being awarded a $7,961,512 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for education/training products and support services managed by the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center, Pensacola, Fla., for the Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education Enterprise. This contract includes one base period and four one-year options that, if exercised, bring the total estimated value of the contract to $42,146,213. Work will be performed at Chantilly, Va., (95 percent), and Pensacola, Fla., (5 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded through full and open competition via Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with 18 offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Detachment Philadelphia, is the contracting activity.

Oceaneering International, Inc., Chesapeake, Va., is being awarded a $5,711,065 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-6269) for Dry Dock Shelter (DDS) Planning Yard, field change, and maintenance support. The contract modification will augment and supplement internal capabilities and provide for fleet-funded maintenance of DDS assets and procures material to support the alteration, modernization, and fit-up of DDS Program assets. Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, (60 percent); Norfolk, Va., (30 percent); and Diego Garcia, (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Army

Concurrent Technologies Corp., Johnstown, Pa., was awarded on Aug. 21, 2008, a $14,604,152 cost/plus fixed fee price contract with Concurrent Technologies Corp., to provide operations and sustainment support for the Consolidated Analytic Spatial Initiative program. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pa., and Bethesda, Md., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (HM157-08-C-0003).

Alliant Ammunition and power Co., LLC, Radford, Va., was awarded on
Aug. 28, 2008, a $31,409,100 firm/fixed price contract. This award is in support of the modernization effort at Radford Army Ammunition Plant. Work will be performed in Radford, Va., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. HQ, Army Sustainment Command Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA-09-03-E-0001).

The Logistics Co., Inc., Fayetteville, N.C., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $16,306,687 cost-plus-price contract for logistics services at Fort Knox, Ky., during the period Oct. 1, 2006 through 30 Sept. 30, 2007 with four one year option periods through Sept. 30, 2001. Work will be performed in Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via Internet and eight bids were received. Mission & Installation Contracting Command Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-06-C-0030).

General Dynamics Land Systems Division, Sterling Heights, Ill., was awarded on
Aug. 28, 2008, a $33,890,476 firm/fixed price contract. The purpose of this contract is thirty M1A1 Abrams integrated management vehicles with an option for an additional thirty vehicles. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio, Scranton, Pa., Tallahassee, Fla., and Anniston, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).

MPRI A Division of L-3 Services, Inc., Alexandria, Va., was awarded on Aug.27, 2008, a $9,904,051 contract, to perform a broad range of technical financial and operational analysis in support of the Department of the Army. Contract support shall include all activities relating to the overall force development of the Army. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., and Fort Huachuca, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited via Internet and two bids were received. Contracting Center of Excellence, Washington, is the contracting activity (W91WAW-08-F-0129).

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded on Aug. 27, 2008, a $9,145,424 firm fixed price contract. The work consists of beach renourishment in Tybee Island, Ga. Work will be performed in Tybee Island, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 31, 2008. Bids were solicited via Internet and three bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0046).

Hill Brothers Construction Co., Inc, Falkner, Miss., was awarded on Aug. 27, 2008, a $58,826,055 firm fixed fee contract. The work consist of excavation, driving sheet pilling, driving timber pilling, driving steel pipe pilling, utility relocations, concrete box culvert construction, asphalt road work, fertilizing and seed, backfilling, and other incidental work. Work will be performed in New Orleans, La., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 13, 2012. Bids were solicited via FedTeds and four proposals were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-08-C-0093).

General Dynamics Lands Systems Division, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $30,780,300 cost reimbursable contract to procure long lead material required to support 129 Third Armored Cavalry Regiment Abrams M1A2 system enhancement package. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio, Tallahassee, Fla., Anniston, Ala., Scranton, Pa., and Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).

Telford Aviation Inc., (TAI), Bangor, Maine, was awarded on Aug. 27, 2008, a $36,612,252 time /and material contract. The award of an undefinitized contract action will be made to Telford Aviation Inc for the procurement of components of the Multi Sensor Airborne Reconnaissance Surveillance System. Work will be performed in Hagerstown, Md., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 6, 2009. Bids were solicited sole source and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-07-C-W009).

Face of Defense: Guardsman Wraps Up Four Decades of Service

By Mike Chrisman
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - A tour in Vietnam, flood duty in 1993 and 2001, a tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006, and flood duty in 2008. That is only part of the highlight reel for a 58-year-old Oquawka, Ill., man who is about to hang up his combat boots after a military career that has spanned nearly 40 years. Army Staff Sgt. Norris Crooks of Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, based here, has mixed feelings as he prepares to retire from the Illinois Army National Guard.

"It's been really good, and I have no regrets," Crooks said. "I enjoy what we do, and we have really good people. I am definitely going to miss all of the guys."

Crooks enlisted in the Army in 1970. He was deployed to Vietnam for 14 months, and when he returned, he got out of the military. But, he said, he missed the military lifestyle and camaraderie, and he decided to enlist in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1986. He became part of the Galesburg-based National Guard company, where he has spent the remainder of his military career.

The long-time soldier is married, with four children ranging in age from 17 to 29. He has worked at Gates Rubber in Galesburg for 18 years. Cheryl Crooks married Norris in 1986, so the military has been a major part of their lives together.

"It's had a huge impact on our lives," she said. "Honestly, it's changed me and made me grow up."

Cheryl Crooks said the time her husband was deployed to Iraq was one of the hardest times of her life.

"I still get emotional thinking about it," she said. "It was awful. We were lost without him. I still remember sitting by the phone with our kids, waiting for him to call."

Cheryl said she was never a strong person, but being a military spouse taught her to be. She said she is very proud of what her husband has accomplished throughout his career, and that she sees him as her hero.

Norris said his career in the Illinois National Guard has given him memorable experiences. He was mobilized for flood relief efforts in 1993, 2001 and 2008. He deployed to Iraq in 2005. And last year, Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, trained in England for two weeks, working with British soldiers.

During training this summer at Fort McCoy, Wis., Crooks fired a ceremonial final round from a howitzer artillery cannon. Crooks had fired about 500 rounds during his career, but this time was different.

"I was thinking, 'I can't believe this is my last time I was going to fire,'" Crooks said. "It was a great feeling."

Crooks officially retires from the Illinois Army National Guard on Jan. 19. The unit will recognize him with an official going-away ceremony in December.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Newton, readiness noncommissioned officer with the Galesburg-based National Guard unit, has known Crooks most of his life, because they grew up a few blocks apart in Oquawka. Newton said Crooks is the epitome of an Illinois National Guard soldier.

"He is the best kind of soldier -- reliable, motivated and always mission-focused," Newton said. With the experience Crooks brings to the unit, Newton said, many soldiers look up to him for advice and guidance.

In a diverse military career that has spanned 38 years, Crooks has seen a lot of change in the military. He is asked many times what differences he sees from the Vietnam War to the war in Iraq. He said his answer is usually the same.

"In Vietnam, you knew who the enemy was. In Iraq, you don't," Crooks said. "It's two totally different worlds, and it's hard to compare."

(Mike Chrisman works in the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office.)

Suze Orman Shares Wealth Plans, Thanks Servicemembers

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - Personal finance expert and motivational speaker Suze Orman created her brand of mega-success by bringing financial planning out of the echelons of millionaires clubs and delivering it to middle class people –- and those aspiring to middle class. Earlier this year, Time magazine named the best-selling author as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

Orman frequently takes calls from servicemembers on CNBC's "The Suze Orman Show," and has reached out to troops by making speaking appearances at bases and by being involved in the www.militarysaves.com campaign. Orman recently spoke to American Forces Press Service about taking her wealth-building formula – in a nutshell, to pay off debts and save more -- to military members.

Q: Why did you get involved with the Military Saves campaign?

A: My entree into the military started a few years ago at a base in New Mexico when [a major in the audience] stood up and said, 'You've got to come and save us. So many young people come up and ask me their questions, and I can't help them, but I know you can.' She got the clearance for us to come to Little Rock [Air Force Base, Ark.], which happened to be March 2003 when the war broke out [in Iraq].

I walked in behind the commanding officer, and I will never forget – and I've walked next to presidents and every imaginable dignitary and movie star you can imagine – never in my life have I felt such power as when those 800 men and women snapped to attention. As I stood there with him, I thought there is such tremendous power and respect in this room, and hopefully not just in this room, but coming from everyone else from the outside toward them. The second I went on the base, I knew that I had come home.

Q: As you hear from U.S. servicemembers, what are some of the most common personal finance concerns they face?

A: What those in the military need to be very, very careful of is that, because you've been trained to follow orders and because you are incredibly honorable, you're an incredibly trusting group of people. And because you are so trusting, you are the perfect people to be taken advantage of from unscrupulous people [including financial advisors]. You trust that what they are telling you is true. You, more than anybody, must be very, very careful.

The most prevalent thing military members say to me is, 'I got into trouble because I trusted a person who told me to do X, Y and Z, and it wasn't right.' That is one of the main dangers for military people.

Q: But not everyone knows a lot about finances. There is a learning curve, right?

A: There's a learning curve in everything. The question becomes how much do you want to learn? I want you to learn that it's not that hard. Things make sense and things don't make sense. You need to trust yourself more than you trust anybody else. If somebody tells you to do something and it doesn't feel right or you don't understand, just don't do it. It's better to do nothing than to do something you don't understand.

Q: Do people need to use financial planners?

A: No, I don't think so. People have bought the ticket Wall Street has been trying to sell you forever in that you need a professional financial planner. You don't.

Q: When people are living on a tight budget, what is the smartest way to build wealth? How do you choose between paying off debt and saving money? How do you choose between saving for retirement and saving for college and having a general savings account that you can tap into for emergencies?

A: That's no different for military members than anyone else. Debt is bondage and you will never, ever experience financial freedom if you have bondage. If you have credit card debt at maybe 18 percent and money in savings that earns about 2 percent and is taxable, you are seriously losing money when you [put money in savings rather than pay down the credit card]. You always want to attack your financial future knowing that your feet are on solid financial foundation. Enemies to money are debt. If you would retire that debt, it would be like a guaranteed 18 percent return on your money.

Q: What is the formula for building wealth?

A: Get rid of credit card debt and other high-interest, short-term debt, like car loans.

Create an emergency savings fund. Six months is ideal. It can be a bank savings account or a [certificate of deposit]. Consider a high-return plan like that on www.saveyourself.com, which pays $100 after you've contributed $100 per month for 12 months.

Besides an emergency fund, start saving for retirement. Start putting money in the Thrift Savings Plan and maybe you also start saving for a down payment for buying a home later. Once you're out of the military, you have to decide where you want to go to get a job and buy a house. So go rent there, and then buy. It's OK to keep renting until you know where.

Be very careful about your children's college education. It's so incredibly expensive, it's not even funny. Realistically speaking, with military salaries, it's very hard to pay for everything – a house, retirement, college. It's better to teach your children that they have to get good grades to qualify for scholarships, or they may need loans or go into the military, which is what my nephew did. Here is the problem: a kid goes to college and still doesn't know what he wants to be and the parents are $100,000 in debt. There's nothing wrong with community college.

Q: Today's parents are spending a lot of time and money on their children in ways not seen in the past. What are some ways military parents can keep from going broke?

A: Parents have gotten into spending money for their kids in a way, not so much for the kids' sake, but in keeping up with what other kids' parents are doing. We're all so busy worrying about impressing people we don't know or like, that we're not saving money. What are you teaching your children by giving them activities you can't afford? And it doesn't create a good environment at night by having tension between mommy and daddy when they can't pay the bills. That backfires in the long run.

It's easier to spoil kids than to not have to deal with their whining. Sometimes people can afford it, but their priorities are wrong. You're in the U.S. armed forces, you've been taught to live a life of integrity. Don't tell me you don't have what it takes to do right by your kids – and it's not in spoiling them. Make the same hard choices with your kids, so they become the same integral human beings you are.

Q: For most people, their home is their best financial asset. Given that many military people move every two or three years, what advice do you have for buying a home and for keeping it long enough to grow equity, and also not losing money on relocations?

A: In markets past, yes, you could have bought a home and made a lot of money even if you only had it for one or two years. That's the past. The present is, you don't buy a home unless you know that you can live in it at least four, five or six years. If you rent it, and that renter doesn't pay, you have to cover that. The issue is, do you have enough money saved that if you buy the home and are relocated, and you can't sell your home or you have to sell it for less than your loan is for, then you absorb that cost? If you keep getting relocated, what are you going to do? The best thing is to just rent.

For military members who bought their homes years ago, it made sense. But the economy is different now. Everything is expensive. The advice you're reading today is the advice for today. In today's economy, with expenses skyrocketing and property taxes going up, unless you have a serious sum of money, you should be renting [if you're still in rotations].

Q: Should long-term military members be priming themselves for a second career?

A: You can, but maybe you just want to stay in. If you don't have a plan for a job or education, why get out? You don't have to leave in 20 years. If you really don't like the military, then of course, hopefully, you will learn things that will help you go on. But if you're not sure what else you really want to do, stay in. In today's economy, just stay put.

Q: How should military members prepare for their higher risk of becoming disabled?

A: Stay out of debt! My saddest moment at the Little Rock Air Force Base was when [an airman who was about to deploy] said to me, 'I have a loan on my car. What do I do with it? Now, this car's going sit here. What do I do?' Debt isn't just about credit cards. You need to buy things you can own outright sooner rather than later.

Q: What is your main message to servicemembers?

A: If you have what it takes to defend the United States of America with your life, don't you dare tell me that you don't have what it takes to defend your own financial security with your own dedication to survive. That's the main message.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share with military members?

A: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I salute each and every one of you.

Servicemembers Employ Recession Buffers, Still Seek Help

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - Military members receive some buffers from hard times through benefits like housing and meal allowances, commissaries and a strong support network. But they feel the crunch of increasing prices like everyone else. Finance professionals who work directly with servicemembers say they are seeing more requests for help from soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

"We're really seeing a lot of people asking for assistance," said Kelly Stewart, a community readiness consultant who counsels airmen about their finances on Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "It just seems to get worse with the economy."

On Camp Pendleton, Calif., "We're seeing the Military folks cut back on food," said Mike Hire, director of the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society there. "Just like with other Americans, folks are looking for bargains and store brands, and they're buying things that go further. Maybe you haven't eaten rice or spaghetti as much as you do now."

The pinch has been especially hard on young servicemembers who aren't old enough to remember the last economic slowdown, let alone have never juggled finances through a recession, financial advisors say.

"You have a number of folks who come into the Military and are making more money than they ever thought they would," Hire said. "The problem is, they don't understand how much it is going to cost. They don't think in terms of hard economic times; they think in terms of how much money they have."

Where people tend to make mistakes is in not having enough savings to cover unexpected costs, Hire said. When people put pen to paper and create a budget, most draw a fixed income line and fixed expense line. That's a mistake, Hire said. "Expenses are never solid. They move up and down all the time. That's where people get into trouble," he said.

Lynn Olavarria, manager of the financial readiness program on Fort Bragg, N.C., agreed that education and self control on spending are key to keeping finances in check. "What I'm seeing is young people coming out of their parents' home and they have no kind of background for dealing with finances," she said. "Everybody wants everything now. I'm seeing that change more all the time. It's the instant-gratification generation. They incur debt quickly because we all know how easy it is to get credit."

Financial readiness programs are widespread to educate military members about their personal finances and classes are mandatory at first-duty stations, Olavarria said. The services offer financial counselors free of charge, as well as outreach programs, because of its impact on Military readiness.

"When financial problems are introduced into an airmen's life, their mind might be other places and it can affect the mission," Stewart said.

Servicemembers go to financial counselors for basic budgeting, referrals for interest-free loans, and sometimes because they are in danger of losing their security clearances due to financial problems, Stewart said. "Some clients I see have hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt -- credit card debt, judgments, it varies," she said.

Finance experts have this advice for military members to improve their financial shape: Take advantage of your benefits and support network; make smart spending choices; and save more.

There are many programs set up for Military members to save money. The Military Savings Deposit Program allows those deployed to combat zones to have money automatically taken out of their paychecks and placed into a savings account. Servicemembers earn 10 percent on the balance of the savings up to three months after their deployment ends, said Maj. Burke Beaumont, comptroller of the 316th Mission Support Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Contributing to an interest-bearing savings account and also to the government's Thrift Savings Plan for retirement "is a no-brainer," Beaumont said. The challenge is in making those contributions rather than spending additional money, such as those made from combat deployments, on things like expensive vehicles, iPhones and other status symbols, he said.

"You need to put that money to something you could use in the future," Beaumont said. "I'm seeing a lot of really nice cars on base: corvettes, brand new Mustangs, Hummers. That's money you could be investing."

Military members also must be careful not to use predatory lenders that charge very high interest, solicit around military bases, and make it simple to get a loan, Beaumont and other financial advisors said. The problem has gotten so bad that Congress last year passed a law that caps the interest rate on loans to military members at 36 percent.

"But 36 percent is still a lot, and they really reach out to Military members," Stewart said. People get themselves in trouble with loans by not considering the impact of paying off the full amount with interest, she said. "People say, 'I can afford to pay $115 a month. What they're not looking at is that they are going to pay back $5,000 on a $3,000 loan."

Predatory or "payday" lenders have gotten so common around bases that most financial readiness programs offer free classes on base to teach about their dangers, the financial advisors said. Also, Army Emergency Relief has started a new program that soldiers can use in place of private lenders. Under the Commanders' Referral Plan, a soldier can receive interest-free loans of up to $1,000 twice per year with a commander's referral, Olavarria said.

In fact, all four services have relief societies represented at most bases that give interest-free loans and, occasionally, grants. If a servicemember has to choose between paying a bill late -- and possibly messing up his credit rating for years -- or getting an interest-free loan from the relief society, then they should choose the society's help, advisors say.

"Military members are lucky because they have relief societies like ours," Hire said.

The Navy/Marine Corps society at Camp Pendleton doled out $3.8 million in emergency aid in 4,668 cases in 2007, he said. Those numbers will be similar for this year and are up from $2 million in 2005 and 2006, he said.
Here are some other tips from Military financial advisors:

-- Be hesitant about trading in your vehicle for one that uses less gas. Because of the devaluation of vehicles and the increased taxes required on a newer model, you may be better off to maintain the one you have.

-- Live near your work. High gas prices can diminish the savings on rent and mortgage farther away. Living on base also saves on utilities.

-- Save for emergency expenses. "We see people everyday for whom something has happened and they don't have the money to pay for it," Stewart said. "Just having the piece of mind of having that money in your account is a good way to live."

-- Use cash and check books more than credit and debit cards. "Because of debit cards, people overextend themselves constantly," Stewart said.

-- File travel vouchers on time and keep your government credit card paid off. Officials recommend setting up automatic withdrawals from servicemembers' paychecks that will move money into their travel card accounts. "The servicemember is 100 percent responsible for paying off the balance of the card" when the individual charges costs that aren't covered by per diem, Beaumont said.

Like those working for other services, Olavarria said it is important that soldiers reach out for the many ways that the Military can help with personal finances. "Everything a soldier can possibly need, the Army is going to do its very best to help them," Olavarria said.

An Army Community Service office is located on every post and can help soldiers or give referrals of help for almost any problem, she said. Furthermore, all installations and their surrounding communities sign onto what is known as an Army Family Covenant, which is a vow to support soldiers in any way possible, she said.

Oshkosh Corp. Earns Top Employer Support Award

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - Oshkosh Corp. is slated to receive the Defense Department's top award next month for supporting its employees who volunteer to serve in the National Guard and reserves. The Oshkosh, Wis.-based company will be among 15 employers nationwide to receive the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award during a Sept. 18 ceremony here.

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition the U.S. government gives to employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves.

Company employees nominated Oshkosh, which designs and builds military vehicles and vehicle bodies, for the award for creating an environment they said made its employees who serve in the military feel not just accepted, but also applauded and rewarded.

Marine Corps Maj. Dion Angling, a company employee, reported that the company hosted a special going-away dinner before he deployed to Iraq in 2006, sent him care packages while he was gone, and hosted a welcoming lunch on his return. His co-workers surprised him by decorating his office for the occasion.

Army Capt. Nguyen Trinh, another company employee, praised Oshkosh for giving him the time he needed to prepare for his upcoming deployment, and keeping up its support when he was deployed.

"My company was very proactive in ensuring that I understood all the benefits I would continue to receive during my deployment, and what I could expect upon my return. The company has reached out to my wife by taking an interest in her well-being," he said. "I am very fortunate to work for such a great organization."

Oshkosh demonstrates its support for its citizen-soldiers in other ways, too. A "Wall of Honor" appears at each plant, displaying reserve-component members' photos and profiles. The company contributes to deployed employees' unit family support groups and has coordinated transportation for their Guard and reserve employees to visit their families.

The company also contributes to the Marine Corps Reserves' Toys for Tots program, regularly attends military hiring conferences seeking current and former servicemembers for its management positions, and pays the difference between its employees' civilian and military pay while they're on active duty.

Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh chairman and chief executive officer, said the company is honored to receive recognition for the support it provides its employees serving on active duty.

"Our company continued to succeed, not only because of the strength of our product and services, but also because of the integrity of our people," he said. "We are grateful for these employees who are essential in helping Oshkosh succeed while also serving the country in a separate capacity, and to support them is the right thing to do."

Gordon Summer, executive director of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, credits employers like Bohn with ensuring citizen-soldiers are able to carry out their important dual roles.

"In the military, the best leaders are those who always take care of their people – and it is no different in the civilian workplace," he said. "Oshkosh Corp. has shown that it takes care of its people. Its employees who are also reserve and Guard members know the company is helping take care of their family while they are away serving this country."

America Supports You: Group Offers Military Spouses Small-Business Help

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - Starting a business requires cold, hard cash and moral support, both of which are now available to military spouses through a Virginia-based organization. "Military Spouse Business Association will help military spouses with the tangibles of financial and business resources and the intangibles of motivation, encouragement, support and recognition," said Lanette Lepper, a co-founder of the organization, and a Military spouse who owns her own business.

The other co-founders, Joanna Williamson and Rebecca Poynter, share the same backgrounds as military spouses and small-business owners. Their idea to create the Military Spouse Business Association stemmed from phone conversations during which they discussed Military life, she said.

They also talked about business and financial topics and agreed that sound financial preparation had allowed them to start their individual businesses and keep them going. The trio also agreed that even though they didn't all live in the same area, they still could share their experience with other military spouses.

"Two of us had never met each other in person, and we thought if we shared our ideas and encouragement remotely, motivating and learning from each other, then why can't other Military spouses do exactly the same thing?" Lepper said. "It also occurred to us that if we wanted to find other military spouses to buy from, hire, make a friend, find a colleague or mentor in the same profession, we didn't have a way to do that."

The organization now offers Military spouses who own their own businesses networking opportunities as well as financial and other resources.

The organization's Web site offers what the founders call the "Red, White and Blue Pages." It's a directory of military spouse-owned businesses, which enables military spouses to find other Military spouses in their geographical or professional areas.

"The directory is also available to [members of] the general public who would like to support these military spouse-owned businesses," Lepper said.

Lepper said civilians looking to support businesses owned by military spouses should know those businesses are in good hands.

"The prototype of a military spouse might surprise you," she said. "[They're] most likely to be female, most likely to be employed, better educated than their civilian counterpart, [and they] live near a major city and are Internet-savvy."

Military Spouse Business Association is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

Registration is temporarily closed while the organization moves its Web site. Registration should be available again Sept. 1.