The White Falcon - 02.11.1984, Síða 5

Family Support Centers: aids to Air Force way of life
Washington (AFNS) -- A recently completed Air
Force evaluation of Family Support Centers has
given the "go-ahead" to establish a center at
every major Air Force installation by 1989. The
Air Staff's nine-month final review has deter-
mined that the FSCs are worth the cost, are sup-
ported by base officials, are fulfilling a legit-
imate need and should be adopted worldwide.
Thirty-four centers are now in operation and
123 centers are planned by 1989. FSCs were in-
troduced three years ago to help family members
adjust to the unique demands of Air Force life
and to improve retention and productivity, accor-
ding to Dr. Joe Stevens of the Air Force Family
Matters Office in the Pentagon.
Representatives from most major departments of
the Air Staff conducted interviews and surveys at
29 bases from September 1983 to May 1984. They
found "FSC is doing what it was designed to do"
and "should continue with the plan to put one FSC
at each major installation."
Results show that 95 percent of the 2,000
people questioned supported the program. The
evaluation notes that "there is clear evidence
that military performance, operational readiness
and personnel retention are closely linked to
family considerations."
The FSCs are the "most important and visible
step to date regarding the Air Force commitment
to support families," the report stated.
"They are not just do-good agencies," said Dr.
Stevens. "They are a valuable part of the Air
Force. Just like employee assistance programs in
the private sector, they don't do it out of the
goodness of their hearts. They are interested in
retention of good employees and productivity.
"The first thing a wife hears is that we need
your husband," he added. "That's a cold thing to
hear from the other side of a gray desk. We are
just a little bit of humanity to help the family
adjust. We have to remember that the family has
a lot to do with whether momma or poppa stays in
the Air Force."
Since commanders and first sergeants are obli-
gated to promote a reasonable quality of life for
their people, the report says, the FSCs are a
great value to them in fulfilling that respons-
ibility.
A guide to air fare discounts for military travelers and their dependents
The following information is subject to change
by each carrier without notice. Therefore, check
with the air carrier, the nearest SATO or a
travel agency for more details before travel plans
are finalized. Travelers should be reminded that
the leave fares of one carrier may not necessarily
be the lowest in the market, and the same fare
might not be available on all carrier routes.
Various promotional fares may cost less, there-
fore, compare prices before making a reservation.
If travel plans meet the restrictions attached
to the cheaper fares, you may be able to travel
at an even lower cost than the military furlough
fare can offer you.
Accompanied = Dependents traveling with their mil-
itary sponsor.
Unaccompanied - Dependents traveling without their
military sponsor.
Note: Depending on the carrier, some restrictions
may apply. Leave fares may not be available on
all carrier routes.
Here's a summary of the discount fares offered
by American air carriers.
DISCOUNTS OFF ACT. DUTY
CARRIER NAMES COACH FARES MILITARY
(PERCENT)
American up to 50 yes
Delta up to 50 yes
Eastern up to 50 yes
Northwest up to 50 yes
Orient (DOMESTIC)
Pan American up to 50 yes
Trans World 50 yes
United up to 50 yes
The White Falcon November 2, 1984
US Air 50 yes
Western up to 50 yes
Frontier up to 50 yes
Ozark up to 50 yes
Piedmont up to 50 yes
PSA - Pacific up to 50 yes
Southwest
Empire Airways up to 50 yes
World Airways up to 50 yes
Republic up to 50 yes
CARRIER NAMES DEP. OF DEPENDENT
MILITARY TRAVEL STATUS
American no N/A
Delta yes Accompanied
Eastern yes Accompanied
Northwest yes Accompanied
Orient (DOMESTIC)
Pan American yes (OVERSEAS) Accompanied &
Unaccompanied
Trans World yes Accompanied
Uni ted yes Accompanied
US Air yes Accompanied &
Unaccompanied
Western no N/A
Frontier yes Accompanied
Ozark yes Accompanied
Piedmont yes Accompanied
PSA - Pacific no N/A
Southwest
Empire Airways yes Accompanied &
Unaccompanied
World Airways yes (DOMESTIC & Accompanied &
OVERSEAS) Unaccompanied
Republic yes Accompanied
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