The White Falcon - 22.10.1993, Blaðsíða 2

Family care plan
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SSgt Charles Mclaurln, NCOIC,
Customer Service, 35th MSSQ
The successful accomplishment of the Air
Force mission is predicated on the availabil-
ity of trained and motivated people. T o achieve
the force characteristics of responsiveness
and flexibility, the Air Force musthavepeople
in the right place at the right time, unencum-
bered and ready to perform their jobs. De-
pendent care planning is essential in attaining
that end.
The Air Force requires all single member
sponsors and military couples with depend-
ents (unmarried children under age 19) to
complete the Air Force Family Care Plan (AF
Form 357).
Single member sponsors and military
couples with dependents present a unique
family situation. Suitable dependent care
arrangements must exist to ensure that de-
pendents receive adequate care, support, and
supervision in a manner compatible with the
member’s military duties.
Dependent care plans must cover all rea-
sonably practical situations, both short and
long-term, and must be sufficiently detailed
and systematic to provide for a smooth, rapid
transfer of responsibilities to another indi-
vidual during the absence of the military
sponsor. The individual designated to as-
sume responsibility may not be another mili-
tary member (regular or reserve) because that
member must also remain worldwide avail-
able.
Designees should be at least 21 years of
age and capable of self-care and care of
children or other dependent family members.
If the designee is not in the local area, another
non-military person must be designated to
assume temporary custody until such time as
the principal designee arrives to assume
custody of the dependents or dependents are
transported to the principal designee.
Single member sponsors and military
couples accompanied by dependents in Ice-
land are subject toNoncombatant Evacuation
Order (NEO) plans and are required to make
detailed arrangements for the evacuation of
their dependents in the event the NEO plan is
put into effect. In this case military members
would be essential resources and would not
be available to escort dependents to the evacu-
ation area. Comprehensive planning is the
key to meeting all possible short and long
range needs of the dislocated dependents.
Step parents who have not adopted chil-
dren residing in their household have no legal
obligation to provide care for these depend-
ents. However, there may be times when the
presence of these dependents, together with
the absence of the spouse, may preclude thi
step parent from performing the full range
his/her military duties unless the depend
care arrangements, specified on the AF Form
357 of the natural or adoptive parent, are
implemented.
Commanders or first sergeants are required
to give annual briefings to all military mem-
bers, in their organization, on the contents of
AFR 35-59, “Dependent Care Responsibili-
ties.” Single sponsors and military couples
are also briefed on their responsibilities prior
to approval of reenlistment/extension of reen-
listment, PCS notification, upon confirma-
tion of pregnancy, upon placement of a child
in the home and as determined by the com-
mander.
The AF Form 357 will be completed by all
single member sponsors and military couples
with dependents in the same overseas area,
certifying their worldwide availability. The
information given on this form should allow
members to meet their military duties and
best serve the needs of their dependents.
If you have any questions concerning
dependent care, contact your commander or
first sergeant. You should also be able to
obtain a copy of “Dependent Care Responsi
bilities,” in your unit orderly room.

Integrity: Facing the music
By Chaplain Craig Fenske
The expression “face the mu-
sic” is said to have originated in
Japan. According to the story,
one man in the imperial orchestra
couldn’t play a single note. But
being a person of great influence
and wealth, he had demanded
that he be given a place in the
group because he wanted to per-
form before the emperor.
The conductor agreed to a bribe
and let him sit in the second row
of the orchestra, even though he
couldn’t read music. He was
given a flute, and when a concert
would begin, he’d raise his in-
strument, pucker his lips, and
move hit fingers. He would go
through all the motions of play-
ing, but he never made a sound.
This deception continued for two
years.
Then one day, a new conduc-
tor took over. He told the mem-
bers of the orchestra that he would
audition each player personally.
One by one they performed in his
presence.
Then came the fake flutist’s
turn. He was frantic with worry,
so he pretended to be sick.
However, the doctor who exam-
ined him declared him to be per-
fectly well. The conductor in-
sisted the man audition and dem-
onstrate his skill. Shamefacedly,
he had to confess he was an
impostor. He was unable to “face
the music.”
“Facing the music” is some-
thing no one likes to do. Rather
than cover up our inadequacies,
whether personal orprofessional,
let’s seek to improve ourselves in
everything we think, say and do.
That way, we’ll not only be able
to take pride in our accomplish-
ments but also end on a positive
note.
The
White Falcon
Commander, Iceland Defense Force
RADM Michael D. Haskins
Public Affairs Officer
LT Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Fridth6r Kr. Eydal
Public Affairs LPO
JOl David W. Crenshaw
Editor
J02 Carlos Bongioanni
Journalist
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
The White Falcon is printed by theNAS Keflavik
Print Plant. Photo processing is provided by Fleet
Imaging Command Detachment Keflavik.
The White Falcon is an authorized, government-
funded weekly publication of the Iceland Defense Force.
Contents of The White Falcon are not necessarily the
official views of or endorsed by, the U. S. Government,
the Department of Defense or the Iceland Defense
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made available without regard to race, ctdor, religion,
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non-merit factor. The White Falcon is located in Bldg.
936, tel. ext. 4612 or 4552.
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