You have probably heard the groans and complaints from some, or maybe even have made some yourself, about the now well-known Military One Source and how CG members are not able to benefit from the program. Look no further, services do exist and you do not need to go through Military OneSource for them. The CG is not forgotten or overlooked. You just have to know where to look.
Military OneSource explains that their benefits are solely intended for members of the DOD and their dependents. As Coast Guard members fall under the Department of Homeland Security, they are not eligible to use Military OneSource. However, CG members and their families should know that the CG does have programs in place to assist its members. These include EAP, WorkLife and your local education office, among many other benefits. Members may not be fully aware of the benefits immediately available to them and are encouraged to speak to their supervisors to find out more ways the CG helps take care of its own. Additionally, Tricare offers various programs for CG members including things like tobacco cessation and weight management programs. Additionally, CG legal is available to help in certain situations, but keep in mind that does not include all legal matters.
Another private corporation also exists for the benefit of CG members’ families, known as Coast Guard Family Organization, Inc. (“CGFO”). Currently, CGFO offers assistance in the areas of financial counseling, educational services, scholarships and grant programs as well as family outreach, including, but not limited to mentoring in fostering and adoption matters. CGFO is continuously looking for ways to improve and expand their services. Dependents may wish to contact CGFO to determine what service(s) best serve their needs. Professionals, various field experts, counselors and attorneys, social workers, etc. who wish to volunteer their time to benefit CG families and spouses through CGFO are invited to contact them. For more information on the organization, what they assist with, how to help or to donate, visit: www.coastguardfamily.org.
Additionally, there are other groups out there that exist for CG members and their families. If you have one you wish to share, please post it here in our comments to make our readers aware.
Showing posts with label DHS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DHS. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The world's premier sea-going service...
that is all too often forgotten.
Still, the USCG is not a part of the Department of Defenses (DOD). Rather, it is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was formerly a part of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Many members of the Coast Guard and their families are continuously faced with the task of reminding others that yes, the Coast Guard is, in fact, a military branch.
Unfortunately, the Coast Guard is often forgotten in terms of discounts from companies providing military discounts. You'll find this sets many spouses afire! As it rightly should. Or should it? That's a debate in and of itself, but that's not the point of my writing.
Anyway, the next time someone says the Coast Guard isn’t the real military, invite them to meet the family of deployed coasties overseas serving in Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, Activities Far East, Activities Europe, or a cutter deployed (for 365 days+) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or even someone from one of CG ships that deploys every 6 weeks only to risk their lives in the war on drugs. The training and fortitude of the members of the Coast Guard is not for the faint of heart. Sure, there are desk jobs to be had, but one thing is for sure, even these people who are manning the desks, fielding phone calls at all hours of the night and dropping things on a moments notice for a recall are anything but ordinary citizens. They sacrifice and they do it with pride!
Of course, combat is not the only job of the USCG. Still, it is important to note that it has been involved in every major war our country has seen since the Civil War, which predates the 1915 establishment in the U.S.C. There's some good trivia for ya'!
Many folks associated with the Coast Guard view it as a family. With it’s approximately 38,000 active duty members, we are a pretty-close knit community. I can only speak for myself, but I'm proud to be a member of this group, and I look forward to enjoying the wave ride up through to retirement years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Protectors of the coast, sailors, engineers, pilots, mothers, fathers, children—these are just a handful of descriptive titles that identify many of the members of the U.S. Coast Guard. These defenders of freedom are an integral part of the United States military. In fact, in January of 1915, 93 years ago, the Coast Guard was named a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, Title 14 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) details the matter.Still, the USCG is not a part of the Department of Defenses (DOD). Rather, it is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was formerly a part of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Many members of the Coast Guard and their families are continuously faced with the task of reminding others that yes, the Coast Guard is, in fact, a military branch.
Unfortunately, the Coast Guard is often forgotten in terms of discounts from companies providing military discounts. You'll find this sets many spouses afire! As it rightly should. Or should it? That's a debate in and of itself, but that's not the point of my writing.
Anyway, the next time someone says the Coast Guard isn’t the real military, invite them to meet the family of deployed coasties overseas serving in Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, Activities Far East, Activities Europe, or a cutter deployed (for 365 days+) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or even someone from one of CG ships that deploys every 6 weeks only to risk their lives in the war on drugs. The training and fortitude of the members of the Coast Guard is not for the faint of heart. Sure, there are desk jobs to be had, but one thing is for sure, even these people who are manning the desks, fielding phone calls at all hours of the night and dropping things on a moments notice for a recall are anything but ordinary citizens. They sacrifice and they do it with pride!
Of course, combat is not the only job of the USCG. Still, it is important to note that it has been involved in every major war our country has seen since the Civil War, which predates the 1915 establishment in the U.S.C. There's some good trivia for ya'!
Many folks associated with the Coast Guard view it as a family. With it’s approximately 38,000 active duty members, we are a pretty-close knit community. I can only speak for myself, but I'm proud to be a member of this group, and I look forward to enjoying the wave ride up through to retirement years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)