Lifestyle Insights Networking Knowledge Skills - Camp Allen

192 Pages·2012·7.48 MB·English

Lifestyle
Insights
Networking
Knowledge
Skills

Corps
Your LINK to the
This page left intentionally blank.
Table of Contents
SECTION 1 – AN INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1
Destination L.I.N.K.S. .......................................................................................................... 3
Define L.I.N.K.S. .................................................................................................................. 3
L.I.N.K.S. Session Outline .................................................................................................... 4
SECTION 2 – THE CORPS .................................................................................. 5
National Defense Organization .......................................................................................... 7
Brief History of the United States Marine Corps ................................................................ 9
Marine Corps Oath for E-1 thru E-9.................................................................................. 17
Marine Corps Oath of W-1 thru O-10 ............................................................................... 17
Marine Corps Enlisted Rank Insignia ................................................................................ 18
Marine Corps Officer Rank Insignia .................................................................................. 18
Marine Corps Uniform Pictorial........................................................................................ 20
Historical Significance of Marine Corps Uniform Items ................................................... 23
Marine Corps Structure .................................................................................................... 25
USMC Installations ........................................................................................................... 29
Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) ............................................................................. 30
Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) .................................................................... 31
Social Etiquette and Protocol ........................................................................................... 32
USMC Social Functions ..................................................................................................... 33
How to Tell Military Time ................................................................................................. 35
SECTION 3 – THE MAZE ................................................................................... 37
Local Installation Map ...................................................................................................... 39
Local Resource Overview ................................................................................................. 40
Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program ................................................................. 41
ID Card and DEERS ............................................................................................................ 42
TRICARE Health Care Plan ................................................................................................ 44
Tricare Dental Plan ........................................................................................................... 48
Commissary ...................................................................................................................... 53
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) ..................................................................... 53
Retail Services ................................................................................................................... 54
The Single Marine Program (SMP) ................................................................................... 56
Recreational & Fitness Activities ...................................................................................... 56
Marine & Family Services (M&FP) Programs .................................................................... 61
Family Readiness .............................................................................................................. 61
Marine Corps Family Team Building ................................................................................. 61
Family Care ....................................................................................................................... 64
Personal and Professional Readiness ............................................................................... 68
Personal Financial Management ...................................................................................... 74
Behavioral Health and Clinical Counseling Services ......................................................... 75
Other QOL Support Programs and Services ..................................................................... 78
Chaplains .......................................................................................................................... 81
Notification, Survivor Assistance and Benefits ................................................................. 81
Resources ......................................................................................................................... 85
SECTION 4 – PAY DAY ..................................................................................... 89
How do you rate as a money manager? ........................................................................... 91
Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) ................................................................................ 93
Decoding A Marine LES..................................................................................................... 94
Pay, Allowances, and Deductions ..................................................................................... 98
Cost of Buying with Credit Q&A ..................................................................................... 104
Your Credit Report .......................................................................................................... 107
SECTION 5 – SEPARATION AND DEPLOYMENT ......................................... 109
Types of Separations ...................................................................................................... 111
The Family Readiness Officer ......................................................................................... 112
Deployment Checklist ..................................................................................................... 113
Normal Cycle of Emotions .............................................................................................. 114
Enhancing Personal Security .......................................................................................... 116
Operational Security (OPSEC) ......................................................................................... 118
Care Packages ................................................................................................................. 119
Thriving & Surviving - Hints on getting through it all ..................................................... 121
Activities for Children ..................................................................................................... 123
How to Create a Shared Sense of Purpose after Deployment ....................................... 124
SECTION 6 – CROSSROADS ......................................................................... 129
Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) ............................................................................ 131
Defense Personal Property System (DPS) (www.move.mil) .......................................... 131
Military OneSource ......................................................................................................... 132
Money and Moves – Allowances and Entitlements ....................................................... 132
Military Travel (PCS) Move Entitlements ....................................................................... 132
Checklist for Moving ....................................................................................................... 135
W.O.W. List – Words of Wisdom .................................................................................... 139
SECTION 7 – GETTING ALONG ..................................................................... 141
Remembering the Golden Rule ...................................................................................... 143
Positive and Negative Behavior ...................................................................................... 143
SECTION 8 –STAYING MARINE ..................................................................... 145
The MOS Roadmap ......................................................................................................... 149
Infantry Billet Progression .............................................................................................. 153
Infantry Skills Training Progression ................................................................................ 154
Infantry Professional Military Education Career Progression ........................................ 155
ALL RANKS - VOLUNTARY EDUCATION ........................................................................... 156
The Benefits of Staying Marine ...................................................................................... 161
Your USMC benefits - at a glance ................................................................................... 167
SECTION 9 –INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY .......................................... 171
Investing in Your Community ......................................................................................... 173
National Volunteering Resources ................................................................................... 174
MARINE CORPS ACRONYMS ........................................................................ 175
Information and Referral Resources ............................................................. 183
SECTION 1 – AN INTRODUCTION

L.I.N.K.S. Comprehensive Handbook – An Introduction V.1 Jun 12 | 1
This page left intentionally blank.

2 | L.I.N.K.S. Comprehensive Handbook – An Introduction V.1 Jun 12
Destination L.I.N.K.S.

Marine Corps Family members look to one another to:
Understand the Marine Corps mission and how it affects you.
Acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to successfully meet the challenges
ahead.
Make new friends.
Learn resources available.
Welcome to this journey!!!

Define L.I.N.K.S.

LIFESTYLE is a way of living. In this case, it means understanding the military
community and the unique lifestyle it offers.

INSIGHTS come from experienced Marine Corps family members who relate their
experiences of living the Marine Corps lifestyle. These family members
understand firsthand what you are going through and want to help you adapt to
the new culture you were born into, sworn into, and married into.

NETWORKING represents the relationships you form during L.I.N.K.S. and
throughout your journey in the Marine Corps.

KNOWLEDGE is what you will leave with and what will help you understand and
navigate the Marine Corps culture.

SKILLS learned to help you enjoy and thrive in our Marine Corps community.

L.I.N.K.S. Comprehensive Handbook – An Introduction V.1 Jun 12 | 3
L.I.N.K.S. Session Outline

Introduction: Introduces the L.I.N.K.S. concept and welcomes family members to the
Marine Corps Family.
The Corps: USMC structure and mission to include Navy personnel attached to
USMC units. Provides historical insights and discusses traditions.
The Maze: Provides an overview of the benefits, services, privileges, and resources
available to USMC families; including the location of these services and
how to access their wealth of information.
Pay Day: Differences between a civilian and a military paycheck, while introducing
the Leave and Earning Statement (LES), including a general discussion on
basic pay and allowances. Beneficial financial management tips are also
presented.
Separation and
Deployment: Discusses the inevitable separations USMC/Navy families will experience
and provides suggestions from seasoned family members on how to
successfully balance the additional responsibilities when your Marine is
away.
Crossroads: Moving in the Military provides insights on the moving process;
everything from the first packer‘s inspection to clearing quarters.
Getting Along: Focuses on healthy interaction with family and community. Insights into
the role of the Navy Chaplain and family support.
Staying Marine: Provides participants with information on the benefits and opportunities
for those who choose to ―Stay Marine‖.
Investing in Your
Community: Explores the benefits of becoming involved in your community, inside the
gate and out.
Closure
Celebration: A cake cutting and Celebration with a summation of the L.I.N.K.S.
journey and encouragement to participants to continue developing their
knowledge and skills—and to ―Pass the Word‖ to other family members.

4 | L.I.N.K.S. Comprehensive Handbook – An Introduction V.1 Jun 12
SECTION 2 – THE CORPS

L.I.N.K.S. Comprehensive Handbook – The Corps V.1 Jun 12 | 5
This page left intentionally blank.

6 | L.I.N.K.S. Comprehensive Handbook – The Corps V.1Jun 12