Defense Department offers single source to help resolve life problems

Dick Benoit

Thursday, July 22, 2004 | 8:35 a.m.

The Defense Department recently announced the establishment of a "one stop" place to go when service members or family members need assistance with any kind of problem. It's called "Military One Source," and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to John Molino, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy.

"Military One Source is a revolutionary augmentation to the family services we currently have on military installations around the world," Molino explained during an interview with the American Forces Press Service. Each service had its own One Source program, and now DoD is bringing them together Molino noted.

The Nevada National Guard office is encourages members to use the service. "With so many of our soldiers and airmen deployed and on active duty, the Military One Source is a welcome resource for our Guardsmen," Staff Sgt. Erick Studenicka of the Nevada Guard's public affairs department said. "No matter the time or situation, the service members and family members now have an avenue to seek advice or gather information. Where once an individual would have to wait until an office opened at a certain time, people can now receive immediate assistance," the sergeant said.

Susan Robinson, director of the Nellis Air Force Base Family Support Center, agreed. "Military One Source expands and extends the services offered by on-base agencies," she said, noting that 57 Nellis people used the service in a recent month.

Robinson added that her staff is particularly excited about the language skills available through the service, which can provide translators in 143 languages. "As our military find themselves stationed in more and more countries, we are encountering military spouses who speak different languages," she said.

The services include everything from common, everyday difficulties that may face a family to life's most complicated situations and is available 24 hours a day around the country and around the world.

When someone calls Military One Source for help, the person answering the phone has at least a master's degree in social work or some kind of counseling service, Molino noted. "That person is trained specifically to deal with military issues -- issues that complicate military life. So they're very sensitive to what you ask," he said.

"Some people think they're the only people who ever experienced whatever their problem is, and, of course, they're not," Molino said. "Most everyone goes through different phases and different cycles."

Military One Source runs the gamut of situations: from needing a plumber in the middle of the night to fix a broken pipe, to needing veterinary service for a sick dog. It also handles things like helping families new to an area find child care, school system and employment information -- whatever is needed.

People shouldn't be afraid or embarrassed to seek help from Military One Source, he said, acknowledging that some people are reluctant to ask for help. "You try to convince people that the person at the other end of the phone isn't going to be judgmental about your situation," he said.

"When you figure out that this is a great resource that provides help, you ought take advantage of it," Molino said. He pointed out when service members are deployed, they can put their minds at ease knowing that if their family needs help, it's only a phone call away.

Military Once Source also is available to National Guardsmen and reservists being called to active duty for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The toll-free numbers for Military One Source are: From the United States: (800) 342-9647. From outside the United States (where available): (800) 3429-6477. International collect: (484) 530-5747.

A supply of refrigerator magnets with the One Source web address and phone number are currently available at the Nellis Family Support Center.

In brief

Quezada maintained an overall grade point average of over 3.0 to be selected for the honor. She plans to graduate from the academy in 2007 and be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Other local students participating in program included: Mikhael Songco, Liberty High School student and son of Josefina and Manolito Songco of Las Vegas, Ryan LaRance, Western, High School student and son of Darcey LaRance of Las Vegas, and Richard Premvaree, Clark High School student and son of Mr. and Mrs. N. Premvaree of Las Vegas.

The program was designed by the U.S. Naval Academy's office of admissions to give students a taste of the challenges and benefits of a Naval Academy education.