Military & Family Readiness Center

Members who are separating or retiring from military service are required to participate in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) which includes:

Requesting/submitting instigation forms to include the self-assessment to 460fss.fsh.BuckleyTAP@spaceforce.mil

Individualized 1-on-1 Counseling Session to determine your transition path

Pre-Separation Group Briefing (covers by-law information to include benefits, entitlements and resources)

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Workshop provides information and resources on a variety of topics related to employment, higher education, finance, transition stress, entrepreneurship and more.

The Capstone event is to evaluate a member’s preparedness to transition from the military to civilian life by verification of Career Readiness Standards (CRS)

Individualized Counseling, Pre-Separation, TAP Workshop and the Capstone are MANDATORY. Individualized Counseling and Pre-Separation counseling must be completed at least 365 days prior to separation or retirement, and is a prerequisite to attend the mandatory TAP workshop. Capstones must be completed NLT 90 days before separation or retirement.

Additional assistance for Federal employment, resume writing, job searches, interviewing skills, goal setting, etc. is provided in workshops and may be requested via one-on-one appointments.

To learn more about the TAP curriculum, visit: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/ and https://www.tapevents.mil/

The local Military & Family Readiness Center, or M&FRC, serves as the Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) Office. The IVA Office provides uniformed service members, their family members and overseas citizens with information and assistance on how to request an absentee ballot and vote absentee. These functions are accomplished through the use of two forms:

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which serves as a request for registration and a request for an absentee ballot; and

Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), which serves as a backup in the event an official absentee ballot is not received.

Installation Voting Assistance Officers (IVAOs) at the M&FRC also provide civilians with access to the IVA Office information and assistance on procedures for registering to vote and updating voter registration information (e.g., change of address). This is accomplished by completing the National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF).

In addition to IVAOs, each Military unit is required to appoint Unit Voting Assistance Officers (UVAOs) to provide unit personnel with voting information regarding their home state, election dates and absentee voting registration and procedures.

To successfully vote absentee, UOCAVA citizens should:

• Allow sufficient time to request, receive, and return the absentee ballot
• Notify your election office each time your mailing address changes
• Know your state’s absentee voting deadlines and procedures to ensure your ballot is properly executed and counted
• Complete a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) if you do not receive your state absentee ballot in time to return it to your election office by the state deadline

Visit the M&FRC office for more information about voting.

Meeting financial obligations and goals is a common objective of every family. The Personal Financial Readiness Program offers information, education, and personal financial counseling. The Military & Family Readiness Center, or M&FRC, has staff available for one-on-one appointments. We can also provide various financial workshops including: Blended Retirement System, Million Dollar Airman and Spouse, Thrift Savings Plan, Spending Plan Creating, Money Habitudes, Car Buying, Home Buying Investing

M&FRC also provides mandatory financial briefings for First-Term Enlisted and First Duty Station Officers. The center has AFCPE Certified Financial Counselors and staff certified as Identity Theft Specialists & Credit Report Reviewers

The Military and Family Readiness Center, or M&FRC, is the focal point to assist all service members and their families, to include the Department of Defense civilians, in easing their adaptation to the military lifestyle and enrichment of their personal and work life.

The M&FRC assists by offering skills development workshops and providing referrals to other agencies if needed. P&WL activities are educational in nature and offered in small group settings. Several offerings aim to facilitate and connect customers to information and agencies they will encounter throughout their military experience. These include the Key Spouse Program and Heart Link. Our P&WL services compliment those offered by other helping agencies.

The following programs are available:

• 4 Lenses & True Color Workshop – this is an easy and effective method to learn how to identify and understand personality and temperament preferences. Having this understanding can enhance relationships within one’s personal life and in the workplace.
• Heart Link Spouse Orientation – this program, funded by the Air Force Aid Society, is an adaptation and networking forum for military spouses. It’s designed to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness by orienting military spouses to active duty military life. Heart Link is aimed at increasing awareness of the military mission, customs and traditions, protocol and available resources, and information about accessing helping agencies.
• Bundles for Babies – this program, sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society, covers a variety of topics to include New Parent Support, financial aspects of bringing up a child and much more. Expecting AD parents receive bundle from their respective Aid Societies upon completion along with a wealth of new knowledge.
• Key Spouse Program – this program provides consistent communication and a liaison to unit and family members. If you are curious about becoming a Key Spouse or determining who your Key Spouse is, contact the M&FRC for more information.

Military and Family Readiness Center staff is ready to assist service members and their families who are seeking alternate employment opportunities. Through the Employment Assistance Program, individuals will learn to utilize the skills and techniques required for a successful job search.

Our services include:

• Resume writing classes
• 1-1 assistance with resumes and CVs
• Referral to on- and off-base employers

Staff is available to assist in identifying skills and interests. Our Discovery Room contains up-to-date computers to assist with job search, resume writing, and filling out federal forms and applications.

The Department of Defense established the Exceptional Family Member Program to recognize and meet the unique needs of military families with special needs dependents. The M&FRC has a dedicated EFMP-Family Support Specialist on staff to help families discover local resources, accessing EFMP sponsored activities, navigating the educational and medical system, accessing information, and ultimately getting your family’s unique needs met. The staff is also available for one-on-one consultation as needed.

For more information please contact Robert Hotzfeld, Buckley EFMP-FS Coordinator, at 720.847.6681 or Robert.Hotzfeld.2@spaceforce.mil

The Casualty Office provides guidance to Commanders, Family members to ensure their families are taken care of as expeditiously as possible in a family emergency. This office also assists in times of injuries and deaths and is responsible for providing prompt and accurate casualty reporting, notification to surviving families, as well as follow-on assistance for as long as needed. Education is provided regarding Service member’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Virtual Record of Emergency Data (vRED) completion. SGLI provides insurance up to $400,000.00 to designated beneficiaries while the vRED is a vital part of each member’s military personnel file, providing the Sole source contact information for primary next-of-kin, secondary next-of-kin, and other persons to notify in case of an injury, emergency or death. The vRED serves as the official document required by law for designating beneficiaries for Death Gratuity, Unpaid Pay and Allowances and the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition of remains.

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Office also provides education and counseling to retiring service members and their spouses. Prior to retiring, members will receive a thorough briefing on various aspects to consider regarding whether or not to participate in the Survivor Benefits Program (SBP). The briefing is mandatory for the service member and encouraged for spouses.