Andrews 062615

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINTMILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS,MD.DCMILITARY.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015 | VOL. 4 NO. 25

AIR FORCE NEWSApplication window opens July 1

for Career Intermission Program, Page 4

COMMUNITYHidden heroes share message of

hope, Page 3

GRADUATESWeapons School graduates to

receive hallowed patches, Page 2

BY BOBBY JONESSTAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

Prince George’s CountyDistrict Court celebratedthe grand opening of a sec-ondSelfHelpResourceCen-ter (SHRC) during a ribboncutting ceremony in UpperMarlboro June 17. The freewalk-in clinic’s purpose is tohelp people with civil legalcases in the district court.

“As of today, we havehelped more than 906 peo-ple since it opened its doorson Mar. 31,” said Tiffany

Hanna Anderson, adminis-trative judge. “Our self-helpresource center is going tobe a great benefit for all thecitizens of Prince George’sCounty and the surround-ing counties.”

The first Self Help Re-source Center opened in2009 to citizens of GlenBurnie, in Anne ArundelCounty. The center servedlitigants with civil casesstatewide. The facility notonly has walk-in services,it has telephone and on-line chat services. In 2014,

23,000 people were helpedby the SHRC attorneys.Ap-proximately 18,000 of thosepeople were helped online.

“There are 12 to 15 peo-ple serviced in the walk-inclinic daily by three attor-neys in the center,” saidDistrict Court of MarylandChief Judge John P. Mor-rissey. “I figure it’s quite anaccomplishment for the self-help center’s legal aid staffas they shepherd these in-dividuals before they go tocourt. This facility is a criti-cal resource for the county.”

Morrissey said he wasmost excited about “thephone call-in center, thechat center and the Inter-net/email part of the selfhelp model that we have.”

“My hope is to regional-ize other walk-in centers inMaryland, in particular, inthewest and on the EasternShore,” Morrissey said.

Morrissey expressed,with help from Pam Harris,state court administrator,that he would like to com-

District Court hosts ribbon cuttingfor Self Help Resource Center

see SHRC, page 4

PARTIAL ROAD CLOSUREON CONCORD AVENUE

Concord Avenue, across from the CommunityCommons, will be partially closed June 29 throughJuly 2. One lane will be open at all times, pleaseuse caution and follow the instructions of con-struction workers.

BY SENIOR AIRMANMARIAH HADDENHAM

11TH WINGPUBLIC AFFAIRS

“If I was still in thesame position that Iwas in before, I wouldbe so depressed, and itprobably would’ve af-fected my career if ithadn’t been for physicaltherapy,” said Tech. Sgt.Crystal Lee, DefenseInformation SystemsAgency systems controlwatch officer.

Lee incurred injuriesto both her knees duringseveral assignments andrigorous training over-seas, which would leadto several years of phys-ical therapy and an MRIrevealing multiple tornmenisci in both knees.

“The first time I re-alized I was having is-sues, it was 2003, I wasstationed in Korea,”Lee said. “I had issuesgoing up stairs or walk-ing long distances. Myknees would get reallyachy and swell up. Ididn’t go to the doctoruntil 2004, when I wasstationed in Aviano,Italy.”

A dancer since theage of three, Lee real-

ized that the pain wasstarting to affect notjust her physical abili-ties in the military buther dancing abilities.Her passion for dancedrove her to start physi-cal therapy three timesa week in an effort toget back to working anddancing without pain.

“The training wasa lot more physical inItaly than it had beenin Korea,” Lee said. “Wewere running constant-

Physical therapy helps airmandance back to good health

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/ SENIORAIRMAN MARIAH HADDENHAM/

RELEASED

Tech. Sgt. Crystal Lee,Defense InformationSystems Agency sys-tems control watch offi-cer, waits for her physi-cal therapy to start onJoint Base Andrews onJune 11.

see DANCE, page 5

BY BOBBY JONESSTAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

The sound of rubberwheels screeching and met-al clanging together couldbe heard across the gymna-sium as wounded warriorathletes competed againsteach other during a wheel-chair basketball practicesession in preparation forthe Department of Defense2015 Wounded WarriorGames on Marine CorpsBase Quantico June 18.

These athletes wereamong more than 250 menand women from the totalforce, active duty, reserveand guard gearing up forthe week-long MilitaryAdaptive Sports (MASP)Program competition heldJune 19 - June 28.

“We like to find peoplewho have that edge to com-pete,” said Cpl. MarcusChischilly, a wheelchairbasketball participant. “Wewant them to not care howawful they play, initially,but to want to excel at alevel where they’ll be able tocompete, no matter what,”exclaimed Chischilly, an ac-tive duty member assignedtoWoundedWarrior Battal-ion San Diego.

“Spirit and discipline iswhat going to be one of thebiggest things for me, andcamaraderie is a must. Themajority of us just recentlygot out of theMarine Corps,so we really want to cling onto and be around the guyswe have bled and sweated

with in the field of battle.Wheelchair basketball be-comes our new battlefieldand we fight together as ateam,” Chischilly said.

Maj. Gen. Juan G.Ayala,USMC Commander, TaskForceWarrior Games joinedin the scrimmage game,

strapping himself in awheelchair during the prac-tice session.

“I have a lot of admira-tion for them. This game isphysically very tough,” saidAyala, a veteran of 36 years.

“But at the same timeI was privileged that theyallowed me to join in withthem. I could feel the cama-raderie and team work ofadaptive sports,” he said.

“But more than that, Isense the intangibles, thepsychological piece of it.This is why we do thesegames. It’s a holistic ap-proach to reintegratingthem back into society, nomatter what branch theycome from. I think it’s also atestament to military medi-cine,”Ayala said.

According to Ayala, itwas the first time that theDOD has sponsored theparalympics style sportsgames. “Prior to 2010, thegames were held by the U.S.Olympics Committee andthis year the Marine Corpsare hosting the games.

“I view it as a privilege,”Ayala said. “I think it’s im-portant as a nation thatwe take care of them. It’s

DOD, Marines host firstWounded Warrior Games

PHOTOS BY BOBBY JONES/ANDREWS GAZETTE

Maj. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, USMC Commander, TaskForce Warrior Games shoots against Marine Cpl.Marcus Chischilly during a scrimmage game.

see GAMES, page 3

Andrews Gazette2 Friday, June 26, 2015

Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint MilitaryPublications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg,Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S.Air Force or any branch of the United States military.The appearance of advertising in these publications,

including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force orthe products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available forpurchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion,sex, national origin, age,martial status, physical handicap, political af-filiation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS

Maxine Minar, [email protected]

John Rives, [email protected]

Tiffany Arnold, page [email protected]

Leslie Smith, [email protected]

Bobby Jones, [email protected]

June 26Music Is Life!6 p.m.Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University

of Maryland, College ParkA soulful musical celebration in honor of the life

and work of Wayne K. Curry, former Prince George’sCounty Executive. ($) Call 301-405-2787, or visitwww.theclarice.umd.edu.

June 26Montpelier Summer Concert Series7:30-9:30 p.m.Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road, LaurelEnjoy a variety of performances on the west lawn

of the mansion grounds. Bring a blanket or chair.Free. Call 301-776-2805, or visit www.history.pgparks.com.

June 27-28Great American Backyard CampoutPatuxent River Park, 16000 Croom River Road,

Upper MarlboroDesigned for first-time campers, this event pro-

vides an opportunity for families to connect withnature and instill a love of the great outdoors. Enjoycamping, nature hikes, animal programs, adventureactivities, campfire programs and s’mores. Reserva-tions required. ($). Call 301-627-6074 or visit www.pgparks.com.

June 27Taste of National Harbor4:30-7 p.m.Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center,

201 Waterfront St., National HarborThe second Taste of National Harbor, in the atri-

um gardens of Gaylord National Resort, will benefitthe Children’s Miracle Network. Sample food fromaward-winning harbor restaurants and producerswith fine wines, craft beers, liquors and more. Doorprizes from National Harbor businesses. The eventraised more than $40,000 last year. ($). Call 301-965-4000, or visit www.gaylordalert.com.

June 28Sunday Sunset Concerts: United States Air Force

Band’s Airmen of Note7-8 p.m.Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Drive, BowieEnjoy a variety of concerts at Allen Pond Park.

Concert goers should bring a blanket or chair. Con-certs are canceled in case of inclement weather. Free.Call 301-809-3011, or visit www.cityofbowie.org.

Hot ticketsaround town

Health CareConcerns

Senior Defense De-partment medical leadershave concern over mili-tary health care reformas part of the overallMilitary Compensationand Retirement Modern-ization Commission. Itsrecommendations weresent to the president inJanuary. “We’re makingit easier to access carein the system by focus-ing on quality, safety andmaking performance datamore transparent,” Jona-than Woodson, assistantsecretary of defense forhealth affairs said. Lt.Gen. (Dr.) Mark Ediger,Air Force surgeon gen-eral, said requiring air-men and their families to“navigate a complex sys-tem of insurance market-place on a recurring ba-sis” could increase their

stress. Non-active-dutybeneficiaries comprise 67percent of the total DODbeneficiary population —83 percent of inpatientcare and 79 percent of thehigh-acuity workload.

New CouncilRepresentative

Retired Maj. Lisa A.Forester, Centreville, Va.,has been named to theUSAF Retiree Council,succeeding retired ChiefMaster Sgt. Charles E.Lucas, Springfield, Va.Both are volunteers in theRetiree Activities Office(RAO) at Joint Base An-acostia-Bolling (JBAB).The council is the AirForce chief of staff ’s liai-son with the retiree com-munity. It meets annuallyat the Air Force PersonnelCenter in Randolph AFB,Texas. As the council’s Ar-ea XII director, Forester

is responsible for the op-eration of RAOs at JBAB,Joint Base Andrews, Md.,and Dover AFB, Del. Fol-lowing her retirementfrom active duty in 1999,she was a human resourc-es manager for 13 yearsfor several governmentcontractors.

Coin TraditionsThroughout their mili-

tary career retirees col-lected many things. Coinsare an example. Fromthose presented by thepresident, a command-er, or first sergeant, thecoin value is determinedby each individual. Thetradition originated dur-ing World War I. Morerecently, the Airman’scoin is presented to thosecompleting basic training.It marks the transitionfrom “trainee” to airman.Though the legacy typi-

cally stayed with the en-listed ranks, officers havetheir own traditions withchallenge coins. The “firstsalute” coin or a “silverdollar” salute honors en-listed personnel who helpofficers achieve their com-mission status. The cointradition exhibits com-mendable service, a livelylegacy and supports unitmorale. Although coinsare different, they tell astory for each recipient.

The Retiree ActivitiesOffice is open 10 a.m. to3 p.m., Monday throughFriday. Visit the office inBuilding 1604 at Califor-nia and Colorado avenuesor call 301 981-2726. Callbefore your visit to ensurea volunteer is on duty.The RAO has a website atwww.andrews.af.mil.

Retiree Corner

BYSTAFFSGT.SIUTAB. IKA

99TH AIR BASE WINGPUBLIC AFFAIRS

When the first five grad-uates of the U.S. Air ForceWeapons School’s JointTerminal Attack ControllerWeapons Instructor Coursereceive their diplomas dur-ing the school’s class 15-Agraduation June 27, theywill also be awarded the cov-eted graduate patch of theUSAFWS and enter into anelite group of “patchwearer”brethren.

The graduates will join24 JTAC Advanced Instruc-tor Course - the course’s for-mer name - graduates whowill also receive patches, asthe first and only enlistedpatchwearers in the school’s66-year history.

“JTACs provide vitalclose air support integrationfor our sister services andal-lied nations. These warriorsare asked to perform amaz-ing feats in the midst ofchaos, and their importanceto the theater air-groundfight cannot be overstated,”saidGen.HawkCarlisle, thecommander of Air CombatCommand.

“They are trained andskilled.They are the instruc-tors of instructors for our en-

tire JTAC force and consis-tently provide critical com-bat leadership. They havesaved lives because they arevery good at what they do. Itis timewe recognize themassuch,” said Carlisle.

Wearing the WIC patchgives them instant, notice-able credibility as experts inair-to-ground tactics, tech-niques, procedures and inthe integration of all aspectsof theater air, space and cy-ber power,” said Carlisle.

Each graduate from thefive-and-a-halfmonth JTACcourse has completed 23full-mission profiles and de-

voted 752 total hours in theclassroom and on the rangeto complete the course’s cur-riculum.

The first JTACAdvancedInstructor Course cadregraduated in December2012 and the first studentclass graduated June 2013,with the USAFWS injectingthese tactical and strategicleaders back into the forceevery six months since thecourse’s inception.

According to its officialfact sheet, the USAFWSteaches graduate-level in-structor courses that pro-vide the world’s most ad-

vanced training in weaponsand tactics employment.The goals of the courses areto train students to be tacti-cal experts in their combatspecialtywhile also learningthe art of battlespace domi-nance.

Weapons school gradu-ates are extensively famil-iar not only with the weap-ons platform or systemthey have been trained inthrough their career path,but also in how all Air Forceand Defense Departmentassets can be employed inconcert to achieve synergis-tic effects.

Weapons School graduatesto receive hallowed patches

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

Acombatcontroller, deployedwithaU.S.ArmySpecial Forces team inAfghanistan,searches for targets toprovidecloseair supportduringanengagementwith insurgents.

the least we can do for ourwounded warriors in andout of uniform.”Representing all

branches of the armedservices, U.S. Special Op-erations Command andthe British Armed Forces,the sports contest includedarchery, cycling, field, shotput, track, shooting, sittingvolleyball, wheelchair bas-ketball and swimming.The opening ceremony

was held June 19, at theNational Museum of theMarine Corps in Triangle,Va.

Athleteswerewelcomedby keynote speaker, De-fense Secretary Ashton B.Carter. Among other VIPsin attendance was Adm.James Alexander “Sandy”Winnefeld Jr. Vice Chair-man of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff; British Defence At-tache, Maj. Gen. RichardCripwell; and Maj. Gen.Howard D. Stendahl, AirForce Chief of Chaplains.The athletes proudly

marched in cadence withtheir perspective “servicesongs” onto the makeshiftparade grounds in front oftheMarine CorpsMuseumas family members, friendsand spectators cheered insupport of them.“Sports provide a place

to come together to learn,to grow, rehabilitate,” saidCarter. “As we wait for thetorch to light the WarriorGames caldron, I can seethe fire that burns in eachof you. The fire to competecannot be extinguished andthat it inspires us.Thewar-rior athlete in you provesthat our people never giveup. You inspire your fellowwarriors and you inspireme.”A highlight of the cer-

emony was when MarineSgt. Maj. Ronald L. Greenaccepted the torch andpassed it on to Special Op-erations Commandwound-

ed warriors, who passed itdown the succession lineof competitors. Green thenaccompanied the Marinehosting teammembers car-rying the torch and light-ing the caldron to officiallystart the games to thunder-ous cheers.According to the War-

rior Games media guide,the purpose of the DODWarrior Games is “to pro-mote athletic recondition-ing of wounded, ill andinjured service membersand veterans by encourag-ing participation in physi-cal and cognitive activities,inspiring physical fitness,mental strength, peer sup-port and encouraging newopportunities for growthand achievement.”The Military Adaptive

Sports Program has as-sisted more than 150,000wounded, ill and injuredservice members and vet-erans at 325 structuredcamps and clinics since itsinception.The games will culmi-

nate with closing ceremo-nies on June 28, highlight-ing a Wheelchair RugbyExhibition supported byparticipants from each ofthe service branches andthe Special OperationsCommand.

Andrews GazetteFriday, June 26, 2015 3

BY LESLIE C. SMITHSTAFF WRITER

The Elizabeth DoleFoundation announcedits 2015 Caregiver Fel-lows — three of whom arerepresenting the Mary-land, Virginia, Washing-ton, D.C. area: TammieK. Gillums of Gainesville,Va.; Nodira Murodkhu-jaeva-Hughes of Wash-ington, D.C.; and RebeccaPorges of Olney, Md.These representatives

will serve as advocatesand spokespeople forthe 5.5 million parents,spouses, children and oth-er loved ones caring forwounded, ill and injuredwarriors. Each has a per-sonal journey, each withits own unique challeng-es and lessons, but thereis a unifying message ofstrength, encouragementand hope for others in thesame situation.Porges’ caregiving

journey started in August2012 when her husbandwas medevaced from Af-ganistan to Joint BaseAndrews then to Fort Bel-voir. “I quit my job rightthere. I told my boss Iwould not be at workanymore, got in the carwith clothes on my backto meet the medevac.”Her husband under-

went full-time treatmentat Fort Belvoir for ap-proximately two and ahalf years. During thattime, she learned she wasnot only his caregiver, buthis advocate.“I had to let the doc-

tors know what his cul-tural situation was likeand to let the doctorsknow not just how he wasin response to the exami-nation, but how he wasfunctioning at home.“What caregivers are

facing is that doctorsknow how patients areresponding a to very con-

trolled test they wouldperform within the ex-amination room, but alsoexplaining how they arefunctioning at home andwhy. My husband mightbe able to walk and mem-orize a list of three words,but that doesn’t mean hecan put together a sched-ule. Caregivers are reallyimportant for that rea-son.”Through all the tests,

Porges recognized a bea-con that helped her makeit through the journey.“You have to maintainsense of humor becauseit gets pretty dark andstressful. Maintain senseof humor because stressis a killer. Stress willbreak you down and Iknow that first-hand.Find ways to be happy,ways to do self care. Takecare of yourself, gettingyourself medical care.Developing and buildinga support network is su-per important.”“Yes, there is griev-

ing process that you gothrough because all of asudden this person whowas your life person whowas responsive to youwhom you love—or yourson, or your daughter, or

father or mother, whom-ever it is—they are notthe same partner andthey don’t have the samerelationship with you.And they can’t have thesame relationship withyou. All of a sudden you’retaking care of them andthat’s emotionally drain-ing and it frustrating it’sstressful."It feels like it’s go-

ing to go on forever—forsome people it does, forsome people for whom itnever changes, there aresome service memberscoming back that are notgoing to recover at all itsOK to grieve its OK to gothrough the grieving pro-cess. You will learn to finda new normal.”“My support system

saved our lives. When wefirst got to Belvoir, wedidn’t know anyone therewere no organizationsfor caregivers; there wasno organized support forcaregivers. We went to anappointment at WalterReed and saw they hadall these organizationsand support for caregiv-ers. I just thought wehave to get this to Fort

Hidden heroes share message of hope

see HOPE, page 5

GAMES, from page 1

COURTESY PHOTO

Rebecca Porges, a coordinator for Caring for Care-givers, became caregiver for her husband in 2012when her husband was medevaced from Afghanistanto Joint Base Andrews.

Keynote speaker,Defense Secretary,Ashton B. Carteraddresses audiencemembers during the2015 Department ofDefense Wounded War-rior Games at MarineCorps Base Quantico,Va.

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The Quicken Loans Na-tional, in partnership withLockheed Martin Corpora-tion, will once again dis-tribute free tickets to mili-tary personnel in honor oftheir service to the nation.

The 2015 edition atRobert Trent Jones GolfClub in Gainesville, Vir-ginia, welcomes fans for aweek of golf competition as120 top PGA Tour playersvie for a share of the $6.7million purse, July 28 toAug. 2.

Quicken Loans Na-tional is a stop on the PGAtour and boasts an impres-sive list of champions: K.J.Choi, Tiger Woods, JustinRose, Nick Watney andBill Haas.The event raisesfunds and awareness forthe Tiger Woods Founda-tion, while paying tributeto the armed forces.

Tickets will be avail-able to all Departmentof Defense personnel, in-cluding Coast Guard (ac-tive duty, Reserve, retired,National Guard, depen-dents and civilians) atdesignated ITT/ITR officeswithin a 150-mile radius ofWashington. Tickets will

be available for distribu-tion at the ITT/ITR officesbeginning July 1.

All tickets will be avail-able on a first-come, first-served basis and must bepicked up in person. Youmust have access to the in-stallation to pick up tick-ets. For those living out-side the immediate Wash-ington, D.C., area, ticketrequests can be made tothe Pentagon on your be-half through a local ITT/ITR office.

Advance military tick-ets are available at thebases only and are goodfor any one day of choice,Wednesday July 29through Sunday Aug. 2,with a limit of four mili-tary tickets per person.For those who are activeduty, reserve, retired orNational Guard and areunable to pick up a com-plimentary ticket at oneof the participating ITT/ITR locations, one compli-mentary grounds ticketper day to the tournamentcan be secured online byverifying your status withSheerID.

–Tiger Woods Foundation

Free QuickenLoans Nationaltickets availableTickets available for military,affiliates on first-come, first-served basis starting July 1

bine with the entire judi-ciary system to handle alltypes of legal matters, byhaving a centralized call-

in center so that whereveran individual is acrossthe Maryland, there’s onenumber that can be dialedinto to have an attorneyon the phone at anytime of

the day or night to assistyou. “Our goal is to makesure that we provide ac-cess to everyone needinglegal services.”

The District Court Self-

Help Resource Centerwill be able to help withcivil matters, includinglandlord-tenant issues,small and large claimsup to $30,000, debt collec-tion, return of property,and peace and protectiveorders.

Additionally, there are24 Family Law Self HelpCenters located in courtsthroughout Maryland toprovide assistance as selfrepresented litigants infamily matters, includingchild custody, adoption anddivorce.

For more informationabout the Self-Help Re-source Center call 410-260-1392 or 410-260-1848or visit: www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html.

BOBBY JONES/ANDREWS GAZETTE

District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, left, is accompaniedby other Maryland District Court judiciary members during a ribbon cuttingceremony to open a second District Court Self Help Resource Center in UpperMarlboro June 17.

SHRC, from page 1

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Belvoir.”Having developed a

shared camaraderie withfamiliar faces in the wait-ing room, Porges and oth-ers developed a supportnetwork. It was whenthe USO at Fort Belvoiropened that the caregivergroup took off, “Withinthe first few weeks wehad over 30 people. Nowwe have over a 150 fami-lies we work with aroundthe country — when theymedically retire andmove away we still workwith them.”

“We’ve worked re-ally hard over the lastfew years to make surethe military communitysees that caregivers arean absolute essentialpart of the rehabilita-tion team and I feel it’simportant that the restof the world knows this,too. Those caregivers arean essential part. I thinkit’s important that themedical community rec-ognize that caregivers arecritical to the health andwell-being and safety ofthe service member.”

With all she haslearned, navigating thehealthcare process, Porg-es has an eye on influenc-ing public policy. “Lawand policy makers whoare making judgment de-cisions about benefits andresources, I think it’s es-sential they realize whatwe are going through.That it’s important thatwe have healthcare notjust for the service mem-

ber but for the caregiver.Our lives are stressful.One of the most stressfulthings that can happen toa person has happened.

“My goals are in-fluencing public policyand providing as muchas support to as manycaregivers by whatevermeans possible - provid-ing as many resources aspossible to these familiesbecause they’ve earnedit someone needs to helpthese families.

Her message is oneof strength in numbersand support. “There isstrength in numbers weare a lot stronger. Don’tbe afraid to speak upnever be ashamed of yoursituation, reach out toother caregivers and oth-er people. Reach out helpeach other. We can’t sur-vive without other peoplehelping us. I can’t survivewithout other caregiversstepping in to help me.”

Editor’s note: This isthe first in a three-partseries profiling local 2015Elizabeth Dole Founda-tion Caregiver Fellows.Next week: Tammie K.Gillums of Gainesville,Va., who separated fromthe Army in 2012 to dedi-cate herself full-time tothe care of her husbandand family. With her op-portunity as a fellowshiprecipient, Gillum hopesto take the mystery out ofcaregiving.

HOPE, from page 3

ly on hard surfaces andmy knees were alreadygiving me issues, so Idon’t think the repeti-tive running helped.”

While in Italy, Leewas participating in anexercise when she fell onboth knees while carry-ing heavy equipment inthe field. She returnedto physical therapy, nowin more pain than ever.

In 2006, Lee restrict-ed herself to belly danc-ing as a low impact exer-cise to help her build upher muscles, lose weight,and protect her kneesfrom further injury.

Following her assign-ment in Italy, Lee wasstationed in New Mexicowhere she decided she’dbeen in and out of ther-apy and that the painwas too much. She wasgiven an MRI where shefinally discovered hermultiple torn menisci..

“I opted for surgeryin 2010, and followingmy surgery I was so de-pressed,” Lee said. “I hadnever had knee surgery,so I had no idea what toexpect and I thought Iwould never be able todance again.”

Lee’s depression af-fected her normally pos-itive demeanor at work,but she slowly beganto heal with the help ofphysical and occupation-al therapy.

“I tell all my patients,if they are willing to dothe work I will guide

them back to health,”said Dr. Katherine Rain-ey, 79th Medical Wingphysical therapist. “Paininfluences behavior andI have seen what canhappen to people whocome to therapy butdon’t do the work them-selves. They have to dothe work, do the exer-cises and want to getbetter.”

With the help of Dr.Rainey, Lee set a se-ries of small and spe-cific goals for herself.With each goal she met,the positivity she wasknown for at work beganto shine through.

“My suggestion toanyone in physical ther-apy is to channel yourpassion into your health

and recovery,” Lee said.“I’m fortunate that I hadsomething I cared for sodeeply that motivatedme to get better andkept me going becauseit can be a discouragingprocess.”

As she improvedthrough her physicaltherapy workouts, sheadvanced the styles andtechniques of her danc-ing once more.

Lee prog re s sedthrough her therapy andstill remains close withthe staff that helped heralong the way.

“Her positivity moti-vated me as well,” Rain-ey said. “I’m very highenergy myself, and herpositivity and determi-nation to get better not

only for her health butto continue her passion,was refreshing.”

Lee’s determinationto dance again coincidedwith the goals she setwith Dr.. Rainey. Thoughher knees still give herproblems at times, sheis back to work, back todancing, and says shefeels like her happy selfonce again.

“It took me about ayear to heal fully, whereI felt I was almost backto 100 percent and I wishI could just thank thembecause they gave memy life back,” Lee said,tearfully. “You have yourjob sure, you have yourfamily, but they gave meback my passion.”

DANCE, from page 1

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/ SENIOR AIRMAN MARIAH HADDENHAM/RELEASED

Tech. Sgt. Crystal Lee, Defense Information Systems Agency systems controlwatch officer, goes through an exercise with Dr. Katherine Rainey, 79th MedicalWing physical therapist, on Joint Base Andrews, June 11. Lee progressed throughher therapy and remains close with the staff that helped her along the way.

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BY DEBBIE GILDEAAIR FORCE PERSONNEL

CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The Air Force CareerIntermission Programappl icat ion windowopens July 1 for eligibleairmen interested in tak-ing one to three years offactive duty for personalor professional needs.Applications must

reach the Air Force Per-sonnel Center no laterthan Aug. 31, with thetotal force selection pan-el scheduled to conveneSept. 29.The program, in its

second year, allows up to40 top-performing regu-lar Air Force and careerstatus Active Guard orReserve officers and en-listed members to beinactivated and trans-ferred to the IndividualReady Reserve, receiv-ing partial pay for up tothree years, before re-turning to active duty.During the 2014 pi-

lot program, 35 regularAir Force, Guard andReserve airmen were ap-proved to participate.

The Career Intermis-sion Program allowsparticipants to retainfull medical and dentalbenefits for themselvesand their dependents,as well as exchange andcommissary benefits.Participants also receivea stipend of 1/15th oftheir monthly basic pay.In addition, memberswill be allowed an AirForce-funded permanentchange of station moveto anywhere in the U.S.when entering the pro-gram, and a move totheir base of assignmentwhen they complete theprogram.Return to duty follow-

ing a Career Intermis-sion Program intermis-sion is the key to theprogram. Top performerswith bright futures won’thave to separate to takecare of personal or otherprofessional concerns,and once they return toactive-duty service, thoseairmen will bring greaterexperience, education,knowledge, commitmentand passion to theircareer, said Col. Arch

Bruns the AFPC Person-nel Services director.While participating in

the Career IntermissionProgram, airmen willbe required to maintainall Air Force standards,including health andfitness and be ready tofully resume their duties.Airmen approved for

CIP will incur a ser-vice commitment of twomonths for every onemonth of CIP participa-tion.General information

and complete eligibilitycriteria are available onthe myPers website. Se-lect the appropriate com-ponent and corps fromthe drop down menu andenter “Career Intermis-sion Program” in thesearch window. Links tocomponent specific appli-cation procedures will beavailable July 1.For more informa-

tion about Air Force per-sonnel programs go tomyPers, https://mypers.af.mil/.

Application window opens July 1for Career Intermission Program GIRL SCOUTS

DELIVER COOKIES TO JBA

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/ STAFF SGT. NICHELLE ANDERSON

Airman 1st Class Miguel Davila, 779th Medical Support Squadron medicallogistics technician, carries a case of Girl Scout Cookies to a pallet duringOperation Cookie Drop at Joint Base Andrews, June 16. This case and hun-dreds of others were donated to service members and their families by GirlScouts Troops for Operation Cookie Drop/Girl Scouts Heart of the HudsonCouncil. Last year more than 90,000 boxes of cookies were donated to servicemembers around the world.

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