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Joint Base 101 offers full intro to installation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Community members met at the North Chapel Nov. 16, for the Joint Base Seminar 101, hosted by the Warfighter and Family Readiness Center, to learn about the programs and services available to them on and off base.

This was the second Joint Base Seminar 101 held at JB MDL which focused on presenting community members with information regarding Family Advocacy programs, Education opportunities, Medical services as well as Force Support Squadron and WFRC activities. Leadership is hoping to host one quarterly in the years to come and encourage new base community members to attend these seminars.

Heartlink was the second portion of the seminar, held Nov. 17 at the WFRC, primarily offered to spouses of servicemembers to learn what resources are available to them and also to discuss any problems they are facing here on JB MDL.

The seminar also provided attendees a chance to ask subject matter experts questions ranging from what the base education department offers to where the base legal assistance office is located.

"This is not only an informational seminar but a place and time for community members to relay their concerns to us and get feedback from subject matter experts," said Amada Espinoza, relocation readiness program manager.

The amount of sports complexes such as bowling alleys, golf courses, gyms and parks were listed for community members, along with their locations on the joint base. A rise of Incoming troops including the new Marine Aircraft Group 49 as well as the overall rise in active-duty, reservists and guard servicemembers from every service being stationed here was a topic discussed.

"As a Marine relocating to JB MDL next year with 900 other Marines, Joint Base 101 is an excellent forum for servicemembers and their families to learn about JB MDL," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Andrew Souchet, U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Aircraft Group 49 base realignment and closure officer.

A couple of other important issues discussed during the seminar were medical appointment availability and the amount of base housing available to incoming servicemembers and their families.

"My biggest concern coming into this seminar was the quantity of base housing for the new Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen coming to this base," said Lori Wilhite, spouse of an active-duty Soldier. "After going through the seminar, I have a better understanding of the amount of housing and realize that leadership is working toward fixing this issue. Overall, I've learned where base resources are and where I can go for help with any issues I'm facing."

Along with nine different subject matter experts, the seminar also featured a tour of the McGuire and Dix sides of the joint. This tour offered community members the chance to see the actual locations of many services mentioned throughout the seminar, such as the various different base Chapels and recreational facilities.