Military OneSource: Your friend in need

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina M. Brisbin
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense to service members and their families.

They help with a broad range of concerns including money management, parenting and child care, deployment, relocation, reunion, spouse employment and education and the concerns of families with special-needs members.

Complex issues like relationships, stress and grief are a part of everyday life. When these issues need to be addressed, services are available 24 hours a day by telephone and online at www.militaryonesource.mil.

"This program is phenomenal," said Mary Reece, 22nd Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center director. "Everything is anonymous. Say you're having problems with your spouse, you can call the 1-800 number and talk to a licensed counselor that will give you practical advice."

Those who want to have access to six in-person, non-medical counseling sessions with a licensed counselor in the community.

Many of the OneSource staffers have military experience and all receive ongoing training on military matters and military lifestyle.

The interactive website also provides an abundance of information ranging from child care and elder care, referrals to military and community resources, financial calculators and more.

"The two most utilized programs we see here at McConnell are the financial management assistance and help with relocation," said Reece. "They will give you all kind of information like the crime rate, information on the school districts and housing situation for the area you are relocating to."

There is also a section on the website titled 'Blog Brigade' where military spouses share their experiences. It's military life from a 'boots on the ground' perspective.

"Military spouses are an important part of the military community and military spouse bloggers are influencers in the blogosphere," said Zona Lewis, Office of the Secretary of Defense military community and family policy online and resource operations manager. "They are more than just neighbors and friends. They share a common experience from moving from duty station to duty station and keeping families strong through deployments to establishing and keeping careers."

For more information about what Military OneSource offers, call 1-800-342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.mil.