January 2014 edition of "Behind the Force", the 87th Troop Command's Family Programs newsletter.

1. 87th Troop Command
Behind
the
Force
Family Readiness Newsletter
January 2014
Trina Hadley
87th TC/875th BN
Office: 501.212.5085
Cell: 501.231.1206
trina.r.hadley2.ctr@mail.mil
Maruka Reecer
871st BN
Office: 501.212.6816
Cell: 501.231.0014
maruka.l.reecer.ctr@mail.mil
The FRSA Program Mission Statement "To empower
commanders in their duty to deliver the Total Army
Family Program (AR 600-20) so that Soldiers and
Families are entitled, informed, educated, assisted and
made ready for the unique demands of military life
before, during and after deployment."
Greetings 87th Troop Command Soldiers, Families and
Friends!
Welcome to Behind the Force and welcome to 2014!
We hope you enjoyed the holiday season with friends and
family and took some much deserved time off.
th
The 87 Troop Command is gearing up for a busy
year with two deployments on the horizon. As FRSAs, one of
our goals is to support all entities, Command, Soldier,
Family, etc., through the deployment cycle. We encourage
you to stop by, give us a call or send us an email with any
questions or concerns you or your family may have as the
deployments draws near.
If you are a Family Member or Volunteer make sure
to sign up for the State Volunteer Workshop in March! This
is a FREE event and you will come away with tons of
information and a ton of new friends! Information below!
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions
for future information provided, please contact your FRSA.
We are here for you!!!
Wherever You Are,
Military and Family
Support Programs Can
Help
On Your Installation, In
Your Community, Or
Online
www.militaryonesource.mil/frs
Very Respectfully,
Maruka and Trina
Everything you need to find a job. Start now.
We know that searching for a new job is a big undertaking.
That’s why Hero2Hired (H2H) was created: to make it easy
for Reserve Component service members to connect to and
find jobs with military-friendly companies. H2H also offers
career exploration tools, military-to-civilian skills
translations, education and training resources, as well as a
mobile app. Support for H2H is provided through the
Department of Defense’s Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program.
Visit www.h2h.jobs for more information!

2. Register TODAY for the
State Volunteer
Workshop!
March 21st-22nd, 2014
This workshop’s theme will be
Disaster Preparedness.
REGISTER HERE!!
http://bit.ly/1gymQG8
Winter Weather Preparedness
Tips from the Red Cross
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How to Prepare for a Winter Storm
Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep
cold air out. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower
than 55° F.
Put Together a Supply Kit
Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses,
syringes, etc.)
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address,
deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery
Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members
Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves

3. ARKANSAS
STATE INCOME TAX
WITHHOLDING
The state of Arkansas passed legislation, effective January 1, 2014, exempting most types of military pay from
Arkansas state income tax for legal residents of the state of Arkansas. **See note below for types of non-exempt
pay.**
For M-Day Soldiers to claim exempt on myPay, go to the State Withholding screen and enter 80 exemptions and
exemption reason '1.'
For AGR Soldiers to claim exempt on myPay, go to the State Withholding screen and click on ‘File Exempt.’
To ensure all of your 2014 pay is covered, claim exempt on myPay after December 18, 2013 but before December 27,
2013.
If you don't have access to myPay, you can claim exempt by completing Form AR4MEC, "Military Employee's
Withholding Exemption Certificate." Since it is a new form, if the AR4MEC is not yet available on the Arkansas
website, use the AR4ECSP, "Employee's Special Withholding Exemption Certificate," annotating 'exempt for active
duty military pay' and 'effective 1/1/2014' on the form. Submit the completed form to your unit for processing. Soldiers
who are not assigned to units should submit the form to their servicing reserve payroll office.
If you claim exempt after the dates indicated above, any state income tax that was withheld for 2014 will need to be
obtained through a refund when you file your 2014 state tax return. The pay system cannot process state tax changes
retroactively and so cannot refund state taxes.
Arkansas withholding forms are available at:
http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/incomeTax/withholding/Pages/withholdingForms.aspx
Note: The types of non-exempt pay are listed below. If you receive exempt pay and change to non-exempt pay you will
need to change your exemption status. Not changing your status to non-exempt may result in under withholding and
owing state tax at the end of the year. As an alternative to filing exempt, you may wait and obtain a refund when filing
your tax return at the end of the calendar year.
*ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps). Dual status ROTC members' active duty service is exempt; ROTC pay is
not exempt.
*College First. Dual Status College First active duty service is exempt; stipend is not exempt.
*HPSP (Health Professional Scholarship Program). Stipend is not exempt; assemblies and annual training are exempt.
*FAP (Financial Assistance Program). Stipend is not exempt; assemblies and annual training are exempt.
*STRAP (Specialized Training Assistance Program). Stipend is not exempt; assemblies and annual training are exempt.
*Nurse Candidates Accession Bonus is exempt; continuation bonus is not exempt since it is a stipend.
Please see the USP&FO finance office if you have any questions.
Finance office contacts are located at:
https://ngarhome/Web%20Pages/USPFO/Comptroller/Pay%20Branch/Pages/Default.aspx
POC:
CPT Martin Patton
Supervisory Financial Technician
(501)212-4324
martin.patton@us.army.mil

4. The DARNG, the ARNG Surgeon, and members
from the Army Surgeon General's office have
unveiled the ARNG's newest website:
Guard Your Health!
www.guardyourhealth.com
Guard Your Health provides a central place for Army National Guard Soldiers and family
members to find information and resources on health and medical readiness. The site supports the Army
National Guard Chief Surgeon’s efforts to build and sustain a resilient, adaptable and medically ready
Citizen-Soldier force. Contact us for more information about the program.
WE SUPPORT THE CITIZEN-SOLDIER
Army National Guard Soldiers wear at least two caps: they are Citizens and Soldiers. This creates unique
challenges—from balancing civilian jobs and family activities with monthly drill weekends, to mobilizing and
deploying outside base support systems. Army Guard Soldiers routinely do it all with limited access to Army
facilities and programs. Our goal is to give Army National Guard Soldiers the information, motivation and
support to overcome these challenges and make healthy decisions for themselves, their families and their
units.
MY MISSION. MY HEALTH.
The Guard Your Health motto, My Mission. My Health., was chosen by Soldiers for Soldiers because it
reflects the personal responsibility of each Soldier and family member to maintain health and readiness. The
health-focused mission involves more than passing the Army Physical Fitness Test. It’s about taking care of
one’s mind, body and spirit. It’s about keeping fit and ready to answer the call at home and abroad. And it’s
about feeling good—now and into the future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SURGEON
The Chief Surgeon’s mission is to build medical readiness in order to support force projection and to provide
medically ready forces to fulfill the Army National Guard’s State and Federal missions. The Office of the
Chief Surgeon coordinates national programs and empowers States with tools, personnel, and processes to
maintain medical readiness of Soldiers.
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COL Anne L. Naclerio, Chief Surgeon, Army National Guard Directorate
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COL Jill K. Farris, Deputy Surgeon, Army National Guard Directorate
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The National Guard’s charter is the Constitution of the United States. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S.
Constitution contains a series of “militia clauses,” vesting distinct authority and responsibilities in the federal
government and the state governments. These clauses and follow-on legislation have sculpted the Guard as
you see it today. Visit the Army National Guard website to read summaries of how the Guard came to be what
it is today.
You can also follow us on Twitter!
@ARNGHealth

5. Important Contacts
FAC Contacts
LOCATION
North Little Rock
Batesville
Benton
Bentonville
Conway
El Dorado
Fort Chaffee
Jonesboro
Mena
Pine Bluff
Russellville
NAME
Deitrea Williams
Monica White
Fred Gill
Bruce Bowen
Rob Sellers
Melissa Parnell
Amy Lowdermilk
Kim Barrow
Cindi Sawyer
Catrina Horn-Stevenson
Suzie Bowen
OFFICE#/CELL#
501.212.4034/501.416.2093
501.212.7253 / 501.413.8205
501.212.7611 / 501.413.3418
501.212.6452 / 501.413.3328
501.212.7915 / 501.413.3385
501.212.7487 / 501.413.8936
479.484.3949 / 501.413.3359
501.212.7014 / 501.413.3210
501.212.7865 / 501.413.3432
501.212.7526 / 501.413.8494
501.212.7325 / 501.413.3350
EMAIL
deitrea.l.williams.ctr@mail.mil
monica.l.white16.ctr@mail.mil
frederick.l.gill2.ctr@mail.mil
bruce.l.bowen.ctr@mail.mil
william.r.sellers24.ctr@mail.mil
melissa.m.parnell.ctr@mail.mil
amy.r.lowdermilk.ctr@mail.mil
kimberly.k.barrow.ctr@mail.mil
cynthia.l.sawyer8.ctr@mail.mil
catrina.y.horn-stevenson.ctr@mail.mil
michelle.s.bowen.ctr@mail.mil
MFLC Contacts
LOCATION
Northeast AR
Central & Southern AR
Northwest AR
NAME
Anita Martin
Carissa Bone
Audra Prince
PHONE #
870.530.7294
501.754.8084
501.215.0895
EMAIL
anita.martin@ahsg.us
carissa.bone@ahsg.us
audra.prince@ahsg.us
Director of Psychological Health
LOCATION
Camp Robinson
NAME
Joyce Wesley
OFFICE#/CELL#
501.212.4131/501.231.9589
EMAIL
joyce.s.wesley.ctr@mail.mil
Child & Youth Directors
NAME
CJ Walden
Charles Waddell
OFFICE#/CELL#
501.212.4077/501.216.7279
501.212.4037/501.216.7295
EMAIL
catherine.j.walden2.ctr@mail.mil
charles.w.waddell5.ctr@mail.mil
Your FRSA has more information on each of the
programs listed above. Please contact us with any
questions or concerns. We are here to assist you!
Also, if you would like to volunteer for your unit’s
FRG, or one of the programs above, please contact
us for more information!
The 87th Troop Command is “Leading the Force”.
We support those “Behind the Force” and look
forward to getting to know each of you!