Progress made on local Armed Forces Action Plan issues

During the recent fiscal year 2017 Joint Base San Antonio Armed Forces Action Plan, or AFAP, Forum, volunteers worked in groups to review 41 issues pertaining to numerous subject areas from medical benefits, housing, recreation, education and more.

Eight issues were selected for elevation to a higher level of authority for review. Some of these include allowing Soldiers to donate use or lose time to other Soldiers, military spouses of retirees to maintain employment preference and extending the Army civilian Physical Fitness duration.

“AFAP wouldn’t be possible without the community’s support, from identifying and submitting issues that pertain the military’s quality of life to working with subject matter experts in the field to address and find solutions to resolve the issues” said Yazmine Gutierrez, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston AFAP coordinator. “The review process can be laborious and requires a lot of coordination and support from local leadership.”

Gutierrez meets with Col. David L. Raugh, commander of the 502nd Force Support Group, 502nd Air Base Wing, on a quarterly basis to provide an update on the current issues.

Issues marked as active have plans or are in the development phase; closed items have been completed or resolved; and unattainable items either did not meet issue criteria or are due to cost effectiveness.

Listed below are summaries of some of the issues tracked locally:

ISSUE: DOG PARKS
There are no dog parks on the installation. Military families and hotel guests need to drive a distance to give their dog a chance to run around.

Status update – active:
A request to build a dog park was sent to the deputy assistant secretary of the Army. Lincoln Military Housing has selected a tentative location near the Resident Center on Dickman Road. If approved, coordination with the 502^nd Civil Engineer Squadron will begin. Lincoln Military Housing hopes to begin construction this year. 

ISSUE: DENTAL CARE
Some service members were promised free dental care for life if they served 20 years and retired. Now that they’ve retired, they’re told this is not the case.

Status update – closed:
While many recruiters may have made such a promise, the federal government did not. The Order Code 98-1006 F debunks many myths associated with health care benefits. The Army Medical Department Center & School Dental Clinic on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston has recommended that interested beneficiaries from all branches of service may contact them to inquire about the screening process for dental services. For details, contact the clinic at 210-221-8982.

ISSUE: CREDIT CARDS AT DFACS
The Rocco Dining Facility, or DFAC, does not accept credit cards as payment, only cash. This is an inconvenience to patrons.

Status update – closed:
Presently, Army and Air Force policy only allow credit card transactions at DFACs in association with a medical treatment facility. However, this policy is currently under review and select DFACs have implemented trial runs with credit card terminals to expand capacities.