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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 14, 2013

Newcomers' brief provides successful start

By Linda Garza Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Through the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military and Family Readiness Center Newcomers' Brief, service members, Department of Defense civilians and their families familiarize themselves with their new duty station.

Called other names depending on the location, the newcomers' brief is a mandatory sit-down briefing where those new to the installation gain basic knowledge of their new home and the surrounding community.

Loura Winkels, 902nd Force Support Squadron MFRC community readiness consultant, said despite it being mandatory for military members and DOD civilians, spouses are welcome to attend as well.

"As a newcomer, you don't know exactly what you are supposed to be doing to get settled in or where to even start looking to find out," Winkels said. "With this program, people can receive a standard overview of JBSA-Randolph and some important rules that are specific for this location."

During the briefing, attendees may also obtain valuable information on housing, the commissary, the Exchange, transportation, education, employment, medical and dental contacts, and information on the local community.

At the end of the briefing, attendees get a short break before the information fair begins.

The information fair consists of multiple agency representatives who are trained to answer questions about their respective agencies.

"Going through the newcomers' brief and the information fair gave me a good understanding of what was available at JBSA-Randolph to help get me through the first couple of weeks of being the new guy," Staff Sgt. Monique Hunter, Air Education and Training Command communications technician, said. "It made me feel confident I could find where I needed to go if I ever needed something."

Briefings are typically offered a couple of times a month on Mondays for JBSA-Randolph. However, due to fluctuations in numbers of newly assigned personnel, the frequency is adjusted as needed. For more information on the JBSA-Randolph Newcomers' Brief, call the MFRC at 652-5321.