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    MIlitary & Family Readiness

    Providing resources to help maintain the balance of work and life


Military & Family Readiness Center

The RAF Mildenhall Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) provides programs and services to assist the Commanders in their mission at identifying, assessing, and minimizing personal and family-related challenges to maintaining unit cohesion and strengthening operational readiness.

How We Help

We strive to provide the best customer service possible by providing assistance with reaching short and long-term goals, education and training, and obtaining career goals in the private or public sector.

Some of our programs include:

  • Employee Assistance

  • Transition

  • Readiness

  • Relocation

  • Work-Life Balance

  • Personal Financial Readiness

Who We Help

At the M&FRC we are available to serve DoD Total Force servicemembers, DoD civilians, retirees, and eligible family members. Whether you need financial education, help to prepare for newborn, spouse-oriented programs, or need help with casualty benefits, we at the M&FRC are available to assist you. 

Need help and someone to talk to?

Call one of our Military & Family Life Counselors. It’s Free

Call US

Call to register for Newcomer's Orientation

Please call the M&FRC at DSN 238-3406 or commercial 01638 543406 to register for Team Mildenhall Newcomer Orientations.  This is a two-day program, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Register?

Active Duty Members and each of their adult dependents should be registered individually for Newcomer's Orientation on the first duty day after arrival.

The M&FRC will provide instructions on how to attend Tuesday and Thursday orientations.  This will include details of any in person or virtual briefings, and how to join each meeting.  Please provide your email address to assist with this process.

Newcomer information can be found on this website.
Please download our RAFM App, or use the USAF Connect App and favorite 100 ARW. This info is useful for all Team Mildenhall personnel.

Driver's Training FAQ
  • Anyone planning to drive must have a valid license and attend driver’s training within 14 days of arrival. If you are married, please ensure your spouse gets signed up to attend drivers’ training too.

  • Military members: Don’t have a driving license? Please attend all briefings and you will be released as necessary before the test.

  • Spouses: Have a UK license? Please attend the Pass & Registration and Wing Safety briefings. The briefer will release you as necessary before the test.

  • Temporary Duty? If you’re here for 45 days or longer you will need to complete drivers’ training and test.

  • Review the UK Highway Code to prepare for the online test: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code.

  • More information about driving in the UK can be found at https://installations.militaryoneource.mil/military-installation/raf-mildenhall/transportation/motor-vehicles

  • Questions about collecting your driving permit or bringing a car into the country? Call Pass & Registration at 01638 545501.

  • Questions about driver’s training and test? Call Wing Safety at 01638 542255

Useful Info & Contacts

For further information or support please email the Military & Family Readiness Center or call 01638 543406. Find M&FRC on Facebook here.

Ensure you coordinate with your sponsor / supervisor and CSS to get
gained to the base.

To get you started we can help with:

  • Basic loaner items. M&FRC may have dish pack sets, GPS, and cell phones for you to borrow for a short period of time.

  • Financial support. Consider a HALO loan to help pay for lodging or housing deposit expenses while you’re waiting for allowances to start.

  • Information and referral, volunteer, and job opportunities.

  • Contact the Military & Family Life Counsellors (MFLC) through the M&FRC at DSN 238-3406 or commercial 01638 543406.  Or call them directly on 07826 285039 or 07826 285201.

About Us


Customers can never go wrong when contacting or visiting the Military & Family Readiness Center. With the staff so incredibly knowledgeable over so many areas and topics, they are bound to have the right solution for Team Mildenhall members.

“We can tailor anything to the needs of the unit and the individual. Moreover, we are always looking for ways to increase our delivery in response to the community and the missions of Team Mildenhall    – M&FRC Team

Our spouse focused programs include the Key Spouse Program, which is a program to help connect Commanders and spouses to enhance unit and family readiness. The M&FRC also provides a spouse orientation program called, Heart Link, this program provides education and enrichment services helping spouses transition into the family life cycle in the military.

The M&FRC is also home to the Installation Voting Assistance Agency. The Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO) is always available to assist you with registering to vote absentee, to update your mailing address, or answer all your voting questions.

Stop by or give us a call, we would be more than happy to assist you!

Programs


"Military and Family Readiness Center… Never the Wrong Place to Go!"

The Military & Family Readiness Center offers a range of programs from professionally trained staff.

 

Customers can never go wrong when contacting or visiting the Military & Family Readiness Center. With the staff so incredibly knowledgeable over so many areas and topics, they are bound to have the right solution for Team Mildenhall members.

 

The RAF Mildenhall Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) provides programs and services to assist the Commanders in their mission at identifying, assessing, and minimizing personal and family-related challenges to maintaining unit cohesion and strengthening operational readiness. At the M&FRC we are available to serve DoD Total Force servicemembers, DoD civilians, retirees, and eligible family members. Whether you need financial education, help to prepare for newborn, spouse-oriented programs, or need help with casualty benefits, we at the M&FRC are available to assist you.  

 

“We can tailor anything to the needs of the unit and the individual. Moreover, we are always looking for ways to increase our delivery in response to the community and the missions of Team Mildenhall    – M&FRC Team

 

The M&FRC offers a wide range of services to military, civilians, and family members. Some of our programs include Employment Assistance, Transition, Readiness, Relocation, Personal Work-Life, and Personal Financial Readiness.  We strive to provide the best customer service possible by providing assistance with reaching short and long-term goals, education and training, and obtaining career goals in the private or public sector.

 

Our spouse focused programs include the Key Spouse Program, which is a program to help connect Commanders and spouses to enhance unit and family readiness. The M&FRC also provides a spouse orientation program called, Heart Link, this program provides education and enrichment services helping spouses transition into the family life cycle in the military.

 

The M&FRC is also home to the Installation Voting Assistance Agency. The Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO) is always available to assist you with registering to vote absentee, to update your mailing address, or answer all your voting questions.

 

Stop by or give us a call, we would be more than happy to assist you!

Services


Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society supports the mission of the Air Force by relieving the financial distress of service members and their families with educational assistance and through proactive programs. Below are the various programs Air Force Aid Society offers:

Financial Assistance:

  • Interest free loans/grants are available for:
  • Basic Living Expenses
  • Emergency Travel
  • Essential Car Repair
  • Natural Disasters
  • Dependent Funerals
  • Pay or Allotment Problems
  • Medical/Dental expenses not covered by TRICARE
  • Falcon Loans

Education Programs: The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides up to $2000 in grants for college education for Air Force family members. Applications can be submitted online:  www.afas.org.

Air Force Aid Society’s Community Enhancement Programs:

Baby and You: This Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) sponsored program offers an educational class for Active Duty Air Force members and their spouses.  This class is facilitated by the Family Advocacy Nurse Specialists (FANS) and is geared towards new parents.  The AFAS provides each participant with a $50 gift card to be used at the Base Exchange to purchase items for the expectant mother or for their new baby.

Child Care for PCS Program for Family Care Providers: Active duty members on a Permanent Chance of Station (PCS) move and members on retirement orders who need hourly care.  Care will be provided at the local CDC or the child and youth centers based on space availability. A copy of PCS orders is required to receive a certificate. Members can obtain Certificate of Eligibility from the M&FRC, bldg 436, or call 1638 54 2222.

Car Care Because We Care: The program was designed to ease the impact of a deployment on Air Force families by providing a cash-equivalent voucher so that a member’s primary vehicle can be given basic maintenance service. This program allows a spouse whose sponsor will be deployed for over 30 days to receive preventive maintenance (oil/filter change and lube) on the family’s primary vehicle. If additional repairs are needed, referrals can be made to Air Force Aid.

Give Parents a Break: The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) recognizes that Air Force families are subject to unique stresses due to the nature of military life – deployments, remote tours of duty, extended working hours, etc. This program is offered twice monthly (first and third Saturday) for the purpose of allowing families a few hours break from the stresses of parenting. Families may use this time to suit their personal needs. Families are given certificates to use the program for a specific time.  Contact the local CDC for dates and times.

Respite Care: This program is offered to active duty Air Force families with a family member(s) enrolled in the EFMP program. The goal of the program is to provide a “break” for a few hours a week/month to families who have the responsibility of 24 hour a day care for an ill/disabled family member. AFAS assistance for respite is based on need — the need for respite time.

Phone Home Program: The Air Force Aid Society’s (AFAS) Phone Home Program provides prepaid calling cards for deployed Air Force members, to include single and married service members, when they deploy for 30 days or more in the Area of Responsibility (AOR). This program makes it possible for the service member to phone home to family or friends during deployment and to make emergency contacts when necessary, without added expense to the service member. Cards are provided in the AOR.

Casualty Services/Survivor Benefit Plan

The Air Force Casualty Services Program’s primary goals are to provide prompt, accurate reporting, dignified and humane notification, and efficient, thorough, and compassionate assistance to the next of kin for as long as needed. The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) works closely with commanders at all levels to ensure the success of the program. The CAR works closely with survivors of retired Air Force members to ensure potential benefits are applied in a timely manner. The CAR provides limited casualty service to members of sister services, certain foreign nationals, and civilians.


Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): Military pay stops when a member dies. The SBP is a government program, which makes it possible for retiring members to ensure that after their death, their eligible survivors receive a portion of their military retired pay in the form of monthly annuities and VA benefits. The SBP was structured so that a surviving spouse cannot outlive the annuity, and it has Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) incorporated so the annuity increases with inflation.

An active duty member who has eligible dependents is automatically covered by SBP at the maximum level at no cost to the member while he/she remains on active duty. Prior to retiring, each member must decide whether to continue SBP coverage into retirement. The retired pay of those members who elect to participate is reduced by monthly premiums. The SBP is a unique plan: Government-subsidized premiums deducted from a participating member’s retired pay before taxes. SBP is the sole means for a member to continue a portion of their military retired pay to their eligible survivors. If a member chooses (with the concurrence of their spouse) not to participate in the SBP, an annuity cannot be paid.

Casualty/SBP Questions: Do you have a casualty or SBP question you wish someone could answer for you? Your M&FRC at RAF Mildenhall can help. One-on-one casualty/SBP counseling is available to all military members at RAF Mildenhall. Do not have time to come, just email us your casualty or SBP questions. We will research and respond to your questions within three business days. Most questions answered within 24 hours. Email us at [email protected]. For more information about these programs, call 01638 543406 or DSN 314-238-3406.

Employment Assistance
Provides training and information to support the customer in achieving short and long term employment, education/training and career goals. Provides skills development workshops, local labor market information, employment trend tracking, skills and interests’ identification, job bank or job referrals, linkages to alternatives to paid employment (e.g. volunteerism and education), annual employment fair.
Exceptional Family Member Program

EFMP is a community support program for military family members with special needs and is offered by all branches of the services.  EFMP-Family Support is the community support function provided by M&FRCs to enhance the quality of life of special needs family members. It is all-encompassing and includes DoD military, DoD civilians, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, retirees, spouses of deployed members, contractors and personnel from other military branches of service.

There are many circumstances where EFMP can provide support: information fairs, school assistance, training for parents, or relocation. If your child is struggling in school with tests and needs extra time due to a disability, we'll help you understand Section 504 or the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which ensures educational accommodations. There are many programs through TriCare ECHO and benefits that you should be aware of.  The EFMP-FS will ensure that you will be transitioned into a base that has all the support your family requires.

If you have any questions, we are happy to assist you with information and referrals in the local area. Additional classes are available upon request through the Military and Family Readiness Center. 

Visit us at Facebook.com/RAFMEFMPFS

Information, Referral, & Follow-Up

Assists military individuals and families in identifying specific needs, provides appropriate connections to resources, to include exceptional family member resources. I&R offers the following program:

Latch Key: This program is for children ages 10-12 who spend time alone at home before or after school and during the summer when school is out. Our goal is to give your children the skills they need to feel more confident about taking care of themselves. This class is required for children who live in base housing but is open to all dependents in the RAF Mildenhall Community.

Personal and Family Readiness

Assists service members and their families in managing the challenges of deployments and separations before, during, and after they occur. Personal and Family Readiness offers the following programs:

Pre-deployment Briefing: Mandatory briefing for the military member (spouses encouraged to attend) covering, Red Cross, services for families during deployment, AFAS services, and overview of handouts.

Reunion Workshop: Mandatory briefing for the military member (spouses encouraged to attend). This class covers the stress of reunion on the family; communication challenges that can occur, and the truth about expectations for those returning from deployment. Post-deployment workshop features briefings by: M&FRC, Mental Health, Chaplain, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Family Advocacy and the Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC).

Hearts Apart Program: Open to immediate family members who have a loved one currently deployed, on a remote tour or TDY. Allows deployed family members to network and interact with fellow families.

Personal Financial Readiness

Provides information, education, and one-on-one financial counseling to assist members and families maintain financial readiness. Services are designed to address money management issues throughout a service member’s military life cycle. Financial readiness educational opportunities ranges from setting up a simple budget to understanding long-term investment options.

Personal Work & Life Education

Enriches and improves the quality of individual and family life by providing the knowledge and skills needed for everyday living, relating to others, coping with life events, easing adaptation to the military lifestyle and increasing resiliency. Personal & Work Life offers the following program:

Heart Link Spouse Orientation: An orientation program designed for those who are newly married or just interested in learning more about the Air Force Life. The overall goal of the program is to ensure that spouses are aware of their importance to the Air Force, and feel as though they are a part of the Air Force team. Information is given about community resources, TRICARE, deployments, and more. This program is offered quarterly. For more information and to learn the class dates, contact the Military & Family Readiness Center

Relocation Assistance

Relocation Assistance:
The Relocation Assistance mission is to eliminate the stress associated with frequent moves by providing moving assistance planning, inbound and outbound relocation services and on-going relocation workshops.

Right Start:
This Newcomer’s Orientation program is the Wing Commander’s program to welcome newcomers to RAF Mildenhall. Right Start is held monthly on scheduled Thursdays.  Right Start is mandatory for military members and DoD civilians.  Spouses are cordially invited to attend. Military members will be scheduled for Right Start by the MPF or CCS. Right Start consists of two parts.  Part I is held from 0800-1200 at the Club, Building 144. Participants have approximately an hour and a half for lunch before Part II begins.  Part II is for active duty military only. It is held from 1345-1600 at Outpatient Ambulatory Clinic, Building 760.

Sponsorship Training:
The M&FRC Relocation Program is here to support Sponsors and Command Support Staff who are charged with managing and monitoring the unit level Sponsorship Program. The first step to becoming a successful Sponsor is taking the e-sponsorship application training (eSAT).  This is a Department of Defense training, is mandated for all new Sponsors and Sponsors who have not taken the eSAT training within the year prior to a new Sponsorship assignment.   Training certificates must be submitted to your unit Command Support Staff for unit Sponsorship Program recordkeeping.  In addition to offering the Sponsorship training, this site provides Sponsors with information on the MilitaryInstallations and Plan My Move websites.  It also provides a sample welcome letter, a Sponsorship duty checklist, and a Newcomer and Family needs assessment, which should be tailored to fit the needs of the inbound member and their Family.

Relocation/Sponsorship Awareness Class:
This class is open to everyone!  The focus is to gain knowledge on relocation resources, connect with bases and local agencies, understand how to utilize electronic tools, and be the best sponsor possible through all phrases of relocation.  Please call 953-3791 to register.

PCS Brief/Remote Tour Briefing:
Relocating from RAF Mildenhall?  If this is your first PCS or your Fifth the relocation manager can help guide you through the steps to a smooth move.  Call xxx or email [email protected] for your one on one session today.

OTS Smooth Move:
Assists service members and their families with preparing for PCS assignments overseas or stateside. Representatives from the Military & Family Readiness Center, Tricare, and Housing provide necessary information for planning your upcoming PCS.

Lending Closet:
The Lending Closet provides essential items for the incoming PCSing family while they are awaiting the arrival of their household goods and also to outgoing families. A copy of orders must be presented in order to use this service.  Dishes, Toasters, Futons, Silverware, Coffee Pots, Card Tables, High Chairs, Pots/Pans, Mixers, Folding Chairs, Pack and Play, Irons, Ironing Boards. Lodging Kits (with kitchen supplies) are available to make your move a little smoother.

School Liaison Specialist

Serves to promote and institutionalize systems which improve transitional support for our military families by establishing partnerships between base and local schools, and advocating for the educational needs of military students. Develop initiatives that increase awareness of the unique needs of military children/families and provide a process to address and resolve education issues in accordance with national, DOD, Air Force and Major Command (MAJCOM) policies and objectives.

School Liaison Office for RAF Mildenhall serves as your conduit for information and is the primary point of contact for public and private school matters. The office can help you discover educational options for children in grades K through 12. There are four educational options here in Alabama: Public, Private, Home and Virtual School. We can also help you advocate for your children and serve as your intermediary to help you

resolve issues at the lowest level possible.  Two major challenges faced by our military members are transition and deployments. As military families move from place to place, the educational requirements for school-aged children are different, so we help you to understand the requirements in Alabama. Deployments are challenging to those in uniform, but they also challenge the family, to include children who are in school.  We help our schools understand the challenges of the military family so they are better

equipped when engaging with military children.  The location of the School Liaison Officer is in the Military and Family Readiness Center. If we can be of assistance, please feel free to call or email.

Military Family Life Consultant
Adult MFLC:
RAF Mildenhall MFLC – xxx
Mildenhall MFLC – xx

Transition Assistance Program

On November 21, 2011, the president signed the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act which made service members participation in the Transition Assistance Program mandatory. TAPGPS is provided through the Military and Family Readiness Center to assist Service Members and their dependents when they separate/retire from the military. The current mandatory components include:


Pre-Separation Counseling: the first step to ensure all separating service members are informed of the transition services, resources and benefits available. This is a pre-requisite before attending the 5-Day GPS Workshop. Start the process 1 year out for separatees and 2 years for retirees.

Transition Goals, Plans, Success Workshop: (5 days) – Consist of (1) DoD Military Occupational Crosswalk, Finances, and Resilience (2) Department of Labor Employment Workshop (3 days, with some exemptions) (3) Veterans Affairs Benefits Briefings I & II (NO EXEMPTIONS).

Capstone – One-on-one counseling to verify Career Readiness Standards are met (verification of resume, 12-month post separation budget, ITP, GAP Analysis A&B, Continuum of Service counseling, DOL Gold Card and eBenefits registration. M&FRC and Commander Signature required.

Volunteer Resources
Assists in the recruitment, training, placement, and recognition of base personnel who provide volunteer service both on and off base.
Voter Assistance

Ms. Tyesha Stiff, The Installation Voter Assistance Officer is here at the Military & Family Readiness Center to help you fill in and mail your voting materials if you need the assistance. You can also access many voting-related questions and answers on the FVAP website at www.fvap.gov.

Upcoming Events


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Spouse In-Processi ...Military & Family Readiness Center

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Spouse In-Processi ...Military & Family Readiness Center

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Pre-Arrival Orient ...Military & Family Readiness Center

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May
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Spouse In-Processi ...Military & Family Readiness Center

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Jun
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Pre-Arrival Orient ...Military & Family Readiness Center

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Jun
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  • Military & Family Readiness Center

    Bldg 460, RAF Mildenhall

    Hours of Operation

    Currently Closed
    Tuesday
    19 Mar 2024
    7:30 am - 4:30 pm
    Wednesday
    20 Mar 2024
    11:00 am - 4:30 pm
    Thursday
    21 Mar 2024
    7:30 am - 4:30 pm
    Friday
    22 Mar 2024
    7:30 am - 4:30 pm
    Saturday
    23 Mar 2024
    Closed
    Sunday
    24 Mar 2024
    Closed
    Monday
    25 Mar 2024
    7:30 am - 4:30 pm

    MSG Training Days, USAFE Family Days & Federal Holidays - Closed