by Michelle Nicoud

With the invent of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s), the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have seen the rate of combat related eye injuries rise to a level about 50 percent higher than previous conflicts, said Air Force Lt. Col. Ric Peterson, Director of AAFES Professional Services and an optometrist.

This increase led the Army and Air Force to develop the Military Combat Eyewear Protection (MCEP) program, a topic of interest for AAFES Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce A. Casella and his team. The list was previously known as the Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL).

Between October 2001 and June 2006, more than 1,000 overseas troops suffered serious eye injuries, according to an article on www.military.com, ranking it one of the most common injuries.

Started in 2006, MCEP eyewear is tested to ballistic standards for fragmentation and provides between 99 and 100 percent UV protection, according to a May 2010 Army memo about the topic. The list contains both military standard and commercial eyewear that has passed additional testing conducted by NATICK, a Navy-run laboratory contracted by Program Executive Officer (PEO) Soldier to test MCEP eyewear, Peterson said.

A 2009 survey found that 33 percent of soldiers had experienced a situation where they reported their protective eyewear prevented an eye injury.

Currently, the lenses are made of polycarbonate allyl, an impact-resistant plastic developed by PPG that is suitable for combat, Peterson said.

“It’s the same plastic that’s in CD’s,” Peterson said. “CD’s have done a lot to improve the polycarbonate that’s used in eyewear.”

Peterson said soldiers can get prescription inserts put in their MCEP eyewear by either going to the eye clinic or an AAFES optical shop.

Soldiers are authorized one pair of protective eyewear per year, but in the harsh environments of Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, the eyewear often doesn’t last that long, Peterson said, leaving soldiers to have to pay for replacements, Peterson said.

The Vision Center for Excellence, a collaboration with Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was created to support military personnel with eye injuries. Through the Construction Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill, $6.9 million was set aside for the center in fiscal year 2009 with another $3 million available in 2010, according to the Vision Center for Excellence Web site.

An updated list is available at https://peosoldier.army.mil/ and soldiers can find out more and see the most recent poster at their Military Clothing and Sales Store (MCSS), Peterson said.

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In today’s shopping environment we must maintain our focus on maximizing Customer Satisfaction and the VALUE of shopping with AAFES. In light of this fact, we offer the Price Match Program and a 14 Day Price Guarantee!

If you find an item with a lower price at any local competitor, even at the Exchange, within 14 days of the original purchase, we will refund the difference. It’s our policy! You can utilize the 14 Day Price Guarantee on merchandise categories to include PowerZone, Outdoor Living, Jewelry plus many other key areas of your Exchange. Remember, We Match Prices for 14 Days on any item originally purchased from AAFES and subsequently sold at a lower price by AAFES, or any local competitor. Why? Because our customers deserve the BEST PRICE!

For details or additional info on this program, see a store associate.

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by Michelle Nicoud

It takes a little more to be too cool for school these days. Consider this scenario using some popular products available at the Exchange Online Store.

· While driving home from school, students can pop in their Rosetta Stone® Latin American Spanish Audio Companion™ CD’s. If only they used their time so wisely all the time.

· Use the Livescribe 4GB Smartpen to take notes and record and lectures and then do better on tests.

· Easily transfer and archive notes and lectures on a 3 lb. Apple® MacBook Air for easy access.

· Plug the 64 GB 3^rd Generation iPod® Touch into MacBook Air and download music for a study break. It doesn’t end there, students can also download movies and television shows for easy handheld viewing on the device’s 3.5-inch screen. Use the sleek Bose® Noise-Cancelling® headphones to enjoy high-quality audio while making sure you don’t disturbing other family members.

· Plug the Lexar™ 32 GB TwistTurn capless JumpDrive® with rotating cover into the computer to open files. This design eliminates the possibility of losing the cap. Never worry about losing the cap again!

· Do your daily reading assignment for English on the go with the Sony® Reader Pocket Edition™. With a battery advertised to last two weeks and a 5 in. screen, it is the ultimate in convenience. Forget loading down the backpack with cumbersome books. Students can now read with ease thanks to the Sony® Reader Pocket Edition™ at the gym or in the check-out line.

· Keep the slim Zelco® Bookmark Dictionary available while reading. This multi-function item doesn’t just provide definitions, but it can also assist with math homework, serving as a calculator and converter.

· With such a packed day, the Men’s Gulfman G-Shock Classic Moon Phase & Tide Graph Watch can help students get where they need to go when they need to be there. It’s great for military families because it offers both 12 and 24-timing for 29 time zones worldwide.

· At the end of the day, just put everything back in the Mobile Backpack made to accommodate a 14-in. laptop, and start over again.

After you recover from the realization that life at school for your kiddos is nothing like you remember, you can shop for these and other back-to-school must haves at www.aafes.com or in your local exchange.

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While the Army & Air Force Exchange Service continues to work around the clock to remedy erroneous credit and debit card charges created as a result of a processing error, shoppers who incurred overdraft fees are being reimbursed at their local facility.

“We promised to do the right thing for our customers that were affected by this unfortunate glitch and we are honoring that promise,” said AAFES’ Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Jeffry Helm. “We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and want to reimburse them as quickly as possible.”

Shoppers whose credit cards were double charged and, as a result, suffered overdraft fees, can simply bring documentation, such as an overdraft notice or online statement, to their nearest exchange for a full refund of the fees.

The processing error that produced duplicate charges affected AAFES locations worldwide. Depending on the type of card used, corrective action could be visible to the customer anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of weeks.

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Stop worrying, start coping and get busy! Your child’s first day of school can be a new adventure for parents, too.  The first day of school for a child can be rough on parents, particularly those stay-at-home parents who have grown accustomed to having kids at home all day.

Regardless of his morning jitters and worries, he’s sure to come home happy, already adjusted and ready to start a new adventure.  Too bad there isn’t such a thing in place for parents. A parent who puts her baby onto the school bus on the first day of school must spend the rest of the day wondering how her little one is doing.  There are things you can do, however, to make your child’s first day of school special for you, too.

Plan a Special Day for Your ‘First Day of School’

Admit it. You’ve been waiting for this day for a while. Now that you have a child in school, there are things you can for the first time. Whether it’s spend a leisurely day playing with the baby, going out to lunch by yourself, or pampering yourself by getting your hair cut or your nails done, or just relaxing with a book and a cup of tea on the front porch.

Seek the Advice of Friends and Fellow Parents

Seeing your child go off to school for the first time can be an emotional time for parents. It may help to seek the counsel of those who have been down this road, friends and fellow parents who have survived the first day of school and who can assure you that it will be okay.

Stay Busy on the First Day of School and Beyond

The first few days of your child’s new school year may seem to drag for parents. Don’t spend the whole day watching the clock and pining away for your little one. Get involved in projects and stay busy. Get started on some of those long put-off projects that you’ve been waiting to do – finish knitting that baby blanket, clean and organize your closets, start scrapbooks for the kids, or organize your photographs into albums.

The National Education Association suggests “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” as the best way to cope with your child going off to school. Parents who are involved in volunteering in their child’s school can make critical contributions to their child’s education. Talk with your child’s teacher about opportunities for you to help in the classroom as a parent volunteer.

With some planning and helpful advice from others, you’ll be joining other parents in anticipating the back-to-school excitement in no time.

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Numerous transactions at Army and Air Force Exchange operations are experiencing a double whammy no one saw coming; a processing error resulting in duplicate charges on credit and debit card transactions.
“Shoppers who swiped their cards anytime between Aug. 7 and Aug. 9 at an AAFES facility are strongly encouraged to review their statements to see if they are impacted by this issue,” said AAFES’ Chief of Staff Col. Virgil Williams. “If a customer finds a billing anomaly, no action will be required on their part as we’re working to correct inaccuracies on their behalf.”
Scores of associates from AAFES’ Information Technology and Finance and Accounting teams are working around the clock to remedy any and all erroneous charges created as a result of the processing error.
“We’re putting all the resources we have towards doing the right thing for customers affected by this unfortunate turn of events” said Williams. “If there is an overdraft fee as result of a duplicate charge, we’re going to fix it. Our priority is to take corrective action as quickly as possible and return customers’ accounts to the exact state they were prior to this glitch.”
The processing error that produced duplicate charges affected AAFES locations worldwide. Depending on the type of card used, corrective action could be visible to the customer anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of weeks.
“The timeline is subject to a number of variables,” said Williams. “Regardless, we want exchange shoppers to know that every possible measure is being taken to eliminate any additional charges and rectify any concerns created as a result of this processing miscue.”

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As the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Inspector General’s office prepares for its annual worldwide inspection of exchange operations, it’s appealing to authorized shoppers to provide feedback on customer relations and support.

To ensure as many people as possible are given the opportunity to provide input, all authorized shoppers are invited to participate in a quick survey concerning exchange operations.

For their time, shoppers will receive either a coupon for 10 percent off an Exchange Online Store order or a voucher for a $3 discount that can be applied to a BX/PX in-store purchase of $20 or more. The AAFES IG survey is available at www.aafes.com/IGsurvey.

“We want to hear from as many authorized shoppers as possible” said AAFES’ IG Chief of Inspections Maj. Sonia Leach. “The survey takes only three to five minutes and is a win-win situation for us all. The patron receives helpful savings and we gain the benefit of their input for improving our support to them. 

The AAFES IG Inspection in 2010 is to assess the command’s compliance with policies and procedures specific to delivering what customers want, when they want it and how they want it. At the conclusion of the assessment, the IG will provide a final report to the AAFES Commander with recommendations for improving customer satisfaction programs.

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by Michelle Nicoud

Trying to think of an interesting way to cap off the summer? With a little planning, a picnic can be your answer. The outing can be a memorable experience for the whole family.

These tips can help you keep organized and enjoy the change of scenery for a couple of hours.

· Decide on a location and ask if it’s possible to reserve a spot or table. That way it’s waiting for you, and there are no surprises.

· While you might pick a shady spot under the trees, bring sunscreen, hats and possibly a large umbrella along to help block the sun.

· Keep the food simple – sandwiches, trail mix and fruits and vegetables that are easy to pick up like apples, celery and carrots.

· The food should stay cool. Be sure not to leave it out for more than an hour or two.

· Carry bug spray. To avoid bugs, cover any sugary foods and drinks.

· Bring along some toys that work well in open spaces such as Frisbees and kites.

If it looks like the weather might spoil your good time, consider spreading out your blanket on the living room floor.

Always remember to have fun!

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As back-to-school season approaches, along with those new school supplies, shoes and haircuts, it’s also time to think about your child’s immunizations. School-age children should receive certain vaccines before admission to school — but more importantly, staying up-to-date on necessary immunizations is a matter of good preventive health.

If your child has had an annual doctor’s visit in the last year, chances are they’re current on any immunizations required for school admission. Your doctor can provide you a copy of your child’s immunization record for your school’s files.

From birth to age 6, children receive regular vaccinations at each pediatrician’s visit. After age 6, it’s still important to see the pediatrician regularly for a well-child visit. Additional vaccinations are given at specific intervals between ages 7 and 18, including catch-up immunizations for children who may have missed a routine immunization at an earlier age, and vaccinations for children who are at an increased risk for certain diseases or conditions.

And, even if your child has had the needed immunizations, this time of year is fitting for a well-child visit, if you haven’t already scheduled one for the year. An annual well-visit provides an opportunity for you and your pediatrician to discuss your child’s growth, nutrition, sleep, safety, illnesses that are circulating, developmental milestones, as well as any questions you may have.

Updated Immunization, or Vaccination, Guidelines

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control updated the list of recommended childhood vaccinations. The guidelines, approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, went into effect July 1, 2010, and include the following changes:

• Yearly influenza vaccination for everyone over 6 months of age. (The fall 2010 influenza vaccine will contain the H1N1 antigen.)
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which guards against genital warts, is now offered to boys. Previously recommended only for girls, the vaccine is offered in a three-dose series to males ages 9 through 18.
• The addition of a booster for the bacterial meningitis vaccine (MCV4), at age 11 or 12, or age 13 through 18 if not previously vaccinated. Children at high risk — i.e., those with weakened immune systems or other health conditions — should be vaccinated earlier, between ages 2 and 10.

Unsure if your child is up-to-date or needs a vaccine that is recommended, but not required? Schedule a well-child visit with your pediatrician or family physician for a check-up and discussion of your child’s individual needs.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention — www.cdc.gov
American Academy of Pediatrics — www.aap.org
American Academy of Family Physicians — www.familydoctor.org

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