April's Citizen Airman now available

  • Published
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  Air Force reservists are participating in immunization programs to protect them from the use of deadly biological warfare agents; Air Force Reserve Command is stepping up its efforts to increase awareness of health-care benefits; and legal officials warn reservists about the potential problems associated with bringing souvenirs back from a deployment. These articles and more highlight the April issue of Citizen Airman, official magazine of the Air Force Reserve.

Two deadly viruses, smallpox and anthrax, pose a serious threat to the health of all servicemembers. To provide maximum protection from these threats and to help ensure troops can continue their mission in a contaminated environment, the Department of Defense is administering vaccines in a staged approach according to order of priority.

Once they are called to active duty, reservists, along with their families, are eligible for a number of health-care benefits through the Tricare medical system. However, many people, particularly those not living near a military installation, are not aware of these benefits or how to successfully navigate the complexities of the Tricare system. To help solve these problems, AFRC officials are working to improve awareness through an information campaign.

Bringing home a war trophy might sound like a good idea, but doing so may land reservists in hot water. The military and federal government have rules and laws governing the possession and transportation of war trophies. Failure to abide by all of these rules and laws can result in jail time.

Also in the April issue, read about three people who were recognized by Air Force Reserve recruiters for supporting the Get One program; a unique partnership between a medical unit in Ohio and the National Park Service; a hands-on approach to teaching youngsters math and science that makes learning fun; a first sergeant who is dealing with the grief of losing her husband by helping others; and an environmentalist in Louisiana who is working to win the battle against the West Nile virus.