Military OneSource offers advice, information

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Heather Alden
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (USAFENS) --  Military members and their families can now get information, advice and support on many topics around the clock from the comfort of their homes with Military OneSource.

Initiated in 2002 by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and introduced to the Air Force in November 2003, the program is responsive to Airmen’s needs through both phone and Internet services.

The scope of issues addressed by Military OneSource includes, but is not limited to: parenting and child care, education, older adults, midlife and retirement, deployment and reunion, financial planning, legal information, everyday issues, work, addiction and recovery, international, grief and loss, relocation, and emotional well-being.

The telephone service offers trained and qualified masters-level consultants who answer questions live 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Overseas users can either call (800)342-9647 or call collect (484)530-5908. The teletype number is (866)607-6794 and Spanish-speakers can call (877)888-0727.

If there isn’t already information available on a topic that a caller might ask about, specialized research teams gather information for the consultants on the subject matter in question. Not only will the consultants answer questions and give referrals to agencies in the caller’s community, but they also are able to send educational materials, such as tip sheets, booklets, cassette and CD recordings to callers at no charge.

“It’s really a great option for supervisors who are having to help their troops with difficult questions,” said Master Sgt. John McKechnie, 100th Mission Support Squadron Family Support Center readiness superintendent. “Of course, it isn’t just supervisors who can call. Anyone with questions who isn’t sure where to go should look to Military OneSource first for answers. It saves a lot of research time, and there are experts there who do all the difficult work for you, right down to finding someone in your community who can help.”

The same resources offered over telephone are also available via the Internet. To access the Internet site, visit www.militaryonesource.com, use “military” as the User ID and “onesource” as the password at the first logon.

"I find the financial calculators to be especially helpful," said Master Sgt. Steve Ross, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "I have helped Airmen with financial questions and had to create my own spreadsheets. Military OneSource has some nice calculators for these kinds of questions and the work's already done."

Eligible users of Military OneSource include active-duty military, Reservists, Guard members and dependents. Staff members from Information Delivery System agencies and Department of Defense civilian employees working overseas with Status of Forces Agreement status are also eligible to use Military OneSource.