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Show Hilltop Tunes June 17. 2004 H 1 I I Air Force News Airman carries flag everywhere he goes Web site explains by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates BAGRAM AB, Afghanistan (AFPN) When some people say they carry the American flag close to their heart, it is usually just a figure of speech. However, when one 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Airmen here said that, he meant it and he has the flag to prove it. "My grandfather gave me a flag when I by was 12," said Master Sgt. Joe Ramos, the operations superintendent for the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. "That flag has gone everywhere with me since then wherever I move and wherever I deploy." So far, the flag has been to more than 50 different countries, including Iceland, Chad, Honduras, Sierra Leone, ot ot well-travele- d by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON F WF , ."VI National Security Personnel System that will introduce sweeping changes in the way the department hires, pays,, promotes, disciplines and fires civilian employees. Brad Bunn, acting deputy program executive officer, NSPS ? Program Executive Office, explained the site is meant to help DoD employees understand the new personnel system. i site Photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates Master Sgt. Joe Ramos raises his flag over the air traffic control tower on Camp Cunningham at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. The flag flew In tribute to former President Ronald Reagan, Sergeant Ramos' first commander-in-chie- f. Sergeant Ramos has carried this flag everywhere since he was 12. He is the operations superintendent for the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and is deployed from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. everywhere I go." Most recently, the flag was used here in the background for a promotion ceremony. Sergeant Ramos said he hopes when he retires he can continue the tradition, as he intends to pass the flag on to his son. RANDOLPH AFB, Texas Department of Defense employ-ee- s called to active duty can now claim retroactive reimbursement of health insurance premiums paid while on active duty in support of a contingency operation on or after Dec. 8, 1995. To be eligible for reimbursement of Federal Employees Health Benefits premiums, the employee or former employee must meet the following requirements: Must have been a civilian employee of the Department of Defense at the time called to perform active duty. Must have been enrolled in FEHB and paid the employee share of the premiums, either by payroll deduction after returning from active duty or by direct payments to the payroll office during the period of active duty. "Change is difficult, and lack of information about coming changes often leads to stress and anxiety and, unfortunately, misperceptions about what those changes really mean," he said. "We recognize that, and are committed to communicating to our employees about what NSPS will mean to them. The Web site is one communications tool in our toolbox to do that," he said. "We will be open, honest, and clear about NSPS, and our Web site is designed to encourage employee involvement and interest, and minimize misconceptions." He also emphasized the site will help those affected by the changes to understand the "rationale and benefits" of NSPS and that it will be "extremely useful" in keeping employees informed and updated as the system evolves. Congress authorized the new personnel system as part of the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, allowing the Defense Department new authority to develop new civilian human resources, relations and labor-manageme- nt sounds corny, but I'm glad to be able to carry "I know it this flag and do what I do to support and defend it," he said. Retroactive reimbursement of health premiums available - The Defense Department has launched a new Web site to educate civilian employees about the new Turkey, Egypt, Russia and most recently, Afghanistan. While here, Sergeant Ramos also carries it on operations around Afghanistan securing the colors inside his body armor when he goes on security missions with other agen- cies. "The flag has a lot of significance to me. I treat it with respect and as an essential piece of equipment like my weapon. I don't leave home with out it," Sergeant Ramos said. "When I pack my bag, I make sure that I have my flag folded into a triangle and packed as well. When I get and open my bag, it's a nice reminder of my grandfather." After he gets into a new country, Sergeant Ramos makes sure he unfurls the flag usually either in or over his ing space, for at least one day. "That way I can say the flag was flown he said. Just having a flag available on some remote deployments in has been helpful. He used the flag for his in Egypt in front Russia, while another person of the flag. in Egypt, he asked me if I "When the person was sure I didn't mind him using it," Sergeant Ramos said. "He said he was honored to use the flag knowing I take it National Security Personnel system jr31 I 1 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs NSPS-relate- Must have been a member of a Reserve component of the armed forces. Must have been called or ordered to active duty in support of a contingency operation as defined in section 101(a) U. S. (13) of Title 10, United States Code. Must have been placed on leave without pay or separated from federal civilian service to perform active duty. Must have served on active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days for each period for which reimbursement is claimed. For more information and procedures for filing a claim for retroactive reimbursement of FEHB premiums, visit the Benefits and Entitlements Service Team Web site or call the Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-377- 5. employee appeals systems. The new Web site offers an overview of what DoD employees can expect from the new personnel system, as well as information regarding issues of labor- - management and d documents. employee unions, and links to One of the more powerful features of the NSPS Web site is a mechanism for visitors to submit comments and ideas about NSPS directly to the NSPS Program Executive Office, Bunn said. "We continuously monitor the input from visitors, and the ideas and comments we receive through the Web site will help us gauge what employees and other stakeholders are really concerned about," he said. Bunn said the site will be a primary NSPS communication vehicle, and it will be used throughout all phases of the NSPS design and implementation process. "It certainly won't be our only means of communications, but it's a central source of information on NSPS," he explained. "We want to ensure DoD employees have a reliable, continuing source of information as the system develops." 0GQ1 OflOO i rrrilldbSg Service J I We VC1 Meet or Beat any Advertised Price aga i r-- H" It J "Clearly the Best' Open Mon. - Fri. 6, Sat 6 OGDEN NORTH OGDEN V627-OQ1- 7370066 Q ! r,,s4f. LAYTON 479-OQ6- 6 I I Aee ; Your Insurance (With Coupon BRICHAM CITY 723-559-9 200 So. Main (41$) 3 1 i y.f 04 I CLEARFIELD 9-- 8-- ! 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