Marines

Photo Information

A woman speaks to a representative from Tricare at Marine Corps Community Services’ Lejeune Living event aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 13. Members of the military community were welcome to the event where they could learn about services and programs available on base. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jackeline M. Perez Rivera)

Photo by Pfc. Jackeline M. Perez Rivera

Lejeune Living displays best programs on base

13 Oct 2011 | Pfc. Jackeline M. Perez Rivera Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

With so many services available on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, it can be difficult to find exactly what one is looking for, especially for newcomers.

To help with those concerns, the Marine Corps Community Services’ Relocation Assistance Program has created Lejeune Living, a new quarterly event that was held Oct. 13 in the Betio room of the Marston Pavilion aboard the base to give newcomers and members of the military community a chance to explore what is available to them.

“It’s the perfect event to introduce our programs,” said Loyda Householder, a promotion and education specialist with Resilience Education, MCCS.

“I’m a military spouse, and when you first come to (MCB) Camp Lejeune it’s so overwhelming,” said Rebecca Wright, a child, youth and teen program assistant on base.

The event was open to the military community and did not require registration. It offered light snacks, refreshments and door prizes every hour. It included representatives from the library, youth activities, counseling services, relocation assistance, resilience education, housing, L.I.N.K.S., Tricare, Semper Fit, Outdoor Adventures and other various programs on base.

“There’s such a wealth of resources and programs for families that they just don’t know about,” said Wright. “(At this event) you get one-on-one with the real people who are really involved with the things that are going on. It’s a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to come out. I’ve learned new things and I’ve lived here for three years.”

The representatives had tables outlining the room with displays, flyers and small handouts like pens, note pads and water bottles.

“We hope people take our flyers and use them if they need it, or share them with somebody else who might benefit from our services,” said Joele Phillips, an education and intervention specialist with the Family Advocacy Program on base.

In the past, MCB Camp Lejeune held a welcome aboard brief once a quarter, but it went away in favor of a daily brief given to incoming service members at the reception center.

“A lot of time information doesn’t get passed on to spouses,” said Marybeth Lemaire, a recreational specialist with Outdoor Adventures.  “This event is a good way to help recognize programs on base.”

The event is not only for newcomers. It offers information that is valuable to all members of the military community on MCB Camp Lejeune.

“Even if you’re not new, people who have been here for years don’t take advantage of things like the marina, kayaking or Semper Fit,” said Tamara Martinez, a relocation assistant who organized the event. “There are people who go to the gym out in town when they don’t need to. (Taking advantage of these resources) will save people money.”