Military One Source provides help for service members Published April 7, 2008 By Nicole Singer Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Have you ever spent hours on the phone or internet trying to find help with your finances, health questions, or an upcoming deployment? Military One Source can be your solution. Military One Source was established in 2004 as a Department of Defense run project for all branches of the military. Prior to then, it was known as Air Force One Source and was originally created to serve those stationed at geographically separated areas and bases. The program has grown and now serves all military personnel around the world. "A lot of people are not aware of what it can do and for whom," said Jeffrey Paddock, an AFMC Community Action Information Board executive agent. "Military One Source provides a multitude of information and services. It can be accessed on-line or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days and week and your call will be answered by a live operator." On the website, www.militaryonesource.com, military personnel can find articles and tips on topics ranging from childcare, to health care, to recreation in their communities, to finances. "It is interesting that during tax season, we tend to see the website usage spike," Mr. Paddock said. "People are taking good advantage of the free tax service provided to them." Helping with taxes only scratches the surface of what MOS can provide in the finance arena. It links users with information on debt management, budgeting, investing and can even help people find a financial consultant in their network area. Other specialty consultations, such as elder care in the area and child adoption are also available through MOS. It can also help military personnel by translating a document into over 160 different languages. Simultaneous interpretation is also available, meaning that an actual interpreter can help to facilitate a three-way call. MOS is not only beneficial to service members but also to their families. An entire dossier on childhood issues and parenting tips can be found online. There are support articles and hints for military spouses, including material on spousal employment, articles on managing change and tools to help find colleges, distance learning programs and scholarship opportunities. MOS has extensive information on staying healthy, exercising and good dietary practices. The health section covers ways to keep both your body and mind on track. It supplies data on how to cope with addictions and even provides counseling services. "One of the issues that we're dealing with is that not many people are familiar with the counseling options MOS provides," said Mr. Paddock, "Each person can receive up to six free non-clinical counseling sessions per problem." The counseling sessions should be used for non-clinical problems only. A few of the common issues you can find help with are couples concerns, grief counseling and stress management. However, if clinical help is needed, MOS can assist you in finding a counselor in your area. "It can provide you counselors over the phone," Mr. Paddock said, "or it can help facilitate you getting an appointment in your network area." All of the counselors are licensed and hold masters degrees or higher. MOS is a one-stop shop for active duty, reserve and National Guard members and their families. It can provide an assemblage of information and links on everything from how to teach your teenager to drive to how to buy and sell a home. The services provided by MOS are free and private. In addition to the Web site, people can obtain information by calling 1-800-342-9647 within the United States. For calls overseas, the numbers are 800-3429-6477 or 104840530-5908 for collect calls.