Army Teen Panel "Global Network of Friends"

Calling all Military Kids!
Share your story on what it is like to be a military child using photos, words, drawings or videos for a chance to win prizes such as a Wii or iPad. Enter now at http://www.armymwr.com/momc-big-stories.aspx

Hey Army Teens! It's Month of the Military Child. Tell us your story on 'what it means to be a military child' for a chance to win one of many prizes. http://www.armymwr.com/momc-big-stories.aspx

It's time to "GET THE WORD OUT!!!"

Check out the Public Service Announcement! It was made by teens, for teens!!!

OMP Video 2014

Army Teen panel member speaks on his mission to connect Army teens.

Micah WWP Army Teen Panel member talks about his mission for Army teens.

Teen panel members experience firsthand the dangers of texting while driving.

USAA is proving the Army Teen Panel an opportunity to speak with Army Leaders this week in Washington DC. Their agenda is packed, and lets hope their bags are packed too!

The Army Teen Panel will be headed to Washington DC this month to brief Army Leaders on issues facing Army Teens. This meeting is proudly being sponsored by USAA.

Are you looking forward to the next Operation: MegaPhone Lockin? Here's the notes form the planning meeting. What ideas do you have for this event?

Below are the notes from the Operation Megaphone Planning Meeting (14 December 2014)

**Attendance**
- Air Force: Dorian, Bridget
- Army: Ms. Stacy, Courtney, Bryson, Jennifer, Valerie
- Navy: Mr. Brent, Ms. Leslie, Jade, Jordyn

**Agenda Overview**
- Protocol reminders (Below)

- Facilitation: As much as possible, I [Brent] will minimize my facilitation of this meeting. There are specific questions that each service HQ has for the JSTC representatives. All notes will be posted to the OMP page next week. Feel free to add more thoughts after their posting.

- Each service's Teen Council was surveyed on OMP 2014 ideas. Our agenda today is directed as coming to a consensus on certain OMP survey questions.

**Protocol Reminders**
- Ensure you have a quiet place to talk and mute your phone/mic when you are not speaking.

- We may experience technical difficulties. If so, bear with us and note that you may need to disconnect and log back in.

- We plan to be time sensitive since this is the weekend. If you have to leave for any reason, just let us know.

**Topic #1 - OMP 2014 Theme**
- Survey Results: Teen Week, Memories, Purple, World Cup, Around the World in 80 Days

- Question: Are there any other theme ideas/nominations/comments?

- The “Memories” theme is more like a “Yearbook” themed event. Teens can look back on events/people/memories that have occurred at their Youth/Teen Center. New teens could talk about their previous center/installation.

- Around the World in 80 Days - We have all been around the world in a sense (PCSing). So, we can all relate to this.

- Voting Results: All voted for the combination of the "Around the World in 80 Days" with an emphasis on “Memories."

- Question: What are your suggestions to implement this combined theme?

- Teens can share the diversity of where people have been

- Teens can incorporate their individual story, bring a souvenir (similar to Show & Tell).

- Teens/installations can share their stories, memories via the social media platform.

- Question: How do we incorporate the “Around the World in 80 Days" theme?

- We could calculate the number of hours the OMP event is being offered and re-phrase our title (i.e. Around the World in 35 hours).

- Remember that we are NOT talking about the movie. This theme is more about sharing our story with other people.

**Topic #2 - OMP 2014 Service Project**
- Survey Results: Feed the Hungry, Homelessness, Red Cross (i.e. clothing donations, hygiene packs, canned food)

- Question: Are there any other service projects ideas/nominations/comments?

- Fundraising via the Red Cross for the Philippines.

- Homeless Youth - Its hard for the overseas because the government takes care of homeless youth.

- Collecting/donating canned goods is hard because of their weight (shipping) but clothing is easier. We should focus on making it simple. Additionally, we should bring in new and used clothes.

- If we are going to make a special donation, make it special by donating new clothes.

- Remember, if you’re homeless, you usually don’t have food, so we should remember to donate both clothing and food.

- If we push Red Cross aid, we are pushing monetary aid vs. tangible items. Additionally, we should invite Red Cross to our events.

- Is there a minimum donation amount? - No, there should not be a minimum so each installation can contribute to the best of their ability.

- Voting Results: 6-to-1 majority vote for "Feeding the Hungry and Homeless"

**Topic #3 - OMP 2014 General Improvements**
- Survey Results: Instagram, Vine, Virtual connections coordinated at a higher level

- Question: Is everyone okay with the addition of Instagram and Vine?

- We would prefer Instagram over Vine due to its popularity and because Vine has a shorter video platform.

- Question: How will the virtual connections work if they are coordinated from a higher level? Frequency?

- Since providing Skype usernames did not work last year, each installation will be able to register for DCO/GoTo Meeting sessions at days/time that are sensitive to their OMP event hours of operation.

**Topic #4 - OMP 2014 Competition Ideas**
- Survey results: Virtual Scavenger Hunt, Rock Paper Scissors Competition

- Question: Are there any additional competition ideas?

- Who can name the most (blank) in a minute.
- Minute to Win IT!!!!
- Silent Library - Unhappy Meal

**Topic #5 - OMP 2014 Video or PSA**
- Survey results: PSA

- We will create one (1) script that all the services read from, record the script, put together the scripts clips

- Ensure that the PSA is attention grabbing, include background of monuments, geographic locations and that each service is represented

- Question: Who will build the script for OMP 2014?

- HQ will create the first draft and send the draft to the JSTC reps for edits.

**Topic #6 - OMP 2014 Incentive Ideas**
- Survey results: T-shirts, suspenders

- Question: Are there any additional incentive ideas?

- Pins and Livestrong wristbands

- Voting Results: All voted for OMP T-Shirts. If funding is available, wristbands will also be included.

**Topic #7 - Plan Ahead**
- HQ will post these meeting notes to OMP FB page
- 3 January 2014: A "Save-the-Date" will be released including the OMP 2014 basic info, social media links, etc.
- January: OM development, PSA, registration process, 1-pager, DCO schedule, price incentives & shipping (process)
- 14 February 2014 - (OM & Registration release)
- 17-21 February 2014 - Informational DCOs
- 28 February 2014 - Pre-Registration Deadline

**Next Meeting - TBA**
- Review script
- Review OMP t-shirt design
- Determine if top participating sites will receive prizes

RaShaan Allen, from Ft Knox was named the first Military Youth of the Year this morning. Great work Rashaan!

A poem by Elisa Solomon, an Army teen written about military families. Thanks Military Child Education Coalition

http://www.militarychild.org/i-know-by-elisa-solomon

“I Know” by Elisa Solomon

I know what it feels like to move again and again, I know what it’s like to see the brown cardboard boxes never end.

I know what it’s like to have to adapt to a new environment, and I know what it’s like to see loved ones dream of retirement.

I know what it’s like to have to make new friends, just so you can leave them before the year even ends.

I’ve been to the airports waving my last goodbye; I know what it’s like to see the plane shoot for the sky.

I know what it is like to see loved ones deployed for years at a time, and I know what it’s like to wait on their call at half past nine.

I know what it’s like being up late at night, worrying about your loved ones--Are they alright?

But I also know what it’s like to see loved ones come home. I’ve experienced the laughter and the hugs; the joyous reuniting; the storytelling and the smiles.

I’ve seen the sense of relief in my mom’s eyes, the gentle exhale, the soothing sigh.
And I often wonder how we did it, and then I remember we’re military, we push through it.

The military families have the endurance, the ability to persevere through even the strongest storms.

The military families provide support and while the Soldiers are gone, we hold down the fort.

Military families have strength, the ability to face trials and tribulations head on.

Military families are the shoulder to cry on when a best friend’s dad who saved his unit is now gone.

Military families are the elite force, and do so much to show their support.

They extend themselves in times of need, which is the true fulfillment of duty, honor, country.

Military families go through a lot at times, and are heroes as much as the Soldiers they stand behind.

And though we are not on the very front lines, we are the strong, supportive, loving, faithful, honest, hopeful, brave foundation that makes the armed forces shine.

So thank you Soldiers for all that you do, and thank you families for just being you.

“I Know” by Elisa Solomon | Military Child Education Coalition The MCEC identifies unique challenges facing military-connected children, increases awareness of these challenges in military and educational communities, and implements programs to meet these challenges.

Which ones do you agree with? what is missing from this list?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jmzarina/25-signs-you-grew-up-as-a-military-brat-bs9p

25 Signs You Grew Up As A Military Brat It's a badge of pride.