Yellow Ribbon Info

I wish I could go to Orlando, I had to go to *&#^$% Chicago....

The new hotel is:

The Peabody Hotel
9801 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

This is the place:

I've left the flight tracking and status check links up from February so you can scroll down to check on your flights.

Remember you (and your significant others) must attend the scheduled training.  That said, here is a partial list of places where you will get a military discount:


LEGOLAND® Florida
All active duty military personnel including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists are now entitled to a free one-time single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park throughout 2013.
View Deal

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment®

Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission for themselves and up to three direct dependents under the Here's to the Heroes program. Registration and a Department of Defense ID is required.
View Deal

  

Universal Orlando® Resort

Universal Orlando® Resort's salute to military includes special ticket offers as well as exclusive getaway packages for  all active duty, retired military and Department of Defense personnel.
View Deal 
  

Walt Disney World®Resort

Walt Disney World salutes the men and women who serve. Now through Sept. 28, 2013, active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase special discount tickets and specially priced rooms at select Disney resort hotels.
View Deal

Attractions

Trapeze Federation - $50 rate per person for a standard class. A $30 savings.
Shades of Green offers special military price tickets for Blue Man Group 
The Holy Land Experience - $3 off per person, good for up to six tickets per military ID.
Boggy Creek - Military member free during the month of May. 
Black Hammock Adventures- 15% off adult 30-minute airboat ride. One discount per ID.
Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre - 10% off all activities. Excludes merchandise.
Putting Edge Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf - $2 off per person, up to 4 people. Military ID required.
Fantasy of Flight -   Free admission to all U.S active-duty, retired and reserve military, May 1-31, 2013, Guests must present a current ID to qualify for the free attraction admission ticket. Not valid with any other offers, discounts or Wing WalkAir.

Arts & Culture

Orange County Regional History Center - $7 off for active, inactive or retired military members; Free admission for active duty military members and their immediate family members from May 28 through Sept. 3. ( includes active duty Reserve and active duty National Guard.)
Orlando Shakespeare Theater - $10 off for all active military, National Guard or reservists and their spouses.
The Center for Contemporary Dance - $15 performance tickets (regularly $17 to $20) and $15 registration fee for class attendance (regularly $25) and $110 for 10 class hours (regularly $130) 
Orlando Science Center -  $2.50 off for each person in party.
Orlando Museum of Art - $1 off general admission with ID.

Accommodations

The Point Orlando Resort - 25% off Best Available Rate for all active and retired military. Valid through 12/31/2013.
Staybridge Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista -  $99 per night rate for one-bedroom suite.
Nikelodeon Suites Resort- 15% off accommodations, 10% off the Ultimate Sliming Experience, 10% off food and beverage, plus more! Ask for the Military Appreciation Package.
All Star Vacation Homes - 10% off the nightly rate. Black out dates apply. Call for reservations.
Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort- Active and retired US military personnel including US Coast Guard and Activated Members of the National Guard or Reservists can enjoy special military rate. Check hotel website for availability and rate. Black out dates apply.

Shopping

The Mall at Millenia - Complimentary Shop.Dine.Save. book of offers and complimentary valet parking to all military members.
Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive - Present your military ID at the information center to receive a complimentary VIP Coupon Book.
Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue - Present your military ID at the information center to receive a complimentary VIP Coupon Book.
Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlets -  Free coupon booklet when you show your military ID. Many stores offer direct savings if you present your military ID.

Dinner Shows

The Rat Pack and Friends - A Dinner and Tribute Show - Special rates available for military and family.

(Here's the link:  http://www.visitorlando.com/discounts-and-tickets/militarydiscounts/

Remember - you may rent a car if you want to but you will not be reimbursed for the costs.

Travel Info For Silver Scimitar

Check your AKO for an email that states "E65 Ticketed". 

Weather may present travel problems as we move to Silver Scimitar.  Here are a few useful links and tips:

Weather at Devens:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=zmw:01434.2.99999

Right now it looks like it will snow in Devens through Friday and then warm up a little Saturday.  Plan on cold nights (20s) and brisk days (upper 30s - 40s)



Travel Delay Reports from the FAA:
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/nemap.jsp

Delta Flight Info:
http://www.delta.com/
Click on the Flight Status Bar

US Air Flight Info:
http://flights.usairways.com/Default.aspx

American Flight Info
http://www.aa.com/travelInformation/gatesTimesAccess.do

Jet Blue
http://www.jetblue.com/flightstatus/



USO Locations:
http://www.uso.org/Centers/Locate-A-Center.aspx?st=United States

There are USO locations in all of these airports: (not a complete list - check the web site above)

Atlanta Boston Charlotte Airport Columbia Airport

Jacksonville Norfolk Philedelphia Reagan National Richmond

 

Packing tips:

Take a toothbrush, change of underclothes etc. on the plane with your carry on in case of an overnight delay.  Carry money for food, there is no compensation from airlines for weather delays. 

Make sure you bag has an external tag and internal identification.  It’s not a bad idea to write "this bag belongs to" your name and phone number on a sheet of paper and place on top of your clothes just before you close your suitcase – that aids in bag identification if the handle/tags are torn off.

You will be picked up from the airport but weather can delay the runs, be prepared to wait.  Make sure you have contact info for your chain of command!

March Battle Assembly

First Formation: 

0700-0730 - Sign In

0730 - First Formation

Uniform:

Winter APFT uniform for first formation with ID card and dog tags. Bring Complete ACUs and personal hygiene gear

All Deployers/Backups Should Hand Carry to BA:
Certified Birth Certificate - All deployers will be completing an application for an official passport. 

Additionally, you need to go to this web site and complete the passport application:  http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html

Look for this click button:

You will be applying for a "No Fee" official passport. You can print it at BA if you need to but complete it this week.  You may need to call your parents to get some of the information required.


For the Friday Morning Update:

OICs/NCOICs should have a current update/plan to answer all the individual/team due outs for their Soldiers, ie. Evaluations, shots, schools, etc.