PLAYpass supports Airmen, families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Leidholm
  • 60 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Being deployed can be a stressful time for everyone. But the Travis Airman and Family Readiness Centers have a program intended to support families as well as single Airmen by getting them involved in times of separation.

PLAYpass is an Air Force-wide program that is completely free for families experiencing deployment or single airmen who have just come back from a deployment.

The PLAYpass can also be used by the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserves and their families after a deployment as long as they are still on active duty orders. Army, Navy, Marines and their families assigned to an Air Force base that have morale, welfare and recreation programs ran by the Force Support Squadron are also qualified to get a PLAYpass card.

To get a card, stop by your base's AFRC. All you need is to show them a copy of your orders.

"The cards will be issued for the length of the deployment," said Bethany Bodenheim, 60th Force Support Squadron. "Plus, they will get an additional 90 days to use the pass with their family when they return. That is especially good for the deployed member to come home and spend time together."

Service members who deployed after December 1, 2010, anytime in 2011 or this year can also stop by and get a PLAYpass for 90 days, Bodenheim said.

PLAYpass card holders can use their card for discounted rates at FSS facilities such as: discovery flights over the bay and flight lessons at the Aero Club; oil change and tire rotation classes at the auto hobby shop; golfing at Cypress Lakes; Zumba classes at the Fitness Center; bowling lessons and games at Travis Bowl; team registration fees and annual teen membership fees at the Youth Center. The pass can also be used for sponsored day trips for hikes, tours, surfing, kayaking and white water rafting at the Outdoor Recreation are just some of the uses. It can also help cover child care at the Child Development Centers, per space available.

"Each family is entitled to $580 and a lot of families are having a hard time spending that money," Bodenheim said. "If the family re-deploys, the family can come back to the AFRC and get the card's expiration extended if there is still money on it."

Additionally, children get cards of their own worth $150.

On the back of the card there are three categories: Learn to PLAY, which involve life skills and recreational learning programs; Recreate, involving recreational programs events or usage at FSS operated facilities; Explore, Outdoor Recreation or an Information, Ticket and Travel trip. In each category there are coupons of different amounts pertaining to each section. The amount gets marked off with each use at approved facilities.

"If a member happens to PCS after they deploy, they can still use the card as long as it's to another Air Force base," Bodenheim said. "Just make sure to visit the AFRC at the new base so the funds go there."

PLAYpass is a unique program which the money used is actually distributed back from services headquarters. This way it gives families the opportunity to enjoy activities they normally wouldn't have been able to enjoy due to time or finances. Single Airmen can also use it and bring a friend along to enjoy the card, Bodenheim said. It originally started in 2010 known as a DePLAYment Pass. The pass was essentially the same allowing members to use the card at FSS facilities, but by the end of 2010, the Air Force realized they still had money left over and extended the program.

The PLAYpass program is almost up. Members can use their cards until December 31. Anyone interested in receiving a PLAYpass can stop by the Travis AFRC with their orders or call 424-2486 for more information.