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L.I.N.K.S.

L.I.N.K.S. is an acronym that stands for Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge, and Skills. It is an interactive acculturation program to Marine Corps life and the local installation. Participants learn about Corps history and rank, local installation resources, services, and benefits, military pay, separation and deployment, crossroad options, communication styles, investing in the community and Marine Corps traditions. Partnerships are made with several services and personnel to include career planners, chaplains, and L.I.N.K.S. Mentors. Additional family readiness training opportunities are available through LifeSkills and Readiness and Deployment Support training. To learn more about available classes, contact MARFORRES Marine Corps Community Services. L.I.N.K.S. is an official Marine Corps program which helps families connect to the Corps.

 


The Meaning of L.I.N.K.S

L - Lifestyle is a way of living; in this case, it means understanding the military community and the unique lifestyle it offers.
I - Insights come from experienced Marine Corps spouses, who relate their experiences of living the Marine Corps lifestyle. These spouses understand first    hand what you are going through and who want to help you adapt to the new culture you married into.
N - Networking represents the relationships you form during L.I.N.K.S. and throughout your journey in the Marine Corps.
K - Knowledge is what you will leave with and what will help you understand and navigate the Marine Corps culture.
S - Skills learned to help you enjoy and thrive in our Marine Corps community.

 

The United States Marine Corps derives its vitality and viability from its core values: HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT. These values are demonstrated daily, wherever Marines are engaged, and they are manifested in the pledge to “take care of their own.” These same principles underlie the dedicated service of Marine families who seek to help themselves and each other to ensure family well being, support their communities, and positively impact mission readiness.

Part of ensuring this mission readiness is the program L.I.N.K.S., which provides you with the information and tools that will help improve your lifestyle as a Marine spouse, family member or significant other. Even if you think that you know everything about the Marine Corps, there are always new ideas and information to be shared. If you are a member of the Marine Corps family, L.I.N.K.S. will help you to understand and be better equipped for this unique way of life.

All Marines, spouses, children, teens, and parents of Marines are eligible to participate in L.I.N.K.S. Additionally, other Service members and spouses serving with Marines, and Marine Corps civilian employees and spouses are eligible. Topics covered in the various trainings include:

•Marine Corps history, tradition and language
•Benefits and services
•Financial awareness
•Dealing with separation and deployments
•Tips on moving
•Effective communication

L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses
The goal of the L.I.N.K.S. workshop is to provide an overview of the Marine Corps structure, services and benefits that are available to you as part of the Marine Corps Family such as how to read your Marine’s Leave and Earning Statement (LES) and standard pay deductions, separation and deployment, moving from one duty station to another, learning about the various cultures and backgrounds within the Marine Corps, and career progression for Marines.

L.I.N.K.S. for Marines
L.I.N.K.S. for Marines will provide the essentials that every Marine needs to make the most of this journey. During this session we will be discussing the military lifestyle as well as benefits and services the Marine Corps has to offer Marines and families. The resources and information they receive during L.I.N.K.S. for Marines will aid in their success of achieving personal and family readiness throughout mission, life and career events.

L.I.N.K.S. for Parents & Extended Family
L.I.N.K.S. for Marine Parents and Extended Family Members recognizes that for many of our Marines, their parents and extended family members play a major role in their lives, providing both support and advice. This content focuses on parents and the extended family members new to the Marine Corps community.

L.I.N.K.S. for Kids & Teens
These are two separate curriculums specific to each age group. Marine Corps kids and teens are very lucky to have many great experiences, but there may also be some challenges growing up as a Marine Corps Kid or Teen. In the L.I.N.K.S. for Kids & Teens curriculum, we hope to help our young children and teens adapt to the Marine Corps lifestyle and become resilient, look forward to new beginnings, embrace farewells and all of the great experiences they may encounter, or have encountered. This class will also serve as an opportunity to make new friends.

Office Address 
2000 Opelousas Ave 
Building 1, 4th Floor Room 4W4400 
New Orleans, LA 70114

L.I.N.K.S. Team Trainer
Ms. Karen Rochon
504-697-8127