Playpass provides morale boost for families Published Dec. 18, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Megan Friedl 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Deployment can be a stressful time for military members and their families. Playpass is a program that was created to help ease the stress for troops and their families who have been deployed. Playpass provides deployed-affected Airmen and other servicemembers,including Reservists and Guardsmen on active duty orders and DoD civilian personnel, who are stationed at Scott AFB, respite from the challenges of deployment. It encourages members and their families to take advantage of the opportunity to reintegrate and reunite through social, recreational, fitness and learning programs upon request. Once servicemembers learn of their orders they can enroll their families in the program. The family pass can be used by the deployed member's family during their deployment plus 90 days once the member returns. Upon returning from deployment, servicemembers can also use this program's benefits. The deployed member can begin using the card whenever they would like, as long as the program is still in existence, and will have 90 days to use it once they start. Eligible members are given a Playpass card worth $500. Each card has 20 different blocks worth $25. Members are allowed to bring their families or friends along with them to go on trips or other activities and use as little or as much of the card as they would like at once. Tara Tipsord, 375th Force Support Squadron recreation aid said, "There are many different activities that Information, Tickets and Tours, and Outdoor Recreation have for people of various lifestyles to use their Playpass." Activities run by the Youth Center, Bowling alley, golf course and the pool are just a few others run by FSS that are available to be used for the Playpass. Lt. Col. Andy Fitore, 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) Air National Guard Liaison said, "I have used the Playpass for golfing, bowling, wine tours and horseback riding. It was great to do those things with my family with such a diversified offering of events." Members who have not received a Playpass card who have been deployed and returned after Dec. 1, 2010 are also eligible to receive a pass for each deployment they've been on. Because it is an Air Force-wide program, members who get stationed at another Air Force Base right after their deployment are also eligible to be involved in the Playpass program and use the services at that base. Tech. Sgt. Robert Kilburn, 375th Force Support Squadron readiness NCO said, "These activities can lower your stress, boost your morale and help connect you with your family." The program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2015. For more information, please contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 256-8668.