Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills
(L.I.N.K.S.)

L.I.N.K.S. is a program within Marine Corps Family Team Building that enhances the readiness of Marines, both single and married, and their families, by offering an orientation to the Marine Corps lifestyle. This orientation includes mentorship by experienced and knowledgeable Marine Corps volunteers and Marine Corps Family Team Building personnel, and involves information sharing, small group discussions, and interactive activities.  L.I.N.K.S. provides a positive environment for Marines and their families to learn to manage the demands of the Marine Corps lifestyle, and to work together as a team in balancing family needs while meeting Marine Corps expectations.

Childcare is provided for all L.I.N.K.S. volunteers and trainings.  Registrations are required for all trainings, excluding L.I.N.K.S. online.  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

Below you will find a description for all of the available L.I.N.K.S. Trainings.  Many of them are modeled after the L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses curriculum with adjustments to the specific audience.  Training schedules are available from Marine Corps Family Team Building and can be updated to meet the needs of the participants at MCAS Yuma.

Volunteer L.I.N.K.S. Team
Trained volunteer Mentors help facilitate all L.I.N.K.S. Trainings.  Volunteer positions also include Food Angels, Stage Crew, Administrative Assistants, Photographer, and much more.  L.I.N.K.S. is a professional and dynamic program that offers a variety of benefits and skills to volunteers.  Eligible volunteers include Active Duty Marines, spouses, and teenagers.  Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the L.I.N.K.S. Office for an application.  Training is provided for all volunteers and is scheduled on an as needed basis. 

L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses
This session is for spouses by spouses covering eight sections.  It is conducted in an all day or two half day format on a monthly basis.  Spouses are able to learn, ask questions and make friends in a fun and comfortable environment.  The curriculum does cover Marine Corps specific information; however, many of the topics covered are similar in other branches of services.  Unit specific sessions are available upon request. 

L.I.N.K.S. for Couples
L.I.N.K.S. for Couples covers the same curriculum as L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses with small changes for the audience.  A format just for couples was created to meet the needs of MCAS Yuma.  Many Marines wanted to attend with their spouses which created a very dynamic classroom setting when mixed in with spouses who were not attending with their Marine.   Having a separate class allows for the training to be more interactive with the couples and less intimidating for participants.  L.I.N.K.S. for Couples is offered once every quarter in place of the monthly L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses.

L.I.N.K.S. for Marines
L.I.N.K.S. for Marines covers the same curriculum as L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses omitting the Marine Corps history, traditions, and language portion.  This class is open to all ranks; however, is geared toward E1-E4 and O1-O2.  Single and married Marines have found this training equally beneficial.  Mentors include Marine Mentors and MCFTB staff.  L.I.N.K.S. for Marines is offered once per quarter.

L.I.N.K.S. for Kids
L.I.N.K.S. for Kids is a four hour training covering many of the same topics that are discussed in L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses in a fun and interactive environment.  Emphasis is placed on how military life affects the military child and subject matter is age appropriate.  Two age groups are offered ages 6-8 and ages 9-12.  Training is held at the Youth Center and participants must have a current open recreation packet on file two weeks prior.  L.I.N.K.S. for Kids is offered on a quarterly basis.

L.I.N.K.S. for Teens
L.I.N.K.S. for Teens is an eight hour training covering topics related to the military teenager.  Similar topics are covered as the L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses; however, adjusted for the audience.  Additional information is given to teenagers in the form of financial awareness, community and base resources and how to get involved in your community.  Teens are also encouraged to become L.I.N.K.S. Mentors to help guide and educate their peers through the L.I.N.K.S. program.  L.I.N.K.S. for Teens is offered once per quarter and is held at the Youth Center.  Participants must have a current open recreation packet on file with the Youth Center two weeks prior to training.

L.I.N.K.S. for Parents/Extended Family Members
L.I.N.K.S. for Parents/Extended Family Members was created as part of the Marine Corps extended definition of family.  This session covers the same curriculum as L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses with adjustments made to fit the audience.  Benefits and services are covered in this training for the knowledge of participants; however, they are not eligible for many of the services unless they are an official dependant of the service member.  The goal of this training is to educate other members of the Marine’s family on the Marine Corps lifestyle and help them to gain better understanding.  Currently, trainings are not scheduled because of the lack of audience.  If demand increases specific training will be created.  For the interim parents and extended family members are able to attend the L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses or L.I.N.K.S. Online if you are enrolled in DEERS.  Online instructions are included in the L.I.N.K.S. Online section below.

L.I.N.K.S. for Marine Corps Civilian Employees
As a civilian working with the Marine Corps it would be beneficial to attend a L.I.N.K.S. training.  All topics covered will not necessarily be applicable to a civilian participant.  Civilian employees would have the opportunity to gain a better understanding their patron’s lifestyle and the workplace culture.  Trainings are not schedule specifically for this audience; however, they can register to attend any training that will help their understanding and patron’s needs.   

L.I.N.K.S. Online
L.I.N.K.S. Online is the alternative if you are unable to attend training in person.  Online is especially beneficial for participants that are not living near an installation.  It is always recommend to attend in person is able to help facilitate the networking of families.  Instructions are included on the following page.