PARTNERSHIP Team Meade hosts university system board meeting PAGE 3 UPCOMING EVENTS TODAY, 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M.: Hispanic Heritage Month Observance - McGill FRIDAY, 6 P.M.: Officers’ Spouses’ Club’s 13th Annual Bingo Bonanza - McGill FRIDAY, 8 P.M.-1 A.M.: Latin Club Night - Club Meade OCT. 12, 7-11:30 P.M.: Chicago Style Steppin’ - Club Meade OCT. 13, 10 A.M.-1 P.M.: Youth Fishing Rodeo - Burba Lake APPRECIATION Retirees get benefits, program updates at annual information fair PAGE 9 Sound off ! ´ VOL. 64 NO. 40 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community October 4, 2012 WRAPPED UP PHOTO BY SARAH PASTRANA Chief Mass Communications Specialists Jackey Smith and Adam Vernon wrap Sonya Moore before the mummy run during the Defense Information School’s annual Toilet Bowl on Friday. The event, held at Mullins Field, featured football, races and games for students and faculty members. For the story, see Page 12.
Transcript
partnershipTeam Meade hosts university system board meeting
page 3
UpCOMinG eVentstOday, 11:30 a.M.-1 p.M.: Hispanic Heritage Month Observance - McGillFriday, 6 p.M.: Officers’ Spouses’ Club’s 13th Annual Bingo Bonanza - McGillFriday, 8 p.M.-1 a.M.: Latin Club Night - Club MeadeOCt. 12, 7-11:30 p.M.: Chicago Style Steppin’ - Club MeadeOCt. 13, 10 a.M.-1 p.M.: Youth Fishing Rodeo - Burba Lake
appreCiatiOnRetirees get benefits, program updates at annual information fair
page 9
Soundoff!́vol. 64 no. 40 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community october 4, 2012
wrapped up
photo by sarah pastrana
Chief Mass Communications Specialists Jackey Smith and Adam vernon wrap Sonya Moore before the mummy run during the Defense Information School’s annual Toilet Bowl on Friday. The event, held at Mullins Field, featured football, races and games for students and faculty members. For the story, see Page 12.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
Commander’s Column
Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................12
Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Edward C. rothsteinGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. thomas J. latterPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones [email protected], Command informationPhilip H. Jones [email protected] Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesStaff Writer Brandon Bieltzdesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by Patuxent Publishing Co.
If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are experiencing distribution issues, call 877-886-1206 or e-mail [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by the Patuxent Publishing Co., a subsidiary of The Baltimore Sun Media Group, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, every Thursday except the last Thursday of the year in conjunction with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office. Requests for publication must reach the Public Affairs Office no later than Friday before the desired publication date. Mailing address: Post Public Affairs Office, Soundoff! IMME-MEA-PA, Bldg. 4409, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5025. Telephone: 301-677-1361; DSN: 622-1361.
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Printed by Patuxent Publishing Co., a private firm, in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.
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October will be another busy month for Fort Meade with several significant observances.
It is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an annual observance that generates aware-ness of domestic violence as a serious public health issue and the resources available to address it.
Let’s pledge to use this month to review the ser-vices that our Team Meade community and the DoD Family Advocacy Programs provide to our service members and their families, helping them build healthy relationship skills.
As a community focused on wellness and resil-iency, we must embrace a comprehensive approach to the prevention of domestic abuse and violence. We also must seek out ways to ensure that service members and their families have ample opportunity to prepare for challenges that can occur in relation-ships. Domestic violence is never a solution, and cannot and will not be tolerated.
There are FAP seminars and workshops each month that are designed to help people enhance marital relationships, parenting skills and financial management skills and improve quality of life. These are for targeted for the entire community. I challenge you to take advantage of them!
Counseling and intervention services are available to individuals, couples, units and family readiness groups. Our partner commanders are also encour-aged to contact their Family Advocacy staff to schedule seminars that meet their specific needs. I am determined to put in your hands my resources, which are dedicated to support our entire community.
Visit the Family Advocacy Program at ftmeadem-wr.com/acs/family_advocacy.php or call 301-677-4117 for more information.
I know that our community programs are dedi-cated to educating and supporting service members, families and our community. Let’s all be courageous and take a stand against domestic violence.
As Team Meade, we must work together as a true team to protect victims and hold offenders account-able when abuse occurs.
October is also Hispanic Heritage Month.Today, the Fort Meade community is invited to
attend the installation’s annual observance from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McGill Training Cen-ter. The event is sponsored by the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing.
Nelson Diaz is our guest speaker. Diaz is a lawyer who has been a Philadelphia city solicitor, a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Com-mon Pleas, and general counsel to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Diaz founded the first organization devoted to black and Hispanic law students at Temple Univer-sity while he was a student there.
I’m sure his remarks will be inspirational and help us celebrate the long and important presence and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States.
Hispanic Americans have gallantly served our nation. Their service reflects a genuine commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy from the American Revolution to our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we join the nation in acknowledging and celebrating the con-tributions of Hispanic service members and their commitment to service.
Next week, I’ll share my thoughts about the instal-lation’s celebration of Energy Awareness Month (another October observance) and focus our efforts on another important effort - the annual Combined Federal Campaign.
I’ll sign off with a safety message as we celebrate a long weekend in honor of Columbus Day. Enjoy the long weekend with friends and family and take advantage of our great Team Meade community.
Let’s continue to make good decisions this fall. Stay focused on safety.
Have a great week!
A time to embrace resiliency, celebrate Hispanic heritage, observe Columbus Day
COL. Edward C. rOthstEin
Garrison Commander
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http://www.ftmeade.army.mil October 4, 2012 SOUNDOFF! �
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By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer
Fort Meade hosted the University System of Maryland’s monthly meeting of the uni-versity system’s presidents on Monday at The Conference Center.
It was the first time Chancellor William E. Kirwan conducted the meeting on the installation and provided an opportunity for Fort Meade to build a partnership with the University System of Maryland.
“My colleagues and I feel a very strong obligation to partner with Fort Meade in helping it carry out its critical mission,” Kirwan said.
Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein invited the chancellor and univer-sity system presidents to the installation to brief them on Fort Meade as the nation’s preeminent center for information intelligence and cyber and to form partnerships with the respective colleges and universities.
“Team Meade is all about a much larger community outside that fence line, and you are a part of that,” Rothstein said in his open-ing remarks.
During his briefing, Deputy Garrison Commander John Moeller said the admin-istrators should consider internship and vol-unteer opportunities at Fort Meade for their students.
The University System of Maryland, which comprises 12 institutions, two regional higher-education centers and a system office, has an enrollment of more than 100,000 undergraduate students and nearly 45,000 graduate students.
Karl F. Schneider, principal deputy assis-
tant secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs), was invited to speak to college administrators about how educational institutions can better serve Soldiers and veterans.
Schneider said that the Army is responsible for 3.3 million people — 1.1 million in uni-form, as well as dependents, retirees, surviv-ing spouses and families, Department of the Army civilians and contractors.
He noted that those who serve live by the Army’s values, which make them a valuable resource as prospective students.
“These are the values that, hopefully, you would like to see in people coming to your schools,” Schneider said.
More than 90 percent of Soldiers are high school graduates and more than 80 percent of military officers have a college degree, Schneider said.
As veterans, these prospective students “bring the Army values — they’re resilient, they’re self-disciplined and they know how to work as a team.”
This year, Schneider said, about 130,000 Soldiers will be leaving the Army (as retirees and as Soldiers who have finished their enlist-ment) and many will qualify for the Post 9/11 GI bill.
“They’re coming with money to spend on tuition and they’re coming with skills,” Schneider said, noting that many Soldiers have skills as lab technicians, combat medics, mechanics and computer programmers.
To better serve veterans, Schneider said the Army encourages educational institutions to work on non-degree programs that will enable Soldiers to translate their skills to earn
Team Meade, universities talk partnerships
credentials and certifications. He said it would also be helpful for educational institutions to work toward translating military skills for academic credit.
In addition to flexible schedules and online education, Schneider said veterans can be better served by targeted academic and peer counseling to ensure they enroll in academic programs that suit their interests.
Schneider also noted that the Army is a “great career” for college graduates.
“Everyone thinks the Army is not hir-ing, but nothing could be further from the truth,” he said, noting that the Army needs both active-duty Soldiers and Department of Army civilians.
For example, next year the Army is pro-jected to recruit 69,000 Soldiers, including 4,000 officers, Schneider said.
Schneider said the Army needs people who have skills in cyber technology, science, engi-
neering, math and behavioral health.Dr. Evelyn Goldman, of the Combined
Action Group at U.S. Cyber Command, briefed the group on the mission of U.S. Cyber Command and the required skill set for its employees.
Steven LaFountain, distinguished aca-demic chair for Information Assurance and Cyber at the National Security Agency, gave a briefing on the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assur-ance Education Program, which promotes information assurance education at colleges and universities.
Mickey L. Burnim, president of Bowie State University, called the briefings “enlight-ening.”
“I came away with a much greater apprecia-tion for the employment opportunities for our graduates,” Burnim said. “I tended to think of the Army as a place for Soldiers, but I learned there are great opportunities for civilians.”
After the briefings, the educators were given a brief tour of the installation.
“We had a very productive meeting at Fort Meade,” Kirwan said. “We will definitely follow up on the conversations we began at this meeting. Our presidents will be setting up individual meetings with the contacts they made.”
photos by nate pesce
Karl Schneider, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs), speaks to Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein at The Conference Center at Fort Meade on Monday. Schneider briefed administrators of the University System of Maryland about Soldiers and veterans.
University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. Kirwan listens to a briefing about the installation at The Conference Center at Fort Meade on Monday. Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein invited the university system to the installation to build partnerships between Fort Meade and the respective colleges and universities.
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Sept. 20, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention personnel at the Exchange observed the sub-ject, via security cameras, place one lipstick tube and two lip balms into her purse and exit the Exchange beyond the point of sale without rendering proper payment.
Sept. 27, Larceny of private property: The Directorate of Emergency Services was notified of larceny at a kiosk at
the Exchange. An investigation revealed that person(s) took 20 warmers, five fondue kits, five stands and 15 plug-ins from the kiosk.
Sept. 27, Housebreaking of a fam-ily dwelling: A unit was dispatched
in reference to a larceny case. Upon arrival, units met with the victim who stated that when he returned to his quarters, he discovered his television had been taken.
CommunityCommunityCrime Watch
Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services
Trouble Ticket
Youth Services Sports Complex needs renovations
Renovate the Youth Services Sports Complex
Actual use of fields is expected to be Spring 2013
Have you noticed an issue on post and wondered if anything is being done to fix it? Email concerns and
address issues identified on post and describe what is being done to
solve them.
Issue: Plan: Status:
McGill Training Center HVAC is inoperative
(except in the ballroom)
Install a new HVAC Demolition and installation are now being performed,
classrooms 1-5 closed during A/C installation
Chaplain’s Word: GOD IS GOOD
“Even when all we see are the tangled threads
on the backside of life’s tapestry, we know that
God is good and is out to do us good always.”
— Richard J. Foster
photo by marine pvt. ronald brink
Airman 1st Class Cody Cardinal, 94th Intelligence Squadron, returns an identification card to a Fort Meade visitor. On Monday, Fort Meade service members began assisting in manning the installation’s five access control points. The addition of military personnel serving as security guards is part of a Directorate of Emergency Services mitigation plan to allow Fort Meade to transition from contract security guards to Department of Army security guards.
By Philip H. JonesCommand Information ChiefPublic Affairs Office
Monday marked the first day Fort Meade service members began a tempo-rary duty assignment assisting in man-ning the installation’s five access control points.
The addition of military personnel serv-ing as security guards is part of a Direc-torate of Emergency Services’ mitigation plan to keep the controlled access gates open while Fort Meade transitions from contract security guards to Department of Army security guards, said Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides, provost marshal and direc-tor of DES.
Augmenting the DA security guards with military personnel allows DES to recruit, train and deploy new security guards, Sides said. He anticipates using military person-nel at the installation’s controlled access
gates for approximately the next 90 days or until DES has hired and trained all of the new DA civilian guard force.
“All security policies and procedures will remain the same,” said Sides. “The safety and security of the installation will not be compromised while the conversion takes place. There are no plans to close any of the present installation controlled access points or adjust the gate hours of operation.”
The U.S. Army Installation Manage-ment Command ordered all of its instal-lations to convert to using DA security guards as part of its plan to meet con-gressional mandates and the secretary of Defense’s in-sourcing targets.
The contracted guards will be replaced by trained, screened, and medically processed Department of Army security guards. The majority of newly hired guards will also be former or retired service members.
Service members begin duty as gate guards
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By Capt. Adam PettyFort Meade Legal Assistance Attorney
In Legal Assistance, we often field a variety of questions regarding child sup-port. Generally, child support is a court order that requires a noncustodial parent to make payments to the parent who does have custody of the child.
The theory is that children have the right to benefit from the income of both parents. Child support payments help pay for food, clothes, medical care, toys and all other costs associated with raising a child.
Child support is often arranged as part of a divorce, marital separation or establish-ment of parentage.
Each state has its own child support pro-cess and its own method of calculating child support. However, Maryland (and a major-ity of other states), uses an income shares model for its child support guidelines.
Both parents’ incomes are included to calculate the amount of child support required under state law. The guidelines also take into account other factors including the cost of health insurance for the child, current child support being paid for other children and the cost of day care.
Child support payments may be mailed to the custodial parent or directly deposited into their account. Each state has a child support enforcement agency or department that can assist with setting up payment arrangements.
Some states, including Maryland, require that all new child support orders be paid by wage attachment. Wage attachment, often referred to as wage garnishment, is the process of deducting money directly from an employee’s salary.
A noncustodial parent, whose wages are
being garnished as a result of a court order for child support, must notify the state’s child support agency if he or she moves or changes jobs.
Under Maryland law, child support con-tinues until the minor child reaches the age of 18. Child support also may be extended to age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school.
Child support obligations vary from state to state. If the noncustodial parent has fallen behind and support becomes past-due, most states (if not all) will continue to enforce payment obligations until the arrears are paid in full, regardless of the age of the child.
Child support obligations may be modi-fied in certain situations. For example, in Maryland, either parent has the right to request a review for a modification every three years or whenever there has been a significant change in circumstances. Some examples that may warrant modification include a change in custody of the child, a significant change in income and a change in the financial needs of the child.
Failure to pay child support can have devastating consequences. In order to col-lect arrearages, states have intercepted fed-eral and state tax refunds, reported to credit bureaus, requested driver’s license suspensions and brought contempt-of-court actions against parents who have fallen behind.
In every case, it is the parent’s responsi-bility to make sure that payments are made on time.
If you have questions about child support obligations, schedule an appointment with a Legal Assistance Division attorney at 301-677-9504.
Child support obligations: a responsibility of both parents
Legal Assistance Office hours The hours of operation for the Fort Meade Legal Assistance Office are:• Monday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.• Tuesday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.• Wednesday: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.• Thursday: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.• Friday: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.The office is closed for lunch each day from noon to 1 p.m. The office also closes for training every Wednesday at 2 p.m.Power of Attorney drafting and notaries services are available on a walk-in basis during normal hours of operation. Attorney counseling is provided by appointment only.For more information, call the Legal Assistance Division at 301-677-9504 or 301-677-9536.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
News
By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer
In the past 14 months, six service mem-bers who were assigned to Fort Meade com-mitted suicide: three Soldiers, two Marines and one Sailor.
Five of the suicides occurred this year, although not all were on the installation.
“It’s mind-boggling to have one suicide, never mind six,” said Navy Cmdr. Marivic Fields, director of Behavior Health Patient Management and a licensed social worker at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center and interim health promotion officer for the installation’s Community Health Promo-tion Council.
To educate the community about the risks for suicide and reinforce the importance of suicide prevention, the installation held its first community Suicide Stand-down Day on Sept. 26 at the Post Theatre.
The mandatory event was organized by the garrison, the Community Health Promotion Council, Religious Support Office, the Directorate of Planning, Train-ing, Mobilization and Support, and the Installation Safety Office.
More than 700 service members, Depart-ment of the Army civilians, and garrison leaders attended a series of four 90-minute seminars on suicide and suicide preven-tion.
“The stand-down created not only an awareness of the problem of suicide, but it also provided a vehicle for our workforce to dialogue on this serious problem,” said Kenneth Jones, Army Substance Abuse Program manager and the Suicide Preven-tion Program manager. “It also provided an opportunity for support service agencies to be specific about what they provide and the steps that are in process to mitigate this problem.”
The stand-down followed the directive of Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, vice chief of staff of the Army, who ordered an Armywide Suicide Stand-down for Sept. 27. The theme was “Shoulder to Shoulder, We Stand Up for Life.”
Fort Meade’s stand-down included a screening of the training video “Shoulder to Shoulder: Finding Strength and Hope Together.” Produced by the Army Suicide Prevention Program, the video features senior and junior Soldiers, DA civilians, family members and mental health profes-sionals whose lives have been touched by suicide.
After the screening, Dr. Mark Fisher, chief of behavior pediatrics at Kimbrough and a Medical Department Activity subject
matter expert on suicide, led a discussion on how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to assist someone who is at risk.
“If we talk about suicide, we can prevent it,” Fisher said, noting that more than 50 percent of suicides are impulsive and not planned.
Fisher said some of the risk factors for suicide are drug and substance abuse, financial and relationship problems, depres-sion, isolation, illness and work-related problems.
“A lot of suicides are not about wanting to die, but relieving the pain,” he said.
If Soldiers and civilians suspect that a colleague, friend or loved one is suicidal, Fisher said they should follow the guide-lines of the Army ACE Suicide Intervention Training Program, developed by the U.S. Army Public Health Command. ACE is an acronym for “Ask, Care and Escort.”
Fisher said Soldiers, civilians and leaders should ask the person at risk if he or she is thinking of committing suicide, listen to the individual’s concerns, remove any means for self-injury and then escort the person to the chain of command, a chaplain or a mental health professional.
The stand-down also included a ques-tion and answer period led by staffers from the Religious Support Office, Kimbrough’s behavioral health division and the Army Substance Abuse Program.
Among the questions, several service members asked if seeking mental health care can be an impediment to being approved for a security clearance.
Dr. Scott Salvatore, director of behavioral health development at Kimbrough, said that since 2008, service members are no longer required to report mental health care that is related to combat, marital issues or grief on Form SF86 for a security clearance.
Sgt. 1st Class Gustavo Ruiz, the master resiliency trainer for Kimbrough, later gave a brief presentation on the link between optimistic thinking and resiliency.
Information about garrison and local resources for mental health care and suicide prevention was also available.
Lt. Col. Ryan Gutzwiller of the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, who said a service member from the unit recently com-mitted suicide, said the event provided an opportunity for military leaders to educate themselves about suicide and the resources available to help service members in need.
“It was very informative and very impor-tant,” said Capt. Georgeanna Green of First Army Division East. “I learned about the services that I can reach out to, to assist someone.”
For more information, visit the Army Suicide Prevention Program website at preventsuicide.army.mil.
Garrison hosts Suicide Stand-down Day
photo by jason kelly
More than 700 service members, Department of the Army civilians and garrison leaders attended the installation’s first community Suicide Stand-down Day on Sept. 26 at the Post Theatre. The mandatory training provided information about the risks of suicide, suicide prevention, and the importance of resiliency for service members, civilians and family members.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil October 4, 2012 SOUNDOFF! �
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By Celena FlowersFamily Advocacy Program manager
The Family Advocacy Program will highlight the dynamics of domestic vio-lence throughout October by hosting sev-eral activities on Fort Meade. This week’s focus is on teens and dating violence.
Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating violence often starts with teasing and name calling. These behaviors are often thought to be a “nor-mal” part of a relationship, but can set the stage for more serious violence like physi-cal assault and even rape.
As teens develop emotionally, they are heavily influenced by their relationship experiences. Healthy relationship behaviors can have a positive effect on a teen’s emo-tional development. Unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships can cause short-term and long-term negative effects, or conse-quences to the developing teen. Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to do poorly in school, and report binge drink-ing, suicide attempts, and physical fighting. Victims may also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships.
Dating violence can be prevented when teens, families, organizations and commu-nities work together to implement effective prevention strategies. The Fort Meade Family Advocacy Program developed a teen initiative program. The Family Advo-cacy Victim Advocates meet with students at the Teen Center to educate teens on the dynamics of domestic violence. Healthy and unhealthy relationships are discussed.
Below are some warning signs of domes-tic violence for teens as well as adults and things to do to get out of an abusive relationship.
Warning signs that you are in an abusive relationship:
If you can answer “yes” to any of the below questions, then your partner is being abusive toward you.
• Are you afraid of your partner or afraid to break up?
• Does your partner call you names, make you feel stupid, or tell you that you can’t do anything right?
• Is your partner extremely jealous?• Does your partner tell you where to go
and who you can and can’t talk to?• Does your partner tell you that no one
else will ever go out with you?• Do you feel cut off from family and
friends because of your partner?
• Do you feel threatened if you say no to touching or sex?
• Have you ever been blamed for having been abused?
• Has your partner ever shoved, grabbed, hit, pinched, held down or kicked you?
• Is your partner really nice sometimes and really mean at other times (almost like they have two different personalities)?
• Does your partner make frequent promises to change or say that they will never hurt you again?
What to do if my partner is abusive and I want out:
• Talk with your parents, another fam-ily member, a friend, your physician, a counselor, a faith or spiritual leader, or someone else you trust. If you remain isolated from friends and family, your abuser has more opportunity to control and abuse you.
• Get help from professionals. Your community will have places you can go for help. Look for help at your physician’s office, rape crisis centers, health services, counseling centers, youth organizations, churches or spiritual centers, and other similar places.
• Educate yourself using information found on the internet.
• If the abuse happens at school, report it to a school counselor or security offi-cer.
• Keep a log of the abuse. You may need it for evidence if you have to take legal action.
• Do not meet the abuser alone. Do not let the abuser in your home or car when you are alone.
• Avoid being alone at school, your job, or on the way to and from places.
• Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.
• Establish a regular time or place to contact someone so they will know to check on you if they do not hear from you as scheduled.
• Develop a safety plan and rehearse what you will do if the abuser becomes abusive.
• Give yourself some space, take a break from dating.
For more information about teen dating violence, assistance with domestic violence issues, or information about October activi-ties, please contact the FAP office at 301-677-5590 or visit ftmeademwr.com/acs/fam-ily_advocacy.php
Dating violence can have long-term toll on teens
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By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer
Students and faculty at the Defense Infor-mation School gained some advice on lead-ership from a Navy officer who served as a leader to more than 300,000 Sailors.
Retired Adm. Vernon E. Clark, the 27th chief of U.S. naval operations, spoke Sept. 25 as part of the inaugural DINFOS Comman-dant’s Lecture Series. During his hourlong presentation, Clark discussed leadership and the importance of public affairs professionals for commands.
Col. Jeremy M. Martin, commandant of DINFOS, said the goal of the lecture program is to expose students to the “influential lead-ers that understand global information envi-ronment and who have served at the highest echelons of our government.
“We have just that person today in Admiral Vern Clark,” Martin said at the event.
Clark served as chief of naval operations from July 2000 until his retirement in July 2005. His five-year tenure is the second longest of any chief of naval operations.
Clark, a professor at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., teaches at the Robertson School of Government and the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.
“I sure appreciate the opportunity to be here today,” he said. “I especially love having the opportunity to rub elbows with the sons and daughters of America again. That was indeed the highest honor to me. ... I never turned down an invitation to go spend time with the public affairs community when I was chief or before.”
Clark began his presentation by talking about leadership, drawing on quotes from Rear Adm. Grace Murray Hopper, who died in 1992, and President Dwight Eisenhower. Clark noted several leadership philosophies and theories of authors and said everybody should be reading one leadership book a month.
“Leaders are not born, leaders have to be made,” he said. “You either accept that or you reject it. But if you’re going to be successful, then I would suggest this is key for us to come to grips with.”
Strong leadership skills are important qualities for public affairs officers, Clark said, because they will be leading from the middle, trying to promote change from a dif-ficult position — reporting and advising their superiors.
“I’m sharing this with you because when go out for your first assignment as a public
affairs officer, some of you are going to find an environment when you need to figure out how to lead some change,” he said. “Usually that happens because the commander doesn’t understand the importance of the whole pub-lic affairs concept.”
Recalling several examples from his career, Clark said public affairs officers were helpful tools since they advised him on how things he said would be heard by the public.
“There aren’t any greatly successful com-mands that don’t have great communication pieces,” Clark said to the service members. “They’re waiting for you out there. Go out there and hit it out of the park. I don’t know how many of those commanders are going to
know how badly they need you. ... I’ll tell you what, our nation needs you to be incredibly successful.”
At the end of his presentation, Clark answered several questions on topics ranging from his interaction with public affairs and his thoughts on current events.
Ensign Frederick Middlebrook, who is in the public affairs qualification course, said he found the lecture informative and useful, tak-ing particular note to be a strong leader and continue to educate himself.
“I think that was very key,” he said, “because we do constantly gather more information to better ourselves as leaders, but also as advisors to people who will be senior to us.”
Taking the leadRetired chief of naval operations speaks at DINFOS lecture series
Photo by Air Force tech. Sgt. JAred MArquiS
Retired Navy Adm. Vernon Clark, the 27th chief of U.S. naval operations, gives leadership advice to faculty and students at the Defense Information School on Sept. 25. Clark was the presenter at the inaugural DINFOS Commandant’s Lecture Series.
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http://www.ftmeade.army.mil October 4, 2012 SOUNDOFF! �
News
By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer
About 835 people attended this year’s 37th annual Retiree Appreciation Day, making it the most successful turnout in its history.
“I think the event was marketed very well,” said Anna Taylor, Fort Meade’s Retirement Services officer.
The daylong event, held Friday at McGill Training Center, was sponsored by Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and the installation’s Retirement Services Office.
More than 15 organizations, including the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities, Fort Meade’s Army Community Service and Army Substance Abuse Program, distributed information about programs and services.
The Francis Scott Key Chapter of the Association of the United States Army pro-vided complimentary coffee and Danish. A seating area was also made available for participants.
“[The event] allows retirees to come and obtain the most current information and updates on retiree benefits and programs,” Taylor said. “A lot of people also reconnect with people they haven’t seen in a while.”
Medical personnel from Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center provided free flu shots and blood pressure and proper posture screenings, as well as information on mam-mograms, colonoscopies, diabetes and proper nutrition. Staffers from the Dental Activity provided free screenings for oral cancer.
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Muriel Wood received a flu shoot and an oral cancer and blood pressure screening.
“This is very helpful,” said Wood, a For-estville resident who retired from a military police unit at Fort Meade in 2005. “They offer services at one time, so I don’t have to make a special trip to my doctor. I also come to stay abreast of what’s going on at Fort Meade.”
Capt. William Biggers, a legal assistance attorney at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and chief of the Fort Meade Tax Center, said he attended the event to “let retir-ees know they are entitled to our services.”
Bigger said retirees are eligible to receive free assistance in preparing taxes, wills and estate planning.
Vicki Galpin, a field representative for Johns Hopkins Medicine, said retirees are eligible for access to Johns Hopkins primary and specialty care physicians and hospitals through the TRICARE Prime option.
“Retirees can receive care in the commu-nity that is local and convenient,” she said.
Military retirees celebrated at Appreciation Day
photo by sarah pastrana
Deborah Wright, a nurse at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, checks retired Sgt. David Lease’s blood pressure during the 37th annual Retiree Appreciation Day on Friday at McGill Training Center. Lease, a Baltimore resident, was among the more than 800 retirees who attended the daylong event, the most successful turnout in the annual event’s history.
For lunch, the retirees were bused from McGill to the Freedom Inn Dining Facility. They later returned to McGill, where they were greeted by Rothstein.
“You’ve got my absolute gratitude ... my thanks and appreciation for everything you do,” Rothstein said.
He noted that retirees continue to serve long after the end of their military career.
“When you take your uniform off, you don’t leave the uniform hanging in the closet,” he said.
Rothstein presented a brief update on developments at Fort Meade, including part-nerships with Howard and Anne Arundel counties to provide golf opportunities for the Fort Meade community; the construction of a new veterans clinic; a new Exchange; and two new child development centers.
Rothstein also discussed Picerne Military Housing’s construction of new garden apart-ments for service members.
“Open communication is critical as we
continue to build,” he said.Rothstein also invited retirees to meet with
him one-on-one during his open door policy hours on Monday afternoon.
The guest speaker was retired Navy Capt. Jim Carman, director of Career Transition Services for the Military Officers Association of America.
MOAA is the nation’s largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, according to its website.
Carman spoke about the federal gov-ernment’s pending sequestration when $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts are due to take place on Jan. 2. The spending cuts are an attempt to reduce the nation’s deficit.
Carman said the sequestration, or “fiscal cliff” as dubbed by many financial journal-ists, calls for a 15 percent across-the-board cut in discretionary spending, including $500 billion for the Department of Defense over the next decade.
“Fortunately, most of the nondiscretion-ary retiree programs that affect many of you are exempted from the direct impact of sequestration,” he said.
However, Carman said there will be a “sig-nificant economic impact” on the country if the proposed cuts are implemented.
Carman urged retirees to contact their elected representatives in Congress and “ask them, respectfully, to do their job.”
He said that Congress, in its lame-duck ses-sion after the presidential election, must work to resolve the nation’s budget crisis.
Carman also spoke about MOAA’s live and virtual career fairs for veterans, military spouses and federal employees and its nation-wide job and resume bank for senior enlisted service members.
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Al Eisner, a resident of Silver Spring, call the event “outstand-ing.”
“It’s just the fact that they reach out to vet-erans and that we’re not forgotten,” he said.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
News
PHOTO BY marine PvT. rOnald Brink
Col. Danny Jaghab, commander of Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, is administered a flu shot by Sgt. Lawrence Stone, KACC Allergy/Immu-nization Section, at the Fort Meade Partner Commander’s Luncheon held at Club Meade on Sept. 27. Jaghab, along with Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, both received flu shots at the luncheon to kick off the 2012-13 Influenza Vaccination Campaign.
Flu shots offered through OctoberKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center is providing walk-in flu vaccinations at the following times and places:• Tuesday through Oct. 12: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., McGill Training Center, Room 6, active-duty family members, retirees and their family members, and DoD civilian employees• Oct. 15-17: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., McGill Training Center, Room 6, active-duty family members, retirees and their family members, and DoD civilian employees• Oct. 19 and Oct. 22-26: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., McGill Training Center, ballroom. Soldiers Readiness Processing and active-duty service members. Reserve and National Guard personnel must be in a duty status to participate.• Oct. 29-31: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., McGill Training Center, Room 6, active-duty service members, active-duty family members, retirees and their family members, and DoD civilian employees.
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http://www.ftmeade.army.mil12 SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
Cover Story
By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer
After three years of falling short, Defense Information School faculty members from Air/Land Services have regained their brag-ging rights from the Sea Services, by snagging the coveted Seat du Toilet.
The Air/Land team, made up of Airmen and Soldier instructors at DINFOS, defeated Sea Services 13-7 in the Toilet Bowl on Fri-day. Members of the Sea Services were still able to balance out the bowl by winning the student game 19-14.
The annual event, held at Mullins Field, also featured halftime events including a mummy race, pie-in-the-face contest and food.
“We talk the Toilet Bowl up for almost three months,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Nel-
son Jr., a basic still photography instructor. “It’s a real big deal. It’s almost like a mini Super Bowl.”
The Toilet Bowl started as a fall family picnic for faculty and students 33 years ago when DINFOS was located at Benjamin Harrison, Ind., and evolved into a heated rivalry between the faculty members and the students.
Trash talk between the teams began about a month ago when the school held a bake sale to determine who had home field advantage. Talk continued to escalate until Friday’s games.
“Everybody is just trying to get the upper hand on each other,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brian Lehnhardt, a basic still photography instruc-tor. “It just goes to show you how serious these folks take this.”
Flushing good timeDINFOS service members, faculty compete in annual Toilet Bowl game
Festivities kicked off with the coin toss conducted by the master of ceremonies, “King John.” According to tradition, King John is the ruler of the Kingdom of the Porta Potty and only leaves his palace once a year for the pregame ceremonial toss. Since 2004, DINFOS provost Mike Gannon has worn the red velvet robe and crown as he walks to midfield with a plunger in hand.
“I really enjoy it,” he said. “It’s fun.”Having attended the event for nine years,
Gannon knows the team’s records and what’s at stake for both faculty and students.
“It’s a lot of trash talk,” he said of the rivalries. “This year, the Sea Services have won three in a row. Those land guys aren’t going to take this easy.”
Heading into this year’s Toilet Bowl, Sea Services was riding a three-year win streak. Last year’s faculty game ended in controversy when an Air/Land receiver thought he had scored a game-winning touchdown as time expired. However, the referee called him down at the 1-yard line — giving Sea Services the 8-6 win.
This year’s Toilet Bowl started out as a defensive battle as both teams were held scoreless heading into halftime, but Nelson’s two second-half touchdowns carried Air/Land to the 13-7 victory.
“It feels great,” Nelson said of the win. “They’re going to hear it for a year. I’ll be back next year, so we’re going to do the same thing. Last year was a fluke, and it feels great to break their streak — something good to start off my weekend.”
The students played their game later in the afternoon. Last year, the Air/Land team won 34-28 in overtime, but this year Sea Services secured a 19-14 win. Sea Services quarterback Seaman Apprentice Clay Iliff threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran one in himself.
“I got a lot of help from my linemen on those passes,” he said. “And I wouldn’t be able to do anything without my running back.”
The students’ win helped Sea Services hold onto one of its bragging rights this year.
“The faculty can talk as much as they want, but the students can’t say anything now,” Iliff said.
In between the games, DINFOS and USO-Metro sponsored a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and wings. During the hour
intermission, students also participated in a mummy race and a bidding war to throw pies in the face of a faculty member.
For the mummy race, teams of three wrapped four rolls of toilet paper around a runner. Once all the paper was draped on the service member, the runner then sprinted across the football field. Whoever made it to the end of the field the fastest, with the least amount of toilet paper falling off, won the race.
In the background to the race and lunch, students bid on which faculty members would take a pie to the face. The most popular bid was 1st Sgt. Marlon Green. Eventually $460.50 was raised to pie Green. The money will be put in a fund for future DINFOS events.
“It’s pretty good,” Green said. “Soldiers have fun — it’s building a little morale.”
Despite taking three pies in the face, Green said the Toilet Bowl is a good way for service members to unwind from classes and the daily tasks of the military.
“We have some high standards and work them hard and long, so to give them a chance to come out and relax and be human, we gotta do it,” he said. “This is a great oppor-tunity for them.”
Staff Sgt. Joseph diGirolamo breaks away from the Air/Land defender during the Defense Information School’s annual Toilet Bowl faculty football game at Mullins Field. Air/Land broke a three-year losing streak with the 13-7 victory.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil October 4, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 13
photos by sarah pastrana
ABOVE: (right) Seaman Luis Rodriguez and Seaman Recruit William Blees celebrate their team’s completion of the mummy run during halftime of the Defense Information School’s Toilet Bowl on Friday. Students and faculty members participated various competitions between football games.
TOP CENTER: Soldiers wrap Sgt. 1st Class JR Williams in toilet paper during the mummy run on Friday at Mullins Field. Teams of three wrapped four rolls of toilet paper around a runner, once all the paper was draped on the service member, the runner then sprinted across the football field.
LEFT: 1st Sgt. Marlon Green wipes a whipped cream pie off his while Defense Information School students cheer. Students donated $460.50 for the chance to hit Green with the pies.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil14 SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
SportS
By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer
Two years after a work order was submitted for a new floor and speaker system, the aerobics room at Gaffney Fitness Center is finally equipped for its aerobics classes.
Closed for about two weeks for the renovations, the aerobics room opened for classes Monday with upgrades that include a new rubberized floor with more padding and a new sound system with larger speakers, a new CD player, iPod dock and headset for instructors.
“The flooring was older; it was origi-nally from when we had the cardio equipment downstairs,” said Lauren Williams, acting chief of athletics, fit-ness and aquatics. “There were old outlets in the floor, which is a tripping
In shape: Gaffney renovates aerobics roomMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
10-10:45 A.M. Power Pump Zumba Power Pump Indoor Cycling
4:30-5:30 P.M. Zumba
5:15-6 P.M. Water Aerobics Water Aerobics FRIDAY
5:15-6:15 P.M. Step Sculpt Indoor Cycling/Yoga
Indoor Cycling Indoor Cycling/Yoga
6:30-7:30 P.M. Power Pump Zumba Power Pump Zumba
SATURDAYZumba
9:30-10:30 a.m.
hazard. It didn’t have as much give to it for aerobics, so we upgraded it.”
In addition to the rubber material, the floor also was leveled out and a thicker padding added to give more cushion to accommodate the step, yoga, power pump and Zumba classes held
there. The outlets in the floor also were removed, taking away the tripping hazard.
The new speaker system was request-ed by the instructors.
“Before, they were working on a lit-tle stand-alone system,” Williams said.
“This will be much better.”Once the floor and upgrades were
installed, the room opened Monday for a new schedule of courses.
“The floor is a great improvement to the room,” Williams said. “It will be better for our aerobics program.”
file photo
youth fIshInG rodeo oct. 13The annual Youth Fishing Rodeo, for ages 3 to 16, will be held Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burba Lake. Registration will be held the day of the event from 9 a.m. to noon at Burba Lake Cottage. The free event is hosted by Outdoor Recreation and the Fort Meade Rod & Gun Club.The lake will be stocked by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. State regulations will be in effect. Participants must provide their own fishing gear and bait. Youth will be divided into three age divisions. Awards will be presented for each age group. Burba Lake will be closed to all other fishing prior to Oct. 13. For more information, call Outdoor Recreation at 301-677-3810 or 301-677-3825.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil October 4, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 15
SportS
Sports Shorts
Commander’s CupThe Eisenhower Golf Course in Crownsville will host the Commander’s
Cup on Oct. 26.Tournament includes driving range balls, greens fee, cart, dinner, unlimited
drinks and prizes.Cost is $100 per person or $375 for a foursome.Registration is held at the Lanes and at the Conference Center.For more information, call 301-677-4333.
Ghost, Ghoul and Goblin 5K Run and 1-Mile WalkThe installation’s annual Run Series continues with the Ghost, Ghoul and
Goblin 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk on Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. at the Pavilion.The pre-registration cost for individuals is $15. Cost on the day of the run
is $25.The pre-registration cost for groups of seven to 10 is $85.The pre-registration cost is $40 for a family of three to six people. On the
day of the event, the cost is $60 per family.All pre-registered runners will receive a T-shirt.The next run will be the Turkey Trot 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk on Nov. 17
at Murphy Field HouseFor more information, call 301-677-7916.
NFL SundayThe Lanes’ lounge is a showing venue for NFL games this football season,
with the exception of local blackouts, on eight, 42-inch high-definition flat-screen televisions. Food service and full bar are available.
For more information, call 301-677-5541.
Texas Hold ‘emTexas Hold ‘em no buy-in games are played Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Lanes.Games are free and open to the public. For more information, call 301-677-5541.
Dollar DaysThe Lanes offers Dollar Days every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Bowlers receive a game of bowling, shoe rental, a hot dog, hamburger,
small fries, pizza slice or small soda for $1 each.For more information, call 301-677-5541.
Hey, guess what?Tony Romo just threw another pick-6
against the Bears bit.ly/T0TyXW, and Jim Furyk missed another gimmie putt at Medi-nah, yhoo.it/StjWrN, which happens to be pretty close to Chicago.
But fortunately, Team USA isn’t the only group that choked things away in the Windy City. The Chicago White Sox also managed to find a way to cough up a large lead and because of their weak constitution, I’m able to write this beautiful sentence: The Detroit Tigers are your American League Central Division champions.
Those words are more than enough to make this man go “Gangnam Style” like it’s nobody’s business youtube.com/watch?v=TTqpEJh03fI.
But before I do, I need to spend a few moments on the biggest faux debate going on in America. No, I’m not talking about whatever our presidential candidates blath-ered about during last night’s debate, which I can pretty much sum up for you right now even though I’m writing this 10 hours before it is scheduled to begin:
Republican to Democrat: You hate rich people.
The Democratic response: You hate poor people.
Both will agree our military is great, and that the moderator is biased.
Now the fake debate I’m referring to is the one being promulgated on sports talk radio. It centers around who should be the AL MVP - Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera or LA Angels rookie phenom Mike Trout.
Baseball has always been a master of hyperbole and making people care about what nonfans rightly view as pap. In fact, it is fair to argue that our national pastime wouldn’t be what it is if not for the meaning-less debate: Babe Ruth versus Barry Bonds, Roger Maris’ asterisks, swing away or sacri-fice, DH or no DH.
But even I have to admit that the game has topped itself this time in how they have spun this choice over who should be crowned the best player in baseball.
Basically, this decision is billed as the vote that will determine if baseball greatness will continue to be evaluated by the same statistics used since Dickey Pearce invented the bunt in the 1870s — little things like home runs, RBI, batting average, wins, ERA and saves.
Or, will it be judged by sabermetrics?
That is defined as the statistical and mathemati-cal analysis of baseball records, and argues that the statistics men-tioned above are basically meaning-less and should be scrapped for statistics like run differential, on-base percentage plus slugging, and the acronym at the center of this year’s debate — the appropriately named WAR, wins above replacement.
WAR is a single number that presents the number of wins the player added to the team above what a replacement player would have given. Basically, it asks how much value the team would lose if the player being rated was injured and had to be replaced with a minor leaguer or someone from their bench fangraphs.com/library/index.php/misc/war/.
For example, this season Mike Trout’s WAR is currently 10.3, while Miggy’s is 7.1. And by that logic, Trout should be MVP because a computer determined he’s worth more to his team. Not to mention he is a far superior defender and is probably going to be the first rookie ever to hit 30 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.
Now don’t get me wrong, Trout has had a great season. I mean people in the know, young and old alike, are comparing the dude to Mickey Mantle. It is well-earned praise that says a lot. I’m also not saying that sabermetrics don’t have a place in baseball. If nothing else, there’d be no fantasy baseball without it.
But let’s be real. Cabrera is going to win the triple crown, which for those of you who do not know what that means, he’s going to lead baseball in home runs, RBI and batting average in the same season. It hasn’t been done since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967 and has only been done nine times since 1900.
Plus, even though Trout’s WAR may be higher, the fact of the matter is when the baseball playoffs start this weekend, Cabrera is going to be standing in the batter’s box fighting for a World Series ring. Trout, on the other hand, will be fishing.
If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at [email protected].
A Big Fish Tale
Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs
Officer
Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil16 SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
Community news & notes
The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All submissions are posted at the editor’s dis-cretion and may be edited for space and grammar. Look for additional community events on the Fort Meade website at www.ftmeade.army.mil and the Fort Meade Facebook page at facebook.com/ftmeade.
For more information or to submit an announcement, email Philip Jones at [email protected] or call 301-677-5602.
Bagger licensingNew bagger licensing for the Fort
Meade Commissary is suspended until further notice.
The program and process for issuing licenses are currently under review by the garrison command sergeant major.
As soon as the new procedures are in place, notification will be made through command information channels.
Death NoticeAnyone with debts owed to or by the
estate of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Curtis E. Stephens must contact Capt. Thomas Emerson, the Summary Court Martial officer for the Soldier.
Stephens passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Sept. 12.
The Air Force is now accepting applications for its prior service enlistment program, which allows qualified individuals the opportunity to return to active duty through direct duty or select retraining opportunities.
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements outlined in AFRSI 36-2001. The PS program is open to any qualified applicant who graduated from a Basic Military Training program.
The PS program will accept a limited number of applicants during fiscal year 2013. The program is subject to change based upon Air Force needs.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis
For more information, contact the following Air Force recruiting offices in the area: Baltimore at 410-391-5950; Glen Burnie at 410-766-3184; and Laurel at 240-568-0116.
PHOTO BY JOnaTHan E. agEE
celebrating hispanic heritageGuitarist Jonathan Epley of the U.S. Army Field Band performs “Azulano” by Jayme Ovalle on Sept. 27 at Argonne Hills Chapel Center. The song was one of five selections performed by members of the Army Field Band in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Fort Meade.The Fort Meade military community is invited to commemorate the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8542 Zimborski Ave.Admission is free and open to the public.The keynote speaker is Nelson A. Diaz, who served as a judge for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 1981 through 1993.The event will feature Latin dancers and food sampling.All Fort Meade service members and civilians employees are encouraged to attend with supervisory approval and without charge to annual leave. Administrative leave is authorized.For more information, call the Fort Meade Equal Opportunity Office at 301-677-6687 or the Equal Employment Opportunity Office at 301-677-6298.
Meade High flea marketVendors and crafters are needed for
Meade High School’s flea market on Oct. 20.
Cost to rent a 6-foot table is $15.For more information, email meade-
[email protected] or call Teresa Tapp at 410-491-9811 or 410-859-1007.
Energy open houseThe Directorate of Public Works is
hosting an open house in October as part of Energy Awareness Month at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.
The theme is “Team up to Energy Action Month.”
Information about energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation is available through Oct. 12 from 9 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 15 to 17 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Oct. 22 to 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
During the open house, the Public Health Command will administer influenza vaccinations to service members, civilians, retirees and dependents.
For more information, call 301-677-9569.
EFMP parent-child therapy
The Exceptional Family Member Program is offering a Parent-Child Interaction Therapy program on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Army Community Service, 830 Chisholm Ave.
Therapists from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore will present family-based strategies for addressing
common childhood behaviors including: noncompliance, defiance, tantrums, power struggles, aggression and inattention.
Registration is required.To register, call Kelly Burger at
Latin Club Night on Friday and Nov. 2 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Club Meade.
There is no cover charge. Cash bar is available.
For more information, call 301-677-6969.
Bingo BonanzaThe Fort Meade Officers’ Spouses’
Club will sponsor its 13th Annual Bingo Bonanza on Friday at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m.
The event also will feature door prizes, raffles and food.
Pre-sale tickets get an extra 20 games book.
Buy your tickets online at fortmead-eosc.org/bingo-bonanza-2012 or email the bingo chairperson at [email protected].
Chicago Style Steppin’Dance the night away at Chicago
Style Steppin on Oct. 12 and 26 from 7 to 11:30 p.m. at Club Meade.
Beginners can receive free lessons from 7 to 8 p.m.
This event is free. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
For more information, call 301-677-6969.
Military choirs in concertThe Collective Protestant Gospel
Service will celebrate the 37th anniversary of the Adult Gospel Choir Ministry with a concert on Oct. 21 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.
The concert will feature military choirs from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The event is open to the public.For more information, email Sabrina
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil October 4, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 17
Community news & notes
a ‘Spooktacular’ Quarter Auction on Oct. 26 at Jessup Community Hall, 2920 Jessup Road, Jessup.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Game play begins at 7 p.m.
The event will feature 10 vendors auctioning off items of their own company. Prizes range from one-quarter bids up to four-quarter bids.
Food and raffles will be available. A raffle will be held for all registrants in costume.
Register online for an extra paddle or choice of raffle ticket to be added to the “magic paddle” drawing.
Purchase tickets online at ftmeadeesc.org. Registration will be open at the door.
Parents’ Night OutChild, Youth and School Services
will offer Parents’ Night Out on Oct. 19 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Registration is required. Limited slots are available.
The event is open to children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. All children must be registered with CYSS to participate.
Cost is $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child.
For more information or to register, call Parent Central Services at 301-677-1149 or 301-677-1156.
Auto care coursesThe Automotive Skills Center at 6530
Taylor Ave. offers monthly courses from 1 to 3 p.m.
Cost is $10 per class.Active-duty service members, DoD
civilians, retired and Reserve personnel and their family members are eligible.
An FMWR card is required to use the center. New patrons must first view a 20-minute safety video, then attend a 10-minute briefing.
The following courses are offered:• Basic Welding 101: Oct. 14• How to replace brake pads & shoes:
Oct. 28For more information, call 301-677-
5542.
Career, financial classesArmy Community Service and the Fleet
and Family Support Center offer free classes at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave., to DoD identification cardholders, including active-duty service members, retirees and their family members,
DoD civilian employees and contractors.Registration is required for each class.• Develop Savings Plans: Today, 1 to 3
p.m.• Financial Management: Tuesday, 9 to
11 a.m.• Stress Management: Oct. 15, 9 to 11
a.m.• Thrift Savings Plans: Oct. 16, 9 to 11
a.m.• Federal Employment: Oct. 16, 9 a.m.
to noon• Employment Support Group: Oct. 17,
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.• Navy Spouse “Meet and Greet”: Oct.
18, 10 a.m. to noon• Medical records review: Have your
medical records reviewed by Mr. Thornton of AMVETS. Appointment required at 301-677-9017.
For more information, call ACS at 301-677-5590 or the Fleet Center at 301-677-9017.
Little Meade Mustangs preschool
Meade High School’s Preschool program Little Meade Mustangs has available openings for children ages 3 1/2 years old, 4 and 5.
The preschool will be held one to two days per week for two semesters.
The fee is $30 per semester.For more information, email Amanda
Hallelujah FestivalThe Fort Meade Religious Support
Office will sponsor its annual Hallelujah Festival, for children ages 3 to 12, on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pavilion.
The event will feature fun, food and games, a moon bounce, crafts, prizes and grab bags.
For more information, call Marcia Eastland at 301-677-0386.
Story TimeThe Medal of Honor Memorial
Library offers pre-kindergarten Story Time on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m. or 10:30 to 11 a.m.
• Today: “Monkeys”• Oct. 11: Two Ways Out!”• Oct. 18: “Silly Stories and Giggles”• Oct. 25: “Trick or Treat — Books
are Neat”For more information, call 301-
677-5522 or 301-677-4509 or visit
ftmeademwr.com.
Out & About• The 43rd annual U.S. Sailboat Show will
be held today through Monday at the City Dock & Harbor in Annapolis.
Today is VIP Day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. VIP tickets cost $36.
Hours Friday to Sunday are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $4 for children ages 7 to 12.
The event features daily seminars, interac-tive workshops, sailing equipment, mainte-nance products, racing and cruising boats, multihull sailboats and a grand prize drawing. No animals other than service dogs allowed. Baby strollers are discouraged.
• Visit the National Wildlife Visitor Center, off Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 197, on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Patux-ent Wildlife Festival. This free family event will feature a variety of activities. Children’s musical entertainer Ryan Buckle and Friends will perform at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center.
Visitors can view live animals, participate in interactive displays and programs, and engage children in nature craft activities. Wildlife habitat tram tours introduce visitors to wildlife habitats, land management and research. Visitors can also go on guided hikes and explore trails.
For more information or directions, visit fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/.
• The Civilian Welfare Fund invites all Fort Meade personnel and their families and friends to participate in the CWF Family Fun Day at HersheyPark in Hershey, Pa., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost is $27 dollars per ticket; regular admission is normally $56.95. Meal tickets are available for $13.50. No cost for parking.
The park will be closed to the general public. To purchase tickets, call CWF at 301-688-7337 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• The 36th Annual Maryland Renaissance Festival is being held Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 21 at 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis.
Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $10 for children. Active military personnel with appropriate photo ID can purchase tickets at the group discount price. Food, beverage, games and some craft vendors are cash only.
For more information, call 800-296-7304 or 410-266-7304 or visit rennfest.com.
• Leisure Travel Services is offering a Reggae and Wine Trip on Oct. 20 to the Linganore Wine Festival in Mount Airy. Bus departs at 9 a.m.
Registration is required by Saturday. Cost is $50.
Sounds of the Caribbean will fill the vineyard as participants enjoy the multiple artisan stands, food vendors, tours and wine tastings. For more information, call 301-677-7354.
For more information, visit usboat.com/us-sailboat-show/home.
• Hearts Apart will host “A Day at the Maryland Sunrise Farm” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Sunrise Farm, 100 Dairy Lane, Gambrills. The free event will include a corn maze, hay jump, hay maze, games and refreshments. The event is open to all military branches and DoD civilians.
Registration is required by Oct. 19.For more information and registration,
call 301-677-0917, 301-677-4138 or 301-677-4110.
• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trips to New York City on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10, with discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.
• Monthly Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Garrison Chaplain’s Office, is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at Club Meade. The next prayer breakfast is today.
The guest speaker is Chaplain (Capt.) Angel Berrios, 308th Military Intelligence Battalion chaplain.
All Fort Meade employees, family members, and civilian and military personnel are invited. There is no cost for the buffet; donations are optional. For more information, call 301-677-6703 or email [email protected].
• Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is tonight in the banquet hall in back of the building. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County conducts a free support group for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
EDUCATION
YOUTH
RECREATION
MEETINGS
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil18 SOUNDOFF! October 4, 2012
Community news & notes movies
The movie schedule is subject to change. For a recorded announcement of showings, call 301-677-5324. Further listings are available on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service website at www.aafes.com.
Movies start Wednesdays to Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. NEW PRICES: Tickets are $5 for adults (12 and older) and $2.50 for children.
Today through Oct. 21
Today: “Total Recall” (PG-13). In a future where people escape reality by experiencing others’ memories, a factory worker tries it out and begins to believe he’s really a spy. With Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel.
Friday & Sunday: “Sparkle” (R). Set in the 1960s, three sisters form girl group and soon become local sensations with major label interest, but fame becomes a challenge as the close-knit family begins to fall apart. With Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston.
Saturday & Wednesday: “Hit and Run” (R). A young couple risks everything when they leave their small town and embark on a road trip. With Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper.
Oct. 11, 12: “The Expendables 2” (R). A group of mercenaries seek vengeance for a murdered comrade. With Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis.
Oct. 13: FREE Screening - Studio Appreciation Night. Tickets available at the Exchange Food Court. Seating open to non-ticket holders 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Oct. 14, 17, 19: “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” (PG). A young boy who appears mysteriously brings magic into the lives of a husband and wife. With CJ Adams, Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Dianne Wiest Leary.
Oct. 18, 20, 21: “ParaNorman” (PG). Animated film in which Norman, a boy who can speak with the dead, must defend his town against a centu-ries-old curse. With Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick.
PHOTO BY saraH PasTrana
he’s got your prescriptionSamson Robinson, prevention coordinator at Fort Meade’s Army Sub-stance Abuse Program, holds a bucket of prescription medications to promote the installation’s Community Prescription Take-Back Day on Saturday at the Exchange. The event, which was co-sponsored by the Fort Meade Pharmacy and the Directorate of Emergency Services, gave the Fort Meade community the opportunity to dispose of unneeded, unused and expired medications.
MEETINGS
at the Odenton (West County) Library, 1325 Annapolis Road. The next meeting is tonight. For more information, visit namiaac.org.
• Enlisted Spouses Club meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is Monday. For more information, visit ftmeadeesc.org or email [email protected].
• Single Parent Support Group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at School Age Services, 1900 Reece Road. The next meeting is Monday. Free child care will be provided on site.
For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email [email protected].
• NARFE Chapter 1519 will meet Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, 7436 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Glen Burnie.
The speaker is Phillip Simkin, director of Community Education and Outreach for Louden Cemetery, who will discuss company provisions, benefits to customers, and information on preparations leading up to one’s final days.
For more information or to join, call Diane Shreves, publicity chairman, at 410-760-3750.
• Spouse Connection meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood, 4998 Second Corps Blvd. The next meeting is Tuesday. The program provides an opportunity for all spouses in the Fort Meade community and surrounding area to meet and get connected. For more information, call 301-677-4110 or email [email protected].
• Bridging the Gap deployment support group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets the second Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is Tuesday. For more information, call Sharon Collins at 301-667-4116 or email [email protected].
• Fort Meade TOP III Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is Wednesday. The association is open to all Air Force active-duty and retired senior noncommissioned officers. For more information, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email [email protected].
