Soundoff july 17_2013

Off LimitsNew areas, local businesses added to restricted list

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cOmmandingCol. Mullen takes charge of 1st Recruiting Brigade

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Soundoff!́vol. 65 no. 28 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community July 18, 2013

all hands on deck

Ariya Turner, 8, practices a handstand at the cheernastics mini camp offered by Fort Meade’s SKIES program on Monday evening at the Youth Center. This month’s four-week camp began July 8 and ends July 29. For the story, see Page 12.

photo by noah scialom

UPcOming EVEntstOday, 7 P.m.: The U.S. Army Blues Summer Concert - Constitution ParktOday, 7-10 P.m.: Karaoke Night - The LanesJULy 25, 7 P.m.: U.S. Navy Next Wave Jazz Ensemble Concert - Constitution ParkJULy 25, 7-9 P.m.: Trivia Night - The LanesaUg. 1, 7 P.m.: “Backbone of the Army - NCO Concert” - Constitution Park

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! July 18, 2013

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................14

CrimeWatch................. 3 Movies.................................19

Community................. 17 Classified.............................20

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 the Baltimore Sun Media Group

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Last week, the Fort Meade Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board held its quarterly meeting.

Following the meeting, the board presented me with several recommendations for establish-ments or areas that should either be added or removed from the Fort Meade off-limits list due to safety concerns or unethical business practices.

As many of you know, maintaining a list of off-limit businesses is a common practice at most military installations. The list outlines areas and establishments where service members are not allowed to go to for their own protection.

Civilian employees and family members of service members are not required to obey the order. However, I always recommend they avoid areas and businesses on the list.

The list typically includes establishments that engage in activities that could be detrimental to service members, including places found to have issues with unfair commercial practices, prostitu-tion, high crime, or alcohol and drugs.

The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board is one of the tools that I, as the garrison com-mander, can use to identify, investigate, report and act on conditions within the Fort Meade community that in any way adversely affects the health, safety, welfare, morale and discipline of the armed forces and their families.

One establishment, the Exxon Gas Station located at 7898 Ridge Road in Hanover, has been returned to the off-limits list.

The gas station was returned to the list for continuing to sell the synthetic marijuana prod-uct known as Spice. This local business outside the Rockenbach Road gate was originally placed on the off-limits list in January. However, after the station manager presented arguments to the board that it no longer sold the product, the AFDCB recommended that the gas station be removed from the off-limits list in February.

Most recently, the drug task force informed the board that its surveillance of the establish-ment showed that the Exxon station has contin-ued to sell synthetic marijuana products to Fort Meade service members.

The AFDCB and I take our responsibility for maintaining this list very seriously. The require-ments that it takes to place an establishment or area on the off-limits list are quite stringent.

We make every effort to fully investigate and review any activity that is recommended for the off-limits consideration.

On a good note, Little Falls Park in Potomac

has been removed from the off-limits list. The area was initially placed on the list due to safety concerns about the rapids in the area. However, after the board was briefed by the National Park Service, it was recommended that the area be removed from the list.

Please note, it is still illegal and unsafe for anyone to swim or dive at the park. But the board and I see no reason why service members and their families should not be allowed to enjoy the beauty of Little Falls Park and have fun participating in safe boating and rafting activities there.

The board also heard from Anne Arundel County Police who patrol housing areas that were on the off-limits list. Two neighborhoods, Meade Village, located at Reece Road in Severn, and Arwell Court, also in Severn, were on the off-limits list because of concerns about high crime.

However, after hearing that the police officers believe the major concerns for these two neigh-borhoods have been alleviated and that they feel confident these areas should not be singled out for prohibition, the neighborhoods have been removed from the list.

I know that no business, area or neighbor-hood wants to be placed on the off-limits list. My hope and their goal should be to correct the shortfalls or circumstances that led them to being placed on the list. There is an appeals process to take an area off the list.

Service members, family members and civilian workers can also alert the AFDCB of potentially dangerous areas or questionable establishments by reporting the situation to their chain of com-mand.

As you have heard me say many times, the health, safety, welfare, morale and discipline of service members and their families are a top priority at Fort Meade. I will continue to do all I can to keep everyone safe.

Have a great week.Editor’s note: To view the full list of off-limits

establishments and areas, visit ftmeade.army.mil.

Off-limits list protects community

COL. Edward C. rOthstEin

Garrison Commander

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 18, 2013 SOUNDOFF! �

News

Fort Meade Public AffairsFollowing its quarterly meeting last

week, the Fort Meade Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board made rec-ommendations to Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein to remove several locations from the list of establish-ments deemed off limits to Fort Meade service members.

The board also recommended placing one local business back on the list of prohibited establishments.

Based on reports from the Metro-politan Area Drug Task Force, the Exxon station, located at 7898 Ridge Road in Hanover, was returned to the off-limits list for continuing to sell the synthetic marijuana product known as Spice.

Originally placed on the off-limits list in January, the station owner presented arguments to the board that the estab-lishment no longer sold the product. The AFDCB removed the establishment from the list in February.

Most recently, however, the drug task force informed AFDCB membership that its surveillance of the establishment revealed that the Exxon station has con-tinued to sell synthetic marijuana prod-ucts to Fort Meade service members.

“Placing a business, locale or activity on the off-limits list is not something the board or the garrison commander takes lightly,” said Lt. Col. Marion Bakalorz, Headquarters Company commander and

chairperson of the board. “The require-ments to place an activity on the off-limits list are stringent. We make every effort to fully investigate and review any activity that is recommended for off-limits con-sideration.”

In addition, the board heard from the National Parks Service in relation to the Little Falls Park area in Potomac, which has been on the off-limits list due to safety concerns about the rapids in the area. After deliberating on information pro-vided by the park service, the board rec-ommended Little Falls Park be removed from the list.

“Let’s be clear. It is illegal and unsafe for anyone to swim or dive in this area of the park,” Bakalorz said. “That said, we see no reason why service members should not be allowed to enjoy the beauty of Little Falls Park and to engage in safe boating and rafting there.”

During the same meeting, the AFDCB heard from Anne Arundel County police officers who patrol housing areas that were on the off limits list. Meade Vil-lage, located at Reece Road in Severn, and Arwell Court in Severn were placed on the off-limits list because of concerns about high crime in the neighborhoods.

“No neighborhood is without crime,” Bakalorz said. “The patrol officers believe the major concerns for these two neigh-borhoods have been alleviated and they felt confident that they should not be

singled out for prohibition.”Service members assigned to Fort

Meade are barred from going to any off-limits establishment or areas for any reason. Service members who go to these establishments may be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The AFDCB is an installation function whose goal is to protect service members and their families by warning them of unsafe areas to avoid or unethical busi-ness practices.

The AFDCB provides the garrison commander with a tool to identify, inves-tigate, report and act on conditions within the Fort Meade community that in any way adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, morale and discipline of the armed forces and their families.

A business or activity under consid-eration for off-limits status is officially notified, and the proprietor is offered the opportunity to appear before the board prior to the board’s recommendation to the garrison commander.

Even after an activity is placed on the off-limits list, the board continues to maintain visibility of the establishment or activity. Removal from off-limits status requires a board recommendation to the garrison commander.

If the business or activity resolves the issue that led to its placement on the off-limits list, it can petition the board to be removed from the list.

Significant changes to off-limits listFort Meade off-limits list

• Around the Clock Locksmith, Pasadena: Unethical business practices• Exxon Gas Station, 1318 Annapolis Road, Odenton: Selling Spice• Exxon Gas Station, 7898 Ridge Road, Hanover: Selling Spice• Tobacco Stop, 3351 Corridor Marketplace, Laurel: Selling Spice

July 5, Larceny of government property: A unit was patrolling Fort Meade when he stopped three individuals for larceny of a traffic sign. The officer observed three individuals stopped on the side of the road and a woman kneeling down, unscrewing a traffic sign.

July 7, Assaulting, resisting or impeding cer-tain officers or employees, drunk/disorderly: The Directorate of Emergency Services was notified of an adult female guest being disorderly and unruly in Army lodging. Units were dispatched and made contact with the subject who refused to leave. The subject admitted to drinking alcohol and taking prescription medication. The subject was disorderly and belligerent with units as they attempted to contact someone to pick her up. The subject kicked a police officer in the chest twice as he was attempting to place her in the vehicle for transport to the DES.

July 10, Spouse abuse, simple assault: The Direc-torate of Emergency Services was notified of a possible domestic assault in progress. An investi-gation revealed that the subject and victim were in a verbal domestic dispute over a Facebook posting, which turned physical when the subject assaulted her spouse, leaving marks on his neck.

July 13, Wrongful sexual contact: Two witnesses stated they observed the subject commit a sexual act against the subject, who was passed out in the back seat of their vehicle.

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

By Sgt. Amy Christopherson704th MI Brigade Public Affairs

Though the concept of warrant offi-cers in the military is said to date back to Napolean’s time, the official birthday of the Army’s Warrant Officer Corps was July 9, 1918.

The 704th Military Intelligence Bri-gade observed the Warrant Officer Corps’ 95th birthday on July 9 at Fort Meade.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wendy Way-man, the signals intelligence senior tech-nical advisor, hosted the event.

Wayman, the brigade’s senior warrant officer who has a total of 29 years in the Army including 17 years as a warrant, began by reviewing the history of the corps. After a look-back through the years past, Wayman summarized the future of the corps.

“To boil it down, it is our job to find the best and the brightest noncommis-sioned officers to follow in our foot-steps,” she said.

The most experienced warrant officer present and the newest, Warrant Officer Ava Thompson, with Bravo Company 742nd MI Battalion, cut the birthday cake. Thompson, who has only been a warrant officer for six days, expressed a common sentiment about wanting to be a warrant.

“The first warrant officer I ever met was the most knowledgeable person I ever met,” she said. “He made me decide this is where I want to go in my own career.”

Wayman shared a similar sentiment about one of her first mentors.

“He was the epitome of warrant offi-cers,” she said. “He knew everything,

and if there was something he didn’t know, he would find out. He was a mentor, friend and an example to live up to.”

According to the definition devel-oped by the Army in 1985, a warrant officer is “an officer appointed by war-rant by the Secretary of the Army, based upon a sound level of technical and tactical competence. The warrant officer is the highly specialized expert and trainer who, by gaining progres-sive levels of expertise and leadership, operates, maintains, administers, and manages the Army’s equipment, sup-port activities, or technical systems for an entire career.”

Wayman said that is why she wanted to become a warrant officer.

“I love my job,” she said. “And I knew I wanted to keep doing it long-term.”

Warrant officers look at history, future at 95th birthday


News

By Staff Sgt. Dillon White70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance WingPublic Affairs Office

More than 300 Airmen from the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnais-sance Wing converged July 10 on McGla-chlin Parade Field under a light rain to witness Col. Kevin Dixon accept the wing’s flag and render a parting salute to Col. Mary O’Brien.

Maj. Gen. John Shanahan, Air Force ISR Agency commander and presiding officer, delivered opening comments, prais-ing the wing’s achievements.

“It is no accident that Fort Meade remains one of our nation’s national secu-rity crown jewels,” he said. “It is the direct result of the terrific relationships between all the organizations across this installa-tion.

“To the men and women of this wing, you are the engine of this wing, its very heart and soul … who have helped Colonel O’Brien lead this wing to unprec-edented accomplishments over the past few years.”

O’Brien is the new vice commander of the Air Force ISR Agency headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

In his remarks, Shanahan also high-lighted several of the wing’s significant accomplishments. For example, Airmen completed the stand-up of the 659th ISR Group at Fort Meade, the 526th Intelli-gence Squadron and the establishment of the first Cyber National Mission Team.

“It is no exaggeration whatsoever to proclaim that the intelligence gathered and analyzed by the 70th’s Airmen often reaches the desk of the president of the United States,” Shanahan said. “What they do is that important.

“Finally and equally, if not more impor-tantly, [O’Brien] worked tirelessly to improve physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the 70th’s most valuable asset — its people. She fostered close ties with the Army to create the first Air Force-centered medical clinic at Fort Meade, servicing 2,400 Air-men.

“And she also turned the wing’s Key Spouse program into a model for the rest of the Air Force, earning praise not only from the chief of staff of the Air Force, but the spouse of the CSAF.

“Colonel O’Brien takes care of people and she takes care of the mission — and she does both equally well.”

After Shanahan presented O’Brien with the Legion of Merit, O’Brien addressed

70th ISR Wing welcomes new commander

Air Force Maj. Gen. John Shanahan, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency commander, passes the 70th ISR Wing flag to Col. Kevin Dixon, incoming commander, during the wing’s change of command ceremony on July 10 at McGlachlin Parade Field. Dixon assumed command from Col. Mary O’Brien.

PHOTO BY AirmAn 1sT ClAss sAmuel DAuB

her Airmen for the final time as the wing commander.

“I’ve never worked with a more pro-fessional, dedicated, innovative group of people,” O’Brien said. “Across the globe, you make minor and major miracles hap-pen. I’m grateful to our group, squadron and detachment leaders, both officer and enlisted, for using their initiative to solve problems, get the mission done and take care of our Airmen. They’re the real experts in our wing.”

O’Brien also addressed the unsung nature of ISR professions, one mostly unknown beyond classified doors.

“Most Airmen of the 70th have very little ability to share on-duty accomplishments with spouses and children or pick up the phone and brag,” O’Brien said. “Even if you could, you wouldn’t. You’re too humble and always willing to give the credit to someone else, or prefer to talk about the contributions of your entire team.”

Following her comments, the formation rendered a final salute to O’Brien.

In his speech, Shanahan also welcomed Dixon, whom he previously selected as the

vice commander of the 55th Wing, at Offut Air Force Base, Neb., from 2011 to 2012.

“As I look around the U.S. Air Force and talked to people I trusted the most, one name kept coming back to me — Kevin Dixon,” Shanahan said about his deci-sion to hire Dixon for the second time. ”Based on feedback across the 55th Wing, from those who I truly entrust the most, Kevin succeeded spectacularly, as I knew he would.

“If asked to find someone with exactly the right blend of skills needed to succeed as the 70th ISR Wing commander, you would not find a better resume than the resume of Colonel Kevin Dixon.”

After accepting the wing’s flag, Dixon addressed his fellow 70th Airmen.

“Thank you, General Shanahan for the kind words and your confidence in me to serve this phenomenal wing as its next commander,” Dixon said. “I look forward to leading the 70th ISR Wing and build-ing upon our Airmen’s impressive success across the breadth of our current missions, and enabling the wing to realize your vision for our future Air Force ISR enterprise and

the presentation of our capabilities to the joint forces, our Air Force, and the intel-ligence community team.”

Dixon also thanked Lt. Gen. Robert Otto, deputy chief of staff for ISR Head-quarters U.S. Air Force, for the valuable experiences he gained while appointed the Air Force ISR Agency assistant vice com-mander.

He also thanked the many Airmen in for-mation and across the global wing for their leadership lessons and mentorship.

“I’m honored to rejoin this wing,” Dixon said. “I’ve seen, experienced and celebrated firsthand the mission successes and opera-tional impacts you have achieved and are achieving on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

“In short, I’m in awe of what this wing’s Airmen do on behalf of our nation, and our brothers and sisters in arms,” he said. “This wing, its heritage, our predecessors and you hold a special place of respect in my heart.

“I’m humbled to assume the title of your commander, and prouder still to join the ranks as a 70th ISR Wing Airman,” Dixon said.


News

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

With commanders from all of the 1st Recruiting Brigade’s eight battal-ions present to witness the passing of the colors, Col. Ricky N. Emerson relinquished command to Col. Sean F. Mullen.

Mullen assumed command of the Fort Meade-based brigade during a ceremony Friday at McGill Training Center.

Maj. Gen. Allen W. Batschelet, commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, served as guest speaker.

“Today we say goodbye to a great leader and welcome another one,” Batschelet said. “It is always important to honor those who have done an out-standing job, and it’s equally important to welcome the new commander.

“We say goodbye to Colonel Emer-son, who has been doing an outstand-ing job commanding this brigade, and we are welcoming Colonel Sean Mullen to USAREC.”

Mullen, who recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., takes command of the brigade that consists of eight recruiting battalions, 50 companies, one European detachment, 149 recruiting centers and 2,200 personnel located in the North-east and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The brigade’s mission is to recruit qualified men and women for the Army, Army Reserve, Officer Candi-date School, Army Chaplain Corps, Warrant Officer Flight Training and various other military occupational specialties.

“The mission that we have is one of the most crucial — if not the most crucial — mission in direct support of our Army in regards to readiness,” Batschelet said.

During his tenure, Emerson increased the brigade’s recruiting numbers since he took command of the 1st Recruiting Brigade in 2011.

“First Brigade has improved in just about every category measured under his leadership,” Batschelet said. “Colo-nel Emerson has been instrumental in shaping the success of the brigade through his positive leadership, com-mitment to standards and discipline, emphasis on training management and remarkable team-building skills.

“First Brigade has seen an increase in

New commander heads 1st Recruiting Brigade

photo by nate pesce

Outgoing Commander Col. Ricky N. Emerson; Maj. Gen. Allen W. Batschelet, commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command; and incoming Commander Col. Sean F. Mullen salute during the National Anthem at the 1st Recruiting Brigade’s change-of-command ceremony Friday at McGill Training Center.

overall production, which will certainly continue for years to come.”

Emerson will return to the military intelligence field as the assistant to the deputy under secretary of Defense (Intelligence)-Warfighter Support.

In his remarks, Emerson thanked his family and unit for their support during his command.

“I’m incredibly proud to stand with you one last time,” he said to the bri-gade. “I want to thank you for your service.”

While the 1st Recruiting Brigade loses a strong commander, Batschelet said, it also is welcoming an equally established leader.

“I’m glad to have a leader of his background,” Batschelet said of Mul-len. “His ability to think and help shape the future of our Army will be a great

fit as we continue to reshape and redi-rect our efforts in, what I believe, will be very challenging years ahead for our Army and our nation.”

Commissioned as an infantry offi-cer after graduating in 1990 from the Citadel military college in South Caro-lina, Mullen has served with various units. They include the 24th Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan.; 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga.; 188th Separate Infantry Brigade, Fort Stewart; 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; and the U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

During his more than 20-year career, Mullen has served in several leadership roles including platoon leader, battalion maintenance officer, company com-mander, task force executive officer,

battalion commander and deputy bri-gade commander.

In his brief remarks, Mullen con-gratulated Emerson for a successful tenure with the 1st Recruiting Brigade and expressed his excitement in leading the brigade.

“You have a phenomenal reputation, and I’m proud of joining the organiza-tion,” Mullen said. “More importantly, I’m very humbled to join such a great team.”

connect with Fort Meade at Facebook.com/ftmeade


News

Story and photo by Lt. Col. Sonise LumbacaAsymmetric Warfare GroupPublic Affairs

Members of the U.S. Army Asym-metric Warfare Group are assisting the Army with incorporating aspects of the Army Learning Concept 2015 within its forces through its Adaptive Soldier Leader Training and Education Mobile Training Teams.

The Army Learning Concept 2015, developed by the Training and Doctrine Command, is an ongoing priority that is reworking how the Army trains and edu-cates its Soldiers.

ALC 2015 recognizes that forces oper-ating within an era of persistent conflicts require Soldiers with both tangible and intangible attributes refined to a higher degree than in the past. The AWG ASLTE MTT assists the Army’s training and edu-cation community to develop adaptive, thinking Soldiers and leaders capable of meeting the challenges they will face in the future operational environment.

For more than a year the AWG ASLTE MTT, under the direction of the TRA-DOC, has been traveling to various Cen-ters of Excellence and Army schools to assist with efforts to implement ALC 2015 into lessons and courses. A key compo-nent is understanding how to design train-ing that develops the nine 21st Century Soldier Competencies.

The AWG was charged to spearhead this aspect of the initiative due to its suc-cess with its own adaptability program, the Asymmetric Warfare Adaptive Leader Program, a 10-day resident program that operates quarterly out of Fort A.P. Hill, Va.

“The Adaptive Soldier Leader Training and Education is about enhancing adapt-ability in training and education,” said Sgt. 1st Class Keith Pruett, an AWG mem-ber and the noncommissioned officer in charge for the MTT. “ASLTE is important because it provides a grounded and behav-iorally anchored philosophic approach to meet the real needs of Army learners and prepare them for any potentialities of the operational environment.

“It is an approach that concentrates learning on principles that span all aspects of warfare and encourages development

AWG Adaptive Soldier Leader Training provides assistance to 2015 Army Learning Concept

Sgt. 1st Class Keith Pruett, of the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group and noncommissioned officer in charge of the Adaptive Soldier Leader Training and Education mobile training team, demonstrates to members of the Fort Huachuca, Ariz., training community how to tie a rope during an adaptability practical exercise during the five-day event held March 25-29. The AWG ASLTE MTT, under the direction of the Training and Doctrine Command, has been traveling to various Centers of Excellence and Army schools to assist with efforts in implementing the Army Learning Concept 2015, specifically the Adaptive Learning Model, into lessons and courses.

of genuine knowledge with practice.”The ASLTE MTT allows the AWG

MTT members, also known as AWG Guides, to demonstrate aspects of the con-tinuous adaptive learning model to Cen-ters of Excellence and schools across the Army. In modeling the Adaptive Learning Model 2015, the AWG Guides provide a comprehensive and conceptual approach to help instructors, training developers and quality assurance evaluators trans-form old practices with new concepts.

ALM 2015 is the operational term for the Continuous Adaptive Learning Model. The ALM signifies the shift from concept to deliberate actions that will

change Army learning methods and pro-cesses from a platform-centric, location-dependent model, to one that is adaptable to learner needs.

“It bridges the techniques and methods traditionally associated with both training and education in order to develop Soldiers and enhance their potential,” Pruett said.

So far, the ASTLE MTT has visited 10 Centers of Excellence and school houses including Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Hua-chuca, Ariz., Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Lee, Va., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Fort Jack-son, S.C., and Fort Rucker, Ala.

The overall responses from the partici-pants have been enthusiastic and positive.

“This is a movement that in the field of education we’ve had for years, and it is putting students in the center of instruc-tion and doing best practices to make sure that students understand the learner is a learner-centric environment,” said Dr. Lorae Roukema, an AWG AWALP and ASLTE consultant who is also an asso-ciate professor at Campbell University, N.C. “The ASLTE process really follows along with those best practices. And being able to seed in or layer in the intangibles, those competencies, the 21st Century Sol-ider Competencies is extremely important because we just don’t want people who have a lot of knowledge. We want people

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 18, 2013 SOUNDOFF! �

News

who have skills and abilities to be able to work in groups, [and to] think for them-selves.”

While Soldiers overall are the key audi-ence that the concept aims to target, the ASLTE MTT is focused on a different audience in order to increase the visibility and speed in incorporating ALM 2015.

“The target audience for the ASLTE MTT is what we call the ‘triad’ - instruc-tors, training developers, and quality assurance personnel from the CoEs,” Pru-ett said.

Pruett believes these individuals have a direct effect on the course design and instruction down to the student level. Educational change at this level would ensure possible continuity within an insti-tution for ALM 2015 implementation, he said.

Master Sgt. Norman Rentschler had the opportunity to participate in the MTT when it made its round to Fort Huachuca. Rentschler is a military intelligence subject matter expert with the Utah Nation-al Guard and works at the intelligence school house there.

“To me, this [ASLTE] MTT is really getting the quality assurance office, the

instructors and the course developers together in one room, teach them what ALM 2015 is, and gives them some exam-ples of how to implement it,” Rentschler said. “We took an [intelligence course] lesson plan and we modeled it after the principles that were taught here. And basically, to me, it was getting everyone in one room, showing them the principles, seeing that they have success with the principles so that they can go back to their individual units and responsibilities and implement it.

“For a majority of the participants, they leave with a better idea or way ahead to affect change in their courses by incorporating ALM 2015 with an ASLTE approach,” Pruett said. “They leave here with [their own] modified les-son plans with examples of ways to move forward.”

“I am benefiting from [the ASLTE MTT] because although I am a lifelong educator, it reaffirms everything that I’ve learned as an educator, and it commits me to working through that instruction-al model that the Army would like to see,” said Sandy Cozect, an instructional designer with the Learning Innovation

Office at Fort Huachuca.“So for me, it’s been a benefit, it’s been

a reaffirmation, a review of the materials and just the kind of thing you’re going to leave, not only feeling good about the training, but with some real tools that you can use to develop the kind of trainings and educational products that the Army is looking for.”

The tools that Cozect is referring to are the methods and techniques used during the five-day ASLTE MTT. For example, participants run through a series of indoor and outdoor practical exercises that at face value seem unrelated to the ASLTE process. But as the week progresses, par-ticipants are able to relate and translate the PEs to the ALM 2015 process.

“I like [the PEs] because I know that any kind of activity stimulates thought and brain activity,” Cozect said. “And so for me, instead of sitting and receiving a long drawn out lecture, it has allowed me to process, to get up and move around, to do all the things that will stimulate long term retention and internalizing some of the les-sons that they want us to receive here.”

The culminating event for the ASLTE MTT involves taking actual school house

lesson plans and applying the methods learned during the week.

While the ASTLE has provided a plat-form to assist Centers of Excellence in understanding ALM and its role within ALC 2015, there are still some challenges with how some organizations are going to manage how the learning concept is interpreted and implemented.

“The challenge is on me to articulate what I know from this [particular course I am responsible for] and how I want to implement it to my chain of command; but it shouldn’t be hard,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tomas Eggers, a master instructor at the U.S. Army Sniper School at Fort Benning. “It’s still going to take time because there’s going to be a huge cultural shift. It will be easier in some respects, but it’s going to be a generational shift.”

In the end, the benefits continue to out-weigh the small cost of implementation.

“I think our Soldiers do a very good job downrange right now,” Roukema said. “I think that [ASLTE] will make them more confident, more comfortable with having to be on those autonomous situations and be comfortable with taking initiative and doing things on their own.”

By Rona S. Hirsch Assistant Editor

Most parents must eventually decide if or when to leave a child alone at home.

State law requires that children must be of certain age before they are left alone or are supervised by older children.

Various parental guides also suggest that children know how to respond in an emergency or if a stranger knocks at the door.

Fort Meade’s “Policy on Parental Responsibilities and Supervision of Chil-dren and Youth” — updated earlier this year by the Family Advocacy Program at Army Community Service — provides guidelines that comply with Maryland state law.

But before leaving children alone, par-ents first must consider whether their child has the maturity to be a latchkey kid, said Celena Flowers, Family Advocacy Program manager.

“What we’ve done, in compliance with the state, is to establish if the child is mature enough to be left home alone or to baby-sit, even though the child is of age,” Flowers said. “Ultimately, it’s the parents’ liability. Parents are doing it at their own risk if they leave alone a child who is under age or not mature enough.”

But parents aren’t off the hook if they

leave their children in the care of an irresponsible baby sitter. According to the policy, “Parents are responsible for their children’s safety even when in the care of another. Baby sitters should be selected carefully, ensuring that the baby sitter is mature and experienced enough to adequately supervise a child.”

Copies of the policy are distributed by Officer Timothy Perkins, Fort Meade’s community policing officer, who also dis-tributes the pamphlet, “At Home Alone: A Parent’s Guide,” developed by the National Crime Prevention Council.

“The focus is for child safety and for parents to take responsibility for the actions of their children,” he said. “People are confused about when children can be left alone and unattended.”

Newcomers to Fort Meade receive a copy of the supervision policy in their welcome packet when they arrive on post. Child, Youth and School Services also provides the updated versions to parents when they register for hourly care.

According to Fort Meade’s “Policy on Parental Responsibilities and Supervision of Children and Youth”:

• Children age 7 or younger can never be left unsupervised or unattended.

• Children age 8 to 17 “may begin to exercise their own responsibility to super-

vise themselves without placing them-selves or others in danger.”

However, they must not “be left unat-tended without verified arrangements being made with a responsible adult, age 21 years or older, to check on their behav-ior or whereabouts, telephonically and/or in person.

All children in this age category must have an emergency plan in place. At a minimum, children should have a point of contact accessible by telephone and available for them at all times.

If emergency responders see an under-age child left unattended or gets a call about an unattended child, they will instruct parents about the “Child Super-vision Policy” implemented on military installations.

“It is based on maturity level and breaks down the ages of when a child can be left unattended,” Perkins said.

According to the “Child Supervision Policy,” youths:

• Ages 8 to 11 should not be unsu-pervised or left alone for more than two hours

• Ages 12 to 14 should not be unsu-pervised or left alone for more than six hours

• Ages 15 to 18 should not be unsuper-vised or left alone for more than 12 hours

Perkins said parents can prepare their children to be home alone by following these guidelines:

• Tell children to check immedi-ately with a parent by phone or with an immediate adult neighbor once they arrive home after school.

• Tell children not to enter the home or apartment if the front door is open, a window is broken, or a window screen is ripped. Go to a neighbor’s house and call a parent.

• Make sure children know how to call 911, the area emergency phone number, or the operator in case of emergency.

• Make sure children know how to give emergency responders directions to your home in case of an emergency.

• Tell children to never let anyone into the home without an adult present, and to never let a caller at the door or on the phone know they are home alone.

• Make sure children know how to use the door and window locks and the home alarm system, if one is available.

• Make sure children know how to escape from the home in case of a fire.

For more information, call the Family Advocacy Program at ACS at 301-677-1432 or Community Policing at 301-677-6622.

Home Alone policy provides guidelines for child care

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! July 18, 2013

News

By Jane M. WinandChief, Legal Assistance Division

The Legal Assistance Division fre-quently gets questions about door-to-door sales and solicitations for sales of periodicals and other goods.

Problems include misunderstanding rights of cancellation, failure of the company selling the material to deliver the product promised, and the buyer figuring out that he or she really didn’t want the product.

At stake is the potential obligation to pay lots of money for unwanted, defec-tive or undelivered merchandise.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule mandates that you have three days to cancel purchases of $25 or more.

The Cooling-Off Rule applies to sales at your home and place of employment as well as at facilities rented by the seller on a temporary or short-term basis such as hotel rooms, convention centers and fairgrounds.

The Cooling-Off Rule also applies if you invite the salesperson to your home to make a presentation. Under this rule, the seller must tell you about your cancel-lation rights at the time of the sale.

The seller must also give you two cop-ies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send in), and a copy of your contract. The contract must be dated, list the seller’s name and address, and explain your cancellation rights — all in the same language that is used during the sales presentation.

The following types of sales, however, may not be canceled, even if they occur in locations normally covered by the

FTC mandates three days to cancel home purchases

Text FOLLOW FORTMEADE to 40404 to sign up for Fort Meade news alerts on your mobile phone

rule: Sales under $25; sales made entirely by telephone or mail; sales that are the result of prior negotiations held at the seller’s permanent place of business; sales needed to meet an emergency; sales made as part of your request for repairs and maintenance on your personal prop-erty; sales for goods and services not primarily intended for personal, family or household use; sales involving real estate, insurance and securities; sales of arts and crafts at fairs, schools and shop-ping malls; and sales of motor vehicles at temporary locations, provided the seller has at least one permanent place of business.

To cancel a sale, you must sign and date one copy of the cancellation form and mail it to the address given on the form. The envelope must be postmarked before midnight of the third business day after the contract date. Saturday is considered a business day but Sundays and federal holidays are not.

Since proof of the mailing date and proof of receipt are important, you should send the form by certified mail so that you get a return receipt.

Keep a copy of the cancellation form for your records. If the seller did not provide you with a cancellation form, you may write your own letter.

You do not have to provide a reason for your decision to cancel.

If you have canceled the purchase, the seller has 10 days to return any promis-sory note to you, refund your money, inform you whether the product you have will be picked up, and return any trade-in merchandise.

Within 20 days, the seller must either pick up the merchandise or reimburse you for mailing expenses, if you agree to mail the items back. You must make all merchandise available to the seller in as good a condition as when you received the goods.

If you do not make the merchandise available to the seller, or you fail to return the items as agreed, you will be obligated under the contract to pay for them.

If you have a question about the Cool-ing-Off Rule, you may get additional information through the FTC online at ftc.gov or you may schedule an appoint-ment to speak with an attorney at the Fort Meade Legal Assistance Office at 301-677-9504 or 301-677-9536.

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Cover Story

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Michael Houck spoke like a drill ser-geant.

“Lunge forward, hold your stomach in, reach those arms!” he shouted to a group of 16 girls.

The group was practicing cheernastics moves Monday evening in the Youth Center gym.

What may seem like a soft hobby for children is actually “a higher inten-sity form of gymnastics,” said Houck, head coach of the cheernastics program offered at Fort Meade through the SKIES program.

For the second consecutive year, SKIES is offering a three-month cheer-nastics mini camp for children ages 5 to 12.

This month’s sessions began July 8 and will run until July 29. The camp is held Mondays from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.

The mini camp is an extension of the cheernastics program that began two years ago and is offered at SKIES dur-

ing the school year.Houck said the cheernastics program

is a recreational activity that combines tumbling and aspects of cheerleading.

On Monday, Houck led a group of girls ages 9 to 12 through a series of drills to practice basic cheernastics moves such as handstands, lunges, leg extensions, back bends, cartwheels and handsprings.

This is not an activity for the faint-hearted.

During the practice, the girls per-formed sprints and exercises to strength-en their abdominal muscles and improve their flexibility and balance.

Houck said the purpose of the sum-mer camp is to improve technique and conditioning.

But for 11-year-old Caitlyn Harris, cheernastics is all about fun.

“I like that we get to do a lot of tumbling and cartwheels,” said Caitlyn, daughter of Master Sgt. Shaun Har-ris and his wife, Laura, who reside in Meuse Forest.

Balancing actCheernastics camp combines

technique with funLaura Harris said she enrolled her

daughter in the cheernastics program because it suits the youngster’s energetic personality.

“It’s the perfect combination of the things she likes to do,” Harris said.

Houck is also the coach and cho-reographer of The Maryland Twisters All-Stars, an organization of more than 500 athletes on 27 cheer teams (plus two dance teams), based in Glen Burnie and Waldorf. The Twisters have won four world championship gold medals and have captured hundreds of national titles over the past 14 years.

Last spring, Fort Meade’s partici-pants in the 9-12 age category won first place in an exhibition at a cheerleading competition held at Annapolis High School. The girls in the 5-8 age category took second place.

This year, girls in both age groups won first place in the exhibition.

In addition, both age groups won first place in the exhibition category at

this spring’s Cheer and Dance Extreme Extravaganza, a national cheerleading and dance competition.

Houck said his goal is to train the girls to attend three state competitions for the 2013 to 2014 year.

This past year, the girls have “improved tremendously” in their technique and confidence, Houck said.

“They are eager to progress and mas-ter the skills,” he said.

Houck, whose grandparents retired from the Navy and whose mother works at the National Security Agency, said he is grateful for the opportunity to coach girls from military families.

“It’s my way of giving back,” he said.

Gabby Jackson, a sixth-grader at MacArthur Middle School who is enrolled in the mini camp, is just as grateful for the chance to train with Houck.

“He pushes us to be the best about things,” the 11-year-old said.

Grace Jackson works on her cartwheels. Youngsters enrolled in the mini camp participated in a series of drills to practice basic cheernastics moves including handstands, lunges, leg extensions, back bends and handsprings.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 18, 2013 SOUNDOFF! 13

photos by noah scialom

Serma Farmer, 12, stretches and tries to balance her weight on one foot during the cheernastics mini camp on Monday evening. Cheernastics, a recreational activity offered to children ages 5 to 12, is sponsored by Fort Meade’s SKIES program.

CENTER: A group of 16 girls, ages 9 to 12, participate in a drill during cheernastics mini camp. The girls are being trained to participate in state cheernastics competitions for the 2013 to 2014 season.

LEFT: Michael Houck, head coach of the SKIES cheernastics program, demonstrates a move for the girls enrolled in the program’s mini camp. Houck is also the coach and choreographer for The Maryland Twisters All Stars, based in Glen Burnie and Waldorf.


SportS

Story and photos by Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

For years, Fort Meade and its Child, Youth and School Services have been well represented at the Junior Olympics.

This year is no different.Nearly 30 members of the Fort Meade

Highsteppers Track and Field Club quali-fied for the Amateur Athletic Union’s Junior Olympics. Coaches said around 25 of the young athletes will head to the national championships at Eastern Michigan University outside of Detroit to compete against the best athletes in the country.

The 29 Highsteppers who qualified for the Junior Olympics, which begins July 29, caps the team’s successful season that featured several new, younger athletes competing for the first time. The team is open to ages 8 to 18.

“I’m surprised by how well that they did because we had so many newcomers,” said longtime coach Bruce Hunter. “Most of the kids who made it are 10 and under.

They were introduced to track, many of them for the very first time, and they were surprisingly enthusiastic.”

The number of athletes who qualified for the national championships is an increase from last year’s 13, who compet-ed in the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympics Track and Field Cham-pionships at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Hunter attributed the increase to a larger team with more young competi-tors.

This season, the Highsteppers consisted of about 100 athletes. Of those, 60 were new to the team. With a younger roster of competitors, Hunter said the focus wasn’t on qualifying for the Junior Olympics but rather introducing them to the sport and making it enjoyable.

“I don’t even think about trying to qualify for the Junior Olympics; that’s not a major objectives,” Hunter said. “With the little ones, the objective is to make them fall in love with the sport. Once

A young Highsteppers team gears up for Junior Olympicsthey become motivated enough to want to keep on participating, then we have them hooked. Surprisingly enough, they were naturals.”

Among the new athletes competing in the national championships are 8-year-old Ciara Thomas who qualified in the longjump, 400-meter run and 200-meter dash, and her 11-year-old brother Romeo, who will compete in the 800-meter run. The siblings said they are excited and proud of themselves for qualifying for the Junior Olympics.

The roster of athletes attending the championships also features more expe-rienced runners who will compete on the national level for the first time.

Imani Buggs will be making her first trip to the Junior Olympics after three years on the team.

“There’s going to be a lot of competi-tion,” the 16-year-old said.

Hunter said the coaching staff is pleased with the large number of new athletes who will be competing for national titles.

“That’s always gratifying when you get some first-timers in there,” he said.

The Highsteppers also will bring peren-

nial qualifiers, including Samuel Graves who has competed at the Junior Olympics for the past 10 years.

With several national titles already to his name, Graves will compete in the 3,000-meter run, 3,000-meter racewalk and the steeplechase.

“I want one for the steeplechase real bad,” the 18-year-old said. “If I get one for that, that’s going to be good for me for college.”

Graves will be competing in his final Junior Olympics, a “horrible” feeling, he said. “I want another year.”

With only a few weeks remaining until the competition begins, Hunter said the team is tweaking and fine-tuning for events such as focusing on race-paces.

“It’s a lot of high-quality workouts, not a lot of quantity, not a lot of distance,” he said.

Even with an inexperienced lineup of competitors at the Junior Olympics, Hunter said the team intends to come home with more medals.

“I’m not certain how many,” he said. “I’m confident we’ll come back with a handful of medals.”

Samuel Graves, 18, practices jumping hurdles at Meade High School. Graves is among the 29 members of the Fort Meade Highsteppers Track and Field Club who will be competing at the Junior Olympics at Eastern Michigan University later this month.

Ciara Thomas, 8, trains for her longjump event that she will compete in at the Junior Olympics. Ciara is one of many athletes under 10 years old who will compete at the national championships for the Fort Meade team.


SportS

In April, this Jones took a step that no Jones has ever taken before.

I cut cable.And by never before I mean way back in 1982,

when my family was chilling in West Point Hills snacking on government cheese, and ketchup sandwiches, I was watching Jason Voorhees do his thing in “Friday the 13th Part 2” on Show-time. bit.ly/12wclv0

I cut cable for two reasons: Prepare for fur-lough and attempt to get my kids away from the tube.

The first part of the plan has worked pretty well. Trading in my HD DVR cable receiver for a Boxee and digital antenna has saved me about $120 a month — and that is after my monthly fees for Hulu and Netflix (both $7.99 per month).

However, keeping the kids from the tube has turned out to be a Jurassic challenge, thanks largely to a now-unending supply of “Dinosaur Train” episodes. bit.ly/15jpFVi

To be fair, the show does have a catchy tune. Plus, YDJ and YJ3 are suckers for “Top Gear” (the British version).

Now you don’t have to be Einstein to know that my major concern regarding this monu-mental display of responsibility was watching sports. My brother had recently gone through an involuntary stretch without cable, courtesy of the flailing construction market in Las Vegas. And to put it bluntly, the experience was more depressing than his stretch in the Van Buren County jail.

“At least when I was in jail, I got to watch the playoffs,” Sam warned.

You see, during Sam’s time in the pokey, any sport worth watching was still on regular TV.

Now everything seems to be on cable, and because of that, Sam was sure my move would soon become a cross I couldn’t bear.

However, one thing my big brother didn’t have either at home or in the VB County hoosegow was a WiFi connection. If he had, he may not have been so glum because there are a ton of options to get your sports fix.

Before I get too holier than thou on this, I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that having ESPN in my office doesn’t hurt. Though pretty much everything they talk about could be found just as easily on a blotter report — see Aaron Hernan-dez and the Denver Broncos front office — or TMZ — see Johnny Manziel.

MLB Radio ($19.99 a year) squared away my need for Tigers baseball and provides the home-and-away broadcast for every game. Plus, MLB.TV shows a free game every day. It may not be your favorite team, but if you are a fan of the game, it is a great way to keep up with what’s

going on in the league. I’ve been able to hear Vin Scully and watch Dodgers phenom Yasiel Puig play a couple of times. bit.ly/15MD0b1

Thanks to my Xbox Gold subscrip-tion ($59.95 for the entire year), I get to watch MLB.TV on my couch and on my HDTV, along with my wrestling courtesy of Hulu.

Additionally, Watch ESPN features free high-lights, analysis, and a ton of tape-delayed sports. For example, I watched most of the Confedera-tions Cup Soccer tournament and Neymar. bit.ly/13vijuV (Apologizes for the techno music, but it is soccer after all).

As mentioned, the one downside to ESPN is that the games are delayed. Live contests are reserved for the cricket match between What-samatta U and St. Mary’s School for the Blind.

However, the most pleasant surprise with this experiment (and I might regret sharing this) is that not having access to everything has made watching what I do have way better. I appreciate the games on regular TV now. I pay more atten-tion, in part, because watching sports on TV has become an event again.

I can’t remember the last time I watched every minute of the NBA Finals. The final game between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic was a great sports moment. And on Tuesday Night, I skipped Taraweeh prayers in favor of the MLB All-Star Game.

I don’t think I would have made that decision last year when I had cable. Instead, I would have just recorded it so I could fly through the game when I got home. Or maybe I would have just listened to the score on the radio and then delete the game before watching a single pitch so that I could save some hard drive-space.

However, thanks to not having cable, the All-Star Game became must-see TV again. So even if my soul has to pay a price, at least I got to see Mariano Rivera’s entrance.

Looking forward, I’m not sure how well this plan will work once football season starts. SiriusXM ($12.48 per month) is great, but my need to watch every Michigan game on BTN may just be greater.

Of course in a pinch, our bowling center has a bunch of TVs and free cable. At least it’s free for us.

If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at [email protected].

How to make it work

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn Sports ShortsAFCEA Sports Day

The Central Maryland chapter of Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association will host a Sports Day on Sept. 13 at Burba Lake Pavilion 2.

The event will feature team and individual sports including softball, volleyball and relays.

For more information or to sign up for events, go to www.facebook.com/afceasportsday or www.afceasportsday.webs.com.

Dollar DaysSummer hours for Dollar Days at the Lanes is every Thursday from 10

a.m. to 11 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.

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.

For more Fort Meade sports, visit quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

Corvias Military Living neighborhood pools• Now through Aug. 21:

Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Aug. 27 through Sept. 3: Weekdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pools are open to residents only. Residents may bring up to four guests per family.

Residents must provide pool passes to access the pool. To pick up a pool pass, visit your neighborhood center.

Columbia AssociationThe Columbia Association is offering special military and DoD rates at five

of its pools in Columbia.Cost per visit is $4 for adults and $2 for children. A valid military or DoD

identification card is required.• Talbott Spring, 9660 Basket Ring. Information: 410-730-5421• Faulkner Ridge, 15018 Marble Fawn Court. Information: 410-730-5292• Jeffers Hill, 6030 Tamar Drive. Information: 410-730-1220• McGills Common, 10025 Shaker Drive. Information: 410-730-5995• Running Brook, 5730 Columbia Road. Information: 410-730-5293

Swimming options on and off post


Community news & notes

The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All submissions are posted at the editor’s discretion 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.

Death notice1st Lt. Alexander Ryan regretfully

announces the death of Spc. Hilda I. Clayton.

Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to the estate of Clayton should call Ryan, the Summary Court Officer, at 301-471-4703 or email [email protected].

Death noticeAir Force Maj. Nora DeLosRios

regretfully announces the death of Senior Airman Keegan Eli McCaskie.

Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to the estate of McCaskie should call DeLosRios, the Summary Court Officer, at 301-677-2144 or email [email protected].

RAB meeting at new location

The next Fort Meade Restoration Advisory Board meeting will be held at a new location.

Interested community members are invited to attend the meeting today at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 7481 Ridge Road, Hanover.

The RAB is a key element of the Fort Meade environmental program, which enables the community and representatives of government agencies to meet and exchange information about the program.

Fort Meade is soliciting new RAB members from the community who may be interested in enhancing and improving the installation’s environmental program.

RAB members are expected to

provide advice on environmental restoration issues; attend regular meetings; review, evaluate and comment on environmental restoration documents; assist in identifying project requirements; and recommending priorities among sites or projects.

In short, RAB members play a vital role in the environmental remediation efforts on Fort Meade.

Community members interested in becoming members of the RAB should attend the next meeting or call Paul Fluck at 301-677-9365 or email [email protected].

For more information, visit the Fort Meade website at ftmeade.army.mil. Click on the Environmental Information link.

Live Army Green meetingCorvias Military Living will hold

its next Live Army Green meeting on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center.

The meeting is being held in coordination with a visit from Minol, the third-party billing management company for Live Army Green.

Minol also will be available to meet with residents individually until 5 p.m.

Residents who plan to attend the informational session or who would like to schedule an individual appointment with Minol should RSVP at 410-672-4033.

Residents with specific concerns or residents who would would like to have an energy assessment completed or wish to speak with a Corvias team member before Wednesday’s meeting, should call their neighborhood office.

Residents unable to attend the meeting can find general information on the program at http://meadepicerne.com/residents/live-army-green-program.

AAFES discountsDiscounts are being offered inside

direct-operated Army and Air Force Exchange Service restaurants for Military Star TM Card holders.

Through Sept. 21, every food or drink order made with a Military Star TM Card will be discounted by 20 percent.

Military StarTM Card users are also entitled to a year-round, 5-cent discount

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18



on Express fuel purchases.For more information on the Military

Star TM Card, visit shopmyexchange.com.

Dental assistantThe Fort Meade Epes Dental Clinic

is partnering with the American Red Cross to train four to six highly motivated volunteers to become proficient dental assistants.

Volunteers will receive in-depth, hands-on training in all aspects of dentistry, including dental X-rays, sterilization, oral hygiene and dental materials.

For more information and to apply,

contact Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Boyd at 301-677-7970 or [email protected] or Dr. Maj. Matthews Phillips at 301-677-5850 or [email protected].

Water main flushingAmerican Water has begun its 2013

Annual Water Main Flushing Program.The purpose is to provide the best

quality water available to customers by removing any buildup of sediment that may have occurred in the water lines.

Flushing may result in some temporary discoloration and the presence of sediment in your water. These conditions are not harmful and should be of very short duration

Areas that may be affected by planned flushing for today:

• 2900 block of 2nd Army Drive• 4800 block of 2nd Corps Boulevard

• 4900 block of 2nd Corps Boulevard• 5000 block of 2nd Corps Boulevard• 3000 block of 2nd Corps BoulevardAreas along MacArthur Road may see

a change in their water.Areas that may be affected by planned

flushing for Wednesday:• 900 block of Ernie Pyle Street• 2000 block off Route 175• 2100 block off Route 175• 1800 block off Route 175 and Reece

Road• 1900 block off Route 175 and Reece

RoadStreets adjacent to Ernie Pyle Street,

Reece Road and Route 175 may see a change in their water.

Limit use of water between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to help prevent discolored water reaching service lines to your residence.

If you notice an increase in discolored water, flush all indoor faucets for 15 minutes. If the water does not clear up, contact the Water Treatment Plant at 443-592-0909. This number is monitored 24/7 daily.

VTF upgradesThe Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment

Facility is upgrading its services by adding new staff and a new, centralized

web-based record program.In the future, when the program is

fully implemented, pets’ records will be connected and accessible at any military vet clinic that service members PCS to.

The facility will train and test this program throughout July and August. As a result, the VTF will moderate its appointment availability.

The facility will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on July 31.

For more information, call the VTF at 301-677-1300.

Ramadan IftarA Ramadan Iftar will be held Aug. 2

from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Argonne Hills Chapel Center Fellowship Room.

For more information, call 301-677-6035 or 301-677-1301.

Jummah prayers Individuals interested in praying

Jummah prayers on Fort Meade should call 301-677-1301.

Fort Meade has a room available at Argonne Hills Chapel Center, 7100 Rockenbach Road.

The community also is seeking individuals who would like to pray a morning prayer on Fridays.

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

HCC provides a wide range of programs, services, and resources to meet the needs of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families, reservists, and guardsmen, including:

A G.I. JOBS magazine Military Friendly School

A Veteran Peer Support site of the Maryland Veterans Resilience Initiative

Excelsior College Consortium opportunities for bachelor’s degree

Credit for military experience

Deferred payment plan

Assistance in applying for veterans’ bene�ts

Disability support, career services, and more!

Register for fall credit classes through AUGUST 24!Visit www.howardcc.edu/military, call 443-518-1200,

or stop by Admissions & Advising (RCF-242).

You’ve servedyour country . . .and Howard Community College is at your service to help achieveyour educational goals



Networking SymposiumThe Team Meade Networking

Symposium for SHARP (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention) personnel will be held Aug. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.

The symposium will provide information to sexual assault response coordinators and victim advocates of services for victims of sexual assault that are available throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.

The objective of the symposium is to develop local relationships with outside organizations, reinforcing the Army’s commitment to offer victims exemplary services. The outside agencies will speak/provide information about how their organizations can help Fort Meade victims.

The event also will provide SARCs and VAs with the opportunity to network, build/create referral lists and establish rapport with external agencies.

For more information, call Fort Meade VA Angielina Wilson at 301-677-6933 or the Fort Meade SARC at 301-677-7802.

Teen models neededArundel Mills Mall is inviting eight

boys and eight girls between the ages of 12 to 18 from Fort Meade to model this season’s coolest clothes and latest trends at the Arundel Mills “Back At It: Back to School Fashion Show” on Aug. 17 at noon in the Fashion Court.

Models will be invited to a “Back At It Prep Party” hosted at Arundel Mills, prior to the show.

If interested, call Vix Mechlin, USO-Metro development associate, at 571-340-8427 or email [email protected].

Dinner, movieDinner & Movie Night for grades

nine to 12 will be held Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Teen Center.

For more information, call 301-677-6054.

Missoula Children’s Theatre

Missoula Children’s Theatre Drama

Camp for grades one to 12 will be held on Fort Meade from July 29 to Aug. 3 on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Cost is $20.Campers will present two

performances of “The Frog Prince” on Aug. 3 at 3 and 5:30 p.m. at McGill Training Center.

Admission is free and open to the public.


CYSS programsChild, Youth and School Services is

offering Grilling & Chilling for grades six to eight on July 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Youth Center:

Cost is $5.For more information, call 301-677-

1437.

Vacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible School, for ages 4

through fifth grade, will be held Aug. 12-16 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

The theme is: “Kingdom Rock Bible School: Where kids stand strong for God.”

The program features a new friends tournament games, crafts, Royal Theatre & Missions, music and epic Bible adventures.

The free program includes lunch.Registration is limited to the first 200

children and will close Aug. 1.Registration tables are set up through

Aug. 1 at Argonne Hills Chapel Center and the Main Post Chapel.

Volunteers are needed to sign up imme-diately, including adults and youths in sixth grade and above.

For more information, call Marcia Eastland at 301-677-0385 or 301-677-6305 or Ms. Stewart at 301-677-6038.

Out & About• Leisure Travel Services is sponsoring

“Wine & Music: Reggae” on Saturday at the Linganore Winery in Mount Airy. Bus departs LTS at 9 a.m.

The event will feature live music, crafts, tour, tasting and food vendors. Cost is $50 and includes admission and transportation. Advance registration and payment are required.


• Artscape, a free arts festival, will be held Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Baltimore at Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street, Charles Street, Bolton Hill, and Station North Arts and Entertainment District.

Artscape features fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars and photography; live concerts on outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Family events include hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and street theater.

An international menu of food and beverages will be available throughout the festival site.

For more information, visit artscape.org.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trips to New York City on Aug. 10 and Sept. 7, with discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the third Thursday of every month for informal, frank discussions about prostate cancer. The next meeting is today from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Both meetings are held at the Center for Prostate Disease Research, America Build-ing, third floor, River Conference Room. Spouses/partners are invited. Men without a military ID should call the Prostate Center 48 hours prior to the meeting for base access at 301-319-2900.

For more information, contact retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or [email protected] or Vin McDonald at 703-643-2658 or [email protected].

• Marriage Enrichment Group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets the sec-ond and fourth Monday of every month from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is Monday. For more information, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hobgood at 301-677-5590.

• 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 Kimberly McKay at 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• Bully Proofing Support Group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 4 to 5 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighbor-hood Center. The next meeting is Monday. The group is geared for parents of children ages 5 to 12. For more information, call 301-677-5590.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of Building 9801 at the National Security Agency. The next meeting is Wednesday. For more information, call 443-534-5170 or visit afsa254.org.

• Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is July 28. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-730-0127.

EDUCATION

YOUTH

RECREATION

MEETINGS

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 $5.50 for adults (12 and older) and $3 for children. 3D Movies: $7.50 adults, $5 children.

Today through July 26

Today & Sunday: “The Internship” (PG-13). Old-school salesmen finagle internships at Google, then struggle to adjust to new ideas. With Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne.

Friday: “The Purge” (R). All crime is legalized during an annual 12-hour period. With Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane.

Saturday, Wednesday & July 25: “Man of Steel” (PG-13). Clark Kent roams the world helping people, but returns home to face his destiny: becoming Superman. With Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon. (3D)

July 26: “This is the End” (R). An apocalypse strikes Los Angeles. With James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen.

Documents

Soundoff july 17_2013