Soundoff June 27, 2013

ALL INYoungsters take swim lessons to break world record

page 19

UPCOMING EVENTSTOdAy, 7 P.M.: Soldiers’ Chorus “From Stage To Screen” Concert - Constitution ParkTOdAy, 7-9 P.M.: Trivia Night - The LanesSATUrdAy, 7:30 P.M.: USO Movie on the Lawn “Dark Knight Rises” - USO CenterWEdNESdAy, 4-10 P.M.: Red, White & Blue Celebration - McGlachlin Parade FieldJULy 11, 7 P.M.: The Volunteers’ “A Night of Country” Concert - Constitution Park

SEqUESTrATIONImpact of furloughs, resources list featured in pull-out insert

pages 11-18

Soundoff!́vol. 65 no. 25 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community June 27, 2013

HOT, HOT, HOT

photo by jonathan agee

vocalists Master Sgt. Marva lewis and retired Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Cedars dance to the rhythms of latin music performed by Son Tropical on June 20 at Constitution Park. The concert, which featured Afro-Cuban and latin music, kicked off the U.S. Army Field Band’s annual Summer Concert Series that runs weekly through Aug. 24. For the story, see Page 4.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! June 27, 2013

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................19

FurloughInsert............ 11 Movies.................................23

Community................. 21 Classified.............................24

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

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300

allison thompson 410-332-6850 [email protected]

Michele Griesbauer 410-332-6381 [email protected]

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 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: 301-677-5602; DSN: 622-5602.

Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, handicap or sex of purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

Printed by The Baltimore Sun Co., LLC, 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.

www.ftmeade.army.milYou can also keep track of Fort Meade on Twitter at twitter.com/ftmeademd

and view the Fort Meade Live Blog at ftmeade.armylive.dodlive.mil.

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Sometimes you have to wait a little longer than planned for good things to happen.

After two consecutive rain cancellations, we finally had a beautiful summer evening on June 20 that provided the U.S. Army Field Band the wonderful weather that band members needed to kick off Fort Meade’s Summer Concert Series.

Talk about great music. The concert featured Son Tropical, the 11-piece ensemble of the U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors.

The community was a great audience at Constitu-tion Park as more than 200 people were entertained by the Son Tropical concert, which featured Afro-Cuban and Latin music.

In case you were unaware, we are able to enjoy an extended concert series due to the sequester that has sharply curtailed the Field Band’s traditional summer touring schedule throughout the country.

Tonight, weather permitting, we will have an opportunity to enjoy the music provided by the Field Band’s Soldiers’ Chorus. They will perform a 90-min-ute concert entitled “From Stage to Screen.”

I urge you to bring your lawn chairs and come out and enjoy the music. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Constitution Park. I look forward to seeing you there.

If you’re looking for something to do off the instal-lation next week, let me suggest that you consider a trip to Gettysburg, Pa. And even though this is an off-post activity, it has a real connection to Fort Meade.

Next week is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. History buffs will know that this is the battle with the greatest number of casualties in the American Civil War and is often referred to as the war’s turning point.

It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln’s immortal “Gettysburg Address.”

It was at the Battle of Gettysburg that Union Maj. Gen. George G. Meade’s Army of the Potomac defeated attacks by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, ending Lee’s invasion of the North.

The actual battle was fought July 1-3 in and around the town of Gettysburg in places like Devil’s Den, the Wheat Field, Little Round Top and Culp’s Hill.

Established in 1917, Fort Meade is named in honor of this great American general.

A visit to Gettysburg National Military Park this weekend will provide you and family members with a opportunity to hear speeches and special programs, and enjoy remembrances and re-enactments.

For more information about what’s going on in and around Gettysburg, visit the Gettysburg Visitor and Convention Bureau at gettysburgcivilwar150.com.

Also next week, we will have our own special event as we celebrate the Fourth of July one day early on July 3 with the Budweiser-Fort Meade Red, White & Blue Celebration. The celebration begins at 4 p.m.

on McGlachlin Parade Field.

The event is free and open to the public.

Live bands will feature Chel-sea Bain, Brett Eldredge and Jerrod Niemann. Budweiser will entertain par-ticipants with a showing of its famous Clydesdale horses. Following a grand trot around the parade field, photo opportunities will be permitted.

In addition to games, food and drinks, the evening will end with an exciting and memorable fireworks display.

This is going to be a great event. It took a lot of work by a lot of people to make it happen. I’m happy the post community and families from surrounding communities will have the opportunity to celebrate and honor Independence Day on Fort Meade.

Remember, this event will be held on July 3 — Wednesday — at McGlachlin Parade Field.

Lastly, I want to encourage readers to review this week’s special insert regarding the sequester and fur-loughs beginning July 8.

The insert contains articles and resources designed to help federal employees find answers to some of their questions and assist them with making decisions with regard to the personal impact of sequestration.

As you have heard me say before, the impact of sequestration will be stressful, challenging and per-sonal for many of our civilian employees. Your health and well-being continues to be a priority for me and other leaders at Fort Meade and the Department of Defense.

Have a great week.

Music of the Night

COL. Edward C. rOthstEin

Garrison Commander

Commander’s Open DoorGarrison Commander Col. Edward C.

Rothsteinhasanopendoorpolicy.All service members, retirees, govern-

ment employees, family members or com-munitymembersage18orolderare invitedto address issues or concerns to the com-mander directly by visiting Rothstein’s officeon Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. at garrisonheadquarters in Hodges Hall, Bldg. 4551,LlewellynAvenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-servedbasis.Noappointmentisnecessary.

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil June 27, 2013 SOUNDOFF! �

News

Story and photo by Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

New roadwork at the intersection of Reece Road and Cooper Avenue will continue through the beginning of next year, but is not expected to seriously impact traffic.

Crews recently began the expansion project to add more lanes at the intersec-tion. The project is a result of increased traffic flowing through the Fort Meade streets due to the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005.

The intersection was noted in a traffic study that identified failed intersections — those requiring upgrades or locations with long wait times.

“We wanted to improve the traffic flows through our intersections now that we have more growth,” said Mick Butler, chief of the Directorate of Public Works’ Environmental Division. “It’s all basically enhancements to eliminate some of the bottlenecks during the peak rush hours.”

The project includes adding several new lanes — including more turning lanes — to ease traffic flow. Work also includes new sidewalks, traffic islands and medians.

A bike lane also will be added on the north side of Mapes Road.

In addition, bio-retention ponds that filter out the pollutants in stormwater runoff will be created on the southeast and southwest quadrants of the inter-section. Similar bio-swales will be built

Intersection expansion at Cooper and Mapes

along the south and north sides of Mapes Road.

Crews also will install a new traffic signal.

The intersection expansion project is similar to the roadwork completed in

December at Cooper Avenue and Rock-enbach Road.

Butler said construction will not cause major traffic disruptions, but lane limita-tions are expected.

“Traffic can still flow through,” he

said.Work is scheduled to be completed in

February 2014.“We want to get it done,” said Bert

Rice, acting director of DPW. “It’s a major project.”

An intersection expansion project at the intersection of Cooper Avenue and Mapes Road will add more lanes. Officials expect limited traffic disruptions during construction, which is scheduled to be completed in February.

Battle of Gettysburg 150th AnniversaryIn late June 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee led the 75,000-man Army of Northern Virginia into

Pennsylvania.The 95,000-man Federal Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade,

moved north to confront Lee’s forces.On July 1, leading elements of the two armies met at Gettysburg, Pa., as much by accident as design.Although Lee had intended to fight a defensive battle, the chance meeting of the armies caused him to

alter his plans, and the success gained on the first day convinced him to continue the attack on July 2.Likewise, Meade determined to commit his entire army and ordered a concentration of forces in defen-

sive positions on the ground south of Gettysburg.The armies clashed again July 2 at various places such as Devil’s Den, the Wheat Field, Little Round

Top and Culp’s Hill.On July 3, both armies remained on the field where Lee ordered three Confederate divisions, about

15,000 men, to attack the center of the Union line. The Confederate attack failed.Confederate casualties: 28,063 – 3,903 killed in actionUnion casualties: 23,049 – 3,155 killed in actionThis article was reproduced from Army Live, the official blog of the U.S. Army, at armylive.dodlive.mil/

index.php/2013/06/that-these-dead-shall-not-have-died-in-vain-the-battle-of-gettysburg.


Cover Story

photoS by jonathan agee

More than 200 people listen to the beat of Afro-Cuban and Latin music performed by Son Tropical, an 11-piece ensemble of the U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors, on June 20 at Constitution Park. The 90-minute concert was Son Tropical’s first performance for the Field Band’s annual Summer Concert Series, which ends Aug. 24.

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

When Kim Sierra heard the beat of Latin music from outside the window of her home in Heritage Park, she wondered what the commotion was all about.

“We heard the music and decided we should go out,” said Sierra, wife of Sgt. Juan Sierra of the 741st Military Intel-ligence Brigade.

The Sierras and their friend Heather Latham followed the music to Constitu-tion Park to hear Son Tropical, an 11-piece ensemble of the U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors.

The ensemble, which plays a wide rep-ertoire of Afro-Cuban and Latin music, performed June 20 for the first time as part of the Field Band’s annual Summer Concert Series at Fort Meade.

“The brass section was hot and the percussion section did well,” said Latham, a cellist.

The weekly series, which runs through

Aug. 24, was slated to begin June 6 but was rained out twice.

The Field Band is sponsoring an extend-ed concert series at Fort Meade this year due to the sequester, which curtailed the organization’s traditional summer touring schedule throughout the country.

The Field Band is under a 100-mile travel restriction, so concerts are being held closer to home.

More than 200 people turned out for the Son Tropical performance.

Col. Timothy Holtan, commander and conductor of the Field Band, said he is confident the audience for the concert series will build throughout the summer.

“We’re thankful we got off to a good start,” he said.

The 90-minute concert featured music primarily from Cuba.

Sgt. 1st Class Todd Harrison, the non-commisioned officer-in-charge of the band who plays the timbales, explained after the concert that salsa is a slang

Son Tropical heats up concert series


Cover Story

term for Afro-Cuban music and a style of dancing.

“Bamboleo,” a salsa originally sung by Celia Cruz, was a highlight of the eve-ning. Master Sgt. Marva Lewis, the Jazz Ambassador’s lead vocalist, sang in Span-ish. Staff Sgt. Jonathan Epley performed an electric guitar solo.

“Juana Pena,” a salsa originally per-formed by Hector Lavoe, was another favorite. Vocalist Eugene Cedars, pianist Master Sgt. Timothy Young, congas play-er Staff Sgt. Albert Sanchez and Harrison gave a foot-stomping performance.

The program ended with “Mi Gente,” a salsa originally sung by Lavoe.

Before the concert ended, Holtan asked the audience to applaud former Sgt. Ber-

nard Vanberger, a Field Band alumnus who was a vocalist with what was then the Concert Band from 1956 to 1959.

At the concert’s start, Holtan and the musicians encouraged the audience to dance.

“If you are failed to be moved by this music, check your pulse,” Holtan said.

But the adults were content to tap their feet and clap their hands. Several children played on the grass.

“It was wonderful,” said Connie Bris-tol, a resident of Columbia. “I’m His-panic and I grew up listening to Latin music. I really enjoyed the music.”

Sgt. Juan Sierra agreed.“I’m from Puerto Rico and I think they

did a great job,” he said.

Above: Son Tropical

heats up the summer

evening with Afro-Cuban

and Latin music.

Right: Three-year-old Ellen

Dillenbeck plays with

a set of hula hoops during the

Son Tropical concert.

WRITTENBY JAMES VANDERBILT PRODUCED

BY BRADLEY J. FISCHER HARALD KLOSER JAMES VANDERBILT LARRY FRANCO LAETA KALOGRIDIS DIRECTEDBY ROLAND EMMERICH

EXECUTIVEPRODUCERS UTE EMMERICH CHANNING TATUM REID CAROLINCO-

PRODUCERS VOLKER ENGEL MARC WEIGERTRICHARD JENKINS MUSICBY THOMAS WANDER & HARALD KLOSERAND JAMES WOODS

COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS A MYTHOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT/CENTROPOLIS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION “WHITE HOUSE DOWN” JASON CLARKEMAGGIE GYLLENHAALA ROLAND EMMERICH FILM


News

By Russell M. WilsonChief Criminal InvestigatorDirectorate of Emergency Services

Every year on Fort Meade, the Direc-torate of Emergency Services dispatches patrols to the post housing areas regard-ing stolen property.

This, of course, peaks during the sum-mer months and holidays.

The most common items stolen are the ones left unsecured. More than 85 percent of thefts on Fort Meade are crimes of opportunity from unsecured property.

Imagine if everyone locked up their belongings; we would put some criminals out of work.

Bicycles are the main item stolen from

yards every year. They should be locked up at all times when not in use.

The majority of the owners do not have any documentation, serial numbers or photographs of their property. Any documentation provided to law enforce-ment officials makes it easier to identify and return property if it is located.

Electronics and any high-value items left inside a vehicle are the second area of interest for theft.

All electronic devices or high-value items should be locked in a safe area or removed until needed. The vehicle itself should be secured at all times, no matter where you are.

Electronic devices contain private

information that could lead to identity theft and other crimes.

Recently, a television news program reported how a criminal used a stolen GPS to locate other places visited by the owner and burglarized storage units, residences and other properties using the stored GPS information.

Every item you carry with you or keep in your home or vehicle should be docu-mented.

• Record the serial numbers of all your high-value items.

• Photograph and video-tape your property.

• Place identifying marks or symbols if there are no serial numbers.

• Keep a handwritten record of receipts, registration certificates, or whatever proof of ownership you have in a fireproof safe or at a family member’s residence.

You also can email yourself a scanned copy of all these documents so they can be virtually stored.

• Change your passwords to your online accounts every quarter.

• Lock prescription drugs in a safe place.

Think outside the box and do not be complacent in your daily activities. Remember, you are the first line of defense in your community.

Do your part: secure, record and store your personal property.

Secure, record and store your personal property

Reporting fraud or identity theftHere is what each victim needs to know:1. The victim must have a copy of bank records in hand or any information supporting the allegation of a theft/loss of funds or identity breach.2. The victim must file a report with the Federal Trade Commission on itswebsite at ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.3. The victim must bring in the printed report or a confirmation numberprovided by the FTC to the DES so it can be added with the report.4. The victim will fill out a sworn affidavit about the incident.

Questions you may be asked when filing a report:• Where have you used your bank card in the past few days?• When did you notice the discrepancy?• Did you leave your receipt at the location of the transaction?• How often do you use the card that was skimmed?• How many copies of the card do you have?• Did you destroy your old cards?You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from the three reporting agencies once a year.

Photo by Sgt. Walter reeveS

FAST AND FURIOUSVeterans and family members ride motorcycles down Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C., at the 2013 Roll-ing Thunder Motorcycle Rally held May 26 during Memorial Day weekend. Rolling Thunder’s first demonstration was in 1988. Its main rally takes place throughout the monument section of Washington, D.C. The photo won the 55th Combat Camera (Signal Company) Photo of the Month contest.


News

By Capt. Grant KerrickExecutive OfficerKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

As one outstanding surgeon departs, another has taken the reins as the chief of surgery at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center.

Navy Cmdr. Mark Fleming was replaced as chief of surgery by Navy Cmdr. George Nanos in February. Both are well-established members of the med-ical community and true leaders within their respective fields.

“Dr. Nanos continues the fantastic leadership that Dr. Fleming provided as the current KACC chief of surgery,” said Col. Danny B.N. Jaghab, commander of Kimbrough. “The talent he possesses, combined with the relationships he has developed here in the national capitol area, will ensure KACC remains the premier ambulatory surgical center in the region.”

Prior to being assigned as the chief of surgery, Fleming served as the director of Orthopedic Trauma at the National Naval Medical Center and subsequent-ly, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he developed an appreciation of the interrelation between health care, education, research and ser-vice.

“Dr. Mark Fleming played a pivotal leadership role as KACC transitioned from a 50-year-old surgical facility to the current $20 million state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical department,” Jaghab said.

“Dr. Fleming filled the critical need of an ambassador between the new Walter Reed National Military Center and our ambulatory care center.”

Fleming’s interest in research was spurred by his selection as a fellow on the Armed Forces Institute Regenerative Medicine Traveling Exchange Program. AFIRM is a multi-institutional, inter-disciplinary network working to develop advanced treatment options for severely wounded service members by sharing knowledge and fostering peer relation-ships between academic researchers and military clinicians.

As a military orthopedic trauma sur-geon, Fleming had firsthand knowledge that many of the injuries sustained by service members involve massive soft tissue wounds and severely comminuted and contaminated fractures. His research and proposals have been awarded grants totaling several millions of dollars to

New chief of surgery takes over at Kimbrough

Photo by Sgt. Walter reeveS

Navy Cmdr. George Nanos, the new chief of surgery at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, conducts Team STEPPS National Implementation training, a communication-based exercise for military surgeons, on May 2 with Kimbrough personnel. A hand- and upper-extremity surgeon, Nanos previously served at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

enhance wounded warrior care.The results of some of Fleming’s

research endeavors were presented at the annual Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons conference held Dec. 11 to 14 in Naples, Fla. Fleming authored or co-authored 14 of the presentations given during this year’s conference.

The annual meeting provides numer-ous opportunities for SOMOS members to meet in an informal setting to share recent experiences and solve common problems.

Nanos is a hand- and upper-extrem-ity surgeon who has been stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center since finishing his hand surgery fellowship in 2009 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

In addition to serving as the program

director of the National Capital Consor-tium Hand Surgery Fellowship, Nanos was named the chief of surgery at Kim-brough, site of the recently opened Hand Surgery Center.

Nanos has a diverse surgical practice, which includes complex wrist and hand reconstruction, microsurgery and periph-eral nerve injury. He is considered an expert in the treatment of upper-extrem-ity combat injuries.

Recently, Nanos was asked to travel to Naval Medical Center San Diego to assist with an innovative surgical technique called Target Muscle Reinnervation. The goal of the surgery was to enhance myoelectric prosthetic functioning in a Soldier with a transhumeral amputa-tion — an amputation above the elbow. The surgery is complex but predictably

improves hand function in those ampu-tees indicated for the procedure.

Nanos performed the surgery March 20 with Dr. Leo Kroonen, staff hand surgeon at NMCSD. The surgery was successful, and the patient has been dis-charged to the care of the Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care Center for the rehabilitation of wounded warriors at NMCSD for continued care.

“The Fort George G. Meade MED-DAC and AMEDD [Army Medical Department] are incredibly fortunate to benefit from the talents and selflessness that these two incredible surgeons, lead-ers, and gentlemen bring to our mission,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Soltis, deputy commander for Clinical Services at Kim-brough. “I would and do unhesitatingly entrust my family to their care.”


News

Veterinary Treatment FacilityBy following a few simple guidelines,

pet owners can prevent many of the inju-ries that arise during the summer to keep their pets safe and healthy.

Beat the heatThe hottest hours of the day are

between 2 and 6 p.m., making sidewalks a dangerous place for pets.

Save the daily walk for the cooler early morning and late evening hours. This also will help to prevent pets from becoming dehydrated.

The inside of a parked car can become dangerously hot in only a few minutes and can reach temperatures as high as 140 degrees.

Dogs are not good at cooling them-selves down. They only have hot air to breathe in a car, and dogs will start to suffer brain and/or organ damage after just 15 minutes.

Panting and drinking water can help cool them off but can’t prevent further harm. As a result, it is illegal to leave animals alone in vehicles on the instal-lation.

A light-colored dog’s coat can lead to sunburn and possibly skin cancer. If a dog is light-colored and doesn’t have dark hair on its face, keep the dog out of the bright sun.

Ask a veterinarian about sun block for dogs.

Fourth of JulyThe holiday brings many runaway dogs

to animal shelters because they have been frightened and made frantic by fireworks.

People who plan to attend a fireworks display should leave their dog at home where it will be safe and comfortable. Keep the windows and curtains closed to reduce the noise and lights from neigh-borhood fireworks.

Turn on a television or a radio at normal sound volume to distract the dog from loud noises and help it to relax.

Inclement weatherFear of thunderstorms during the sum-

mer is common.Many pets can sense an oncoming

storm from the rapidly falling barometric pressure, so a pet may show anxiety even before the storm is visible.

Keep your pet safe this summer

Keep a pet close and calm its nervous-ness with soothing words.

Heartworm infection, fleas, ticks, allergies

Public Health Command’s Veterinary Treatment Facilities on military installa-tions require that dogs be tested annually for heartworm infection.

Transmitted by mosquitoes, this serious

parasitic disease can be fatal.Fleas and ticks also can cause many

problems, from flea allergy dermatitis to Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spot-ted Fever.

Summer also can trigger allergies in dogs. A dog can typically develop sneezing and itchy skin and will persistently scratch, lick and bite to get relief.

A Fort Meade veterinarian can provide information on which prevention methods

are best for insect infections and allergies.In general, it is best to always keep iden-

tification tags on a pet’s collar so it can be reunited with its owner if lost.

Fort Meade requires all pets that live on the installation to be microchipped. Be sure the microchip company has the pet’s current contact information.

Editor’s note: For more information, call the Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment Facility at 301-677-1300.

file photo

The Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment Facility recommends walking your dog in the early morning and late evening to prevent exposure during the hottest hours of the day; keeping pets hydrated; leaving dogs at home during fireworks displays; and testing for heartworm infection.


News

Story and photo by Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Retired Col. Frank J. Preston, senior Army instructor for Meade High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, recalled a performance evaluation six years ago.

A retired master sergeant who visited JROTC to evaluate Preston for the U.S. Army Cadet Command told the princi-pal that Preston “treats these kids like his own grandchildren. We have to move him.”

But Preston stayed on.“That’s probably the greatest compli-

ment he could have given me,” Preston said. “I would want a teacher to teach my kids like they were one of his own.”

On June 30, after 23 years of service to JROTC, Preston is retiring.

Meade High Principal John Yore said Preston is passionate about JROTC and has maintained a commitment to the cadets over the years.

“Even with his departure, he continues to advocate for the program and wants to maintain a positive connection to Meade and support the future of ROTC and our students,” Yore said.

A replacement for Preston is in the process of being hired.

But the program’s cadets are sad to see him go.

“[Preston] influenced me to become a better person — to be a loving person,” said Jeffrey West, 18, a cadet and senior who is Preston’s personal aide in the pro-gram. “He’s taught me to reach out to people, especially family.”

The mission of JROTC is “to motivate young people to become better citizens,” according to the program’s website.

Meade High established the program more than 30 years ago. JROTC’s goals include developing leadership and critical thinking/creative skills, communication skills, physical fitness, team-building skills and self-motivation.

The program also strives to promote living a drug-free life, an awareness of the military’s history and an incentive to graduate and attend an institution of higher education to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

For the past three years, the U.S. Army Cadet Command has named Meade High’s JROTC as an honor unit with distinction.

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Willie, a JROTC Army instructor for four years,

Meade High’s JROTC senior leader retires

said Preston’s greatest strength and his legacy are his passion for the program and his concern for the cadets.

“He could have retired years ago,” Wil-lie said. “It’s about his care for the kids.”

Preston took over the leadership of JROTC in 1990. He said his predeces-sors steered cadets to enlist in the Army although the program is not aimed at recruitment, according to the JROTC website.

“I thought we should be directing them to college,” said Preston, who graduated from Hampton University in Virginia and completed its senior ROTC program. “I had gotten my commission from col-lege.”

An Army Reserve officer, Preston worked for First Army at Fort Meade for four months in 1979, and returned to the installation two years later. He retired from the Reserves in 1987.

A decade ago, Preston began taking cadets to Hampton University’s annual Leadership Summit to encourage them

to consider attending the university after graduation.

As a member of the Retired Mili-tary Officers Association, Preston also began taking cadets to the organization’s biennial National Leadership and Train-ing Conference seven years ago to meet retired military officers who are also busi-ness leaders.

Preston said that in addition to steering cadets toward college, he has emphasized the importance of financial planning. His own family has established the Para-mount Investment Company, a nonprofit organization to assist family members with grants and loans.

Giancarlo Van Wright, 19, a Meade High graduate and JROTC battalion commander who completed the program this year, said part of Preston’s legacy will be his financial advice.

“He encouraged us to save money and put it away,” said Van Wright, who started his own savings plan after he began work-ing at a local movie theater two years

ago. “Nowadays, we like to splurge. Not everybody has a plan.”

Preston also required cadets to read The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and Soundoff! before the start of every class. Five cadets would then give a synopsis of the stories in front of their peers.

Before the end of each school year, cadets also were required to conduct research and give an oral presentation on a topic of their choice.

Preston said these exercises helped keep them informed and improved their communication skills for college and job interviews.

Yore said that each year, previous graduates return to speak with current cadets and help them understand the significance of JROTC and the positive impact JROTC can have on their lives.

Preston said many of the former cadets keep in touch and sometimes call for advice.

“It’s most rewarding, my relationship with these young people,” he said.

Retired Col. Frank J. Preston, senior Army instructor for Meade High School’s Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, stands alongside Jeffrey Wright, 18, a cadet and senior, and Giancarlo Van Wright, 19, a Meade High graduate who completed JROTC. Preston is retiring June 30 after 23 years of service.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! June 27, 2013

News

By Capt. Adam PettyLegal Assistance Division

Let me be the latest person to encour-age you to be “D-Free” (debt free).

Eliminating debt such as car notes, student loans and those pesky credit card bills is a noteworthy goal that we should all share.

But who can resist those often tempt-ing credit cards that offer rewards points or other spending incentives? Or, you just might not have the cash flow right now to make that super-important purchase.

If you do choose to whip out the plastic, be sure to use it responsibly. Part of that responsibility includes monitor-ing your account and inspecting your monthly bill to make sure there aren’t any errors.

What can you do when your credit card bill does in fact have a mistake?

The Fair Credit Billing Act, or FCBA, applies to “open end” credit accounts such as credit cards and revolving charge accounts like department store accounts.

The FCBA does not cover installment contracts - loans or extensions of credit you repay on a fixed schedule. Some of the more common billing mistakes cov-ered by the FCBA include: charges made by someone on your account without your permission; charges for items or services you’ve already paid for; charges for items or services you never received; charges for items you returned; and basic mistakes in addition or subtraction.

The FCBA does not cover charges for items you do not want any longer or charges for items that you unsuccessfully tried to return.

If your credit card bill has a mistake, first read all of the writing (even the small print) on the bill. If the bill includes instructions on how to notify the credi-tor about billing mistakes, follow those instructions.

If the bill does not tell you what to do, exercise your rights under the FCBA. To take advantage of the law’s consumer protections, you must first write to the creditor at the address given for billing inquiries — not the address for sending your payments — and include your name, address, account number and a descrip-tion of the billing error.

You must send your letter so that it reaches the creditor within 60 days after the first bill with the error was mailed to you. It’s a good idea to send your letter by certified mail and ask for a return receipt. Include copies (not originals) of sales slips or other documents that sup-port your position that a billing error has been made. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.

Under the FCBA, calling the creditor or writing a short note on the part of the bill you send back with your payment is not enough. You must notify the creditor in a detailed writing.

Be advised, you still need to pay on any part of the bill that is actually correct.

After receiving your complaint, the creditor has 30 days to act. The creditor must look into your claim and either cor-rect the mistake or explain to you why there is no mistake.

The creditor must resolve the dispute within two billing cycles (and not more than 90 days) after receiving your com-plaint.

If the billing mistake is not corrected and you need further assistance, consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

Maryland residents should also call the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662.

For more information or to sched-ule an appointment with a Fort Meade Legal Assistance attorney, call 301-677-9504/9536.

Take responsibility of your credit bills

By Wendy PoulsonSocial Security Manager, Glen Burnie

Oftentimes, people decide they need to apply for a new Social Security card because they can’t find their old one.

As long as you have all of the required information and documentation, it’s not dif-ficult to obtain a replacement Social Security card. But here’s even better news: you prob-ably don’t need the card.

Your Social Security number is your Social Security card; knowing your number is usu-ally all you’ll ever need.

If you want or need a replacement card — either for yourself or for a child — you can find all the details at socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

The “Get Or Replace a Social Security Card” page provides information on how

to obtain a replacement card and what specific documents you need to provide. In most cases you need to print, complete, and either mail or bring the application to Social Security with the appropriate documentation (originals or certified copies only).

In almost all cases, an application for your newborn’s Social Security card and number is taken in the hospital when you apply for your baby’s birth certificate.

There are a number of reasons a baby or child may need a Social Security number, but the main one is so you can claim your child as a dependent on your tax return. Your child also will need a Social Security number to apply for certain government and social service benefits.

Learn more about your Social Security card and number at socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

Your number is your card

Connect with Fort Meade atFacebook.com/ftmeade

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Soundoff!́


Commander’s Column

Cont ent sEffectonServices...... 13 ManagingFinances............16

DealingwithStress.... 14 ThriftSavingsPlan..............17

CommissaryHours.... 15 EmployeeResources.........18

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

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300

allison thompson 410-332-6850 [email protected]

Michele Griesbauer 410-332-6381 [email protected]

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 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: 301-677-5602; DSN: 622-5602.

Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, handicap or sex of purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

Printed by The Baltimore Sun Co., LLC, 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.

www.ftmeade.army.milYou can also keep track of Fort Meade on Twitter at twitter.com/ftmeademd

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In less than two weeks, Department of Defense civilian employees will begin a series of unpaid leave days. The unpaid leave is a result of automatic budget cuts mandated by sequestration and the Budget Control Act.

The unpaid leave, or furlough days, will result in DoD workers losing, on average, one day of work per week for three months from July 8 through the end of the 2013 fiscal year, Sept. 30.

The unpaid leave represents a 20 percent cut in pay over that period.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, U.S. Army Installation Management Commander Lt. Gen. Mike Ferriter and I have all expressed our regret regarding the consequences related to a reduction of our civilian workforce.

We know the impact of furloughs will be stressful and challenging for employees as well as their families.

I personally may not know each DoD employee at Fort Meade by name and exactly what you do, but what I can tell you is that whatever you do, every piece of paper you touch is a Solider or family action. I know what you do makes a difference.

As a career Soldier, I am used to hearing the phrase, “The mission comes first.” But as we face losing 20 percent of our civilian workforce for the next three months, I know it is going to impact our mission.

As garrison commander, I have three main responsibilities — providing safety, security and infrastructure — that will enable our part-ner commands to complete their missions.

That being said, I have been granted limited furlough exceptions to our civilian workforce to ensure the public health and safety of the installation. During this period of furloughs, there will not be a reduction in services provid-ed by the Directorate of Emergency Services.

We will continue to be able to meet our mission at Fort Meade. However, there will be immediate impacts. Effects of sequestra-tion will be felt here. You can expect to see cutbacks on facilities maintenance due to a loss of manpower hours and cuts in base operating costs.

I am fully aware of the personal conse-quences many of you will face as a results of unpaid leave. Losing 20 percent of your pay will force many employees to juggle some dif-

ficult decisions.These deci-

sions could involve having enough resourc-es to pay your rent or mort-gage, or bal-ancing monthly expenses that include utili-ties, food for your family and maybe a car payment.

Some federal employees will be concerned about taking on too much debt — debt that could have an adverse effect on their employ-ment status as some federal jobs require a security clearance and that employees main-tain a certain credit rating to keep their clear-ance and job.

I requested this special furlough-related Soundoff! insert with articles and resources designed to help federal employees make deci-sions with regard to the personal impact of sequestration.

My goal is to outline resources and tools that provide answers to such questions as which rules apply to federal employees seeking a second job or how sequestration will affect your health care and retirement contribu-tions.

And while this insert cannot possibly antici-pate all of the questions and concerns you may have as it relates to furloughs and sequestra-tion, I want you to know that I have asked my garrison leaders and human resources experts to be prepared to provide as much assistance as possible to help furloughed employees develop a strategy or a Plan B for getting through this difficult period of unpaid leave.

As I said in the beginning of this column, I deeply regret the decisions that led to seques-tration. But the furloughs are something we are going to have to deal with.

I do pledge, however, to continue to look for ways to limit the adverse effects of sequestra-tion and the associated budgetary shortfall that will impact Fort Meade’s federal employ-ees and the health, morale and welfare of Fort Meade.

Dealing with sequestration

COL. Edward C. rOthstEin

Garrison Commander

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil June 27, 2013 SOUNDOFF! 13

Special Section

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

Over the last two weeks, more than 425 garrison employees received a memorandum informing them of administrative furloughs, which will begin July 8 and continue through the end of September.

The minimum of 11 furlough days — down from the original 22 days — is part of the automatic spending cuts of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The furloughs will impact nearly 680,000 employees throughout the DoD.

“I have made this decision very reluctantly because I know that the furloughs will disrupt lives and impact DoD operations,” Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said. “I recognize the sig-nificant hardship this places on you and your families.”

Notices were hand-delivered to Fort Meade employees by supervisors. Deputy Garrison Commander John Moeller said delivering the letters in

person ensured employees an oppor-tunity to ask questions.

“The most important part about implementing the furloughs is to have open communication to ensure employ-ees are fully informed of the policies, regulations and the implementation,” Moeller said. “Supervisors and manag-ers, like the rest of the dedicated staff at Fort Meade, are also subjected to the mandatory furloughs.”

Tenant organizations will issue their own furlough notices if their agencies are affected by the funding reduc-tions.

While service members will not be furloughed, Fort Meade services will be affected by the furloughs including reduced operating hours, cancellation of events, and the closing of facilities on various days.

There will be no reduction in police and fire services.

During the furloughs, various agen-cies such as Army Community Service

and Legal Assistance will be closed Fridays. Services operating on reduced hours will include the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Resource Man-agement, and Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities.

The Defense Commissary Agency announced stores will be closed Mon-days during the furloughs as more than 14,000 of DeCA’s 16,000 employees will be impacted.

“We know that any disruption in commissary operations will impact our patrons,” said Joseph H. Jeu, CEO and director of DeCA. “Also, we under-stand the tremendous burden this plac-es on our employees. ... We determined that Monday closures would present the least pain for our patrons, employ-ees and industry partners.”

Commissary case-lot sales also have been canceled but will be replaced with weekly sidewalk sales.

The DoD-wide furloughs are intend-

ed to help cover the more than $30 billion shortfall in its operation and maintenance accounts. Furloughs will amount to an approximately 20 per-cent per-pay-period salary reduction.

Cuts have already been made to facilities maintenance. Funds from investments have been shifted to the operation and maintenance accounts; many nonessential programs have been reduced; and training and maintenance for nondeployed operating forces have been significantly reduced.

When these cuts came up short, Hagel made the decision for the 11-day furloughs.

“Since deeper cuts to training and maintenance could leave our nation’s military exposed in the event of an unforeseen crisis, we have been forced to consider placing the majority of our civilian employees on administrative leave,” he said. “... I am counting on all of you to stay focused on this vital mission in the days ahead.”

Garrison employees receive notices of 11-day furloughs

Closed Fridays:• Mission and Installation Con-

tracting Command• Installation Safety Office• Equal Employment Opportunity

Office• Plans, Analysis and Integration

Office• Housing and Barracks Manage-

ment• Training Support Center and

Visual Information• Mail Distribution• Demps Visitor Control Center,

Reece Road Main Gate (Gate 3)• Army Community Services (Assis-

tance available for emergencies and urgent matters)

• Legal Assistance Office, Claims and Trial Defense Services (Assis-tance available for emergencies and urgent matters)

Closed Wednesdays:• Fort Meade Museum

Limited Manpower Fridays and Mondays:

• Resource Management Office

• Military Justice and Privatized Army Lodging

• Ranges

Normal Hours of Operation - Reduced Manpower:

• Army Career and Alumni Program• Army Substance Abuse Program• Casualty Assistance• Military Personnel Division• Directorate of Emergency Services• Child Development Centers/Child,

Youth and School Services• Installation Operations Center/

Emergency Operations Center• McGill Training Center• Business Operations Division• Engineer Division• Environmental Division• Civilian Personnel Advisory Center• Directorate of Logistics• Inspector General• Internal Revenue and Audit Com-

pliance• Network Enterprise Center• Public Affairs Office• Recreation Operations• Religious Services

Impact of Sequestration Furloughs

By Nick SimeoneAmerican Forces Press Service

Sequestration spending cuts could con-tinue into 2014, and the impact of the deep cuts will fall disproportionately on small business, the Pentagon’s top acquisition official told a Navy industry forum June 3.

“It’s a reasonable possibility that we will go into 2014 with sequestration still under way,” said Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. “A lot of things we planned on doing we won’t be able to do.”

Last month, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Defense Department employees he could not guarantee that the budget situ-ation would ease next year.

Kendall’s comments to the 2013 Navy Opportunity Forum in Arlington, Va., come three months into a budget seques-ter that is taking $41 billion out of the Pentagon budget this fiscal year, leading to cuts across the military in everything from operations and deployments to training and readiness.

Furloughs are set to begin in July for about 85 percent of the Defense Depart-

ment’s 767,000 civilian employees.In the sequestration environment, Ken-

dall said, the department needs to be more proactive in taking care of the small busi-nesses that contract with the military.

“The cuts we are going to experience potentially will fall on small businesses,” more than on large military contractors, he said, adding that cuts in research and development worry him as well.

“Potential adversaries are modernizing at a rate which makes me nervous,” he told the group, which included representatives of companies that produce advanced tech-nologies funded by Navy programs.

Kendall said the department is about to conclude its strategic choices and manage-ment review, which Hagel ordered to pro-vide department leaders with options given the current budget environment as well as the prospect of future spending cuts.

“What would we have to do at the depart-ment if we had to take $50 billion a year out over the long term? That would be pretty devastating,” Kendall said, mentioning one such scenario being considered by the review.

Sequestration likely to continue into 2014


Special Section

By Joella GibbsResiliency TrainerBehavioral Health Care ServicesKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

It is a very challenging time for many Department of the Army civil-ian employees due to the upcoming furloughs.

It is important that we recognize this challenging time as an opportunity to build our inner strengths.

Although it will be difficult for indi-viduals and organizations, keep in mind that there are many healthy ways to alleviate stress and that the furloughs will, hopefully, be temporary.

Healthy ways to deal with stress• Focus on the positive. Although the

situation is difficult, we can remind our-selves that the amount of furlough days has been significantly reduced from 22 days to 11 days.

• We will get more time to spend with friends and family. We also get more time to relax.

• It is an opportunity to review our household budgets and look at areas where we can reduce spending.

Some of these areas may be cutting back on dining out or reducing the amount of spending on cell phone cov-erage, TV, movies and Internet access.

Some of these changes may even become permanent ways to save money.

• Create a “To Do” list and use the extra time to catch up on some of the things that you may have been putting off or didn’t have the time to do.

• Talk about it. It is normal to feel angry, afraid or uncertain. It is impor-tant to share your feelings about the situation with the individuals who are closest to you.

• Be active. It is important to stay (or get) active, especially during times of increased stress.

• Get creative. Look at free or low-cost opportunities: cutting coupons, going for walks or checking out books from the local library.

• Plan for success. Resilient people view obstacles and setbacks as chal-lenges and opportunities.

We all experience setbacks through-out life, but we can develop strength during the most difficult times.

• Look for opportunities to earn extra income to ease the burden. This might include part-time employment or selling unwanted items around the house.

• Get help if you need it. We all deal with stress differently, but when stress begins to affect your relationships, work or personal happiness, it may be time to seek professional help.

Signs and symptoms of stressAlthough it is very normal to experi-

ence some stress during the furlough, it is helpful to know the warning signs of excessive stress:

• Fear and anxiety about the future• Difficulty making decisions or con-

centrating• Inability to focus• Feeling emotionally numb• Irritability and anger• Sadness and depression• Feeling powerless• Crying for no apparent reason• Headaches and stomach problems• Difficulty sleeping

When to seek helpIndicators that you may need profes-

sional help:• Excessive use of alcohol and drugs• Individuals close to you are show-

ing concern• Extreme changes in eating patterns:

loss of appetite or overeating• Nightmares and recurring thoughts• Unable to stop thinking about the

situation• Continued difficulty falling asleep

or staying asleep• Feeling jumpy or easily startled• Being overly concerned about safe-

ty• Feeling guilty, worthless or hope-

less• Not taking pleasure in activities

once enjoyed • Thoughts of death or suicide

Resources for assistance• Active-duty service members may

call Behavioral Health Care Services at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center at 301-677-8895.

• Department of the Army civil-ian employees may call the Employee Assistance Program at 301-677-7121 or 301-677-7981.

Dealing with the stress of furloughs

photos.com


Special Section

By Kevin L. RobinsonDefense Commissary Agency

FORT LEE, Va. — When furloughs are implemented, most military commis-saries will close one day a week, on Mon-days, the Defense Commissary Agency’s top official said.

Closures will be for up to 11 days, between July 8 and Sept. 30.

“We know that any disruption in commissary operations will impact our patrons,” said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA’s director and CEO. “Also, we understand the tremendous burden this places on our employees, who, when furloughed, will lose 20 percent of their pay.

“We determined that Monday clo-sures would present the least pain for our patrons, employees and industry partners.”

Closing commissaries on Mondays would be in addition to any day stores are routinely closed. The 148 stores that routinely close on Mondays would also close the next normal day of operation.

Other than the furlough day, there are no other changes planned for store operation hours.

The announcement comes as DeCA follows DoD protocols related to the automatic, federal government budget reductions known as sequestration, which began March 1.

Like most DoD activities, DeCA is mandated by DoD to furlough its civil service employees.

DeCA has 247 commissaries with more than 16,000 employees operating in 13 countries and two U.S. territories. Fur-loughs will impact all of DeCA’s more than 14,000 U.S. civilian employees.

As sequestration continues, commis-sary customers can quickly find out about any changes to their local store’s operat-ing schedule by going online to commis-saries.com, clicking on the “Locations” tab, then “Alphabetical Listing,” finding their store and clicking on “local store information.”

Patrons are reminded that because sequestration is so fluid, DeCA’s plan for this budget-cutting measure is subject to change.

DeCA decided on Monday closures after weighing the potential disruption to patrons and suppliers of having roll-ing furloughs, where closure dates would differ from store to store.

Universal Monday closures are less disruptive to shoppers and the agency’s industry partners — vendors, suppliers

Commissaries plan for Monday furloughs

photo by brandon bieltz

The Fort Meade Commissary will be closed Mondays from July 8 through Sept. 30 as a result of sequestration. More than 14,000 commissary employees worldwide will be impacted by the furloughs.

and distributors — who deliver products daily to DeCA’s commissaries.

Store staffs overseas include a mix of U.S. and local national employees. Because they are not U.S. government employees, local national employees are not subject to this furlough action.

Select locations overseas will open if they have an adequate local national staff. However, if an overseas store is closed, its local national staff will report to work and perform other store-related duties.

In January, DoD released guidance to allow Defense components to plan for potential budget cuts by reducing operating costs. In line with that direc-tion, DeCA later executed the following budget-cutting measures:

• A hiring freeze on all outside hires

• Curtailment of official travel for all conferences, training, and any other events and activities considered noncriti-cal to the agency’s mission

• Cancellation of the agency’s May Worldwide Case Lot Sales for all com-missaries. Instead, stores are conducting smaller-scale events such as outdoor sidewalk sales.

• Curtailment of all overtime and compensatory time unless deemed mis-sion-critical

• Review of contract services to restrict any increases

• Curtailment of all monetary awards unless legally required

• Postponement of all Guard and Reserve on-site sales scheduled after July 8 until further notice.

“We are in this together.” Jeu said.

“And though limited in our ability by circumstances we cannot control, I assure you we will do all we can to mitigate the impact of sequestration on our patrons, employees and industry partners, and on our mission.”

The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commis-saries, providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment.

Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5 percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commis-saries and modernizing existing ones.

By shopping regularly in the commis-sary, patrons save an average of 30 percent or more on their purchases compared to commercial prices — savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually.


Special Section

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

The most pressing concern for DoD civilians who will be furloughed is how to manage their finances over the next three months.

Ryan D. Yarnell, personal financial readiness specialist at Army Community Service, suggests the following tips for dealing with the stress of financial pres-sures due to reduced income:

How can people best manage their money during the furloughs?

• Prepare your budget.This will allow you to identify any

gaps in income when the furlough begins. Knowing the gaps can help people plan to fill in those gaps.

• Track your spending to identify “fat” in your budget, and look for ways to cut the “fat.”

• Try very hard not to add to your debt levels. This short-term attempt to

replace the missing income will only cre-ate bigger long-term problems after the furlough is over.

• Know your resources.Contact your lenders to find out if

they have any special programs available to assist federal government employees. Some lenders are temporarily reducing interest rates or allowing customers to skip a payment if necessary.

• Prioritize your spending.If you find that you will not have

enough income to cover all of your expenses, make sure you take care of high-priority items first.

For example, allow enough money to provide for food, shelter, reason-able clothing, transportation and utili-ties before spending on dining out or a movie.

• Prioritize your debt payments.Secured loan payments (mortgage and

car payments) always come before unse-

cured (credit cards).If you need to miss any debt payments,

be sure to contact the lenders to let them know what’s going on. They may agree to waive a late payment fee.

Is it a good idea to withdraw funds from a retirement account to make ends meet?

Not usually. Most employees will be under the age of 59 1/2, so in addition to potentially having to pay taxes on their distribution, they will also be penalized 10 percent by the IRS.

Also, this can have a drastic impact on future earnings potential.

The same thing goes for loans from Thrift Savings Plan accounts. It unplugs the money from accounts with high growth potential and limits it to the G-Fund return during repayment.

In general, what can people do now to prepare for financial hardships down the road?

• Pay more attention to your money.

Many people let their money control them instead of the other way around. Keep track of where your money goes so that you can do a better job of planning where you want it to go.

A monthly budget is a great tool that helps put you in the driver’s seat.

• Create an emergency savings account that you can keep your hands off.

Many people have trouble saving money for emergencies because they keep this account too close to their checking account.

• Open an account with another finan-cial institution without an ATM card or checks and pretend it doesn’t exist.

Ultimately, people need to spend less than they make, limit their use of debt, and create automatic savings for emer-gencies, retirement and other financial goals.

For more information on financial read-iness classes at ACS, call 301-677-5590.

Managing your finances during the sequester

Guidance for administrative furloughs

The U.S. Office of Personnel Manage-ment has prepared “Guidance for Admin-istrative Furloughs,” a human resources guidance for agencies and employees on administrative furloughs.

The following questions were taken from the guide. To review the complete document, go to www.ftmeade.army.mil/pages/cpac/cpac2.html.

What is an administrative furlough and why are administrative furloughs necessary?

An administrative furlough is a planned event by an agency that is designed to absorb reductions necessitated by down-sizing, reduced funding, lack of work, or any other budget situation other than a lapse in appropriations.

This type of furlough is typically a nonemergency furlough in that the agency has sufficient time to reduce spending and give adequate notice to employees of its specific furlough plan and how many furlough days will be required.

An example of when such a furlough may be necessary is when, as a result of

congressional budget decisions, an agency is required to absorb additional reduc-tions over the course of a fiscal year.

May employees take other jobs during a period designated as furlough time off?

While on furlough time off, an indi-vidual remains an employee of the fed-eral government. Therefore, executive branch-wide standards of ethical conduct and rules regarding outside employment continue to apply when an individual is furloughed (specifically, the executive branch-wide standards of ethical conduct at 5 CFR part 2635).

In addition, there are specific statutes that prohibit certain outside activities and agency-specific supplemental rules that require prior approval of, and sometimes prohibit, outside employment.

Therefore, before engaging in outside employment, an employee should review these regulations and then consult his or her agency ethics official to learn if there are any agency-specific supplemen-tal rules governing the employee.

Are there any plans to provide specific guidance for restoration of annual leave due to the potential inability to use all “use or lose” prior to the end of the leave year?

Currently, there’s no provision in the

law for such only if such was due to an administration error, exigency of the public business, sickness or national emergency by reason of certain terrorist attacks [5 U.S.C. 6304(d) and (e) or 5 CFR 630.305-311].

However, there’s plenty of time to schedule leave or incorporate the office’s leave with your furlough schedule.

If, by approximately Nov. 27, the agen-cy has an exigency and requires your ser-vices and cancels your leave, or you meet one of the provisions aforementioned, then the commander could grant such restoration.

May an employee volunteer to do his or her job on a nonpay basis during any hours or days designated as furlough time off?

No. Unless otherwise authorized by law, an agency may not accept the vol-untary services of an employee. (See 31 U.S.C. 1342.)

When an employee’s pay is insufficient to permit all deductions to be made because furlough time off occurs in the middle of a pay period and the employee receives a partial paycheck, what is the order of withholding precedence?

Agencies will follow the guidance at chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDe-

tails.aspx?TransmittalID=1477 to deter-mine the order of precedence for applying deductions from the pay of its civilian employees when gross pay is insufficient to cover all authorized deductions.

May federal agencies require employees who are placed on administrative furlough for all or part of their basic workweek to work hours outside the basic workweek?

Yes. An agency may assign work during hours outside the employee’s basic work-week, subject to any applicable agency policies or collective bargaining agree-ments.

Employees are only in furlough status for designated furlough hours. Furlough status means the employee is placed in nonpay, nonduty status for certain hours within the employee’s tour of duty estab-lished for leave usage purposes — the tour of duty for which absences require the charging of leave.

Thus, for full-time employees with a 40-hour basic workweek, furlough hours must be within the 40-hour basic work-week.

For part-time employees, furlough hours must be within the employee’s part-time basic workweek based on the part-time tour of duty established for leave usage purposes.

For employees on an uncommon tour


Special Section

By Claudette RouloAmerican Forces Press Service

Furloughed federal civilian employees could see their Thrift Savings Plan contri-butions reduced.

The Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services, including the Ready Reserve.

“Employees who have selected their TSP contribution to be a percentage of their pay will see smaller contributions during the furlough period due to their reduced pay,” said Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Defense Department spokes-woman.

For example, an employee who earns $1,000 of basic pay every two-week pay period and contributes 10 percent of it to the TSP would make a $100 TSP contribution during a normal pay period. However, if the employee is furloughed for two days per pay period, basic pay would

decrease to $800.As a result, the TSP contribution would

be $80 per pay period.Employees who contribute a set dollar

amount won’t see that amount change with a reduction in pay, Hull-Ryde said. For this reason, now is a good time to review TSP contribution amounts to see if they are appropriate, Thrift Savings Plan officials said.

Basic pay reductions also will affect the matching funds contributed by the Defense Department and other agencies. According to a Thrift Savings Plan news release, any reduction in pay will propor-tionally decrease the matching funds con-tribution, regardless of whether employees contribute a percentage of their pay or a set dollar amount.

The furloughs may cause financial hard-ship for some employees. In those cases, they may consider making a hardship withdrawal from their TSP fund. Such

withdrawals have several restrictions:• If you take a hardship withdrawal,

you will not be able to make any TSP contributions for six months after having received your funds.

• You may withdraw only your contri-butions and the earnings associated with them. The total amount cannot exceed your financial hardship.

• You must pay income tax on the tax-able portion of any withdrawal. You may also be subject to a 10 percent early-with-drawal penalty tax.

If you are a Federal Employees Retire-ment System participant, you will not receive agency-matching contributions.

• A hardship withdrawal cannot be repaid, so your TSP account is perma-nently reduced by the amount of your withdrawal.

A better option may be taking a loan against your TSP, officials said. Loans can be repaid — plus interest — but the

account continues to accrue earnings even as the loan is paid back.

TSP officials recommend that employ-ees think carefully before decreasing or stopping their traditional TSP contribu-tions. Those contributions are subtracted from pre-tax income, and terminating contributions could increase income tax liability.

Roth TSP contributions are subtracted from employees’ after-tax income. Chang-es will not affect tax liability.

“One of the great things about your TSP contributions, no matter how small, is that the earnings compound over time. If you stop your contributions, even for a short time, you’ll miss this opportunity altogether,” the news release stated.

Federal Employees Retirement System participants would, in effect, be losing free money by stopping their contribu-tions because matching contributions also would stop, officials said.

Furlough to affect Thrift Savings Plan contributions

of duty established under 5 CFR 630.210, furlough hours must be within the uncom-mon tour of duty.

May an employee on a flexible work schedule earn credit hours by working during a week or on a day when the employee is furloughed?

During a week or on a day when an employee is furloughed during cer-tain basic work requirement hours, the employee may earn credit hours by electing to work in excess of his or her basic work requirement, subject to all legal requirements and applicable agency policies or collective bargaining agreements.

An employee may not earn credit hours by working during designated furlough hours within the employee’s basic work requirement.

Also, an employee may not use pre-viously earned credit hours during fur-lough hours.

The substitution rule in 5 CFR 550.112 may not be applied to credit hours.

May an employee take paid leave or other forms of paid time off (such as annual, sick, court or military leave; leave for bone marrow or organ donor leave; credit hours earned; any compensatory time off

earned; or time off awards) instead of taking administrative furlough time off?

No. During an administrative furlough, an employee may not substitute paid leave or other forms of paid time off for any hours or days designated as furlough time off.

Can agencies furlough employees who are on approved leave without pay (LWOP) during a time when administrative furloughs are being conducted for other employees?

Agencies have discretion in determin-ing whether to furlough employees who are in LWOP status, since both furloughs and LWOP are periods of nonpay status.

Employees may already be scheduled for LWOP for a variety of reasons and for various lengths of time on either a continuous or discontinuous basis.

An employee’s LWOP may or may not fully encompass the period during which administrative furloughs are being con-ducted for other employees in the same organization.

For example, for one employee, a con-tinuous one-year period of leave without pay to accompany a military spouse overseas may encompass the entire period during which administrative furloughs are being conducted in an employee’s organization, while another employee’s continuous LWOP may end during that

period.Other employees may be scheduled to

take LWOP on a regular but discontinu-ous basis under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Agencies are responsible for deter-mining: (1) whether employees already scheduled for LWOP during a period when administrative furloughs are being conducted will be subject to furlough, and (2) the hours of furlough required of such employees.

May employees be administratively furloughed on a holiday?

Employees may be furloughed for peri-ods of time that include holidays.

However, an agency should select the furlough days off on programmatic and administrative grounds that are unrelated to the fact that the period includes a holiday.

For example, an agency may not prop-erly furlough employees for a three-day period, the middle of which is a holiday, for the sole purpose of saving three days’ pay while losing only two days of work.

Neither would it be proper to furlough an employee solely on a holiday. (See Comptroller General opinion B-222836, May 8, 1986.)

If employees have a designated administrative furlough day off on the last workday before a holiday

or the first workday after a holiday (but not on both days), will they be paid for the holiday?

Yes. The general rule is that an employ-ee is entitled to pay for a holiday so long as he or she is in a pay status on either the workday preceding a holiday or the workday following a holiday.

The employee is paid for the holiday based on the presumption that, but for the holiday, the employee would have worked. A holiday should not be the first or last day of the period covered by a furlough.

Will an employee continue to be covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program during an administrative furlough?

The employee’s FEHB coverage will continue if the employee’s salary is suf-ficient to pay the premiums.

If the employee’s salary becomes insufficient to pay FEHB premiums due to the furlough, the leave without pay/insufficient pay rules apply (opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference materials/reference/leave-without-pay-sta-tus-and-insufficient-pay/).

If the employee chooses to remain covered, the enrollee share of the FEHB premium will accumulate and be withheld from pay upon the employee’s pay becom-ing sufficient to cover the premiums.


Special Section

Army Community ServiceEducation and programs are

designed to enhance resiliency and well-being.

Individual, group and fam-ily sessions include: Financial Readiness, Family Team Build-ing, Communication/Conflict Resolution, Anger and Stress Management.

Military and Family Life con-sultants work closely with ACS.

For more information, visit ACS at the Community Readi-ness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. or call 301-677-5590, or go online at ftmeademwr.com/acs.php.

Office of Garrison ChaplainConfidential counseling ses-

sions in marriage relationships, stress and anxiety, depression, grief, anger management and other family issues.

For more information, call 301-677-6703 or 301-677-6035 or visit ftmeade.army.mil/pages/chapel/chapel.html.

Federal Employee Education Assistance Fund

FEEA is a community of fed-eral employees helping federal employees. The organization can help make ends meet and help federal employees obtain emer-gency assistance when the fur-lough begins.

For more information, call 303-933-7580 or visit feea.org.

Military One SourceMilitary One Source provides

support on a wide range of con-cerns including parenting and child care, wounded warriors, spouse education and employ-ment, relocation, financial man-agement, legal concerns, everyday community and consumer issues, emotional well-being, health and wellness, housing, recreation, pet care, adult or child special needs, military life, work concerns, elder care, military health care, and referrals to confidential counsel-ing to assist families in coping with adverse situations.

For more information, call 1-800-342-9647 or visit militaryo-nesource.mil.

Fort Meade Education Center

Provides education counsel-ing, tuition assistance, finan-cial aid, GI Bill information, DANTES and other testing.

For more information, call 301-677-6421 or visit ftmeade.army.mil/pages/ed_ctr/education.html.

Housing DivisionCan assist Fort Meade

employees with locating off-post housing as well as with disputes regarding on and off-post hous-ing.

To contact the Housing Divi-sion, call 301-677-7748.

Civilian Personnel Advisory Center

For the latest furlough infor-mation, call 301-677-6526 or visit the following websites:

• Home Page: ftmeade.army.mil/pages/cpac/cpac2.html

• ftmeade.army.mil/faqs/sequestration.html

• Department of the Army: cpol.army.mil/library/ general/2013sequestration/

• Department of Defense: cpms.osd.mil/Subpage/Fur-loughGuidance/

• OPM: opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Administrative-Furlough

Employee Assistance Program

EAP is a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and con-fidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have per-sonal and/or work-related problems.

It addresses a broad and com-plex body of issues affecting mental and emotional well-being, such as alcohol and other substance abuse, stress, grief, family problems and psychological disorders.

For more information, call 301-677-7121/7981 or visit army.mil/pages/organizations/dhr/dhr.html.

Fort Meade Army Substance Abuse Prevention Program

ASAP provides substance

abuse prevention, treatment and referral services for active-duty service members, family mem-bers, retirees and DoD civilians age 18 and older.

For more information, call 301-677-7121 or visit ftmeade.army.mil/pages/organizations/dhr/asap/index.html.

Kimbrough Behavioral Health Department

The Behavioral Health Clin-ic at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center provides emergency walk-in services for active-duty service members, family mem-bers, retirees and DoD civilians of all ages.

For more information, call 301-677-8791 or visit kacc.narmc.amedd.army.mil/default.aspx/MP_KACC.htm.

Thrift Savings PlanTSP offers several options for

those experiencing a financial hardship.

For more information, visit tsp.gov/index.shtml.

Loans in a non-pay status:• Participating in TSP while in

non-pay status• Handling TSP loans while in

non-pay statusFor information, visit tsp.gov/

planparticipation/loans/nonpay-status.shtml.

Loans:• How a TSP loan works• Loan types and terms• Loan eligibilityFor information, visit tsp.gov/

planparticipation/loans/loanBa-sics.shtml.

Financial hardship in-service withdrawals:

• Eligibility rules• Consequences of financial

hardship withdrawals• Tax considerations• Applying for a financial

hardship withdrawal• Receiving your financial

hardship withdrawalFor information, visit tsp.gov/

lifeevents/hardship/economicH-ardship.shtml.

Maryland Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program

Provides financial assistance to help the residents of Maryland buy nutritious foods through the use of food stamps.

Other Maryland benefits list-ed at benefitsapplication.com/state/MD.

Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services

• All issues: 410-269-4600• County Partnership for Chil-

dren, Youth and Families: 410-222-7423

Baltimore County Department of Social Services

• Medical assistance, food supplements, temporary cash assistance and financial assis-tance programs: 1-800-332-6347 or 410-853-3000

Baltimore City Department of Human Services

• 443-378-4600

Carroll County Citizens Services

• Assistance with Housing: 410-386-3600

• Department of Social Ser-vices: Assistance with food, child care, medical assistance: 410-386-3300

Howard County Department of Social Services:

• All issues: 410-872-8700• Financial advice: 443-718-

9350• Community Action Coun-

cil - Multiple Services: 410-313-6440

• Office of Aging (over 50): 410-313-6410

• General information or assis-tance on aging: 410-313-5980

Montgomery County Crisis Center

Provides immediate responses to crisis situations for all resi-dents of Montgomery County.

The center provides goal-ori-ented crisis intervention, brief crisis stabilization, and help in obtaining services for individuals and families with a mental health

crisis or experiencing other crisis situations.

For more information, call 240-777-4000.

Prince George’s County Department of Social Services

• Temporary cash assistance, food supplement program, medi-cal assistance, emergency assis-tance, Child Care Subsidy Pro-gram: 301-209-5000

• Prince George’s County Sui-cide Hotline: 301-864-7130

Provides crisis intervention services to anyone in need, 365 days a year.

Professional counseling staff is available to listen, provide cri-sis intervention counseling and support, and make referrals on a wide range of issues.

Also offers walk-in crisis counseling, emergency shelter, transitional housing and com-munity education.

Regional Suicide Prevention Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Response Teams

• MD Crisis Hotline: 800-422-0009

• Anne Arundel County: 410-768-5522

• Baltimore: 410-931-2214• Eastern Shore: 888-407-

8018• Montgomery County: 301-

738-2255• Prince George’s County:

301-429-5522

Military Crisis Line1-800-273-TALK (8255) -

Press 1

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)• suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Social Media• Facebook: facebook.com/

FtMeade• Twitter: twitter.com/ftmeademd• Live blog: ftmeade.armylive.

dodlive.mil/• Public website: www.ftmeade.

army.mil/

Fort Meade Employee Resource Guide


SportS

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

More than 30 youngsters sat on the edge of the Midway Common neighbor-hood, their feet submerged in the water.

With a countdown led by a former Olympian swimmer, the children made a splash as they hopped into the pool, officially making their mark in a world-record attempt.

The pool served as a site of the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on June 18. Organizers were attempting to break the Guinness World Record for largest mul-tisite swimming lesson, which was set at 24,874 participants last year.

The program aims to highlight the importance of swimming lessons to pre-vent drownings.

“We’re really here to promote that swim lessons save lives,” said Noelle Navarro, vice president of DRD Pool Service Inc., which co-sponsored the event with Cor-vias Military Living. “[Drowning is] the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States. It’s the No. 2 cause for children under 12 in the United States.”

Similar events were held at more than 1,200 sites through the U.S. and in at least 15 other countries. Organizers hoped to have 35,000 youngsters ages 1 to 14 par-ticipate in the annual program.

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson organization has set the world record for the past three years.

Former Olympian swimmer Crissy Per-ham attended the event with her two gold medals and silver medal that she earned in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Perham said she wanted to promote safety, while introducing more youngsters to the sport.

“I totally support anything that can keep children safe,” she said. “I’m a huge fan of getting kids in the water and get-ting them to be safe in the water. I think that it’s a wonderful opportunity for the military children to get to be part of a world record and have it be a memorable experience, and maybe get them started on a lifelong experience of swimming,”

Prior to the 30-minute swimming les-son, which was led by Star Fish Aquatics Instruction, instructors and lifeguards discussed the importance of pool safety.

Perham led the group in stretching.Separated into age groups, participants

Going for the recordMidway Common pool a site for World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

then hopped into the pool to begin a swim lesson that introduced them to basic movements and techniques.

Even experienced swimmers such as 11-year-old Nicholas Haylock attended.

“I thought it would be fun to come out,” he said.

Due to Guiness’ lengthy verification process, an announcement will not be made on the record-breaker for several weeks, said a spokesman for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson organization.

Several Fort Meade youngsters said they were excited to get the chance to break the world record.

“It’d be very awesome,” Nicholas said.

Lifeguard Tyler Young helps 9-year-old Elijah Houghton float during the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on June 18 at the Midway Common neighborhood pool. More than 30 youngsters participated in the event, which aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the largest multisite swimming lesson.

Former swimmer Crissy Perham shows her Olympic medals to children on June 18 at the Midway Common pool. Perham, who won two gold and one silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, attended the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson to promote safety.

Photos by

brandon bieltz


SportS

Sports Shorts Premier soccer

The Arundel Soccer Association Premier 99’s Rising Girls U14 Division I team is looking for a goalkeeper and field players born between Aug. 1, 1999 and July 31, 2000.

Interested players should call 443-956-3828 or email [email protected]

Gaffney poolThe swimming pool at Gaffney Fitness Center is closed for maintenance.

EFMP bowlingThe Exceptional Family Member program is sponsoring its monthly

bowling event on July 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Lanes.Exceptional family members will receive a free game and shoe rental. Other

family members will receive discounted games and shoe rental.To register, call 301-677-7836 or email [email protected].

EFMP walking programThe new Exceptional Family Member Walking Group will meet at Arundel

Mills Mall on July 11 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.The group will gather at 8:15 a.m. in front of Best Buy, inside the mall.Registration is required.For more information or to register, call 301-677-4473 or email latoya.

[email protected].

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.

Public Affairs Officer Chad T. Jones, author of Jibber Jabber, is out of the office.

As always, if you have any comments about Jibber Jabber or anything to do with the world of sports, e-mail [email protected].

Jibber-LessDuring World War I, Fort Meade was

established in 1917 as Camp Meade, a can-tonment for troops drafted for the war.

In celebration of the installation’s 96th anniversary, Soundoff! will feature a series of historical snapshots of the people and events at Fort Meade through the year

The ‘Black Bomber’ prepares

at Fort MeadeFor a 10-day span in August 1942,

Fort Meade was the training site for two of the best fighters in boxing his-tory.

Sgt. Joe Louis and Cpl. Sugar Ray Robinson set up shop at the instal-lation as they trained for a 100-day tour of Army bases where they would perform exhibition fights for Soldiers. At the time, Louis was the heavyweight champion of the world and provided much excitement on the post.

Prior to joining the Army in 1942, Louis had already established himself in the ring and in American culture. Louis won the support of the country when he fought in the highly antici-pated “Fight of the Century,” defeating rival Max Schemling.

The fight at Yankee Stadium, which was attended by 70,000 fans, was a national affair as Schemling was the pride of Nazi Germany. Louis knocked Schemling out.

At the time of his enlistment, Louis was the undefeated heavyweight cham-pion.

While in the military, Louis served in the same segregated unit as Jackie Robinson, the first black professional baseball player. Though Louis, who was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., never fought the enemy during World War II,

he fought in exhibition bouts for the Soldiers to build morale.

Pegged as the “World’s Greatest Boxing Show,” Louis and Robinson were featured in a 100-day tour in which Louis fought in 96 matches. Louis, however, had not trained for a year and asked for time to prepare for the tour.

Louis trained in a ring located at Fort Meade’s Post Amphitheater. According to an article in The Fort Meade Post, Louis also trained with the Fort Meade boxing team.

During his training, Louis fought in two exhibition bouts at Fort Meade that were attended by more than a thousand Soldiers. According to a local newspaper, Louis fought Sgt. George Nicholson and a first sergeant.

Louis left the Army in October 1945 as a technical sergeant and continued his legendary boxing career.

He held his heavyweight champion title from 1937 to 1949 — longer than any other boxer in history while still defending more than anybody else. He officially retired in 1951, with a final record of 69-3 with 57 knockouts.

Louis remained in professional sports as a golfer, and in 1952 he was the first African American to play in a Profes-sional Golf Association Tour event.

Louis died of cardiac arrest in 1981 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on April 21, 1981.

His funeral was paid for by Schem-ling, who also acted as a pallbearer.

Moment in time


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.

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.

Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., limit use of water 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.

Road closuresCooper Avenue will be closed Tuesday

at 4 p.m. until July 4 at 6 a.m. for the Red, White and Blue Celebration on Wednesday.

English Avenue will be closed Wednesday at 6 a.m. until July 4 at 6 a.m.

Comcast serviceCorvias Military Living residents

who need to have their Comcast cable television service installed or are experiencing service problems should call Kevin Yeagley, a Comcast representative, at 410-562-7456.

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.

70th ISRW change of command

Col. Mary F. O’Brien, commander of the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, will relinquish command to Col. Kevin D. Dixon on July 10 at 9 a.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field.

The Fort Meade community is welcome to attend. Dress for service members is duty uniform. Civilian dress is casual.

For more information, call Master Sgt. LaSanda M. Seymore-Frazier at 301-677-0366.

2014 Fort Meade Welcome Guide

The Fort Meade Public Affairs Office is compiling information for the 2014 Fort Meade Welcome Guide and Telephone Directory.

Fort Meade garrison organizations,

partner commands, installation clubs and service organizations are requested to submit a brief summary about their organizations before July 5.

Include information regarding the organization’s mission, date of the activation and unique attributes as part of the brief descriptive paragraphs.

Also include the organization’s address, main telephone and important secondary phone numbers, and organizational email address.

Limit submission to one or two paragraphs. Organization photos are welcome.

Email submissions to Command Information Chief Philip Jones at [email protected].


Farmers’ marketBaltimore Washington Medical

Center and Healthy Markets, Benefit

LLC are teaming up to offer a farmers’ market, rain or shine, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October at the BWMC/Executive Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie.

BWMC and Healthy Markets are committed to promoting heathy living by supporting local farmers and artisans through offering healthy, locally grown and produced food to the community.

Items will include seasonal fruits, vegetables, baked goods and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP benefits, WIC fruit and vegetable checks, and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks will be accepted.

For more information, call BWMC’s Community Outreach Department at 410-787-4367 or visit healthymarketsmd.wordpress.com.

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.

Karaoke NightThe next Karaoke Night is July 18

from 7 to 10 p.m. in the 11th Frame Lounge at the Lanes.

The event is held the third Thursday of the month.

For more information, call 301-677-5541 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

Trivia NightThe Lanes hosts Trivia Night every

Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., except the third Thursday of the month.

The event is open to the public.Teams must have a minimum of two

players and a maximum of 10.Weekly prizes are awarded to the top

three winners. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

For more information, call 301-677-5541 or visit ftmeademwr.com/lanes.php.

Story TimeThe Medal of Honor Memorial

Library offers pre-kindergarten Story

file photo

Red, White and Blue CeleBRationThe Budweiser-Fort Meade Red, White and Blue Celebration will be held Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field.The free event is open to the public.The celebration will feature fireworks, a Budweiser Clydesdales proces-sion, three country music bands, a barbecue cook-off, children’s inflata-bles, two NASCAR simulators, corn hole games, and food vendors.The U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassasdors will perform at 5:15 p.m.For more information, visit ftmeadefmwr.com.

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

YOUTH


Community news & notes

Time on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Today: “Turtle Tales and Amphibian Anecdotes,” frog and turtle themes


Out & About• The 2013 Dundalk Heritage Fair will

be held Friday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. at Dundalk Heritage Park, 2717 Playfield St.

Admission is $7 for ages 13 and older. Children 12 and under attend free. Live entertainment includes Three Dog Night on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Jefferson Starship on Sunday at 8 p.m.

The three-day fair features carnival rides (ticket costs are additional), a parade, pig races, Mobile Mining Experience, Phineus T. Waggs & His Monkey Pal Django, a strolling magician, arts and crafts vendors, and a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

For more information, call 410-284-4022 or visit dundalkheritagefair.com/heritagefair.

• The Columbia Association’s Lakefront Summer Festival will be held through Aug. 18 at the Columbia Town Center Lakefront, 10275 Wincopin Circle.

Admission and parking are free. Sunday concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. All other concerts begin at 8 p.m.

Free dance instruction with music will be offered Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. under the People Tree.

Movies begin at dusk, about 8:30 p.m. “War Horse” will be shown Friday. “The Goonies” will be shown July 1.

No glass containers or alcoholic beverages are permitted. In inclement weather, call 410-715-3127. For more information, visit lakefrontfestival.com.

• The 2013 Columbia Festival of the Arts offers free and ticketed events through Saturday. The 16-day, multidisciplinary arts festival features performances, exhibitions, concerts, family activities, master classes, workshops and film.

For a schedule and tickets, visit columbiafestival.com or call 410-715-3044.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trips to New York City on July 10 and Aug. 7, with discounts

to attractions. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is July 1. For more information, call Kimberly McKay at 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• Enlisted Spouses Club meets the sec-ond Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Midway Common Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is July 8. For more information, visit ftmeadeesc.org or email [email protected].

• New Spouse Connection meets the second Monday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Readi-ness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is July 8. The program provides an opportunity for all spouses new to the military or to Fort Meade to meet and get connected. For more information, contact Pia Morales at [email protected] or 301-677-4110.

• Marriage Enrichment Group, spon-sored by Army Community Service, meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is July 8. For more informa-tion, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hob-good 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 July 8. 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 Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is July 8. The group is geared for parents of children ages 5 to 12. For more informa-tion, call 301-677-5590.

• 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 July 9. For more information, call Sharon Collins at 301-667-4116 or email [email protected].

• Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Reserve Association meets the second Wednes-day of each month at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 160 on Route 170 in Glen Burnie.

The next meeting is July 10. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited. For more information, call 410-761-7046 or 301-262-6556.

• Fort Meade TOP III Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is July 10. The association is open to all Air Force active-duty and retired senior noncommissioned officers. For more infor-mation, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email [email protected].

• Women’s Empowerment Group meets every Wednesday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to provide a safe, confidential arena for the support, education and empowerment of women who have experienced past or pres-ent family violence.

Location is only disclosed to participants. To register, call Tina Gauth, victim advocate, at 301-677-4117 or Samantha Herring, victim advocate, at 301-677-4124.

• Military Council for Catholic Women is open to all women ages 18 and older for prayer, faith, fellowship and service at the Main Post Chapel. Mother’s Prayer & Apologetics meets Tuesdays from 9:45 a.m. to noon when Anne Arundel County schools are in session. Monthly programs are held Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

For more information, email Beth Wright, president, at [email protected] or call 305-240-1559.

• Fort Meade Homeschool Co-op meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at 1900 Reece Road. For more information, call Kelli Stricker at 410-674-0297 or email [email protected].

• Cub Scout Pack 377 invites boys in first through fifth grades, or ages 7 to 10, to attend its weekly Monday meetings at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

For more information, email Cubmaster Tom Johnston at [email protected] or Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Johnston at [email protected].

• Boy Scout Troop 379 meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center on Rockenbach Road. The troop is actively recruiting boys age 11 to 18. For more information, email Lisa Yetman, at [email protected] or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at [email protected].

• American Legion Post 276 is open to veterans and active-duty service members at 8068 Quarterfield Road in Severn. Breakfast may be purchased beginning at 9 a.m. Lunches may be purchased from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Dinner may be

purchased at 6 p.m. on Fridays and the fourth Sunday of every month.

Membership discounts are offered for active-duty military. For more information, call 410-969-8028 or visit americanlegionpost276.org.

• Fort Meade E9 Association meets the second Friday of every month at 7 a.m. in the Pin Deck Cafe at the Lanes. The next meeting is July 12. The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, visit e9association.org or call 410-551-7953.

• Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meet-ing is July 16. For more information, visit trea.org or call Elliott Phillips, the local president, at 443-790-3805 or Arthur R. Cooper, past national president, at 443-336-1230.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chap-ter 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 meet-ing is July 24. 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.

• Monthly Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Garrison Chaplain’s Office, is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at the Conference Center. The next prayer breakfast is Aug. 1.

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 Aug. 1 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. at the Odenton (West County) Library, 1325 Annapolis Road. The next meeting is Aug. 1. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

RECREATION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 MEETINGS

YOUTH


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 14

Today, Friday & Saturday: “Star Trek Into Dark-ness” (PG-13). Capt. James Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise hunts a one-man weapon of mass destruction. With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban. (3D)

Sunday & July 4, 6: “Fast & Furious 6” (PG-13). A driver and his crew are offered a full pardon if they help complete a dangerous mission. With Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson.

Wednesday & July 5: “The Hangover Part III” (R). The Wolfpack hits the road in this third install-ment of the comedy series. With Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis.

July 7, 11, 12: “Now You See Me” (PG-13). An elite FBI squad matches wits with a team of great illusionists. With Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson.

July 10, 13, 14: “After Earth” (PG-13). A boy traverses hostile terrain to recover a rescue beacon. With Jaden Smith, Will Smith, Sophie Okonedo.

Get to work on time. Know the hours of operation for

Access Gates on Fort Meade

Gate 1: Rockenbach Road5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

weekends and holidays

Gate 3: Reece Road and Maryland Route 175

(Demps Visitor Control Center gate) 24-hour access

Demps Visitor Control Center, Bldg. 902 Reece Road7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday

Gate 4: Mapes Road and Maryland Route 1755:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.,

Monday through Friday; closed weekends and holidays

Gate 5: Llewellyn Avenue and Maryland Route 175

6 to 8 a.m., Monday through Friday for inbound traffic;

3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday for outbound traffic

Gate 7: Mapes Road and Route 32

5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday;

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends and holidays

Chaplain’s WordREMEMBER

“It is not the burdens of life that weigh

us down; it is how we handle them.”— Anonymous

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WHERE THEY’RENEEDED MOST.

We stand with our military so they can stand

On the ground. In the skies. By a child’s side. Our men and women in uniform go where they’re needed, and we’re right there with them. Across our career areas and around the globe, we see the value of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman. And standing strong is at the heart of what we do.

Our mission is to perform prototype development support on emerging technologies that push the boundaries to keep our customers and country ahead of the technological curve. All positions require Top Secret clearance with Polygraph.

We are currently searching for talented, mission focused individuals in the areas of software development, database administration, database engineering, system engineering, and system administration, for the following positions. If this is YOU, apply TODAY!

• Database Administrators• Database Engineers• Mid-Level System Engineers• Software Engineers (Java and Cloudera Software Engineers)• System Analysts/Architects• UNIX and Linux System Administrators• Web Developers

To learn more about these opportunities and to apply, please visit jobs.meetngc.com/search/ISBU2013

Discover more about our careers at careers.northropgrumman.com

©2013 Northrop Grumman Corporation. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.

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