Soundoff March 5, 2015

Just Do it!BOSS gives single troops outlet to relax, connect

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uPCoMiNG EVENtssuNDay, 2 a.M.: Daylight saving time begins; move clocks forward one hourtuEsDay, 9 a.M.-4 P.M.: Financial Readiness Fair - McGill Training CenterMarCh 18, 9 a.M.-2 P.M.: Technical Job Fair - Club MeadeMarCh 19, 11:30 a.M.-1 P.M.: Women’s History Month observance - Conference CenterMarCh 25, 2-6 P.M.: Youth Opportunity Fair (ages 14-21) - Club Meade

tENNis aNyoNE?New sports program keeps kids in the swing of things

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Soundoff!́vol. 67 no. 9 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community March 5, 2015

photo by Sgt. CharleS M. bailey

Spc. Johnathan Mendoza, assigned to the 2nd Military Working Dog Detachment, verifies his location and direction while participating in the land navigation event during the Fort Meade Garrison Best Warrior Competition on Monday. The annual competition prepares Soldiers for the next level of Best Warrior Competitions in the Army. look for full coverage in next week’s Soundoff!

walk this way

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! March 5, 2015

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports.................................... 9

CrimeWatch................. 6 Movies.................................15

Community................. 13 Classified.............................17

Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. foleyGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. rodwell l. forbesPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones [email protected], Command informationPhilip H. Jones [email protected] dijon [email protected] Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesStaff Writer Shari rosendesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by the Baltimore Sun Media Group

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300or email [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.

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The supply of readily available electrical outlets is inadequate in some of the buildings on post.

To meet power supply needs, some occupants may connect extension cords or surge-protected power strips to form a “daisy chain.”

However, interconnecting these devices can cause them to become overloaded, which can lead to their failure and a possible fire, particu-larly when paper and other combustibles are in contact with the wires.

Creating daisy chains is a violation of Post Fire Regulations and NFPA 70, the National Electric Code.

Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Unfortunately, once in place they tend to become permanent wiring and a fire hazard.

Several safe solutions exist. In many cases, a power strip energized by an extension cord or another power strip can be replaced by a power strip with a power cord of adequate length to reach an outlet.

Desks and associated equipment can also be moved so they are closer to existing outlets. In other instances, the use of a power strip that is better able to accommodate bulkier transformer plugs can help solve the problem.

Several factors should be considered when selecting an appropriate surge protector. Since models vary in the amount of current that they are rated to safely carry, it is important to con-sider the amperage requirements of the devices to be energized.

Models vary in length of power cord, typically ranging from 3 to 15 feet. Choose one whose length is most appropriate for reaching the intended room outlet. Avoid having too much excess cord, and make sure the surge protector is set on its base.

Some have swivel plugs that make them easier

to connect to the outlets, and help to protect the plug and cord from damage.

Check each surge protector before using to make sure it is in good condition. Only power strips equipped with internal fuses are accept-able. They also must be UL listed. Those lacking these fuses are equivalent to extension cords and, therefore, may not be used as permanent wiring.

When a power strip is installed, care must be taken to ensure it is not suspended in mid-air by its power cord or cords plugged into it, resulting in excessive stress on electrical connections.

When there are not enough outlets to supply an occupant’s needs, one solution is to request the installation of additional outlets. The outlet placement should avoid the need to run wires across walkways, where they can become trip-ping hazards.

Another common violation we find during our inspections is appliances plugged into a power strip. These appliances include but are not limited to refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers and space heaters. These appliances draw more power than the power strip can safely handle.

A good rule of thumb is, “if it heats or cools, it needs to be plugged directly into the wall.”

These are some of the most common fire code violations that we find during our inspections. They are also some of the easiest to correct and can be done on the spot.

Unsafe use of extension cords leads to fire hazards

Capt. Shaun m. bagley Fort meade Fire prevention Office

Commander’s Open DoorGarrisonCommanderCol.BrianP.Foleyhasanopendoorpolicy.Allservicemembers,retirees,governmentemployees,familymembersand

communitymembersage18orolderare invitedtoaddress issuesorcon-cernstothecommanderdirectlybyvisitingFoley’sofficeonMondaysfrom4 to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquarters inHodgesHall,Bldg.4551,LlewellynAvenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment isnecessary.

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil March 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Amaani LyleDoD News, Defense Media Activity

Service members and their families need to make informed investment decisions and avoid unnecessary risks to ensure financial readiness both during and after their service commitments, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Discussing the Feb. 23-28 observance of Military Saves Week in a DoD News broadcast interview on Feb. 26, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia said structure is important in handling house-hold financial transactions.

“There are going to be purchases to meet the needs of survival, whether it be a car, a home or bare necessities of everyday life,” he said. “You must have discipline in your financial portfolio that allows you to sidestep unnecessary purchases and make a wise and informed decision. That’s what financial readiness is all about.”

Battaglia recalled his own challenges as a young Marine when he and his wife,

Lisa, learned to resist impulse-purchase temptations.

“I’m hoping one thing Lisa and I can do for the military force and families is show things we could have done better as a younger couple growing up that they can avoid nowadays,” he said.

Small financial considerations can add up, the sergeant major said, noting that he has cut his own hair for the past 25 years.

“I can take care of myself and save the 10 to 15 [dollars] a week that I would normally use to get a haircut at a barber,” Battaglia said.

Loan and investment pitfalls exist, some of them specifically targeting service mem-bers, he said. Battaglia urges young troops to take advantage of programs and advi-sors that the Defense Department pro-vides to help them navigate and avoid those risks.

“There are loan sharks and payday lenders that are not up-front, so the adver-tisement is enticing for the young service

member,” he said. “All of a sudden, they’re paying for a [purchase] or loan at 28 per-cent interest, and it wasn’t a smart finan-cial move but an impulse buy.”

Battaglia recommended investments such as the Thrift Savings Plan, a long-term financial strategy in which service members can deposit up to 15 percent of their pay into accounts of varying growth speed.

“It’s a great investment tool that we are allowed to use while serving in the military, and it starts to build a financial nest egg or portfolio,” he said. “It’ll be 80 to 85 per-cent of our force who never reach 20 years to retire, so what do they have to show for it at the end of four, six or 10 years?”

All military careers come to end, said Battaglia, no matter how long a member serves.

“We want to have an emergency fund so when retirement or end of enlistment or commission comes, you don’t walk out empty-handed,” Battaglia said.

Fiscal fitness enables him and his fam-

ily to live in a less stressful environment, Battaglia said, and even permits them to enjoy the occasional reward.

“That may incur some sacrifices along the way, but we can spoil ourselves every once in a while, because we have lived in a financially stable and structured military life cycle,” he said.

Battaglia encourages all service mem-bers and components to take the Military Saves Week pledge at http://militarysaves.org/ to develop a disciplined, structured and measurable financial goal.

“Go online and take the pledge to save each and every month when that paycheck comes in,” he said.

ACS and the Fleet And Family Support Center will host the rescheduled Financial Readiness Fair on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center.

Editor’s note: For more information on Financial Readiness resources, call Army Community Service at 301-677-5590 or the Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Center at 301-677-9014.

Informed decisions help ensure financial readiness

AER CAmpAIgn KICK-Off

Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley (center) is joined by Wal-

lace Turner, Army Emergency Relief officer; Capt. Larry Sum-

mers, AER campaign coordinator; Headquarters Command Battal-ion Commander Lt. Col. Eric J. Smith; and Command Sgt. Maj. Deniece C. Williams in a cake

cutting ceremony Tuesday to kick off Fort Meade’s AER campaign.This year’s campaign will solely

focus on the contributions of active-duty service members with

an overall goal of $55,000. The campaign, which runs through May 1, is designed to provide emergency funding to service

members and retirees.To see Foley’s AER video mes-sage, go to YouTube.com/fort-

meademd and click on highlights.

PHOTO BY STEVE ELLMORE


News

Story and photo by Brian Murphy902nd Military Intelligence Group

Moments before Maryland state politicians prepared to dive into the day’s agenda on Feb. 18, the packed room was called to order and a Soldier stepped up to the microphone.

As the room fell silent, Chaplain (Capt.) Angel Berrios, of the 308th Military Intel-ligence Battalion, 902nd MI Group, gave an invocation at the State House in Annapolis.

Once his prayer was completed, Berrios was formally recognized by Sen. Ulysses Cur-rie, who represents Maryland’s District 25 in Prince George’s County, and was thanked for his service.

“It is a privilege to pray in this setting,” Ber-rios said. “I believe prayer is powerful and does make a difference, so that is why I reached out to my senator’s office.”

Prior to delivering the invocation, Berrios was greeted by Currie, as well as Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., president of the Maryland Senate.

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the reception I received — being welcomed by these senators with open arms,” Berrios said. “If it wasn’t for Senator Currie, this wouldn’t have happened. So it was very nice to meet him and shake his hand.”

According to Chaplain (Maj.) Rick Steven-son, the 902nd MI Group’s chaplain, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that Berrios was given such a opportunity.

“He really is a fantastic chaplain and he’s very creative,” Stevenson said. “He was an evangelist for several years before coming into the Army, which helps him to identify poten-tial ministry opportunities.

“He’s always very mindful of conducting his mission as an Army chaplain and is willing to seek out opportunities that others might not even think of.”

Stevenson also believes Berrios’ outside-the-box thinking helps him to excel in his duties at the 308th MI.

This is not the first time Berrios has deliv-ered an invocation before elected officials. In 2013, he led the opening prayer for a session in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“This is a unique assignment for chaplains because the vast majority of your flock isn’t in the same physical location, he said. “Because the workforce is so spread out, you may never meet the majority of your unit’s personnel face to face.

“Chaplain Berrios works very hard to establish relationships and to be there for his battalion.”

308th MI chaplain delivers invocation at State House

Chaplain (Capt.) Angel Berrios, of the 308th Military Intelligence Battalion, 902nd MI Group, delivers the invocation Feb. 18 alongside Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., president of the Maryland Senate, at the State House in Annapolis.

By Jim GaramoneDoD News, Defense Media Activity

Experts urged Army leaders to reach out to male victims of sexual assault, noting people should not view sexual violence as a crime perpetrated exclu-sively against women.

Jim Hopper, a psychologist and researcher, and Russell Strand, a retired Criminal Investigative Service special agent, spoke about an aspect of sexu-al violence not often discussed: sexual assaults on men.

Hopper and Strand spoke at the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program Summit held Friday in Tyson’s Corner, Va.

The number of males sexually assault-ed in the military is sobering, the experts said.

“[About] 10,800 men are sexually assaulted every year in the military,” Strand said. “[Roughly] 8,000 women are assaulted.”

Few military males report being vic-tims of sexual assault, he said. Only 1,134 men reported attacks — roughly 13 percent of those attacked. With women, 39 percent reported attacks.

About 87 percent of men attacked are not reporting it.

“These are real men in real pain,” Hopper said.

The pain is compounded by shame. Being sexually assaulted brings addition-al feelings of shame to a man because it works against the ideal of what it means to be a man, Hopper said.

And it brings fear.“There’s fear of those memories,

Experts spotlight struggles facing male sexual assault victimsthere’s fear of being violated, there’s fear that someone might know what hap-pened to them,” Hopper said.

Men who have been sexually assaulted believe they are not worthy of respect, Strand said.

The men who are assaulted are over-whelmingly heterosexual and so are their assailants, the officials said.

“Most people who sexually assault adult men are heterosexuals,” Hopper said. “And those same heterosexual men who are assaulting men are often the same men assaulting women.”

Many males won’t get help, Hopper said, because they feel they won’t be believed, understood or supported.

“Part of that is they know most people don’t expect men to be assaulted, that this can’t really happen to ‘a real man,’ ” he said.

They are also afraid of their friends or teammates finding out what happened to them, Hopper said.

They believe they will be looked at as less than a man, that they will be ostra-cized and shunned. And, many victims see the assault as the death knell to their

careers.The military services need to begin

reaching out to male victims of sexual assault, the experts said.

A safe, anonymous helpline could be the beginning for getting many of these men the help they need, they noted.

The military services also need to market programs aimed at commanders, health care professionals, police investi-gators and prosecutors, informing them of the problem and assets available to help their service members, the experts said.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program resources are avail-able in the Fort Meade community.

For assistance, service members can contact their unit’s sexual assault response coordinator or call:

• Victim Advocate/SARC Hotline: 443-845-0876

• Sexual Assault Crisis Center and Hotline: 410-222-7273

• Office of the Garrison Chaplain: 301-677-6035

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

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


News

Feb. 25, Theft of funds, iden-tity theft: AAFES loss pre-vention personnel stated that an AAFES employee made numerous illegal transactions by taking refunds from cus-tomers and later converting the refunds into gift cards for himself. The subject used other people’s identities, such as Social Security numbers, to disguise the transactions.

Feb. 28: Simple assault, consummated by a bat-tery: The victim stated that when she questioned her son, who is autistic, on whether he had taken his medication, he grabbed her by the throat. When the victim attempted to defend herself, the subject began punching her in the face.

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

For week of Feb. 23-March 1:• Moving violations: 18• Nonmoving violations: 4• Verbal warnings for traffic stops: 11• Traffic accidents: 9• Driving on suspended license: 0• Driving on suspended registration: 0• Driving without a license: 0

photos by dijon rolle and navy mass CommuniCation spC. 2nd Class zaCh allan

Theresa Jackson, above, an employee with Melwood Contract Services, pushes a container full of road salt while contractor Brandon Stevanus, right, of Weber Jer-man Company helps to de-ice sidewalks on Monday near the Army Claims Office on Llewellyn Avenue. Jackson and Stevanus were part of a team that was activated to help de-ice sidewalks and shovel snow Sunday and early Monday.

Spring forwardDon’t forget to set your

clocks forward one hour Sunday at 2 a.m. when day-light saving time begins.


News

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

Last month, Better Opportunities for Single Service Members traveled to Philadelphia for a social media scaven-ger hunt.

The Philadelphia trip was just one of the many programs and events offered by BOSS, which also undertakes com-munity service and quality-of-life initia-tives at Fort Meade.

Eleven participants from multiple service branches toured the City of Brotherly Love, taking photos at Inde-pendence Hall, the Liberty Bell and on the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps featured prominently in the “Rocky” movies.

Each photo was worth a certain point value and the team with the most points at the end of the day won free tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

“We made it so it was kind of a tour guide event,” said Cpl. Victoria John-son, garrison BOSS representative. “We could go through the list, get points and see a large majority of the city.”

In March, BOSS will begin its commu-nity service partnership with the “Honor Flight” program, which provides free flights for World War II, Korea and Viet-nam veterans from around the country to Washington, D.C.

The program runs every weekend from March until November.

“We, as the active-duty service mem-bers, greet them at the airport,” Johnson said. “It’s just an incredible experience. I’ve met World War II prisoners of war, Pearl Harbor survivors [and] real-life Rosie the Riveters, women who worked on the planes during World War II.”

BOSS also volunteers with Meade High School as mentors for its critical thinking club “Odyssey of Mind” and is involved in the school’s cleanup days. The next cleanup day will be in April.

“We end with a barbecue and games, so it’s work and community service, but we are having a good time with that, too,” Johnson said.

BOSS also addresses single service members’ quality-of-life concerns. Army unit-level BOSS representatives bring Soldiers’ concerns to Johnson at meet-ings held the first and third Tuesday of every month at 3 p.m. at the Freedom Barracks.

“[The meetings are] a really good opportunity for [BOSS] representatives to put out quality-of-life issues,” said

BOSS provides support system for single service members

Photo by Pfc. Kiara flowers

Spc. Tianna M. Gordon of the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion and other Better Opportunities for Single Service Members ride a van to Washington, D.C., for a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Oct. 4. BOSS is open to all single service members from all military branches and provides members with opportunities to travel and perform community service.

Spc. Nastassia Markin, BOSS represen-tative for the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade. “[Being a BOSS representative] is one of the few opportunities we, as [junior]-enlisted service members, have to make a difference.”

For instance, if service members are lacking heat or hot water in their bar-racks, Johnson said they can contact her or inform her of the issue at the the next biweekly meeting.

She will then work directly with the Directorate of Public Works and Gar-rison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes to help resolve the problem.

“We have a lot of very young service members who are here away from home for the first time and don’t really have a support system,” Johnson said. “That’s what the BOSS program is trying to do, trying to be that support system.”

During these meetings, Johnson lis-tens to suggestions for new community

service or social programs that service members are interested in.

“It’s a two-way street,” Johnson said. “We put out our official calendar, but if there is something people want to do that’s not on this list, we are happy to do that.”

One service member’s suggestion resulted in the planning of an Xbox gaming tournament. Johnson will be partnering with Corvias Military Living to help facilitate this project.

“We’re trying to change [BOSS’] cul-ture,” Johnson said.

The BOSS program is also open to enlisted warrant and commissioned offi-cers from all service branches. Partici-pants cannot be married but can have a significant other. Single parents are also eligible for the program.

BOSS subsidizes the price of each of its monthly trips. Some of the program’s past trips included Medieval Times in

Hanover and a ski trip in Vermont, which was attended by 55 service mem-bers.

BOSS’ next trip will be to New York City on March 21. The cost of the trip is $60.

Currently, the BOSS program mainly includes 18- to 25-year-olds and has a strong group of Army participants.

Johnson said she would like to increase participation from other ser-vice branches.

“I want people [from other service branches] to start participating, and word of mouth is much better than [hearing it] from your command,” John-son said. “We are trying to reach out and make sure that the other branches know, ‘Hey, we’re open.’ ”

Editor’s note: For more information about the BOSS program, call Cpl. Vic-toria Johnson at 301-915-5389 or email [email protected].

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil March 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

SportS

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Child, Youth and School Services has partnered with the U.S. Tennis Asso-ciation to sponsor a tennis program this spring for Fort Meade youth.

The program will run March 30 through June 12. It is modeled after the USTA’s Play Days, which is designed to introduce young people to tennis in a noncompetitive setting to develop and enhance their skills.

Aimed at children ages 5 to 10 who are enrolled in CYSS, the program will be held twice a week, Monday and Wednes-day, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Youngsters age 5 to 6 will play from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., while children ages 7 to 10 will play from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The program will start off at the indoor basketball court at the Youth Center. As the season progresses, children will play at the outdoor tennis courts behind Club Meade, with volunteer instructors.

Currently, 16 slots are available for the tennis program. A total of 36 youngsters can enroll.

Hunter Davis, CYSS sports director, said the partnership with USTA began in December.

“We’ve been trying to start a tennis program and we contacted the USTA to see what would be a good start,” he said. “This was actually an initiative they started with a lot of groups, so we kind of jumped in at the right time.”

Parents have expressed an interest in starting a tennis program at CYSS for

quite some time, Davis said.“Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration,

Exploration and Skills Unlimited does a tennis camp every year, so we were kind of looking to add something as well, but we were just trying to figure out what exactly we would do,” Davis said. “But when we talked to USTA about this, this sounded like a good start.”

SKIES Director Karen Surratt said her program’s tennis camp, for children ages 5 to 17, will run from June to August.

The SKIES tennis camp focuses on teaching youths more advanced skills, such as how to volley, back strokes and foot work. The instructors are paid and certified by USTA.

“What we’re trying to do is actually work with the SKIES program because

her camp is a little more instructional and ours is a little more playful, in a sense,” Davis said. “So we’ll get the kids out there — get them around the sport of tennis, hitting the ball. And when they kind of feel like they are ready to take that next step to get a little more instruction, then they can move onto SKIES.”

Children who are already enrolled in CYSS can sign up for the tennis program at ftmeademwr.com and click on the CYSS sports link for returning athletes.

First-timers can sign up for CYSS pro-grams at Parent Central Services at 1900 Reece Road.

Editor’s note: For more information about the CYSS tennis program, call 301-677-4808. For more information about the SKIES tennis camp, call 301-677-1196.

New children’s tennis program to begin in March

file photo

Child, Youth and School Services has partnered with the U.S. Tennis Association to offer a tennis program for children ages 5 to 10 beginning March 30. Youngsters will be introduced to the sport in a noncompetitive setting to develop and enhance their skills. Community members can sign up their children through CYSS at 301-677-4808.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! March 5, 2015

News

PHOTOs BY jim HOPPer

Students enrolled in Meade High School’s Homeland Security Signature Program visit the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey in York, United Kingdom. Twelve students visited the country last November as part of an effort to learn about defense efforts abroad. Retired Col. Kenneth O. McCreedy helped to facilitate the HSS program at Meade High during his tenure as garrison commander from 2005-2008.

RIGHT: Alberto Miranda, a student enrolled in Meade High School’s Homeland Security Signature Program, makes friends with a dog at Hardian’s Wall at Walltown, Gilsland, as Harli Ramos, a Meade High advisor looks on.

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

Jordan McClung never flew on an air-plane before last November when he and 12 other Meade High students took an 11-day tour of the United Kingdom.

The trip, organized by the school’s Home-land Security Signature Program, exposed the teens to defense efforts abroad.

They visited such sites as the Royal Air Force Waddington Heritage Museum; Hadrian’s Wall, a defensive fortification in Roman Britain; Menwith Hill Station to meet with national security agents; and Bletchley Park to learn about code break-ing during World Wars I and II.

The students and their advisors gave a two-hour presentation Friday morning in the Meade High School Media Room to share their experiences with interested com-munity members and representatives from local homeland security and educational organizations.

“[We want] to use today to give a report

on where we’re at in the Homeland Secu-rity Program, excite you about what’s going on and talk about our plans for the future,” said retired Col. Kenneth O. McCreedy, who facilitated the program as Fort Meade’s garrison commander from 2005 to 2008.

“We need the next generation as commit-ted as generations before to our homeland security,” he said. “We have the opportu-nity to make a difference here one student at a time.”

The HSS Program is composed of Homeland Security Exploration I and II, which students can take in ninth or 10th grade, said Brian Rooney, lead teacher for the HSS Program.

Students can then choose upper-level courses in 11th and 12th grade in Counter-terrorism and Intelligence or Geographic Information System.

They can receive a Spatial Tech and Remote Sensing Certification for GIS or Anne Arundel Community College profi-

Meade High students tour defense sites across the pond

ciency for their course work in counterter-rorism.

“A kid who becomes part of something becomes someone and something,” said Jim Hopper, HSS Program facilitator. “We understand instruction is not preparing kids to take a test. It’s not about preparing kids for college. It’s about preparing them for a career.

“We’ve got to change the job mentality into a career mentality.”

In order to facilitate this program, Meade High partners with various organizations, educational institutions and corporations that provide extracurricular activities relat-ed to homeland security such as local trips and trips abroad.

“[The trip] gave me a really good idea of what I want to do when I’m older,” said Shanice Young, sophomore in the Advancement Via Individual Determina-tion program.

During Friday’s presentation, four students spoke about their experiences,

accompanied by a PowerPoint displaying photographs from their trip.

In addition to Jordan and Shanice, stu-dent presenters included: Kasey Thomas, sophomore in the International Baccalau-reate program, and Justus Lewis, a senior enrolled for three years in the Homeland Security Signature Program.

The diversity of these students exempli-fied the overall diversity of the high school, which has a 65 percent African-American, 15 percent Caucasian and a growing His-panic population.

“[Our goal] is to give the whole school the flavor of the signature program,” said Lise Foran, of Department of Defense Education Activity, who provided a history of the HSS Program.

The students provided a day-by-day itinerary of their trip, which was fully paid for out of pocket. They also shared their favorite aspects of the trip as well as what they gained from the experience.

Thomas said she enjoyed seeing Hadri-

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil March 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! 11

an’s Wall, which divides England and Scot-land, and taking a four-hour hike along the wall.

“That was my favorite part of the trip,” Kasey said. “It was so beautiful and I loved it.”

For her IB project, Kasey plans to create a digital scrapbook, which she will present to beginning HSS Program students to encourage them to study abroad and learn more about homeland security.

While in the U.K., students also had the opportunity to interact with professionals in homeland security. At Menwith Hill Sta-tion in North Yorkshire, students met with national security agents and learned about their daily responsibilities.

“We really enjoyed meeting with the agents,” said Jordan, vice president of the senior class. “They really gave us a lot of information on how the [agency] works.”

The group also spent one day touring the town of Lincoln with students from the Sir William Robertson Academy.

Other sites the students visited included the Imperial War Museum where they viewed exhibits and artifacts from World Wars I and II, Stonehenge and New Scot-land Yard.

“I got to see the world outside the U.S. [and] learn about different homeland secu-rity companies and how they operate,” said Justus, who plans to major in homeland security next year at Anne Arundel Com-munity College. “It gave me better insight into what goes into it.”

PHOTO BY kaseY THOmas

Jim Hopper, a chaperone for Meade High School’s Homeland Security Signature Program’s tour of the United Kingdom, has some fun at Hadrian’s Wall in Walltown, Gilsland.

BELOW: Meade High students visit the Royal Air Force Waddington Heritage Center, joined by Sir William Robertson Academy students. The November visit was part of an 11-day tour of the United Kingdom for the Meade High School Homeland Security Signature Program to expose students to defense efforts abroad.

‘We need the next generation as committed as generations before to our homeland security. We have the opportunity to make a difference here one student at a time.’

Col. kenneth O. mcCreedy (retired)

PHOTO BY jim HOPPer


SportS

Sports ShortsDollar Days

Dollar Days at the Lanes are offered every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 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 ‘Em Tournaments All service members and civilians are invited to play in the Texas Hold ‘Em

Tournaments held Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Lounge at the Lanes.Tournament is free to enter. Prizes are awarded for the top winners.Food and beverages are available for purchase.For more information, call 301-677-5541.

Youth spring sportsRegistration for spring sports is underway.Spring sports include baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, track,

NFL flag football and soccer.To register online, go to ftmeademwr.com.For more information, call 301-677-1179.

Youth Sports seeks volunteer coachesVolunteer coaches are needed for baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse,

basketball, track, NFL flag football, and soccer.All volunteers will receive free training and will be certified through the

National Youth Sports Coaches Association.All volunteers must complete a background check.Apply at the Child, Youth and School Services’ Youth Sports & Fitness

Office at 1900 Reece Road.For more information, call 301-677-1179 or 301-677-1329.

Tae kwon doChild, Youth and School Services offers tae kwon do classes for youths of

all ages Tuesdays and Thursday at the Youth Center.Classes are broken into different age groups. Cost is $45 for ages 4 to 6 and

$85 for ages 7–17.For more information, call 301-677-1149.

2015 Run Series ScheduleThe Fort Meade Run Series will resume in April.The series features seven 5K runs and 1-mile walks with a variety of themes:• Earth Day 5K: April 18, 8 a.m., Burba Lake Park• Patriot Pride 5K/10K: May 16, 8 a.m., Murphy Field House• Army Birthday Summer Sizzler 5K: June 13, 8 a.m., The Pavilion• Football Fanfare 5K: Sept. 19, 8 a.m., Constitution Park• Ghosts, Ghouls & Goblins 5K: Oct. 24, 8 a.m., The Pavilion• Turkey Trot 5K: Nov. 21, 8 a.m., Murphy Field House• Reindeer Run 5K: Dec. 19, 8 a.m., Murphy Field HouseAll runs are open to the public and include a 1-mile walk.

For all your varsity and intramural sports schedules, scores and standings, visit

www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

The following announcement dropped into my inbox Tuesday after-noon:

Fort Meade is currently open under normal conditions; due to potential weather events, employees have the option to take unscheduled leave this afternoon (March 3) if approved by their supervisor.

Employees already approved for tele-work may telework with supervisor approval. Critical personnel must report to, or remain at work, as scheduled.

For further details go to our website at www.ftmeade.army.mil.

This latest winter-weather incident adds to what’s already been a hard season. And guess what?

It may be getting harder. Mother Nature is threatening to drop another 6 to 10 inches of snow like a hot mic.

Actually, if it’s snow, it’d be a cold mic. Either way, Mother Nature is planning to remind us at least once more that spring isn’t here just yet.

Good for me, I trust something much more reliable than Mother Nature to tell me when my spring begins — Base-ball. According to MLB Radio, spring is already here because Detroit Tigers new outfielder Yoenis Cespedes just hit a grand slam against the Orioles. bit.ly/1Gk35BE

With baseball back, all I need to do to get warm is close my eyes and think of a sun-drenched day, the melodi-ous crack of the bat, and the sweet smell of Cracker Jack stuck to my fingertips.

If all that fails, I’ll grab a blanket and relish in Cespedes’ rifle right arm protecting Comerica Park from any wanna-be base runner trying to get home. bit.ly/1AD8spo

I clearly love baseball, and my antic-ipation for this season is at an all-time high: Will the Tigers win another AL Central Crown, fix their bullpen and get their first World Series since 1984? How will the Orioles do without Nel-son Cruz or Nick Markakis?

Moreover, will the Giants grab another ring, will the Royals repeat, or will Max Scherzer finally give the Nationals what they need to get over the hump?

Then, of course, there is fantasy.

Yours truly is coming off his best fantasy baseball season ever. And with potential first-round picks José Abreu and José Altuve coming back for an 11th- and 7th-round pick, respectively, (got to love keeper leagues) there is no reason not to believe that “Autographs in Pencil” will be challenging for its first fantasy title.

Baseball also means great things for Fort Meade such as, how many Orioles games will Fort Meade be involved in this season?

Fort Meade Military Day is already on the books for Memorial Day against the Astros, but will we be involved with Opening Day or another clinic? Will we get our regular 500 tickets to every Sunday home game?

Right now, it looks like the answer is yes!

In coaching news, after a dominat-ing season at the helm of the Fort Meade Pirates T-ball team, I’m being promoted to coach-pitch Little League baseball. YDJ and the boys will be representing the fort out in the county, which means Hunter Davis and the CYSS crew are looking for coaches.

If you’re interested in keeping the Fort Meade baseball factory churning, call CYSS at 301-677-1179. Experience is nice, but not nearly as important as a good attitude and a willingness to have fun while mentoring some great kids.

As you can see, things are warming up quite nicely, so enjoy these last few snow days. Help your kids practice their sliding technique down a snow-slicked hill, or warm up your pitching arm with some snowballs, or hunker down in front of a laptop and prep for your fantasy draft because baseball is coming, Fort Meade.

And spring is coming with it.For more information on this or any-

thing to do with sports, contact me at [email protected] or hit me up on Twitter @CTJibber.

Here comes the sun

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn


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 [email protected] or call Editor Dijon Rolle at 301-677-6806.

Public listening session postponed

A public listening session originally scheduled for today is postponed to a later date in March at McGill Training Center.

The new date will be announced next week.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commander, U.S. Army Military District of Washington, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, will host the session.

Buchanan and a representative from the Army’s Operations and Plans Office will discuss the Army’s ongoing planning effort to achieve fiscal reductions required by the Budget Control Act of 2011.

Additionally, Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley will discuss ongoing growth at Fort Meade.

Leaders will then take questions from the audience.

All members of the Fort Meade community including current employees, retirees, concerned citizens and family members are invited to attend the session.

The listening session will be live-streamed from the Fort Meade website; individuals will be able to submit questions online.

For more information, call 301-677-1361.

TARP trainingThe garrison security office and

the 902nd Military Intelligence Field Office are offering the Army’s Threat Awareness and Reporting Program (TARP) training to all members of the installation.

Training dates are March 17 and March 31 at 10 a.m. at the Post Theater.

The primary focus of this training is to ensure that Department of Army personnel understand and report

potential threats by foreign intelligence and international terrorists to the Army.

Threat awareness and education training is designed to ensure that DA personnel recognize and report incidents and indicators of attempted or actual espionage, subversion, sabotage, terrorism or extremist activities directed against the Army and its personnel, facilities, resources and activities.

Training is also to recognize and report indicators of potential terrorist-associated insider threats; illegal diversion of military technology; unauthorized intrusions into automated information systems; unauthorized disclosure of classified information; and indicators of other incidents that may indicate foreign intelligence or international terrorism targeting of the Army.

IAW AR 381-12, 2-3 requires all DA personnel undergo threat-awareness training at least annually.

Units are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Non-garrison units/commands will have to document their individual members training completion and/or accountability.

For more information, call Leslie Heckendorf at 301-677-4505.

100 percent ID checks at all access gates

Fort Meade is conducting 100 percent identification checks at all of its Access Control Points through March 15.

The effort, directed by Installation Management Command, is designed to count all non-Department of Defense visitors entering the installation.

Visitors should be prepared for longer waits at the gates and the possibility of traffic impacts on the surrounding roads and highways, including Routes 175, 198 and 32.

Fort Meade will conduct these checks for two weeks each month throughout the 2015 calendar year.

IMCOM installations are conducting the count of visitors to ensure Visitor Control Centers are properly staffed. The visitor count is being conducted at all IMCOM installations.

Financial Readiness FairArmy Community Service and the

Fleet And Family Support Center will host a Financial Readiness Fair on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center.

The fair was originally scheduled for Feb. 26 but was postponed due to

weather.For more information, call ACS at

301-677-5590 and the Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Center at 301-677-9014.

Kimbrough outreach discussion

The next Kimbrough/TRICARE Community Education Outreach Discussion will be held March 12 from 6-7 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.

The topic is “TRICARE and Medicare Turning 65 TRICARE for Life.”


Kimbrough town hallDr. (Col.) Michael J. Zapor, the Fort

Meade Medical Department Activity deputy commander for clinical services, will conduct a mini town hall March 19 at 6 p.m. in the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center lab reception area.

The purpose of this forum is to disseminate information, answer questions and discuss concerns regarding Kimbrough.

All beneficiaries are invited to attend.For more information, call 301-677-

8304.

EFMP focus groupThe Exceptional Family Members

Program will host a focus group Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. at the Potomac Place Neighborhood Center.

The group will meet to discuss how to assist families in developing solutions to EFMP issues and problems.

For more information, call 301-677-5590 or 301-677-5662.

‘Once Upon A Mattress’The Meade High Drama Club will

present its winter musical, “Once Upon A Mattress,” on March 12, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $8. With a canned food donation, tickets cost $7.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be available March 13.

Technical Job FairA Technical Job Fair will be held

March 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Club Meade.

The event is open to the public.For a list of all attending employers,

go to ftmeademwr.com.

Volunteer Awards BanquetThe Fort Meade Volunteers Awards

Banquet will be held April 16 at 6 p.m. at Club Meade.

Nominations for special awards will be accepted through Monday.

For more information on nomination procedures and tickets, call the volunteer coordinator at 301-677-4128.

Meade teacher named finalist

Christine Colli McCallister, an eighth-grade science teacher at Meade Middle School, is among five finalist for the 2015 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

McCallister will be among 50 educators to be honored at the 29th annual Excellence in Education banquet on April 10 at the Courtyard Marriott BWI Hotel in Linthicum.

The AACPS Teacher of the Year will be announced at the banquet.

Cooking Matters Commissary Tours

The next Cooking Matters Commissary Tours & Challenge are Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the commissary.

Tours are free and open to all eligible commissary patrons.

Hands-on store tours are offered every hour and teach participants the skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition.

Select tours will receive a $10 coupon.To sign up for the event, go to http://

cmatscommissaryfm.eventbrite.com.For more information, email

[email protected].

Motorcycle safety courses The Installation Safety Office

is sponsoring Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Courses, Experienced Rider Courses and Military Sport Bike Rider Courses.

• Basic Rider Courses: March 16-17, April 7-8, April 13-14, May 5-6, May 11-12, June 9-10, June 15-16, July 14-15, July 20-21, Aug. 11-12, Aug. 17-18, Sept. 10-11, Sept. 14-15, Oct. 14-15 and Oct.

NEWS & EVENTS

EDUCATION

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14


Community news & notes

19-20• Experienced Rider Courses (one

day): March 18, April 15, May 13, June 17, July 22, Aug. 19, Sept. 16 and Oct. 21

• Military Sport Bike Rider Course: April 6, May 4, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 9 and Oct. 13

Training will be provided at no cost to all tenant military personnel stationed at Fort Meade, and for all active-duty service members Armywide. Army Reservist and National Guard military members must be on training orders to take the training.

Training is not authorized for civilian personnel unless their specific government work duties dictate the use of a motorcycle.

All courses have limited registration.To register, go to https://imc.army.mil/

airs/usg_disclaimer.aspx.For more information, go to http://

www.ftmeade.army.mil/pages/safety/.

Social Media for Job Seekers

Army Community Service is offering Social Media for Job Seekers on March 31 from 8 a.m. to noon at McGill Training Center

Learn to effectively use social media to find jobs and market yourself.

Registration is required.To register, transitioning service

members should call 301-677-9871. Everyone else should call 301-677-5590.

Financial, Employment Readiness

Army Community Service offers Financial and Employment Readiness classes to all ranks and services and to DoD civilian employees at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

Registration is required for each class.• 1st Term Financial Readiness:

Tuesday, 9 a.m.• Banking Basics: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m.Learn to manage, balance and

reconcile your bank accounts. Topics include: banking and credit union services, and checking account management.

This class serves as refresher training for personnel who have abused and

misused check-cashing privileges.• Car Buying: March 17, 9 a.m.• Credit Management: March 24, 9

a.m.• Pre-Retirement Planning: March 31,

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.To register or for more information,

call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com.

Free classesThe Navy Fleet and Family Support

Center offers a variety of classes at its facility at 2212 Chisholm Ave.

The free classes are open to DoD ID cardholders including active-duty service members, retirees and their family members, DoD civilian employees and contractors.

Registration is required for each class.• Stress Management: Today, 9:30-

11:30 a.m.• Retiree Brief: Monday, 8-11:30

a.m. (within two years of retirement eligibility)

Information will be provided on Tricare, Johns Hopkins Family Health Plan, and Navy Mutual Aid Financial Planning/Survivor Benefit Plan.

• Building Healthy Relationships: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m.

• Ten Steps to a Federal Job: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon

Topics include: how to understand job vacancy announcements, writing federal and electronic resumes, and tracking applications

• Pre-Deployment Brief: March 12, 9-11:30 a.m.

• Common Sense Parenting: March 16, 9-10 a.m.

Topic: “Correcting Problem Behaviors”

• Interviewing Skills: March 17, 9 a.m. to noon

• Time Management: March 24, 9-11 a.m.

• Career Technical Training: March 25-26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Anger Management: March 25, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

• Effective Communication: March 31, 9-11 a.m.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018.

StorytimeThe Children’s Library offers pre-

kindergarten Storytime on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Kuhn Hall,

4415 Llewellyn Ave.• Today: “Don’t Be a Square! - Stories

about shapes• March 12: “Reading Makes Us

Hoppy!” - Stories, songs and finger plays about bunnies

• March 19: March 19: “It’s Easy Being Green” - Stories about all things green

• March 26: “Spring Into A Good Book” - Storytime about spring


Youth Opportunity FairFort Meade’s Youth Opportunity Fair

for ages 14 to 21 will be held March 25 from 2-6 p.m. at Club Meade.

The event will feature volunteering, employment and internship opportunities, as well as educational opportunities for university, college, vocational options and scholarships.

Dress professionally. Bring lots of resumes.

For more information, call the Employment Readiness Program at Army Community Service at 301-677-5590.

Teen Center eventsThe Teen Center is offering the follow-

ing activities for grades nine to 12:• Smoothie Day: Today, 5-6 p.m

Create healthy smoothies during this free event.

• Open Mic Night: Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Share you poetry, spoken words, music or comedy at this free event.


Easter Bunny brunchBrunch with the Easter Bunny on

March 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Conference Center.

Cost is $15 for ages 12 and older; $8 for ages 5-11; and free for ages 4 and younger.

Advance tickets are available at the Youth Center.


Out & About• The Bowie Baysox will conduct live

auditions March 21 at 9:30 a.m. for singers of the national anthem before a home game at Prince George’s Stadium.

Gates open for registration at 9 a.m.The team features a live performance

of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before all 71 home games.

Auditions are open to individuals or small groups; instrumentalists are permitted. Large church or school groups interested in performing the national anthem at a game should call the Baysox at 301-464-4880.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering discounted tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for March 25 to April 5 at the Baltimore Arena.

Tickets cost $20. For more information, call 301-677-7354.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trip to New York City on March 21 to Radio City Music Hall’s “New York Spring Spectacular” featuring the Rockettes.

Cost is $150 and includes transportation and ticket. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• 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, in the banquet hall in back of the building. The next meeting is tonight. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County offers 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 tonight. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

• Swinging Squares Square Dance Club dances the first and third Saturday of the month from 7:30-10 p.m. through May at Meade Middle School. The next dance is Saturday. Admission is $6. Square dance attire is optional.

Dance classes are offered Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Meade Middle School. Each class costs $6.

For more information, call Darlene at 410-519-2536 or Carl at 410-271-8776.

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

EDUCATION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

YOUTH RECREATION

MEETINGS


moviesCommunity news & notes

• Calling All Dads meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 4-5 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center, 4998 2nd Corps Blvd. The next meeting is Monday.

The group is for expecting fathers, and fathers with children of all ages. Children welcome. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

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

• AARP Chapter 606 will meet Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the Glen Burnie Improvement Association Hall.

The guest speaker will talk about Fraud Watch.

Chapter dues are due January through March at $4 per person or $6 per couple at sign-in.

Members are reminded to bring food for the North County Emergency Outreach Network, box tops for schools, loose change for charities and used toner cartridges to be reconditioned.

For more information, call Judy Litke at 410-760-6253.

• NARFE Chapter 1519 will meet Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, 3436 Baltimore-Annapolis Road, Glen Burnie.

Lauren M. Parker, Register of Wills, will speak.

Anyone wishing to join this chapter or find out more information concerning the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association should attend this meeting. Personnel are needed to become active members of the chapter and attend meetings.

For more information, call Diane Shreves, publicity chairman, at 410-760-3750.

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

• 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 March 13.

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, go to e9association.org.

• Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Reserve Association meets the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at VFW Post 160, 2597 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. The next meeting is March 14. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited.

For more information, call 443-604-2474 or 410-768-6288.

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. Children welcome. The next meeting is March 16. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is March 17. 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 Chapter 254 meets the third Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Airman Leadership School, 8470 Zim-borski Ave. The next meeting is March 18. For more information, call 831-521-9251 or go to AFSA254.org.

• Military District of Washington Ser-geant Audie Murphy Club meets the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Dining Facility in Virginia. The next meeting is March 18. All members and those inter-ested in joining the club are welcome. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Erica Lehmkuhl at [email protected] or 301-833-8415.

• Officers’ Spouses’ Club monthly luncheon will be March 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Club Meade. Cost is $20.

The luncheon is open to OSC members, officer/DoD spouses, and guests. The monthly service project is Camp All-Stars (Johns Hopkins Hospital) Pajama Project.

For more information, go to http://www.fortmeadeosc.org/monthly-luncheons-2/ [email protected].

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

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

• Moms Walking Group, sponsored by Parent Support, meets Thursdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. To register, call Colaina Townsend or Michelle Pineda at 301-677-5590.

• Project Healing Waters meets Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave.

The project is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of wounded warriors and veterans through fly fishing, fly tying and outings.

For more information, call Larry Vawter, program leader, at 443-535-5074 or email [email protected].

• Dancing with the Heroes, free ballroom dance lessons for the Warrior Transition Unit, meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center in the seminar room.

Participants should wear loose clothing, comfortable shoes with leather soles. No super high heels or flip-flops.

• Spanish Christian Service is conducted Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Cavalry Chapel located at 8465 Simonds St. and 6th Armored Cavalry Road.

For more information, call Elias Mendez at 301-677-7314 or 407-350-8749.

• Couples Communication Group, sponsored by Army Community Services, meets every Monday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

For more information, call Celena Flowers or Katherine Lamourt at 301-677-5590.

• 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 Christopher Lassiter at [email protected] or Committee Chairperson Marco Cilibert 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 ages 11 to 18. For more information, email Lisa Yetman, at [email protected] or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at [email protected].

• Catholic Women of the Chapel meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for prayer and Bible study in the Main Post Chapel, 4419 Llewellyn Ave. Monthly programs are held Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The group is open to all women in the community ages 18 and older — active duty, retiree and civilian — for prayer, faith fellowship, and service. For more information, email Mariana Yinh at [email protected].

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 Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

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

Today through March 15

Friday: “The Boy Next Door” (R). A newly divorced woman falls for a younger man who has recently moved in across the street from her, but their torrid affair soon takes a dangerous turn. With Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, Kristin Chenoweth.

Saturday: “Mortdecai” (R). Juggling angry Rus-sians, the British Mi5 and an international ter-rorist, debonair art dealer and part-time rogue Charlie Mortdecai races to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain a code that leads to lost Nazi gold. With Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor.

Sunday: “Strange Magic” (PG). Goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. With the voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Elijah Kelley, Kristin Chenoweth.

March 13: “Black or White” (PG-13). A grieving widower is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise her entire life. With Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Gil-lian Jacobs.

March 14: “Jupiter Ascending” (PG-13). In a bright and colorful future, a young destitute caretaker gets targeted by the ruthless son of a powerful family, who lives on a planet in need of a new heir, so she travels with a genetically engineered warrior to the planet in order to stop his tyrant reign. With Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Eddie Redmayne.

March 15: “Project Almanac” (PG-13). A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control. With Amy Landecker, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Virginia Gardner.

News & Politics

Soundoff March 5, 2015