06/30/2023
The 7th Army Training Command’s chief data analytics officer teamed up with the Ready and Resilient (R2) program to add a numbers touch to the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) curriculum–numbers that tell a story to future Army leaders. R2 partnered with the 7th command NCOA to develop a training initiative that promotes candid and constructive conversations on alcohol within a judgment-free, safe environment.
06/30/2023
Grieving Soldiers who have recently lost a child or spouse now have the option to take up to 14 days of non-chargeable bereavement leave, based on a policy signed by the secretary of the Army. The policy, which falls under the National Defense Authorization Act, also allows troops time to grieve before returning to duty. The service recently published its All Army Activities summary of the directive (ALARACT).
06/26/2023
Military Intelligence Readiness Command Soldiers and Family members attended a Building Strong and Ready Teams event. Building Strong and Ready Teams–previously known as Strong Bonds–is a command-directed, chaplain-led, community-partnered effort that strengthens spiritual readiness for Soldiers and their Families.
06/26/2023
Turnbull Memorial Library in Hohenfels, Germany, began its annual summer reading program with a party. The event was meant to attract Families to an Army-wide program focused on keeping children reading and learning during a time American children are often away from structured education and slip academically.
06/23/2023
Moving can mean a fresh start in a new and potentially exciting place. No matter how easy or difficult, it always means extensive planning and preparation, incurring expenses, disrupting regular schedules for children, interrupting relationships and putting a lot of space between you and the people you care most about. TASP is the Army’s solution to difficult moves to new places both in the continental U.S. (CONUS) and outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS).
06/23/2023
Each April, the Army recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Each organization throughout the Army hosts awareness and prevention events in which Soldiers, Civilians and Families participate.
06/23/2023
Fort Leavenworth Master Resilience Trainer - Performance Experts Craig Merkley and Cindy Swatek, in coordination with the Army Wellness Center, provided training to directors and senior leaders of schools and organizations within Army University to promote a team culture.
06/23/2023
Summer is the best time to take part in outdoor activities and plan social gatherings, but it is also a dangerous time for substance misuse. Subject matter experts from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, have some advice on the issue.
06/23/2023
Words do have the power to insult and can even change people’s perceptions. That’s why the Defense Suicide Prevention Office’s Your Words Matter campaign is challenging the status quo by encouraging you to switch the way you discuss or address mental health topics.
06/23/2023
The Army Resilience Directorate’s April webinar, SHARP Transformation: A Victim-Centric Perspective, featured a conversation with Jill Londagin, director of the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program; Capt. Lori Mathieu; and Sgt. 1st Class Chatonna Spicer. During the 90-minute fireside chat, they shared their own stories of experiencing sexual assault as well as the ways they choose to advocate now.
06/23/2023
Here are three Army bases where the importance of rest and recreation is well recognized as a means to strengthen bonds among Soldiers and Families as well as help them combat the fatigue brought on by brutally hot weather.
06/23/2023
The Army has developed a new tool to better monitor the progress of sexual harassment complaints and ensure that all necessary timelines are met.
06/23/2023
Often, factors in everyday life, such as health-related issues, economic or psychological hardship and social issues, can present overwhelming and unforeseen challenges. During those difficult times, it can be easy to focus on individual shortcomings or weaknesses, but increasing self-awareness and discovering your best qualities are the keys to overcoming those challenges.
06/21/2023
Single Soldiers, far from the familiarity of home, friends and Family, can often become isolated and lonely. The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program was created to become a support system for those Soldiers. It seeks to not only enhance the morale and welfare of single Soldiers but also to help the Army better retain its workforce and sustain troops’ combat readiness. The program has three core components aimed at maintaining a balanced life: leisure and recreation, community service and quality of life.
06/21/2023
For many service members, the general rotation for a permanent change of station (PCS) is every two to four years. The process of relocating during PCS season can induce stress due to changes in living arrangements, employment, schools, routines, social activities and support networks. But there are easy ways for Soldiers and Families to address and prevent challenges associated with base transfers, including creating an organized moving plan and using community resources.
06/20/2023
U.S. Army garrisons around the world look to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation division to provide a full spectrum of fitness, recreational and support elements to enhance service members’ overall well-being and quality of life.
06/20/2023
The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden community gathered at the Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Germany to celebrate the creation and storied history of the United States Army.
06/16/2023
The community relations team organized a visit to the site of the Army’s largest Family housing construction project and the nearly finished Vicenza High School. During the tour of the school, mayors noticed how it is very different from traditional school designs.
06/20/2023
‘’So, it was my very first duty station. Fort Meade. It was the newest brigade in the Army. I was a specialist right out of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). That’s the place where you go to learn your job,’’ Sgt. 1st Class Chatonna Spicer says softly as she begins to recount her story of pain and perseverance. Spicer is a senior drill sergeant stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. She is also a former sexual assault response coordinator (SARC)—a job that she knows and understands all too well.
06/14/2023
Eleven individuals and 24 organizations were the beneficiaries of scholarships and grants provided by the nonprofit Fort Myer Thrift Shop, located on the Myer campus of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. In total for 2023, the store has awarded $117,000 in scholarships and grants to students, military spouses and military organizations, many of whom are located on the base.
06/14/2023
As the summer transfer season begins, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) officials seek to help newly arrived Families establish care as seamlessly as possible. The program is open to any Army Family member, child or adult with a physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual challenge for which they require therapy, individualized education, training or counseling.
06/14/2023
The U.S. Army takes quality of care seriously. That is reflected in its consistent efforts and standards to ensure the best possible service in its child and youth facilities.
06/12/2023
A new directive, the Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body Composition Program, will make immediate changes to that program. Based on the results, findings and recommendations from the Army’s recent Comprehensive Body Composition study, the directive includes guidance on the new tape-test methodology, which will yield more consistent and accurate estimates of Soldiers’ body fat and fitness.
06/07/2023
Abigail Frimpong, a Fort Drum community member and sophomore at Indian River High School, recently was named Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s New York State Military Youth of the Year.
06/06/2023
U.S. Army Installation Management Command announced that Fort Leonard Wood is the best garrison in the Army. In addition to the joint-service military and civilian training it provides, the garrison has demonstrated its commitment to a high quality of life by continually improving in areas such as childcare, education, health, wellness and recreational activities.
06/02/2023
As part of National Safety Month, 71st Ordnance Group (EOD) held a full-day safety class at Fort Carson, Colorado. Subject-matter experts gave a presentation to Soldiers on critical safety matters, such as suicide prevention and firearm safety.
06/02/2023
So far, participation in the Army Family Action Plan focus groups has been low this year. As much as Kelly Bice, AFAP program manager, would like to see more people involved, she said it takes only a few people with good ideas—and the conviction to share them—to make a difference.
