Fireworks have lit up the skies of many warm summer nights. Although beautiful, the delicate sprays of green, gold and orange can quickly turn into the red and white strobe of an ambulance if extreme caution is not exercised while handling fireworks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2006, the last year a fireworks-related injury report was generated, 11 people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States. The Army is not immune to these statistics. Just four years ago, a Soldier lost his eye after a firework ignited prematurely and hit him in the face.
Our advice: Go out, relax and let someone else do the dangerous work while you sit back and enjoy. But if you do handle fireworks, learn about fireworks safety at www.fireworksafety.com. For information about the Army’s Safe Summer Campaign, visit https://safety.army.mil.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
“Smart Gates” a Smart Move for Army Security and Best Business Practices
A new automated "smart gate" that uses your CAC, or Common Access Card, is up and running at Patton Barracks, Heidelberg, Germany. Why smart gates? While enhancing Army security, the new installation gates are also cost effective. According to one source, posting one guard for 24 hours for a year costs the Army about $190,000. http://tinyurl.com/nq7lpw
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
234th Army Birthday Photos
Check out photos of the 234th Army Birthday celebrated on 14 JUN and throughout the month at http://tinyurl.com/npvhy5 http://tinyurl.com/m7hkzz, http://tinyurl.com/nrtbby
and http://tinyurl.com/ku8nlx.
and http://tinyurl.com/ku8nlx.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Did You Know that One out of Every 10 Virginians is a Veteran?
On June 16, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine signed several General Assembly bills providing assistance to military personnel and their Families and honoring the Commonwealth’s veterans, demonstrating Virginia’s continued support for active duty service members, guardsmen and reservists, veterans and their Families.
Among the bills signed was the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (HB 1727/Cole). The compact, which has been signed into law in at least 10 other states, will allow for the uniform treatment, at the state and local district level, of military children transferring between school districts and states, and will also address the timely sharing of their educational records. Virginia currently has more school-aged children of active duty military than any state in the nation (76,352).
Other bills provide tuition assistance for members of the National Guard that have a minimum of 2 years remaining on their service requirement, increase the homestead exemption for veterans with a 40% or greater service connected disability rating, and make it easier for military and overseas voters and their families to vote absentee.
For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/m7o7bj
Among the bills signed was the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (HB 1727/Cole). The compact, which has been signed into law in at least 10 other states, will allow for the uniform treatment, at the state and local district level, of military children transferring between school districts and states, and will also address the timely sharing of their educational records. Virginia currently has more school-aged children of active duty military than any state in the nation (76,352).
Other bills provide tuition assistance for members of the National Guard that have a minimum of 2 years remaining on their service requirement, increase the homestead exemption for veterans with a 40% or greater service connected disability rating, and make it easier for military and overseas voters and their families to vote absentee.
For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/m7o7bj
Friday, June 19, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
The Army's new paternity leave policy gives fathers additional time to be with their Families when a child is born. The policy, signed into law under President George W. Bush on Oct. 14, 2008 grants married Soldiers up to 10 consecutive days of non-chargeable administrative leave after the birth of a child.
The policy allows Soldiers who have taken annual leave in connection with the birth of a child since October 2008 to request up to 10 days of leave be restored/re-credited to their leave account. Soldiers must provide documentation to support their claim (e.g., DA Form 31 or LES) and submit it through the unit S1 or Personnel Administrative Center.
Paternity leave must be taken within 45 days of the child's birth; deployed Soldiers must take the leave within 60 days after returning from deployment. Leave not taken within the established timeframe will be lost.
Single Soldiers who father a child out-of-wedlock are not eligible for paternity leave. For those who adopt, the Army Adoption Program that has its own non-chargeable leave policy of three weeks.
Soldiers and officers are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable Family bonding opportunity and supervisors and commanders at all levels should approve paternity leave whenever it is feasible.
Paternity Leave provides greater stability and predictability to Soldiers and their Families. By providing a benefit that is increasingly more common in the civilian sector, the Army is building on its reputation as an organization that takes care of its Families.
The parental leave provision was put in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorization bill at the urging of the U.S. Navy and with the backing of Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Until then, none of the services had the authority to grant non-chargeable paternity leave.
For more information visit http://www.army.mil/ and enter Paternity Leave Authorized in the search field.
The policy allows Soldiers who have taken annual leave in connection with the birth of a child since October 2008 to request up to 10 days of leave be restored/re-credited to their leave account. Soldiers must provide documentation to support their claim (e.g., DA Form 31 or LES) and submit it through the unit S1 or Personnel Administrative Center.
Paternity leave must be taken within 45 days of the child's birth; deployed Soldiers must take the leave within 60 days after returning from deployment. Leave not taken within the established timeframe will be lost.
Single Soldiers who father a child out-of-wedlock are not eligible for paternity leave. For those who adopt, the Army Adoption Program that has its own non-chargeable leave policy of three weeks.
Soldiers and officers are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable Family bonding opportunity and supervisors and commanders at all levels should approve paternity leave whenever it is feasible.
Paternity Leave provides greater stability and predictability to Soldiers and their Families. By providing a benefit that is increasingly more common in the civilian sector, the Army is building on its reputation as an organization that takes care of its Families.
The parental leave provision was put in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorization bill at the urging of the U.S. Navy and with the backing of Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Until then, none of the services had the authority to grant non-chargeable paternity leave.
For more information visit http://www.army.mil/ and enter Paternity Leave Authorized in the search field.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Privatization of U.S. Army Lodging to Raise Quality of Life for Soldiers
The U.S. Army today announced that it will transfer the first 10 installations under the Army’s Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program on August 15, 2009. Actus Lend Lease will perform the redevelopment of the lodging facilities and lodging operations will be assumed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
The majority of the Army Lodging employees affected by the transfer will receive offers of employment from IHG. Approximately 83% of employees who applied for positions with IHG will receive offers of employment. Retained employees will have their Army Lodging employment honored as IHG service time. Seven of the ten affected Army Lodging General Managers have accepted IHG positions.
Upon transfer of the lodging rooms, the project will begin correcting commercial code noncompliance issues and overhauling the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the existing inventory. The 10 Group A installations are: Fort Rucker, Ala.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.; Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Shafter / Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
The U.S. Army is committed to improving its transient lodging as a means of sustaining the quality of life of Soldiers and their Families. Through the PAL Program, the Army engages the private sector to manage, construct, renovate, maintain and operate transient lodging on Army installations. The program is modeled after the Army’s successful privatized family housing program, Residential Communities Initiative (RCI).
For more information visit http://www.imcom.army.mil/hq/.
The majority of the Army Lodging employees affected by the transfer will receive offers of employment from IHG. Approximately 83% of employees who applied for positions with IHG will receive offers of employment. Retained employees will have their Army Lodging employment honored as IHG service time. Seven of the ten affected Army Lodging General Managers have accepted IHG positions.
Upon transfer of the lodging rooms, the project will begin correcting commercial code noncompliance issues and overhauling the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the existing inventory. The 10 Group A installations are: Fort Rucker, Ala.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.; Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Shafter / Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
The U.S. Army is committed to improving its transient lodging as a means of sustaining the quality of life of Soldiers and their Families. Through the PAL Program, the Army engages the private sector to manage, construct, renovate, maintain and operate transient lodging on Army installations. The program is modeled after the Army’s successful privatized family housing program, Residential Communities Initiative (RCI).
For more information visit http://www.imcom.army.mil/hq/.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wreath Ceremony at Tomb of the Unknowns to Commemorate the Army’s 234th Birthday
WHAT: Army Full Honor Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 234th Birthday
WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. 22211
EVENT DETAILS:
The Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Pete Geren, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General George W. Casey, Jr., and Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 9:00 a.m. Following the wreath ceremony, the officials will then lay wreaths at the graves of the former Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Sergeants Major of the Army buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
All media intending to cover the ceremony must contact Kaitlin Horst, Arlington National Cemetery Public Affairs, at (703) 607-8576 or kaitlin.horst@conus.army.mil.
For more information about Army Birthday events visit: http://www.army.mil/birthday/234/ and http://www.army.mil/yearofthenco/home.html
WHAT: Army Full Honor Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 234th Birthday
WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. 22211
EVENT DETAILS:
The Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Pete Geren, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General George W. Casey, Jr., and Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 9:00 a.m. Following the wreath ceremony, the officials will then lay wreaths at the graves of the former Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Sergeants Major of the Army buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
All media intending to cover the ceremony must contact Kaitlin Horst, Arlington National Cemetery Public Affairs, at (703) 607-8576 or kaitlin.horst@conus.army.mil.
For more information about Army Birthday events visit: http://www.army.mil/birthday/234/ and http://www.army.mil/yearofthenco/home.html
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Celebrating the Army's 234th Birthday
Across the United States, local communities, Soldiers, Civilians and Family members will join to celebrate the Army's birthday on 14 JUN, with events throughout the month. As part of the Army’s outreach to Congress, IMCOM will mount a display focusing on the Family Covenant from 15 JUN 09 to 16 JUN 09. The Army Family Covenant pledges the Army’s commitment to support Soldiers and their Families and resource the programs that provide them a quality of life commensurate with their service.
For more information visit: http://www.army.mil/birthday/234/ and http://www.army.mil/yearofthenco/home.html
For more information visit: http://www.army.mil/birthday/234/ and http://www.army.mil/yearofthenco/home.html
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
IMCOM leads the Army in the Workforce Recruitment Program
The Installation Management Command is proud to lead the Army in the 2009 Workforce Recruitment Program by placing 40 individuals with disabilities in assignments throughout the command. The WRP is administered by the Department of Labor and the Department of Defense throughout the federal government. “Only through the dedicated efforts of our workforce is our command able to fulfill our vision and accomplish our mission. We value the motivated, talented individuals who work for IMCOM around the world, and we strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce that looks like America’s population. That’s why the Workforce Recruitment Program is so important,” noted IMCOM’s Deputy Commander BG Al Aycock.
For more information, visit http://www.wrp.gov/
For more information, visit http://www.wrp.gov/
Monday, June 8, 2009
America’s Housing Market Crisis: Support to the Army Family
The Department of Defense is responding to the impact of sharp declines in home values by temporarily expanding its Homeowner Assistance Program to help many military families and DoD civilians forced to sell their homes at a loss due to reassignment, BRAC and other issues. Eligibility requirements are outlined on the links below.
On May 14, Vice President Joe Biden announced DoD’s plan to add $555 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Recovery Act to expand the HAP to help offset the effects of the country’s struggling housing market.
The temporary expansion is designed to partially reimburse military personnel and DoD civilians for home sale losses without the need to prove that a base closure caused a local market decline (as under previous law).
Top priority for assistance goes to wounded service members relocating for treatment or medical retirement, and for the survivors of those who died while on deployment.
Assistance also will be made available for normal military permanent change of station moves, on a temporary basis.
DoD has provided similar financial assistance to military and civilian employees for more than 40 years, but until now, the program's primary support has focused on those who owned homes and lost money near closed or soon-to-be-closed down military installations under the Base Realignment and Closure process.
Information on the expanded housing program can be found at:
http://hap.usace.army.mil
http://www.defenselink.mil/recovery/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Vice-President-Biden-Announces-Expansion-of-Pentagon-Homeowners-Assistance-Program-Under-Recovery-Act/
http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
http://www.myarmyonecource.com
On May 14, Vice President Joe Biden announced DoD’s plan to add $555 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Recovery Act to expand the HAP to help offset the effects of the country’s struggling housing market.
The temporary expansion is designed to partially reimburse military personnel and DoD civilians for home sale losses without the need to prove that a base closure caused a local market decline (as under previous law).
Top priority for assistance goes to wounded service members relocating for treatment or medical retirement, and for the survivors of those who died while on deployment.
Assistance also will be made available for normal military permanent change of station moves, on a temporary basis.
DoD has provided similar financial assistance to military and civilian employees for more than 40 years, but until now, the program's primary support has focused on those who owned homes and lost money near closed or soon-to-be-closed down military installations under the Base Realignment and Closure process.
Information on the expanded housing program can be found at:
http://hap.usace.army.mil
http://www.defenselink.mil/recovery/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Vice-President-Biden-Announces-Expansion-of-Pentagon-Homeowners-Assistance-Program-Under-Recovery-Act/
http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
http://www.myarmyonecource.com
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