April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 1

16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter

Capt. Gerson Ramirez receives recognition for his service as company commander. Capt. Ramirez relinquished command at a Change of Command ceremony on April 4. For more photos from the Change of Command ceremony, see Page 6.

By Gerson Ramirez, Former 16th STB HCC commander

On April 4, my family and I concluded nearly 20 months of command time with the HHC, 16th STB family. It has been a long road and not an easy task. We have seen the company go through challenging times and many achievements. I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest Soldiers in this unit from the highest ranking to our lowest private past and present. Both our Soldiers and family members have made a unique impact in our lives and I wish all the best as many PCS back to CONUS, others move to Baumholder and a few remain in Bamberg in support of our deployed Soldiers through their return.

I want to thank COL Sledd and LTC Davis for their mentorship and allowing me the opportunity to command this company. LTC Jimenez for his mentorship as a staff officer, especially in power point “master level,” and our Battalion command team for their support and leadership to our Soldiers, especially during critical times of our BDE HQs deployment, the merging of staff functions while standing up the brigade rear/provisional, and the unit relocation efforts to Baumholder - All those challenging tasks on their own.

I could not have done it all without God’s strength, and without the support and patience of my wife, Brittany while taking the backseat throughout most of our marriage, and let’s not forget the Soldiers that behind the scenes made every administrative operation a success within HHC.

I have been extremely fortunate to share the command with my strong right hand, 1SG Ames -who made the complicated look easy while taking care of our Soldiers - and my outstanding XOs - CPT Price (deployed) and 1LT Clark - this is a team that moves mountains. I thank the 504th BSC and 106th FMSU command teams for

their support and for being a close knit group.

I want to acknowledge SFC Dobbs, my PAC, training room, supply room, and my FRG leaders: Nichole Peterson, my wife Brittany, Lucille Salmon, and Nancy Jacob for their tremendous job supporting our Soldiers administrative actions and our family members. They are the heroes behind the scenes.

To all our Soldiers and their Families I wish the best in future endeavors, job well done, and safe return home for those that are deployed.

I am proud to have served with the finest, and look forward to serve with many of you in the future.

Never Quit!!

Dark Knight 6, signing out.

Farewell from our outgoing company commander

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 2

FRG Leader Nancy Jacob presents outgoing FRG Leader Lucille Salmon with a gift to thank her for her leadership at the Feb. 19 FRG meeting. Mrs. Jacob took over the FRG on Feb. 1.

Thanks for your service!

From our FRG Leader: Change is Upon UsBy Nancy Jacob, FRG Leader

This is a period of change for most of us. Winter is changing to spring (sometime); the time changed to Daylight Saving Time on March 31; The command for 16th STB HHC is changing: Capt. Ramirez has left and Capt. Blacksher has taken over; many of you are preparing to move to Baumholder; some of you are planning your PCS to other posts in Germany or back to the states; some of you have no idea where you will be six months from now; some of you will remain here as the post closes; some of you are waiting for the deployment to end.

Along with these changes come a lot of questions. What do I need to do to prepare for my move? When can I schedule transportation? What will housing be like? What will schools be like? What can I do without orders? Where are my orders? What services will be available at my next duty station? What changes will take place with the new commander? What changes will be taking place as this post prepares for closure? How will the budget cuts, furloughs, and closure affect services?

All of this can cause a lot of stress. We would like to help you alleviate as much of that stress as possible. If you have any questions about your moves or about changes on this post, please ask. Capt. Blacksher and I will do our best to get you answers.

Our FRG was busy in March! March 7 - We gathered to prepare gift bags for deployed soldiers and for our single soldiers here.March 15 - Bowling Party. We had some very enthusiastic bowlers. If you missed it, I hope you can join us next time.

March 19- LTC Melton, Bamberg Health Clinic Commander, came to our FRG meeting and briefed us on the TRIAD health programMarch 20 – We had our new lunchtime FRG Meeting and prepared Easter eggs and gift bags for the Easter egg hunt and partyMarch 24 - Easter egg hunt and party

Coming upTRIAD Health programLTC Melton gave a briefing at our March FRG meeting on the TRIAD Health program. This is a fantastic free program being provided to help you take control of and improve your health.

If you have not yet attended a briefing on the program, I would like to encourage you to attend one of the briefings presented at the health clinic on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 1100 and 1730. Call the clinic for more information.

April 17 - Community Town Hall Meeting to discuss closure, 1300, Freedom Fitness FacilityApril 22 – FRG Stress Relief Day, 1600, Freedom Fitness Facility. Come learn more about dealing with stress.April 23 - FRG Evening Meeting, 1730-1900, Yellow Ribbon RoomApril 24 - FRG Lunchtime Meeting, 1130-1300, Yellow Ribbon RoomApril 29 - Town Hall Meeting to discuss move to Baumholder the Warner Conference Club. May 16- Community Town Hall Meeting to discuss closure, 1600, Freedom Fitness Facility

If you would like to help us plan future events, please contact me at hhc16thstb.frg@gmail.com.

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 3

16th HCC FRG Leadership

Nancy JacobFRG Leader

Franziska BestTreasurer

Not Pictured: Eva Sanchez, Publicity; Lucille Salmon, Key Caller

Heidi SandersNewsletter

Editor

Cheryl HenniganSecretary/Key

Caller

Claudia Cuellar Key Caller

Diana RutnuKey Caller

Debi HartKey Caller

Sophie Stewart Key Caller

Jenn Corton Key Caller

Ruth Chowfen Key Caller

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 4

Bowling on March 15See more photos at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3530842948106

50.1073741828.271278279657919&type=1

Preparing Easter Packages for Our Deployed and Single Soldiers

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 5

FRG Easter Party March 24 at the Warner Conference Center

See more photos at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353085631477183.1073741829.271278279657919&type=1

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 6

Soldier NewsPromotions The following Soldiers were promoted to sergeant:Sgt. Jody Vance; Sgt. Matthew Snyder; Sgt. Lance Reece; Sgt. Rena Wilcox; Sgt. Lakisha Green.

The following Soldiers were promoted to specialist:Spc. Hagen Prater; Spc. Curtis Whitworth.

Jody Vance, Matthew Snyder, Lance Reece and Rena Wilcox are promoted from specialist to sergeant. Congratulations to these Soldiers and all those who have been promoted recently.

16th STB HHC Change of Command April 4

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 7

Community EventsMonth of the Military ChildApril is the Month of the Military Child and U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg will have a variety of events throughout the month to celebrate. The month will wrap up April 26 with a bike safety check from 3 to 4 p.m. behind the CAC and a barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Warner Conference Center. For a complete list of Month of the Military Child events, visit www.bamberg.army.mil/directorates/dfmwr/docs/cyss/momccalendar2013.jpg.

BSCC BingoThe Bamberg Spouses and Civilians’ Club hosts bingoApril 19 at the Warner Conference Center. Card salesbegin at 6:30 p.m., and Bingo starts at 7 p.m. The theme is basketball, and participants are encouraged to wear their favorite team’s paraphernalia to get a free bingo card. To learn more, email bsccactivities@hotmail.com.

Community Flea MarketsCome and sell your unwanted items or search for a great find at the Community Flea Markets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of the month at Summerall Field near the Community Activity Center. Dates for the flea markets are May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12.

Tacos and TurntablesBetter Opportunities for Single Soldiers and the Community Activity Center are teaming up to offer Tacos and Turntables from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 14 and June 11 at the CAC. Enjoy the CAC’s taco buffet, which includes two hard or soft tacos or nacho chips with your choice of topping, and music provided by BOSS.

Bamberg Lodging Furniture SaleThe Bamberg Inn will host a furniture sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17. The special sale is open to ID cardholders only. Items for sale will include bedroom furniture, twin and queen-size mattresses, and box springs, bed frames, headboards, nightstands, desks, chairs and bed linens. All purchases have to be made with cash. To learn more, call the Bamberg Inn at 0951-300-8604 or email michael.t.stevens16.naf@mail.mil.

Community Town Hall MeetingsThe garrison will host a Town Hall Meeting at 1 p.m

April 17 at the Freedom Fitness Facility. A second meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on May 16 at the Freedom Fitness Facility. The topic of the town hall will be closure and sequestration. On April 29 at 1 p.m. there will be a Town Hall Meeting at the Warner Conference Club specifically for all 16th SB Soldiers and families who are moving to Baumholder. LTC Sullivan will be here to address any concerns about the move to Baumholder.

Sexual Assault Awareness FilmApril is Sexual Assault Awareness month and several events have been planned at U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg. The Invisible War, a documentary on sexual assault in the military will be shown at the post movie theater at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. April 18 and 9 a.m. April 19. A panel discussion with experts on sexual assault will follow each viewing of the movie. All showings are open to the community.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to WorkThe Department of Defense Dependent Schools Europe invites you and your child to participate in an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience April 26 known around the globe as Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work. Designed to be more than a career day, the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work program goes beyond the average “shadowing” of an adult. Exposing girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day is important, but showing them the value of their education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life and providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future and begin steps toward their goals in a hands-on and interactive environment is key to their achieving success. Students in third through eighth grade will accompany their parents from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Parents are responsible for their child’s transportation.

Arts and Crafts ContestThe 2013 Arts and Crafts contest starts May 1 and runs through June 30. It is open to all Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation patrons (active duty, National Guard, Family members, retirees and Army civilians) of all ages. Categories are ceramics, digital art, drawings, fibers/textiles, glass, metals/jewelry, mixed media, paintings and wood. Contact your local Arts and Crafts Center for details.

April 2013 16th STB HHC FRG Newsletter Page 8

Towel ServiceTowel service at garrison physical fitness centers has ceased. Installation Management Command Europe provided guidance to garrison commanders to discontinue towel service in physical fitness centers. “The discontinuation of this service will result in significant cost savings and allow the staff to provide better customer support on the floor by interacting with patrons,” according to the memorandum dated March 12. The towel service stopped April 15.

SurveyIf you’re a Soldier who lives in privately leased or rented residential housing in Germany, the ongoing Overseas Housing Allowance Utility and Move-in expense survey is your chance to have a say in setting your housing allowance rates. To take the survey through March 31, visit www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/marutilmiha.cfm.

Bulk Item PickupThe Directorate of Public Works will pick up bulk items for disposal the first Monday of the month. The dates for 2013 are June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4. Spring cleanup will take place in May so bulk pickup will be the week of May 15 to 20.

English as a Second Language ClassesEnglish as a Second Language classes will take place each Monday and Tuesday in the Family Advocacy

Program classroom, Bldg. 7487 on Armor Drive behind the flower shop. ESL Level 1 will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Level 2 from 10:30 am. to noon and Level 3 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. All U.S. ID cardholders are eligible to attend. For more information, contact Jeffrey Card at jeffrey.p.card.civ@mail.mil or 0951-300-7777.

Emergency Placement Care ProgramThe Emergency Placement Care Program, which provides a safe and caring environment to children in crisis, is looking for Emergency Placement Care Providers who will open their homes to children in need. To learn more, call Army Community Service at 0951-300-8397/7777.

Postal Service Center HoursBeginning April 1, the Postal Service Center opening hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the finance windows and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for mail and package pickup. Official mail pickup will be open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.

AAFES ChangesThe Optical Shop will be closed beginning March 31. Customers in need of optical services after the closure can visit the optical shops at other garrisons. For the latest hours of all Army and Air Force Exchange service locations, visit www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeLocations/WarnerBarracksStore.htm.

FRG Events

Community Reminders

FRG Meetings The April FRG meetings will take place on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. and April 24 at 11:30 p.m.Both meetings will be held at the Yellow Ribbon Room. Capt. Blacksher will be here to get to know each of you. Bill Zautke our very own Military Family Life Consultant will be on hand to tell us about what he can do to help you.

FRG Stress Relief DayThe FRG will host a Stress Free Seminar on April 22 at 4 p.m. at the Freedom Fitness Facility. Come learn techniques to deal with stress. Speakers at the event will include Bill Zauke, Military Family Life Consultant; Jenn Corton, Yoga Instructor; and Chaplain Lt. Col. Joanne Martindale.

For more community news, visit www.bamberg.army.mil.

Keep up with the latest FRG news and events at www.facebook.com/hhc16stb.