SoundOff for Feb. 2, 2012

UPCOMING EVENTS TOday, 4-6 P.M.:

Right Arm Night - Club Meade

SUNday:Super Bowl Viewing - The Lanes

FEb. 10, 1-3:30 P.M.:25th Annual Toothbrush Giveaway -

Commissary

FEb. 10, 8 P.M.-2 a.M.:Latin Club Night - Club Meade

FEb. 11, 9 a.M.:2012 Maryland East Coast Taekwondo

National Qualifier - McGill

GOOd SPOrTSFort Meade Patriots, Harlem Superstars play charity game to aid Arundel High School

page 14

TaxINGPost center provides

free service for military members, retirees, families

page 3

Soundoff!́vol. 64 no. 5 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community February 2, 2012

photo by brendan cavanaugh

Cub Scout Hunter Rubbens of Fort Meade Pack 377 celebrates as his car speeds across the finish line during the pack’s Pinewood Derby on Saturday at Pershing Hill Elementary School. nearly 80 Cub Scouts participated in the annual race of hand-built wooden cars that must weigh under 5 ounces. For the story, see 2.

We Have a Winner!

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 NewstoUse......................... 8

TroubleTicket............... 4 Sports..................................14

Community................. 18 Movies.................................11

Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Edward C. rothsteinGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. SmithPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones [email protected], Command informationPhilip H. Jones [email protected] Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesStaff Writer Brandon Bieltzdesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by Patuxent Publishing Co.

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300

allison thompson 410-332-6850 [email protected]

Michele Griesbauer 410-332-6381 [email protected]

If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are experiencing distribution issues, call 877-886-1206 or e-mail [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by the Patuxent Publishing Co., a subsidiary of 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: 301-677-1361; DSN: 622-1361.

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 Patuxent Publishing Co., a private firm, in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.

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

and view the Fort Meade Blog at meadetv.wordpress.com.

Soundoff!́Guaranteed circulation:

11,285

Last week, the focus of my column was about Fort Meade’s growing footprint and my efforts to reach out to our partners outside the gate.

I try to use my public speaking engagements as a tool to spark discussions with neighbors on and off the post, about how they can help us and how we can support their initiatives. Our neighbors are receptive to the idea of supporting Fort Meade for many reasons.

Fort Meade growth beyond BRAC is good news for our neighbors. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta specifically mentioned the importance of cyber defense in his recent press conference in which he out-lined billions of dollars in cuts to defense spending.

Fort Meade’s support of the U.S. Cyber Com-mand and its joint services (Army Cyber, Air Force Cyber, the Tenth Fleet Navy Cyber and Marine Corps Cyber Command) will play a vital role in the future of our nation’s defense. Our neighbors know the cyber commands mean stability of jobs in the region and continued economic growth.

Just as it is important to communicate with our neighbors, it’s important to me to keep the post community aware of what’s happening at Fort Meade. Every other month, I meet with Fort Meade’s community council, a group of leaders from our local community organizations and family readiness groups. The garrison command also hosts a bimonthly luncheon for installation partner com-manders including senior enlisted leaders from units across Fort Meade.

On Jan. 26, I met with both of these groups. In addition to sharing information about upcoming activities on post, we had a frank discussion about some issues Fort Meade will face as we look ahead to future construction and roadwork projects.

A bit of good news is that this summer we break ground on a new state-of-the-art Post Exchange. The bad news is parking. The new PX is being built adjacent to the old PX, and construction will take up much of the existing parking lot currently used by shoppers.

We are exploring a number of solutions to deal with the parking issue, but trust me. I know the park-ing problem will be inconvenient and make shopping at the PX and commissary difficult throughout the construction period.

As difficult as it may be, in the end we will have a fantastic new shopping center. Still, I wanted to share this news with post leaders now so we can have an opportunity to discuss the issue and prepare for the challenges it will bring.

We also discussed another one of the realities of our expanding footprint — the additional space on the installation required for construction of build-ings for the Nation Security Agency and U.S. Cyber

Command.As many

of you already know, support-ing the expansion of these agencies will result in the installation los-ing the remain-der of its golf course. We lost nine holes of the course to BRAC construction, and it’s expected we will lose the remaining 27 holes later this year.

Currently, the golf course is scheduled to be available to the post community through September. However, this date could change, and the golf course may close sooner than we had originally anticipated. We are working on agreements with our partners outside the gate to allow the post’s golf community to play on county courses at the rates they currently pay.

Working with county golf courses on behalf of our patrons is a good example of how partnership with organizations outside the gates can help Fort Meade. My goal is to continue to find ways to lever-age those partnerships to provide quality service to our military community.

The golf agreements and other off-post services will be a part of our strategy of providing needed services and resources to service members in light of DoD-directed budget reductions.

My goal as garrison commander is to be as transparent as possible. I want folks to know I’m concerned about how the installation will continue to support our growing footprint and I’m ready to listen to your comments and suggestions.

I will continue to make my communications about these efforts a priority. I urge you to share your thoughts about Fort Meade’s expanding footprint with me, the garrison command and members of the post community.

In closing, I want to encourage service members and civilian employees to participate in tonight’s Right Arm Night at Club Meade. The event is a great way to relax, build camaraderie and spend time with your co-workers while enjoying the free food, music and prizes.

And now that Super Bowl week is finally here, you know I am anxiously awaiting Sunday’s kickoff. With two great coaches, two great quarterbacks, it should be a great game. Hopefully, it will end the same way it did the last time they met in a Super Bowl.

Go Giants!

Engaging our neighbors on and off the post

COL. Edward C. rOthstEin

Garrison Commander

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

With the snip of a ribbon, tax season began at Fort Meade.

During a brief ribbon-cutting ceremo-ny Monday, Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and Staff Judge Advocate Lt. Col. Elizabeth Marotta officially opened the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center.

Located at 4217 Roberts Ave., the cen-ter provides free tax assistance for service members, retirees and their dependents through Tax Day on April 17.

Hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are recommended.

Last year, the Fort Meade tax center helped more than 1,300 service members, retirees and dependents file their taxes for a total refund amount of more than $3.5 million. The free service saved clients $321,652 in fees to prepare and file state and federal income taxes.

“We are able to provide such a terrific service to all of the Soldiers and depen-dents and save them so much money that it really is a wonderful thing to participate in,” Marotta said.

The manpower behind the center includes nine “borrowed” service mem-bers and several volunteers with tax preparation backgrounds. Every member of the staff was required to attend train-ing led by the Internal Revenue Services, the American Bar Association and the Rosenberg, Martin, Greenberg law firm in Baltimore.

During the brief ceremony, Rothstein thanked instructors from the IRS and law firm, while Marotta called the service members “the best and the brightest” of their units.

“If there’s ever something where we need the best, it’s the tax center because we’re not doing anybody any favors if we don’t know what we’re doing. And you folks certainly know what you’re doing,”

Post Tax Center offers free assistance

Marotta said. “I really appreciate all your hard work.”

After the weeklong course and a series of tests, the service members and volun-teers were certified to work at the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site on the first floor of the SJA.

As certified tax preparers, the staff can prepare and file federal and state income tax forms.

While not all installations file state income taxes, the Fort Meade center can prepare state income tax forms for all 50 states, said Capt. Michael Madsen, officer in charge of the tax center.

“Every state is a little different, but we’re going to take the time to make sure we do the research we have to, to make sure we can file people’s state tax returns,” Madsen said.

By solely servicing military members, retirees and dependents, the tax preparers are well-versed in issues pertaining to a service member’s filings — a benefit not all paid tax services can provide.

“We deal with all military, so we see a lot of military-specific issues - combat pay, relocation, income in multiple states,” Madsen said. “We try to get all military folks in here. We want to save them some money and strive to have greater proficiency in common issues that face military members. We want to take care of our own.”

However, because of IRS and Army regulations, the staff cannot prepare busi-ness income, including more than one rental space and more than 10 stock transactions. If an individual’s taxes are too complicated, they will be referred to a paid tax service.

“We’d love to take care of our own, but we don’t want to take on something out of our scope,” Madsen said. “We wind up hurting the person we’re trying to help.”

With nearly 120 appointments already scheduled prior to the ribbon-cutting cer-emony, Madsen recommends that clients make appointments rather than walk in. When calling to schedule an appointment, clients will undergo a brief interview to determine what forms and information are needed for the tax preparation.

Forms needed vary, based on a client’s source of income during the year.

Appointments are scheduled for one or two hours, depending on the complexity of the filing.

In addition to the center’s daily sched-ule, the facility will also be open some evenings and Saturdays when volunteers’ schedules allow.

“We want to help service members and their families and retirees,” Madsen said. “That’s why we exist.”

To schedule an appointment at the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center, call 301-677-9762.

photos by nate pesce

Pfc. Kyle Goins of the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center meets with Anna Niwa of Crofton to discuss what she can do in preparation to filing her income taxes. Last year, the free service saved clients $321,652 in tax preparation costs.

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein cuts the ceremonial ribbon Monday, opening the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center through April 17 at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at 4217 Roberts Ave. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the tax center provides free assistance to service members, retirees and their dependents filing state and federal income taxes.

‘We want to help service members and their families and retirees. That’s why we exist.’

capt. Michael Madsen Fort Meade Joint Installation tax center officer in charge


News

Jan. 21, Shoplifting: The Director-ate of Emergency Services was notified of a possible shoplifting at the Post Exchange. An investi-gation revealed that AAFES loss prevention personnel observed the subject concealing merchandise in his pocket and proceed beyond the point of sale without rendering proper payment.

Jan. 22, Larceny of private property: An investigation revealed that unknown person(s) by unknown means removed secured and attended property consisting of earrings and a necklace from the victim’s room in Fort Meade lodging.

Jan. 26, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention personnel at the Post Exchange observed the subject concealing unpaid merchandise in her purse and then proceed out of the PX

without paying for the items.

Jan. 26, Larceny of private prop-erty: The victim reported that his wallet was stolen from the commis-sary break room.

Jan. 29, Damage of private property: An investigation revealed that the victim departed her home and upon her return she noticed scratches, which appeared to be key marks on her vehicle. She stated that the scratches were not on the vehicle when she left.

Jan. 29, Simple assault: The Directorate of Emergency Services was notified of a possible assault involving two juveniles. An investigation revealed that the victim was assaulted at the playground at Leslie and Clark roads, where the subject allegedly choked the victim.

Four scheduled projects will require the closure of several installation roads:

• The side-entrance drive to the commissary is closed today for asphalt work.

• Both lanes of Rose Street are closed today for asphalt work.

• Both center lanes of MacAr-thur Road will be closed Friday for asphalt work.

• The right-turn lane on

MacArthur Road onto west-bound Mapes Road will be closed Saturday.

Drivers should plan ahead and use alternative routes. All roads are scheduled to reopen by 3 p.m. on the day of the closures.

The schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Changes will be posted on Fort Meade’s Face-book page and official website.

Construction Zone

Ongoing construction and renovationson Fort Meade

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

Trouble Ticket

Issue: Plan: Status:

Youth Services Sports Complex is in need of

renovations

Renovate the Youth Services Sports Complex

Actual use of fields will be this fall to allow grass to mature

Community members have concerns about golf

course service availability in light of Base Closure and

Realignment

Maintain a minimum of 18 holes at current site;

restoring golf operations on a site south of the

installation is also proposed

Golf operations are unchanged through

September

Have you noticed an issue on post and wondered if anything is being done to fix it? Email concerns and

issues to [email protected]. Each week, Soundoff! will

address issues identified on post and describe what is being done to

solve them.

file photo

Play equipment near the Boundless Playground is currently undergoing repairs.

The Installation Safety Office has deemed and marked some play equipment at Burba Lake as unsafe

Repair the play equipment so that it is functional

Repairs are under way

find fort Meade on facebook atfacebook.com/ftmeade


News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

A school construction agreement has been approved for the construction of 12 additional classrooms at Meade High School.

The Anne Arundel County Board of Edu-cation voted unanimously on Jan. 18 to approve the construction agreement between the Board of Education and PR II Arundel Gateway Land, LLC.

The agreement allows the developer to hire a general contractor and award a contract to build the additional classrooms.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June and completed by July 2013.

The two-story, 12-room addition will be located on the west side of the school. A small connecting corridor to the school will be added.

The additional classrooms will provide 255 more seats at the school, which has a current enrollment of 2,285 students.

Given the design and space layout, the state says the facility currently can properly service,

educate and house 2,208 students.The classrooms are being built in antici-

pation of an increase in student enrollment that will occur when the proposed Arundel Gateway Project is completed.

The Arundel Gateway Project is an effort to accommodate the employees who are expected to fill thousands of jobs that will come to Fort Meade as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure process, which came to an end in September 2011.

The project is scheduled to be comprised of 1,850 residential units; 100,000 square feet of office space; 150,000 square feet of retail space; and a possible hotel near Route 198 in Laurel, east of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Alex L. Szachnowicz said the estimated cost to design, construct and fully outfit the classrooms at Meade High is $4.5 million.

“The developers will hire, purchase, con-tract and pay all the invoices directly with no

Expansion planned for Meade High School

tive supplies. An ATM machine also will be installed this month.

In addition, new signage and LED lights have been added to the store’s nearby gas pumps.

The Fort Meade Express is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is operated by 40 employees.

“We are here for the community,” Max-well said.

In July, construction is scheduled to start on a new shopping center to replace the existing Post Exchange, which was assessed for renovations.

The new shopping center is scheduled to open in September 2014.

Jonathan Bright, general manager for the Meade Consolidated Exchange, which includes Army and Air Force Exchange Service operations on Fort Meade, Aber-deen Proving Ground and Dover Air Force Base, said the Shoppette’s renova-tions and plans for a new shopping center are part of an effort to serve the needs of more customers due to the completed Base Realignment and Closure process.

“I think it’s a great change,” Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jamie Smith said of the renovations. “There’s a lot more shelf space, and you know where everything else is.”

Jayson David, a cashier at the newly renovated Fort Meade Express, rings up merchandise for Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Sara Minor. Formerly known as the Fort Meade Shoppette, the convenience store now features a new location for its automatic glass-door entrance, a polished cement floor, LED lighting and two additional aisles.

Story and photo by Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

The red and blue sign outside the Fort Meade Express welcomes the community to a newly renovated store.

Formerly known as the Fort Meade Shoppette, the 11,000-square-foot conve-nience store now features a new location for its automatic glass-door entrance, a polished cement floor, LED lighting and two additional aisles.

The image upgrade, which began in July 2011, was completed Friday.

“Now that I can see the finished pack-age; it’s beautiful,” said William Maxwell, the store manager.

CJW Contractors Inc., based in Green-belt, completed the $660,000 project. Reno-vations to the 15-year-old building included stripping the old tile floor and moving prod-uct shelves and the register counter.

“It looks a lot better,” said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Sara Minor of Navy Information Operations Command Mary-land. “It looks a lot more organized. The decor is prettier.”

The selection of snacks and “hot-to-go” food items have expanded. Sometime this month, the Fort Meade Express will feature a wider variety of European wines and an increase in the number of automo-

Fort Meade Express completes renovations

funds ever going to or through the county schools,” Szachnowicz said.

A general contractor has not been yet been hired and a contract has not been awarded.

Donna Sills, executive vice president and general counsel of regional developer Green-berg Gibbons Commercial, said PR II Arun-

del Gateway, LLC will make a submission sometime this month for a building permit from the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning to construct the class-rooms.

Szachnowicz anticipates minimal disrup-tion to the existing building.

Pilot project tests Soundoff! distributionBeginning today, Soundoff! will initiate a pilot project to help assess the most effi-

cient method to distribute the weekly newspaper to residents living on post. During the pilot, Soundoff! newspaper boxes will be located in Potomac Place and

Heritage Park neighborhoods that utilize mail kiosks.The pilot will affect the approximately 300 residences that currently use mail kiosks

located on Second Corps Boulevard and Koogle Street in Potomac Place and on Nin-ninger Road in Heritage Park.

Residents at these designated sites will no longer have Soundoff! delivered to their home. Instead, they can pick up a copy of Soundoff! each week when they collect their mail.

Soundoff! will be delivered to the newspaper boxes by 6:30 p.m. each Thursday.For more information and to provide feedback about the Soundoff! delivery pilot,

call the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office at 301-677-5602.


News

Story and photo by Tina Miles780th MI Brigade

A 780th Military Intelligence Brigade family member was honored with an invitation to speak at a prestigious tribute honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Washington National Cathedral.

Tony Keith, son of Annette Duberry, secretary to the commander of the 780th MI, was personally asked by Patty John-son, canon missioner of the Washington National Cathedral, to perform one of his original compositions at the celebration, “King in Our Midst,” on Jan. 16.

The annual event celebrates King’s lega-cy through service projects, interfaith dia-logue, and performances of Washington’s rich music and dance heritage.

Keith, 30, recited his poem “Awake and Awesome,” which also featured vocal excerpts from King’s sermon at the Wash-ington National Cathedral on March 31, 1968. In what was to be his last sermon, King spoke of “remaining awake through a great revolution.”

Keith intertwined the art of spoken-word poetry between recorded portions of King’s sermon, in what almost seemed to be a parallel interpretation.

He was invited as a guest speaker after Johnson heard him at the D.C. Voters Rally in Lafayette Square Park in front of the White House.

A Washington, D.C., area native, Keith identifies himself as a poet, educator and “nerd” — a “world-traveled, spoken-word artist, cultural educator, and reader and writer of inclusion,” he said.

“I think the first time I wrote a poem was in third grade,” Keith said. “I was always good at writing, I used to win writing awards in elementary school all the time. The first time I ever performed a poem on stage was my senior year of high school.”

As a poet, Keith has traveled around the world teaching poetry and empower-ing young people to engage in the art of spoken word.

As an educator, he has committed his life to working with first-generation, low-income, racial and ethnic minority

students, and engaging in cultural educa-tion and social justice programming on college campuses.

As a “nerd,” his thoughts, writings, teachings and performances are centered on topics dealing with race, gender, pov-erty, culture and sexuality.

Keith has been invited to speak at vari-ous events by major universities across the United States, as well as by arts and social-justice, international cultural-immersion programs around the world, including Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2011, Keith made more than a dozen appearances at various universities nationwide, and his popularity continues to grow. As a result of his engagement at “King in our Midst,” Keith received several other invitations.

“He has so much creativity and dic-tion,” Johnson said. “Tony is so inspira-tional — he’s a rock star.”

Keith’s inspiration for performing came from the 1997 movie “Love Jones,” star-ring Lorenz Tate and Nia Long.

“It is a love story that’s documented through written poetry and performance poetry,” Keith recalled. “It was then I learned how to distinguish word on paper

from an actual artistic performance.“On paper, poems are simple, neat,

clean, organized with stanzas and a cal-culated rhyme scheme. On stage, however, poetry can be raw and vibrant, loud, and full of texture and body movements all meant to transform the atmosphere.”

His written poetry, however, is inspired by the stories and experiences of others.

“I meet a lot of people, and often lis-tening to their lives inspires me to write something,” Keith said.

At last month’s “King in the Midst” tribute, Keith performed along with the St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church Gospel Choir, the Malcolm X Dancers and Drummers, Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir, Washington Performing Arts Society’s Children of the Gospel Choir, and City Dance Conservatory Dancers with singers from the School Without Walls Concert Choir.

Immediately after his performance, Keith left the stage and walked down the center aisle, where both he and his mother met and hugged.

Duberry cried.“I am always blown away by his talent,”

she said.

Educator, poet, nerd

Family member presents his poetry at MLK celebration

Tony Keith, son of Annette Duberry, secretary to the commander of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, recites one of his original poems, “Awake and Awesome,” at a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 16 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Do I look like agrown-up to you?I need a specialist.

401-760-1212pdom.net

Barry D. Lyon,DDS & Associates

Pediatric Specialists7704 Quarterfield RoadGlen Burnie, MD 21061

Our board-certified pediatric specialists and kid-friendlyoffice put everyoneat ease and we offerfinancial solutionsfor every budget.

LOCAL BUSINESSES

SERVICES

LINKS TO BUSINESS WEB SITES

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS TO BUSINESS

For online or print advertising Call 410.332.6600

all at your fi nger tips

Searchwww.connect2md.com

Published by the Baltimore Sun Media Group.

Maryland’s Local Business Search


News

Odierno: Force reductions will be responsible, controlledBy C. Todd LopezArmy News Service

The Army will draw down in size by as many as 80,000 Soldiers over the next six years. That reduction includes the elimination of at least eight brigade combat teams.

The Army expects an active force end-strength reduction from 570,000 to 490,000, said Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, during a press briefing Friday at the Pentagon.

The general said the time is “strategically right” to reduce the Army’s force structure, but stressed that it would be done in a “responsible” manner.

“Even given a fiscally constrained environ-ment, our Army will accomplish our reductions in a responsible and controlled manner,” Odierno said. “Secretary [John] McHugh and I are committed to ensuring we walk down this hill at the ready, rather than running our nation’s Army off a cliff.”

Odierno said the Army would execute force reduction measures by following a “drawdown ramp that allows us to take care of Soldiers and families, while maintaining a ready and capable force to meet any require-ments, including our current operations in Afghanistan.”

Most of that force reduction, Odierno said, would come from attri-tion.

Part of the force restructuring will come from a reduction of two heavy brigade combat teams out of Europe that will take place in 2013 and 2014.

Odierno said the Army will continue to provide forces on a rotational basis to Europe for training and readiness exercises with NATO and other partners.

While the total force end strength would be 490,000 Soldiers within six years, the Army will see an increase in special operations forces, Odierno said. He said the Army will increase those forces to 35,000.

“I want to re-emphasize the incredible missions and roles that they play and what they’ve been doing over the last 10 years in Iraq and Afghani-stan and around the world,” Odierno said.

Odierno said the Army’s future also calls for a strengthening of security relationships and partnerships in Asia, as well stabilization of growth in personnel costs.

“The cost of military personnel has grown at a substantial, unsustain-able rate over the last decades,” he said. “We will not reduce pay, but reductions must occur on the rate of growth in military compensation and other personnel costs and related benefits.”

Even with fewer Soldiers and a streamlined force structure, Odierno said the Army would continue to meet commitments in Afghanistan and around the world.

“The Army will continue to play a large role in the missions identified in the strategic guidance,” he said.

That includes counter terrorism, irregular warfare, the deterrence and defeat of aggression, the projection of power, defense of the homeland, support to civil authorities, and stability and counterinsurgency opera-tions.

News To Use

Smile BrighterOur state-of-the-art dentistry will make beautiful smiles a reality

• Bridges • Crowns • Periodental Health

• Teeth Whitening • Veneers • Dental Implants

• Dentures • Invisalign • Root Canals

General Cosmetic, Invisalign and Sedation Dentistry

13954 Baltimore Avenue • Laurel, MD 20707 1 block south of Laurel Lakes Shopping Center Rt. 1

301-490-3993 • masooddental.com Hours: M 9-5, Tu & Th 7-3, W 9-7

Pearl Dental Center of Laurel LakesDr. Akbar Masood, DDS

Accepting Military Insurance

The Air Force Association Presents

CYBERFUTURESCONFERENCEAND TECHNOLOGY EXPOSITION

Register Today at www.afa.org

March 22-23, 2012The Gaylord Resort and Convention Center

National Harbor, MDThe newest and most dangerous enemy facing the United States is not like any that we have seen before. Our enemies come at us with sophisticated cyber intrusions and cyber attacks. Cyber security is more important now than ever before.

• JOIN AFA in exploring the emerging threat environment of cyberspace, featuring speakers from the Department of Defense, private sector, academia, federal government and military.

• SEE some of the latest innovations in cyber technology at the Expo.• WITNESS the finals of the nation’s largest and fastest growing high

school cyber defense competition CyberPatriot.

Join Meade TV in the blogosphere!Log on and check out the latest

edition of Meade Week to find out what’s going on at Fort Meade. Our blog is located at www.meadetv.wordpress.com. Log on, view recent posts and tweets, then leave com-ments and suggestions. Together we can make a difference.


News

Photo by Christina Graber

John Pentikis, an ergonomist at the U.S. Army Public Health Command, conducts an ergonomics office assessment for a Soldier at the USAPHC. Personnel frequently perform ergonomic studies on offices, warehouses, hospitals and other places where federal employees work, to minimize the risk of injuries.

By Chanel S. Weaver Public Affairs OfficeU.S. Army Public Health Command

For nearly 40 years, David Alberth, a radiation safety expert at the U.S. Army Public Health Command, worked for the Army.

Although his office chair was uncom-fortable, his computer screen was getting harder to see, and the space in his office was getting increasingly narrower, he hung in there because that’s what he felt devoted employees do.

“I knew the work I was doing to keep our military safe from the harmful effects of radiation was important,” said Alberth, a senior health physicist. “I enjoy using my institutional memory and knowledge of his-torical examples to solve current problems.”

Alberth kept files in his office that cov-ered more than 20 years of history. He is so efficient that employees at the USAPHC, as well as Army and DoD scientists, often consult him on radiation issues. He was rec-ognized as a master consultant on radiation issues a few years ago.

But recently, his co-workers and supervi-sor began to notice a problem.

“David had a huge collection of files, and his office space was so constrained that he could barely move around,” said Lt. Col. Constance Rosser, a program manager in the USAPHC health physics program.

Mobility was becoming more difficult for Alberth, who suffers with arthritis and other orthopedic problems from his activities as a long-distance runner in earlier years.

With a few phone calls, even more paper-work and a lot of heavy lifting, Alberth’s co-workers voluntarily reconfigured his office. The reconfiguration and design were completed under the professional direc-tion of USAPHC’s Ergonomics Program members.

Today, Alberth’s new work space boasts state-of-the-art amenities including an adjustable keyboard, an oversized monitor, a workstation that allows him to stand at intervals, and of course, plenty of space for him to maneuver around effortlessly.

Ergonomist John Pentikis said the pro-gram is in high demand for office recon-figurations from customers throughout the

federal workforce, completing an average of two a month.

“The teams identify risk factors in an office and come up with solutions to miti-gate those factors,” Pentikis said. “It doesn’t benefit an agency to have an employee who is uncomfortable and at risk of injury.”

The make-up of these office reconfigura-tion teams varies, but they often include ergonomists, physical therapists, occupa-tional therapists and engineers. A key goal of the program is injury reduction.

“We want to prevent injuries to our workforce,” Pentikis said. “Research shows that virtually all musculoskeletal injuries can be prevented.”

The goal is also to ensure employees perform their jobs safely and comfortably, according to Col. Myrna Callison, Ergo-nomics Program manager.

The ergonomics team frequently travels both stateside and abroad to assess employ-ee working conditions and offer interven-tions to decrease injury risk.

“We frequently perform ergonomic stud-ies on offices, warehouses, hospitals and other places where federal employees work,” Callison said.

Recently, the Ergonomics Program was instrumental in the development of a safe-patient handling program that uses ergo-nomically-sound equipment to help hospital staff lift patients in ways that do not cause injuries.

The program is being tested in the Madi-gan (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.) health care system, with an ultimate goal of being implemented in various Army medical treatment facilities.

Alberth said he is grateful that the USAPHC ergonomics team and his co-workers took actions to preserve his safety and health.

“The steps we took to ensure he could perform his job easier were just a token of our gratitude for his service,” Rosser said. “It is our duty to ensure that all employees have reasonable accommodations.”

For more information on the USAPHC’s Ergonomics Program, visit U.S. Army Pub-lic Health Command, http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/workplacehealth/ergo/Pages/default.aspx.

Ergonomics Program focuses on job safety, employee comfort

Get the insider’s advantageJoin the conversation on Fort Meade’s social media platform

for the latest community news. Connect with more than 8,000 post community members

on the installation’s Facebook page. stay updated with tweets from Fort Meade’s twitter feed. Catch the latest episode of Meade Week’s video blog. Visit the installation’s website at www.ftmeade.army.mil and visit the links to add your voice to the conversation.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

When Towanda Miller-Harris arrived at Fort Meade’s Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station with her son Christian on Tuesday, she was filled with separation anxiety.

But as her 18-year-old son prepared to be sworn into the Army, Miller-Harris sat in on a 45-minute briefing designed to introduce families to the military.

By the time the briefing ended, Miller-Harris said she felt at ease.

“It made me feel so comfortable,” the Pikesville resident said. “I learned what will happen to him and what to expect. I know he will be in the hands of people who will take care of him and help him become the man he wants to be.”

Miller-Harris was one of 30 family mem-bers to attend “Welcome to the Military,” an introduction to all the service branches, family support programs and career and educational opportunities available to active-duty service members and their families.

The briefing is the first of its kind in the Army and is designed for the family mem-bers of candidates in all service branches. It is currently only offered at Fort Meade.

Impressed with the program, Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein has requested that information about the brief-ing be submitted to the Installation Manage-ment Command as an example of an Army best practice.

More than 5,000 family members repre-senting all service branches have attended the briefing since it began in April 2009.

“With less than 1 percent of Americans putting on the uniform, families need to know what the military is all about,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Beveridge, commander of Baltimore MEPS. “This gives them a little peek at what is down the road for their family member. It also is an opportunity to thank family members for their support of their loved ones.”

The Baltimore MEPS is the last stop for military recruits from Maryland, Washing-ton, D.C., Delaware and Northern Virginia before they travel on to basic training.

The briefing is held on Tuesdays before the swearing-in ceremony. It is presented by Pia Morales, Mobilization and Deployment program manager at Army Community Service and the liaison to MEPS; Melodie Menke, Relocation Readiness program man-ager at ACS; Elicia McIntrye, the installa-

tion’s Military and Family Life consultant; and Amber Rustad, a military spouse and ACS volunteer.

A Marine-specific briefing is held Mon-days.

“Welcome to the Military” includes all facets of military life from basic training and military acronyms to financial readiness and parenting classes. The briefing also includes the addresses of websites geared to military parents.

When the briefing ends, families are given a packet of information about military pro-grams and points of contact for assistance.

“The briefing really demystifies the mili-tary,” Morales said. “It’s for those fam-

ily members who don’t have the military in their background and know nothing about military life.”

Rustad, wife of Lt. Col. Robert Rustad of the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion, said that when her nephew enlisted in the Air Force eight years ago, this kind of support was not available for new military families.

“We just dropped him off at the MEPS in Des Moines [in Iowa], gave him a hug and cried tears,” she said.

The family didn’t even attend the swear-ing-in ceremony.

Rustad said that when a candidate enlists, the family’s life also changes.

“There are a lot of uncertainties for the family,” she said. “I see the difference in the experience from eight years ago to now. It’s a better experience. I’m proud of Fort Meade as a spouse and as a family member for the support they provide.”

Joe Scabis, whose son Jon was preparing to enlist in the Coast Guard, said the brief-ing was a big help.

“It was excellent,” Scabis said, “just to know what he will be going through for the next eight weeks.”

MEPS briefing welcomes families to the military

News

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHiEF WaRRanT OFFiCER 4 MiCHaEl DYE

likE fathEr, likE daughtErChief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Dye of the 902nd Military Intelligence Group administers the Oath of Enlistment to his daughter Ashley Dye on Jan. 19 at Fort Meade’s Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station. The 18-year-old is joining the Navy to become a cryptologic technician following boot camp and a 30-week course.

‘It made me feel so comfortable. I learned what will happen to [my son] and what to expect.’

Towanda Miller-Harris Pikesville resident



Every year, Fort Meade Cub Scouts spend weeks planning and designing what

they hope will be the fastest wooden car on the installa-

tion.And in a flash, all those hours come

down to just a few exhilarating seconds as the cars speed down a track at the Pine-wood Derby and winners emerge.

Fort Meade Cub Scout Pack 377 held its annual event Saturday morning at Pershing Hill Elementary School, where nearly 80 young pit-crew chiefs were challenged to determine the fastest car in each den.

The event aims to teach the Cub Scouts to “strengthen bonds, share responsibility, develop teamwork, learn new skills, exer-

cise creativity and build sportsmanship,” according to the Boy Scouts of America website.

Cars started out as a block of wood before being cut, whittled and shaped into unique designs such as a wedge of cheese or police car with a maximum length of 7 inches and weight of 5 ounces.

The creative process didn’t end with just the cutting. Cars were given flamboy-ant paint jobs including racing stripes, camouflage and flames.

Each Scout raced against boys from their den, placing their speed machines four at a time at the top of a steep, metal track purchased from proceeds from pop-corn sales last fall.

Racing down the track, the light-weight wooden cars hit high speeds, which scaled to a full-sized vehicle, reached as fast as 156 mph.

Cub Scouts’ Pinewood Derby builds skills, sportsmanship

Cover Story

1st Class Scout Jacob Elmore of Fort Meade Boy Scout Troop 377 pulls a lever sending four wooden cars speeding down the steep metal track at the Cub Scouts’ annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday at Pershing Hill Elementary. More than 80 boys from Cub Scout Pack 377 competed for the fastest car in their den.

RIGHT: Cars roll to a screeching halt at the electronic finish line. The steep track sent cars racing to high speeds that if scaled to the weight of a full-size vehicle, would reach above 150 mph.

photos by brendan cavanaugh

Downhill racers

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 13

Top finishers• Tigers: Cardon Hammerstrom

• Wolves: Jeffery Moody

• Bears: Jacob Wendt

• Webelos: Zachary Meggett

• Outlaws (parents and

siblings): Michael Mahoney

Cub Scouts carefully load their wooden cars into their lanes on the racetrack set up at Pershing Hill Elementary School. The Scouts from Fort Meade Cub Scout Pack 377 raced against other members of their den, four at a time.

LEFT: Cub Scout Blake Corbey places his police car, themed “Speed Catcher,” on the long metal track at the annual Pinewood Derby held Saturday morning.

RIGHT: 2nd Class Scout Joel Johnston, 11, (right) checks in Webelo Scout Isaiah Walters’ racer prior to the annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday morning. Each car started out as a block of wood before Cub Scouts cut, carve and whittle the wood into unique 7-inch racers.


SportS


Last week, members of the Fort Meade Patriots basketball team played a role they weren’t too familiar with.

Under the name of “The Arundel Dream Team,” nine Patriots took the court as actors in a basketball comedy show of dunks, tricks and all-around shenanigans as they went head-to-head with the Harlem Superstars at a charity event on Jan. 24

Through the event at Arundel High School in Gambrills, players helped the school raise $500 to benefit Arundel’s basketball program.

Event organizer Cassandra Peacock said the money would be used toward the purchase of a new scoreboard for the gymnasium and other small neces-sities for the team.

“Whenever we can give back to the community and let them know that basketball is more than competition

Clowning on the courtPatriot players take on comedy basketball team in charity game

Ricky “7-Footer” Lopes of the Harlem Superstars dances with 5-year-old London Blakey of Odenton. The Superstars included children and audience members in its comedy basketball show.

RIGHT: Lopes kneels beside Gary Robinson to even the playing field prior to a charity basketball game against nine members of the Fort Meade Patriots, who played under the name of “The Arundel Dream Team.”

photos by brendan cavanaugh


SportS

— and showing the community, ‘Hey we aren’t just Soldiers’ and that we can do good things in the community, we’re all for it,” said Patriots coach Ronny Cunningham.

In addition to being eager to play against the Harlem Superstars and show children that basketball is fun, Cunningham said his team was excited to help raise money for the local bas-ketball team.

“We’re military guys, we’d do any-thing we can for the people,” Patriots’ Taras Newby said. “We do what we can.”

The Harlem Superstars are a comedy basketball team from New Haven, Ct., performing skits and tricks similar to those of the Harlem Globetrotters to help fundraisers for organizations such as schools and police departments.

Although the team has played at many military installations against ser-vice members, the Superstars said they knew playing the Dream Team would be a challenge compared to their typical opponents of teachers.

“They’re good,” Mike “Hollywood” Jones said of the team from Fort Meade. “We had to bring our A-game. We knew they were going to come out and play.”

The Superstars opened the two-hour event with playful skits, sometimes at the expense of Dream Team players. Chris “Chicken” Turnquist jumped on the back of Newby, seeking “protec-tion” from his teammates, while Ricky “7-Footer” Lopes knelt on his knees to be the same height as Patriots’ Gary Robinson before the tip-off.

“Anything where I get a chance to get silly,” Robinson said of the pre-game antics.

Once the game began, the Super-stars’ focus turned to dunks, dazzling behind-the-back half court shots by Kevin “Showboat” Jackson and skits led by Turnquist to get the audience involved.

As the game continued, Dream Team players took the Superstars’ lead, trying out their own tricks as Trevor McDade and Matt Mitchell performed dunks, while other players attempted alley-oops or behind-the-back-passes.

After the game, several Dream Team members said they enjoyed the oppor-tunity to play against the Harlem Superstars — especially the chance to try their skills in a new way.

“I’m a clown anyway,” Robinson said. “This is right up my alley.”

ABOVE: Steve “Surfer Boy” Faukner of the Harlem Superstars performs a dunk during the comedy basketball show that featured slam dunks, half-court shots and tricks.

RIGHT: Fort Meade Patriots’ Matt Mitchell joins in on the dunking action late in the game against the Harlem Superstars on Jan. 24 at Arundel High School. Members of the Fort Meade Patriots basketball team competed in the charity game to help raise money for the school’s basketball program.

FAR RIGHT: Chris “Chicken” Turnquist clowns around with audience member Pat Lucas of Bowie while the Harlem Superstars play nine members of the Fort Meade Patriots.


SportS

Who is going to win the Super Bowl?

“Giants. I think they match up good against the Patriots. The Patriots throw the ball well, but the Giants have a good pass rush, so I think their strengths match up really well. I just think the Giants’ strengths are a little bit stronger. I think it’s going to be a close game.”

Percell Dugger, Football Player

visiting From brooklyn, n.y.

“I really want to say the Giants, but I think the Patriots are going to take it, mainly because of Tom Brady. I believe their offense is really good this year.”marine Pvt. 1st class roberto villa,

stuDent at DeFense inFormation school

“I’m going to go with Brady and the Patriots because of their offense — although their defense is a little suspect. It could be a close game, but if New York pulls it out, it’s going to be because of their run game and defense.”

air Force caPt. John Wallace,94th intelligence squaDron

“I think the Patriots will win. I think they want a little bit of revenge for the last time they were knocked off by the Giants when they were 18-0 in the Super Bowl. History is against the Giants being 9-7. It’s more the history and intangibles.”

chris hines, DeFense inFormation systems agency

“I want New York to win because I can’t stand the Patriots. I just don’t think they’re a good team.”

sgt. Phil gilmore,army national guarD

“Giants. Besides me being an avid Giants fan, they are on such a roll since the Jets, Dallas and went on from there. Everybody’s clicking with the Giants. I don’t think New England can get to [Eli] Manning like San Francisco did, so I think Manning is going to have more time and hit [Victor] Cruz, [Mario] Manningham and [Hakeem] Nicks all day long.”

garrison commanDer col. eDWarD c. rothstein

Super Bowl Sunday at the LanesEvery Sunday throughout football season, the 11th

Frame Lounge at the Lanes was a popular venue for viewing all the gridiron battles of the National Football League.

Fans took in the action on eight, 42-inch high-definition flat-screen televisions, with the option to purchase food and beverages from the cash bar and nearby grill.

With the season culminating in Sunday’s Super Bowl pitting the New York Giants against the New England Patriots, the 11th Frame Lounge will open at 6 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

During the free party, the game will be played on all eight TVs. In addition to the cash bar and food specials, including 25-cent wings, the evening will feature giveaways of Super Bowl team merchandise.

The party will continue outside the lounge and into the bowling alley, as the Lanes will stay open late to allow party-goers to bowl while watching the game.

The Super Bowl will be displayed on televisions spanning the entire alley. Standard lane-rental prices will apply to bowlers.

For more information, call 301-677-5541.

Sports ShortsTexas Hold ‘em

Texas Hold ‘em no buy-in games begins Monday at the Lane’s 11th Frame Lounge.

Games will be held every Monday at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.For more information, call 301-677-5541.

Taekwondo tournamentFort Meade is hosting the 2012 Maryland East Coast Taekwondo National

Qualifier on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. at McGill Training Center.Adults and children ages 6-17 will compete in the martial arts tournament.The event is open to spectators. Cost is $10. Children under 5 attend at no

charge.For more information, call 301-677-1196.

Spring Sports registrationRegistration for spring sports is under way at Parent Central Services,

1900 Reece Road.Youth sports are available for ages 3 to 18 years old. Spring sports

include soccer, T-ball, baseball, softball, track, swim and indoor football.

For more information, call 301-677-1149 or 1156.

Coaches neededCoaches are needed for the Child, Youth and School Service’s spring sports

season.All coaches are required to complete a background check and attend coach

certification training. Head and assistant coaches whose children are enrolled in spring sports will be given a coach’s discount.

For more information, call 301-677-1329 or email [email protected].

For more Fort Meade sports, visit www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.


BBQ MeatBallsSubmitted by Jessica Martin

Ingredients:• 1 pound of meatloaf and meatball mix• 1/2 cup of barbecue spices• 1 egg• 1/4 cup of Italian bread crumbsMix it all together and form them into

meatballs.Directions:Cook in extra virgin olive oil until they

are cooked through completely for about two to three minutes on each side.

Cover the pan to cook the meatballs.Enjoy the recipe with barbecue sauce

or ketchup.

MeatBallsSubmitted by Nikki Norwood-Shultz

Ingredients:• 1 pound ground beef• 1 pound pork• Minced garlic, ground pepper, salt• Mozzarella cheese, shredded Parmesan

cheese• Parsley, basil, oregano• Italian dried-bread crumbs• 3 eggs• Olive oil• 2 jars of red sauceDirections:Mix everything together except the olive

oil, mozzarella cheese and sauce.Add dried bread crumbs a little at time.

(I don’t measure ingredients; just add to your discretion.)

Once mixed, make huge meatballs and stuff mozzarella cheese inside.

Cook in skillet with olive oil until brown

on sides, then place in crock pot.Add red sauce and cook for five hours

on low.

MeatBallsSubmitted by Candy Bright

Easiest meatball recipe ever, but it’s awesome:

Ingredients:• 1 bag of frozen meatballs (not Ital-

ian style)• 1 jar of chili sauce per bag of meatballs• 1 small jar of red plumb jelly per bag

of meatballsDirections:Mix chili sauce and jelly in crock-pot.

Add meatballs. Cook four to five hours on low heat, or on high heat for two to three hours.

King CraB legsSubmitted by Charisse BembreyCaribbean Shop, Odenton

Ingredients:• 1 pound or more of king crab legs• Scallions chopped into small bites• Scotch bonnet pepper (really hot

pepper)• Tomato chopped into little pieces• Mango chopped into little pieces• Caribbean fish seasoning• 1 can or more of coconut milk,

depending on size of crab legs• CilantroDirections:Put crab legs and coconut milk into large

pot. Once milk boils, add ingredients.Stew/steam. Add pinch of cilantro.

Add shrimp if you like.

Sumptuous Super Bowl Recipes

SportS

Maybe the biggest reason the NFL has risen above all other American sports is the fact they have found ways to make you care, regardless if your home team is playing or not.

For example, in baseball, if the Tigers aren’t in the World Series, I have a hard time watching.

Same for the NBA, once Kobe has made his exit.

March Madness is different, but that is only because of the tourna-ment format and those lovely brack-ets, which flirt with man’s basic nature of ego and wanting to be right.

But when it comes to the Super Bowl, the teams’ playing doesn’t drive the ratings because everyone and their mother are going to watch. Between the commercials, halftime performances that feature aging musi-cians and wardrobe malfunctions, and two weeks of hype, the game and day have become an event.

And every good event deserves a party.

On Fort Meade, the 11th Frame Lounge at the Lanes will help the post ring in the big game.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in any of them because the Joneses are hosting their own Super Bowl bash/Official House Warming.

There are tons of things that go into making a Super Bowl party an epic success, as opposed to a major fail. Here are the three most impor-tant:

1. Make the game the center of attention.

Fellowship and catching up are nice, but you can do that any normal Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday is about football, so don’t be silly and do things like hide the TV in a corner.

In fact, you should have more than one television going on in what can be known as the escape area for true fans who need to get away in case the game is not getting the respect it deserves in the main room.

Mine is going to be in the master bedroom. If technology permits, put-ting a small screen in the guest bath-room isn’t a bad idea either.

2. Just like any holiday, Super Bowl Sunday should be a family event.

But as we know, kids are loud, some-times whiny and have a spe-cial gift at mak-ing themselves the center of atten-tion. Without prior planning, their skill makes it almost impossible for you to follow Rule No. 1. That’s why you give them their own area to do what kids do.

Make sure it has all the things today’s youth need to be entertained: video games, adequate cable — basi-cally anything that has Nickelodeon and the Disney channels — and at least one child older than 10 to ensure nothing too crazy happens.

If children do wander upstairs or make a fuss, wait for a com-mercial and serve sweets downstairs as an incentive to get them back where they belong. Of course, don’t make the dessert too exotic or you may miss some valuable game time. Unless, of course, you have a TV in the food-prep area, or an open kitchen concept like we do at the new casa.

3. Speaking of food prep, it’s not a secret that food makes the party, so don’t be cheap.

It is OK to ask your guests to bring a dish to pass, but the host is responsible for covering the basics: chips, drinks, cutlery and at least one major dish.

We’re going with crab legs and meatballs — two things we’ve never made before, but are sure to be good thanks to members of Jabber Nation who provided some great recipes. I’ve shared them here and will tell you how they taste next week.

Until then, follow the rules and have a great time watching the Giants beat the Pats 31-27.

If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at [email protected].

Party on Fort Meade

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn - Super bOwl editiOn

www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

• Basketball• Football

• Softball• Soccer

Find schedules, scores, standings and upcoming seasons for

All-Army athletics, new sports and special events at

And more, plus


Community news & notes

or visit www.ftmeademwr.com.

Auto careThe Auto Skills Center is offering

auto maintenance training on the following Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.:

• Sunday: How to change transmission filter and fluid

• March 11: How to change oil and maintain your vehicle

• March 25: How to change wheel bearings

Cost is $19. Advance registration and facility safety class are required.

For more information, call 301-677-5542 or visit www.ftmeademwr.com/auto.php.

Fleet Center classesThe Fleet and Family Support Center

at 830 Chisholm Ave. offers classes that are open to DoD identification cardholders. Advanced registration is required.

• Stress Management: Monday, 9 to 11 a.m. Learn the signs and how to deal with everyday pressures.

• Resume Writing: Tuesday, 9 to noon: The workshop will provide tips on winning resume styles, importance of cover letters and tips on following up.

• Dollars and Sense: Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m. Understand your relationship with money. Topics include: Basic Budgeting, Financial Goals and Priorities, Saving and Investing, and Managing Your Credit. Learn to control your money instead of it controlling you.

• Medical Records Review: Have your medical records reviewed by Joseph Thornton of AMVETS. An appointment is required.

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

Job search strategiesThe Employment Readiness Program

is offering BRAC 101 Employment Training Orientation on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, 85th Medical Battalion Ave.

For more information, call Vikki Torrence, Employment Readiness Program manager, or Jamesinaez James at 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

StorytimeThe Medal of Honor Memorial Library

offers Pre-Kindergarten Storytime every Thursday from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to 11 a.m.

• Today: “Dental Health Month” features stories, songs and fingerplay about dental care.

• Feb. 9: “Love is in the Air,” a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration

• Feb. 16: “A Presidential Birthday”: Learn about President’s Day.

• Feb. 23: “Goodness Gracious — What a Nose” about elephants


Youth Center activitiesChild, Youth and School Services is

offering the following activities for grades six to eight:

• “80s and 90s Retro Dance,” Friday, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Proof of age is required. Raffles, group or solo pictures cost $1. Adult chaperones are needed.

• Pizza and Movie Night, Feb. 10, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $6.50 for pizza. Order deadline is Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Movie is free.

• Skating trip to Quiet Waters Ice Rink, Feb. 17, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $10 with skate rental, and $7 without skate rental.

• “Grilling and Chilling,” Feb. 24, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Menu includes barbecue chicken legs, hot dogs, picnic salads and drink. Food cost is $5.


Toothbrush GiveawayIn celebration of National Children’s

Dental Health Month, the Fort Meade Dental Activity will host the 25rd annual “Toothbrush Giveaway” on Feb. 10 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the lobby of the commissary.

Talk to the Tooth Fairy; get a new toothbrush, floss and rings; and brush “Doogey Dog’s” teeth. Learn how a balanced diet, limited snacks, daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental checkups are the keys to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For more information, call Deanna Benicewicz, community health dental hygienist, at 301-677-5920.

Out & About• Leisure Travel Services, 2300 Wilson

St., is sponsoring monthly bus trips to New York City on Feb. 11 and March 10 and discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit www.ftmeademwr.com.

• Professional Bull Riders, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at 1st Mariner

Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Tickets cost $13 to $147. For more information, visit baltimorearena.com.

• Monster Jam: Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Pit party is Feb. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Must have a ticket to the 2 p.m. performance and pit pass.) Tickets are $22, $30 and $62. (All prices are $2 more on the day of show.) Purchase pit passes for $10 (in advance or day of show). For more information, visit baltimorearena.com.

• Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club will spon-sor its monthly luncheon meeting Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Club Meade. Reservations are required by today. The luncheon will feature an informal fashion show of jewelry pieces modeled by ROWC members. Items will be available for purchase. Cost for the luncheon is $15. Guests who are eligible to join the ROWC may attend one meeting before they are required to join. Dues, normally $25 per year, are reduced to $12.50 for the remaining February through May meetings.

Members may call their area reservation committee representative. All others call Betty Wade at 410-551-7082. For member-ship information, call Lianne Roberts at 301-464-5498.

• Monthly Prayer Breakfast hosted by the garrison is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at the Courses Clubhouse. The next breakfast is today. Post employees, family members, civilian and military person-nel are invited. There is no cost; donations are optional. For more information, call 301-677-6703 or email [email protected].

• Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next

meeting is tonight in the banquet hall in back of the building. If you come early, you may join us for dinner at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• Anne Arundel Genealogical Society will meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road, Severna Park. Elinor Thompson will present the program “Preserving Church and Cemetery Histories and Records 1777-1931 — West River — African Americans and Whites.” For more information, call the Kuethe Library at 410-760-9679 or visit www.aagensoc.org.

• EMPOWERING Parents of Teens Support Group meets the first and third Monday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at School Age Services. The next meeting is Monday. Refreshments and free child care provided. For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or e-mail [email protected].

• Fort Meade BOSS (Better Opportunities for the Single Solder) meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 3 p.m. at the Freedom Center, Bldg. 6405. The next meeting is Tuesday. Single Soldiers are invited. For more information, call 301-677-7785.

• 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 and retired senior noncommissioned officers. For more information, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email [email protected].

• Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Reserve Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 160 on Route 170 in Glen Burnie. The next meeting is Wednesday. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited. For more information, call 410-761-7046 or 301-262-6556.

Commander’s Open DoorGarrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein has an open

door policy.All service members, retirees, government employees, family

members or community members age 18 or older are invited to address issues or concerns to the commander directly by visit-ing Rothstein’s office on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. at garrison headquarters in Hodges Hall, Bldg. 4551, Llewellyn Avenue.

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


YOUTH

RECREATION

MEETINGS


Community news & notes

The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All submissions are posted at the editor’s dis-cretion 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 Meade TV Blog at http://meadetv.wordpress.com.

For more information or to submit an announcement, email [email protected] or call 301-677-5602.

Right Arm NightBring your “right arm” to Right Arm

Night tonight from 4 to 6 p.m. at Club Meade.

The event features free food, music and prizes and is open to all military services and civilians.

To reserve unit tables, call 301-677-6969.

For more information, visit www.ftmeademwr.com.

Latin Club NightEnjoy a nightclub atmosphere at Latin

Club Night on Feb. 10 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Meade.

There is no cover charge. Cash bar is available.


Black History Month observance

The garrison command, along with the Equal Opportunity Office, will sponsor the African American/Black History Observance on Feb. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Club Meade.

The theme is “Black Women in American Culture and History.”

at 2 p.m. at DINFOS.For more information, email

[email protected] or call 301-677-4721.

Fat TuesdayCelebrate Fat Tuesday with a Madris

Gras-themed, all-you-can-eat lunch menu on Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Club Meade.


Country: Top 40 NightDance and party at Country: Top 40

Night on Feb. 24 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Meade.

There is no cover charge. Cash bar is available.


Sweetheart DinnerA Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dinner

will be held Feb. 14 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Courses Clubhouse.

The dinner is open to military and civilians.

Reservations are required. For reserva-tions or more information, call 301-677-5326.

Karaoke NightThe 11th Frame Lounge at the Lanes

is hosting a free Karaoke Night on the third Thursday of the month.

The next Karaoke Night will be Feb. 16 from 7 to 10 p.m. The general public is invited.


EFMP eventsThe Exceptional Family Member

Program at Fort Meade is sponsoring several events in February.

• “Meet and Greet,” Feb. 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. Join other EFMP parents for monthly, informal parent-to-parent chats. Registration required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 301-677-4473.

• EFMP Bowling events are held the third Tuesday of each month at the Lanes. The next event will be Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and includes a free buffet and giveaways for exceptional family members ages 18 and younger and their siblings.

Register for free games and shoe rental at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac/meadecyms.html. For more information,

call the EFMP office at 301-677-1156.Adult exceptional family members may

register for free games and shoe rental at the EFMP office by calling 301-677-7836. Discounted games and shoe rental are available for other adult family members.

Registration required by Feb. 17. For more information, email [email protected] or call 301-677-7836.

For general information, call Caraline Someck, EFMP manager, at 301-677-4122.

Pre-K enrollment startsPre-kindergarten applications for West

Meade Early Education Center starts Tuesday.

Applications must be completed in person at the school. Children must be age 4 by Sept. 1.

Bring the following documents when enrolling:

• Child’s original birth certificate• Copy of the child’s immunization

record• Two proofs of residency (rental or

mortgage agreement and current utility bill)

• Federal Income Tax Return for 2011 (1040 statement)

• Current award letter for Temporary Cash Assistance, food stamps or WIC, the federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants and children.

Public pre-kindergarten programs in Maryland were established to improve the school readiness of children who are economically disadvantaged or homeless.

If seats remain, children with other readiness needs may be enrolled.

‘Military Saves’ WeekArmy Community Service will host

“Military Saves” Week from Feb. 21 to 24 at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

• Credit Scores and Reports will be held Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. The free program is open to everyone. Advance registration is recommended.

• Credit Score Clinic will be held Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. The free program is open to active-duty service members and spouses only. Advance registration is required.

• Day of Financial Fitness will be held Feb. 23 at 8 a.m. The free program is open to active-duty service members and spouses only. Advance registration is required.

For more information, call 301-677-5590

Chaplain’s WordA FRIEND TO SELF“Friendship with oneself

is all-important because

without it, one cannot be

friends with anyone else in

the world.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

NEWS & EVENTS

EDUCATION

The annual event is hosted by the Defense Information School. The keynote speaker will be Joanne Martin, who co-founded the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore, the country’s first wax museum concentrating on black history, life and culture.

Admission is free and open to the public. Free food samplings will be served.

Administrative leave is authorized.For more information, contact Staff

Sgt. Fox or Staff Sgt. Fultz at 301-677-4696 or SFC Bass (301) 677-6687.

DINFOS Black History Month events

The Defense Information School is hosting a series of events in celebration of Black History Month.

This year’s theme is “Black Women in American Culture and History.”

• Today through Feb. 29: “Coats for Kids” for Sarah’s House. Collection boxes are set up around units.

• Today through Feb. 29: Book drive: Donate educational books for Sarah’s House.

• Today: Black History Committee Meeting, 2 to 3 p.m., DINFOS, 6500 Mapes Road

• Tuesday: Black History Movie Viewing: “The Secret Life of Bees,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., DINFOS

• Feb. 9: Black History Movie Discussion, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., DINFOS

• Feb. 17: Open mic event, 7 to 9 p.m., Club Meade. To perform, register by Feb. 13. Email Staff Sgt. Celisse Cortez at [email protected].

• Feb. 18: Lunch cruise on the Potomac on the Spirit of Washington with a musical tribute to African-American artists, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For reservations, visit http://www.spiritofwashington.com.

• Feb. 22: Tour of Washington, D.C./Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Feb. 29: Food Sampling/Trivia Bowl, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., McGill Training Center. Registration required by Feb. 24. Email Master Sgt. Keisha Montague at [email protected].

• Weekly emails: Check your inbox for educational information about black women’s contributions to American history and culture.

To help with upcoming Black History Month events, contact Master Sgt. LaShawndra Ramsey at [email protected] or attend weekly planning meetings on Thursdays

SoundOff for Feb. 2, 2012

News & Politics

Transcript of SoundOff for Feb. 2, 2012