Vicenza and Darby Military Communities www.italy.army.mil May 18, 2018 | Vol. 51 | Issue 10 What’s Inside Camp Darby 2 Warmer weather aids schools in brings questions Albania, Armenia about air conditioning Story and photo by Chiara Mattirolo 3 DMC Public Affairs Office US Army Africa joins partners to finalize plans CAMP DARBY — Schools in Albania and Armenia are receiv- for United Accord exercise ing a valuable shipment of new furniture and other classroom sup- plies thanks to the Defense Secu- 4 A role-playing "casualty" lies on the ground at Caserma Del Din during the U.S. Army Garrison rity Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Italy full-scale exercise that took place May 9 in Vicenza and at Camp Darby. The exercise Humanitarian Assistance Pro- When is it time for tested systems the garrison and Italian authorities would use in the event of a crisis. (Photo by Laura Kreider, VMC Public Affairs Office) gram-Excess Property (HAP-EP) smartphones for kids located at Camp Darby. Fifteen container trucks of school furniture destined for Albania were 5 Full-scale exercise tests loaded May 11 and will reach their Trekking 40 miles final destination approximately May 23. to Lake Garda ability to project power “This project supports the Mons Lucjan Avgustini combined ele- ment of 173rd was notional — meaning mentary and high school located By James E. Brooks in the Vau Dejes, Albania,” said 8 U.S. Army Garrison Italy PAO paratroopers were not actually readying Are We There Yet? gear for combat — garrison directorates Janine Wick, HAP manager for were going through the typical processes Livorno. “HAP-EP Livorno is Liverpool, England VICENZA — An international situa- and procedures to get the brigade where sending donated equipment as a tion in Europe triggers the deployment of it needed to go, on time. That’s when a complementary package to another 173rd Airborne Brigade to the global hot simulated terrorist attack struck. Department of Defense project that 9 spot. But a small terrorist organization is “The exercise scenario was very well renovated the school facility.” Movie schedule intent on attacking U.S. Soldiers during developed with greater complexity by in- The request for support came their deployment from Italy. What are the cluding a notional deployment of 173rd from the U.S. Embassy in Albania repercussions of an attack on U.S. Army Airborne Brigade. The requirement to to the Washington-based DSCA Garrison Italy whose primary mission is activate the garrison’s emergency opera- that manages HAP-EP. The final 10 to get 173rd Airborne Brigade where it tions center and respond to a terrorist at- request for support was assigned to Out & About needs to go when ordered? tack while actively managing a timed de- Camp Darby. That was the scenario of a full-scale ex- ployment cycle provided unique learning The purpose of the HAP-EP ercise held May 9 at USAG Italy facili- opportunities and greatly enhanced the program is to acquire non-lethal ties at Caserma Ederle, Caserma Del Din See SCHOOLS, page 6 and Camp Darby. Though the deploy- See POWER, page 6 Army BOSS reveals top honor for Vicenza program The team not only Medieval Festival, Tuscany By Karin J. Martinez Outlook Editor won a trophy that will be displayed at the U.S. Army VICENZA — A “watch party” at the Garrison Ita- 12 Warrior Zone on Caserma Del Din was ly headquarters, FMWR events, activities the setting in which to announce the Vi- they also earned cenza BOSS Strong team as winners of $25,000 for the the Armywide BOSS (Better Opportuni- Vicenza BOSS Fun Facts ties for Single Soldiers) Strong competi- program, money tion that took place in late 2017. that will go direct- l The highest peak in Europe About 250 Soldiers and other commu- ly into the program is in Italy. Monte Bianco (White nity supporters gathered May 4 to partic- Mountain) is 15,771 feet high here. ipate in festivities created to honor BOSS Garrison Com- and is part of the Alps. Vicenza and “Team Able,” a team of six l mander Col. Erik Leonardo da Vinci was the Soldiers who competed against the oth- illegitimate son of a Florentine M. Berdy accept- notary and a peasant girl. He er four top teams in fitness and life skills ed the trophy from was born in 1452 near the challenges. That final portion of the com- the team, for the From left: Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa Judkins, Installation Management town of Vinci, close to Pisa. petition took place in San Antonio. Each garrison. Command; Spc. Avelardo Martinez, Spc. Joey Biggers and Pfc. Christopher Ortiz, of Team Able; Col. Erik M. Berdy, commander, USAG Leonardo epitomized the ideal team’s progress there was recorded and “There is a lot Renaissance man and is best pulled together over eight episodes that Italy; Spc. Patricia Samples, president, BOSS Vicenza; and Staff Sgt. more to this award James Turner, Army BOSS representative, pose with the trophy and known as a painter. But he also look like a reality television show — the than the physical check for $25,000 from the BOSS Strong competition. The money will excelled as an artist, sculptor, first episode premiering at the party. go into the local BOSS program. (Photo by Laura Kreider, VMC Public Affairs architect, musician, engineer, piece,” said Berdy. The highly anticipated announcement “It’s about phys- Office) inventor, scientist and writer. that BOSS Vicenza won the competition l ical readiness, and previously the U.S. Army Gar- Explorer Marco Polo was came when Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa from Venice, and Christopher nutrition, health, taking care of yourself rison Italy command sergeant major, Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo) Judkins, command sergeant major for In- and more. They lived it and they learned BOSS Strong is different from other was from Genova. stallation Management Command — on a lot; they should be an example to all of Army competitions. (From The Complete Idiot’s hand for the party all the way from IM- “The concept for BOSS Strong is Guide to Italian History and Culture) you.” COM Headquarters in Texas — made the According to Sgt. Maj. Daniel Den- to provide a holistic multi-discipline announcement after the episode played. nison, G-9 sergeant major, IMCOM, See STRONG, page 8 Caution: For some, working in Italy violates SOFA VICENZA — You are now living in Italy and looking ordinary resident of Italy. One cannot have both ordi- It is important to note, though, that any “donations” or for ways to earn some extra cash and keep your busi- nary resident and “SOFA protected” status at the same other payments for your time, labor or expertise would ness skills sharp. Before you take that job on the econ- time, no matter his position here. Those who get a job be considered profit and would require a valid Italian omy or start your own business, you need to know that on the Italian economy as an ordinary resident are not work visa and permit. doing so may be illegal in Italy. entitled to any “SOFA protected” privileges, including Following are some questions and answers about shopping in the post exchange and commissary, sending Am I allowed to operate a home-based working here. mail through the Military Postal System, driving SE- business (e.g., Mary Kay, Scentsy)? TAF-registered vehicles, and purchasing gas coupons. If you are generating profit by work performed while Can I accept an off-post job working for an You are also responsible for all additional expenses that living in Italy, Italian law mandates that you have a val- Italian or American business? ordinary Italian residents incur, such as paying Italian id work visa and permit. Furthermore, using the Amer- United States military personnel, government civilian income tax and making contributions into the Italian so- ican post office for home-based businesses is not -al employees, contractors and their dependents in Italy cial security system. lowed. Those who choose to obtain an Italian work visa live here pursuant to the NATO Status of Forces Agree- and permit are declaring to the Italian government that ment (SOFA). U.S. military members on orders do not I am an EU citizen married to a service mem- you desire to be considered an ordinary resident of Ita- need a passport or a visa to enter and remain in Italy. ber. Where can I work? ly. One cannot have both ordinary resident and “SOFA However, U.S. government civilian employees and all If you are command sponsored and listed on your protected” status at the same time. dependents who are not European Union citizens are re- service member spouse’s orders, you are here under quired to have a Missione Visa and Missione Soggiorno “SOFA protected status.” As such, you must follow the Can I telework for my previous employer Permit. The Italian government gives these documents guidance above for becoming an ordinary resident and in the United States? to those individuals who are here solely for the purpose give up “SOFA protected” status. Working as an ordi- Unfortunately, SOFA employment restrictions apply of the U.S. military mission and, therefore, have “SOFA nary resident, however, may disqualify a person from equally to Italian-based businesses and American-based protected” status. future U.S. government jobs in Italy. businesses. Thus, if you are generating profit by work To be employed in Italy by someone other than the performed while living in Italy, even on your computer U.S. Forces (this includes GS, NAF, and government Can I maintain skills by providing my service for a U.S.-based corporation, Italian law mandates that contracted positions) requires an Italian work visa and for free but be reimbursed for supplies — such you have a valid work visa and permit.