Monitoring Bald Eagles

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AAPGPublishedP in the interestG of the people of AberdeenNNEWS Proving Ground,E MarylandWS www.TeamAPG.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 Vol. 59, No. 8 Army takes Monitoring bald eagles By AMANDA ROMINIECKI care of APG News During the most recent its own count of Aberdeen Proving Ground bald eagles in ear- By STACY SMITH ly January, 177 were spotted APG News along the installation shore- The 2015 APG Army lines; indicating a thriving Emergency Relief (AER) eagle population on post. campaign kicks off March For nearly 30 years, APG 1 and runs through May personnel have monitored, 15 with the goal of rais- tracked and protected the live- ing $60,000 to support ly – and growing – population Soldiers and their fami- of bald eagles who call the lies in need of financial installation home. assistance. Lynda Hartzell, a Director- According to Capt. ate of Public Works Natural Nicolas Milano, APG Resources Branch employee, Garrison coordinator has served as one of APG’s and commander of the eagle gurus, formally known Headquarters and Head- as an eagle compliance man- quarters Company, APG ager, for the past six years, Soldiers and civilians during which time she says raised $55,000 for AER in the eagle population has “real- 2014, and received more ly just exploded.” than $250,000 from the While the count is slightly worldwide AER fund. lower than the five-year aver- Globally, AER staff com- age of 206, Hartzell says it pleted 55,000 cases last still indicates “a robust eagle year, resulting in $68.6 population.” million provided to Sol- On a second aerial survey diers and their families. in late January, 10 new eagle AER is a private, non- nests were identified, in addi- profit organization which tion to the 75 nests Hartzell provides emergency financial assistance to active- See EAGLES, page 4 duty and retired Soldiers With countless miles of undis- and their families in times turbed shoreline, APG is an of financial distress. ideal habitat for the bald This financial assis- eagle. For nearly 30 years, tance helps a Soldier or APG personnel have moni- Soldier’s family cover the tored, tracked and protect- cost of food, rent or utili- ed the growing population ties, emergency transpor- of bald eagles who call the tation and vehicle repair, installation home. Photo by Joe Ondek See AER, page 17 inside Detecting harmful chemicals RESILIENCY Army spouses, family members develop ECBC develops, creative ways to cope with deployment stress. manufactures technology Surviving | 5 for rapid chem-bio threat detection MEDIATION Alternative Dispuste Story and photos by C. TODD LOPEZ Resolution addresses Army News Service workplace disputes. Researchers are refining a commercial technology for Army use that will allow Soldiers to accurately and rapidly detect an Mediation |7 array of chemical and biological hazards – from mustard agent to anthrax – and then transmit those results to their higher command. At the same time, the technology is smart enough to differen- tiate between those chemicals which are dangerous and those that INDUSTRY the Soldier has carried with him into the environment on his own skin, such as bug spray or hand sanitizer. APG tenants host The VOCkit system is a small electronic device developed at DCGS-A, intelligence the Army’s Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, or ECBC, program industry day. and even manufactured there, for now, on the center’s 3-D print- This colorimetric detection assay, about the size of a postage stamp, is APG | 8 printed with a grid of several dozen indicator chemicals arranged in a See DEVICE, page 18 grid of small dots.

VIETNAM Veteran recalls leaving STEM education critical to the nation for ‘Nam a kid, returning home a man. RDECOM leader speaks at Vet | 11 Harford County Chamber of Commerce meeting online By DAN LAFONTAINE RDECOM www.TeamAPG. com/APGNews Encouraging young students to pursue careers in science and engineering is vital to national defense and the econo- facebook.com/ my, a U.S. Army leader told about 100 people during the APGMd Harford County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Feb. 19. Jyuji Hewitt, executive deputy to the commanding gen- twitter.com/ USAGAPG eral, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, said Aberdeen Proving Ground is a strong advo- ﬂ ickr.com/photos/ cate of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, usagapg/ By Conrad Johnson known as STEM. Jyuji Hewitt, executive deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army “We take STEM seriously because we know our work- ICE system Research, Development and Engineering Command, speaks during the force on Aberdeen Proving Ground needs a mechanism to http://ice.disa.mil/ Harford County Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Havre de Grace, Facebook, http://on.fb.me/HzQIow Maryland, Feb. 19. See NURTURING, page 18

Why is it important for kids to participate in STEM-related classes and activities?

In today’s day and age, cyber technology is Team APG SHARP Resource Center a very market- able field, and if you’re willing to During the ‘Why We Serve’ event, we reaffirmed our offenders who commit crimes. study hard, you can do well in it. commitment to live by and uphold a set of high, ethical Located on the second floor of the Janet M. Barr Soldier standards. It is our duty and moral responsibility as trust- Center, the APG SHARP Resource Center provides com- ed professionals to rid ourselves of anything that threatens prehensive and integrated SHARP support and treatment Spc. James our values, brings discredit upon our beloved military fam- to APG military and civilian community members. The Salamone ily and breaks faith with the American people. resource center has the capability to handle restricted and MDNG Sexual offenses degrade everything the Army stands for unrestricted cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment. and is not tolerated within our ranks. This is why the Sex- In addition to providing SHARP support to our APG ual Harassment and Assault Response Program (SHARP) community, we have established partnerships with local When they’re remains a number one priority for the Army. Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, and National doing STEM, like In support of this critical undertaking, the Aberdeen Prov- Guard and Army Reserve units. Since these organizations robotics or coming Ground (APG) SHARP Resource Center opened Jan. 2. do not have organic SHARP professionals, our Resource puters, they’re The center is one of twelve across the nation that utilizes Center will be postured to assist their needs as well. [seeing] the a cadre of specialists including a Judge Advocate General practical appli- As trusted Army professionals, we are responsible for officer, a Criminal Investigation Command agent, a medi- and accountable to our great nation. The duty bestowed cations of the cal expert, a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, a victim upon us is to serve as a shining example for others to fol- math and sci- advocate, and the APG SHARP program manager. The cen- low. We must sustain the momentum and continue to foster ence that they’re ter will also offer SHARP leadership training programs to learning. It’s the Danny Lynn assist senior leaders in their respective organizations. a positive climate of trust and respect so every member of only way that O’Hern The mission of the resource center is to promote aware- our team will thrive and achieve their full potential. they’re brains Retired military APG Strong! are going to ness and prevention throughout the APG community; pro- latch onto it.” vide compassionate care for victims; protect the rights MAJ. GEN. BRUCE T. CRAWFORD and privacy of survivors; and maintain accountability for APG Senior Commander

“All the technology we have today is because of someone in the STEM field, OPINION including my son, who is a chemical engi- Pediatric dental care: neer. Math and It’s never too early science opens a Neslie wealth of oppor- Months before a child is born, expectant parents become The CDC reports that “tooth decay affects more than one- Etheridge masters of research, fretting over what type of diapers to buy, fourth of U.S. children aged 2 to 5-years-old. So what can tunities and chal- CECOM lenges students. what formula is best, or should they nurse? They make sure parents do to prevent their child from being part of that sta- they have covered all of the bases so when the big day comes tistic? Visit often, early, and most importantly be proactive. they will know just what to do in any situation. As an active duty service member I had the TRICARE But how often do they think about dental coverage? Delta Dental coverage for my family. What I was not aware “It gives them Often not. of is that even after you enroll a newborn family member a chance to What new parents often are not aware of is how impor- into your DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Report- bounce ideas tant oral health is at a very young age. The American Acade- ing System) account, they are not automatically enrolled in around, exper- my of Pediatric Dentistry published that “in order to prevent your dental plan as is the case with your medical plan. iment with dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist Dependents are not automatically added to your TRI- things, and when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first CARE Delta Dental plan until the age of four. This is three broaden their birthday.” years PAST the recommended age for your child’s first vis- horizons... Why by their first birthday? Let them come in on their it according the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. [STEM provides] own time, you may say. Your baby’s first tooth it set to arrive Many people don’t realize that pediatric dental disease is opportunities to Cpl. Lee somewhere between 6 and 15 months of age. Premature and five times more common than asthma, and seven times more see science and Gannon low birth weight babies often have delayed eruption of their common than hay fever! And nearly entirely preventable. technology that RDECOM first tooth resulting in enamel defects, which automatically Pediatric dental disease can cause pain, infection, mal- they otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to.” puts them at a high risk for decay at a young age. nutrition and even death if left untreated. TRICARE bene- A good pediatric dentist will be able to go over your ficiaries and others need to be proactive with their child’s infant’s brief but very important history and monitor their oral health, and specifically request their child be added to “It benefits them risk of dental cavities accordingly, to prevent future issues. their family plan by their first birthday or when their first greatly because I was guilty of ignorance. As a result, I was that parent tooth appears. even today, our who sat in the dentist office overwhelmed with guilt as my I hope to share this information with other parents so market for engi- 5-year-old had three cavities filled. And that was after the they are educated to this gap in coverage, can be proactive, neers, mathe- elementary school sent a note home after the health depart- and check their dental plan accordingly to ensure that their maticians, and ment screened her kindergarten class. child can have early preventative dental care visits. From anything science- I was adamant about my kids brushing their teeth reg- the very first tooth. related, is much ularly so how could she have cavities? I felt I had let her We owe it to ourselves, and our children, to take this first needed. And down as a parent. step as seriously as the nine months of preparation it took there are few Spc. Anthony Despite the increase in awareness of oral health, screen- to be equally prepared for the day he or she arrived home people going from the hospital. to school for it. Roberts ing programs in schools and the use of fluoride in public So if kids learn MDNG drinking water, we still see staggering statistics of today’s SPC. ELIZABETH H. BABCOCK about it when youth having dental issues. We need to recognize that there MRICD they’re small, they might be interest- is a problem in the way that preventative dental services are Spc. Babcock is currently a regulatory affairs graduate ed in it when they’re older and con- administered to children resulting in an increase in dental student at the School of Medicine and Health Science at the tinue to do it.” issues at a young age. George Washington University in Washington, D.C. APG SEVEN DAY FORECAST Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed

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Editorial content is prepared, edited and approved by the APG or email [email protected], or contact Reporter Public Affairs Office. The APG News is printed by The Baltimore Rachel Ponder, 410-278-1149 or email rachel.e.ponder2.ctr@ AAPGPG NNEWSEWS Sun Media Group, a private firm in no way connected with the mail.mil. Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with The APG News, a civilian enterprise newspaper, is an au- Deadline for copy is Thursday at noon for the following thorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Con- APG. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial adver- Thursday’s paper. tents of the APG News are not necessarily official views of, tising and mailing. To obtain a yearly subscription, which costs or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of De- $16, the price for weekly mailing, or for problems with incorrect Staff fense, Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Garrison, mailing addresses, contact Customer Service at 139 N. Main Aberdeen Proving Ground. The newspaper is published Street, Suite 203, Bel Air, MD 21014, or call 410-838-0611. APG Senior Commander ..Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford weekly by the APG Public Affairs Office, ATTN: IMAP-PA, The appearance of advertising in this publication, including in- APG Garrison Commander .. Col. Gregory R. McClinton Building 305, APG, MD 21005-5001, 410-278-1153. Print- serts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Public Affairs Officer ...... Kelly Luster ed circulation is 5,200. Department of the Army or The Baltimore Sun Media Group of Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail- the products or services advertised. Editor ...... Amanda Rominiecki able for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, For advertising matters, call The Baltimore Sun Media Group, Assistant Editor...... Yvonne Johnson color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical 410-332-6300. Send articles or information for publication to Contract Photojournalists...... Rachel Ponder handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the the APG Public Affairs Office, Building 305, IMAP-PA, APG, ...... Stacy Smith purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal MD 21005-5001; send a fax to 410-278-2570; contact the opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer Editor Amanda Rominiecki at amanda.r.rominiecki.civ@mail. Graphic Designer/Photographer ...... Molly Blosse shall refuse to print advertising from that source. mil, contact Assistant Editor Yvonne Johnson, 410-278-1148 Website ...... www.TeamAPG.com/APGNews POWER AND CONTROL WHEEL Confronting the cycle of violenceFebruary 26, 2015 • APG News 3

Note: This article continues the 410-278-3784. domestic violence series examining the VIOLENCE A mirror of society characteristics, identification and pre- l Domestic and situational violence are vention of domestic violence while high- ca se si x not unique to APG, nor to the military COERCION u lighting installation resources in place to y INTIMIDATION: a h AND THREATS: l or uniformed service members. Issues intervene with education and treatment p Making and/or carry- Making her afraid by ing out threats to do using looks, actions, like domestic violence, substance abuse something to hurt her. and gestures. Smashing for victims and abusers. things. Destroying her Threatening to leave her, and sexual assault on military installa- commit suicide, or report property. Abusing pets. By YVONNE JOHNSON her to welfare. Making Displaying weapons. tions mirror larger societal issues seen her drop charges. APG News Making her do illegal across the United States. things. The pattern of power and con- Combating these issues remains a trol by domestic violence abusers is MALE PRIVILEGE: EMOTIONAL ABUSE: top priority for Army and Department Treating her like a servant: making Putting her down. Making her a gradual process that begins almost all the big decisions, acting like the feel bad about herself. of Defense leadership. Army leaders “master of the castle,” being the Calling her names. Making her imperceptibly and becomes a seem- one to define men’s and women’s think she’s crazy. Playing mind continue to voice the importance of fos- roles. POWER games. Humiliating her. Making her feel guilty. tering a zero-tolerance environment for ingly-ironclad reality for their partners when completed. AND behaviors contrary to Army Values and ECONOMIC ABUSE: ISOLATION: holding offenders accountable for their

According to Margo Digan, a social Preventing her from getting CONTROL Controlling what she does, or keeping a job. Making her who she sees and talks to, actions. worker in the Family Advocacy Pro- ask for money. Giving her an what she reads, and where

allowance. Taking her money. she goes. Limiting her APG has further strengthened its gram at Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic’s Not letting her know about or outside involvement. have access to family income. Using jealousy to justify commitment to supporting victims Behavioral Health division, the cycle actions.

of violence was first documented as the of sexual assault by opening a new

SHARP resource center, one of just

Power and Control Wheel in the ear- MINIMIZING, DENYING, USING CHILDREN: ly 1980s by scholar and social activist Making her feel guilty AND BLAMING: twelve Army centers across the service.

about the children. Using Making light of the abuse

and not taking her concerns the children to relay Ellen Pence, co-founder of the Duluth messages. Using about it seriously. Saying

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project. visitation to harass her. the abuse didn’t happen. Threatening to take the Shifting responsibility for p children away. abusive behavior. Saying l

“Back then, domestic violence was h she caused it. a

treated as a “family problem” by law ys xu i

ca se enforcement,” Digan said. “They didn’t l interfere; that was the philosophy.” VIOLENCE Though societal norms made it difficult for women to feel safe or receive any kind of resources, Pence was one of the conflict management education that cally confront each other over a situa- few who recognized the pattern, Digan partners can attend together Digan said. tion; be it finances or what have you, said. She made headway through victim “Some women are aggressive. It’s then we have to treat both of them. interview analysis and established char- APG Spouse and Child Abuse not that unusual but it becomes com- “Basically, situational violence is a Reporting: 410-306-2222 acteristics and tactics of abusers. plicated if there are additional cultur- problem of communication and lack of “She put it all together and came up al, psychological or socio-economic problem-solving skills and we need to APG Domestic Violence/ with the Power and Control Wheel,” issues. If we pick up on that we can rec- make sure the treatment addresses that Sexual Assualt hotline: Digan said. ommend psychological as well as psy- situation.” 410-322-7154 Essentially, the wheel explains the chiatric evaluations for both partners” different ways abusive partners use Substance abuse Harford County Sexual power and control to manipulate Smallest victims Digan said 70 to 80 percent of the Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource relationships. Digan said the real victims are the incidents reported on post since 2011 Center (SARC): 410-836-8430 (24 “The core tactics, such as intimida- children of couples who habitually involved alcohol. hours) tion, threats, emotional and econom- argue and fight. “Alcohol decreases inhibitions and Harford County Child ical abuse give them the power they “Many of these families have chil- impairs judgment. Add that to an angry Protective Services: 410-836-4713 need to keep their partner submissive,” dren who are exposed to all of this even situation and there can be significant Digan said. “For a long time, this model if they don’t actually see it,” she said. conflict and physical abuse because National Domestic Violence was the bible for all domestic violence “What really concerns us is if you have people no longer know how to walk Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) a couple who are habitually negative away or take a time out,” she said. professionals and it was from this that Rape, Abuse & Incest National treatment and intervention developed.” toward each other, it creates an anxious When substance abuse is a factor, ser- Network (RAINN): She added that when counseling vic- environment for the children. They are vice members and family members are 1-800-656-4673; www.rain.org tims, intervention tactics initially focused in definite need of intervention. referred to the Army Substance Abuse on behavior and that it was a while before “The impact of high conflict parents Program for evaluation, monitoring and Military OneSource: it included psychological treatment. can show up in a variety of ways: chil- treatment. Located in Bldg. 2477 at 1-800-342-9647; www. “Eventually, it was suggested that dren may be anxious, fearful, regress, APG North (Aberdeen) ASAP provides militaryonesource.com the abuser be involved in treatment as act out in the classroom and even clinical services, including testing, pre- Military HomeFront: www. well,” she said, adding that, “treatment become suicidal. vention and employee assistance. militaryhomefront.dod.mil/ back then included helping men learn “When parents or couples fight, it For more information, call how to share decisions, from simple affects everyone,” she added. “Family, things like deciding which restaurant friends, even the family pet. Statistics to go to for dinner to sorting out finan- show that 83 percent of pets living in cial issues. homes where domestic violence is pres- “It’s been a process to get to the ent are being abused.” point where we can recognize couples Installation statistics in pre-battering syndrome.” Aberdeen Proving Ground, like many Assessment military installations, is no stranger Incidents reported to the APG Direc- to domestic violence incidents. Along torate of Emergency Services police, with situational violence – a pattern of APG chaplains, or chains of command handling conflicts with violence, which usually end up at Digan’s door. She is instigated by female as well as male said regardless of the incident, those partners – the statistics are “troubling.” referred to her office complete a thor- “We’re a small installation so the ough risk assessment. numbers elsewhere are much higher but “This is an assessment that gives us a ours are still too high,” Digan said, add- better idea of which way to direct treating that most police referrals require ment,” she said. contact by Family Advocacy. The risk assessment includes ques- “Keep in mind that not all domestic tions about weapons in the home, com- violence gets reported,” she said, noting municated threats to family members that the police referral numbers over the and suicidal/homicidal thoughts or past three years reveals higher incidenc- tendencies. es of situational couple’s violence and “We do it regardless of the incident the domestic case numbers have stayed just to make sure people are safe,” she the same or dropped a little. said. “This trend suggests that we need to Active-duty military can be required change the type of treatment interven- to attend the counseling sessions. Fam- tion programs for our families. If we’re ily members are strongly encouraged to having more couples engaged in violent participate in the process as well. struggles, such as situational, provoked Situational incidents can include violence, in which couples will physi- 4 APG News • February 26, 2015 Eagles unfazed by noise during nesting season Continued from Page 1 water, preferably right along the shoreline so they have access to their prey of and other environmental personnel are choice: fish. already tracking. Spotting Bald Eagles Between a species-wide population These aerial surveys are just a frac- growth and efforts to minimize pow- tion of the work done by Hartzell, her APG Eagle Compliance Manager Lynda Hartzell offers these er line strikes on the installation, APG’s coworker Jessica Baylor, and many of tips for spotting a bald eagle: bald eagle population began to grow the installation’s tenants to monitor the considerably. APG’s bald eagle population. On post, it’s relatively easy to spot a bald eagle during the winter months “It really took off in 2005 and 2006. – if you’re outside near the shoreline, all you have to do is wait. From workforce education, to pop- And then it increased again around For installation personnel who don’t have access to the APG shoreline, ulation and nest tracking, to protection 2011,” Hartzell said. “By 2014, last year, head to Top of the Bay. Not only are there unobstructed views of the bay and responding to downed eagles, instal- we had 50 active nests.” from the ballroom, but you can stay inside – where you’ll be warm and lation personnel work diligently to pro- Since 2011, the population growth won’t disturb the eagles. tect the nation’s symbol of freedom right has slowed but Hartzell says this is not Off post, Conowingo Dam is an excellent place to see bald eagles along here on APG. worrisome. the Susquehanna River. Monitoring the population “We think, and we hope, that we’ve Regardless of location, early morning is the best time to spot an eagle as In the 1970s, the APG bald eagle hit our carrying capacity for eagles and they’re just coming off their perch and looking to hunt. population wasn’t monitored or tracked we’re not going to see a huge increase Immature bald eagles don’t have the tell-tale white head and tail, and with much detail, mainly due to its small again, in the number of nests at least,” APG’s immature bald eagle population is quite large. Look for a bird with numbers. There was just one document- she said. There are only so many trees brown feathers streaked with white. To tell an immature bald eagle and a vulture apart, look for birds with a ed nest on post in 1977. and so much land for eagles to claim as broad, flat wing shape as they soar. Vultures soar with their wings in a “When we started seeing the birds their territory. subtle V shape, while bald eagles soar with their wings flat and often flap reappear and come back to the Chesa- According to Hartzell, habitat avail- their wings vigorously. peake Bay Area in the 1980s, we began ability remains the biggest threat to the more intensive surveys in consultation species. with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” “The availability of habitat will Hartzell said. always be the limiting factor for their By the mid-1980s, a database of growth and expansion,” she said. “You’ll eagle population information was creat- see on the eastern shore of Maryland ed, keeping tabs on where the birds were particularly, and north and south of us, a Bald Eagle in flight Turkey Vulture in flight nesting and, unfortunately, how many lot of shoreline development and that’s were found injured or deceased. what will limit the number of eagles that “We have miles and miles and miles we have [in the region.]” found on the ground with an electrical our operations,” Goad said. “We keep an of power lines to support our mission Limiting habitat means eagles lay burn, an obvious marker of a power-line eye on all of the tests we’re doing that and support our infrastructure,” she said. claim to territory, which can turn violent. strike, Hartzell said. The bird was trans- might have any sort of interaction with “These are big birds; they’re not terribly “As with many animal species, the ported to Tristate where its burns and birds or nests, but for the most part, we maneuverable with their long wings, and more individuals you pack into a small irregular heart beat were tended to. It can do everything we’d normally do and unfortunately they tend to hit the pow- area, the more they’re going to fight,” was then transported back to APG South not bother them.” er lines.” Hartzell said. “We get a lot of observa- and released on one of the ranges. Goad said he and other members of By 2002, a spike in eagle fatalities tions of eagles tangling, dropping to the the ATC Environmental Division have Balancing Army missions with initiated a need to call in the U.S. Fish ground almost. We’ve picked up injured used cameras to monitor nests particular- and Wildlife Service (FWS). At that birds that have obviously been in fights bald eagle protection ly close to active testing to ensure testing time, the bald eagle was still listed as an with other eagles. They have punctures While APG is home to shoreline that is in fact not bothering the birds. He said endangered species and while it was de- on their heads that can only come from serves as ideal habitat for bald eagles, it also provides an opportunity to edu- listed in 2007, it still remains federally another talon.” it is also home to unique – and noisy – cate the ATC workforce about the birds protected. Hartzell said the uptick in fighting activities that one could assume to be ATC goes to such lengths to protect. “As a federal agency, we have to con- and documented injuries as a result also bothersome to nesting eagles. “The success of the eagle program at sult with the [Fish and Wildlife] service indicates APG’s bald eagle population The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation APG is due in large part to the cooper- any time there’s an activity we think has reached its upper limits. Command’s Aberdeen Test Center operation and commitment of the tenants” could impact the species, so we did,” “We’ve seen a lot of [fighting] the ates on the vast majority of the instal- Hartzell said. “Stewardship is a shared Hartzell said. past four or five years, so we know we’re lation’s acreage, conducting countless responsibility. The folks that work on After analyzing information about reaching our carrying capacity. They will testing operations simultaneously. Many the ranges are particularly helpful with APG’s eagle population and mission level themselves out. There’s only so of APG’s 50+ active eagle nests reside reporting downed birds and anecdotal activities, the FWS much room and so many trees.” on active ATC test ranges. observations.” provided “You go right down the end of a fir- Injured birds APG with ing range and you don’t even need a Impact beyond APG When the DPW Natural Resourc- a bio- telescope; the nest is that close,” Hartz- As a result of a positive working rela- es Branch receives a report of an injured logical ell said. tionship with the FWS and extensive eagle, they capture the bird - opinion, a According to ATC Environmental historical data outlining the eagle pop- if it is safe to do so. They legally-bind- Engineer David Goad, who monitors the ulation and the impact – or lack there- then personally trans- ing document, nests on ATC test ranges, the noise isn’t of – of APG activities on the nesting port the bird an hour which outlined disruptive to the nesting eagles. birds, APG has some flexibility in terms north to Tristate Bird risks to eagles and “From watching how the birds react, of managing and protecting the eagles, Rescue in Newark, requirements for moni- the noise itself doesn’t seem to bother Hartzell said. Delaware. toring and protecting the them as much as you or I walking near- It’s that flexibility that has helped to Once at the eagle population on post, at by, because they would think we’re there maintain and nurture a successful popu- rescue, the which point the data collection to harm them, versus just a sound they lation alongside APG’s many missions, bird’s inju- and monitoring of the eagle pop- hear,” Goad said. and that impact is being felt beyond the ries and ulation was standardized across the “It’s like anything else – you get gate. overall board. acclimated to it over time. Some of the “What we’re doing on the installation health As part of the installation’s birds have been here for 15, 20 years; if to protect the eagles is impacting birds as are agreement with the FWS, you’ve heard booms for 15 to 20 years far north as Labrador, Canada and as far assessed APG agreed to bury power you’re probably used to it.” south as Florida,” Hartzell said. “We’re and it receives lines in select areas. Because the eagles have adjusted to having birds come to us from such great treatment and rehabilitation. Tristate “It’s extremely expensive to the noise level on APG, suc- distances to either spend the winter or is also equipped to euthanize birds that bury power lines, but we have done cessful nesting occurs con- the summer. That’s pretty wild to see.” cannot recover from their injuries. so on some really hot areas for line currently with the successful Over the course of the next few “I think it [the ability to euthanize] strikes. Spesutie Island’s power lines execution of APG’s test and months, Hartzell and Goad will is very important,” Hartzell said. “Per- are almost entirely underground now,” evaluation missions. continue to monitor APG’s sonally, I like to know that if nature Hartzell said. “We are still able to successful- bald eagles during the can’t take its course, then we can at least Reflective “flappers” that swivel in ly protect the species and do what current nesting and humanely put down a bird that is suffer- the wind were installed on many pow- we need to do as an Army instal- egg-laying season. ing. To take an adult bird, who has been er lines that that remain above ground lation. That’s evidenced by not By early April, flying around the bay its entire lifetime to make the lines more visible to the only the numbers we’re seeing, but they will have an and to throw it into a cage….there are birds. According to Hartzell, the com- the locations we’re seeing the nests, idea of how many enough in captivity for educational pur- bination of line burials and line markers right off the test ranges,” Hartzell said. of the 85 identi- poses. We just like to know they’ll be has “reduced the number of line strikes” Goad said test schedules aren’t fied nests will treated humanely.” significantly. greatly impacted by bald eagle produce eggs and Eagles that can be rehabilitated are nesting season. If a situation aris- how many of those Population growth and territory released back into the wild at APG es in which it’s believed testing eggs will hatch With countless miles of relatively whenever possible. might be disruptive to the birds, successfully. undisturbed shoreline along the Ches- “We’ve had several cases where Goad and Hartzell monitor the Check back with apeake Bay, Gunpowder River and they’ve rehabbed the bird and given it eagles closely. the APG News and on the Bush River, APG is an ideal habitat for back to us to release. That’s always a “A high percentage of APG’s APG Facebook page at www. bald eagles. good story,” she said. “We go pick it up, eagle nests are in our range areas, facebook.com/APGMD for The birds normally nest no more drive it back here and release it.” so we have a vested interest in pro- updates on this year’s bald than a quarter mile from a large body of Most recently, in 2011, an eagle was tecting the nests and maintaining eagle nesting season. APG Bald Eagle Nesting Season Timeline Nest Building: Egg Laying & Incubation: Hatching: Fledging: Independence: Mid-December Late February Early to mid-April Early Summer Late Summer

• A nest can measure up to • Eagles lay their eggs • The eggs will hatch in • The eaglets will fledge, or • The immature eagles con- 10 feet across and weigh between mid-February early to mid-April. leave the nest, at about 12 tinue to grow, developing half a ton. and mid-March. • The eaglets will be depen- weeks old. their flying and foraging skills. • It’s common for a nesting • Usually, they lay one or dent on their parents for • As they prepare to fledge, • By the end of the sum- pair to build two nests two eggs. If they’re par- food, warmth and pro- they will stretch and flap mer, the bond between the early in the season, and ticularly healthy or it’s a tection for nearly three their wings vigorously. adult and immature eagles then choose one to lay mild winter, they might months. • While eaglets improve will begin to fade. eggs in. lay three. their flying skills they will • Immature eagles spend • Nests are built no more • The eggs are incubated still depend on their par- the next four years of their than a quarter of a mile for just over a month. ents for food and often lives developing and estab- from the shoreline. don’t venture too far from lishing a territory. By five • Eagles often return to the the nest. years of age, they are ready same nest each year. to find a mate.

Courtesy photos http://www.fws.gov/ Surviving a lengthy deploymentFebruary 26, 2015 • APG News 5

By STACY SMITH port over the cial moments” ilies survive time apart. APG News coming weeks keepsake box Although technology is a great, con- Surviving a loved one’s deployment and months. or scrapbook venient way to stay in touch, sometimes can be a challenge for everyone at home. Let them know where they can an old-fashioned hand-written note can Even family members who have gone how they can store memories do wonders to remind a deployed fami- through many separations say that time best support they want to ly member how much you care and think apart is still difficult to process. you during share with their about them. Lengthy TDY can also pose many of hard times - parent when he Erica Hamblen, wife of Lt. Col. Stew- the same challenges. Juggling respon- whether it’s a or she returns. art Hamblen, is a fan of this style of sibilities and roles amidst the day-to- hug, phone call Include items communication when her husband is day life of school, work and home is or night out. like photos, deployed. often more difficult when your partner Search awards and “One thing I have done for each or loved one is no longer by your side the local area artwork. deployment is to buy a stack of cards - to share in these duties or offer support. for military Craft all types, funny, romantic, etc.,” Ham- However, Army spouses and family family support a deployment blen said. “I buy enough to send one members develop creative, loving ways groups. countdown card for every week of the deployment. of coping with the stress and anxiety that Go easy calendar that “I mail out one card per week and comes with each deployment. on yourself. helps a child always on the same day; in it I maybe “With three deployments in our Have cereal track the num- put a photo or just some little tidbit of twenty-eight year military career, each for dinner one ber of days what was going on that particular day.” deployment after the first one prepares night or order until they are Hamblen says it’s the little aspects you a little more on ways to strive on,” in. Ask a friend reunited with of living together that she misses most said Dianne Crawford, wife of APG for help or call their parent. when her husband is away. Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce T. a babysitter Allow “Despite being able to talk on the Crawford. and give yourself a break from child- your child to include a letter or memento phone or video chat I feel that it is the care. Remember, no one feels at their inside their parent’s Army care package. very small day-to-day interactions I miss Being prepared best all the time. the most with my husband, and so by Staying in touch Crawford suggests that preparing sending the cards weekly I try to capture Talking to children “Technology, [such as] Skype and yourself for an approaching deployment some of that,” she said. “There is an add- Crawford also suggests talking to online videos, are great ways to stay can help your family cope with separa- ed bonus that my spouse almost always your children about the impending sep- connected, when available and possi- tion when it comes. Preparing together has something when it is time for mail aration; checking in with them to see ble,” Crawford said. before he or she leaves can strengthen call! I also get a kick out of seeing the how they are feeling and what they Apps such as “Couple” and ”mymili- the bond between you. stack of cards dwindle, nice little visual think about mom or dad’s absence may tarylife” are free and available to anyone “Be prepared; your spouse or service representation of the fact our separation increase their resiliency during times of with a smartphone or internet access. member is essential to help you organize is almost at an end.” stress. “Couple” features real-time messag- and be ready before they leave,” Craw- Other ways of staying connected dur- “Deployments affect children in dif- ing and video share, chat, a private ford said. “Establish a list of contact ing deployments or long separations ferent ways at any age. Army Commu- timeline to build shared history, ‘thumb- numbers of people in the unit, key con- include: nity Services (ACS) is a great resource. kiss’, which allows users to touch their tacts in the organization. Ask questions. Give them something of yours Talk to your children frequently about phones’ screens simultaneously and pro- Meet and get to know other spouses who to cuddle or touch. A shirt, a stuffed ani- the deployment…what it going to hap- duce a vibration, and games and draw- will be sharing the same experience. mal, or pillowcase are all good options. pen in the coming months and help Maintain a connection with at least one ings that can be done together from Surprise them with an item that other spouse and someone in the orga- them deal with their emotions,” Craw- thousands of miles away. smells like you. Smell is a powerful nization who you can call periodically.” ford said. “Mymilitarylife” was created by the sense that triggers memory and stimu- Other preparation tips before/during Other creative ways to help kids deal National Military Family Association lates an emotional response. deployment: with deployments include: and helps users manage deployment, Make a special gift that includes Keep a routine and maintain a Make an “All About Mom/ as well as career and school decisions, an inside joke or memory shared that schedule. Staying busy allows time to Dad’s Deployment Wall.” Include a map moving, and transitioning out of the only the two of you understand. go by faster. so that your child can see where mom military. Various resources offer more infor- Stay physically active. or dad is in the world. Or include two Additionally, popular websites like mation about family support and Reach out to loved ones and clocks in two different time zones. Pinterest and personal Army spouse deployment assistance, including www. let them know you may need their sup- Help children make a “spe- blogs are chock full of ideas to help fam- armyonesource.com.

How are we doing? E-mail comments and suggestions for the APG News to the editor at [email protected] 6 APG News • February 26, 2015 MARK YOUR CALENDAR

and the Long-Term Management sites Those interested in bringing the pro- receive paid competition entry, travel and events&town halls at APG. gram to APG and attending the program lodging for the 2015 national competition For more information, contact Karen should send their survey responses to in Dallas Texas, June 28 - July 2. Jobes at [email protected]. Nancy Goucher, EFMP program man- For more details, and to register, visit WEDNESDAY ager, no later than Feb. 29 by emailing http://www.usaeop.com/programs/ [email protected]. MARCH 4 MONDAY competitions/jss/ EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE DAY & EXPO MARCH 2 THURSDAY Meet with local employers and APPLYING FOR FEDERAL employment assistance specialists during EMPLOYEMENT WORKSHOP MARCH 26 miscellaneous the Employment Resource Day & Expo, Come learn about the 10 steps to fed- PREVENTATIVE CARE INFO 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the APG North (Aber- eral employment during this workshop to SESSION deen) recreation center, Bldg. 3326, Erie be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Army Com- The C4ISR Wellness Committee will ONGOING Street. munity Service Bldg. 2503. Bring your host a Preventative Care Information- THROUGH APRIL 2 This event is open to all job seekers. lunch. Registration is required. al Session to explore the importance 2015-16 SENIOR SERVICE Business attire is recommended. of maintaining a healthy lifestyle 11:30 Go to: www.mwejobs.maryland.gov COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP Drivers not in possession of a govern- • Create a User Account a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bldg. 6001, sec- ment ID card will need to provide a driv- ond floor, room 224 on the C4ISR cam- PROGRAM ACCEPTING • Go to Events Calendar (on the APPLICATIONS er’s license, vehicle registration, proof of left hand side) Move forward to pus. insurance and building information at the Monday, 2 March 2015 The session is open to military ser- The U.S. Army Acquisition Support visitor center located at the MD 715 gate. • Click on “APG How to Apply for vice members, civilians and contractors. Center is currently accepting applica- This event is presented in partnership Federal Jobs” C4ISR Slim Down Participants should tions for the 2015-16 SSCF program through April 2. The SSCF Program is a with the ACS Employment Readiness pro- • Click on Register: bring their wellness activity rosters to 10-month educational opportunity con- gram, the Department of Labor, Licens- For more information, call 410-996- credit attendance and sign the session sign-in sheet. ducted under the auspices of the Defense ing & Regulation, Local Veterans Employ- 0572. For sign language interpreters or Acquisition University (DAU) at Aberdeen ment Representative (LVER), Susquehan- Proving Ground, as well as Huntsville, Ala- other disability-related accommoda- na Workforce Network (SWN), and the bama and Warren, Michigan. WEDNESDAY tions, contact the CECOM EEO Office APG Military Personnel Office (MILPO)/ The SSCF program prepares gov- at 443-861-4355 by March 12. Directorate of Human Resources. MARCH 25 ernment civilians at the GS-14/15 lev- For more information or to request For more information, contact the ACS HOW TO SMART START YOUR els or equivalent for senior leadership VTC connections, contact Tiffany Grimes Employment Readiness Program manag- SMALL BUSINESS roles by providing training in leadership at 443-861-7901 or tiffany.l.grimes.civ@ er at 410-278-9669/7572. In honor of Women’s History Month, and acquisition. Program components Army Community Service will host a mail.mil. include completion of DAU’s Program Powerful Women in Small Business sem- Management Course (PMT 401), courses TUESDAY inar 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Top of the ONGOING in leadership, applications of acquisition Bay, Bldg. 30. Attendees can purchase to national defense issues, research in MARCH 10 THROUGH APRIL 17 acquisition topics, mentoring, and a dis- APG NATIONAL PRAYER lunch for this one-day event. Future How to Smart Start Your Small Business INSTALLATION SLIM DOWN tinguished speaker program. LUNCHEON sessions will be held at ACS Bldg. 2503, CHALLENGE UNDERWAY For complete program information You are cordially invited to attend the Highpoint Road 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Installation Slim Down Challenge and application requirements, please visit: APG 2015 National Prayer Luncheon that May 13, Aug. 12 and Nov. 4. kicked off Jan. 20 and runs through http://asc.army.mil. For APG specific pro- will be held at Top of the Bay, 11:30 a.m. To register, contact the ACS April 17. The challenge encourages indi- gram information, please visit: http:// This year’s theme will be “Discovering Employment Program manager at viduals to stay active and pursue their www.dau.mil/sscf/Pages/apg.aspx God, Celebrating Life, and Serving Oth- 410-278-9669/7552. For more infor- fitness and weight goals in keeping For more information about the pro- ers. Reverend Dr. Leroy Gilbert, former mation, visit the ACS website on with the Army Performance Triad. APG gram, contact Jim Oman at james.oman@ Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Coast www.TeamAPG.com. units and organizations are encouraged dau.mil or 410-272-9470. Guard, will serve as the keynote speak- to start their own groups to compete er. Gilbert presently serves as the Senior FRIDAY & SATURDAY for the Slim Down Challenge Tenant of Pastor of the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in 2015 award. Personnel can also com- ONGOING Washington, D.C. The event will be host- MAY 1 & 2 pete individually. THROUGH APRIL 28 ed by APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. VETERANS LEGAL CAREER Participants can take advantage of AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE Bruce T. Crawford. FAIR MWR fitness classes including special Slim Down Boot Camp classes held CLASS Registration is open for employers and each Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The basic and advanced American candidates for the Veterans Legal Career WEDNESDAY at the APG North (Aberdeen) recreation Sign Language Class that began Feb. 3 Fair to be conducted over two days at runs through April 28. Class is held 11:30 MARCH 25 center. Visit www.apgmwr.com for class the Marriott Metro Center in Washing- schedules at APG North (Aberdeen) a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Bldg. FEDERAL WOMEN’S PROGRAM ton, D.C. E3330-31, room 270 in APG South (Edge- – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH and South (Edgewood) facilities. The event is meant for experienced For more information, contact Capt. wood). This class is free of charge and TRAINING PROGRAM lawyers who have served in the military Joanna Moore, APG Performance Triad students can bring their lunch. The text The 25th annual Women’s Histo- or are transitioning out of military service. Action Officer, at 410-278-1773 or book “ABC, A Basic Course in American ry Month Training Program hosted by The event includes panel presentations, [email protected]. Sign Language” is needed for the course. the Federal Women’s Program will be a networking reception and a full day of To register, or for more information, held 8 a.m. at the Mallette Auditorium, one-on-one interviews. contact BethAnn Cameron at 410-436- Bldg. 6008. Candidates should register by March ONGOING 7175 or Instructors Pat Reeves and Randy This year’s theme is “Weaving the 27 while employers are encouraged to THROUGH 2015 Weber at 410-436-8546. Stories of Women Lives,” and the guest register by March 13. 2015 CPR, AED speaker is Yolanda Maria Martinez, CEO Any lawyer who has served or is serv- CLASS SCHEDULE ONGOING of Respira Medical. ing in any branch of service in any capaci- The APG Directorate of Emergency For more information, contact Liz ty can register to attend. Military spouses THROUGH 2015 Services has announced the CPR/AED MOTORCYCLE SAFETY Young at 410-278-1392 or Teresa Rudd at who are lawyers also are eligible. class schedule for 2015. Classes are 410-436-5501. The goal of the Veterans Legal Career open to the entire APG community. COURSES Training schedules have been set Fair is to help veterans find jobs and to • March 18 – APG North (Aber- ONGOING help top employers gain access to a pool deen) Chapel, Bldg. 2485 – 9 for the 2015 Local Hazards Course of first-rate candidates who have received a.m. and 1 p.m. and Intermediate Driver’s Course. Training will be held in Bldg. 4305 THROUGH 2015 unique training, skills and legal insights • April 22 – APG South (Edge- RETIRING SOON? UNCLE SAM through their military service. wood) Conference Center, Bldg. Susquehanna Avenue, room 243A. WANTS TO THANK YOU! For more information or to register, E4810 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Attendees must register online at AIRS through the www.TeamAPG. Are you an APG Soldier or civilian visit www.veteranslegalcareerfair.com • May 20 – APG North (Aberdeen) nearing retirement from government ser- Chapel, Bldg. 2485 – 9 a.m. and com web site at https://apps.imcom. vice? Consider participating in the month- 1 p.m. army.mil/airs/. ly Installation Retirement Ceremony. health&resiliency • June 17 – APG South (Edge- Local Hazards Course: The APG Garrison hosts the event the wood) Conference Center, Bldg. This is a 30-minute course is for fourth Thursday of each month –except E4810 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. personnel who are new to APG. It is THROUGH FEBRUARY 29 a mandatory course for all APG ser- November – and the first Thursday in • July 15 – APG North (Aberdeen) NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON vice members, family members, DOD December, at the Dickson Hall (Ball Con- Chapel, Bldg. 2485 – 9 a.m. and MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) civilians, and contractors who are ference Center). 1 p.m. HOMEFRONT INTEREST licensed motorcycle drivers. Those Also, awards and decorations are pre- • Aug. 19 – APG South (Edge- SURVEY wood) Conference Center, Bldg. on temporary duty (TDY) at APG for sented to retirees and their spouses. more than 30 day also are required The Army Community Service Excep- E4810 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. All Soldiers and civilians are eligible to to take the course. Additional classes – APG North (Aberdeen) participate in the Installation Retirement tional Family Member Program requests • Sep. 16 will be added as needed. Ceremony regardless of unit or organi- members of Team APG respond to an Chapel, Bldg. 2485 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. • Course time: 7:30 to 8 a.m. and zation. interest survey to bring a NAMI Home- 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. – APG South (Edge- This is a program designed to thank front course to APG. • Oct. 21 wood) Conference Center, Bldg. • Course dates: March 19; April retiring personnel for their loyalty and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental E4810 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. 23; May 21; June 18; July 9; Aug. perseverance and for the sacrifices they Illness) Homefront is a free education- 13; Sept. 17; Oct. 8; Nov. 12; and – APG North (Aber- al program for family, friends and sig- • Nov. 18 Dec. 10. endured while serving the nation. Retir- deen) Chapel, Bldg. 2485 – 9 nificant others of military service mem- ees are encouraged to participate and to a.m. and 1 p.m. Intermediate Driver’s Course: share this day with family members and bers and veterans showing diagnosed or This two-and-one-half hour course • Dec 16 – APG South (Edge- friends. undiagnosed mental health conditions. It wood) Conference Center, Bldg. builds on themes introduced during After all, Uncle Sam wants to thank focuses on the unique needs of military E4810 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. the Introductory Course 1 taken during basic and advanced individual training. you. Don’t you think you’ve earned it? and veteran communities, such as post- For more information, contact Mike This course is mandatory for service For more information, contact Lisa deployment and post-discharge transi- Slayman at 410-306-0566. M. Waldon, Garrison Training Opera- tions. The course is designed to help par- members age 26 and younger and may be used to satisfy the remedial defen- tions Officer, at 410-278-4353 or email ticipants understand and support their sive driving course. Additional classes [email protected]. loved one while maintaining their own will be added as needed. well-being. family&children • Course time: 9 to 11:30 a.m. The course is free and open only • Course dates: March 19; April to family members/caregivers of service ONGOING 23; May 21; June 18; July 9; Aug. meetings&conferences members/veterans who are dealing with 13; Sept. 17; Oct. 8; Nov. 12 and PTSD and mental illness (or showing THROUGH MARCH 1 Dec. 10 signs.) THURSDAY JUNIOR SOLAR SPRINT For more information, con- Survey responders should indicate: REGISTRATION tact H. Mike Allen at the Installa- FEBRUARY 26 • Name and emails of interested Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) registration tion Safety Office at 410-306-1081 or [email protected]. RESTORATION ADVISORY participants still has availability for ten more teams! BOARD MEETING • Location preference: on or off Registration will close on March 1. Open The next Restoration Advisory Board post to students in 5th – 8th grades, teams of (RAB) meeting will be held at the Rama- • Preferred Schedule: Six con- two to three students use FREE solar kits secutive days (6:30 to 9:00 da Conference Center in Edgewood at to design, build, and race electric cars. 7 p.m. Topics to be discussed will be a p.m.); Two Saturdays (9 a.m. The APG JSS competition will be held review of calendar year 2014 IRP activi- to 5 p.m.); or six consecutive More events can on April 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. MORE ties, plans for calendar year 2015, an weeks (Week-day, weekend, no be seen at www. at the Team APG STEM and Education update on the Bush River Study Area preference; and morning, after- ONLINE TeamAPG.com noon, or evening). Outreach Center. The winning team will February 26, 2015 • APG News 7 Mediation saves time, work relationships

By RACHEL PONDER ment civilian volunteers who receive APG News I recommend people consider ongoing communication and negotia- People who work full-time often mediation before litigation. Litigation tion training. spend more time with their coworkers “Mediators are interested in helping than with family and friends. Healthy can take over a year and meanwhile people solve issues and misunderstand- working relationships ensure that time ings,” Johnson said. “And they value is pleasant and productive. But what the problem is still simmering. confidentiality.” happens when a dispute with a cowork- Arranging mediation er or supervisor threatens that working Government civilians, contractors and relationship? Ria Johnson Soldiers can request mediation, however Mediation might be the answer. ADR Mediation Program Advisor contractors cannot request mediation for Mediation is the Army’s preferred a dispute with another contractor and method of Alternative Dispute Res- be resolved through ADR. The average their dispute, which litigation does not.” Soldiers cannot request mediation with a olution (ADR) to address workplace Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Johnson said while there are many fellow Soldier. disputes. case takes at least a year before a deci- advantages to ADR, mediation does Those who are interested in mediation During mediation a trained, neutral sion is made by an administrative judge. not replace formal complaint processes can contact an ADR specialist who will mediator listens to both parties and facil- In addition to saving time and money, including EEO and the U.S. Merit Sys- coordinate the mediation with the dispu- itates discussions toward solutions that mediation can also save working rela- tems Protection Board (MSPB). tants and co-mediators, and schedule the work best for everyone. At APG, all tionships, Johnson said. This results in “Our mediators also provide medi- time and place for the session. mediation sessions are voluntary and improved morale and productivity in the ations for the APG EEO office and we Mediators are assigned from a pool confidential. workplace. work together to provide alternative dis- of trained individuals from APG ten- Over the last two years, mediation has “I recommend people consid- pute resolutions,” Johnson said. ant organizations. The pool allows the had a 70 percent success rate across the er mediation before litigation,” John- “Employees do not give up any rights program to ensure the mediator never Army, according to the Department of son said. “Litigation can take over a by using mediation. If mediation does mediates disputes involving their own the Army Headquarters, meaning both year and meanwhile the problem is still not result in an agreement, you remain parties settled on an agreement and liti- simmering.” free to pursue the matter further under organization and reduces the possibility gation was not needed. During a recent APG mediator train- the appropriate grievance, discrimina- of a conflict of interest. According to ADR Mediation Pro- ing, U.S. Army ADR Program Director tion complaint or other procedure,” she Participation in mediation is strict- gram Advisor Ria Johnson, mediation Marc Van Nuys said mediation empow- said. ly voluntary and confidential. Mediation has many advantages. ers employees by giving them ownership The ADR Program began as a pilot may last from four to eight hours and can One clear advantage is that media- of the outcome. program by the APG Civilian Person- be held in several sessions. tion saves the employee and government “Mediation is quicker, cheaper and nel Advisory Center in 2010. Currently, For more information about the APG time and money, she said. On average it much more flexible,” he said. “It gives there are more than 30 certified media- ADR program, or to request mediation, takes about three months for a dispute to both parties control over the outcome of tors on post. All mediators are govern- call 410-306-0512. Cohort hosts ‘Fast Match’ mentoring event

By TRACI FLEMONS Martin, an installation proponent for and KELLI CREDLE mentorship and professional develop- APG Emerging Leadership Cohort ment, emphasized that “the APG Senior As part of National Mentoring Leader Cohort team has done a great Month, APG’s Emerging Leadership job at developing a set of guidebooks Cohort (ELC) hosted its inaugural Fast and training material to support a much Match Mentoring Event at Ruggles needed and desired installation wide Golf Course Jan. 28. mentoring program” The event brought together a diverse “The work conducted by the Emerging group of mentors and mentees in a speed Leaders via the Fast Match engagement dating-style format. The attendees were provided a very efficient and structured given four minutes to discuss back- way to address one of the remaining chal- grounds and career goals before scor- lenges – how to facilitate connecting men- ing their partner on both professional tors to mentees. Based on the feedback and personal compatibility. This format from the Fast Match event, I am confident allows for critical face-to-face time to that this process will be incorporated as a discover connections. key element of our installation-wide men- “The Fast Match event makes the mentoring program,” he said. tor and mentee matching experience a Abel Salgado, chief of the CECOM more personal one,” said Janet Penaher- Material & Management Division for rera, ELC mentorship chair and program the Logistics and Engineering Opera- analyst for CECOM G8. “Mentees are tions Directorate, and Liz Miranda, G8 Courtesy Photo From left, mentor Thomas J. Hertl CECOM LRC Chief, Knowledge Operations and expressing their gratitude to us for put- director and ELC board mentor, also were in attendance. Innovation, speaks with mentee Dr. Steven Evans during the Emerging Leadership ting the ELC Fast Match event together. I Cohort Fast Match mentoring event at Ruggles Golf Course Jan. 28. strongly believe the program will be bene- ELC is an organization created by per- ficial to all involved.” sonnel who have completed the APG Gary P. Martin, CECOM deputy to the Emerging Leaders Program. The first new members as each group of Emerging ing Leadership Cohort, or to serve as a commanding general, provided the open- ELC general body meeting was held Oct. Leaders graduates. mentor at the next Fast Match event, email ing and closing remarks. 30, 2014 and the group continues to accept For more information about the Emerg- [email protected].

WORD OF THE WEEK ACRONYM OF THE WEEK Insouciance SNMG1 Pronounced: in-SOO-see-uh ns Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 Part of Speech: Noun SNMG1 is one of the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- nization’s standing maritime Immediate Reaction Definition: Forces and is a component of the NATO Response 1. a relaxed and calm state; a feeling of not worrying about anything; lightheart- Force (NRF). ed unconcern; nonchalance The force operates, trains and exercises as a group, providing day-to-day verification of current NATO 2. the quality of being insouciant; lack of care or concern; indifference maritime procedures, tactics and effectiveness. Group members – consisting of the U.S. Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, the German Navy, and the Royal Netherlands Navy – are attached for six months on a rotating basis and contrib- Use: ute a total of four to six destroyers and frigates per tour. She wandered into the meeting with complete insouciance to the fact that In peacetime, the force exercises primarily in the eastern Atlantic. Allied Command she was late. Operations (ACO) has operational command of the force, and the Commander Allied Mar- itime Component Command Northwood administers the force while in the Eastern Atlan- He brushes off boos, taunts and jeers with a supreme insouciance. tic. ACO delegates operational control to the area commander where the force is operating. Insouciance seems less likely when the starting point is much higher debt. The force commander and the staff are appointed for one year, with the force commander You could not tell by his insouciant demeanor that he was a very trou- rotating among the participating nations. Since May 2013, the force is under the command bled man. of Norwegian Commodore Henning Amundsen. By YVONNE JOHNSON, APG News By YVONNE JOHNSON, APG News Source: http://dictionary.reference.com Source: www.nato.int

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Story ideas or content must be geared toward the greater APG community and cannot appear to endorse any private company. The deadline for content to appear in an upcoming issue of the APG News is the Thursday PRIOR to publication. The APG News cannot guarantee submissions received after the Thursday prior to publication will appear in the next issue of the paper. Send story ideas or pre-written content to [email protected] or call 410-278-7274 for more information. Please note, the APG News editor reserves the right to (1) reject any content deemed inappropriate, irrelevant or against regulation, (2) delay the publication of submitted material if it is not timely and (3) edit or shorten content for space and style reasons without altering the meaning of the submission. 8 APG News • February 26, 2015 APG hosts DCGS-A industry day

By JESS SMITH PM DCGS-A Project Manager Distributed Common Ground System – Army (DCGS-A) and the CERDEC Intelligence & Informa- tion Warfare Directorate (I2WD) hosted an industry day Jan. 20 at APG which focused on technologies to be developed within the DCGS-A and I2WD frame- work centered around DCGS-A Incre- ment 2. More than 450 industry and government representatives participated in briefings to discuss the way forward for the Army’s intelligence program. “This collaborative event was an opportunity for our government team to provide industry with a status update and path forward regarding the DCGS- A Increment 2 competitive contract process,” explained Stephen Kreider, Program Executive Officer for Intelli- gence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S). “We are still in what we would consider to be the early stages of this process and we want to make sure industry is involved at every step of this path toward our next increment.” During the briefings and discussions representatives from small and large companies were able to obtain information regarding the requirements, technology capability focus areas, program hardware and software, ease of use, sus- tainment and the timeline for the acquisition process. There also were two panel Courtesy photo discussions focused on cyber and data More than 450 industry and government representatives participated in a Distributed Common Ground System - Army architecture. (DCGS-A) Industry Day on APG North (Aberdeen) Jan. 29, discussing the way forward for the Army’s intelligence program. After the morning sessions, the government team set aside multiple days to ensure an open dialogue with indus- gram to provide the best capabilities to ence a better understanding of usabili- lowing general usability guidelines,” our intelligence mission,” said Col. Rob- ty principles and the Soldier feedback Yowell said. try. More than 60 companies requested ert Collins, DCGS-A project manager process to achieve an easier to use prod- Industry days like the one at APG a one-on-one session with the govern- Collins provided an overview briefing uct for Increment 2. Ease of use is a key enable networking not only between the ment to increase understanding of gov- of the DCGS-A system of systems and focal point for the DCGS-A program as government and industry but also indus- ernment requirements and enable better acquisition notional concepts that may it transitions from the current fielding to try to industry. The interactions help to understanding between government and be used for the Increment 2 contract. He the next Increment. strengthen partnerships as well as high- industry. also explained how industry feedback “The Human System Integration light industry ingenuity and dedication “It was very evident to me from has already been and will continue to be team is solely focused on how to to Soldiers. the interaction we’ve had already that implemented into the acquisition process increase usability to help our Soldiers Questions were gathered during the our industry partners are supporting this for the Increment 2 contract. create products that work for them by industry day session, and answers will effort and are determined to help us Lindsay Yowell, chief of the DCGS-A incorporating Soldier feedback into soon be made available on FedBizOpps move to the next increment of our pro- Test and Quality Division, gave the audi- the development process, and by fol- along with the event’s briefings. Army EOD techs clear mines found near Texas barn

By WALTER T. HAM IV ney; Sgt. Ryan C. McMurray; and (Left) EOD Duty 20th CBRNE Command Public Affairs Spcs. Amon B. Schoeppey and Steven Officer 1st Lt. Brian Soldiers with the 79th Explosive A. Lovan. A. Cowick from the Ordnance Disposal Battalion destroyed Representing the 79th EOD Battal- 47th EOD Company a World War II-era land mine found in ion’s 75th and 47th EOD companies, evacuates chickens Brownwood, Texas Feb. 11. the team members had a combined total from a barn prior to Army EOD technicians from two of seven years of combat experience. a controlled detona- Fort Hood, Texas-based EOD compa- The 79th EOD Battalion is part of the tion of a World War II-era land mine in nies were called in when an anti-tank 71st EOD Group, 20th CBRNE Com- mand (Chemical, Biological, Radiolog- Brownwood, Texas, land mine was discovered in a dirt Feb. 11. roadway by the owners of a home in ical, Nuclear, Explosives), the Defense Department’s only multifunctional for- Brown County. (Below) U.S. Army According to 1st Lt. Brian A. Cowick, mation that combats CBRNE threats around the world. EOD techs con- the 47th EOD Company operations offi- structed a bunker cer and EOD duty officer on scene, the In addition to deploying for military operations around the globe, the out of nearly 2,000 team found an unstable M6 anti-tank sand bags to contain Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland- land mine and a spent M1B1 practice the blast from the anti-tank landmine on the property. based 20th CBRNE Command supports controlled detona- “The (M6) landmine had been shot U.S. law enforcement officials during tion of a World War numerous times over the years,” Cowick Defense Support to Civil Authorities II-era land mine in said. “This combined with the decom- (DSCA) missions. Brownwood, Texas, position of the explosives contributed During fiscal year 2014, 20th CBRNE Feb. 11. Command EOD Soldiers responded to the unstable condition of the mine.” Courtesy photos Cowick, who has deployed to to more than 2,000 calls to identify Afghanistan and Iraq, said the team and render safe unexploded ordnance used a Thermite grenade procedure to (UXO), both on and off military instal- burn the explosives out of the M6 lations in the continental United States. land mine and then disposed of the The 79th EOD Battalion covers a remains of the mine through a con- vast section of the Lone Star State, trolled detonation. conducting military explosive mitiga- To contain the blast, the team con- tion missions in 186 of the 254 coun- structed a bunker out of nearly 2,000 ties in Texas. sand bags. They also evacuated chick- Brig. Gen. JB Burton, the command- ens from the barn and a dog from the ing general of the 20th CBRNE Com- backyard prior to detonating the device. mand, said the land mine mission was The mines were found on a 10-acre another example of the important role lot approximately 100 miles from Fort EOD techs play across the nation. Hood in central Texas. “Our EOD Soldiers are absolute Along with Cowick, the EOD techs experts at their craft,” Burton said. who cleared the mines were Staff Sgts. “Their work ensures the safety of life Scott C. Cotner and Curtis W. Sigour- and property.”

Hewitt schedules required transitional Hewitt knows firsthand how difficult classes given by the Army Career and the transition from military to civilian Alumni Program (ACAP), the Depart- life can be. She retired from the mili- ment of Labor and the Department of tary in 2013. Veterans Affairs. “When you’re actually going through During some of these events, Soldiers the process yourself, it’s totally differ- have the opportunity to meet prospective ent,” Hewitt said. “I’ve been on both employers and practice their interview sides of the coin. It can be scary, espe- techniques and resume-building skills. cially if you’re not prepared for it.” Retirement Specialist Hewitt counsels Soldiers who are Hewitt said her favorite part of the Rita Hewitt, retiring. She said that some retirees job is, “Knowing – in some kind of way begin new careers in the civilian sector, – that you made a positive, construc- while others choose to retire from work- tive difference in somebody’s life. It By STACY SMITH “They’re starting out on a new adven- ing altogether, depending on their finan- feels good when Soldiers come back and APG News ture, a new path,” Hewitt said. “My job cial situation. tell you that this information you gave As a retirement specialist with is to make sure that process goes as “We touch on the financial portion them lifted this much weight off their the APG Garrison Human Resourc- smoothly as possible. I make sure they of it. We make sure to give them bud- shoulders.” es Directorate, Rita Hewitt is respon- have all the information they need in get counseling classes,” Hewitt said. Hewitt’s office is located in the Tran- sible for coordinating the process for order to start that new life.” “There’s so much information that you sition Center, Bldg. 4305, first floor. For Soldiers transitioning from military to Once Soldiers are notified of their need to know in order to make sure that more information, contact Hewitt at 410- civilian life. voluntary or involuntary separation, they’re getting the best foot forward.” 306-2323 or [email protected]. February 26, 2015 • APG News 9 ALL THINGS MARYLAND Intricate waterfowl carvings Museum pays tribute to the art of decoys

Story and photos by RACHEL PONDER The Havre de Grace Decoy APG News Museum houses more than avre de Grace, Maryland, 1,200 decoys and decorative carvings. once internationally known as a top destination for duck H (Left) Charles “Speed” hunters, has a museum that houses Joiner, Jr., from Chestertown, more than 1,200 decoys and decorative Maryland, created these carvings. two decoys. Joiner credited Decoys are wooden or plastic birds Madison Mitchell, a famous that were once made for the sole pur- duck carver from Havre de pose of luring waterfowl within range of Grace, Maryland for teaching the hunter. Over the years decoys have him the trade; evolved from simple wood carvings to more elaborate pieces that serve as col- (Below) A carving of a loon lectible folk art. with babies by Jeanne Hiss, The Havre de Grace Decoy Muse- from Reisterstown, Maryland, um consists of three main galleries. On is displayed in the “What is a the first floor, “What is a Decoy” exam- Decoy” exhibit in the Havre de ines the various materials used in decoy Grace Decoy Museum. construction, the species decoys repre- sent and the different regional styles of decoys. Today, hunting decoys are made from plastic or cork because these materials are cheaper than wood. The “Gunning the Flats” exhibit presents a timeline of waterfowl hunting in the Susquehanna Flats, the 20 square miles of shallow water where the Susquehanna River becomes the Chesa- peake Bay. “The Flats” were once rich in aquatic vegetation, which supported a thriving duck population. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Havre de Grace was especially known for its Can- vasback duck population. During this era, these prized ducks were considered a delicacy. By the 1950s the region saw a decrease in waterfowl due to natural disasters, over hunting and the destruction of wetlands from human population growth. To preserve the environment, hunting is now regulated to protect wildlife, and government agencies are working with private organizations to conserve the wetlands. In addition to decoys, the “Gunning the Flats” exhibit includes boats called sinkboxes, guns, duck calls and other equipment used for waterfowl hunting. On the second floor, “Honoring the Masters” showcases collections of hosts several outreach and educational wooden decoys made by skilled carvers. events. May 1-3 the museum will host Most of the artists featured in this exhibit the 34th Annual Havre de Grace Decoy lived in the region. This floor also hous- and Wildlife Art Festival. This event will es an extensive research library and a feature decorative decoys for sale, chil- BY THE NUMB#RS panoramic view of the Chesapeake Bay. dren’s activities, live and silent auctions, The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is retriever demonstrations, carving com- located at 215 Giles Street. Museum hours petitions and more. are Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. The museum is located next to a park to 4:30 p. m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. and a promenade that runs a half mile Tickets are $6 for general admission, $5 along the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. for senior citizens (ages 65 and older) and For more information about the Havre $3 for youth ages 9 to 18. Children ages 8 de Grace Decoy Museum and a complete Having a healthy heart leads to a longer, happier life. and under are admitted free. calendar of events, visit www.decoymu- seum.com Throughout the year, the museum or call 410-939-3739. $300,000,000+ The cost of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S. each year, including health care services, medications and lost productivity. APG CATCH-A-POACHER PROGRAM 46,000,000 Number of Americans who smoke. Smokers are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as non-smokers, and A wide variety of wildlife call Aberdeen Proving Ground home. The APG Conservation Law Enforcement Branch is asking you to be a partner in are at higher risk of stroke. Visit www.ucanquit2.org to protecting and preserving the natural resources here on post. If you see or learn how to be nicotine-free in 2015. have knowledge of poaching or illegal activity involving wildlife or natural resources, you can use the SUBMIT-A-TIP hotline to anonymously provide information to catch a poacher. 1,000,000 Number of heart attacks and strokes the national ini- Call the SUBMIT-A-TIP “HOTLINE” at 410-306-4673. tiative ‘Million Hearts’ is seeking to prevent by 2017. Emergencies or violations in progress should always be reported via 911. 150 When reporting poaching or illegal activity involving wildlife or natural resourc- Minutes the U.S. surgeon general recommends engag- es on APG, please take note of the information listed in the form below. ing in moderate-intensity activity each week to lower the risk of developing CVD. Name/Description/Address of the Poacher 65+ Percentage of heart attack victims who experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue a few weeks Location/Days/Times & Type of Poaching or days before the attack. Recognizing the warning signs early can increase the chance of survival. 55 Vehicle/Vessel Description or Registration # Years since Dr. Robert Goetz performed the first successful coronary artery bypass surgery at Bronx Municipal Hospital.

By STACY SMITH APG News Sources: www.cdc.gov; www.theheartfoundation.org; www.nytimes.com You can also cut out this completed SUBMIT-A-TIP form and mail it to: 2200 Aberdeen Blvd. APG, MD 21005 10 APG News • February 26, 2015 MORALE, WELFARE & RECREATION

Upcoming Activities

The preparation class does not in Baltimore. Ticket prices are as fol- SAVE THE DATE include the official exam. Each class lows: $20 for adults, $14 for children SPORTS 2K COLOR FAMILY is limited to five students per session. ages 2 and up. Pit pass is $12, for 2 ALL ARMY SPORTS FUN RUN AGES: 14-18 years p.m. shows only. Tickets are available “GET IN THE COST/FEE: $225 (this includes the for the following dates and times: SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 cost of the SAT Prep Book) Friday, Feb. 27 – 7:30 p.m. GAME” – SOCCER Registration is open. For more information, contact Saturday, Feb. 28 – 2 p.m. A 2K color run is scheduled for Sat- APPLICATIONS Shirelle Womack at 410-278-4589 or Saturday, Feb. 28 – 7:30 p.m. THROUGH MARCH 6 urday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in [email protected]. celebration of Month of the Military Sunday, March 1 – 2 p.m. All-Army Men’s Soccer is now Child at the APG North (Aberdeen) accepting applications through March Youth Center, Bldg. 2522. The event is PRE-TODDLER AGE WASHINGTON 6 for athletes. free. Register online at https://event- CDC OPENINGS For selection criteria and the appli- brite.com. CAPITALS TICKETS cation, visit www.allarmysports. Child, Youth and School Services Purchase your discount tickets For more information, contact: Sta- armymwr.com. (CYSS) at Aberdeen Proving Ground for The Washington Capitals. Home cie Umbarger at stacie.e.umbarger. (APG) offer active duty military, and For more information, contact games are played at the Verizon Cen- [email protected] or call 410-278-2857. DOD civilians and contractors a com- MWR sports at 410-278-7933 or 410- ter, Washington D.C. For pricing and REGISTRATION INFORMATION: prehensive program to assist with full- 436-3375. ticket availability contact MWR Lei- Please visit the Parent Central Office, day child care needs. sure Travel Services at the APG North Bldg 2503 Highpoint Road, second The APG programs currently have (Aberdeen) recreation center, Bldg. floor, rooms 210/211/209, or call 410- immediate full-time child care open- ARMY COMMUNITY 278-7571/7479 to register. ings at the Aberdeen and Bayside 3326. For more information, call 410- CDCs for children aged 13-months- 278-4011/4907 or email usarmy.APG. SERVICE old. Participants must be registered imcom.list.apgr-usag-mwr-leisuretrav- CREATING A SOLID CHILD & YOUTH with the Parent Central Office. Fees [email protected] are based on the total family income. SPENDING PLAN SERVICES Make plans to attend this free class For more information contact the BROADWAY’S to learn how to balance your financ- INDOOR SOCCER Parent Central Office at 410-278-7479 es. This information can help you stay REGISTRATION or 410-278-7571. “CHICAGO” disciplined and organized financial- THROUGH FEBRUARY 26 Through Teaching Strategies Cre- FRIDAY, MARCH 6 ly, which is the first step to knowing ative Curriculum and TS Gold, our your overall financial health. In this Registration is open for the CYSS Purchase your tickets for the Broad- installation helps children work with way production of “Chicago” at the easy to follow one-hour class, wheth- indoor soccer league. Games begin er employed or unemployed, you will March 3 and will be held each Tues- their strengths, interests, and each Hippodrome Theater 8 p.m., Friday other, to feel good about themselves, get the information you need to cre- day: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and April March 6. Tickets cost $38 for left and ate and maintain your personal finan- and to grow as individuals. Activi- 7 at 6 and 7 p.m. right side Orchestra Seating. cial goals. AGE: Boys and girls ages 11-14, ties are offered in the areas of oral To purchase tickets, visit MWR Lei- Class will be held on the following Age Determination Date: July 31, language, social/emotional, physical, sure Travel Services at the APG North dates from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2015 (same as fall soccer cut-off) cognitive, literacy, mathematics, sci- (Aberdeen) recreation center, Bldg. Army Community Service, Bldg. 2503: COST/FEE: $20 ence & technology, social studies, arts 3326. For more information, call 410- Wednesday, March 11 and English language acquisition. Sign For more information, contact 278-4011/4907 or email us at usarmy. Wednesday, June 17 up your child today. [email protected] or call APG.imcom.list.apgr-usag-mwr-lei- Wednesday, Sept. 9 410-306-2297. [email protected]. Wednesday, Nov. 18 LEISURE TRAVEL Registration is required. To reserve SPRING SPORTS a seat call ACS 410-278-9669/7572. SERVICES 2015 APG TRAVEL REGISTRATION FAIR & SPRING THROUGH FEBRUARY 26 ROUNDTOP, LIBERTY MORE More events can BAZAAR be seen at www. Registration is open for spring AND WHITETAIL SKI ONLINE apgmwr.com sports at CYSS Central Registration WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 TICKETS Complete your vacation plans early Bldg 2503, Highpoint Road 7 a.m. to The following ski ticket packages this year by attending the 2015 APG 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and are available at the MWR Leisure Trav- Travel Fair at the APG North recre- 8 a.m. to 4 .pm. on Friday. el Services: ation center, Bldg. 3326, from 10 a.m. For more information go to http:// Weekend/Holiday Extended Lift - to 2 p.m. Speak directly with represen- www.apgmwr.com/child-youth- $62 school-services/child-and-youth- tatives from local attractions, amuse- Weekday/Non-Holiday Extended sports. ment parks, museums, Disney parks, Lift - $50 the Baltimore Orioles and more. All Mountain Package Weekend/ The spring bazaar will include tables Holiday ** - $100 SAT PREPARATION from local area vendors and business- All Mountain Package Weekday/ CLASSES es. Complementary light refreshments Non-Holiday ** - $85 THROUGH MARCH 12, will be served and door prizes. Learn-to-Ski Weekend* - $80 MARCH 26 – APRIL 30 *Learn to Ski includes Ski/Snow- NATIONAL CHERRY Get ready for the SATs with Sue board rentals, beginner’s lesson, and BLOSSOM FESTIVAL Fassold, who works with students of a beginner’s 8-hour lift pass. all levels to prepare them for all areas All Mountain Packages include a lift BUS TRIP of the SATs: Critical Reading, Math, ticket valid on all lifts, optional class SATURDAY, APRIL 11 and Writing. Online video chat small- lesson and use of rentals. Seats are available for a bus trip group sessions offered in the Aber- to Washington, D.C. for the National deen Youth Center, Tech Lab. Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival Winter Session: Every Thursday, MONSTER JAM includes special events, a parade and Learn more about APG MWR activi- through Mar 12, 6-8 p.m. (SAT Test DISCOUNT TICKETS a Japanese street festival. Space is ties and services by going online at Date: March 14) Winter Session: Every Purchase discount tickets to the limited on the bus, tickets are $32 per www.apgmwr.com and download- Thursday, March 26 - April 30 (SAT monster truck show “Monster Jam” person, all ages. ing the FMWR Directory. Test Date: May 2) to be held at the Royal Farms Arena The deadline to register is March 27. February 26, 2015 • APG News 11 MEMORIES OF ‘NAM Vet recalls Battle of Hamburger Hill

By YVONNE JOHNSON APG News Robert L. Richardson described himself as a 19-year-old kid when he first set foot in Vietnam in 1969. Just one year later, he left there a man. Born and raised in McIntosh, Geor- gia, Richardson attended Liberty Coun- ty High School, graduating in 1967 with plans to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Because he held a draft classification status of 1-A – available Richardson for unrestricted military service – however, he was told to wait until after his service, which was likely imminent, to seek a position. By March 1969, Richardson had his boots on the ground in Vietnam. He arrived there by way of Fort Benning Georgia, where he attended basic training and Fort Polk, Louisiana where he trained for combat Infantry in an environment that he said “closely mirrored” the hot, humid and rainy climate where he was headed. Richardson said when he arrived at Cam Rahn Bay, his first impression of Vietnam was the heat. “It kind of snatches your breath away,” he said. After additional training and acclima- tion at Bien Hoa Air Base, where he was Courtesy photo assigned to the 101st Airborne Division Spc. Robert L. Richardson fords the swift currents of a stream after coming down from Hamburger Hill in 1969. He said (Air Assault) and the storied 3rd Battal- the current was so strong he had trouble raising his arms to grab the outstretched branch and that he didn’t know an ion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Iron Rak- embedded photographer snapped his photo until he was getting ready to leave the country a year later. He said the kasans) – the most highly decorated original photo is displayed in the 187th Infantry Regiment (Iron Rakkasans) section of the 101st Airborne Division (Air airborne battalion of the Vietnam War – Assault) Museum at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. he eventually joined his unit at fire support base Blaze. tle of Hamburger Hill and was a part of “That year was really something,” he “That movie tells it like it is,” he said. Richardson said being young, healthy the brigades’ four-battalion attack on May added. “I can’t say I’m glad I experienced “It’s realistic.” and in good shape was a necessity in the 20, 1969. it, but after being shot at, you kind of get Richardson left the Army in 1970 and rugged country with equally rugged physi- He said his company, Delta, was the last used to it.” obtained a position with the FBI as a fin- cal requirements. to go up the famous Ap Bia Mountain in He said two World War II veteran gerprint classification specialist working “When I left Camp Evans I had five the bloody 10-day battle between Amer- uncles served as his inspirations, as well out of the Hoover Building in Washing- days-worth of C-rations on my back, my ican and South Vietnam forces against as his father whom he always refers to as ton, D.C. basic load of ammunition, and a bunch of North Vietnamese forces in the main battle “my hero.” Concerns about upward mobility caused hand and smoke grenades,” he said. of Operation Apache Snow. “Not just Vietnam, but the Army made him to rethink his career options, however, “When I got assigned to my platoon, “I got broken-in real quick,” he said. me grow up,” he said. “But I have to give and he re-joined the Army in 1975, this they added a machine gun and ammo and “Even with other units supporting our my parents credit too. My dad and my time for the long haul. He retired at the I picked up two 2-quart canteens, two flanks we took a lot of fire. My machine mom wanted to make sure their kids went rank of sergeant major in 2003. 1-quart canteens, some C-4 and TNT for gunner went down which made me the to school and got an education. He then took a civilian position with demolitions and a LAW [M72 Light Anti- one to have to help get us up the hill. Then “I’m really blessed because of my faith. the Installation Management Command’s Tank Weapon]. I saw my commander go down. Even our That foundation can help you survive northeast region when it was located at “Ruck sacks averaged 75 pounds. That medic got shot up but was still trying to under any conditions. My belief in God Fort Monroe, Virginia and remained with didn’t make walking easy.” treat people. We just kept pushing. Our kept me calm under the worst conditions it when the North and South merged into He said one of his strongest memories mindset was to keep moving toward the in Vietnam. the Atlantic Region at Fort Eustis, Virgin- of ‘Nam was his very first night on Blaze objective and lay down machine gun fire “Since then, I’ve always gone by the ia. When the organization relocated to San when every Soldier on every gun system in when needed.” philosophy that the object of war is to Antonio, Texas, he decided to remain in every foxhole on the perimeter opened fire He said the bonds formed during that make the other guy die for his country,” he this region. for one minute. and subsequent battles were “unbreakable.” added with a chuckle. He arrived at APG in 2013. Richardson He said they called it a “mad minute” “Your squad members were your clos- He said he was grateful not to suffer the is the operations specialist for the Director- and the practice was useful in scaring off est buddies,” he said. “The reality was you ill effects of combat he’s heard so much ate of Emergency Services. or exposing any lurking Vietcong in the didn’t get to see a lot of other people when about. He said when he remembers ‘Nam area. you were out on missions.” “I thought I did a pretty good job of he thinks of his first squad leader who “The thing is, no one told me about it,” He said the tension and unrest that making the adjustment back into soci- showed him “what it takes to be a leader.” Richardson said. “So one minute I was sit- marked the ongoing civil rights struggle in ety, though at first I was a little ner- “I reentered the Army a private first ting by the foxhole and the next thing you the U.S. didn’t mean a lot to those fighting vous or jumpy at sudden loud noises,” class but I worked my way up through know I was in it. But I don’t know if that in the jungles of ‘Nam. he said. good leadership and good guidance,” was something you could have prepared “In Vietnam, people were people. You He added that while he doesn’t care for he said. “I had several mentors who for anyway.” couldn’t afford to let any of what was any of the Vietnam movies he’s seen, he told me the things I needed to do to get Richardson was in-country just two going on back there get in your way. It was does like the World War II film, “Saving promoted and at the end of 30 years I months when he participated in the Bat- a real tight brotherhood.” Private Ryan.” obtained my goal.” Experts say more needs to be done to combat assaults on males

By JIM GARAMONE per said. DOD News Men who have been assaulted this Experts urged Army leaders to reach way believe they are not worthy of out to male victims of sexual assault, respect, Strand said. saying people must not look at sexual The men who are assaulted are over- violence as exclusively a women’s issue. whelmingly heterosexual and so are Jim Hopper, a psychologist and those doing the assaulting. “Most peo- researcher, and Russell Strand, a retired ple who sexually assault adult men are Criminal Investigative Service special heterosexuals,” Hopper said. “And those agent, spoke about an aspect of sexu- same heterosexual men, who are assault- al violence not often discussed – sexu- ing men, are often the same men assault- al assaults on men – during the Army’s ing women.” Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Many males would not get help Program Summit, Feb. 19. because they feel they would not be The numbers of males sexually believed, understood or supported. “Part assaulted in the military are sobering, of that is they know most people don’t they said. “(About) 10,800 men are sex- expect men to be assaulted, that this ually assaulted every year in the mil- can’t really happen to ‘a real man,’” itary,” Strand said. “(Roughly) 8,000 Hopper said. women are assaulted.” They are also truly afraid of their It is a bit of apples and oranges com- friends or teammates finding out what parison. Men make up about 85 percent happened to them, Hopper said. They of the military so this works out to about believe they will be looked at as less one percent of males, but about five per- than a man, that they will be ostracized U.S. Army photo and shunned. Finally, many see this as cent of females. About 10,000 servicemen are sexually assaulted annually and only about 13 the death knell to their careers. “Number-wise, we’ve had more men percent report it, experts said during the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault The military services need to begin assaulted in the military than women,” Response and Prevention Summit in Tysons Corner, Va., Feb. 19, 2015. Assaults marketing on the issue specifically to Strand said. “And everywhere I go to bring shame and fear of being ostracized to the 87 percent of men who do not report them, experts said. men, the experts said. A safe anony- talk – the Army, the Navy, the Marine mous helpline could be the beginning Corps, the Air Force and Coast Guard … for getting many of these men the help it doesn’t sink in. It doesn’t internalize.” those attacked. With women, 39 percent shame to a man because it works against they need and deserve. The services It is seen as primarily a women’s reported attacks. the ideal of what it means to be a man, also need to market programs aimed at issue, even by women, Strand said. Therefore, 87 percent of men attacked he said. commanders, health care profession- A large number of men are affect- are not reporting it and “these are real And it brings fear. “There’s fear of als, police investigators and prosecu- ed, and being men, few ever report the men in real pain,” Hopper said. The pain those memories, there’s fear of being tors, informing them of the problem attacks, Strand said. Only 1,134 men is compounded by shame. Being sexual- violated, there’s fear that someone might and assets available to help their ser- reported attacks - roughly 13 percent of ly assaulted brings additional levels of know what happened to them,” Hop- vice members, he said. Meet12 APG News • February an 26, 2015 APG STEM Professional David Goad: Aberdeen Test Center Environmental Engineer

By AMANDA ROMINIECKI tractor supporting the [APG] garrison APG News environmental division, which is how I JOB TITLE: got into the environmental work. Environmen- STEM in focus APG News: What would you say to tal Compliance a student thinking about pursuing a and Conservation career in STEM? Lead DG: It’s a great opportunity. There DEGREE: Chem- STEM in focus is a recurring series in APG News highlighting Science, Technol- are any number of things that you ical Engineer- ogy Engineering and Math (STEM) on APG. From countless student educational can get involved in from an engineering, University of outreach programs to an array of scientific, technological and engineering person- ing perspective. Engineering is always Delaware nel contributing to diverse missions, STEM is abound on the installation and APG going to be a need. Environmental sci- Goad News aims to bring it all into focus. To suggest topics for the STEM in focus series, ence is always going to be a need. APG News: What email [email protected]. So there’s ample opportunity to get does your job in the environmental involved in one of those fields. If you division entail? APG News: What do you like most all cutting edge work – it’s nice to sup- like science and math, that’s certainly DG: We do all of the environmental about your job? port that. the way to go. compliance, planning and conservation DG: I think the best thing is that APG News: When did you become inter- APG News: Do you have any interest- work for all of ATC. We’re responsible it’s different every day. The good ested in environmental engineering? ing after-work hobbies? for all of the natural resource management thing about environmental work is that DG: I took some environmental class- I have three kids and they keep me including water, air, waste and wildlife. there’s some outdoor portions to it. I’m es as part of my degree, but just as elec- pretty busy. I guess I run a de-facto Since 2005, we have also been mon- not stuck in an office all the time. The tives. I took some more when I got out of cab company, running them where they itoring individual bald eagle nests [on variety and the opportunity to support college and ultimately three or four years need to be, and enjoying the opportuni- ATC test ranges]. test mission activities [at ATC]… it is out of school, I tied in with a federal con- ty to see them do things they love to do. Beat hypothermia with life-saving tips

By NANCY GOUCHER cold and can devel- tain medications that Wear a hat and scarf to avoid EFMP op low body temper- prevent the body from significant heat loss through the head Now that cold weather has returned to atures after exposure regulating tempera- and neck. Maryland and other parts of the nation, it to the cold. tures normally, such Use additional blankets because is important to take precautions to avoid Drugs deserve as anti-depressants, hypothermia can develop during sleep. being harmed by hypothermia. special mention sedatives, tranquiliz- Eat nutritious foods and exer- Hypothermia is a condition caused by because they are ers, and cardiovascu- cise moderately. Proper diet and physi- an abnormally low internal body tem- thought to be a major lar drugs. cal exercise help protect against the cold. perature. It develops when body heat is predisposing factor Here are some Get proper rest; fatigue makes lost to a colder environment faster than to hypothermia. practical recommen- you more vulnerable to cold. it can be replaced. Temperatures do not Among those dations to prevent Drink adequate amounts of liq- have to be below freezing for hypother- most likely to devel- hypothermia: uids, such as water. Limit your alcohol mia to occur. op hypothermia are Dress in dif- intake because alcohol speeds up body Hypothermia can cause poor health medically vulnera- ferent layers of warm heat loss. and death. Vulnerable individuals such ble individuals. They loose clothes. Do not If you believe someone may be a vic- as the disabled, elderly, sickly, home- may not know how wear tight clothes; you tim of hypothermia, call 911 immediate- less, and infants under 1-year-old, are to keep warm when want to create breath- ly. Hypothermia is a dangerous medical more susceptible to hypothermia. They exposed to the cold, they may not shiver able layers underneath with a layer above problem and the victim needs profes- may not be aware they are becoming or react to cold; and they may take cer- that prevents moisture from getting in. sional attention. ArmyFit celebrates first birthday, gets useful upgrades

Story and photo by DAVID VERGUN drink instead. Researchers suspect that cer- Army News Service tain proteins and amino acids in milk may ArmyFit celebrated its first birthday help with body-building efforts, while the recently, with the addition of several new calcium may be a boon to fat loss.” features to its website. The site, at army- “A second study showed that milk fit.army.mil, is designed to help improve rehydrates exercisers just as well as water quality of life for Soldiers, families and and more effectively than sports drinks, Army civilians. probably because of the abundant electro- New features include email notifica- lytes in milk. Of course, milk has calories, tions and a fitness-tracker interface. But too. So if you’re trying to reduce calories, first, a quick overview of the site for those nothing beats water for consequence-free not familiar with it: hydration.” ArmyFit is primarily a resource site, Also new to the website is a financial a “really, really good resource site,” said resilience assessment, developed under Chaplain Lt. Col. Stephen W. Austin, a advisement of the Army Installation Man- program developer for the Army Resil- agement Command’s Financial Readiness iency Directorate, G-1, the organization Program. “It’s a very substantive assess- responsible for collecting and posting the ment, using a multitude of financial data content. points,” he said. Although the website is not inter- Fitness trackers active in the way gaming sites are, it Users also now have the ability to syn- is innovative because it is able to cus- chronize their personal fitness devices to ArmyFit celebrated its first birthday recently, with the addition of several new fea- tom-tailor content specifically for each ArmyFit, Austin said. This new feature tures to its website, https://armyfit.army.mil, designed to help improve quality of person, based on their answers to the is compatible with about a dozen of the life for Soldiers, families and Army civilians. A user is shown exploring the website. Global Assessment Tool, more common- most popular fitness devices such as Jaw- ly referred to as GAT 2.0. The GAT is a Bone UP, Runkeeper and FitBit. A track- can track an individual as he or she navi- from a mobile phone, but it’s not as user survey Soldiers are required to take annu- er feature allows users to set goals, add gates the site, he said. friendly. ally. Family members and Army civilians data and track improvements regarding Once testing of ACP is completed and Austin encourages new users to visit the are also encouraged to take it, he said. weight, body measurements, and alco- after the after-action review is complet- site and said those who haven’t been on it Based on GAT 2.0, the website directs hol consumption so improvements can be ed, it is expected to be expanded Army- for a while should go back and take a look. Soldiers to helpful resources within the readily checked. wide, he said. Leaders are key in promoting the physical, spiritual, emotional, family and About a month ago, a pilot, known In addition to ArmyFit adding new website to their Soldiers, Austin said. social resilience categories, he said. The as the ArmyFit Commanders’ Profile, or features, users can also affect changes to “If they say this is just one more performance triad categories of sleep, ACP, was started he said. ACP provides the site, Austin said. The website main- requirement, that will turn them off to activity and nutrition are included as well. aggregate population health data based on tains an active help desk. the site,” he said. “But if leaders chal- The website can also connect the user GAT 2.0. It is being piloted at five instal- “We get a lot of queries and also a lot lenge Soldiers to discover something use- of good ideas, some of which are incor- with appropriate social media groups. lations and in five National Guard states. ful about themselves, frequently they porated into the site. We’ve paid a lot of Among the new features is an option Austin emphasized that an individual’s will.” to receive weekly emails, which provide information within ACP is anonymous. attention to that,” he said. custom tips and updates on new content. It merely aggregates the data to show For instance, the website gets a lot of Austin said this saves the user time in that trends and other statistical information feedback on nutrition and fitness, such as they do not need to log in to see if there is that could be used to help a commander’s Crossfit, paleo-diets and so on. “We don’t Healthy Living new content available. ready and resilient efforts. want to penalize people for doing those in Besides the ACP, GAT 2.0 and the rest the algorithm and also we need to know As good as water? Healthy Living is a recurring fea- of the site is also anonymous. what’s working well,” he said. For instance, an email might provide ture in the APG News. It addresses “There’s no exception to that,” Austin The algorithm is the intelligence capa- a nutrition tip for fitness gurus. A recent said. Commanders simply cannot access health topics that matter most to our one was titled “Muscle Up With Milk.” It bility the site uses to formulate recom- readers. To view more health topics the data and the Army is very careful mendations based on GAT 2.0 results. reads: “In a 12-week study, male weight- about preserving the anonymity. The only and the Community Health Promo- lifters who drank a 500-milliliter glass thing commanders can see is whether or Moving forward tion Council calendar of events, visit of milk right after a workout, and anoth- not a Soldier completed the GAT, which By next year, the Army is looking to the APG homepage www.TeamAPG. er glass one hour later, gained more lean has been a requirement all along.” make ArmyFit an app. Currently, he said, com To suggest health-related topics body mass and lost more fat than men Resources accessed by users on Army- the best way to access it is from a com- for the Health Living series, email who drank a soy or carbohydrate sports Fit are also anonymous, meaning no one puter or tablet. It can actually be viewed [email protected]

Want to make a difference in how sserviceservices aarere rendered at APG? Tell us how we are doing. Visit http://ice.disa.mil. Click on “ARMY” then “Aberdeen Proving Ground.” February 26, 2015 • APG News 13 THIS WEEK IN APG HISTORY

Take a look back in time as the APG News explores what made the headlines around APG during this week 10, 25 and 50 years ago. This week’s APG News masthead is from 1961.

2015 By YVONNE JOHNSON, APG News 10 Years Ago: Feb. 24, 2005

2010

(Above) Capt. William Jones, a former APG Soldier whose family resides in Bel Air, receives the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained near Fallujah, Iraq from Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski as his wife Suzanne, far left, and Brig. Gen. Roger Nadeau, commander of APG and the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, look on during a ceremony at the Ordnance Museum.

2000 (Right) APG’s bald eagle population is the topic of discussion at an eagle awareness briefing at the post theater. APG Environmental Protection Specialist John Paul informed attendees about a 500 meter legal buffer zone in place around each nest to protect the birds. 25 Years Ago: Feb. 21, 1990

1990

(Left) A Ballistic Research Laboratory employee slows down for a photo while out on a lunchtime jog.

(Right) Col. Loretta Stephens, an environmental science officer with the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, helps Lisa Burmeister, 3, practice brushing techniques 1980 during a visit to the Aberdeen Child Development Center.

1970 50 Years Ago: Feb. 11, 1965

(Right) APG’s Pat Ferguson leads her team to an overtime win, beating 1960 Fort Belvoir in overtime to win the Second U.S. Army Women’s Basketball Tournament as well as the most (Above) Pfc. Lois McGrath points to the single rocker valuable offensive which will soon be used to identify the grade E-3. player award. The change is in line with an Army directive revising insignia to simplify grade structure.

1950 14 APG News • February 26, 2015 Robots mimic actions in YouTube videos

DARPA Robots can learn to recognize objects and patterns fairly well, but to interpret and be able to act on visual input is much more difficult. Researchers at the University of Maryland, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agen- cy (DARPA) Mathematics of Sensing, Exploitation and Execution (MSEE) program, recently developed a system that enabled robots to process visual data from a series of “how to” cooking videos on YouTube. Based on what was shown on a video, robots were able to recognize, grab and manipulate the correct kitchen utensil or object and perform the demonstrated task with high accuracy—without additional human input or programming. “The MSEE program initially focused on sensing, which involves perception and understanding of what’s happening in a visual scene, not simply recognizing and identifying objects,” said Reza Gha- nadan, program manager in DARPA’s Defense Sciences Offices. “We’ve now taken the next step to execution, where a robot processes visual cues through a manipulation action- grammar module and translates them into actions.” University of Maryland photo Another significant advance to come University of Maryland computer scientist Yiannis Aloimonos (center) is developing robotic systems able to visually recognize out of the research is the robots’ abili- objects and generate new behavior based on those observations. DARPA is funding this research through its Mathematics of ty to accumulate and share knowledge Sensing, Exploitation and Execution (MSEE) program. with others. Current sensor systems typ- ically view the world anew in each ed with them—which could have a huge the potential for robots to learn much that could have benefits in areas such as moment, without the ability to apply pri- impact on teaching and training,” Gha- faster, at much lower cost and, to the military repair and logistics.” or knowledge. nadan said. extent they are authorized to do so, share The DARPA-funded researchers pre- “This system allows robots to contin- “Instead of the long and expensive that knowledge with other robots. This sented their work at the 29th meeting of uously build on previous learning—such process of programming code to teach learning-based approach is a significant the Association for the Advancement of as types of objects and grasps associat- robots to do tasks, this research opens step towards developing technologies Artificial Intelligence in late January. You hear the bugle call, now what?

Are you a NO Are you in YES Soldier? a car?

YES

NO Are you in *If you are in a car: pull over, come to a formation? complete stop and put your car in park. Then NO exit the vehicle.

Are you in NO YES uniform?

YES

During Reveille, exe- Face the flag, if you can Face the flag, if you can During all bugle calls, cute “Present Arms” at the see it, or face the direction of see it, or face the direction of pull over, come to a complete command of officer or NCO the music. the music. stop and put your car in park. in charge. Execute “Order Remain quiet and respectful Arms” at the command of During Reveille, render During Reveille, stand at until the music ceases. officer or NCO in charge. hand salute until the last note attention and place your right of music. hand over your heart until the During Retreat and To music stops. If you’re wearing the Color, execute “Parade During Retreat, stand at a hat, remove it and hold it Rest” at the command of the attention. When To the Color over your left shoulder, as your officer or NCO in charge. starts, render hand salute. right hand is over your heart. Remain at Parade Rest until Hold attention and hand salute given “Attention” by officer until the last note of music. During Retreat, stand at or NCO in charge. attention. If you’re wearing a hat, take it off with your right hand. When To the Color starts, place your right hand over your heart. If you have a hat, hold it over your left HINT: Reveille is heard in the morning, at 6:30 shoulder, as your right hand is a.m. Retreat and To the Color are heard in the over your heart. early evening, at 5 p.m. APG News graphic

Leave Donations Employees eligible for donations in the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program

To participate in the Voluntary Leave Program, Alba, Audrey Clark, Lyra Johnson, Douglas W. Small, Patricia use forms OPM 630, Application to Become Ashby, Patricia Dissek, Michael J. Kennedy, Sandra Solomon, Je’Neane a Leave Recipient Under the Voluntary Leave Beach, Sarah Lynn Donlon, Jacqueline Merkel, Arthur J. Starnes, Desiree C. Transfer Program; OPF 630-A, Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient Benysek, Lee Doyle, Tesha H. McCauley, Adrienne Trulli, Wayne R. Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program Best, Anja S. Gaddis, Lonnie Nguyen, Amy Wade, Lamesa S. (within agency); or OPM 630- B, Request Blevins, Dianna Eilerman, Edward Palm, Natalie Weimer, Carl R. to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program Budzinski, David Henry, Randy Pusey, Nancy K. (outside agency). Please contact Sue Camp- Calahan, Jane E. Hise, Anne R. Robinson, Jennifer bell at 410-306-0266 or sue.a.campbell.civ@ Coleman-Jones Nancy Gilley, Christopher M. Sadler, Steven B. mail.mil. 16 APG News • February 26, 2015 Operation Freedom’s Sentinel MORE qualifies for campaign medal ONLINE Come and follow us DOD News Campaign Phases: for news and events The Department of Defense has Liberation of Afghanistan – Sept. going on at and around announced that Operation Freedom’s 11, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2001. the U.S. Army Garri- Sentinel is a qualifying operation for Consolidation I – Dec. 1, 2001 to son Aberdeen Proving award of the Afghanistan Campaign Sept. 30, 2006. Ground, visit the garrison twitter Medal. Additionally, the release said, Consolidation II – Oct. 1, 2006 to site http://twitter.com/USAGAPG the transition from Operation Endur- Nov. 30, 2009. ing Freedom to Freedom’s Sentinel also Consolidation III – Dec. 1, 2009 to marks a new campaign phase, “Transi- June 30, 2011. tion II,” for the Afghanistan Campaign Transition I – July 1, 2011 to Dec. Medal. 31, 2014. Undersecretary of Defense for Per- Transition II – Jan. 1, 2015 to sonnel and Readiness Jessica L. Garfola present. Wright signed a memorandum authorizing Service members should contact their these changes retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015. respective military departments for addi- The qualifying Afghanistan Cam- tional guidance. paign Medal operations, campaign phases, and associated inclusive dates for each are as follows: A Department of Defense memo- Operations: randum has authorized Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) – Freedom’s Sentinel as a qualifying AAPGPG NNEWSEWS Sept. 11, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2014. operation for award of the Afghanistan Freedom’s Sentinel – Jan. 1, 2015 Campaign Medal. Visit us online at to present. Courtesy graphic www.TeamAPG.com Film highlighting Vet Crisis Line wins Oscar

By AMANDA ROMINECKI tary will help raise awareness of this APG News important issue with the American pub- A short documentary going behind lic. Our Veterans in crisis need to know the scenes at the U.S. Department of Vet- Veterans Corner that there is hope and asking for help erans Affairs suicide hotline is now an makes them stronger.” Academy Award-winning film. The Veterans Crisis Line operates 24 Originally released in 2013 on HBO, hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Responders have answered more the 40-minute documentary titled “Cri- Veterans Corner is a new, recurring feature in the APG News. It address- sis Hotline: Veterans Press 1,” focuses than 1.6 million phone calls since the es the topics that matter most to the veterans in our community. For more hotline’s launch in 2007. on the staff at the Veteran’s Crisis Line information about local veterans affairs services, visit www.maryland. Veterans struggling with suicidal based in Canandaigua, New York. va.gov. To suggest veteran-related topics for the Veterans Corner series, thoughts can dial 1-800-273-8255 and Many of the staff members are veter- email [email protected]. press 1 to speak to directly, and imme- ans and veteran’s spouses, and the doc- diately, to responders at the Crisis Line. umentary explores their dedication to Responders are also available via a con- helping veterans when they need it most, acceptance speech, she thanked “the “We are pleased that this film has fidential Veterans Chat online or by tex- and how those same staff members han- people at the crisis line who care for highlighted the challenges our Veterans ting 838255. dle the emotional aftermath of what can veterans as deeply as if their own lives can face and the work of our dedicated For more information about the Crisis be life-and-death conversations. depend on it.” Veterans Crisis Line staff to save lives Line, visit www.veteranscrisisline.net. The film won an Oscar in the “Best The Department of Veterans Affairs and get Veterans into care,” said VA Sec- For more information about the docu- Documentary Short Subject” category at praised the film as an opportunity to retary Robert McDonald in a statement mentary “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press the 87th Academy Awards Feb. 22. raise awareness of suicide among current released Feb. 23. 1” visit www.hbo.com/documentaries/ During director Ellen Goosenberg’s and former service members. “We are hopeful that this documen- crisis-hotline-veterans-press-1.

20. The Atari ______was is the fastest in the world. released in 1989 and was the 12. This piece of winter rec- The APG Crossword world’s first palmtop computer. reational equipment was created 23. Engineers Without by an engineer. ______is a non-profit humani- 13. Engineers Week honors tarian organization that partners this U.S. President, considered with developing communities to the nation’s first engineer. improve quality of life through 16. James Watt’s ____ engine engineering projects. contributed substantially to the 25. This Vermont blacksmith Industrial Revolution. constructed first America DC 17. This female inventor who electric motor. was born in Baltimore, devel- 27. ____ World Trade Center, oped signal flares during the Civil completed in 2014 is the tallest War that are still used by the U.S. building in the U.S. at 1,776 feet. Navy. 28. This American inventor 18. Pioneer of fluorescent and and businessman invented the neon electrical lighting. phonograph and the motion pic- 21. An electrical engineer ture camera. who co-founded Apple Comput- 29. The fastest passenger er with Steve Jobs and Ronald train in the world is the Shanghai Wayne. ______with a maximum opera- 22. At 2, 7216.5 feet, the Burj tional speed of 267 mph. ______Tower is the tallest build- 30. The Panama Canal links ing in the world. the Atlantic and the _____ 24. This University of Cincin- oceans. nati graduate was the chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. By RACHEL PONDER, APG News Down 26. The London ______in 1. This concrete arch-gravity National Engineers Week is observed this year Feb. 22-28. Try solving these fun England is the largest Ferris facts about engineering and technology. dam in the Black Canyon of the wheel in Colorado River is named after this U.S. President. Across 10. This engineer, dubbed 2. Henry Ford named his 3. This Italian physicist the “the mother of modern man- first car the ______, which he invented the battery. agement,” created inventions to built in 1896. Solution to the February 19 puzzle 4. British computer scientist, make work and life easier. 5. This U.S. Founding Father mathematician and logistician 14. The CN Tower in this invented the lighting rod. is widely considered to be the Canadian city is the tallest free- 6. Alexander Graham Bell is father of theoretical science and standing structure in the Western most famous for inventing this artificial intelligence. Hemisphere. technology in 1876. 7. This British countess and 15. The word engineering 9. This English civil and mathematician is considered the comes from the Latin word for mechanical engineer is renowned world’s first computer program- ______. as the “Father of Railways.” mer. 19. This 1,063-foot tall iron 11. Located in Abu Dhabi, 8. This company first pro- lattice tower in Paris, France is United Arab Emirates, this roller duced cellular phones in 1979. named for its engineer designer. coaster, known as Formula _____ Submit letters to the editor to [email protected] February 26, 2015 • APG News 17 Defeating ISIL takes diplomatic, military effort

DOD News Dealing a lasting defeat to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant will require “a combined diplomatic and military effort,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter told reporters at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, after he concluded a conference there with ambassadors and senior U.S. and regional military leaders Feb. 23. Earlier in the day during a troop talk at Camp Arifjan, Carter said he con- vened the conference to “begin to make my own assessment of the campaign to counter ISIL.” Carter thanked the conference participants, noting that “many traveled a significant distance on short notice to be here, and I sincerely appreciate it.” Wide-ranging discussion He added, “We had an incisive, can- did, wide-ranging discussion.” There were no briefings during the conference, said Carter, noting it featured participants’ sharing “of experience and ideas and expertise, and it made me very proud of the American team here in this region working on this problem of ISIL.” Conference participants reflected on the “seriousness and the complexity of the threat posed by ISIL, especially in an interconnected and networked world,” the secretary said. Photo by Glenn Fawcett “Lasting defeat of this brutal group U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter holds a press conference after meeting with senior commanders attending a regional can and will be accomplished,” he said. security conference on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Feb. 23. During the meeting, Carter and other defense leaders discussed strate- “But I learned some things that we’ll gies for dealing with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, and other regional threats to partner and ally nations. need to guide our effort to do so. “First, doing so, that is achieving the sions among conference participants the fight against ISIL. all of the different aspects of this togeth- lasting defeat of ISIL, will require a com- er, and that the leaders that I met with indicated to him that ISIL “is hardly Political-military dimensions bined diplomatic and military effort,” today are to a remarkable degree doing invincible.” Carter acknowledged that the anti- Carter continued. “That was abundant- that,” Carter said. ly confirmed by our discussion, and was Anti-ISIL efforts ISIL campaign in Syria does have both affirmed or rather affirms the bringing Coalition anti-ISIL efforts to date political and military dimensions. Working closely together together of this unique grouping of polit- “have already been having some impor- “They’re closely interconnected,” the He added, “And this bringing them ical and military leaders.” tant impacts,” Carter said. secretary said. “We had an opportuni- together was a further effort to work Second, although he’s cognizant “of He added, “Our global coalition is up ty to review today the train and equip across geographies and work across the great strength to the task, and so effort that is beginning in Syria, but I functions to make sure that we are in of the coalition is American lead- need to remind you and very much in fact all working closely together. And the United States ership, which has the spirit of your question that -- and as to a large extent, these folks have been has assembled [ISIL’s] use of shone through -- the discussion certainly indicated there, doing that already. But I think today’s and leads in this throughout the our campaign in Syria, like our cam- meeting reinforced that and gave them struggle,” Cart- social media will course of this paign in Iraq, has an important politi- yet [another] opportunity to do that, and er said there’s a be pressing us to campaign.” cal dimension to it. And we discussed me to do that with them.” need “to leverage Carter that also: they’re both important, they’re Carter was also asked about his con- further the indi- be more creative described today’s both essential, both the political and the fidence level of building an anti-ISIL vidual contribu- conference as military dimension.” force. The secretary responded that pro- tions of each.” in combating it in “very productive Another reporter asked Carter if there viding good military training to people Third, he add- and very valuable, would be any fundamental changes to from other lands is a core skill of the ed, while the cen- the information and you should the anti-ISIL strategy. U.S. military. ter of gravity of expect to see more The secretary replied that the coali- “It’s become a skill of many of our the anti-ISIL dimension as well consultations like tion recognizes the need to employ a coalition partners, knowing how to train campaign is in this by me in the combined political and military effort others, how to work with and through Iraq and Syria, “it as the physical future, conven- against ISIL. others, how to enable and use U.S. capa- has ramifications dimension. ing senior lead- “I think that’s crucial, and I think bilities to enable the capabilities of oth- in other regions ers from across that’s understood by all, and it’s reflect- ers and to make sure that –… we conduct ed in what we’re trying to do,” Carter all these activities in a way that’s consis- of the world that Ash Carter our government need to be taken and sometimes explained. “I think that we have clear- tent with American values,” the secre- into account also Secretary of Defense experts from out- ly in focus the idea that this can’t be a tary said. “We’re good at all that. We’ve in our approach.” side of it to ensure purely American thing, that it truly is a been doing that in many contexts for coalition effort and needs to be a coali- quite a while.” Fourth, ISIL’s “use of social media that our nation’s defense is as dynamic as tion effort to succeed. I think it was Providing training is “one of the key will be pressing us to be more creative in the challenges before it.” combating it in the information dimen- clear to us that we can’t neatly parti- lessons that we learned in Iraq and At the conclusion of his remarks, tion it geographically, that it has global sion as well as the physical dimension,” Afghanistan,” Carter said. “It’s one of Carter took questions from the press. evocations.” Carter said. the key skills we honed in Iraq and One reporter asked him about the impor- Conference participants’ discussions Afghanistan, and I don’t think there’s The secretary also said that discus- tance of a political-military balance in “reinforced the idea of the need to stitch any military that does it better.”

AER lifts financial burden on Soldiers in times of need Continued from Page 1 back,” said AER officer the funeral, buy plane tick- lies’ quality of life improve after they Leary Henry. “And ets, or anything. So as received AER’s no-strings-attached medical and dental expenses, funeral and if they can’t pay it his commander, I assistance. schooling expenses, and other financial back, or it’s going helped fill out the “You’re a family of four and you have emergencies. to cause much AER loan pro- one vehicle and then the transmission A Soldier or civilian seeking to donate more stress on cess paperwork, goes out on it, and you don’t have the to AER must fill out a DA form 4908, them financial- and he actual- money to repair it. Soldiers will come, and the contribution can be made via ly, we’ll give ly got $1,200, they get a one-time loan…next thing cash, check, or payroll deduction. “Every major organization has an them a grant.” which covered you know the car is in the shop getting AER representative, and if you don’t Loan repay- his plane tick- repaired, and the Soldier and the fami- have a rep, you can come here [HHC ment plans et home, his ly no longer have that burden on them,” Garrison] and I’ll be more than hap- are flexible, lodging, trans- Nelson said. py to collect your donations,” Mila- and recipients portation, and “It’s a great program,” Milano said. no said. are sometimes food. “It’s all about Soldiers and people in the Any Soldier can apply for AER assis- given up to 36 “He went military community helping each other. tance, but those in ranks E5 and below months to repay home, was able to The motto is: Army family taking care require their commander’s permission. them. spend time with his of Soldiers – Taking care of our own.” Once an application is approved by AER He said the relief pro- family, bury his father, For more information about the AER personnel, a Soldier or Soldier’s family vided to Soldiers and their and then return to basic campaign, contact campaign coordina- member receives either an interest-free family members is one way the training. One of the things about tor Capt. Nicholas Milano at 410-278- loan or a grant, depending on the type of Army ‘takes care of their own,’ as the basic training in the Army is that you 3000 or nicholas.c.milano.mil@mail. need and financial situation. AER slogan suggests. don’t get paid for the first five weeks. mil. Soldiers or retirees may also visit “The majority of the time, the com- “When I was a basic training com- AER really does help Soldiers.” www.aerhq.org or contact Army Com- manders actually ask for a loan or a mander, we had a Soldier whose father 1st Sgt. Daniel Nelson, who assists munity Service at 410-278-2508 for grant, but it’s based on the applicant’s passed away,” Milano explained. “He Milano with the AER campaign, said information about loan eligibility or the budget to see if they can pay the loan didn’t have enough money to go to he’s also seen Soldiers and their fami- application process.

See Something Installation Watch Card Do Not Awareness is key! Everyone is a sensor. Discuss any aspect of military operations or planning. Discuss military capabilities or limitations. Cut along dotted lines Do: Observe and Report Discuss FP measures, capabilities, or posture. and fold in middle for use Unusual or suspicious activity or suspected surveillance. Disclose any information related to unit deployments. Unusual questions or requests for information relating to Report any suspicious activity immediately as wallet reference Card. capabilities, limitations, or operational information. Unusual vehicles operating in or around the Installation. to the APG Police. Unusual phone calls, messages, or e-mails. APG North 410-306-2222 Provided by the INTEL DIV/DPTMS Unusual contacts on or off post. APG South 410-436-2222 Unusual aerial activity near or around the Installation. Off post in Md. call 1-800-492-TIPS or 911 Say Something Any possible compromise of sensitive information. Your call may save lives! 18 APG News • February 26, 2015 Device noses out potential bio-chem threats Continued from Page 1 ers. The device reads the result of chemical detection paper and can then transmit the results into the Army’s network via the Soldier-worn “Nett Warrior” smartphone system. At the heart of the system is a colorimetric detection assay, a swatch of paper about the size of a postage stamp, which is printed with a grid of several dozen indicator chemicals arranged in a grid of small dots. Each dot is made from a differently-colored indicator chemical that will have a unique col- or change in response to any compound it comes in contact with: from chemical threats, to biological threats, to common household cleaning products and cosmetics. “You have almost one hundred reactions going on and the combination of those reactions gives you a unique signature,” said Peter A. Emanuel, Ph.D., ECBC’s Bio- Science division chief. “Some react, some don’t ... some intensely. The signature, the collection of those dots, gives us a unique fingerprint for what that agent is.” The colorimetric detection assays they are using are placed inside a small plastic hockey puck-shaped cartridge that has a removable plug on one side. Researchers Photos by C. Todd Lopez can open that plug and put a drop of a test Melissa Dixon and Aleksandr Miklos, Ph.D., a senior scientist at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, are refining for Army substance inside so as to expose the assay use a commercial technology that will allow Soldiers to accurately and rapidly detect an array of chemical and biological to a chemical. hazards – from mustard agent to anthrax – and then transmit those results to their higher command. The odor of whatever chemical is being tested interacts with the assay to create reactions - or a lack of reaction - among rimetric strips, two chemicals might pro- metric assays that Miklos and Dixon are ilar evaluations across a theater, and their each of the indicator chemicals. duce very similar results. So he and team working on - the ones with the array of results are plotted real-time for command- “Everything emits an odor, essential- member Melissa Dixon are testing the col- colored dots - but instead uses electronics ers to see the result. ly, even if you can’t distinguish it,” said orimetric arrays against a variety of prod- and a camera to read test strips similar to a “That’s the whole idea of bio-surveil- Aleksandr Miklos, Ph.D., a senior scien- ucts commonly used by Soldiers to ensure pregnancy test. lance, it’s not just being able to see things, tist at ECBC. “Virtually everything that’s that if something like rifle cleaner indicates Those strips are in common use today but see them in real time and have every- out there emits something of itself into its the same chemicals as sarin gas, Soldiers in the Army, and they can evaluate for one body see them,” Emanuel said. “What we environment. That’s how your sense of will know about that. biological agent at a time. are trying to do is inform the common smell works.” “The problem is that common stuff Graham designed the circuit boards operating picture.” Miklos said the detection assays per- confuses the strips,” said Miklos of the for the device and wrote the software for Emanuel said they’ll take the device form a function similar to a human nose. currently-fielded strips. “We know certain it. The shell for it was built in-house on back out in June for another evaluation. “This is essentially a little piece of solvents will look a lot like VX. That’s not ECBC’s 3D printers. He said from con- The new VOCKit system that ECBC paper that does what your nose does,” particularly helpful.” cept to completion took about six months. is developing will read the colorimetric Miklos said. “It is not quite as good as your In his lab, Miklos and Dixon are expos- The SmartCAR was evaluated recent- arrays that Miklos researches in his lab, nose in some regards, but better than your ing the arrays to common chemical items: ly in South Korea during an advanced growing detection functionality beyond nose in others.” lotions, bug sprays, lubricants, fuels, baby technology demonstration that explores the SmartCAR. Miklos said a human nose has a “couple wipes, alcohol, etc. bio-surveillance, Emanuel said. In South “We are trying to move away from hundred” receptors to recognize odors. But “We want to use them to make sure we Korea, the device was used in the field one ticket one test, to one ticket many that doesn’t mean that a nose is capable of are not getting any kind of cross-reactiv- by Soldiers during scenarios that involved tests,” Emanuel said. “Then it evaluates recognizing only a couple hundred odors. ity,” Dixon said. “If Soldiers clean them- anthrax and plague. and beams from the evaluator to the phone “You can actually recognize up to a billion selves with baby wipes, we want to have “What they did was they ran the assays and into a cloud where everybody can odors,” he said. a background for baby wipes, as opposed and it got the result, it interpreted the know what’s going on.” Miklos said that chemical receptors in to being VX.” result, it told them what the answer was Emmanuel said that the goal is for a human nose don’t each detect one smell. Dixon’s husband is a Soldier, she said, and then it immediately uploaded it to these technologies to ultimately replace “There isn’t one receptor in your nose that and he provided her and Miklos with some the cloud and put it up on a screen so that the ECBC-developed M8 and M9 chemis for the scent of a rose,” he said. “Every- common items that Soldiers use in the anybody in Korea could see,” Emanuel ical detection paper currently used in the thing you smell triggers every receptor to field so that those could be tested. said. “The advantage is that the machine field today. a slightly different extent. And what your Miklos and Dixon are building a data- takes the ambiguity out of the read, and “It’s [M8 and M9] indicator paper and brain does - it’s very clever - is it recog- base of colorimetric array reactions to a also uploads and archives the image so they touch liquids, and it turns like blue, nizes these patterns. Odors establish a pat- variety of common, relatively safe chem- that every battlefield commander can see and they say they think it might be some- tern in your nose and your brain recognizes icals. On the other side of ECBC, Mik- what’s going on. It shows up like a little thing,” Emanuel said. “But the new tickets it. Odors establish a pattern on this assay.” los said, in labs equipped to handle more pin on Google maps.” instantaneously and vividly not only indi- The colorimetric assays have at least dangerous materials, they are exposing the The SmartCAR, in conjunction with cate, but tell you exactly what the liquid one distinct advantage over the human assays to more dangerous things, like VX. the Nett Warrior device, can run the evalu- is. We are moving quickly to replace M8 nose, Miklos said. “A human could not The hardware ation, capture the results, and transmit the and M9 paper with a new kind of indicator sniff a container of sarin, because you Already, ECBC has a device called the results, along with latitude, longitude and paper. We are creating a dipstick that will would die,” he said. “But the paper ticket SmartCAR, short for “smart color-metric time to a central location on an Army net- tell you what that chemical was. This has doesn’t care.” assay reader.” work so that it can be used by command- applications for the Soldiers. It could be The colorimetric assays react different- That hand-held device was developed ers, Emanuel said. used for customs agents.” ly to a variety of chemicals, Miklos said. by ECBC engineer Colin Graham. The Emanuel said he envisions a scenario Emanuel said ECBC expects to have But in the case of existing, fielded colo- SmartCAR does not read the same color- where multiple Soldiers are running sim- a working prototype in about 18 months.

DID YOU KNOW? Nuturing next generation of

The first African STEM professionals is key American to become a Continued from Page 1 if we don’t have a system that is going U.S. Navy Master Diver gets students who are passionate, want to to generate an interest in young people was also the first amputee stay in the field, go to college and work to become STEM workers? That’s the for us someday,” challenge we’re to be re-certified as a U.S. said Hewitt, who up against.” Navy diver. holds a bachelor’s Why is STEM so Piquing a degree in chemis- child’s interest try and master’s important? Think in STEM ear- Carl Maxie Brashear was born in Tonieville, ly is key, Hewitt Kentucky in 1931. He enlisted in the Navy in degree in nuclear about the number physics. said. He encour- 1948 shortly after President Harry S. Truman aged the audi- ordered desegregation of the armed forces. Hewitt cited of people who are Department of ence to explore Despite the stiff hostility and racism he driving the economic the options avail- faced while attending the school, Brashear Defense statistics that indicate able under the became the first African-American to attend engine of our Army Educa- and graduate from the Navy Diving and Salvage School in 1954. the ability of the United States to nation – engineers, tion Outreach His many assignments included recovering 16,000 rounds of ammunition that Program such as fell off a sinking barge and escorting the presidential ship the Barbara Ann to produce STEM scientists and graduates is summer camps, Rhode Island where he met President Dwight D. Eisenhower who gave him a internships and small knife that was engraved “To Carl M. Brashear. From Dwight D. Eisenhower, insufficient to mathematicians – in meet projected competitions. 1957. Many, many thanks.” a more and more “If you haven’t In 1966, Brashear was leading the recovery mission of a dropped bomb off demands. Nearly 50 percent of the gone to your local the coast of Palomares, Spain when a freak accident from a towing line and a complex world school for a STEM pipe nearly severed his left leg. He was medically evacuated, but despite all Army’s acquisi- and Beyond efforts the leg had to be amputated. tion engineering where technology is Night, take an eve- For his role in recovering the bomb, Brashear was awarded the Navy and workforce is eli- becoming more and Marine Corps Medal – the highest Navy award for non-combat heroism. gible to retire by ning,” Hewitt said. Despite the odds against him, Brashear returned to active duty and diving 2023. more how we “Go out there and school and became the first amputee to be re-certified as a U.S. Navy Diver in “Why is you’ll be absolute- 1968. In 1970, he became the first African-American U.S. Navy Master Diver. STEM so impor- do business. ly surprised at how Brashear retired from the Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer and Master tant? Think about Jyuji Hewitt kids are learn- the number of ing. The excite- Diver in 1979. He retired from service as a government civilian at the Norfolk RDECOM Executive Deputy to the people who are ment of the kids is Naval Air Station in 1993. Commanding General He died at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center July 25, 2006 and is buried at driving the eco- recharging. Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia. nomic engine of our nation -- engineers, “You are on the right path in mak- The 2000 drama film, “Men of Honor” starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert scientists and mathematicians -- in a ing that difference. We are a model for Di Nero was based on the life of Master Chief Petty Officer Carl M. Brashear. more and more complex world where the nation. This is truly a partnership Yvonne Johnson, APG News technology is becoming more and more between what we’re doing, the school Source: http://www.navy.org how we do business,” he said. systems and businesses. Thank you for “How do we replace our workforce keeping STEM in the forefront.” February 26, 2015 • APG News 19 APG SNAPSHOT Take a peek at the events making news in and around U.S. Army Garrison Aberdeen Proving Ground. For complete photo coverage, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/usagapg/.

Photo by Stacy Smith DANCING TOWARD A HEALTHY HEART Zfitness instructors Rhonique Harris and Allison Agwu demonstrate heart healthy Zumba moves during the Heart Healthy Info Session with Zumba at the Myer Auditorium Feb. 19. Attendees participated in the catchy, fast-paced exercise, which uses music and dance to make exercise fun and helps participants maintain and support a strong, healthy heart. The C4ISR Wellness Committee hosted the event.

DPW OPENS NEW TRAINING CENTER

Personnel from the Directorate of Public Works complete a survey during the opening of the DPW Training Center in Building E5185 on APG South (Edgewood) Feb. 11. Site manager Tony Hale said the new site provides personnel with a central location to complete mandatory training. The center features nine computer stations constructed from repurposed furniture. “I think this was a good idea; we needed something like this,” said DPW employee Robert Taylor. “This center will save us time, which is critical especially during grass cutting season.” Hale said all APG Garrison employees can use the center for training purposes. To schedule a session call Donna Tayson at 410-436-3731.

Photo by Rachel Ponder

LITTLE MAN SHOWS HIS RACING SPIRIT

More than 800 miles from the warm, sunny weather in Florida, mysterious APG resident Little Man was ready to race leading up to the NASCAR Daytona 500 Feb. 22. All he was missing was a car. And a driver’s license. Photo by Molly Blosse