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THE HOME OF THE INFANTRY & THE ARMY'S BEST SOLDIERS, LEADERS AND FAMILIES!
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In This Issue
BRAC By The Numbers
News
Family Housing Renovations on FBTV
Is Korea in Your Future?
Upcoming Events
Due to technical difficulties with hunting and fishing tracking Automation, Fort Benning is currently closed for hunting and fishing until further notice.
 
For more information, call (706) 544-6385 or visit the DFMWR Web site.
From The Top
April 26, 2010
  
 
CG Ferriter
Our new Family Entertainment Center is just one more way we show our families just how important they are to us.  
 
Please allow me a moment to reflect on just a few of the many new or improved facilities, programs and organizations we have built or instituted at Fort Benning over the past few years - all in an effort to meet the needs of our Fort Benning Families.
 
In the last few years, we:
  • Built a Middle School and Teen Center
  • A skate park
  • Two new sports complexes - the Youth Sports Complex across from Faith Middle School and the brand new Recreation Complex across Main Post
  • A 23,000 square foot School Age Services facility, which is the envy of all the Army, and we have two new Child Care facilities near completion
  • The fabulous new Smith Fitness Center just down the road, which is now open 24/7, because you asked for it
  • A new multi-denominational chapel
    a Soldier & Family Assistance Center
  • The Army's second largest PX
  • We were the first Army installation to build a dog wash facility and a dog park. The first dog park was so popular we added a second
  • We renovated some of our popular legacy facilities, like Russ Pond, Kings Pond, Gowdy Field and Doughboy Stadium
  • In response to your recommendation and our "One Force, One Fight" philosophy, we created the more inclusive Community Spouse's Club and the Benning Conference Center
  • New housing communities with more spacious and attractive single-family homes, community centers, pools and parks.  Even a Starbucks!
  • We are renovating our historic homes, because our families deserve modern conveniences but they value the historical integrity of this great installation
  • And we've implemented more programs than I can name, including SKIES Unlimited and Family Readiness Support Assistance
More than half of our Army Soldiers are married, and nearly half of them have children.  Soldiers consistently rate child care and family services as the top two issues that impact their decision to re-enlist.
 
We've taken their concerns to heart. The creation of this Family Entertainment Center is the result of MWR surveys in which you told us you'd very much like to have this kind of facility on post. 
 
Enjoy it, and know that we will continue to honor our Army Family Covenant, and we will continue to seek new ways to offer you the quality of life our Army families deserve.
 
Thank you.  God bless our Soldiers and their families!
One Force, One Fight! 
MG Michael Ferriter
MCOE Commanding General
BRAC by the Numbers 
 
MCOE logoToday's number is 8.
 
That's about how many years Base Realignment and Closure planners estimate it will take to complete the Training Barracks Upgrade Project on Sand Hill. TBUP is a successive renovations project whereby the old "starship" barracks are vacated, modernized and repopulated one or two at a time.
 
The launching of TBUP coincided with the completion of new barracks on 2nd Armored Division Road. 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment, moved into the new barracks in January, freeing up its former residence for renovation. When it is completed, units will relocate from another starship, and work will begin on the one newly vacated.
 
If all goes as planned, the entire project should be complete in about eight years. Sand Hill is currently home to eight training battalions. Two more will relocate from Fort Knox, Ky., in 2011 as part of Base Realignment and Closure projects on Fort Benning. When the move is completed, more than half of all the Army's initial entry training will take place on Sand Hill. 

The next BRAC Community Update will be May 4.
News

Fort Benning gets OK to study land purchase
 
Land Expansion MapThe Department of the Army has approved a plan allowing Fort Benning to go forward with a study on the possibility of expanding its training lands by 82,800 acres over the next five to six years.
The additional training land - approximately 40 percent more than the post's current square acreage - would allow two heavy maneuver battalions and elements of the maneuver center to train simultaneously.
 

click on the headline for more
 
 
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After extensive testing and evaluation, the military has launched an improved system to better compensate servicemembers who personally move their household goods on military orders.


All services began using the new system April 15. Moves initiated prior to that date will continue to process under the terms in place at the time of initiation. Members can make final moving plans with their local transportation office.
 
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SledgehammerSquads representing each of the six battalions that make up the 3rd Heavy Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division met at Contingency Operating Site Kalsu, April 15, 2010, to compete in a two-day event designed to test their strength and teamwork.

The first day represented traditional warrior tasks and drills with a surprise road-march to end the day. The following day, Soldiers squared-off in non-traditional events that brought some fun to the competition.
 
click here on headline for more
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KennelTurns out, the doghouse isn't such a bad place to be after all.

Fort Benning's military working dogs have a brand new living facility on Main Post after Tuesday's grand opening of the $2.6 million kennel and office complex built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 209th Military Police Detachment had operated the section at an adjacent temporary site since moving from Harmony Church last July.
 
click on headline for more
 
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Post's top drill sergeant recognized at cadre call
 
Drill SGT of the YearFort Benning's Drill Sergeant of the Year was recognized Friday at a cadre call for the 198th Infantry Brigade.
 
SSG Philip Richards III, a drill sergeant with D Company, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment, will compete for the TRADOC-level U.S. Army Drill Sergeant of the Year in June at Fort Monroe, Va., and Fort Eustis, Va.
 
click on headline for more
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Future LeadersNoncommissioned officers lower-enlisted Soldiers of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade celebrated their graduation of the four-day Future Leader Course with a speech by United States Division - South Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne on Contingency Operating Base Adder, April 15, 2010.
 
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Fort Benning, here's your chance to meet some of the people behind the scenes of many of the services offered on post. Volunteers involved in everything from the Red Cross to area schools will be honored at the Fort Benning Volunteer Awards Ceremony Thursday at Riverside.


The event kicks off with live music by the MCoE Jazz Combo at 5 p.m. At 5:30, the ceremony starts with the presentation of a ceremonial check.
 
click on headline for more
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Running for VeteransUltra-marathon runner John Teeples is running for the heroes and hopes you will join him. Teeples, a supporter of the Columbus-based House of Heroes, is expanding his annual Run for the Heroes to include individual runners and relay teams who would like to participate in the 260-mile trek from Fort Benning to Savannah, Ga., over Memorial Day weekend to drum up donations for the nonprofit organization.
 
click on headline for more
 
USAMU Soldiers off and running in 2010
 
By Michael Molinaro
USAMU PAO
 
Beijing--Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, fires a round during the Men's 50m Free Pistol finals Apr. 19 at the China World Cup. Szarenski won the event and left China with two gold medals in a stellar performance.
USAMU Soldiers off and running in 2010
Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit picked up where they left off their successful 2009 competitive shooting season with wins all over the globe the past two weeks.

 
At the China World Cup, Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski led the American contingent of shooters by winning not one but two gold medals at the games. He started things off Apr. 19 when he won gold in the 50-meter Free Pistol match with a strong performance, then on the following day had to start from sixth place in the final round of the Men's 10m Air Pistol and climb to the top to win gold.
 
"I figured it was one of the other guys' matches to win so I just stayed calm and focused," Szarenski, a three-time Olympian, said. "I've been working hard and the training is paying off."
 
Fellow USAMU Soldier Spc. Joe Hein visited the podium as a first-time gold medal winner Apr. 20 after conquering the field in the Men's 50m Rifle Prone match. Fellow USAMU Soldier Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft stood next to Hein on the podium after finishing in third place to win the bronze medal. 
 
"You can't ask for anything more, unless it's three of us," Hein said. "It's great to stand up there with (Sgt. 1st Class) Uptagrafft."
Staff Sgt. Ryan Hadden wrapped things up for the U.S. team, claiming a bronze medal in Men's Trap during the event's last day. 
 
While USAMU Soldiers were winning medals in Asia, the service teams competed in their first competitive matches of the season.
 
At the Florida Regional Pistol Championships in Jacksonville, Fla., the members of the service pistol team continued their recent domination in service pistol competition. Sgt. 1st Class James Henderson, the reigning National Pistol Champion, blitzed the field to win the overall individual aggregate championship, fending off teammate Staff Sgt. Robert Park, the second-ranked service pistol shooter in the country. 
 
USAMU swept the field in the team matches. USAMU Blue won the .22-caliber, center fire and .45-cal. matches, while USAMU Gray won the service team match. 
 
In Donaldsville, La., the service rifle team competed in the Bayou State Regional Rifle championships. Sgt. Tyrel Cooper won the 800 point individual aggregate championship with a score of 788-35x. He was followed by teammates Sgt. 1st Class Lance Dement in second with a 787-30x and Staff Sgt. Brandon Green in third with a 783-29x. Sgt. 1st Class David Steinbach won the Excellence in Competition match and USAMU Craig won the four-man team match.
 
The teams continue to train in preparation for the National Championships slated for later this summer. The USAMU continues preparations to host the 2010 World Cup USA, when more than 400 competitors from more than 40 countries will descend on Fort Benning for the International Rifle and Pistol competition at the end of May.
 
National Infantry Museum
 
 
AN ICON CELEBRATES A HALF CENTURY
 
He doesn't look a day over 30, but the Follow Me statue, originally titled "The Infantryman"   will be fifty years old May 3, 2010. The National Infantry Museum will celebrate with a birthday cake at 11:00 that morning.
 
Sculpting handsThe sculpture was unveiled by Secretary of the Army Wilbur M. Brucker on 3 May 1960 on Eubanks Field.  The tribute to the American combat Infantryman and symbol of the Infantry school was created that same year under the direction Major General Paul L. Freeman, Jr., Commandant, United States Army Infantry School. Soldiers were the driving force behind the iconic statue. The model was Officer Candidate Zuoene J. Wyles and PFC. Manfred Bass and PFC
 
Karl H. Van Krog designed and sculpted the image.
In 1964, the statue was moved to the main entrance of Infantry Hall facing York Field. In 2004, the original was removed for renovation and a new bronze version was unveiled and dedicated. That statue is now located on the grounds of the former Infantry headquarters, Building 35, while Infantry Hall is undergoing renovation.
 
The original Follow Me statue is now the centerpiece of the National Infantry Museum's entrance. The 500- pound sculpture stands atop granite rocks and a granite-covered base. It bears the Infantry's motto "Follow Me," which speaks to the courage and sacrifice that the American fighting man has always demonstrated.
MG Tucker 
Is Korea in Your Future?

CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea - The commander of the Korea-based 2nd Infantry Division and his wife will address Fort Benning Soldiers and families with Korean assignments in their future from 3:30-6 p.m., Wednesday, April 28 in Pratt Hall (Room 328), which is located in Ridgway Hall (Bldg. 35).

Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, who took command of the Warrior Division last October, and his wife Teresa will discuss family life and Korean culture, as well as training and professional development opportunities during their presentation.
 
The Tuckers will speak directly to Fort Benning personnel with permanent change of station orders for Korea, but they also invite anyone interested in future Korean assignment opportunities to attend the briefing. Participants will receive welcome packets filled with helpful brochures, pamphlets, and administrative and reference materials.
 
"The CG and Mrs. Tucker are very passionate about communicating the opportunities available within our division," said Lt. Col. Russell D. Goemaere, 2nd ID Public Affairs Officer. "They strongly believe in what we have to offer - the chance to conduct full spectrum training, greater stability and predictability in personal and family life, and opportunities to explore a very unique and beautiful country."
 
"They want to discuss and address the concerns of Soldiers and families who have some trepidation about coming to Korea," Goemaere said. "They also want to encourage Soldiers on assignment to Korea to bring their families when they PCS. This should be a terrific opportunity for anyone at Fort Benning who is considering taking advantage of assignment opportunities in Korea - now or in the future. "
calendarUpcoming Fort Benning Events 
 
The following Fort Benning events are scheduled to take place between: April 20 and May 20:
 
April 20:  8:30 a.m., ribbon cutting ceremony for new Military Police working dog facility
April 20:  5-7 p.m., Family Fishing Night - Russ Pool
April 24:  Salute to The South festival - Uchee Creek Campground
April 28:  10 a.m., grand opening of McGraw Child Development Center
April 29:  4 p.m., Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on the lawn at Riverside
April 30:  8:30 p.m., Movie Under the Stars - Wetherby Field
May 2:     Wheels to Heal bicycle ride, for more information, visit the Web site
May 6:      AUSA job fair at Benning Conference Center
May 14  11 a.m., Herschel Walker speaks at Soldier Field, National Infantry Museum
May 20:   11:30 a.m., Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month luncheon - Benning
Conference Center
 
 
For more information about these or any other Fort Benning events, contact the Public Affairs Office (706) 545-6674.
Thank you for taking the time to look through the Fort Benning E-Newsletter.  WePAO sealwill continue to tell our Soldiers' great stories through this and other mediums. The Benning E-Newsletter will be sent out every Monday. Please support us by forwarding this email to a friend via the "forward email" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
 
Sincerely,

Fort Benning Public Affairs Office