The Army Family Action Plan symposium will be held Jan. 25-27 at the Benning Conference Center and needs volunteers. AFAP seeks to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their families. Volunteers are needed to review issues, suggestions and concerns brought by members of the community. To volunteer, call 706-545-2794.

Red Cloud Range is currently being upgraded. The next Hands On Training Exercise (HOTEX) will be Mar. 10.    

Upcoming events:

The Fort Benning Career Advancement Account (CAA) Spouse Scholarship Program has concluded orientation briefings. Spouses who have attended an orientation briefing may submit completed application packets until January 31 2011, or until funds are depleted, whichever comes first.  

Youth soccer registration for kids ages 3 to 14 ends Jan. 28. Registration fees for youth soccer are $25. Youth baseball registration for kids ages 4 to 12 begins Feb. 1 to Feb. 25. Registration fees for youth baseball are $30. To register, call central registration at 706-545-2079.

From the Top

Fort Benning hosted its first online Facebook town Hall last week and it was a huge success. The town hall was held at Building 35, but when I say held, what I really mean is that a team of staff and support personnel manned laptops in the Doughboy Room for a fast-paced discussion with our Fort Benning Facebook fans.  

In the course of an hour, more than 200 questions were answered ranging from housing, safety, security, utility, schools, medical, and recreation. Wow, I don't think answering 200 questions in an hour would have been possible in the traditional town hall format, so needless to say, this event was a success by all involved.

Fort Benning leaders, led by our Garrison Commander COL Tom Macdonald, initiated the Facebook town hall effort realizing that Soldiers and their families lead very busy lives and that time after work is important.  

With Facebook being an easy and convenient way to connect, the Fort Benning leaders decided to use this online communication tool to have a two-way conversation with its Soldiers, families, civilians and other audiences who care about Fort Benning.

You can rest assured there will be more of these online town halls in the coming year so I encourage you to get connected by visiting www.facebook.com/fortbenningfans We want you to know your voice and your participation counts.  

News 

3rd HBCT hails new commander

Facebook 'angels' named inspired leaders

Armor School kicks off first class at Harmony Church

Fort Benning ushered in a new era Wednesday with the launch of the Armor School's first class at Harmony Church. At a ceremony in the Bradley Vehicle Maintenance Instruction Facility's main bay, the Maneuver Center of Excellence formally kicked off the M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer course and activated F Company, 3rd Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment, which will direct the advanced individual training for Bradley maintainers. 

more

Benning Soldier surprises family at BCS championship

Soldier has seizure while driving, woman jumps in to help

more
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TRICARE extends family coverage to age 26

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2011 -- To ensure military families don't get left out as the new national health care reform law extends parent's health insurance to their children up to age 26, TRICARE plans to roll out its new Young Adult Program by spring, and to provide an option to make coverage retroactive to Jan. 1.

Army minimizes stress suffered by victims of domestic, child abuse

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Army Family Action Plan has once again proved invaluable for Soldiers and families.

On Jan. 21, eligible enlisted family members began receiving 36 months of Transitional Compensation, the same as officer family members, rather than the average of 22 months of payments they formerly received. The change ensures payments are standardized for all approved applications.

Commission evaluates lifting ban on women in combat

Study shows pre-deployment screening yields benefits

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 18, 2010) -- An Army study released today found that Soldiers who received extra behavioral-health screening prior to deployment had significantly lower rates of combat stress than those who did not.

The study, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, was conducted by five Army doctors. They screened three 3rd Infantry Division Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) at Fort Stewart, Ga., prior to their 2007 deployment, and compared results with three BCTs who did not take part in the program.

What do you know about the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program?

What is CSF?

The program, based on 30-plus years of scientific study and results, uses individual assessments, tailored virtual training, classroom training and embedded resilience experts to provide the critical skills our Soldiers, Family members and Army Civilians need.

Why is it important?

CSF marks a new era for the Army by comprehensively equipping and training our Soldiers, Family members and Army Civilians to maximize their potential and face the physical and psychological challenges of sustained operations. We are committed to a true prevention model, aimed at the entire force, which will enhance resilience and coping skills enabling them to grow and thrive in today's Army.

Improved Performance and Readiness:

Improved Soldier performance and readiness. Build confidence to lead, courage to stand up for one's beliefs and compassion to help others. Comprehensive Soldier Fitness is about maximizing one's potential.

The Five Dimensions of Strength:

Physical

Performing and excelling in physical activities that require aerobic fitness, endurance, strength, healthy body composition and flexibility derived through exercise, nutrition and training.

Emotional

Approaching life's challenges in a positive, optimistic way by demonstrating self-control, stamina and good character with your choices and actions.

Social

Developing and maintaining trusted, valued relationships and friendships that are personally fulfilling and foster good communication including a comfortable exchange of ideas, views, and experiences.

Family

Being part of a family unit that is safe, supportive and loving, and provides the resources needed for all members to live in a healthy and secure environment.

Spiritual

Strengthening a set of beliefs, principles or values that sustain a person beyond family, institutional, and societal sources of strength.

Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

 Upcoming DFMWR events:

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Army Family Covenant Ceremony and CS Open House

Maj. Gen. Robert Brown will sign the Army Family Covenant during the Army Community Service Open House at 4pm Jan. 21. ACS recently relocated from various facilities around post to historic Patch Hall, Building 7, on Baltzell Avenue.

The Army Family Covenant was introduced Armywide in October 2007 as means of institutionalizing the Army's commitment to provide Soldiers and their families a quality of life commensurate with their level of service and sacrifice. It commits the Army to improve family readiness by standardizing programs and services, increasing accessibility to health care, improving housing, ensuring excellence in child, youth and school services, and expanding education and employment opportunities for family members.

The covenant is signed by post commanders shortly after they take command. Brown will be the fifth Fort Benning commander to sign it.

Building 7 was built in 1931 and served as the post's first permanent school. It was later dedicated to the memory of Capt. Alexander "Mac" Patch Jr., who earned the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II while serving with the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. Patch, who was killed in combat in France in October 1944, was the son of Lt. Gen. Alexander M. "Sandy" Patch, who served on the Infantry Board at Fort Benning.

More DFMWR events:
 

• Sayers Library's resident AKO expert, Laquita King, will teach two classes in the New Year. On Jan. 14, from 6:30-7:30pm, she will teach Basic AKO for Library Use, which will include basic instruction on accessing library-related databases and portals. On Feb 18, from 6:30-7:30pm, she will teach Basic Research and Reference Skills for College Students. Attendees must have an AKO account.  For more information, call 706-626-2550.

• MWR's Outdoor Recreation will host Paintball in the Woodlands Jan. 14 and Feb. 18.  This event is free, and ODR offers equipment for rent or purchase. For more information, call 706-545-7978.

• The CG's Golf Scramble starts at noon Jan 27. Test your skills against the commanding general. Get four players together and sign up today! The entry fee is $30 in advance or $35 the day of the event. For more information, call 706- 706-687-1940.
   

• The mother/son Buccaneers' Ball will be held at the Benning Conference Center Feb. 11. Tickets, $15 for mom and $10 for each son, will go on sale Jan. 10 at Omega Travel and MWR headquarters, Building 2783, Eckel Avenue.

• Uchee Creek continues to offer monthly fishing tournaments with cash prizes and boat rental discounts for active duty Soldiers.  Tournaments are scheduled for Jan. 15 and Feb. 19.  For more information, go to http://uchee.benningmwr.com/ or call 706-685-3060 ext 200, 201 or 202.

• Smith Fitness Center offers monthly Boot Camps, personal training and group training, family fitness classes and massage therapy.  For more information, go to http://www.benningmwr.com  or call 706-545-4388.

• The Family Entertainment Center's January special: Every Wednesday and Thursday, games and shoe rentals are only $1.50 per person. 

• Youth Soccer registration began Jan. 4, and Youth Baseball registration begins Feb. 1. Call 706-545-1853.

• Join us for the Valentine's Brunch, 10am-1:30pm, Feb 13, at the Benning Conference Center. Don't miss this Fort Benning tradition, featuring gourmet food, a chocolate fountain, a pianist and a fresh cut rose for each sweetheart.  Reservations are recommended.

• SKIESUnlimited will offer Zumbatomic for ages 4-14 in February. This is a fun way for your children to stay fit. For more information, call 706-545-0522.

• ODR will host its first Disc Golf tournament at 10:30 a.m. Feb 12 at Russ Pond for ages 15 and older.  There is a $10 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded.  To register, call 706-545-9636.

• You'll find the most up-to-the-minute information on our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/BenningFMWRfans.