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From the Top

Now that kids have returned to

school and the family pace quickens, the importance of finding and maintaining balance in one's work and personal life is critical.  

I know the demands many of you experience to find the balance between meeting work deadlines and caring for your family. I've been married for nearly three decades - raising children through deployments, permanent change of station moves, and other military related challenges.  

I know it is not easy. Quite frankly, it's tough. The most important words of encouragement I can offer are: Make the time you spend together rich in quality, if it can't be rich in quantity.

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness identifies the family as one of the five dimensions of strength that builds and enhances the resilience and performance of our Soldiers, Family members and Civilians. In today's world of working parents, dual-military households and deployed loved ones, striking the right balance between work and family life is essential for the success of our Soldiers, Families and Civilians.  

I encourage you to identify creative ways to focus on your family. There are many programs on post for families - from Army Family Team Building to numerous programs offered through Army Community Service. An entire list of what is available can be found by visiting the Fort Benning website and clicking on Comprehensive Soldier Fitness.

Your success is this installation's success. Everyone counts - we are a team - the BEST team! Make each moment count and know which moments count the most.

One Force! One Fight!

Major General Robert B. Brown  

Commanding General  

U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence

News

CFC kickoff set for early September 

Maneuver Battle Lab stages war games 

GI Bill changes include actual cost for in-state tuition 

Army integrates technologies during NIE exercise 

Soldiers put face on health concerns for Defense Health Board 

Cavalry scouts receive cross saber at end of course 

Army readies for next major network exercise  

Click here to read this week's Bayonet  

(note:  it may take a few minutes to download the paper)  

Blanchard Leadership Forum 

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headlines the sixth annual Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum, hosted by Columbus State University's Cunningham Center for Leadership Aug. 29-30 at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Rice will speak on "How to Turn Adversity into Advantage in Business and in Life" at 8 p.m.

Themed "Innovative Leadership," the forum's second-day speakers are Patrick Lencioni, business author and president of The Table Group Inc.; Gardiner W. Garrard III, founder of Total Technology Ventures in Atlanta; Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of ATT Mobility and Consumer Markets; Sen. Johnny Isakson; British author Sir Ken Robinson, a leader in the development of creativity and innovation; and Maj. Gen. Robert Brown, commander of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning. For more information, call 706-568-5101.    

The Benning Report

In this edition...

Chief of Infantry Assumption of Command

Best Warrior Competition

Bldg 4 Reoccupation

Bldg 4 LEED

Bldg Memorial

Petry in depth Feature

Making of a Soldier: Leader Reaction Course

WWII Vets visit

Back to school

Oxbow Meadows

Army announces civilian reductions

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 4, 2011 -- The Army announced today it will reduce the size of its civilian employee workforce by more than 8,700 people by Sept. 30, 2012. These cuts are based on Department of Defense resource decisions as reflected in the fiscal year 2012 President's Budget and require a reduction of Army civilian employees to comply with decreased funding levels.

The Army has identified more than 30 different commands and agencies affected by these reductions, with nearly 80 percent of the cuts taking place within Installation Management Command, Army Materiel Command, Training and Doctrine Command, and Headquarters, Department of the Army.

"We are in a very challenging fiscal environment and understand the impact these cuts will have on our civilians and their families" said Thomas R. Lamont, assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. "Tough choices have to be made, but we'll make them in a thoughtful and deliberate manner that best supports the Army's mission."

Affected commands and agencies will have 30 days to develop plans to accomplish their civilian workforce reductions, identify organizational and personnel actions to be taken, and develop a timeline for each of the actions and expected reductions.

Commanders will be responsible for shaping their workforce within their allocated budget and may use all available options to achieve reduction objectives while mitigating adverse impact on the workforce. Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, VERA, and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment, or VSIP, may be used to reduce the number of personnel to meet mission objectives.

National Infantry Museum prepares for 9/11 Remembrance

Story by Borden Black 

"High speed!" was the review given by a group of Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) students who were among the first to try out the National Infantry Museum's new combat simulators. PVT Shaun Remrey compared it favorably with the actual training they have undergone and PVT Jerry Bergeron said the explosions and recoil from the rifles were "awesome."

The museum's two new, life-sized Combat Simulators, one a High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee,) the other a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter, simulate a combined air and ground mission to rescue humanitarian aid workers. Participants feel like bullets are hitting their vehicle and they get the sensation of flying.

Dennis Register, rifle range manager, says that since the simulator opened last week there has been a steady flow of adults, children and soldiers and the reaction from all has been: "Wow!"

"I am out of breath, sore and shook up all at the same time. It's incredible," said Chris Funk as he exited the simulator with a group of fellow Southern Company workers who have not experienced combat.  

"You felt the threat and wanted to take it out." Brian Dunaway added: "It gives you respect for what these guys do." Robert Gregg pointed out that they were able to get out of the simulators and walk away unlike the soldiers who actually live the experience.

Joel Maretta has been to Iraq and says he felt like he was back in the fight when he was in the simulator. "Your heart is beating and you want to catch all the combatants," he said.

The fast-paced, action-packed, totally immersive experience lasts about six-and-a-half minutes. Located in the Grand Hall, it is open during museum hours Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 - 5:00 and Sunday 11:00-5:00.

Up Next!

DFMWR:  Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

MWR Sports will host the Joes vs Pros double elimination flag football tournament Aug. 15-17 at Essebagger Field. There is a 12 team limit, and the cost is $150 per team. Register before Aug. 9. This event is open to the public. Prizes will be awarded. For more information, call 706-984-1994.

Active duty Soldiers are invited to try out for the Doughboy Football Team from 6-8pm Aug. 18 on Essebagger Field. Team practices will begin in late August or early September. For more information, send an e-mail to ken.wetherill@us.army.mil.

The Benning Conference Center will host Dueling Pianos, a free comedy event that engages the audience in a high-energy variety show featuring rock and roll, classics, top 40, R&B, country and more, August 19. The show starts at 7pm, but the doors will open one hour early for refreshments. Space is limited in the Supper Club, so come early. For more information, call 706-682-0640.

Super Bingo is fast-paced and wild! Better get familiar with the game before you run with the big dogs. From 6-10pm Tuesdays, Fort Benning's Pins & Daubers will host Beginner's Bingo. We'll play at a slower pace to get you comfortable with the game and give you a chance to ask questions. We'll even throw in a free add-on packet when you purchase your first packet. Don't be scared. For more information, call 706-544-1964. Pins & Daubers is located on Marne road, beside the commissary.

Is that a baby bump? Join us for prenatal yoga from 4:30-5:30pm Wednesdays at Smith Fitness Center. That's not a baby bump, you say? Oops. You might want to try one of our other fitness classes: www.benningmwr.com/fitnessclasses.php.

Help us feed local families in distress! MWR is partnering with the Feds Feed Families Food Drive to replenish stock at local food banks at a time when supplies are low. Please deliver canned and nonperishable foods, hygiene items, household goods and paper products to collection boxes at Sayers Library, Army Community Service and recreation centers on Kelley Hill, Sand Hill and Harmony Church. The food will be delivered to the Columbus Wellness Center and Feeding the Valley Food Bank.

For those who prefer nonfiction literature, the new Second Saturday Book Club will meet at 10am the second Saturday of each month at the Sayers Library Conference Room. The title for the August 13 meeting is Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank. For more information, call 706-545-4911.

MWR will host a flea market on Blue Field during the semi-annual postwide yard sale

from 8am-2pm Sept. 10. This event is open to the public. For information on renting booth space, click here.    

Mark your calendar for the return of Movies Under the Stars Sept. 2, 9, 16 and 30 at 8:30pm on Wetherby Field. This event is free and open to the public. Bring blankets and lawn chairs, and we'll supply the popcorn. Movie titles will be announced soon.

CYSS will host a number of road trips for students in middle and high school from August through December. Enroll your student today to take part in a variety of field trips, including visits to Macon State, Georgia Southwestern and Auburn universities, LaGrange College, Pratt & Whitney and the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga. These trips are free, but you must register. Call 706-626-0388.

The annual Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation Open House will start at 5pm August 24 at the Uchee Creek Activity Center. This free event is open to the public and includes refreshments, door prizes, games and the latest information and updates on post hunting and fishing policies and practices. Raffle tickets are available for $2.50 each at Outdoor Recreation and the Uchee Creek Country Store. For more information, call 706-545-9636.

Soldiers and family members 18 and older are invited to participate in a weeklong trip to Disney World Sept. 2-6. The cost of this trip, $320, covers roundtrip transportation, accommodations at the Shades of Green resort and a four day park hopper pass. This trip, sponsored by the BOSS program, is not exclusive to single Soldiers. Register at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center or call 706-544-1411. You may pay by installments.

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