Pentagram 021215

Vol. 62, No. 6 February 12, 2015

Pentagram www.army.mil/jbmhh

Published For Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Suicide survivor shares his story

O’Brien says there is no shame in getting the help you need

By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Army veteran Andrew O’Brien talks to Marines on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall in Bldg. 29, the Joe Rosenthal Theater, Feb. 4. O’Brien spoke about his own experiences during childhood, in the military and his suicide attempt.

Army veteran and suicide survivor Andrew O’Brien brought his story of turmoil and redemption to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall Marines during a Feb. 4 presentation at Joe Rosenthal Theater.

O’Brien, 26, a Texas native, spoke candidly about downing a mixture of prescription pills and beer in an attempt to take his own life in 2010.

“I didn’t plan it out,” he told the Marines. “I just said, ‘I’m done.’”

Now he travels as the founder of Project WYSH, Welcome Your Soldier Home, to inspire others who may be thinking about suicide to seek help.

“Suicidal people don’t want to commit suicide,” he said. “Your mind is racing to find that one thing to live for.”

O’Brien said his mother was a prostitute, and that while growing up he had several different father figures. He and his brother were constantly told they were worthless and would never amount to anything and quickly learned it was them against the world, O’Brien said. As they grew up, they began getting into trouble, ultimately landing in an alterna-

Braving the elements for the brave

JBM-HH ceremonial units weather some tough weather

By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer

The human body functions differently in wintry conditions when temperatures and wind chills fall far below the freezing mark. Brave souls stepping outside on a subfreezing day know the feeling – or the lack of feeling – of how winter weather conditions can hamper one’s well-being. An inhaled breath feels like a frosty punch to the lungs. Eyes tear, ear tips tingle and inactive feet reach the point of numbness.

Yet inside the walls and gates of Arlington National Cemetery, factions of 3d U.S. I n fa nt r y Reg i ment

(The Old Guard) will work through shivers and frozen hallowed ground to make sure ceremonial missions are accomplished.

Members of T he U. S . A r m y B a n d , “Per shi ng’s Ow n,” The Caisson Platoon and the Tomb Guard Platoon pay extra-close attention to weather for e c a st s. W he n a snow band or a northwest wind approaches the Military District of Washington, Old Guard Soldiers prepare for outdoor duty differently than an October or April day.

A r my oute r we a r must remain uniform, but depending on the thermometer reading,

see ELEMENTS, page 4

TRICARE coverage prevents ACA-related tax penalties

By Damien Salas Pentagram Staff Writer All TRICARE insurance plans fulfill “minimum essential coverage” required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), preventing beneficiaries from the monthly “individual shared responsibility” tax penalty on 2014 year returns, according to the company’s website.

PHOTO

BY

SPC. CODY W. TORKELSON

A Soldier with Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), participates in a full honors funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Jan. 21. Temperatures dictate how Soldiers with the ceremonial units of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) prepare wardrobes for a winter day of walking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier mat or Arlington burial services.

Signed into law by President Barack Obama in April 2010, the TRICARE Affirmation Act ensures that health coverage provided by the DoD is treated as minimal essential coverage, according to Senior Health Program Analyst at Military OneSource Mark Ellis.

Ellis spoke with TRICARE beneficiaries via a live webinar Feb. 9 about how TRICARE meets the minimum standards required under the ACA, which penalizes those without minimal essential health care coverage.

An estimated 5.5 million households with “responsible individuals,” which in tax code jargon means “uniformed service sponsors,” currently receive health care coverage through the DoD, according to Ellis.

“Purchasing a premium-based or a Continued Health Care Benefit Program premium-based coverage plan will

also prevent tax deductions,” he said.

“Customers who only are able to receive direct care from military facilities should consider all qualified coverage options in order to prevent tax deductions.”

Other qualif ied sources of coverage include the VA, Medicare, State Medicaid, qualifying commercial coverage via employer or school plans and commercial coverage via a state market place, he said.

Ellis noted that in the 2015 tax season, the DoD will report data to the Internal Revenue Service, and will be required to send out 1095-B or 1095-C tax forms to beneficiaries, but will not send out the forms for this tax season.

“For the tax year 2014, no health plan is going to send you any paperwork to help complete the 1040 series tax form,” he

see TRICARE, page 4

tive high school. It was while there that his brother decided to enlist in the Army, which led O’Brien to join in 2007.

“I followed my brother’s choices, whether good or bad,” O’Brien said.

The Army gave the brothers something they had been looking for their entire lives – a family where they could belong, he said. O’Brien deployed to Iraq, where he served as a lead machine gunner, from 2008 to 2009.

“That 50 cal machine gun was my baby,” he said. “I loved my job.”

Things began to change for O’Brien when his unit returned from Iraq to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu.

“It was like Iraq began triggering everything from way back in the past,” he said.

O’Brien began “self-medicating” with alcohol as a way to cope with what he was experiencing. He said he was having nightmares every night. The only way he could get any sleep was by passing out in an alcoholinduced haze.

“There were mornings in formation I was still drunk and my buddies were holding me up,” he said.

O’Brien ultimately sought

see SUICIDE, page 4

News Notes JBM-HH installation access control FAQ available

A frequently asked questions section is now available to address questions regarding enhanced security and installation access measures for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Secretary of the Army-directed access control measures will be phased in at all three portions of JBM-HH in coming months, changes that will most significantly impact those seeking access to any portion of the joint base who do not have a Department of Defense identification card, such as visitors and certain contractors, according to JBM-HH officials.

Under the improved measures, security personnel will verify the identification of all persons, to include vehicle passengers, pedestrians and cyclists attempting access to the joint base. The Pentagram will continue to publish the latest news and information about how these enhancements may impact our community and partners.

The FAQ is available on page 5 of this week’s Pentagram. Additional questions and answers will be added to the FAQ, which will also be published online at www.army.mil/jbmhh.

Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield cyber breach

Recent reports indicate that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was the target of a cyber-attack. It is not immediately clear who was impacted or what information was compromised. Current and former members affected will be notified directly by Anthem and offered credit monitoring and identity protection services free of charge. The Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) has posted a link to the Anthem website as well as Anthem’s toll-free phone number on the ABC-C website at www.abc.army.mil. Employees who are enrolled in Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield should direct any questions regarding this breach to Blue Cross Blue Shield directly.

see NEWS NOTES, page 4

Index

Community spotlight . . . . . . . . . page 2 Throwback Thursday. . . . . . . . . . page 2 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3 News Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Access measure FAQ . . . . . . . . . page 5 Holiday message . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8 Holiday hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8

Local forecast

THURS. 44 | 16

FRI.

26 | 19

SAT.

36 | 16

SUN.

20 | 7

For more weather forecasts and information, visit www.weather.gov/

2

Thursday, February 12, 2015

PENTAGRAM

Black Hawk reenlistment

PHOTO

BY

SPC. CODY W. TORKELSON

Spc. Martin Rosenswipe of Pekin, Ill., right, assigned to the Caisson Platoon, 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) reenlists in the U.S. Army aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Feb. 4 while flying over the Washington, D.C., area. Rosenswipe, an infantryman, has served in the Caisson Platoon for over a year and has reenlisted for three more years of service.

JBM-HH throwback Thursday #JBMHHTBT

Community Spotlight Name: Tiffany Lee Job title/where do you work: Water Program Contractor at DPW-Environmental Management Division.

What’s the most rewarding part of your current position and why? Getting others involved in stormwater pollution prevention at JBM-HH; It’s a group effort!

Favorite quote: “The only time you look in your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure they have enough.”

Favorite sports team: Virginia Cavaliers.Wahoowa!

Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird.

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Favorite band/music artist: Anything 80s.

Favorite movie: Recent favorite: The Grand Budapest Hotel. Go-to: The Princess Bride.

Favorite place you’ve ever traveled: Monterey, Ca. What do you like most about working on/visiting JBM-HH? Watching the sunrise over D.C. What do you like most about living in the National Capital Region?

Exploring the different neighborhoods.

PHOTO

ILLUSTRATION BY

RACHEL LARUE

Then and Now: This photo illustration is a combination of two photographs.

The black and white image was taken March 4, 1861, during U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration at the U.S. Capitol Building. The black and white photograph is part of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington. The color photograph was taken in a similar location during the early morning of Jan. 11, 2012, less than two weeks before U.S. President Barack H. Obama’s second inauguration. The cast iron dome construction was finished in 1866 and was designed by Thomas U. Walter, according to the Architect of the Capitol website.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” - Oscar Wilde If you won the lottery, what would you do? Donate, invest and travel.

What are your goals for the year? To successfully plan a wedding.

What advice do you have for someone getting stationed on JBM-HH? Take advantage of living so close to Washington, D.C. The monuments and museums are not just for tourists.

From the editor: Starting with this edition, the Pentagram will publish a series of “then and now” photos under the banner of “JBMHH throwback Thursday,” with the hashtag #JBMHHTBT on social media. This new weekly feature will include historical photos from a portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (Fort Myer, Fort McNair, Henderson Hall) as well as occasional imagery from other recognizable locations throughout the National Capital Region.

Though JBM-HH is rich in history and there is no shortage of imagery from the joint base from years past, we also believe we are writing history now, every day. So, for every historic photograph we publish, we will also publish a comparative photo from today. We start this new project with a photo illustration of the Capitol building by staff photographer Rachel Larue.

While we have certainly enjoyed the humorous submissions we’ve received over the past several years for the Pentagram’s weekly “caption this” photos, we feel the time is right to move forward and try something new. But we want to know what you think, too. Send us your comments about this new weekly feature or if you have a historical photo you’d like to submit for consideration of publication for JBM-HH throwback Thursday, email us at: pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.

Stay connected!

www.army.mil/jbmhh

Pentagram

Facebook: Facebook.com/jbmhh

Caption This no. 5 winner “Still sleeping off the New Year’s party and it’s almost Valentine’s.”

- Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer PHOTO

Flickr: Flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh

The Pentagram is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pentagram are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, or Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The content of this publication is the responsibility of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Public Affairs Office. Pictures not otherwise credited are U.S. Army photographs. News items should be submitted to the Pentagram, 204 Lee Ave., Bldg. 59, Fort Myer, VA 22211-1199. They may also be e-mailed to james.m.goodwin3.civ@mail.mil. Circulation of 24,000 is printed by offset every Thursday as a civilian enterprise newspaper by Comprint Military Publications. Comprint Military Publications is located at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Telephone (301) 921-2800. Commercial advertising should be placed with the printer. Comprint Military Publications is a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, to include all inserts and supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser shall result in

703-696-5401 pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com

the refusal to print advertising from that source.

BY

SPC. BOBBY ALLEN

Twitter: @jbmhh

Slideshare: slideshare.net/jbmhh

Col. Michael D. Henderson Commander

Jim Goodwin Editor

Rachel Larue Staff Photographer

Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods Command Sergeant Major

Jim Dresbach Staff Writer

Helen Klein Graphic Designer

Mary Ann Hodges Director of Public Affairs Sharon Walker Command Information Officer

Julia LeDoux Staff Writer Guv Callahan Staff Writer Damien Salas Staff Writer

Community

PENTAGRAM

Thursday, February 12, 2015

3

Health care counselors discuss complex trauma, human trafficking

By Damien Salas Pentagram Staff Writer The Department of Justice estimates the industry of human trafficking generates millions of dollars each year domestically, and causes many of the victims sold for sex severe trauma that is widely misunderstood by professional counselors.

Bonnie Martin, a licensed professional counselor working with trafficking victims in the National Capital Region and around the world, visited Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Feb. 5 to discuss with victim advocates the way to handle patients with complex traumatic experiences as the second part in a series on human trafficking.

“To work in this industry, you need to know the difference between classic post traumatic stress disorder and what survivors

of complex trauma experience,” said Martin. “What we understand about the brain in trauma transforms the way we work with victims, and victims with trauma often don’t fully develop common brain functions that help deal with stress and addiction.”

Despite a surge in complex trauma research, the diagnosis failed again to become a part of the manual used by medical professionals this past year, according to Martin. She stresses giving patients multiple diagnoses send the wrong message, that the trauma is their fault.

“Labeling patients as bi-polar or attention deficit perpetuates the stigma that something is wrong with them,” she said. “And it does not reach the root of those issues, which is the trauma. “ Health professionals need to realize there is impairment caused by complex trauma that leads to irrational fight or flight responses

PHOTO

BY

DAMIEN SALAS

Bonnie Martin, a licensed professional counselor working with human trafficking victims in the National Capital Region and around the world, discusses with DoD healthcare professionals Feb. 5, in Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, how to handle complex trauma often experienced by this population.

in victims, according to Martin.

“When dealing with addiction and trauma in adults, you are dealing with the brain of a teenager,” she said. “Knowing

2015 JBM-HH Commanders Race Series begins March 13 with Shamrock Shuffle

PHOTOS

BY

how to work with the brain as it rewires itself from a high stress situation into stability is key to the recovery process.”

Still, Martin says that getting

as much of the brain functioning as “normal” as possible helps prevent what some see as irra-

see TRAFFICKING, page 5

Expert: Service members should be saving for their futures

RACHEL LARUE

Participants in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Shamrock Shuffle 5K run and 1 Mile walk start the race March 14, 2014 behind the Fort Myer Fitness Center on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Approximately 40 people attended the first race of the season.

By Todd Hopkins Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreative The 2015 JBM-HH Commanders Race Series kicks off the season March 13 with the Shamrock Shuffle and Army Emergency Relief Kick-Off 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, in partnership with the Military District of Washington Sgt. Audie Murphy Club. The race begins at 6:45 a.m. at the Fort Myer Fitness Center, Bldg. 414. Registration is free and the first 90 registrants will be eligible to receive a “Shamrock Shuffle” t-shirt. Participants can register on-line at www.jbmhhMWR.com until midnight of March 9. New for this spring is the FMWR Spring Races Series Challenge Coin. Runners and walkers who register on line and complete all three races, will be eligible for the coin. Race day

registration will be accepted at the Fort Myer Fitness Center, Bldg. 414 from 5:30-6:30 a.m. Awards will be presented for “largest military unit”, top male and female finishers of the 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, along with top finishers for each age division in the 5K. The Spring Race Series comprises the Shamrock Shuffle and AER Kick-Off 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk (March 13 at Fort Myer); Cherry Blossom “Race Along the River” 4.5K Run and 2.5K Walk (April 10 at Fort McNair) and the Rockin’ and Reelin’ 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk (May 1, Fort Myer). For further information or questions, contact Todd Hopkins at 703-696-0594 or 703-939-1045.

Look for a special preview of both the FMWR and Marine Corps Community Service Henderson Hall road race schedules in the Feb. 26 Pentagram.

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Leonard Toyer, Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program manager, poses for a photograph in Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall Feb. 9. For more information about Military Saves Week, contact the JBM-HH ACS Financial Readiness Program in Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of the Joint Base at 703-696-0163 or visit www.militarysaves.org.

By Guv Callahan Pentagram Staff Writer It’s never too early to start saving for the future, and with the Department of Defense’s annual Military Saves Week coming up Feb. 23-28, service members on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall can begin to develop a plan if they haven’t already.

Army Community Service’s Financial Readiness Program, one of the par-

ticipants in Military Saves Week, offers a variety of services to help Soldiers and their families get a handle on their finances and begin establishing a nest-egg for their futures.

Leonard Toyer, ACS Financial Readiness Program manager, works with Soldiers on debt management, budget and credit card counseling, savings plans and more.

“Saving money is one of the building

see FINANCE, page 5

The United States Army Band calender of events Feb. 15 3 p.m.

The U.S. Army Blues will perform in celebration of African-American History Month at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH.

Feb. 22 3 p.m.

The U.S. Army Band will perform its 93rd Anniversary Concert and Meet the New Commander: Col. Timothy J. Holtan at Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH.

Feb. 24 7:30 p.m.

Sgt. 1st Class Raffi Kasparian will present a farewell concert marking the end of his 21-year career as a pianist with The U.S. Army Chorus at Fort Myer’s Brucker Hall. The concert will also feature solo piano works as well as lighter vocal and piano selections featuring members of The U.S. Army Chorus.

Feb. 25 7:15 p.m.

The U.S. Army Chorus will perform the Celebrate Youth Cathedral Choral Society Concert at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Feb. 26 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Voices will perform a program of songs from Broadway musicals, including songs from “Into the Woods,” “Wicked,” “Oklahoma,” “West Side Story” and more. The performance will include full-ensemble numbers, solos, duets and trios.

Mar. 1 3 p.m.

The U.S. Army Blues will perform a concert of music composed and arranged by members of the Blues at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH.

Performances are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

All outdoor concerts are subject to cancellation or location change due to weather considerations.

Please call 703-696-3399 for upto-date information on concert cancellations or location changes.

For additional details and a full calendar of performances, visit www.usarmyband.com/eventcalendar.html.

4

Thursday, February 12, 2015

PENTAGRAM

SUICIDE

from page 1

Getting help

counseling, which he said helped him work through some of his issues.

But when the counselor noted in his profile that he should not be permitted to carry a weapon and another Soldier called him out in front of their company for that, O’Brien went into a tailspin that led to his suicide attempt.

“I was called out for doing what I was told to do,” he said. “I was made fun of for getting the help I needed.”

After taking the pills and realizing what he had done, O’Brien reached for the phone and dialed 911 for help. “ I r e a l i z e d I ’d m a d e a mistake,” he said.

The next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital. He was handed the phone and on the other end was his brother, who was stationed in Texas.

“He told me how much he loved me. He said, ‘why didn’t you tell me?’

I said, “you’ve seen much worse. I don’t have the right to feel this way.’”

His brother went on to tell O’Brien that he wasn’t going to speak to him for a couple of minutes as his brother, but as a fellow veteran. And that, O’Brien said, changed his life. “He said, ‘the worst thing you saw is the worst thing you saw. You don’t need to compare that to anybody else. You should be proud of what you did.’”

According to statistics from the Department of Defense, 22 veterans commit suicide each day (For more information, see the story at http:// www.defense.gov/Releases/Release. aspx?ReleaseID=16663). O’Brien said half of those who take their own lives are Vietnam veterans.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of suicide, call 911.

ELEMENTS from page 1

an Old Guard Soldier could be in an insulated trooper cap/overcoat combination one day or a rain/snow protection-wardrobe during the next day of missions.

Temperatures dictate how Soldiers prepare wardrobes for a winter day of walking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier mat or Arlington burial services.

For a frigid day, the essential pieces of uniform become the overcoat, the trooper cap and warm gloves.

“When the temperature is below 32 degrees, we will be in what we call trooper cap and black gloves with overcoat,” explained Tomb Guard Platoon Assistant Sergeant of the Guard Sgt. Patrick Leamy. “The trooper cap basically covers the ears and the back of the head. It is insulated and the black gloves, of course, protect the hands. Once it gets above 32 degrees, we go under the discretion of how the individual on the mat feels. If they feel they can still operate outside at a comfortable level, they can switch to the ceremonial cap [C cap] with black gloves. The first thing [in regard to the cold] we worry about are the Soldier’s hands. That is the first part of the body to lose feeling. We keep them in black gloves.”

Leamy added that when

TRICARE from page 1

said. “There is no requirement from the Department of the Treasur y or the Internal Revenue Service to send out 1095-B or 1095-C forms until 2015.”

However, the tax exempt ion for t hose w it h a TRICARE health plan is not automatically processed by the DoD— beneficiaries must file the appropriate forms with the IRS to avoid the tax penalty.

During the webinar, Ellis encouraged beneficiaries to download and file the 1095-B or C forms on their own, which will serve as a means to “self-attest” to the federal government that a beneficiary has met the minimum essential coverage required.

“In January 2016 some things are going to happen

The Military Crisis Line can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255.

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Army veteran Andrew O’Brien talks to Marines on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall in Bldg. 29, the Joe Rosenthal Theater, Feb. 4. O’Brien spoke about his own experiences during childhood, in the military and his suicide attempt.

“That’s what’s going to happen to our generation if we don’t face our demons, if we don’t get the help we need,” he said. “Don’t make judgments. Always face your fears. Stop holding that crap in because it’s going to come back and it’s going to get you.”

O’Brien stressed that PTSD is not unique to those who have served or serve in the military.

“Any experience that is traumatic to you can give you post-traumatic stress,” he said.

the temperature rises above 35 degrees, white ceremonial gloves replace the black gloves, but the overcoat and C Caps remain.

T USA B bugler Sgt. 1st Class Todd Taylor has sounded Taps at Arlington National Cemetery funerals for 20 years. Taylor is from Louisville, Ky., where weather conditions can be similar to the National Capital Region’s temperatures. Still, participating in a funeral when wind chills plummet to near zero takes an extra measure of focus.

“The challenge is that playing the bugle is a physical instrument,” Taylor said. “When your face and lips are frozen and you put your wet lips on a cold piece of metal… muscle memory takes over.”

Taylor has assembled and uses a number of tricks to get through the bonechilling days. He keeps his mouthpiece in his hand or gloves just before he plays Taps. He takes caution from using hand warmers to warm his mouthpiece since a fellow bugler once burned his mouth from t he overheated metal.

He refrains from using a non-sticking, synthetic mouthpiece made of plastic.

That is just his preference.

“I’ve put the mouthpiece [to my mouth], and it has been so cold, I cannot feel my mouth,” the TUSAB bugler said. “When you do this, it is all about feel and breath and controlling nerves and controlling air. that are different for ACArelated tax stuff,” he said.

“All health care insurers must provide an IRS tax form showing what months of coverage a person had during 2015, which will be available for sponsors to download through the mypay.mil website.”

The forms can be found online at www.irs.gov/ Forms-&-Pubs. For professional tax advice, Ellis recommends contacting the IRS through their website, www.irs.gov.

Additionally, the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Consolidated Tax Center will assist eligible patrons with the preparation and filing of tax returns. Located at 101 Bloxon Street on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, the tax center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 8:30

The Department of Veterans Affairs -funded National Veterans Crisis line can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255.

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

H & S Commanding Officer Col. Anthony S. Barnes presented O’Brien with a commander’s coin at the conclusion of his hour-long presentation. Barnes stressed to the Marines present that there is no shame in seeking whatever help they need if they are having trouble coping with any life situation.

NEWS NOTES from page 1

JBM-HH Consolidated Tax Center now open

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington and the U.S. Marine Corps National Capital Region Command are jointly operating the JBM-HH Consolidated Tax Center, which will serve military personnel, their families and other eligible customers.

The tax center is located in Bldg. 205 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

Customers should bring their military ID cards; all W2s, 1099s, 1098s; Social Security Cards for all family members; EIN for day care providers; all documents supporting deductions and credits; copies of their 201 federal and state returns; and tax power of attorney or IRS Form 2848.

No appointments are necessary; however, appointments are available for more complex tax returns.

Located at 101 Bloxon Street on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, the tax center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The center will take walk-ins until 30 minutes before closing time. Call 703-696-1040 for more information or to set an appointment.

Indoor play morning and story time

Bring your children (up to age five) to this weekly event of fun, music, engaging play and story time.

Each session will feature a reading by different people and different books. Play morning is every Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room of Memorial Chapel at the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. The program ends April 30. For more information, please call 703-696-6368.

Presidents Day Cardboard Boat Regatta

A cardboard boat regatta will be held Feb. 13 at the Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec Pool on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. Check-in and judging will take place from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Races begin immediately after judging concludes.

All teams must pre-register and pick up tape in advance from the Single Marine Program. The event is open to active duty and reserve JBM-HH personnel. For more information, call 703-6951591 or visit the SMP coordinator’s office in Bldg.

29, 3rd Deck, room 305, on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base.

African-American History Month gospel service

JBM-HH will host an African-American History Month celebration and gospel service Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH. This year’s keynote speaker is Bishop Glen A. Staples, senior pastor for the Temple of Praise in Washington D.C. The theme for this event is “Our Legacy: The Church and the Community.”

Other attendees include Ebony N. McMorris, the news and community affairs director for Radio One; gospel recording artist Phillip Carter; the Largo High School Choir; as well as this year’s recipients of the Keeper of the Community Awards. For more information, contact Edgar Brookins at 202-3200939 or edgarb@afro.com.

Career development for military spouses available

PHOTO

BY

SPC. CODY W. TORKELSON

Sgt. 1st Class Todd Taylor, Louisville, Ky., native and bugler with The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” plays during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va., Jan. 30.

Temperatures dictate how Soldiers with the ceremonial units of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) prepare wardrobes for a winter day of walking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier mat or Arlington burial services.

At that point, you tell yourself: ‘I’ve done this; I can do this.’”

No matter what the temperature and the type of precipitation falling from the Virginia sky, Taylor u nde r st a nd s t h at h i s mission is to honor fallen

service members.

“The reason we are successful [during Arlington National Cemetery ceremonies and funerals] is because we’ve done it so many times,” he said.

see ELEMENTS, page 6

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Uniformed service sponsors filing taxes this year are encouraged to download and fill out a 1095-B or 1095-C tax form and “self-attest” to providing themselves and sponsors with minimal essential coverage through TRICARE or other qualified coverage plans to avoid tax penalties. In the 2015 tax season, law requires that the DoD reports data the IRS, and send out the forms to every household with a uniformed service sponsor.

a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The center will take walk-ins until 30 minutes before closing time.

Services are also provided in Spanish. To schedule an appointment, call 703-6961040.

The Family Member Employment Assistance Program provides free career development courses, job search information specific to the local area, and resume writing assistance to military spouses.

Call 703-614-6828 to register for classes, schedule an appointment or get more information.

Learn to manage stress

Learn ways to lessen and even eliminate stress from your life at this class Feb. 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Army Community Service classroom in Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

Get more information and pre-register by Feb. 13 at 703-696-3512.

Training on Social Security Disability, other benefits: Feb. 17

The Exceptional Family Member Programs of JBM-HH and Fort Belvoir join together to provide benefits training on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Feb. 17 (register by Feb. 12) at Army Community Service, Fort Belvoir, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Learn about: • Benefits programs under SSI and SSDI • How earned income (wages) and unearned income affect cash and medical benefits • Which work incentives belong to which benefit program, including when to use them and which ones to use • Medicaid and Medicare rules when individuals earn income • Accessing information from the Social Security Administration website and other important web resources such as WorkWorld and MedicaidWORKS In addition to sharing time with like-minded people, lunch will be provided. Register for the workshop by calling 703-696-8467/0783 or 703805-4418 by Feb. 12.

D.C. Special Olympics bowling championship seeking volunteers

The D.C. Special Olympics Bowling Championship will be held Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 and is seeking volunteers to assist Special Olympics bowlers with score-keeping and other activities. Volunteers may sign up for any day they like, but the Army is responsible for Feb. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event takes place at the AMF Capital Plaza at 4601 Cooper Lane, Hyattsville, Md. Sign up on the Naval District Washington Website and designate Special Olympics Bowling, and be

see NEWS NOTES, page 5

PENTAGRAM

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Access measures: Q&A Gate – 2nd street, south of P Street on the Fort McNair portion.

The safety and security of all residents, workers and visitors at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is paramount; we also want to serve our customers in the best way possible. To that end, we’ve received some questions. Below are the most frequently asked questions with answers.

These non-DoD-affiliated visitors could include someone who is your guest, and they must receive an NCIC-III (National Crime Information Center) criminal history check prior to being granted access.

To prevent long lines and backups at the access control points, these non-DoD-affiliated visitors are encouraged to pre-register at the Visitor Control Center in Building 415, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.You may be directed to be escorted by a DoD ID card holder to your destination or to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) for processing.

Frequently Asked Questions – access control procedures When will the enhanced access control procedures take effect?

The procedures are scheduled to take effect and become visible to those entering and departing JBM-HH Monday, Feb.16. We will monitor traffic congestion on and off base to maintain the safety and security of residents, employees and visitors at all times.

What impact will this have on me or my guests?

DoD ID card holders (active and reserve component military personnel and their family members; retired military personnel and their family members; and federal workers and cleared contract personnel) — may enter JBM-HH, including Fort Myer and Henderson Hall, Va. — and Fort McNair, District of Columbia, by presenting a Common Access Card (CAC) or DoD ID card.

Department of Defense ID card holders do not begin to register their DoD ID cards until Friday, May 15.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 16, nonDoD ID card holders and drivers of commercial delivery vehicles (includes visitors and contractors who do not qualify for DoD ID cards – volunteers, church goers and nannies, for example) will be directed to Hatfield Gate – Washington Boulevard at South 2nd Street, Arlington, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base; and Second Street

TRAFFICKING from page 3

tional behavior in victims.

“Victims of complex trauma rely on their ‘fight or flight’ response and don’t use the same thought-out logic we do to make decisions,” she said. “Substance abuse is a big cause of brain development issues in this population, and it is made worse by the trauma.”

If I am not eligible for a DoD ID card (I am a non-DoD-affiliated visitor) what happens if I do not pre-register before Feb. 16?

If not pre-registered, you will be directed to Hatfield Gate at Washington Boulevard and 2nd Street on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base or to the 2nd Street Gate on the Fort McNair portion of JBM-HH where you will be subject to in-lane vetting (search lane inspection and background vetting). This may delay your entry onto JBM-HH; and/ or you may be directed to be escorted by a DoD ID card holder to your destination or to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) for processing.

As a visitor (non-DoD-affiliated), do I have to undergo screening to enter JBM-HH? Personnel record screening is a voluntary procedure. Before you are screened, you will be required to fill out a Request and Authorization for Criminal Records release form.

Personnel who do not wish to undergo screening checks are not authorized access.

Victim advocates cannot do this work without having basic knowledge of substance abuse and being able to work with clients in it, because trauma victims may be using substances to cope, according to Martin.

“It is because a lot of trafficking survivors end up doing things for money or drugs, either because they need it or their family needs it,” she said. “Perpetrators look

FINANCE from page 3

blocks of your future,” Toyer said during an interview with the Pentagram. “Saving, managing debt and eventually looking at how to invest what’s left to make it grow.”

And when it comes to saving money, Toyer said establishing a budget is the most important first step.

“Not having a budget prevents giving them a clear picture of where their money is going at any given time,” he said. Without that picture, Toyer said it becomes hard to determine how much money they have to actually save.

The Financial Readiness Program frequently works with younger enlisted Soldiers to educate them on the best financial practices.

“Many of the younger enlisted Soldiers don’t have that kind of experience,” Toyer said. “We try to get them straight and to realize the value and importance of savings.”

That includes living realistically and within their means, as well as establishing credit so they can later rent apartments, qualify for loans and buy cars.

“We try to teach people that credit cards in themselves are not bad,” he said.

“It’s people’s usage and the philosophy behind what credit cards are that gets them into trouble. They’re important for your financial health.”

And that financial health is important, especially in the long-term.

“Ultimately, you have to look at your retirement years down the road,” Toyer said. “Eventually, one day, you’re going to be 10, 20, 30 years from now, and you’re going to have to assess what you’ve accomplished, and hopefully part of that is going to be that you’ve put something

for these signs and offer victims these things, so they get caught through economic situations.”

Knowing that selling their bodies often meets a financial need, and always assessing sex for survival is key in treatment, according to Martin.

For more information on how to recognize and report human trafficking incidences, visit http://ctip. defense.gov/.

away for your future.”

The Military Saves Campaign works to instill that desire and practical thinking in service members.

“The Military Saves Campaign is a year-long effort. Military Saves Week is an opportunity for our military community to come together with federal, state and local resources, including military banks and credit unions, to focus on the financial readiness of military members and their families and helpt them reduce debt and save their hard-earned money,” wrote Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and his Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia in a memorandum endorsing the campaign.

“It encourages Soldiers to start a plan, or to look at a recommitment to saving and to maybe increasing or improving that plan,” Toyer said.

Ultimately, the financial stability of service members comes down to education and their desire to learn.

“If you get them early enough to educate them, you see a lot less of those problems, as long as they incorporate that learning into their lifestyle,” he said.

For more information about Military Saves Week, contact the JBM-HH ACS Financial Readiness Program in Bldg.

201 on the Fort Myer portion of the Joint Base at 703-696-0163 or visit www. militarysaves.org.

The Marine Corps also offers a variety of similar services through the Personal Financial Management Program, which is located in Bldg. 29 on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. Contact them at 703-614-6950.

Editor’s Note: This is the sixth article in a continuing series to highlight services and programs of Army Community Service, which celebrates 50 years of service this July.

As a non-DoD-affiliated visitor, what information do I need to pre-register/register?

You will need to present a valid driver’s license or other valid government identification and a completed request for JBMHH access. At the VCC, you will have your photo taken, submit a fingerprint and have a National Criminal Information Center interstate identification Index (NCIC-III) criminal history record check conducted by one of the VCC registrars.

What is an NCIC-III check?

NCIC – National Crime Information Center – helps criminal justice professionals apprehend fugitives, locate missing persons, recover stolen property and identify terrorists. It also assists law enforcement officers in performing their official duties more safely and provides them with information necessary to aid in protecting the general public.

What issues would prevent someone from coming onto JBM-HH? Visitors with an outstanding arrest warrants, recent felony convictions or who are listed in the Terrorist Screening Database will not be allowed access.

Convicted murderers, drug dealers, child pornographers and human traffickers, those with firearms convictions and other predetermined disqualifying convictions of certain criminal offenses will also be prohibited, and if appropriate, will be turned over to legal authorities.

If I have previously been issued a Centralized Operations Police Suite (COPS – the JBM-HH issued access) pass, do I need to re-register for an Automated Installation Entry (AIE) pass?

No. This COPS pass is valid and will be accepted through the document expiration date.

COPS passes will be replaced and reissued with AIE passes upon expiration.

Visit us online!

As a DoD ID card holder, do I need to register my ID card now?

No, not at this time. Specific information will be made available in the near future.

After I undergo screening, how long before I receive my pass to come on the base? Will I get the pass the same day I apply, or should I allow for a certain amount of time, say “next day” service?

Those who successfully meet vetting criteria will be issued a temporary visitor pass for four days at the access control point, allowing entry into the installation without repeated vetting. Personnel may report to the installation VCC 24 hours later to complete processing for the photo pass.

Can I send in a visitor pass request on-line prior to my visit?

Yes, visitors/applicants may download a request form from the JBM-HH website – available approximately Feb. 16 and send their application in advance of their intended entry date via email. An email address will me published in a future edition and be available online at www.army. mil/jbmhh.

Where can I get more information on the policy or request assistance?

The policy will be posted at the JBM-HH website at www.army. mil/jbmhh once finalized.You can visit the VCC, Fort Myer, Building 415, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., phone number: 703-696-8968/3525; or send questions to DES NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS HERE. This email address is not monitored 24/7, but a response will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.

The Frequently Asked Questions will be updated as more information becomes available at www.army.mil/ jbmhh.

www.DCMilitaryHcom

NEWS NOTES

from page 4

sure to designate your service. To do so, contact Pamela Eller at 202-6850493 or via pamela.j.eller. civ@mail.mil

JBM-HH Veterinary Clinic open daily

SPECIAL RATES FOR MILITARY AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

The JBM-HH Veterinary Clinic is open daily, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic sees patients by appointment only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The clinic is located in Bldg. 230 (behind Conmy Hall) at 101 Jackson Avenue on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 703-696-3604.

Barcroft Apartments is now offering its garden apartments with 10% discount for military personnel & month to month leases available.

Efficiency......................................................$979-$1005 One Bedroom..............................................$1070-$1105 Two Bedrooms............................................$1315-$1400 Three Bedrooms Plus Electric.................$1500-$1545 Townhome..............................................................$1500 All prices subject to change.

Behavioral Health weekly meetings at Henderson Hall

T he Mar ine Cor ps Community Ser vice’s Behavioral Health Branch offers weekly meetings monthly, including a men’s domestic violence group meeting Tuesdays, 9 to 11 a.m., for 26 weeks, in the conference room of Bldg.

12 on Henderson Hall.

There is also an anger management workshop Wednesdays, 9 to 11 a.m.

see NEWS NOTES, page 6

A month. All utilities paid.

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• Walk to elementary and high school or Army National Guard Readiness Center.

• Take the express bus to the Pentagon, Ft. Myer, Henderson Hall or Ballston in 12 minutes.

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HOURS: MON. - FRI. 9-5 Call for Saturday hours

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1042905B

Some Restrictions Apply

5

6

Thursday, February 12, 2015

NEWS NOTES from page 5

(location to be determined). Finally, there is a women’s support and empowerment group available (please call for details).

For more information on these and other services, please 703-614-7204.

Marines: Do you own/operate a motorcycle?

Marines who own/operate a motorcycle are required to declare ownership under Marine Corps regulation (ALMAR 014-08). The ALMAR dictates that all Marines who own a motorcycle declare ownership and/or ridership within 48 hours from checking into a command.

Failure to comply subjects violators to punitive actions and possible loss of benefits in the event of a motorcycle accident or mishap. Contact Headquarters and Service Battalion’s Safety and Environmental Officer at 703-693-2501 on the Henderson Hall portion of JBM-HH for more info.

Winter weather is here – be prepared!

In the event of weather-related closures, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall personnel follow the guidance of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM determines the open or closed status for all government agencies and installations located inside the Washington, D.C., beltway.

If you have any questions about your duty status, contact your supervisor.

Partner organization personnel should inquire within their chain of command.

For OPM guidance, see www.opm.gov/ status. You can also call 202-606-1900 around the clock for status.

For immediate updates from JBM-HH, visit us online at www.facebook.com/ jbmhh and www.twitter.com/jbmhh.

Also, the JBM-HH website (www.army. mil/jbmhh) contains a winter weather link – activated when necessary – with up-to-date weather information. You can also call the commander’s information hotline at 703-696-6906, which is updated in emergencies or inclement weather situations. See www.weather. gov for a forecast.

Ice melt refills

At JBM-HH, filled ice melt buckets have already been placed outside facilities by the Directorate of Public Works.

Refill ice melt buckets by bringing empty buckets to Bldg. 325 on the Fort Myer

PENTAGRAM

portion of the joint base and the P Street Lot on the Fort McNair portion of the joint base between the hours of 1 and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call Denise Faldowski at 703-696-1254 for more information.

Java Café now caters

The Marine Corps Exchange’s Java Café on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base has introduced a catering menu. Fresh breakfast and lunch service is available for pick-up in quantities to suit every occasion. Among the selections are pastries and sweets, wraps and sandwiches and coffee and tea. Boxed lunches are prepared with sandwiches or wraps, a cookie, chips and bottled water.

To see the menu, visit www.mccsHH. com/JavaCafe.html. Online ordering will be coming this spring. Until then, call 571-483-1962.

Holiday hours, closures submission policy

JBM-HH commands, tenants and other area organizations that desire publication of special federal holiday operating hours and/or holiday closures must submit this information to the JBM-HH Public Affairs Office at least three weeks before the holiday to allow time for publication. For example, if an organization is closed Friday through Monday, May 22 through 25 for Memorial Day, this information must be sent, along with an organization POC and phone number, no later than Monday, May 4. This information must be submitted to the JBM-HH Public Affairs staff at: usarmy. jbmhh.asa.list.pao-all@mail.mil and pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.

News Note policy! Read in full

News Notes submissions must be less than 100 words, contain all pertinent details — to include the five “W’s” — as well as a point of contact, phone number and/or website for additional information. News Notes must be submitted no later than noon, Wednesdays, for consideration for publication in the following week’s Pentagram.

For example, information submitted for publication in News Notes on Wednesday, Feb. 4, will be published in the Pentagram Thursday, Feb. 12. Priority will be given to those announcements of events and deadlines occurring during the publication week. Please note that submission of a news note does not guarantee publication. Please send your news notes to the Pentagram at pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.

ELEMENTS from page 4

“Sure, we could sit in a car [or bus], come out at the last moment and play, but we don’t want to draw attention away [from the funeral]. We want to get the mission done and pay honors.”

At T he Old G u a rd Ca isson st ables, pre paring for the day begins at 4:30 a.m. When cold mornings occur, Caisson Platoon Soldiers prepare two and sometimes three half dozen-horse and threeSoldier teams for a battle against the cold.

“About 6 o’clock, we get a uniform call telling us what we should be wearing out in the cemetery,” said Caisson Platoon’s Sgt. David Smith. “A lot of g uys wear snivel gear underneath. Snivel gear is cold-weather gear – long sleeved shirts that are not seen. That way, it keeps us warm, while we’re on the horses. We add a couple more layers underneath to what we’re supposed to wear.”

Horse teams are consistently covered with blankets to minimize the cold, but one winter weather condition will put a stop light on a caisson detail.

“If there is a lot of ice on the roads, the horses won’t go out, but the funerals go on,” Smith said. “Funerals don’t get cancelled- it’s rare if they do.”

Below the Arlington Memorial Amphitheatre, Tomb sentinels prepare for an hour’s winter walk on the mat. Seventeen Soldiers

PHOTO

BY JIM

DRESBACH

Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of the changing of the guard Staff Sgt. Brian R. Blackmore (background) walks alongside incoming guard Spc. Aaron Z. LopezStoner during an afternoon changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Feb. 5. Different weather conditions dictate which uniform garments The Old Guard Soldiers wear during funeral services or the walking of the mat at the cemetery.

currently hold sentinel badges, while 12 are sentinels in training, but the cold is the same for all who make the solemn 21-step walk in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“During the winter, when relief takes over at zero six in the morning, we’re checking the temperature and constantly checking the weather,” L e a m y s a i d . “ We ’r e checking to see if there is going to be any precipitation and when it is going to get here. Now being in the middle of the bad part of winter, we’re checking the wind chill, as well.”

W hen t he cemeter y closes, sentinels switch to additional clothing layers and ACUs (Army Combat

Uniforms), and the mission changes to a roaming guard type of patrol. Leamy, a native of the southwest side of Chicago, thought this winter – his fourth at the tomb – was not as severe as last year’s punishing cold months.

“Compared to last winter, it really hasn’t been too bad.

I’d say it has been a pretty moderate winter,” he said.

“The wind has been a big factor a couple of days. The snow and the wind are our biggest concerns.”

But t he pa ra mou nt concern of the sentinels does not include personal comfort.

“We do it [in the cold] for the unknowns,” said sentinel platoon staff member Sgt. 1st Class John Wirth.

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PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

A shred truck, which shreds documents securely on-site, works outside of Bldg. 59 on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Feb. 4.

JBM-HH’s Environmental Management Division organized the shredding event on all three parts of the joint base Feb. 4-5. The shredded items are later recycled. The joint base recycled some 15 tons of paper during the event.

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PENTAGRAM

Thursday, February 12, 2015

IMCOM human capital plan shapes 2025 workforce, builds legacy

By Amanda Kraus Rodriguez U.S. Army Installation Management Command The newly-developed U.S. Army Installation Management Command Strategic Human Capital Plan lays groundwork for re-shaping its workforce and culture to answer the future needs of the Army, provide premier installation management and become one of the premier federal workplaces by the year 2025.

Lt. Gen. David Halverson, commander of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, approved the SHCP, the first plan of its kind, Jan. 29 with eyes on both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s installation workforce needs.

“We have to adapt ourselves,” Halverson said.

“The old ways of doing business no longer apply.”

The plan is a critical first step in the IMCOM 2025 and beyond strategic design and its development was complex. IMCOM’s workforce includes over 54,916 civilian employees, in 329 different occupational series, spanning 31 Army career programs globalwide. A new approach was required to include everyone -appropriated fund, local national, and non-appropriated fund employees, according to Brian Gormley, SHCP project lead.

“We formed a tiger team of your peers,” Gormley said, “a multi-disciplined team that represented all of IMCOM’s functional responsibilities, from all regions and garrisons, to develop and publish I MC OM’s f i r s t- e v e r

Strategic Human Capital Plan.”

The team started with a n asse ssment of t he command, identifying opportunities for improvement using standards published by the Office of Personnel Management a nd t he G over n ment Accountability Off ice, along with employee feedback.

“We want employees to k now t hat mea ningful cultural change is coming,” said Lois Keith, Civilian Personnel chief of IMCOM. “It’s important that the work force knows that this is a group effort – a transparent datadriven, fact-based process.

T h roug h t he Federa l Employee View Point Survey, employees have a voice. They spoke, and we listened.”

Included in the assessment are annual Federal E mploye e V ie w p oi nt Survey results, the Partnership for Public Service Best Places to Work rankings, historical data and demographics, as well as employee and supervisor interviews (from headquarters, region and garrison levels) that guided development of I MCOM’s Strategic Human Capital Plan. “ Yo u ’ r e m a k i n g history, and it’s a good history,” IMCOM Deputy Commanding General for Support Brig. Gen. Jason Evans told the working group.

Dana Davis, a financial management specialist at IMCOM Europe, region headqua r ter s, a nd a member of t he SHCP working group cited communication as the key to successful implementation “I’m very hopeful that this effort will be sustained,” Davis said. “With Gen. Halverson getting out there

and telling everyone that this is important, other leaders and the regional directors repeating it, the message - people are our focus - is going to filter out to the entire workforce.”

The plan is scheduled for publication in February and includes specific action items to improve IMCOM practices and develop a human resources focus.

Employees can expect to see transparent, leader-led actions to achieve premiere workplace status and published results of progress.

STAFF POSITION AVAILABLE - PILOT DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK The Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park (http:// www.aero.umd.edu) is seeking highly qualified candidates for a position supporting the UMD Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site in Southern Maryland. Candidates with the requisite skills, demonstrated technical expertise, creativity and leadership are sought to serve as a Pilot for the UAS Test Site. Candidates must have demonstrated a proven record for excellence in the unmanned aviation industry and must be certified by the FAA as a Private Pilot (at a minimum) with a second class medical.

Under the direction of the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, the UMD UAS Test Site leverages the capabilities of the people and infrastructure in Southern Maryland and the University of System of Maryland for technical and policy issues associated with UAS. The UAS Test Site offers a collaborative approach to applying advanced capabilities to meet the challenges facing the UAS industry.

For best consideration, applications should be submitted online by February 23, 2015: http://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/31900 Information on the Department is available at the following website: www.aero.umd.edu The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status.

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1050314B

Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods congratulates Rolando Monsivais, JBM-HH Equal Employment Opportunity program manager, after Monsivais was recognized for completing the EEO Counselors Course, during the first JBM-HH Quarterly Awards Ceremony for Fiscal Year 2015, Feb. 5, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

U.S. Army Installation Management Command’s Strategic Human Capital Plan lays groundwork for re-shaping its workforce and culture to answer the future needs of the Army.

For more photos from this awards ceremony, visit www.flickr.com/photos/ jbm-hh.

PHOTO

BY JIM

7

GOODWIN

PENTAGRAM

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Washington’s Birthday holiday message

JBM-HH Washington’s Birthday

holiday hours

From Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Commanding General, Joint Force HeadquartersNational Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington

George Washington’s career as the commander of the Continental Army was peppered with hardship, inconclusive battles and painful losses during the Revolutionary War. Throughout these difficulties, he maintained careful vigilance over his troops’ welfare and held them to high standards. Ultimately, his leadership and victories led to the unlikely success and birth of our nation. For these accomplishments, he was posthumously appointed General of the Armies of the United States, the highest military rank.

General Washington’s life and career carry an important lesson for all of us about leadership and resilience. Our ability to face adversity, persevere and encourage others to do the same is an important part of living the Army values. As we celebrate this holiday, I urge each of you to consider how you can exercise and improve these skills, both in yourselves and in those around you.

Commanders and supervisors must speak with subordinate personnel and

Almost all activities on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall will be closed Monday, Feb. 16. The federal holiday commemorates the birth of George Washington, although the holiday is often commemorative of all American presidents. Most military personnel will have a training holiday Friday, Feb. 13. The following facilities and places of business have reported open or closed hours for Feb. 16. Unless otherwise noted, this list applies to Feb. 16. This list is not all encompassing; please check with the facility you wish to visit for more details.

COURTESY

PHOTO

leaders to reinforce the need to identify hazards and manage risk prior to the extended holiday weekend. Evaluating and overcoming risks to ourselves, co-workers and our families is essential for each of us to return safely. Tools to assist you are available from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center at https://safety.army. mil/OFF-DUTY.aspx.

Thank you for your continued vigilant service. I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable holiday.

MDW town hall

PHOTO

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BY

8

GEORGE MARKFELDER

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Joint Force HeadquartersNational Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, and staff listen to presentations concerning shaping the workforce, federal civilian education and future command engagements during the JFHQ-NCR/MDW Town Hall meeting held in the National Defense University’s Lincoln Auditorium at the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall Feb. 9.

Army Community Service

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-3510.

Auto Shop

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-3387.

American Clipper Barber Shop

Open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information, call 703-271-8177.

Bowling Center

Open noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 703-528-4766.

MCCS Car Wash

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cody CDC

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-3095.

CYSS

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-3057.

Fort Myer Officers Club

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-5147, 703-524-3037.

Fort McNair Officers Club

Closed. For more information, call 202-484-5800.

Spates Community Club

Closed. For more information, call 703-527-1302.

Dining Facility

Open. Will serve brunch from 9 a.m. to noon and supper from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Meals are being served out of the Community Center Bldg. 405. For more information, call 703-696-2087/1068.

Military Police Station

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, call 703-696-3525.

Marine Corps Exchange, Vineyard Wine & Spirits and NEX Uniform Center

Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information, call 703-979-8420.

Fort Myer Fitness Center

Open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. NOTE: Patrons are advised that all three fitness centers will be used for a weekendlong basketball tournament. For more information, call 703-696-7867.

Fort McNair Fitness Center

Closed. For more information, call 202-685-3117.

Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium

Open 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information, call 703-614-7214.

Headquarters Command Battalion, Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-8163.

Rader Health Clinic

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-2977.

Java Café

Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, call 571-483-1962.

JBM-HH Consolidated Tax Center

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-1040.

Library

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-3555.

Retention

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-1321.

Recreation Center

Closed. For more information, call 703-696-3470.