Vol. 30, No. 7
April 5, 2013
Fort Detrick Among Army Communities Recognized for Excellence USAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS The Department of the Army Headquarters named the winners of the Army Communities of Excellence awards in a message from the office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management March 13. Winners this year include U.S. Army Garrison Fort Rucker as a first-time Gold Medal winner. USAG Japan and Joint Base Lewis-McChord have been selected as Silver Medal winners. Bronze Medal winners for 2013 include USAG Fort Campbell, USAG Fort Drum and USAG Fort AP Hill. Four additional garrisons have been chosen to receive special recognition for their performance as most improved: USAG Detroit Arsenal, USAG Fort Detrick, USAG Fort
Greely and USAG Fort Buchanan. USAG Fort Detrick commander Col. Allan J. Darden stated in an email dated April 1, 2013, “the Army has recognized our employees for their remarkable dedication and unwavering support to the Fort Detrick community.” Darden went on to thank everyone for their perseverance and the drive he sees every day. The ACOE program is based on the principle that communities support people best by combining excellent services with excellent facilities in a quality environment. The Army community is the backbone of Army readiness; our forces train at, deploy from, are sustained by and return to this Army community. Soldiers perform their mission with more confidence when they feel their
leaders care about them and their families. Established in 1989, the ACOE awards are presented annually to Army installations scoring highest in the Army Communities of Excellence competition. By using criteria established for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award as a framework for performance assessment, the ACOE program helps participating Army installations/communities focus on providing excellence in facilities and services in support of Soldiers, their families, and civilians. Baldrige-based performance assessments help to identify best practices regarding installation management and reveal potential opportunities to apply appropriate performance improvement tools.
NICBR Sponsors Annual Spring Research Festival in May NICBR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
This year’s Spring Research Festival, to be held May 8-9 at the Odom Fitness Center, Fort Detrick, Md., will be sponsored by the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research. The theme of the 17th annual festival is Apterostigma dentigerum, a fungus-growing ant that is native to Central and South America. The ant has a mutually beneficial interaction with fungus, which it uses for food, and actinobacteria, which produce selective antibiotics to protect the fungus from parasites. Scientific staff, including students, technical support staff, postdoctoral fellows, and principal investigators will be presenting
posters describing their research to the joint scientific communities. All posters will be presented on both days of the festival, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In addition to scientific poster sessions, the 2013 Spring Research Festival will include a health and safety exposition, educational information, safety and scientific displays, and commercial exhibits of the latest scientific equipment and technologies. “That means that all of our NICBR partners at Fort Detrick will be working together to organize and support the festival, which focuses on the most recent collaborative biological research from our respective scientists, technicians, fellows, and students,” said Dr. Kristin Komschlies, NICBR Fort Detrick Interagency Coordinating Committee representative for the
National Cancer Institute. NICBR comprises the following federal agencies, some of which have offices or operations at Fort Detrick: The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Department of Homeland Security; the National Cancer Institute; the Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; the Naval Medical Research Center; the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command; and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is the newest member. “FDA is pleased to join with our NICBR partners in fostering collaborations that advance public health and protect the security of our nation. We look forward to
approach to achieving this strategic goal,” said Dr. Pat Fitch, NBACC director and FDICC member. Two events will be held before the festival in the NCI Campus at Frederick’s Conference Center Auditorium, Building 549. The NICBR Post-Doctoral and Post Baccalaureate Symposium: Host Response to Disease will be held May 6, and the NICBR Research Collaboration Forum will be held on May 7. For more information, visit the website at http://ncifrederick. cancer.gov/Events/Srf, or contact Julie Hartman, Spring Research Festival chair, at srfnci-frederick@ mail.nih.gov or 301-846-7338. To present a poster or exhibit, or to volunteer to judge poster presentations, register before April 19, 2013, at http://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/Events/Srf.
What’s Inside
Social Media Find Garrison on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr! www.facebook.com/DetrickUSAG www.twitter.com/DetrickUSAG www.flickr.com/DetrickUSAG Find MRMC on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr too! www.facebook.com/USAMRMC www.twitter.com/USAMRMC www.flickr.com/people/usamrmc
taking part in our first Spring Research Festival as a NICBR member and engaging with Fort Detrick scientists and the larger Frederick community in celebrating the important work done here,” said Dr. Estella Jones, NICBR FDICC representative for the FDA. “The annual Spring Research Festival provides a venue for our scientists to present their research findings, network with other NICBR scientists across research disciplines, and establish new collaborative relationships,” said Doug Luster, who leads the Agricultural Research Service’s Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit. “NBACC has a strategic goal to actively participate in the biodefense and scientific communities to improve performance. Participating in NICBR and National Interagency Biodefense Campus activities is one
US Army Soldiers’ Chorus Performs, page 5
Spring Snowstorm Takes Detrick by Surprise, page 6
CG Signs Proclamation Against Child Abuse, page 9
Commentary:
Go Ahead! Make Someone’s Day COMMAND SGT. MAJ. KEVIN B. STUART USAMRMC
Have you ever noticed how a person reacts when you pay them a compliment? Have you ever noticed how you felt after you paid someone a compliment? Complimenting someone is an extremely powerful gesture. The last time you paid someone a compliment, did you feel or notice their reaction? What impact did paying that compliment have on you? All too often, we go about our days living in our own heads. We may be so preoccupied with our own thoughts that we fail to notice the great job that a coworker did on a recent project, or the friendly demeanor of a clerk at the supermarket. It closes us off from the rest of the world, and it inhibits our ability to see some of the really great things going on all around us. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Several years ago, I came to the realization that people need to be shown encouragement and appreciation. Paying someone a compliment is a great way to do that. The best part is that paying someone a compli-
ment is easy, it doesn’t cost a thing, and it has the power to lift up people. Someone, somewhere, right now is starving for a true, sincere compliment and some kind words of encouragement and appreciation. You could be the person to give that to them. I truly believe that compliments have the power to change lives, and I know Brig. Gen. (P) Caravalho feels strongly about the power of praise as well. He has spoken in town halls and meetings about the power of honoring a job well done and how it can do wonders for morale. Don’t believe me? Try it out for yourself. Over the course of the next month, identify at least three people every day and offer them a sincere compliment. It could be a co-worker, your spouse, or a stranger on the street. Every time you offer someone a compliment, take note of the experience. How the person reacted. How it changed your outlook. At the end of the 30 days, reflect on the experience. More than likely you will find yourself happier, more motivated and you may have even received a few compliments along the way by inspiring others to join this movement.
Gate Changes
After Duty Numbers
Important After Duty Hour Numbers
Beginning Monday, April 8, 2013, the Opossumtown Gate will be open for limited hours to ease the traffic on the installation. The new operating hours of the Opossumtown Gate will be: 6:30-8:30 a.m., Monday thru Friday, Inbound and Outbound Traffic; 3:30-5:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday, Exit Traffic Only. Veterans gate will be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. with an approved change of extended hours for OUTBOUND Vehicle and INBOUND/OUTBOUND Pedestrian Traffic until 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed on Weekends and Holidays Rosemont gate will continue to be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed on Weekends and Holidays Old Farm gate will operate as the only 24 hour gate. Visitors to Fort Detrick will still enter through the Old Farm gate. Individuals with proper Department of Defense identification can enter Either through Rosemont, Veterans or Old Farm gates.
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ment of DoD. 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 nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is prepared and edited by the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, Md. 21702-5000. Editorial Offices are in Bldg. 810, Suite 004, telephone 301-619-2018; FAX: 301-619-3320, e-mail: USAGStandard@amedd.army.mil.
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Fort Detrick Standard April 5, 2013
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Command Staff
Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho, Jr. Commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick
Col. Allan J. Darden, Sr.
U.S. Army Garrison commander
Editorial Staff Lanessa Hill Chelsea Bauckman Nick Minecci
IMCOM Team Links Soldiers to New Careers Let’s face it, major life transitions are never easy, but taking off the Army Combat Uniform and looking for a civilian career is particularly challenging. In an effort to help transitioning Soldiers, the U.S. Army Installation Management Command established a new headquarters team with a focus on bringing departing Soldiers and prospective employers together. The G3 Integration/Synchronization Team, established in December 2012, operates under the IMCOM Headquarters G3 Operations Directorate and serves as a liaison between potential employers and the transition service managers who directly help Soldiers at installations around the world as part of the Army Career and Alumni Program. “The G3 I/ST is the conduit for all employers who have jobs available for hiring Soldiers,” said Mitchell Lee, G3 transition coordinator, IMCOM. “They coordinate the flow of information and communication to Soldiers through the existing transition programs at the garrisons.” The team is developing a single centralized database that identifies companies with jobs available. “Our team will bring together corporate America and our finest Soldiers as they move from military to civilian life,” said Lee. “I anticipate a 20 percent increase in effectiveness this year with connecting Soldiers to jobs.” Currently, the U.S. Army projects nearly 106,000 Soldiers will be leaving the Army in the next five years. The goal of the program is to help Soldiers leaving the Army to transfer to meaningful, lifelong careers and professions. “We want to enhance the success of the transition program for Soldiers and families as the Army starts to draw down during the next five years,” said Lee. “A key compo-
nent of this will be building a foundation for a long-term, value-added relationship between the civilian business community and IMCOM.” Another benefit of the program will be the reduction in unemployment compensation payments. During the past two fiscal years, the U.S. Army paid unemployment compensation of $515 million in fiscal 2011 and $502 million in fiscal 2012. “We want to make a difference in reducing unemployment compensation payments in fiscal year 2013,” said Lee. “Our team has been challenged to reach out to everyone to innovatively discover ways to successfully lower unemployment costs.” Recently, IMCOM published a standard operating procedure document and requested information about existing processes at Army installations in an effort to standardize efforts across all the installations. The requested information will be used to begin analysis to see where the Army can better facilitate transitioning Soldiers. Meanwhile, a transition outreach office was created by the Adjutant General Director, Army Human Resources Command, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1 to support the Veteran Opportunity to Work Act of 2011. The office is a one-stop shop designed to provide outreach fusion for transitioning Soldiers. Finally, the U.S. Army will use a centralized Department of Defense database to allow transitioning Soldiers to load a resume once and then search for any job available in any state. “This broadens the transitioning Soldier’s awareness of future job opportunities and dramatically increases their potential for success,” said Lee. If you are looking to hire veteran please contact the G3 I/ST at (210) 466-0123.
Bike To Work Day 2013 ; Join the Fort Detrick Team Bike to Work Day is May 17, and Fort Detrick is forming a team to participate in the ride throughout the City of Frederick. Last year, this installation was the largest team to register and participate. The ride is approximately 4.4 miles and will begin with a departure from Alumnae Hall at Hood College at 6:45 a.m., and end at the MARC Station on East Street, where there will be a program and speaker. To register as a rider, visit http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/ and enter “Frederick” as the pitstop. Fort Detrick riders will meet at the AEFES parking lot on Fort Detrick at 6:20 a.m. prior to departing for Hood College. There will be several stops throughout the ride to pick up additional riders who wish to join us along the way. The 2013 route will be: * Depart Alumnae Hall, Hood College at 6:45 a.m. * Exit onto Rosemont Avenue and head west *Continue on Rosemont Avenue to Lee Place
* Turn right on Lee Place and continue north to 7th Street * Pick up additional Fort Detrick riders at 7th Street and Lee Place * Turn right on 7th into the bike lanes and continue east to East Street * Turn right on East Street and continue south to 2nd Street * Turn right on 2nd Street and continue to Court Street to City Hall arriving 7 - 7:05 a.m. * Pick up City Hall riders and exit to Church Street *Continue east on Church Street to East Street * Turn right on East Street and continue south to MARC Station on left arriving 7:15-7:20 a.m. The City of Frederick officially joined the ranks of the most bicycle friendly cities around the country by receiving a bronze designation in 2012. Let’s help make this event better than last year! Remember that all riders are required to wear personal protective equipment, including a helmet.
Sequester Furlough Planning Requires Complex Preparations ROBERT DOZIER
U.S. ARMY INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT COMMAND
There’s no shortcut to make the pending Proposal of Notification Letter easier or quicker to produce. Officials across the Army await the exact details and wording of the furlough communication to minimize confusion among employees. Employees of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command are expected to receive their notification letters soon. Officials now estimate that furlough notices will go out on or about April 5, said Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokesperson, in a recent announcement. Before notifications can be made, human resource officials are expecting a signed memo from the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Thomas R. Lamont. In that memo will come specific guidance for conducting the furlough process. With civilian personnel all across the Army anticipating furloughs, approximately 27,000 IMCOM employees are waiting to find out if they, as individuals, are going into temporary non-duty and non-pay status. Those employees will be notified directly by their supervisors. Once employees are notified, several things must be accomplished. They will first acknowledge in writing their receipt of notification. They will then have seven days to exercise their right to reply. Employees may appeal orally or in writing to the designated reply official. Also, supervisors will inform employees of their exact furlough schedule. IMCOM is considering various methods to balance the work schedule, including a shortened 4-day workweek, but no decision has been made. Finally, supervisors will distribute decision notification notices to employees to begin the furlough schedule. These letters are expected to go out the week ending April 19, in time for the following furlough week. Then furloughs are expected to continue for 22 discontinuous days or one day per week for the remainder of the fiscal year. Employees may appeal the agency’s decision to the Merit System Protection Board within 30 days from the effective date of the furlough. A furlough places an employee in a temporary non-duty and non-pay status. IMCOM is furloughing its employees as a result of the Budget Control Act passed Aug. 2, 2011. The act requires more than $487 billion in cuts from the defense base budget over 10 years, beginning in fiscal year 2013. These cuts are commonly referred to as the “sequester.” IMCOM is taking other steps to help preserve financial resources during sequester. These include close scrutiny of 783 contracts across the IMCOM garrisons with a performance period starting in May or later. Contracts under review may be new awards or contracts with options scheduled for extension during this period.
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Most of the contracts under review fall in the municipal services arena. These include pest control, refuse, custodial care and grounds maintenance services. To maintain fiscal goals during sequester, IMCOM must make contracting decisions for the balance of fiscal 2013 and into fiscal 2014; however, no enterprise-wide contracting decisions have been made so far. Active-duty, Reserve and National Guard service members are exempt from furloughs. While the furlough is the equivalent of an 8.5 percent annual reduction in pay, each employee will experience a 20 percent reduction during the last five months of fiscal 2013. IMCOM realizes and regrets this hardship on employees. For those employees who are enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan through payroll deductions, TSP offers some relief. Go to their website at https://www.tsp.gov/lifeevents/ entering/enteringGovService.shtml and explore the non-pay status options. While on furlough, there will be strict adherence to employee standards -- for example, overtime and compensatory time are curtailed, and no employee will be allowed to volunteer services to their organization during the furlough. Telework and the use of government issued electronics, such as mobile phones, laptops or tablet computers, will not be permitted on furlough days. During the furlough period, the accumulation of annual and sick leave will be slowed. Leave is earned each pay period depending upon the pay status of the employee and the number of hours worked. With fewer hours comes a proportional decrease in the accrual of leave hours. Employees can obtain the exact status on their leave and earnings statements. Some scheduled annual leave during the furlough may be cancelled by the commander to fulfill manpower shortages. Management will be looking closely at leave schedules to balance the demands of the mission. Employees are reminded to work closely with supervisors on leave schedules, especially around these upcoming federal holidays: May 27 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day) and September 2 (Labor Day). Before seeking any part-time employment in the civilian sector, employees should discuss with their supervisor to assure they have met all ethics requirements. While health benefits, flexible spending accounts, federal group life insurance, vision and dental plans, and federal long term care plans are not impacted during this furlough period, the employee will still be responsible for the full premiums due for these benefits. No decision has been made regarding the termination of temporary and term employees. For more information on how sequestration and furloughs affect the IMCOM workforce, go to http://www.imcom.army.mil/ Organization/G1Personnel.aspx. Fort Detrick Standard April 5, 2013
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Dedicated to Improving the Lives of Individuals Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder Now DONNA M. KIMBARK, PH.D. USAMRMC CDMRP
Autism Spectrum Disorder encompasses a range of complex developmental disorders characterized by mild to severe challenges to social, emotional, cognitive, and communication abilities. Recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, showed an alarming increase in the number of children diagnosed with ASD. In the United States, 1 in 88 children are diagnosed yearly while as many as 1 in 54 boys are on the spectrum. Boys are four times more likely than girls to have a diagnosis of ASD. The associated national cost of ASD is estimated to be $35-$90 billion annually. It is important to realize children do not grow out of autism, but through specialized behavioral interventions and medications, they can progress and compensate for their specific challenges. Adolescents and adults with ASD face impediments in society today because of the lack of measures to assist them in daily living activities and the lack of pathways to help them become independent, productive members of society. To better the lives of those individuals living with ASD, the U.S. Congress answered the needs of the ASD community through an appropriation in fiscal year 2007 that was the genesis of the Autism Research Program. The ARP is
managed on Congress’ behalf by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command through the office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The mission of the ARP is to find and fund the best research in ASD to promote innovation that advances the understanding of ASD and leads to improved outcomes. From its inception in FY07 through FY12, a total of $41.4 million has been designated for the ARP through the congressional appropriations, and this has led to 85 scientific awards, selected through a rigorous two-tiered peer reviewed and programmatically reviewed process. Responsiveness to the needs of the ASD community has been at the forefront of the ARP mission through different awards to researchers. In one such award, to enhance the ability of adolescents with high functioning autism to gain independence, Drs. Daniel Cox and Ronald Reeves of the University of Virginia have designed and built a virtual reality system to evaluate and augment the driving skills of individuals with ASD. Based on preliminary results from a previous ARP seed grant, Cox and Reeve are further developing this system. The results of this study may lead to long-term advancements for people living with autism and may help them to gain confidence and independence in society. In addition, the ARP is funding a clinical study to look at tech-
Photo provided
Dr. Donna Kimbark nology-enhanced early intensive behavior intervention services for children with ASD in military families. Led by principal investigator Dr. Wayne Fisher at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the study facilitates behavioral intervention care for military families where geography or deployments cause difficulties in attaining care, or consistent care, for their children with ASD. By providing long-distance training of paraprofessionals and family members in intervention services for children, Fisher’s research team hopes to provide a lasting benefit for military families. Through innovation and inge-
nuity, and through dedication and commitment, the ARP is focused on the mission to serve the scientific community to research ASD for the benefit of people and fami-
lies living with ASD, every day. For more information on the Autism Research Program, please visit the CDMRP website at http://cdmrp.army.mil/arp/default.shtml.
US Army Soldiers’ Chorus Will April is Alcohol Awareness Month Perform Free Concert on April 5 Performing for the first time in Frederick, the U.S. Army Soldiers’ Chorus will present a free concert on Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church located at 131 West Second Street, in downtown Frederick. The event is open to the public; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required and doors will open at 6:15 p.m. The Soldiers’ Chorus, founded in 1957, is the vocal complement of the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C.. The 28-member mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band of the “Musical Ambassadors of the Army.” The chorus has performed in all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, India, the Far East, and throughout Europe, entertaining audiences of all ages. The musical backgrounds of Soldiers’ Chorus personnel range from opera and musical theatre to music education and vocal coaching; this diversity provides unique programming flexibility.
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Photo Provided
U.S. Army Soldiers’ Chorus In addition to presenting selections from the vast choral repertoire, Soldiers’ Chorus performances often include the music of Broadway, opera, barbershop quartet, and Americana. This versatility has earned the Soldiers’ Chorus an international reputation for presenting musical excellence and inspiring patriotism. Critics have acclaimed recent appearances with the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, and National symphony orchestras. Other notable performances
include four world fairs, American Choral Directors Association conferences, music educator conventions, Kennedy Center Honors Programs, the 750th anniversary of Berlin, and the rededication of the Statue of Liberty. This event is part of Calvary United Methodist Church’s Community Concert Series, and sponsored by its Music and Arts Committee. Its mission is to bring professional artists to Frederick for enjoyment by the community. For more information, visit www. calvaryumc.org.
ARMY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM During the month of April, the Alcohol Awareness Month campaign helps to raise awareness about alcohol misuse and encourages people to make healthy, safe choices. Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in the United States (National Institute on Drug Abuse). In support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, also in April, it is important to note, “From FY [fiscal year] 2006-11, alcohol was known to be involved in almost 63% of all rapes and aggravated sexual assaults,” a statement taken from Army 2020: Generating Health and Discipline in the Force Ahead of the Strategic Reset Report 2012. During this month, take time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol misuse. If you have questions or concerns regarding alcohol’s impact on your health, safety, work performance, and relationships with people you care about, it is time to get some answers.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE? Grabbing a beer after work, meeting the girls for a drink, or sipping a glass of wine with dinner are enjoyable moments for most people. However, if you have an alcohol problem, these moments can lead to trouble in many areas
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
of your life. People often wonder where to draw the line with their drinking, and how they can tell if their drinking is a problem that needs to be addressed. Fortunately, there is a screening tool available for Service members, Veterans, Department of Defense employees, contractors, and family members that will help determine if someone is at high risk for alcohol dependency or alcoholism. For those people who may question their own alcohol use, it is important to know that alcohol use disorders are common and highly treatable, and screenings are an important first step to take. On April 9, 2013, the Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, will be holding a screening and information event, National Alcohol Screening Day, at the Fort Detrick Community Support Center, Building 1520, in the Advanced Technology Center on the first See ALCOHOL, continued on page 5
Headquarters USAMRMC Holds Awards Ceremony
April is Month of the Military Child
With help from children at the post’s Child Development Center, USAMRMC Commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr. signed a proclamation April 2 observing the Month of the Military Child. “We take this time to recognize our military children for their strength, flexibility, adaptability, and incredible resilience,” said Caravalho.
Congratulations to the individuals honored at the Headquarters USAMRMC Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 2. Col. Sang Pak
Meritorious Service Medal
Chris Chambers Superior Civilian Service Award Mike Leggieri
Photo by Ellen Crown
Superior Civilian Service Award
John Carr Certificate of Achievement Awards Greg Kniesler Bret Mower Thomas Titus Randy Weishaar Glenn Wilson Sunny Danyean Lt. Col. Mee Paek Order of Military Medical Merit Karen Mohney
35 Year Pin
Bret Mower
15 Year Pin
Kelly Garrett
10 Year Pin
Sandra Rogers
5 Year Certificate
ALCOHOL, continued from page 4
floor near Café Too. Those interested may participate between 1000 and 1400 hours, when convenient. Participation will count towards one credit of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education; only one screening per fiscal year will be counted as DAPE credit, IAW AR 600-85. For more information, contact the Army Substance Abuse Program, Fort Detrick and Forest Glen Annex, Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education Coordinator at 301-619-9722.
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Fort Detrick Standard April 5, 2013
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Harlem Ambassadors Make a Stop at Fort Detrick
Spring Snowstorm Takes Detrick Residents by Surprise
The Harlem Ambassadors made a visit to Fort Detrick on Tuesday, March 26 for an evening full of fun and basketball. The group invited children enrolled in the Child and Youth School Age Services Program to join them on the court for a memorable evening.
Photo by Ellen Crown
Photos by Lanessa Hill
Photo by Ellen Crown
Photo by Garth Phoebus
Photo by Ellen Crown
Medical Museum’s 14th Annual Brain Awareness Week Gets Students Using Their Heads MELISSA BRACHFELD
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE
Representatives from the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center teach students about how the ears process noise during Brain Awareness Week at the National Museum of Health and Medicine March 11-15. Photo courtesy of NMHM.
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At the National Museum of Health and Medicine’s 14th annual Brain Awareness Week, students were encouraged to not only use their heads for learning, but also to hold real brain specimens and, in some cases, experience firsthand how their brains react to certain stimuli. The event, which was held for the first time at the Museum’s new location in Silver Spring, Md., was attended by approximately 600 students from more than a dozen different schools around the Washington, D.C., area. NMHM’s Brain Awareness Week is presented each year in conjunction with the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. NMHM’s Brain Awareness Week activities took place March 11-15. Students learned about the brain by rotating through hands-on activity stations, which were managed by the Museum’s Partners in Education representing the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, Howard University College of Medicine and Rutgers University. Activities ranged from learning about the weak electric field an elephant nose fish produces - from scientists rep-
resenting the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, to trying on a pair of “fatal vision goggles” that mimicked the effects of being under the influence of alcohol - at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s station. The week started with a visit from the Society for Neuroscience, as Dr. Alicia Torres, senior director of communications and public affairs for SFN, presented the museum with two signed proclamations from Maryland governor Martin O’Malley and Washington, D.C. mayor Vincent C. Gray declaring it Brain Awareness Week. At its activity station, Ph.D. students from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences taught students about neurons by asking them to construct models out of craft materials. Eric Prager, who has participated in Brain Awareness Week at NMHM for four years, said he always enjoys taking part in the week’s activities. “I come back [each year] because I want to help provide children with opportunities that I did not have for myself growing up,” he said. “We did not have BAW or events to study the brain. I want to be able to give back to the community, and help educate the public about why it is so im-
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
portant to study the brain and its mechanisms.” Andrea Schierkolk, NMHM public programs manager and Brain Awareness Week coordinator, said she is pleased with the outcome of the event. “Engaging interactions between middle school students and neuroscientists resulted in many unforgettable memories,” she said. “My hope is that programs like Brain Awareness Week will inspire a new generation of neuroscientists who will take on challenges like traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.” National Brain Awareness Week programs were first established by the Dana Alliance in 1996 in an annual effort to raise public awareness about the brain and brain science. In 2000, Dana joined forces with NMHM to develop a program designed especially for middle school students. NMHM Partners in Education for Brain Awareness Week 2013: Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Howard University, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Aging, National Eye Institute, National Institute See BRAIN AWARENESS, continued on page 8 Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
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Fort Detrick Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade FORT DETRICK ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest of 130 estuaries in the United States. The Bay watershed includes parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and all of the District of Columbia. The Bay contains more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. The Bay watershed is 64,299 square miles and is home to over 15 million people. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are a national treasure and have been a vital resource for recreation, food and transportation since colonial times. The health of the Bay has been impacted due to activities related to increased population in the watershed. Nutrient loading of the waterways is a major factor in water quality deterioration. Nitrogen and phosphorus are types of nutrients contributing to the Bay’s poor water quality. While nitrogen and phosphorus are needed for plant growth and human activities, current nutrient loading is more than the Bay’s water can handle. Nitrogen and phosphorus delivered to the Bay come from a variety of sources which include: vehicle emissions, industry, agriculture, fertilizer, treated wastewater discharges and natural sources. It is estimated that approximately 20% of the nutrients entering the Bay are the result of treated wastewater discharges. Elevated nutrient levels cause more algae to grow, blocking out sunlight and reducing
oxygen for fish, blue crabs and other aquatic life. Algal blooms on the surface of the water block the sun’s rays from reaching underwater bay grasses. Without sunlight, bay grasses cannot grow and will cease to provide critical food and habitat for aquatic life. “Leftover” algae that are not consumed by algae-eating organisms eventually die and sink to the bottom. There, they are decomposed by bacteria in a process that leaves bottom waters with little or no oxygen. Just like humans and animals on land, all aquatic species need oxygen to survive. The Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement was signed by all six states, and the District of Columbia, located within the Bay watershed. This agreement was established for the continued and approved restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The agreement pledged to commit to actions designed to restore the health of the Bay and its living resources. The agreement requires the reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Bay by about 20 million pounds and 1 million pounds per year, respectively. The Maryland Department of the Environment is using the Bay Restoration Fund to assist in the funding to upgrade major non-Department of Defense wastewater treatment plants which discharge to the Bay. These WWTPs are expected to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in the treated wastewater down to 3 milligrams/liter total nitrogen and 0.3 mg/L total phosphorus, achieving approximately one-third of the needed nutrient reduction under the agreement.
A Memorandum of Understanding was established between the State of Maryland and DoD in lieu of making payments to the Bay Restoration Fund. The MOU details that all DoD facilities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed will continue to operate their WWTPs per the requirements of existing and future wastewater discharge permits. The MOU further specifies that DoD WWTPs will be upgraded with enhanced nutrient removal technologies. DoD facilities within the Bay watershed must also continue to implement watershed improvement projects consistent with the agreement and provide an annual report (Chesapeake Bay Program Federal Spending Inventory Report) summarizing projects implemented, including associated costs. Fort Detrick has a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit to discharge treated wastewater to the Monocacy River. When the NPDES permit was reissued in December 2009, it included stringent requirements for the reduction of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). The Fort Detrick WWTP is located adjacent to the Monocacy River in Frederick County, Maryland. The Fort Detrick WWTP was originally constructed in 1944, with a major upgrade in 1977, and provided preliminary, primary, and secondary treatment of sanitary wastewater generated at Fort Detrick. The Fort Detrick WWTP facility was recently upgraded with ENR technologies to meet the required nutrient reduction levels. Construction was initiated in Decem-
ber 2009, and the new plant was required to meet reduced nutrient level requirements no later than June 30, 2011. The biggest challenge that the construction contractor faced was that sanitary wastewater treatment operations must be maintained throughout WWTP upgrade construction activities. Since the plant footprint is small, segments were required to be removed in a careful manner so that treatment processes were not impacted. For instance, one of the trickling filters was removed so that the oxidation ditch could be constructed. The Fort Detrick WWTP was upgraded to include the following treatment technologies: Headworks. Grit and screenings removal are accomplished by automated mechanical systems housed in a heated and ventilated headworks building. This building is equipped with odor control systems and temporary storage for removed materials. Sludge produced in the treatment process is dewatered by centrifuge in this building and stored for disposal. Flow Handling Structure. A flow handling structure (pump station) has been installed to aid in sanitary wastewater collection system flows to the WWTP. The flow handling structure is located adjacent to the headworks building. Oxidation Ditch. Nitrogen removal is accomplished in a multistage oxidation ditch, which includes influent and effluent anoxic (oxygen-depleted) zones. Nitrification ocSee UPGRADE, continued on page 9
BRAIN AWARENESS, continued from page 6
of Mental Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Uniformed
Archie Fobbs, collections manager for the National Museum of Health and Medicine’s Neuroanatomical Collection, teaches students about traumatic brain injuries during Brain Awareness Week at the National Museum of Health and Medicine March 11-15. Photo courtesy of NMHM.
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Services University of the Health Sciences, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs/USAMRMC, National Cancer Institute and Rutgers University.
Fort Detrick Standard April 5, 2013
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
UPGRADE, continued from page 8
curs in the oxidation ditch and is the key component for the plant meeting the biological treatment of wastewater to meet regulatory discharge levels. De-nitrification occurs primarily in the oxidation ditch effluent anoxic zone followed by treatment in re-aeration basins where nitrogen gas is released to the atmosphere. Because of the relatively low strength of the wastewater, a supplemental carbon source (sodium acetate) is required to achieve the required nutrient removal. Secondary Clarifiers. Phosphorus is removed from the wastewater by microorganisms that become part of the wasteactivated sludge which is removed in the secondary clarifiers. Flocculation. Phosphorus removal is enhanced by the addition of aluminum sulfate at several points in the treatment system. A flocculation basin, preceded by a rapid mix chamber is employed between the secondary clarifiers and the effluent filters to increase the size of the particles to be removed. Aluminum chloride and an anionic polymer are added in the rapid mix chamber to promote flocculation. Caustic is also added to optimize pH. Filtration. Effluent from the flocculation basins is filtered by cloth media filters to treat phosphorus levels to allowable discharge regulatory requirements. Disinfection. The treated wastewater is disinfected using ultraviolet light units. Administrative and Laboratory. A new and modern administrative and laboratory facility was constructed at the plant. The facility is American with Disabilities Act compliant and contains numerous sustainability features. The facility was designed and constructed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
silver rating. The WWTP contains a supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, system that is a computer system that monitors and controls components of the physical plant, such as pumps, motors, valves and monitoring equipment. The SCADA system allows for the graphical representation of the entire plant on a computer screen. The SCADA system automates the entire treatment process to improve operation efficiency and effluent quality. Operational Water Use. Treated wastewater is utilized at the upgraded WWTP for all operational processes that require water. No potable water will be used for treatment plant utility operations. Potable water is only provided to the administrative/ laboratory building for domestic and lab use. This sustainability feature was incorporated into the upgraded plant to reduce potable water use at the installation. The Fort Detrick WWTP is currently one of the most modern and efficient sanitary wastewater treatment facilities in the State of Maryland. Treated wastewater monitoring for calendar year 2012 indicated that the Fort Detrick WWTP was significantly below allowable nutrient loading volumes. Actual loading for nitrogen and phosphorus were 45% and 18% of allowable loading rates, respectively. Fort Detrick is committed to leading the way through innovation and business development, endeavoring to provide a positive influence on the local community and state. It is the mission of the Environmental Management Office to preserve, restore and improve the quality of the environment at Fort Detrick by ensuring compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. The Fort Detrick Environmental Management Office can be contacted at 301-619-3136/0044 with any questions regarding wastewater or related water quality programs
CG Signs Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month 2013
Photo by Ellen Crown
Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr. signed a proclamation April 2 observing Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. “Recognizing this month is a way that we stay reminded that children are our most important resource,” said Caravalho.
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STDs Cause Serious Illness, Even Death
tive for STDs. People who participate in high-risk activities should be frequently tested for HIV and STDs. The Army requires annual chlamydia screening for female Soldiers under 25. Additionally, all Soldiers are required to be tested for HIV at least once every two years.
LISA SCHEIDELMAN
U.S. ARMY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMAND
April is sexually transmitted disease (STD) awareness month, an annual effort aimed at educating the public about prevention, treatment and risk reduction. STDs are serious problems affecting both military and civilian communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 20 million new STDs occur annually in the United States, contributing to 110 million cases-all of which are preventable. Nearly half of cases occur among young adults aged 15-24. STDs burden America’s youth, and cost the healthcare system almost $16 billion each year. STDs 101: Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis and trichomoniasis. STDs can cause infections within multiple body sites, including the eyes, mouth, throat, anus, penis, vagina and liver. Anyone who has unprotected sex-whether it’s oral, vaginal or anal sex-is at risk. STDs can also be spread from mother to baby, by sharing needles, syringes, or razors, or using unclean tattoo or piercing equipment. STDs don’t always produce recognizable symptoms, but can still be spread to others. It’s also impossible to tell if someone is “clean” just by looking at them. When symptoms occur, they are usually
mistaken for another skin condition, bladder or vaginal infection. In general, STDs can cause painful urination, itching, discharge, swollen testicles, bleeding between periods, sores, warts or lesions. Long-Term Complications: Untreated STDs can lead to irreversible problems in males and females. For instance, untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in females, a condition causing abscesses and reproductive complications. STDs can also cause health effects in newborns. HPV can cause cancer of the penis, anus, cervix or throat. Syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C are serious diseases that can result in long-term health problems and even death. Treatment: Some STDs can be cured with antibiotics; others are permanent but treatment can help manage symptoms. It is important that medication be taken as prescribed and not stopped early, even if symptoms improve.
This will prevent STDs from becoming resistant and eventually untreatable. High-Risk Activities: Participating in high-risk activities can lead to an STD. These activities include having unprotected sex, not always using condoms, having multiple sex partners, frequent one night stands, or exchanging sex for money or products. Also, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair judgment and lower inhibitions. Social “hook up” networks and mobile applications allow for easy ways to meet new people, but it’s not always safe and can lead to high-risk activities. It can also increase the risk of being in a dangerous situation such as rape, robbery or kidnapping. Remember, people can easily lie and misrepresent themselves online. Screening: It is important to get tested. Military treatment facilities offer free, confidential testing, treatment and counseling for Tricare beneficiaries. Civilian public health departments also offer testing; to locate a center, text your zip code to GYTNOW (498669). Testing for most STDs can be as easy as providing a urine, blood or saliva specimen. It’s important to understand that if someone participates in high-risk activities after getting tested, they cannot advertise themselves as being nega-
Vaccination: Only a few vaccines are available to protect against STDs. The HPV vaccine is recommended for males and females 11-26 years old. Military personnel, infants, children under 18, high-risk occupations, or participants in high-risk activities should also receive the Hepatitis B vaccination. Both vaccines are administered in three separate doses and all are required in order to be protected. The Hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for those who engage in anal sex; two doses of the vaccine are needed. Risk Reduction: Remember, STDs are preventable. Sexually active individuals must use protection (male or female condoms) every time to prevent getting or spreading an STD. Other forms of birth control do not protect against STDs. Practicing mutual monogamy between uninfected partners can also prevent infections. STDs can produce life-altering outcomes, and choices made now can impact the future. For more information on STDs and prevention tips for STDs, visit: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, February 2013, Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, http://www.afhsc.mil/msmr U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/STIEstimates-Fact-Sheet-Feb-2013.pdf
CG Signs Proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2013
On April 2, Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr. signed a proclamation observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. “Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives the command a chance to renew its commitment to prevention strategies and victim advocacy. This year’s theme is “We own it...We’ll solve it...Together,” said Caravalho.
Photo by Ellen Crown
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Fort Detrick Standard April 5, 2013
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Fort Detrick Standard April 5, 2013
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