BOSS Flash September 2010
BOSS Flash
Inside this issue: Commander’s Corner
3
Command Sergeant Major’s Corner
4
Lyrical Corner
5
Han River Cruise
6
“Glow” Han River Cruise After Party
7
Area Featured Events
8
IMCOM-K Upcoming BOSS Events
9
That Guy
10
BOSS Contacts
11
Commander’s Corner
Brigadier General David G. Fox IMCOM Korea Region Commander
What does IMCOM do for the Army Family in Korea? IMCOM‟s role in Korea IMCOM is striving to make The Army Family Covenant and Transformation in Korea reality for the Soldiers, Family Members and Civilians living here. IMCOM‟s goal across the board is to create and uphold standardized, funded programs and services; increased accessibility to quality health care; quality Soldier and Family housing; ensuring excellence in schools, youth services and child care and expanding education and employment opportunities for Family members in Korea. These initiatives have a single goal: To ease the burden on Families by giving them standard quality of life and access to support services across the Army. As Command Sponsorship billets increase here, IMCOM-Korea is stepping up its initiatives to meet the demands of a growing Army community. The Army Family Covenant is a top priority for the command, which implements many of the Family support programs available in Korea. History of IMCOM The Installation Management Command, a single organization with six regional offices worldwide, was activated on Oct. 24, 2006, to apply a uniform business structure to manage U.S. Army installations, sustain the environment and enhance the well-being of the military community. It consolidated three organizations under a single command as a direct reporting unit: The former Installation Management Agency; Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, and the Army Environmental Command, which is a subordinate command of IMCOM. The command brings together all base operations support services to ensure optimal care, support and training of our fighting force, overseeing all facets of installation support, including environmental programs, construction, morale and welfare, family care, force protection, logistics, public works, and the planning, programming and budget matters that provide resources for these functions. The establishment of IMCOM was a historic, comprehensive change enabling the Army to enhance quality of life for soldiers, enable tactical units to focus on training, deployment and operations, strengthen combat readiness to prevail in transformation, and support the Army‟s Vision.
Command sergeant major’s corner
Command Sergeant Major David A. Abbott IMCOM Korea Region
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS), is an ever-growing program designed to give Soldiers the opportunity to explore the dynamic Republic of Korea and its traditions. BOSS has an array of consecutive recreational events that introduce Soldiers to different socio-cultural experiences. BOSS continuously sets an impressive stride when it comes to providing Soldiers with leisure activities; to name a few, the BOSS Beach Blast- a vibrant summer beach party held in Daejeon Beach, and the Han River Cruise- a luxury cruise along Seoulâ€&#x;s Han River. BOSS gives Soldiers a chance to enjoy themselves and experience what Korea has to offer in an exuberant and safe environment. BOSS provides Soldiers with a voice to bring up quality of life issues affecting their everyday lives while serving their crucial military duties across the Korean Peninsula. Soldiers from every U.S. Garrison can count with the immeasurable support from Command Sergeants Major who dedicate their valuable time as Senior Military Advisors for the BOSS program. Quality of life issues that may surface are solved at the lowest level in the Chain of Command. BOSS welcomes volunteers to partake organizing events, assisting with community projects and building networks in order to cultivate practical resources. Opportunities such as tutoring English at local schools, or spending time at the libraries reading books to children, is a great way to help the community members and maintain the strong relationship that we have successfully established. To find out more about BOSS contact your unit BOSS representative or visit the BOSS office located at the Community Activity Centers.
Lyrical Corner My Tree If I would physically hold your hand I would escort you into my world Where the air flows gently and freely. It is in my world where we would Walk hand in hand Barefoot Through the cool emerald grass. I would guide your footsteps Towards My Tree My innocuous place. See, down by my tree There are no consequences, No frustrations, no obligations Just good conversations. My tree is a place where Truth and self expression go unjudged. Spirits run free and Feelings are felt and over stood. It is there That I would tell you How much I really dig you. I would tell you How your smile warms me on the inside I would tell you how I am oh, so digging your style, Your personality. And how I often imagine My thoughts of you and I engaged in deep Physical conversations. The kind of conversations that Speak with no words Yet the content is
Deep. I would tell you How much I enjoy doing things with you And how I wished I had met you years ago. Before the sun set over my vision of you. It is only here, Under this tree That I would tell you these things. face to face can only be good for the imagination. Besides, I like things the way that they are But If I would Physically hold your hand I would lead you into my world Where the air flows gently and freely. It is in my world where we would Walk hand in hand Barefoot Through the cool emerald grass. I would guide your footsteps Towards a place where there are No frustrations, no obligations, Just good conversations. My Tree
Poem by SGT Bryon McGainey BOSS Coordinator IMCOM-K
Featured Area Events
Camp Casey BOSS started the month of July with a Chili Cook-off during the MWR Independence Day Celebration 3 July. With 14 contestants, there were plenty of prizes to give. Prizes included 1 st : $200, 2nd : $150 and 3rd : $75. A special prize for the Commanders choice first place winner: two round trip tickets to the states, lastly for the People‟s Choice winner: a Playstaion3©. The presence of the Camp Casey BOSS council was well known not because of the smells that came from the chili cook-off but with many soldiers wearing bright orange t-shirts, to show that they were there to volunteer, by providing support to the community. The winners of the chili cook-off are as follows: Commander’s Choice
People’s Choice
3rd– PFC Coleman
3rd– WO1 Faris & CW4 Bose
2nd– CSM Abbott
2nd– SSG Radabugh
1st– SPC Daniels
1st– GS11 Mr. Walsh Article by Torry Jennings BOSS President USAG Casey
Featured Area Events
On July 11th, USAG Humphreys BOSS team conducted its first Zipline adventures in Mungyeong City. With 30 participants BOSS headed into the beautiful Bul-Jung forest to experience a bit of thrilling history. Zipline was originated from the transportation that the natives of a tropical rain forest used to move between tress to avoid snakes, bugs, and poisonous plants on the ground. Although ziplining is no longer used for transportation it considered to be the next generation leisure sport. This new leisure sport has been named „zipline” because of the sound it makes when moving across the wire, it‟s also known as zip-wire, flying fox, and aerial runway according to different regions. After arrival to the Zipline sight, BOSS participants formed groups of ten to start the course. Each group was assigned two Zipline guides. The guides prepared the group by helping everyone put on their safety harnesses and helmets. The guides also ensured the equipment was secured safely and worn properly. Heading up the mountain side by way of a bongo truck, the groups were taken to the first of nine courses at the Zipline site. Each group navigated their way through all nine ziplines, which ranged from beginner to advanced. Every course held a new and exciting way to experience the zipline, they varied from speed lines, game lines, and even a Tarzan competition line. Overall it took about two hours to successfully complete the course. Upon competition of the course the participants were given a certificate stating that they had successfully completed the Zipline Course. USAG Humphreys BOSS has many more spine-tingling Zipline adventures planned for the year. Article by SPC Donna Leis, BOSS President USAG Humphreys
Featured Area Events a d i h s p a K i h c t a K
We go together YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -The Boryeong Mud Festival was like watching an episode of Baywatch. Miles of sunbathers and swimmers covered the sand with sun umbrellas, coolers and tanning oil. Every nationality seemed to be walking, running and splashing in bikinis and swim trunks, all enjoying the summer excitement. In the distance is where all the dirty fun was happening. Boryeong Mud Festival was in full gear and everyone, regardless of race, was getting down and dirty with the mud pit, pools, slides and games. “Man the mud was so dirty I still have some in my ears," in a New York accent said Staff Sgt. Dave Coleman, 8th Maintenance, 8th Fighter Wing. "I have never seen a beach so packed. It seemed like it was a natural phenomenon. We were all accepted and had a good time.” The sun brought out whole families for a day of mud packed events and entertainment, the festival offered something for everyone, from the very reserved to the adventure seeker. The strip along the beach and boardwalk supported the masses with souvenirs, food and activities. “It‟s almost like the beaches in Florida at Spring Break with a strip full of things to do,” Coleman said. In the town square sat a mud castle for the little ones and a mud pit for the hardcore mudders. From late morning to dark, people of all ages made their rounds through water sports, jet skiing, inner-tubing, rafting and boat rides to the muddy mosh pits of Boryeong. Mudslides, mud pools, mud throwing, mudslinging- you name it. If it was mud, it was happening. The roar of cheering, screaming and laughter filled the city center with people celebrating. From every view there were people covered in mud and smiling. One American family found out first hand that communication barriers were covered over with mud as their10-year-old son made numerous Korean friends in the kid‟s only mud castle. “Actually, we arrived in Korea only four days ago and we are already at the Mud Fest,” says Andrew Mayer, son of Staff Sgt. Bruce Mayer, 142nd Military Police, 94th Battalion. "I was playing with some friends and they had to go but I made more friends. Some didn‟t speak English but we still hung out jumping and going through tunnels together." Safe to say this could be the most fun anyone could have getting muddy. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers with support from Family Morale Welfare and Recreation really delivered another incident free event for our troops and dependants. “Yongsan Garrison and the Installation Management Community supports all Soldiers, Families and Army Civilians with quality programs and safe communities that meet their needs,” said Garrison Commander Col. Bill Huber. “We are keeping our promise to make Yongsan a place where community members can thrive.” Article by SPC Rick Canfield USAG Yongsan PAO Photographer
IMCOM Korea Upcoming BOSS Events 18 Sep
BOSS Han River Cruise
USAG Yongsan
11-13 Nov
BOSS Bargain Weekend
Mount Sorak
17 Nov
BOSS Quarterly Meeting
Camp Humphreys (STC)
BOSS Beach Blast June 2010 Pictures by SPC Rick Canfield USAG Yongsan PAO Photographer
BOSS Contacts IMCOM Korea Region BOSS CSM David Abbott, CSM IMCOM Korea BOSS Senior Military Advisor Shaun Ally, Regional Program Manager shaun.ally@korea.army.mil 725-6070 SGT Bryon McGainey, Regional Coordinator bryon.mcgainey@korea.army.mil 725-3176
USAG Red Cloud / USAG Casey
USAG Humphreys
SPC Carlos Castelan
SPC Donna Leis
732-5366
753-8825
carlos.castelan@korea.army.mil
usagboss@gmail.com
USAG Yongsan
USAG Daegu
John Oâ€&#x;Connor
SGT Alfredo Hernandez
723-3291
764-4426
john.m.oconner2@korea.army.mil
alfredo.hernandez4@korea.army.mil
BOSS Supports
That Guy is a multi-media campaign that uses online and offline communication with the goal of reducing excessive drinking among young servicemen. The campaign encourages young enlisted personnel to reject binge drinking because it detracts from the things they care about: family, friends, dating, sex, money, and reputation. The campaign uses humor to deliver a serious message and provides viral tools so you can be part of the effort to eradicate That Guy. The campaign is a reminder to everyone: Don't Be That Guy!