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Fairy Forest, page 7.
July 30, 2020
Belvoir commended for species conservation Compiled by Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
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olorless, eyeless, and smaller than a peanut, the Northern Virginia well amphipod would be easy to miss, in the unlikely event that you happened upon it. After its discovery in 1921 in a well in Vienna, Va., the subterranean creature largely eluded detection for decades. A dozen were found in a well in Alexandria, Va., in 1948. Then, none were seen again until 1996. But, that was a pivotal year for the elusive amphipod. Scientists collected 15 specimens from leaf litter at the outlets of several groundwater springs in a ravine downslope of Belvoir. Its underground habitat is supported by good environmental conditions above. The Army has designated 70 acres encompassing the amphipod’s habitat as a “Special Natural Area,” managed to support specific goals for conservation and biodiversity. “I’m proud of the work Fort Belvoir environmental professionals do every day to protect, preserve, conserve, restore and support the environment,” said Col. Michael H. Greenberg, Belvoir garrison commander. “It’s important that we do all we can to be good stewards of our community’s ecosystem.” Dorothy Keough, DPW’s branch chief of conservation, said she is so pleased they have been able to incorporate its protection into Belvoir’s operations so strongly, that the Fish and Wildlife service did not feel the need to list this rare species as endangered.
Photo courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The Northern Virginia well amphipod, a rare, shrimp-like crustacean that only lives on Belvoir, is an underground dweller that is smaller than a peanut. “I am pleased that our work over the past 26 years – the scientific studies we undertook to learn more about the rare amphipod, Stygobromus phreaticus, and the landmanagement decisions we made to protect its habitat – have led to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s finding. This is an excellent example of how natural resources conservation is integrated into installation management, to support the mission,” Keough said. The Army has gone above and beyond the
call of duty to protect its underground neighbor at Belvoir. The base’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, developed by the Army, the state of Virginia, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, identifies key natural resources and the actions needed to manage them, in a way that ensures the continuation of the installation’s military mission. But, the Army has taken additional steps not outlined in the INRMP, such as installing a berm at the southern end of a nearby solid waste transfer station to discourage illicit dumping, which would negatively impact the amphipods’ habitat. “The U.S. Army is an invaluable conservation partner in our effort to protect atrisk species,” said Wendi Weber, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Atlantic-Appalachian regional director. “We commend their proactive work to conserve a species few people will ever see, by helping to protect water quality in the sole aquifer where it is currently found.” The amphipod does face several threats, including the contamination of groundwater or surface water; the withdrawal of water from or impacts to the recharge zones for the local water table; and the effects of climate change. More frequent intense rain events could flush amphipods from their habitat and erode the surrounding landscape; progressive loss of water in the aquifer from drought could leave amphipods high and dry. However, the best available information indicates these are distant threats, and the species faces a low risk of extinction in the foreseeable future.
Senate confirms first woman to command Army Reserve By U.S. Army Reserve Command
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Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels, Commanding General, Army Reserve Command 2
Housing Bill of Rights
he U.S. Army announced this week that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Maj. Gen. Jody J. Daniels for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment in the dual role of Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Daniels assumed command Tuesday. Daniels is the first woman in the 112-year history of the Army Reserve to lead the communitybased force of more than 200,000 Soldiers and Civilian employees with a geographic footprint that 5
Culture of trust
includes 50 states, five territories, and more than 30 countries. Daniels most recently served as the Commanding General of the 88th Readiness Division headquartered at Fort Snelling, Minn., and Fort McCoy, Wis. She has more than 36 years of active and reserve military service. In her civilian career, Daniels was the Director of Advanced Programs for Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Laboratories. Prior to that, she was the Director of the Contextual Systems Laboratory and was a manager and engineer in LM ATL’s 7
Fairy Forest
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. She has served on the Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency Information Science and Technology (ISAT) Review Board, on the ISAT Steering Committee, and Drexel University’s Computer Science Department Advisory Board. Daniels holds a bachelors degree from Carnegie Mellon University; a masters and PhD from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst); and a masters in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. She is a native of Rolla, Mo., and is married. 9
March2Success
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July 30, 2020
BELVOIR HOUSING UPDATE Compiled by USAG Fort Belvoir Public Affairs
DoD releases military housing tenant bill of rights By W. Jordan Gillis
Privatized Housing - Tenant Bill of Rights
Asst. Secretary of Defense for Sustainment
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s the Department’s Chief Housing Officer, I reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that military tenants receive quality housing and fair treatment from the Military Housing Privatization Initiative projects that operate and maintain privatized housing. On February 25, the Secretary of Defense and the Service Secretaries issued the MHPI Tenant Bill of Rights that addressed 15 of the 18 rights set out in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The MHPI Tenant Bill of Rights expressed DoD’s commitment to provide the full benefit of the initial 15 rights by May 1, and to continue our efforts to provide the full benefits of the three remaining rights - access to maintenance history, process of dispute resolution, and withholding of rent until disputes are resolved – as soon as possible. I am pleased to announce the first Courtesy photo 14 rights in the MHPI Tenant Bill W. Jordan Gillis of Rights are available to Service Members and their families who are tenants of MHPI housing at the vast majority of installations. There are a few instances where an individual right may not be fully available initially at an installation; however, tenants will be made aware of this unique situation at the local level. In addition, given the present national health situation, I ask for your patience in the coming weeks as the department, including our military installations, and the MHPI projects gain proficiency in delivering these rights. With respect to the 15th right (common forms and documents) and the remaining three rights – access to maintenance history, process for dispute resolution, and withholding of rent until disputes are resolved – the department has made significant progress working with the MHPI companies to resolve remaining challenges so that the benefits of these rights can be made available to tenants. The focus of the right #15 effort is on creating a universal lease with common terms and schedules applicable to all MHPI projects. Because this universal lease will include dispute resolution and rent segregation, once complete, this document will not only make right #15 fully available, but also two of the three remaining rights. I will provide you an update on the status of these remaining rights in the near future. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns regarding MHPI housing, please continue to seek assistance through the installation housing office, installation leadership, or chain of command. You have my commitment that expeditious implementation of the 18 MHPI Tenant rights set out in the FY 2020 NOAA remains my top priority, and that I will continue to do everything possible to enhance and sustain the overall tenant experience with MHPI housing. Commander .................................... COL Michael Greenberg Command Sergeant Major .....................CSM Jason Young Director of Public Affairs ...................................Joe Richard Deputy Director Public Affairs................... Ganesa Robinson Managing Editor ................................................G.H. Cureton Assistant Editor ........................................... Margaret Steele Digital Editor .....................................................Terry Ruggles Reporter/Photographer .......................................... Paul Lara Reporter ...........................................................Dave Fawcett Page Designer ..................................................Betty Watson The Belvoir Eagle is published in cooperation with the Public Affairs Office, 9820 Flagler Road, Fort Belvoir, VA, 22060. To contact the Belvoir Eagle, email us at usarmy.belvoir.imcomatlantic.mbx.public-affairs-office@mail.mil. Submission deadline is noon Thursday. The Belvoir Eagle is published each Thursday — by Rappahannock Media LLC, 1372 Old Bridge Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge, VA 22192, a private firm in no way connected
The MHPI Tenant Bill of Rights is in the plain language brief at home.army.mil/belvoir under the “Housing Resident Portal.”
CONNECT WITH THE VILLAGES AT BELVOIR
@villagesatbelvoir www.villagesatbelvoir.com
USAG FORT BELVOIR Installation Management Command
How to Resolve Housing Concerns
LEVEL 1 – SUBMIT YOUR WORK ORDER
• Online - www.villagesatbelvoir.com • In-Person - Maintenance Facility Building 1108 • Phone - 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance Request Line: 703-619-3880
LEVEL 2 – MAKE CONTACT
• Villages at Belvoir Management: 571-318-7546 • Contact Your Chain of Command • Fort Belvoir Housing Office: 703-805-3018/3019
LEVEL 3 – CONTACT GARRISON COMMANDER • Garrison Commander’s Housing Hotline: 571-259-9867 • Submit concerns to the Fort Belvoir Interactive Customer Evaluation ICE System: https://ice.disa.mil
Residents with health concerns related to housing conditions, call Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Rapid Hotline: 571-231-2004
LEVELS OF ESCALATION
Eagle Volume 28 Issue 30
with the Department of the Army — as a civilian enterprise newspaper in the interest of Fort Belvoir, Va. Views and opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Military District of Washington or Fort Belvoir. Advertisement in this publication, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services by Department of the Army. Everything advertised
herein must be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to the race, creed, age, color, sex, or nationality of the purchaser, user, or patron unless precluded by applicable federal, state or local laws. For Classified advertisement information, call 703-771-8831. To advertise in the Eagle contact Rick Bockes at 703-987-0854. Belvoir Eagle is a registered trademark. Circulation: 19,000.
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Vice admiral takes helm as DLA director whether supporting a fight or a response to a crisis, and we’ve seen both in recent times,” she said. he Defense Logistics Agency DLA’s pandemic contributions, welcomed Navy Vice Adm. which include $1.4 billion in Michelle Skubic back personal protective equipment, as its 20th director, during an ventilators, test components and assumption of command ceremony more, prove employees’ fortitude at the McNamara Headquarters to continue the mission amid Complex July 24. challenges, she added. “I know she is more than “You have accomplished this ready to lead and navigate the while adapting to different DLA team to new destinations, methods, locations, conditions that through unchartered waters and you weren’t used to,” she said. to new victories,” Jordan Gillis, “Some have called that ‘the new assistant secretary of defense normal.’ I call it remarkable.” for sustainment, said before She called on employees to transferring responsibility to Skubic continue refining technology and from DLA Vice Director Michael building upon innovations started Scott. by Army Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Skubic previously served as Photo by Teodora Mocanu Williams, DLA’s previous director, commander of DLA Land and Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic, DLA’s new director, addresses agency Maritime from June 2016 to June to drive data-based decisions for employees, family and colleagues during an assumption of command 2018 and director of supplier resources like people, inventory, ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Belvoir, July 24. operations at DLA Aviation from infrastructure, time and money. August 2008 to August 2011. She Skubic said the things that learning organization and to keep up the fight, also commanded a DLA Support Team in matter most to her as a leader include hard keep up our passion to find solutions.” Kuwait that assisted warfighters deployed to work, respect and integrity. “I ask it of you; The admiral described the magic of DLA Iraq and Afghanistan. Since June 2018, she’s you may expect it of me,” she said, adding it is as being threefold, including its workforce; its served as the commander of Naval Supply more important now than ever to take care of “mastery” of technology and the agility of the Systems Command. each other and communicate. Defense Working Capital Fund. “It is truly such an honor to be back at “Asking thoughtful questions in these “When it comes to the workforce, I have DLA. It does feel like a homecoming,” Skubic trying times has never been more crucial. Our always felt – I have always known – that the said. “You’re inspired every day to find the teammates have suffered losses of late – some heart of the DLA workforce beats on behalf of right solutions to meet the needs of our loved ones, some teammates, economic and the warfighter and this nation. DLA teammates combatant command, services and our nation, social trials, so much more. Let’s … take care and together we’re going to continue to be a are relentlessly determined to deliver results, of each other.”
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ACS celebrates 55 years of Soldier support “ACS is important because it provides a 360 social service delivery for Soldiers and Families,” said Paul Burk, director of FMWR. “The one-stop shop of support services minimizes the stress of the Soldier guessing where to seek assistance.” “ACS contributes to the overall Army readiness by offering a full spectrum social service support system,” said Sharon Swisher, 55th birthday coordinator and Exceptional Family Member Program manager. “ACS has a great group of professionals who are equipped and prepared to work with military families.” File photo by Paul Lara Today, ACS has many programs From left, retired Lt. Gen. Sam Armstrong; Col. Michael to help Soldiers and their Families, Greenberg, Belvoir Garrison commander; and retired Maj. from financial and employment Gen. Tom McHugh cut an ACS Birthday cake, last year. readiness to volunteer opportunities and Survivor Outreach Services. By Brittany Nelson “ACS is an organization that takes care of Installation Management Command
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the total Family,” said Swisher. “A Solider or Family member could have their needs meet without going outside of the installation.” The organization has continued to serve Soldiers and their Families during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing virtual support, educational sessions, online training and safe face-to-face interaction as needed. “ACS will be there for commanders, the community and for our Army Families,” said Swisher. “We stand ready and equipped to meet the many demands during these ever changing times.” “The future of ACS is solid,” added Burk. “It has withstood the test of time over the past 55 years and especially during the pandemic. The pandemic showed us what we were really about, active, committed and sustainable.” ACS will continue to grow and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the global Army family. Fort Belvoir ACS offers a wide range of resources to support our community, visit belvoir. armymwr.com/programs/acs to learn more.
rmy Community Service began from the roots of the Army Emergency Relief program in the 1940s. Funded by donations of the American public, AER offices were located at Army posts throughout the U.S. AER provided the framework for the development of ACS. ACS was founded July 25, 1965, when Gen. Harold Johnson, Army chief of staff, dispatched a letter to all commanders announcing the approval and establishment of ACS.
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Forum builds a culture of trust with all Soldiers By Capt. Kami Miles Army Ordnance School
transparency, and candid dialogue between young Soldiers and senior leaders could rust is the dynamic binding thrive, said Capt. Andrew Lee, force between leaders company commander. and subordinates in the The current social climates Army, and must be maintained to in today’s Army, and other, promote Soldier safety. current national events, inspired Building trust allows a Soldier the team to develop a panel of the chance to combat their influencers from across Fort concerns about having their voice Lee to address topics like heard. Some still choose to hide suicide; sexual harassment behind a veil of silence, seeking and assault; retaliation; and protection from the effects of professional development. retaliation. “The company command As the Army steps up efforts team wanted to provide our to increase safety initiatives best assets a safe environment within our ranks, one company where we have panelists of all command team at Fort Lee, Va., backgrounds and ranks come is driving a program to forge an together and help empower our inclusive culture of trust that future leaders through shared empowers Soldiers to speak up. experiences, mentorship, and just Silence is deafening, and every reminding them that their voice Soldier deserves a leader who is important,” said Lee. listens and fosters a climate of Courtesy photo The session’s discussions were acceptance. The Army Ordnance School’s Alpha Company, 16th Ordnance Battalion, 59th led by a panel of eight senior Ordnance Brigade, recently conducted a forum for Soldiers to speak openly with The Army Ordnance School’s leaders, varying in rank from senior leaders about the challenges they face in today’s Army. Alpha Company, 16th Ordnance lieutenant colonel, chief warrant Battalion, 59th Ordnance officer 5 and sergeants first class. While the more than 100 leaders and students attending. Brigade, recently held a forum for Soldiers to opening discussions followed a defined course, The environment that resulted, originally speak openly with senior leaders about the they quickly turned to very candid conversations, designed to focus on trainees, turned into challenges they face in today’s Army. with much of the forum being driven by the a chance for every Soldier to listen, learn The panel started as an internal, company audience’s questions and personal accounts. event to create a safe space for female Advanced and share. The Alpha Company command team wanted Individual Training students. News of the forum See Forum, page 8 to create a safe space for Soldiers where trust, spread quickly through the school, resulting in
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Road to chaplaincy worth the wait for new Garrison chaplain By David Fawcett Belvoir Eagle
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he first time chaplain (Lt. Col) Thomas Faichney asked about becoming a military chaplain was in 1997, while living in Escondido, Calif. A recruiter then told the Canadian native he was ineligible because he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. The second time Faichney inquired about becoming a military chaplain was in winter 2000, while living in Atlanta. He applied to join the Canadian military as a reserve chaplain, but was told they were not hiring. So, when the subject of being a chaplain came up, a third time, later that summer while he helped establish the Reformed Theological Seminary, Faichney braced himself. During an informal conversation, Scott Huber, the Army’s then-Southeast recruiter for chaplains, asked Faichney if he’d ever considered becoming a chaplain. “Funny you should ask,” Faichney told Huber, and then proceeded to tell his story. Huber seized the moment. He told Faichney he was good to go, as long as he held a green card and became a U.S. citizen within five years of receiving his Army commission. Encouraged by Huber’s words, Faichney and his wife, Tina, explored next steps. Under the guidance of an Army chaplain, the process took almost a year and required the endorsement of the Faichney’s home denomination, the Presbyterian Church. Faichney also needed to pass a physical test. But he met all the requirements, including eventually becoming a U.S. citizen in winter 2004. It’s a place Faichney never thought he’d end up when he first felt the call to ministry as a missionary in high school growing up in Toronto. But, Faichney believes God had this planned for him all along. It was a matter of timing. “God kept on providing prompts to ministry and service,” said Faichney, who was in his mid 30s when he switched from being a civilian pastor to becoming an Army chaplain. So, 18 years, eight military bases and three deployments later, he continues to humble himself in helping Soldiers and their families
Photo by David Fawcett
Lt. Col. Thomas Faichney started as Belvoir’s garrison chaplain in June.
make sense of life and loss through a spiritual lens, while balancing his professional needs with personal ones. “You are nomadic and have no roots,” said Faichney, who started in June as Fort Belvoir Garrison chaplain. “And the trauma. You need to be willing to lay down everything. It’s sacrificial. It’s founded on love. Not just for country, but for God.”
Coming to Virginia Faichney arrived at Belvoir from Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma, Wash., where he served for two years as the chaplain for the 7th Infantry Division and its 12,000 members. Coming to Belvoir required some adjusting. Instead of serving as a chaplain for one unit, Faichney now oversees a wide-range of areas for the base’s religious support office. But, while his level of responsibilities has increased, his mission remains the same: focus on spiritual readiness. “We’re here to deliver religious support to Soldiers and be ready to meet them, wherever they are coming from, in their faith,” Faichney said. To keep a proper perspective as a chaplain in a demanding physical environment, Faichney
follows three rules he learned from a senior chaplain who did two tours in Vietnam with Special Forces. The first is to always relax to the point of self-control. The second is to never take yourself too seriously. And the third is to choose to be happy, no matter the circumstances. “It helps me to maintain a healthy, good and positive disposition,” Faichney said. He also incorporates three values into his approach: love, devotion and to do things with excellence. “Love powers it all,” Faichney said. “And you have to be all in, that’s the devotion, and do it with excellence … For me, this is all driven by the love of God so that I am devoted to my neighbor.”
Army Chaplain Corps celebrates 245th anniversary Belvoir Public Affairs Office he Continental Congress established chaplains as an integral part of the Continental Army on July 29, 1775. Over the years, more than 25,000 chaplains have served in the U.S. Army as religious leaders. From military installations to deployed combat units, chaplains and chaplain assistants perform their ministries in the world’s most religiously diverse organization. Always with Soldiers in war and in peace, Army chaplains have served in all of America’s major wars and combat engagements, from the Colonial era through present day. Nearly 300 Army chaplains have laid down their lives in battle. Seven members of the Chaplain Corps have been awarded the Medal of Honor. About 2,700 chaplains, representing 140 different religious organizations, serve the Total Army. Info about religious support on Belvoir is available by searching Religious Support Office at: home.army.mil/belvoir, or by calling 703-806-3316.
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Hospital team works to protect you from the heat By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
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Photo by Paul Lara
Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcus Bonds checks the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature before updating the garrison home page, July 21.
ummer brings weather risks, including tornadoes, and Hurricane Hanna made landfall along the Texas coast last weekend. But, neither twisters nor tropical storms pose the greatest risk to human life, but summertime heat, according to the National Weather Service. That’s why Fort Belvoir Community Hospital’s Environmental Health Division keeps a steady eye on the sweltering temperatures. “I monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and annotate that on the garrison home page (home.army.mil/belvoir),” said Staff Sgt. Marlon Ford, the environmental division NCOIC. “We are able to monitor heat stress levels and any environmental factors that might contribute to it.” Unlike the official temperature reported by weather stations, which are set up in the shade, WBGT is monitored in an open, sunny space. To best calculate the amount of heat stress, several factors are combined to the apparent temperature, according to Petty
Officer 2nd Class Marcus Bonds, also with Environmental Health. “We have a machine that uses several variables to calculate WBGT: the wet bulb monitors the humidity; the dry bulb measures the temperature; the black bulb measures the radiant energy of the sun, and we use the combination of those temperatures to get the heat index and measure the categories of heat stress. This determines how long someone can work outside,” said Bonds. “Conditions can change in a short period of time,” noted Maj. Anthony Robinson, chief of environmental health. “And, that could put people at risk, because the heat has changed, your water intake has changed; your rest and work cycle needs to change; and we have to account for all that.” Bonds said while a weather app can report the ‘real feel’ apparent temperature, WBGT is not just the temperature, but guidance on how long people can safely work in the current temperature, taking into account the other factors.
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July 30, 2020
Belvoir Eagle
Fairy Forest becomes a community project By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
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t the southern edge of Belvoir’s George Washington Village, there is a paved trail that curves invitingly into the forest. As you enter the dense cover, a wooden sign on the bridge signals what awaits: “Welcome to the Fairy Forest.” Walking the trail, visitors begin to spot new scenes that have appeared since they were last there. It’s an eclectic mix of scenes: a tiny unicorn guarding a sleeping fairy; an homage to Walt Disney World; a winter scene with Santa; even a unicorn stable. All of this started with Kyler Robinson, who was intrigued when he read about gnomes mysteriously appearing in New York City’s Central Park. “No one knew why they were there, and I wanted to do something like that, but bigger, which is why we did it here,” Kyler said. His mother, DaNita, said they started the project when they moved to Belvoir a few years ago. After setting out several tiny scenes in
the forest, DaNita said someone destroyed all of them. “When people heard it got destroyed, everyone wanted to help rebuild it,” she said. Kyler said his idea has indeed grown, with many of the neighborhood’s families taking part in maintaining and arranging the small figurines. “I like that it’s made the community feel like we’re together on this, and everyone seems to love it,” Kyler said. “Every time you walk through, there’s new stuff, and because it’s so small, you catch things.” DaNita said the forest has become a story of community. “Everyone is so welcoming, here. I feel lucky that I was here, and we had this forest to work in,” she said, noting they PCS soon. “We’re leaving at the end of summer, but it’ll stay here for everybody, since they’ve all pitched in. It’s not just ours, anymore.” Nine year-old Kelly Purcell agrees. “Because it has tons of fairies, and everyone has helped. It’s a project where everyone can help and make the forest fun,” she said.
A fairy swings from a tree branch in the forest south of George Washington Village, July 16.
Photos by Paul Lara
A dragon waves from atop a tiny castle in the Fairy Forest, July 16.
Kyler Robinson straightens one of the tiny scenes scattered on the forest floor at George Washington Village, July 16. Kyler’s idea has grown to include many of the A sign along a forest trail south of George Washington Village village families. welcomes visitors to the Fairy Forest, July 16.
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The SHARP program, which stands for the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, is the Army’s effort to eradicate sexual harassment and sexual assault within the ranks.
“As leaders, we are charged to bridge the gap between ourselves and our Soldiers. Trust has to be established now, in the beginning phases of the Soldierization process,” said 1st Sgt. Theresa Allen. “By doing this, it eliminates a Soldier’s fear of communicating with their leaders. It’s about taking care of Soldiers, even when they don’t want you to, because ‘This Is My Squad!’” The panel offered guidance and support on how to navigate scenarios evolving around SHARP, leadership growth and family struggles. The forum broke down barriers and gave Soldiers the chance and confidence to ask questions they previously may have been scared to ask a leader. The SHARP program, which stands for the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, is the Army’s integrated, proactive effort to eradicate sexual harassment and sexual assault within the ranks. The program provides every Soldier, regardless of differences, the right to privately speak to a victim advocate and retain confidentiality, and aims to reduce the stigma of reporting for all genders. The experience left an indelible mark on Spc. Chloe Brown, an aspiring wheeled vehicle mechanic with the Army Ordnance School. She attended to see the support around her and others in the Army. “This made me realize a lot of the non-commissioned and commissioned officers actually care about the Soldiers,” Brown stated. “It was really empowering to see all of them together to give us their support.” Brig. Gen. Michelle Letcher, the 42nd Chief of Ordnance, addressed the crowd to drive home the importance of this event in helping all Soldiers. “It’s a very important time, not just in our Army, but in our nation, for us to have a discussion about the service, not just of women, but of all our Service members,” added Letcher. Regardless of race; ethnicity; gender; religion; sexual orientation; socio-economic status; age; physical abilities; political beliefs; or other ideologies, all Soldiers should feel encouraged and comfortable to speak up, when they or their teammates feel threatened. This forum inspired a diverse population of Soldiers, and reminded each and every one that their voice matters. Looking ahead, Lee and Allen both agree that events such as these will foster personal and command growth, and develop more cohesive teams through mutual trust. Leaders should not shy away from talking about sensitive and uncomfortable topics with their Soldiers. There is a danger in remaining silent, and professional development that addresses the hard, uncomfortable issues are a stepping stone to fostering a culture of inclusive trust between all leaders and subordinates. The command team plans to continue organizing more sessions for all Ordnance School Soldiers, and will act as a catalyst for future programs to kindle a binding trust between leaders and subordinates across the Army.
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Belvoir Eagle
July 30, 2020
9
Army offers college prep website amid pandemic By Joseph Lacdan Army News Service
A
s high school students look to continue learning in a COVID19 environment, the Army has provided an online option to help students prepare for college. Whether or not a school chooses in-class or online learning, students can prepare for college using the Army’s college readiness website, March2Success, to augment their learning and study for entrance exams. Students can take practice tests for exams like the ACT and SAT; Medical College Admission Test and Dental Admission Test. The website provides an alternative for students unable to seek a tutor or join a study group due to pandemic restrictions. “The pandemic saw parents homeschooling their students to end the current school year,” said Larane GuthrieClarkson, chief of education for U.S. Army Recruiting Command. “And, if a parent is not an educator or is not a subject-matter expert in a particular subject and a student needs help, then we can put them into March2Success.” With many schools’ start dates shifting, more students must turn to online resources like the site, she said. After the pandemic forced nationwide school closures, active March2Success users dropped from 89,211 in May 2019 to 50,432 in May 2020, as many schools canceled some
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standardized testing. During the summer months, the March2Success site could still help students prepare for the upcoming fall semesters while remaining at home, Guthrie-Clarkson said. The webpage offers a wide palette of resources for high school students or adults taking undergraduate courses for the first time. Future Soldiers can also use the program’s study aids to prepare for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. While the program has materials aimed at students in grades 8-12, Soldiers planning to attend college can access the online
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Belvoir Eagle
July 30, 2020
www.belvoireagleonline.com
Belvoir Community Briefs New food court option Qdoba at the Belvoir Main Exchange is now open, every day, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Patriot Pet Care MWR’s newest facility, Patriot Pet Care, offers pet day care, boarding and grooming. The facility, Bldg. 628, is at 5975 Warren Road. Reservations are available by calling 703-795-4356.
Vote from anywhere The installation voting office can help all Soldiers, family members and civilians complete a Federal Post Card Application or Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and answer questions about registration and important general election and primary dates for state and federal elections. The Belvoir Installation Voting Office is in the Department of Human Resources Bldg. 1189, next to the Bowling Center. Vote absentee at FVAP.gov or call 800-438-8683. Visit FVAP.gov or contact the installation voting office to: Ü Register and request your absentee ballot. Ü Fill out and send in your ballot when it arrives. Ü Fill out a Federal Post Card Application to register to vote in your county and state of residence. Registered voters can fill out a change of address form. Fabian Reinoso is installation voting assistance officer; fabian.s.reinsomarchena. civ@mail.mil, 571-926-2914.
Drive-in movie MWR has a Family Friday Drive-in movie experience, showing Dora and the Lost City of Gold, July 31, 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per car and are nonrefundable. The movie will be in the parking lot behind the MWR Library and the motorcycle safety course, between 16th and 18th streets. Cars can begin parking at 8 p.m., and there is a limit of 60 cars. Tickets are available through https:// webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac103/wbwsc/ belvoirrectrac.wsc/wb0330.html.
ID Card Facility update Walk-in services at the ID Card Facility are available Thursdays for uniformed Service members, federal employees and government contractors, only, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., except for noon1:30 p.m. The last customer before lunch is accepted at 11:30 a.m.
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