Eagle BELVOIR
Belvoir Soldiers, civilians vist Antietam Page A8-A9
www.belvoireagleonline.com
August 20, 2015
Run. Hide. Fight.
Employees attend active-shooter training on Belvoir By Margaret Steele Editor Pentagon Metro Station. Fort Hood. The Navy Yard. Columbine. Sandy Hook. Virginia Tech. These were all active-shooter incidents throughout this country over the last several years. But, what should people do if they find themselves in an active-shooter situation? Employees had a chance to think about that as they attended any of several active-shooter training sessions in Wallace Theater last week. “Take training very seriously. Train and have a plan,” according to Wes Little, who presented the training. Little is a member of the Fort Belvoir Police Department and is assigned to the Military District of Washington’s Special Reaction Team. “Pay attention to what’s going on in your work place. The threat is very real and absolutely can happen, close to home. There have been
active-shooter situations in police barracks, where there are armed police … what makes you think active shooters won’t come to an office building,” Little asked. “I’m not trying to scare you with all the possibilities, but get everyone to realize anything’s possible, anywhere, even on a military installation,” Little told the crowd. “Be proactive. You are your own first line of defense,” he told the training attendees. “It’s not always a lunatic outside the gate who’s an active shooter. It may be someone you may have not expected this from …someone you have ridden with, worked with or served with. He said there are usually indicators a person may become a shooter. “Threats. Threatening comments, feelings of despair. What do you do if you see these traits in someone,” Little asked. “Pay attention to social circumstances. Talk to people. Help people if they need it. Anger is one letter short of danger. Don’t let
things escalate.” Little said there are times when almost everyone gets upset. However, it’s not socially acceptable to retaliate when we’re angry at another driver or restaurant worker. “Sometimes, people just want to be heard,” Little said. “Don’t let people get to a point they feel ostracized or not heard. Don’t let it continue. Act before they’re in your building.” “Motivations are different. Warning signs may vary, but shootings have devastating effects,” he said. “Often, there were signs ahead of time. Not many shooters just wake up and decide this is the day.” “Belvoir Police constantly train to prepare to respond to an incident. But, people in workplaces have to train and have a plan in place to deal with an active shooter,” Little said. “But, rest-assured, we are coming and we will be there if you call.” “We aren’t really the first responders to an active-shooter situation,” he See ACTIVE, Page A7
Belvoir observes Women’s Equality Day Wednesday By Amanda Stewart Staff writer The Military District of Washington Equal Opportunity Office invites the Fort Belvoir community to celebrate Women’s Equality Day at an observance at the Community Center, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Nadja Y. West, the joint staff surgeon at the Pentagon, is guest speaker. The theme of the Women’s Equality Day observance is “Celebrating Women’s Right to Vote.” Aug. 26 marks the 95th anniversary of the day women were first granted that right in America. The observance is a chance for people to remember and to reflect on the struggle women had to earn that right, said Fort Belvoir’s MDW Equal Opportunity Adviser Sgt. 1st Class LaToya Clay. “I think, as people, we dwell on racial discrimination and racial inequality and we don’t really realize that gender discrimination is very real,” Clay said. “And, it’s not that long ago that women didn’t have the same rights.” The observance will include a reading of the women’s right to vote proclamation and other historical information on women’s rights. “A lot of people really don’t know the details, the struggle that went into getting the women’s right to vote,” Clay said. “And, that’s why we put on this observance, to help people gain awareness.” West, the first African-American woman to be a major general of the Army’s active component and Army Medicine’s first African-American female two-star general, will speak about women’s equality at the event, Clay said.
Up Front Mandatory, new NCOER training – last session
The Army has mandated that everyone who evaluates NCOs attend a training session on the new NCOER by Sept. 1. Garrison hosts its last training Tuesday, 9 to 11:30 a.m., in Wallace Theater at the corner of 16th Street & Belvoir Road, near ACS parking lot. Evaluators only need to attend one session. Sessions are open to everyone, no matter where they work.
Patriotic Paws
Saturday at Van Noy Library, Bldg. 1024, from 2 to 3 p.m., parents can come with their children who may need more confidence as they learn to read. They can read to Sirius Black, a therapy dog, for 15-minute sessions, for free. Pre-registration required by calling 703-806-3323 or by stopping by the library to sign up.
Luau dinner, show
The O Club hosts its annual Hawaiian Luau, with an all-you-can-eat dinner and a show, at 6 p.m. Aug. 28. The show by Tepua Hio Hio Polynesian Dancers starts at 7:30 p.m. Reserve through the O Club, 703-770-0930. See story, Page B1.
Summer Sunrise 5K
Aug. 29, 6-8 a.m. Challenge yourself and others to beat the sun with an early race throughout Belvoir ending with a beautiful view of the sunrise at the Belvoir O Club. The Summer Sunrise 5K begins at 6 a.m. at Meade & Constitution roads. Once you have beaten the Sunrise, join the competition for an optional breakfast buffet at the O Club for $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and younger, while watching the sun rise over the Potomac! Registration is available at Graves Fitness Center, The Body Shop, Kawamura HPC and from Active.com. FMI call 703-806-4659.
Hospital orientation
Maj. Gen. Nadja Y. West Clay said she hopes the Belvoir community will attend the observance to learn more about women’s equality and women’s right to vote. “It’s not just for women. It’s for everyone’s awareness,” Clay said. “I just hope everyone comes out to support the Equal Opportunity program.” RSVPs are not needed for the Women’s Equality Day observance, but anyone who needs special accommodations or VIPs who will be attending should contact Clay at Latoya.d.clay.mil@mail.mil or 703-805-5390.
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital hosts a Patient Orientation, Wednesday, from 10-11:30 a.m. in the hospital dining facility on the 3rd floor. All newly assigned beneficiaries are invited attend the brief to tour the facility and learn about hospital programs, services and volunteer opportunities. Topics include scheduling appointments, speaking to a healthcare provider via email, how to take advantage of the 24/7 Tricare Nurse Advice Line, and more. No registration is required.