Aug 9, 2011

Aug 8, 2011

Aug 5, 2011

About 42 Fort Bragg students participated in the Shakespeare on Base summer program that was both educational and fun. The students sampled three of Shakespeare’s plays: “Romeo and Juliet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Macbeth” as well as several dance performances and two songs. The program focused not only on acting and learning lines, but on many other aspects of drama including visual art for props and set, singing and dance.

Aug 5, 2011

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program boxer Spc. Samuel Vasquez (right) of Fort Carson, Colo., throws a right hand at Bryant Parrella of Lehigh Acres, Fla., en route to an 18-10 victory in the 152-pound challengers bracket semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men's Boxing on Wednesday night at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Ala. Vasquez will face Amir Imam of Albany, N.Y., on Thursday night in the challengers bracket finale at 152 pounds. The winner of that bout will meet Errol Spence of Desoto, Texas, on Friday for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.

Aug 4, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - Since its beginning in 1965, one Army organization has grown to meet the needs of more than those for which it was founded. Army Community Service celebrated its 46th birthday July 22 and now rejoices in the glow of offering relevant services and programs to Soldiers, civilian employees and their Families to meet a diversity of needs.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Children on Fort Sam Houston are learning challenging sports, finding hidden talents and even discovering newfound independence in the SKIESUnlimited program.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Leisure time for service members in BOSS means building houses, stocking care packages for fellow troops and an occasional paintball battle.

Aug 4, 2011

Army Families come in all shapes and sizes and may include a member with special needs, and there is a program dedicated to those individuals.

Aug 4, 2011

Seventeen Fort Carson youths participated in a weeklong adventure and got a glimpse of what a career as a park ranger or game warden might be like.

Aug 4, 2011

More than 300 people attended the installation's third annual Newcomers' Fair held Saturday at McGill Training Center to learn about all Fort Meade has to offer.

Aug 3, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--It's time for the women of Redstone Arsenal to unite.

Aug 3, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--More than 300 children participated in Redstone's summer reading program.

Aug 2, 2011

Shoppers took advantage of low prices on child care and educational tools at the Fort McPherson Child Development Center (CDC) cash and carry sale July 27.

Aug 2, 2011

Summer grilling season might still be "cooking," but for patrons at the Fort McPherson Strike Zone bowling center, the grill has cooled off. The Strike Zone's grill operations officially ended July 29, leaving loyal patrons looking for a new lunch destination come Aug. 1.

Aug 1, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. - Survivor Outreach Services recently held four days of professional development training for nearly 300 employees in Orlando, Fla., as part of a larger mission to improve the quality of service provided to the Families of fallen Soldiers.

Aug 1, 2011

Through a partnership between Survivor Outreach Services and Operation Military Kids, two very special groups of children and their families came together July 15-17, 2011, for a summer retreat at Camp Erdman in Waialua, Hawaii.

Jul 29, 2011

SAN ANTONIO -- The decision to transition out of uniform is as important as the initial decision to put it on. Soldiers deserve as much support at this critical point in their service as they do with earlier parts of their career.

Jul 29, 2011

Although temperatures soared in the triple digits Saturday, Christmas came early to Fort Bragg " five months early. It was a hot and muggy North Carolina afternoon by the pool … but Christmas carols were churning out of the PA system and staff were running around in Santa hats. Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored the Christmas in July event and Fort Bragg Families sought to cool off and enjoy the “dive-in” movie, “Polar Express.”

Jul 29, 2011

Members of Fort Bragg Fighting Fish, a competitive swim team, conduct swim camps during the hot summer months. Students must already know how to swim to participate in the camp, where they learn techniques for navigating in water that enable them to become better swimmers,

Jul 28, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--The children at Youth Services had a prominent visitor Thursday from the world of sports.

Jul 28, 2011

Sgt. Jeff Collins gripped the granite, slowly extending his right arm to feel for his next handhold. Nothing. Switching hands, the Soldier reached with his left arm, nabbing a small nubbin of rock. Working his feet up the rock face, Collins hoisted himself to the top of “Waiting on the Staircase,” a moderate route at Arch Rock in Eleven Mile Canyon, near Lake George.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Obstacle courses are usually for horses, but this summer at the Fort Sam Houston Equestrian Center corral, they are also for unsuspecting kid campers.

Jul 28, 2011

In 1965, the Army established Army Community Service to assist commanders in reducing conflicts between a Soldier's family responsibilities and duty requirements. On Friday, staff members from Fort Meade's ACS celebrated the organization's 46th birthday by sharing cake, ice cream and program information with military families at Picerne Military Housing neighborhood centers.

Jul 27, 2011

Jul 26, 2011

Jul 25, 2011

Zayvion Haseman enjoyed his horse ride so much at the Exceptional Family Member Program Special Needs Rodeo that he kissed the horse. Zayvion, who will be a kindergartner at Chapman Elementary School this fall, surprised his father with that move.

Jul 25, 2011

FORT RILEY, Kan. " Being “voluntold” by his father may have helped find a Fort Riley middle school student a new talent and hobby. Diego Obregon, who will be an eighth-grader at Fort Riley Middle School this fall, was one of 23 children to participate in the second annual Fort Riley Youth Skeet Camp sponsored by Fort Riley Outdoorsmen Group and the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at the Fort Riley Skeet and Trap Range June 28-30.

Jul 25, 2011

Jul 25, 2011

Jul 22, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - While the name of one Wiesbaden program seems to target a specific audience, its offerings satisfy entire families of various types.   The Wiesbaden New Parent Support Program offers new parents and growing families support in the form of instructional parenting programs, support groups and networking forums, home visits, and informational resources.

Jul 22, 2011

Jul 22, 2011

The team of Sgt. 1st Class Elisa Tennyson, Sgt. 1st Class Angela Nichols, Staff Sgt. Laura Dickmeyer, Staff Sgt. Danielle Woolsey and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Schaben won a gold medal in women’s formation skydiving on July 21 at the 5th CISM Military World Games.

Jul 21, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - World Cup fever swept the globe again a year after the men’s World Cup in South Africa. This time it was the women competing in soccer stadiums throughout Germany.   Among fans at the semifinal match pitting France against the United States and the championship with the USA facing Japan, were plenty of U.S. military community members from around Europe.

Jul 21, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - In addition to moving to a new location in May, Hainerberg Housing’s School Age Center was recently recognized with flying colors by the Council on Accreditation. The new SAC, part of Wiesbaden’s Child, Youth and School Services program, and located in Building 7894 between the Hainerberg Chapel and Teen Center, offers more room and other amenities including air conditioning. The new facility can comfortably support up to 105 children " nearly twice as many students as the former facility.

Jul 21, 2011

FORT SILL, Okla. -- More than 1,600 Soldiers, chamber of commerce partners and their family members splashed into cool summer fun as the temperatures hit triple digits July 16 at the Military Appreciation and Family Fun Day at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area.

Jul 21, 2011

FORT LEE, Va. (July 21, 2011) -- Since her first day as the post commander's wife, Michelle Hodge has hit the ground running to show her support of the Fort Lee community.

Jul 21, 2011

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- While the downturn in the economy continues to affect millions around the country, needy families in northern New York should know that an annual federal effort, which includes Fort Drum personnel, is extending a helping hand to community members this summer.

Jul 21, 2011

Jul 21, 2011

“My son loved the Army -- he loved being a Soldier -- and Fort Carson was his home,” said Nancy Clay, while standing at a podium in McMahon Auditorium July 15, facing her son’s former artillery unit.

Jul 21, 2011

Missoula's Children's Theatre in Montana, the largest touring children's theater program in the country, presented "Robin Hood" in two shows Saturday afternoon at McGill Training Center in collaboration with SKIES Unlimited.

Jul 21, 2011

A growing number of Fort Meade families use the USO food pantry on a regular basis. The USO serves the installation's active-duty service members and their families.

Jul 21, 2011

For the first time since 2009, the Fort Meade Dolphins youth swim team put a tally in the win column.

Jul 20, 2011

The annual West Point Community Fair sponsored by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Army Community Service at Eisenhower Hall was, by all accounts, a great success.

Jul 20, 2011

Jul 20, 2011

Jul 15, 2011

The arena lights went down in the ATT Center, and the flag was unrolled above the floor for the National Anthem. As the chorus began to sing, the importance of the event sunk in for the members and staff of the Army Teen Panel, holding the flag.

Jul 14, 2011

These are tough economic times with jobs becoming harder and harder to come by, especially for teens who may want a summer job. To better prepare teens for jobs after high school or while attending college to help pay tuition, West Point Child, Youth and School Services of the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation instituted the Hired! Program.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Three youths, who were top finishers in Teen Talent Search contests sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, showcased their talents during the June 30 grand opening of Fort Stewart’s newest Child Development Center.

Jul 14, 2011

The sun peaked through the clouds just in time for swim camp at Fort Stewart’s Bryan Village Pool, July 11. The two week class is sponsored by Child, Youth and School Services Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills Unlimited program.

Jul 14, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--Pagano Gym got rave reviews during tours of the newly redone facility Friday.

Jul 14, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--Redstone’s annual Army concert has proven popular with country music fans, but others were ready for another genre.

Jul 14, 2011

Late-night talk show host Jay Leno let loose a series of stand-up comedy bits Saturday, seizing his military audience with laughter.

Jul 14, 2011

Country music star Craig Morgan brought his unique style of music to the Fort Carson Special Events Center July 8.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT LEE, Va. (July 14, 2011) -- Family Readiness Groups are as diverse as the people and the mission they support. Far removed from the gossip galleries of yesterday, today's FRGs are supported by all levels of command and Army programs.

Jul 11, 2011

FORT MCCOY, Wis. -- Fort McCoy visitors who use the installation’s Lodging facilities are staying in one of the best lodging operations in the Army. Michael Bayerl, Fort McCoy Lodging general manager, said Fort McCoy’s Lodging operation received the Meritorious Award from the American Hotel and Lodging Association for providing premier customer service and upgrading their facilities. Fort McCoy worked its way up to the award by earning the bronze, silver and gold pineapple awards for operations and staff. Bayerl said in Colonial times pineapples symbolized the highest levels of hospitality.

Jul 11, 2011

FORT MCCOY, Wis. -- A pilot Warrior Adventure Quest program held at Fort McCoy in June trained 150 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard how to handle post-deployment stress. Pam Budda, Outdoor Recreation and Sports Director for the Fort McCoy Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR), said the goal of the program, endorsed by the Department of the Army and sponsored by the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, is to mitigate high-risk behaviors following deployments.

Jul 11, 2011

FORT MCCOY, Wis. -- Two new sand volleyball courts located outdoors near the Fort McCoy Community Activity Center, building 2000, already are getting heavy use less than a month after being completed as a troop project. Larry Morrow, installation Troop Project coordinator, helped get the project on the list for Operations Essayons, a June engineer exercise held at Fort McCoy. Morrow worked with the CAC, the Directorate of Public Works and the 955th Engineer Company of Pennsylvania to design and construct the project to meet the needs of the CAC and the Soldiers

Jul 11, 2011

FORT MCCOY, Wis. -- Youth participating in the Fort McCoy Summer Camp program are incorporating the Six Pillars of Character into their daily activities, said Cori Yahnke, Fort McCoy School Age and Youth Center director. Yahnke said the program has been ongoing, and the CHARACTER COUNTS! Pillars are woven into every activity the youth in the Child, School & Youth (CYS) Services program participate in year-round. Many youth are participating in the current CYS Services Summer Camp program, with total youth in a recent week nearing the 100-person mark.

Jul 11, 2011

After 58 years of providing child care, the Fort McPherson Child Development Center closed its doors June 30.

Jul 11, 2011

The Defense Department is working to make sure each service, and DoD as a whole, is providing the “right” MWR programs and services to Soldiers and their Families.

Jul 11, 2011

Jul 8, 2011

BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Baumholder Army Community Service held its first Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention Summit June 14 at the Rheinlander Community Club. Participants at the summit provided Lt. Col. Steve L. Fandrich, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team rear detachment commander, with numerous suggestions to help prevent sexual assault and harassment in the community as well as ways to improve Soldiers’ personal safety.

Jul 8, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - More than 50 young people headed off to work in Baumholder and Wiesbaden June 20 at the start of this year’s Summer Hire Program. The annual six-week summer employment opportunity in the Installation Management Command-Europe gives youths ages 14-22 a chance to earn a little spending money while gaining insight into the working world and potential careers.

Jul 8, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - “What did you do today?” isn’t just a question at the beginning of a Girl Scout meeting anymore, it’s their new motto. Scouts have evolved from gender-role-skills-focused organizations to places where youths can “step outside what they know as traditional roles, gain self-confidence and focus on community service,” said Girl Scout Troop 276 leader Holly Strout.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT SILL, Okla. -- More than 7,000 country music fans braved triple digit temperatures to get to the 2011 Army Concert Tour Saturday featuring Miranda Lambert with special guests Merle Haggard and Stoney LaRue.

Jul 7, 2011

HONOLULU -- Hawaii’s Operation Military Kids, or OMK, will host a Family Resiliency Retreat in August for military families with youth ages 6-17 years old who have experienced multiple deployments. Younger siblings may also attend.

Jul 7, 2011

"Books -- The Magic Is Real 2," a show created by Joe Romano, a professional magician who uses magic and illusions to encourage youths to read, attracted more than 200 people to Fort Meade's Burba Lake Cottage June 28

Jul 7, 2011

The Army created the Experience, Develop, Grow and Excel program two years ago to provide children with more after-school activities. EDGE offers activities every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Jul 6, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Starting in July, the Exceptional Family Member Program is standardizing and streamlining the process for delivering respite care to eligible Families in need of support.

Jul 5, 2011

The ultimate goal for the book clubs, according to library technician Mary Grange, “is to start a literary community, share thoughts and have open discussions about literature. It’s a way of meeting new people and exercising your brain, all while having a good time.”

Jul 1, 2011

USACE and USAG Ansbach officials gathered for a dedication ceremony and grand opening of the Col. Louis J. Storck Community Activity Center, Storck Barracks, on June 14.

Jul 1, 2011

Our mission was to play “elevator” for pararescue personnel training and qualifying with the square parachute. Our task was to pick up as many jumpers as we could, take them up to 13,000 feet and have them jump out. It was a cool November day in the California high desert, and we weren’t worried about power limits due to temperature. The mission was pretty simple to execute " that is, until the mission took a bad turn for us.

Jun 30, 2011

“We create magical moments that last a lifetime,” Mitchell said. “For the kids, there are always things that may be going on at home, but once they come into Camp Adventure, we want them to forget that.”

Jun 30, 2011

Fort Drum Soldiers participated in friendly sports competitions last week as part of the Mountainfest celebration to stimulate esprit de corps within 10th Mountain Division (LI).

Jun 30, 2011

Both the Fort Meade Teen Center and the Middle School program at the Youth Services Center each received a $2,500 grant from the Walmart Bright Spot Reading Initiative in late April. The funds are being used to create a space for books, magazines and newspapers, along with some comfortable chairs so young people can sit and enjoy the materials.

Jun 30, 2011

Coaches from across the pond in England traveled to America to teach the Challenger British Soccer Camp through Friday on the fields between Chisholm Avenue and Huber Road.

Jun 29, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Lorraine Kraus has clocked in plenty of hours as a volunteer for Army Community Service. With more than 10,000 hours volunteered since 1996, she has helped make plenty of things happen for Army Community Service and the civilians, Soldiers and families it serves.

Jun 29, 2011

While most of Fort McPherson was celebrating the post’s history at the Garrison’s color casing ceremony June 17, or the history of the Army at the Army’s 236th birthday celebration the same day, another type of history was being prepared to be celebrated at the Fort McPherson Fitness Center; a woman’s 79 year dedication to fitness.

Jun 29, 2011

Jun 29, 2011

Jun 28, 2011

WIESBADEN, Germany - The usual faces and a few more showed up to the regular weekly play group at Texas Strasse. This time, the likes of Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and the Cookie Monster greeted toddlers and parents as the door opened to the usual Friday play place.

Jun 24, 2011

As Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division continue to deploy, the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Civilian team remain on standby to support the Army's mission. Ready for the call, Army Civilians are given the opportunity to get into tip-top shape all the while incorporating the command philosophy of teamwork, caring, training and having fun. Civilians jog, lunge and tone their way to health with the Fort Stewart Civilian Fitness Program at Newman Fitness Center, June 16.

Jun 24, 2011

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the Sgt. Audie Murphy Triathlon June 18.

Jun 24, 2011

The Army's top officer, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chief of staff of the Army, visited with Fort Campbell, Ky., Soldiers and families June 23, 2011, taking the time to thank them for the sacrifices they have born in service to their country.

Jun 24, 2011

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies offers child care financial assistance to military members serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. According to NACCRRA’s web site they work with the U.S. military services to help those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits their unique needs.

Jun 24, 2011

A series to highlight domestic violence prevention, causes and resources to help victims.

Jun 23, 2011

Alexandria Bay saw record-setting attendance during the 15th Annual Riverfest on June 6. More than 5,700 Soldiers, Family Members and civilians took advantage of northern New York's 80-degree, mostly sunny weather that day and headed north for a fun and historical experience.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT LEE, Va. (June 23, 2011) -- Fort Lee's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program has lent a voluntary hand to various causes in the local community over the past few years.

Jun 23, 2011

Sgt. Keith McKern sees the world in snapshots of beauty. When a cloud moves to just the right spot in the sky or a tree branch tilts at precisely the right angle, McKern is in his element. But it wasn’t always that way for McKern, the NCO in charge of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin’s legal assistance office.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT McCOY, Wis. -- Youth in the Fort McCoy Child, Youth and School (CYS) Services program could barely wait until the ribbon-cutting and opening remarks for the new Boundless Playground at the Pine View Campground were complete before they raced into the new facility. Everyone smiled with pleasure as the youth quickly tried out all the new equipment in the $250,000 complex. Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. David E. Chesser, who presided over the opening festivities, recounted how the project took five years to come to fruition.

Jun 23, 2011

The Defense Department is launching a new partnership that’s intended to expand job opportunities for military spouses by connecting them with employers actively seeking to hire them.

Jun 23, 2011

Children from Fort Carson, Colo., hiked, mountain biked, rock climbed, kayaked and went white-water rafting as part of Fort Carson’s Adventure Programs and Education’s Wilderness Adventure Camp.

Jun 23, 2011

Child, Youth and School Services demonstrated its support of the Army Family Covenant on June 13 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new $5 million child development center at Hunter Army Airfield's Haley Avenue location. It’s the third CDC facility built on Hunter Army Airfield for children, age six-weeks to five years old. A second CDC, located on Perimeter Road, was completed last March; the oldest center, which is still fully operational, is located just off Middle Ground Road.

Jun 23, 2011

Fort Sill, Okla. -- Soldiers, veterans and civilians got a taste of adventure through Fort Sill's Outdoor Recreation, and already they want more. The group said goodbye to the plains June 16 and hello to high altitude for a white water rafting trip in Buena Vista, Colo.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- To stay on track, the 502nd Mission Support Group inaugurated the newest addition to the post’s athletic facilities, the Fort Sam Houston Fitness Center at the Medical Education and Training Campus, June 20.

Jun 22, 2011

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden’s Outdoor Recreation Hunting, Fishing and Sport Shooting Program offers hunters the opportunity to learn about and test for the prestigious German Jagdschein, or hunting license.

Jun 22, 2011

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--As he chased after his big brother Tristen with a piece of melon in his hand, it was hard to tell that toddler Jacob Wojtaszek has had any health problems.

Jun 20, 2011

During a visit to Main Post here, June 2, Deanie Dempsey, wife of Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, met with more than 20 Family Readiness Group leaders of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and 172nd Infantry Brigade to discuss issues pertaining to the military family.

Jun 20, 2011

Doris Johnson (right), Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS) center director, Fort Campbell, Ky., hauls a piece of equipment from the Fort McPherson Youth Activities Center (Bldg. 400) to Matt Moriarty, a supply technician at the Fort Campbell CYSS. The two visited Fort McPherson Monday to get equipment for the Fort Campbell CYSS program before it was sold off at the Fort McPherson CYSS cash-and-carry sale June 16.

Jun 17, 2011