Weekly Binder

Inside this issue:

205th MI BN

Volume 1, Issue 32

Week ending

4 December 2009

Special points of interest:

Deployment Expo, pg 3

Federal Job Info, pgs

36-37

AFAP Info

Deployment Expo

Dining Out

Honolulu City Lights

Children’s Passports

Hooah Mail

OEF/OIF Benefits

In Other News

1-4

5

6

7-8

9

10-11

12

13

Holiday Craft Fairs

Holiday Parades

Holiday Happenings

14

15

16

Pearl Harbor Anniv.

Misc. Info.

Parent’s Night Out

News/Comm. Briefs

17

18

19

20-21

MWR Briefs

MWR Happenings

MWR Info

Disney Days

Macy’s Coupon

22

23

24-27

28-29

30

Misc. Info.

EDGE Info.

31

32-33

Big Brother/Sisters 34

Outdoor Rec. Events

Federal Job Info.

Thrift Store Info.

Library Closure

Chapel Events

ACS Info

35

36-37

38

39

40-41

41-42

THE VIGILANT

VOICE

The contents of this binder are strictly for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement of any private

or commercial organization by the 205th MI BN, 500th MI BDE, INSCOM or the Department of the Army.

Army Family Action Plan The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is one of the Army's

most effective tools in managing change and improving

the well-being of all who work and support the US Army

— Soldiers (all components), Family Members, retirees,

and DA Civilians.

What can start out as a concern for one Soldier or

Family member, can shape the future of our Army and

our Sister Services; 61% of all active AFAP issues will impact all the Services.

To date, six hundred thirty three issues have been identified. AFAP has driven

107 legislative changes, 154 Army policy and regulatory changes and 173 im-

proved programs and services.

The AFAP mission is simple; help Army leaders address the needs and

concerns of the total Army Family. How does it work; the program enlists rep-

resentatives from around the world to identify and prioritize issues that will

improve the standard of living in the Army. This feedback to leaders results in

policy changes that become tangible end-products at garrisons across the

Army. AFAP beneficiaries include Soldiers (all components), retirees, Depart-

ment of Army civilian employees and all their Family members.

AFAP is the ultimate opportunity for you to get your voice heard and make

a difference for Families Army-wide. The 2010 Installation AFAP conference

will be held 26-28 January 2010, at the Nehelani Banquet and Conference

Center. Your involvement can make a tremendous difference. If you would

like to support the process, submit your quality of issues on-line, in person at

any of our ACS Centers or via fax at (808) 655-1654. For more information on

this program, contact Michael Briglin at (808) 655-1696 or via email at mi-

[email protected]. See pages 2-4 for issue sheet and applications.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Volume 1, Issue 18 Page 2

Page 3 The Vigilant Voice
















Overseas Mailing Deadlines

U.S. Postal Service officials recommend the following deadlines for all mail bound for Afghani-

stan and other overseas locations. The deadline for parcel airlift mail is Dec. 1. First-class and

priority mail for service members stationed in Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4, to arrive

for Christmas.

For general guidelines on sending mail to service members overseas, visit

www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/.

Express mail cannot be used to mail packages to Afghanistan; however, priority mail is

available. Priority mail packaging products can be obtained free at any post office, or online at

http://shop.usps.com.

To order free military care kits by phone, call 1-800-610-8734. Each kit includes two

―America Supports You‖ large priority mail flat-rate boxes, four medium-sized priority mail flat-

rate boxes, six priority mail labels, a roll of priority mail tape and six customs forms with enve-

lopes.

Traffic Changes Affect Wheeler Army Airfield

The HECO Gate, which is located near Wheeler Middle School and exits onto Kunia Road, is

closed until further notice.

Open during peak traffic hours to assist with traffic flow, the gate’s use is not needed during

the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade’s deployment.

The stop light at Wheeler’s Kunia Gate and Schofield’s Lyman Gate is operating on a synched

schedule, allowing more vehicles to pass between the installation at peak hours. The changes to

the stop light keep the gates from having long lines in either direction.

For more information, call 656-6751.

Kona Coffee Discount

Makahiki Farms produce some VERY nice coffee and have

steadily donated coffee for our troops for well over a year now.

Visit http://makahikifarms.com and select a coffee that you

want to buy on their website. When you begin the Checkout

process, you will notice a box down towards the bottom that says

―Coupon Code or Gift certifi-

cate‖, here you type the

word : freedom

It's as easy as that..20% off !!

http://makahikifarms.com


December Religious Support — The

U.S. Army Garrison–

Hawaii Religious Support

Office is offering a Strong

Bonds Retreat for couples

and singles, Dec. 4-6, and

for families, Dec. 11-13. For

more information or to reg-

ister, call the Aliamanu

Military Reservation

Chapel at 836-4599.

Santa Parade — The Wa-

hiawa Community and

Business Association will

hold a Santa Parade, Dec.

7, 6:30 p.m., beginning at

Kaala Elementary School.

The parade proceeds down

California Avenue, with a

brief stop at Wahiawa Town

Center for Santa's arrival.

Call 621-7097.

Oahu South Tree Light-

ing — Maj. Gen. Michael J.

Terry, commanding gen-

eral, 8th Theater Sustain-

ment Command, will host

the annual Oahu South

holiday concert and tree

lighting ceremony, Dec. 10,

6 p.m., at Palm Circle.

The Farrington High

School band will perform.

Santa and his helpers will

be on hand to take photos

with children. Call the U.S.

Army Garrison-

Hawaii Public Af-

fairs Office at

655-0453.

Fort Shafter Construc-

tion — Construction on

Funston Road, Fort Shafter

Dec. 14-Jan. 1, 2010, will

cause changes in traffic

flow affecting military per-

sonnel and visitors.

All inbound and out-

bound lanes at Buckner

Gate will be redirected

through the Military Police

(MP) Station parking lot.

All visitors and trucks will

be redirected through Pat-

ton Gate, located 100 feet

from Buckner Gate, which

will be open 24 hours a day,

7 days a week.

Hours for other gates re-

main unchanged and can be

viewed online at

www.garrison.hawaii.army.

mil/sites/traffic/gatehours.a

sp. Motorists are asked to

set aside additional travel

time in light of expect traf-

fic congestion during the

construction period.

Call 656-6751/6750.

Salvation Army Angel

Tree — Pearlridge Mall

shoppers can share their

aloha for the community by

choosing an angel from a

Salvation Army Angel Tree

and granting the wish of a

child or a senior citizen who

otherwise would not receive

any gifts at

Christmas. The

Angel Tree will

be located Up-

town Nov. 27-

Dec. 20 during

center hours.

Craft Fair — The Mission

Houses Museum (553 S.

King St.) will hold its an-

nual two-day Holiday Craft

Fair, Nov. 28 and 29, 9

a.m.-4 p.m. The fair will

feature locally made lau-

hala products, traditional

Hawaiian quilts, fine art,

jewelry, clothing and other

items. Live music and

hands-on activities for chil-

dren will be available. Call

447-3923.

Ongoing Operation: Military Kids

Camp — Operation: Mili-

tary Kids Camp (OMK),

News and Community Briefs


Hawaii, along with YMCA-

Camp Erdman are offering

two family camps geared

toward helping recently re-

deployed service members

and their families recon-

nect. The camp scheduled,

April 9-11, is open for regis-

tration. E-mail

[email protected] or

call 956-4125. Or visit

www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/4h/o

mk or call 956-4125.

Army Nurse Corps

Scholarships — The Army

Nurse Corps is offering

scholarships to qualified in-

dividuals in the amount of

$3,000 per applicant. Appli-

cation deadline is April 1,

2010. Questions concerning

the application process

should be sent to educa-

[email protected] or the Web

site http://e-

anca.org/ContactUs.html.

For a complete list of arti-

cles and more information

on any of the stories listed

here, please visit

http://www.garrison.haw

aii.army.mil/haw.asp

Military Academy Ad-

missions — West Point is

recruiting the best qualified

Soldiers, noncommissioned

officers and officers to ei-

ther become cadets, or join

its staff and faculty. Each

year, regular Army Soldiers

are offered direct admission

to the U.S. Military Acad-

emy (USMA) or to the U.S.

Military Academy Prepara-

tory School.

For information, contact

Maj. Brian Easley, Soldier

admissions officer, at 845-

938-5780 or

[email protected].

Those interested in an

assignment to USMA can

complete a USMA interest

form at

www.usma.army.mil/adjuta

ntgeneral/ or by writing to:

Management Operations

Branch, AG Division, West

Point, NY 10996-1926.

Battleship Missouri Re-

enlistment Opportunity

— Individuals who have

held a military ceremony

aboard the Battleship Mis-

souri during 2009 are in-

vited to man the rails of the

ship, Jan. 7, as it returns to

Pearl Harbor’s Battleship

Row after three months in

drydock.

In addition, a special

mass reenlistment cere-

mony will be held while the

ship is in tow, providing a

rare opportunity to reenlist

on a U.S.

battleship

while it is

under

way.

Please

see your

retention

noncommissioned officer to

arrange your reenlistment,

or call 455-1600, ext. 225,

or e-mail

[email protected].

Schofield Health and

Fitness Center Closure

— The Schofield Barracks

Health and Fitness Center

(HFC), Building 582, is

closed now through Jan.

2010 to replace the roof. All

classes and services have

been relocated to the Marti-

nez Physical Fitness Center

(MPFC), Building 488. Call

Linda Williams at 655-

4804.

News and Community Briefs Continued



MWR Briefs

December

Waikiki Party Bus — Your

free party bus to Waikiki runs

again, Dec. 4, 9 p.m.-4 a.m.

Let Family and Morale, Wel-

fare and Recreation be your

own personal chauffeur to

Waikiki on payday Fridays.

The bus rides again, Dec.

18 and 31, for New Year’s

Eve. The bus is completely

free, but tickets are required

to reserve your seat. Pick-ups

are available at both Schofield

Barracks and Fort Shafter.

Call 655-9971 or 438-1985.

Honolulu City Lights — See

the popular electric light pa-

rade, holiday concert, tree and

wreath displays, and a tree

lighting ceremony at Hono-

lulu Hale, Dec. 5, 6-8:30 p.m.,

on the Family and Morale,

Welfare and Recreation shut-

tle. Cost is $5, but Blue Star

Card holders ride for free. Re-

serve a spot by Dec. 2 by call-

ing 655-0112/3.

Holiday Funfest — Join the

13th Annual Holiday Funfest

at Aliamanu Military Reser-

vation (AMR), Dec. 5, at the

AMR gymnasium and commu-

nity center. A holiday parade

will begin at 9 a.m., and fes-

tivities take place 10 a.m.-1

p.m. Enjoy crafts, games, con-

tests and pictures with Santa.

Blue Star Card (BSC) holders

can stop by the BSC informa-

tion table to make a special

blue reindeer candy cane. Call

833-0920/4932.

Christmas Card-Making &

Rubber Stamping - Learn

new techniques with stamps,

inks and more and make your

very own holiday cards on

Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m. at

the Schofield Barracks Arts

and Crafts Center. Just $10

covers the class and

all your supplies. Call 655-

4202.

Homemade Holidays -

Make and take your own mini

gift boxes to fill as you

will on Dec. 9, 2-4:30 p.m. at

SGT Yano Library, Schofield

Barracks. The

library will provide all sup-

plies. Please call the library

for mandatory

pre-registration. Call 655-

8002.

The Sesame Street USO

Experience for Military

Families - Enjoy furry, fuzzy

fun with the friendly muppets

Dec. 12 at Martinez Physical

Fitness

Center,

Schofield

Barracks.

Shows be-

gin at 3

p.m. and

5:30 p.m.,

and crafts and children's ac-

tivities will be available be-

tween the shows. Call 655-

0112/3.

Blue Star Card — Spouses of

deployed Soldiers are eligible

to sign up for a Blue Star card,

which will give card holders

discounts at Family and Mo-

rale, Welfare and Recreation

facilities, activities and special

events.

Blue Star Cards are valid

throughout the entire deploy-

ment. To sign up visit

Army Community Service

(ACS) at Schofield Barracks,

Building 2091 (655-4227) or

Tripler Army Medical Center

ACS, Building 127, (438-4499).

Do you have a great idea for

the next Blue Star Card event?

E-mail

[email protected].

Please visit the MWR website

for a complete list of all events

and specials. http://www.mwrarmyhawaii.com/



Free Admission except food booth, cake walk and pictures with Santa. Christmas parade starts

at 9 am. Come and support your community and march in the parade. (Pets are welcome in the

parade.) Pets dressed in holiday theme will receive a treat sponsored by the AMR Community

Center Housing Office. Please RSVP your pet for the parade at 833-0920 or 275-3840. Parade

may be canceled due to inclement weather. Entertainment by SKIES and HYPERSQUAD.

Character appearance by FMWR’s own Eddie the Eagle. Make a gingerbread house and create

and take home your own holiday cards and crafts. Blue Star card holders, stop by for a fun and

festive way to make blue reindeer candy canes. Inflatable bouncer, CYSS , Community Center

info and much more. Door prizes giveaways! Call for more info at 833-0920/4932.





Give a Day Get a Disney Day

Starting in 2010, Disney will give away free theme-park tickets to 1 mil-

lion people who spend a day volunteering in their community.

The give-a-day, get-a-day marketing campaign — which replaces the

wildly successful 2009 free-on-your-birthday promotion — starts Jan. 1,

2010 and runs through Dec. 15, 2010.

Volunteers must pre-register online at the HandsOn Network — which

represents more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies nationwide — to be eli-

gible for the free ticket.

The tickets are valid at six theme parks in the U.S.

Visit

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCeleb

rate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day for complete rules and

more information.

http://home.disney.go.com/parks/




Library News and Upcoming Events

The Fort Shafter Library will be temporarily closed to complete much needed

energy conservation and remodeling projects, November 23, 2009 to February 26, 2010. When re-

opened, the new energy efficient library will have new windows, central air conditioning, energy effi-

cient lights and remodeled bathrooms. Any library activities previously advertised during this time

period have been cancelled. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this

may cause.

For more information,

call 655-8000

SGT Yano Library will be closed on Sunday, December 13, 2009 for its

semi-annual carpet cleaning. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Call 655-8002 for

information.

Furlough Friday activities at Sgt Yano Library

Hear a story, "Polar Express," and make a craft on December 11, 2009, from 3:00-3:45 pm. Li-

brary will supply materials.

Tax Credits for Military Families

Have you been able to keep up with the tax changes in 2009 for military families? The Inter-

nal Revenue Service (IRS) has developed a new podcast and fact sheet to provide service mem-

bers and their families with up-to-date tax information. The podcast discussion covers differ-

ent scenarios and the fact sheets provide links to the latest information, including the first-

time homebuyer’s credit, economic stimulus payments, questions and answers on combat zone

tax provisions and more. To listen to the Armed Services Tax Assistance 2009 podcast or re-

view the fact sheet, go to: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=97273,00.html.

EDGE Program New Sign-Ups

Beginning January 2010 please take advantage of the new weekly sign-up for

the EDGE program.

Youth grades 1st-5th pay a special rate of $30 per week Monday through Thurs-

day. With weekly sign-up you will receive free Friday care which includes Fur-

lough Fridays. See next 2 pages for January’s schedule.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=97273,00.html





5th December - Shoreline Fishing – Spend an evening bait dunking at a favorite shore fishing area. We guarantee a good time fishing Hawaiian style. (ODR) 0800-1800. Only $42 each. 6th December - ADventure Hiking II – Full day hiking to various locations around the island. Challenge yourself against nature with others. Bring plenty of water. (ODR) 0800-1400. Only $10. 7th December - Open Water Diver Certification – Receive an exciting one-week long course that will award you a LIFETIME certification as a PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver. Courses run Monday thru Sunday (OC). $229.99. Reservations must be made in advance so sign up NOW! 10TH December - Discover Scuba - Experience SCUBA FOR FREE! Experience the wonders of the underwater world. Richardson Pool. 1400-1600. Minimum age is 12. Register in advance through Ocean Concepts, 808-853-4673. Reservations must be made in advance so sign up NOW! 12th December – Shoreline Fishing Site Tour – Find out where the best fishing sites are. This will assist fishing enthusiast in their fishing endeavors. Don’t know where to fish…after the tour you will know. (ODR) 0800-1400. $8.00 13th December – Honolulu Marathon Picnic – Be a part of the Honolulu Marathon and watch the runners come into Kapiolani Park after 26.2 miles of running. Picnic lunch provided. (ODR) 0400-1500 $49 Adult/$14 Child. 14th December – Open Water Diver Certification – Receive an exciting one-week long course that will award you a LIFETIME certification as a PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver. Courses run Monday thru Sunday (OC). $229.99. Reservations must be made in advance so sign up NOW! 19th December – OC1 Paddling/Stand-up Paddleboard Lessons – Here is an opportunity to learn the “Hawaiian way” on the water. Both classes included for one low price of $64 each. (ODR) 0700-1200. * All dates/times are tentative and subject to change. * All ADventures will depart from/return to the Outdoor Recreation Center, Bldg. #556 with the exception of Summer Ocean Splash (PARC) or otherwise noted. * * Registrations & Payment required in advance of program departure. * Pictures are taken on all adventures and copies can be sent to you via e-mail if re-quested If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask. *NOTE: Thanks to requests from our valuable customers, Outdoor Recreation is now able to take Equipment Checkout Center reservations/ Program registrations via phone with a credit card payment. Available to all FMWR eligible guests already registered in RecTrac database. Please call the Outdoor Rec. Center, 655-0143, for more information. *Min. 50% deposit required for all Equipment Center Check-out reservations, 100% payment due for Program registrations. Don’t forget to stop by to... Have a Great ADventure!!

Outdoor Recreation Activities







Serving the

USAG-HI

Community


Weekly Binder

Documents

issue sheet

vigilant voice volume

army policy

mi bn volume

total army family

army family action plan

afap info deployment

us army soldiers