1. Soundoff!
vol. 64 no. 5 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community
´
February 2, 2012
GOOd SPOrTS
Fort Meade Patriots, Harlem
Superstars play charity game
We Have a Winner!
to aid Arundel High School
page 14
TaxING
Post center provides
free service for military
members, retirees, families
page 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
TOday, 4-6 P.M.:
Right Arm Night - Club Meade
SUNday:
Super Bowl Viewing - The Lanes
FEb. 10, 1-3:30 P.M.:
25th Annual Toothbrush Giveaway -
Commissary
FEb. 10, 8 P.M.-2 a.M.:
Latin Club Night - Club Meade
FEb. 11, 9 a.M.: photo by brendan cavanaugh
2012 Maryland East Coast Taekwondo Cub Scout Hunter Rubbens of Fort Meade Pack 377 celebrates as his car speeds across the finish line during the pack’s
National Qualifier - McGill Pinewood Derby on Saturday at Pershing Hill Elementary School. nearly 80 Cub Scouts participated in the annual race
of hand-built wooden cars that must weigh under 5 ounces. For the story, see Page 12.

2. Commander’s Column
Soundoff!
Editorial Staff
Garrison Commander
Guaranteed circulation:
11,285
´
Engaging our neighbors
Col. Edward C. rothstein
on and off the post
Garrison Command
Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith
Public affairs officer
Chad t. Jones
Chad.T.Jones.civ@mail.mil Last week, the focus of my column was about Fort Command.
Chief, Command information
Philip H. Jones Meade’s growing footprint and my efforts to reach As many
Philip.H.Jones.civ@mail.mil out to our partners outside the gate. of you already
assistant Editor & Senior Writer I try to use my public speaking engagements as know, support-
rona S. Hirsch a tool to spark discussions with neighbors on and ing the expansion
Staff Writer lisa r. rhodes off the post, about how they can help us and how of these agencies
Staff Writer Brandon Bieltz we can support their initiatives. Our neighbors are will result in the
design Coordinator timothy davis receptive to the idea of supporting Fort Meade for installation los-
Supplemental photography provided many reasons. ing the remain-
by Patuxent Publishing Co. Fort Meade growth beyond BRAC is good news der of its golf
for our neighbors. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta course. We lost
advErtiSinG specifically mentioned the importance of cyber nine holes of the COL. Edward C.
General inquiries 410-332-6300 defense in his recent press conference in which he out- course to BRAC rOthstEin
Garrison Commander
allison thompson lined billions of dollars in cuts to defense spending. construction, and
410-332-6850 Allison.Thompson@baltsun.com Fort Meade’s support of the U.S. Cyber Com- it’s expected we will lose the remaining 27 holes later
Michele Griesbauer mand and its joint services (Army Cyber, Air Force this year.
410-332-6381 Michele.Griesbauer@baltsun.com Cyber, the Tenth Fleet Navy Cyber and Marine Currently, the golf course is scheduled to be
Corps Cyber Command) will play a vital role in the available to the post community through September.
If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are future of our nation’s defense. Our neighbors know However, this date could change, and the golf course
experiencing distribution issues, call 877-886-1206 or e-mail TP@baltsun.com. the cyber commands mean stability of jobs in the may close sooner than we had originally anticipated.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday through region and continued economic growth. We are working on agreements with our partners
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Just as it is important to communicate with outside the gate to allow the post’s golf community
Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the our neighbors, it’s important to me to keep the to play on county courses at the rates they currently
personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by the Patuxent Publishing Co., a subsidiary post community aware of what’s happening at pay.
of The Baltimore Sun Media Group, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, every Thursday Fort Meade. Every other month, I meet with Fort Working with county golf courses on behalf of
except the last Thursday of the year in conjunction with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office. Meade’s community council, a group of leaders our patrons is a good example of how partnership
Requests for publication must reach the Public Affairs Office no later than Friday before the from our local community organizations and family with organizations outside the gates can help Fort
desired publication date. Mailing address: Post Public Affairs Office, Soundoff! IMME-MEA-PA,
Bldg. 4409, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5025. Telephone: 301-677-1361; DSN: 622-1361.
readiness groups. The garrison command also hosts Meade. My goal is to continue to find ways to lever-
a bimonthly luncheon for installation partner com- age those partnerships to provide quality service to
Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage manders including senior enlisted leaders from units our military community.
without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, handicap or sex of purchaser, across Fort Meade. The golf agreements and other off-post services
user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser On Jan. 26, I met with both of these groups. In will be a part of our strategy of providing needed
will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source. addition to sharing information about upcoming services and resources to service members in light of
Printed by Patuxent Publishing Co., a private firm, in no way connected with the Department activities on post, we had a frank discussion about DoD-directed budget reductions.
of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are some issues Fort Meade will face as we look ahead My goal as garrison commander is to be as
not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance to future construction and roadwork projects. transparent as possible. I want folks to know I’m
of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of A bit of good news is that this summer we break concerned about how the installation will continue
the Army of the products or services advertised. ground on a new state-of-the-art Post Exchange. to support our growing footprint and I’m ready to
The bad news is parking. The new PX is being built listen to your comments and suggestions.
adjacent to the old PX, and construction will take I will continue to make my communications about
www.ftmeade.army.mil up much of the existing parking lot currently used
by shoppers.
these efforts a priority. I urge you to share your
thoughts about Fort Meade’s expanding footprint
You can also keep track of Fort Meade on twitter at twitter.com/meadetv We are exploring a number of solutions to deal with me, the garrison command and members of the
and view the Fort Meade Blog at meadetv.wordpress.com. with the parking issue, but trust me. I know the park- post community.
ing problem will be inconvenient and make shopping In closing, I want to encourage service members
at the PX and commissary difficult throughout the and civilian employees to participate in tonight’s
construction period. Right Arm Night at Club Meade. The event is a great
Co n t e n t s As difficult as it may be, in the end we will have a
fantastic new shopping center. Still, I wanted to share
way to relax, build camaraderie and spend time with
your co-workers while enjoying the free food, music
this news with post leaders now so we can have an and prizes.
News ............................. 3 News to Use ......................... 8 opportunity to discuss the issue and prepare for the And now that Super Bowl week is finally here, you
challenges it will bring. know I am anxiously awaiting Sunday’s kickoff. With
Trouble Ticket ............... 4 Sports .................................. 14 We also discussed another one of the realities of two great coaches, two great quarterbacks, it should
our expanding footprint — the additional space on be a great game. Hopefully, it will end the same way
Community ................. 18 Movies ................................. 11 the installation required for construction of build- it did the last time they met in a Super Bowl.
ings for the Nation Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Go Giants!
SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

3. News
Post Tax Center offers free assistance
By Brandon Bieltz Last year, the Fort Meade tax center
Staff Writer helped more than 1,300 service members,
With the snip of a ribbon, tax season retirees and dependents file their taxes
began at Fort Meade. for a total refund amount of more than
During a brief ribbon-cutting ceremo- $3.5 million. The free service saved clients
ny Monday, Garrison Commander Col. $321,652 in fees to prepare and file state
Edward C. Rothstein and Staff Judge and federal income taxes.
Advocate Lt. Col. Elizabeth Marotta “We are able to provide such a terrific
officially opened the Fort Meade Joint service to all of the Soldiers and depen-
Installation Tax Center. dents and save them so much money that
Located at 4217 Roberts Ave., the cen- it really is a wonderful thing to participate
ter provides free tax assistance for service in,” Marotta said.
members, retirees and their dependents The manpower behind the center
through Tax Day on April 17. includes nine “borrowed” service mem-
Hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 bers and several volunteers with tax
p.m. Appointments are recommended. preparation backgrounds. Every member
of the staff was required to attend train-
ing led by the Internal Revenue Services,
the American Bar Association and the
‘We want to help service Rosenberg, Martin, Greenberg law firm
in Baltimore.
members and their families During the brief ceremony, Rothstein photos by nate pesce
and retirees. That’s why we thanked instructors from the IRS and
law firm, while Marotta called the service
Pfc. Kyle Goins of the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center meets with Anna Niwa
of Crofton to discuss what she can do in preparation to filing her income taxes. Last
exist.’ members “the best and the brightest” of year, the free service saved clients $321,652 in tax preparation costs.
their units.
capt. Michael Madsen “If there’s ever something where we Marotta said. “I really appreciate all your However, because of IRS and Army
Fort Meade Joint Installation tax need the best, it’s the tax center because hard work.” regulations, the staff cannot prepare busi-
center officer in charge we’re not doing anybody any favors if we After the weeklong course and a series ness income, including more than one
don’t know what we’re doing. And you of tests, the service members and volun- rental space and more than 10 stock
folks certainly know what you’re doing,” teers were certified to work at the IRS transactions. If an individual’s taxes are
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site on too complicated, they will be referred to
the first floor of the SJA. a paid tax service.
As certified tax preparers, the staff can “We’d love to take care of our own, but
prepare and file federal and state income we don’t want to take on something out
tax forms. of our scope,” Madsen said. “We wind up
While not all installations file state hurting the person we’re trying to help.”
income taxes, the Fort Meade center can With nearly 120 appointments already
prepare state income tax forms for all 50 scheduled prior to the ribbon-cutting cer-
states, said Capt. Michael Madsen, officer emony, Madsen recommends that clients
in charge of the tax center. make appointments rather than walk in.
“Every state is a little different, but When calling to schedule an appointment,
we’re going to take the time to make sure clients will undergo a brief interview to
we do the research we have to, to make determine what forms and information
sure we can file people’s state tax returns,” are needed for the tax preparation.
Madsen said. Forms needed vary, based on a client’s
By solely servicing military members, source of income during the year.
retirees and dependents, the tax preparers Appointments are scheduled for one or
are well-versed in issues pertaining to a two hours, depending on the complexity
service member’s filings — a benefit not of the filing.
all paid tax services can provide. In addition to the center’s daily sched-
“We deal with all military, so we see ule, the facility will also be open some
a lot of military-specific issues - combat evenings and Saturdays when volunteers’
pay, relocation, income in multiple states,” schedules allow.
Madsen said. “We try to get all military “We want to help service members and
Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein cuts the ceremonial ribbon Monday, folks in here. We want to save them their families and retirees,” Madsen said.
opening the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center through April 17 at the Office some money and strive to have greater “That’s why we exist.”
of the Staff Judge Advocate at 4217 Roberts Ave. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 proficiency in common issues that face To schedule an appointment at the Fort
p.m., the tax center provides free assistance to service members, retirees and their military members. We want to take care Meade Joint Installation Tax Center, call
dependents filing state and federal income taxes. of our own.” 301-677-9762.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF!

4. N ews
Have you noticed an issue on post Community
Trouble
and wondered if anything is being
done to fix it? Email concerns and
issues to chad.t.jones.civ@mail.
Crime Watch
Ticket mil. Each week, Soundoff! will Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services
address issues identified on post
Jan. 21, Shoplifting: The Director- without paying for the items.
and describe what is being done to ate of Emergency Services was
solve them. notified of a possible shoplifting Jan. 26, Larceny of private prop-
at the Post Exchange. An investi- erty: The victim reported that his
gation revealed that AAFES loss wallet was stolen from the commis-
prevention personnel observed the sary break room.
subject concealing merchandise in
his pocket and proceed beyond
the point of sale without rendering proper Jan. 29, Damage of private property:
payment. An investigation revealed that the victim
departed her home and upon her return
she noticed scratches, which appeared to
Jan. 22, Larceny of private property: An be key marks on her vehicle. She stated
investigation revealed that unknown that the scratches were not on the vehicle
person(s) by unknown means removed when she left.
secured and attended property consisting
of earrings and a necklace from the victim’s
room in Fort Meade lodging. Jan. 29, Simple assault: The Directorate
of Emergency Services was notified of a
possible assault involving two juveniles. An
Jan. 26, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention investigation revealed that the victim was
personnel at the Post Exchange observed assaulted at the playground at Leslie and
the subject concealing unpaid merchandise Clark roads, where the subject allegedly
in her purse and then proceed out of the PX choked the victim.
Construction
Zone
Ongoing construction and renovations
file photo
Play equipment near the Boundless Playground is currently undergoing repairs. on Fort Meade
Four scheduled projects will MacArthur Road onto west-
require the closure of several bound Mapes Road will be closed
Issue: Plan: Status: installation roads: Saturday.
• The side-entrance drive to the Drivers should plan ahead and
The Installation Safety Office Repair the play equipment Repairs are under way commissary is closed today for use alternative routes. All roads
has deemed and marked so that it is functional asphalt work. are scheduled to reopen by 3 p.m.
some play equipment at • Both lanes of Rose Street are on the day of the closures.
Burba Lake as unsafe closed today for asphalt work. The schedule is subject to
• Both center lanes of MacAr- change due to weather or other
Community members thur Road will be closed Friday for circumstances. Changes will be
Maintain a minimum of Golf operations are asphalt work. posted on Fort Meade’s Face-
have concerns about golf 18 holes at current site; unchanged through • The right-turn lane on book page and official website.
course service availability in restoring golf operations September
light of Base Closure and on a site south of the
Realignment installation is also proposed
find fort Meade on
Youth Services Sports Renovate the Youth Services Actual use of fields will be
Complex is in need of Sports Complex this fall to allow facebook at
renovations grass to mature facebook.com/ftmeade
SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

5. N ews
Fort Meade Express completes renovations
Story and photo by Lisa R. Rhodes tive supplies. An ATM machine also will
Staff Writer be installed this month.
The red and blue sign outside the Fort In addition, new signage and LED
Meade Express welcomes the community lights have been added to the store’s nearby
to a newly renovated store. gas pumps.
Formerly known as the Fort Meade The Fort Meade Express is open 24
Shoppette, the 11,000-square-foot conve- hours a day, seven days a week, and is
nience store now features a new location operated by 40 employees.
for its automatic glass-door entrance, a “We are here for the community,” Max-
polished cement floor, LED lighting and well said.
two additional aisles. In July, construction is scheduled to
The image upgrade, which began in July start on a new shopping center to replace
2011, was completed Friday. the existing Post Exchange, which was
“Now that I can see the finished pack- assessed for renovations.
age; it’s beautiful,” said William Maxwell, The new shopping center is scheduled to
the store manager. open in September 2014.
CJW Contractors Inc., based in Green- Jonathan Bright, general manager for
belt, completed the $660,000 project. Reno- the Meade Consolidated Exchange, which
vations to the 15-year-old building included includes Army and Air Force Exchange
stripping the old tile floor and moving prod- Service operations on Fort Meade, Aber-
uct shelves and the register counter. deen Proving Ground and Dover Air
“It looks a lot better,” said Navy Petty Force Base, said the Shoppette’s renova-
Officer 3rd Class Sara Minor of Navy tions and plans for a new shopping center
Information Operations Command Mary- are part of an effort to serve the needs of
land. “It looks a lot more organized. The more customers due to the completed Base
decor is prettier.” Realignment and Closure process.
The selection of snacks and “hot-to- Jayson David, a cashier at the newly renovated Fort Meade Express, rings up “I think it’s a great change,” Navy Petty
go” food items have expanded. Sometime merchandise for Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Sara Minor. Formerly known as the Officer 1st Class Jamie Smith said of the
this month, the Fort Meade Express will Fort Meade Shoppette, the convenience store now features a new location for renovations. “There’s a lot more shelf
feature a wider variety of European wines its automatic glass-door entrance, a polished cement floor, LED lighting and two space, and you know where everything
and an increase in the number of automo- additional aisles. else is.”
Expansion planned for Meade High School
By Lisa R. Rhodes educate and house 2,208 students. funds ever going to or through the county del Gateway, LLC will make a submission
Staff Writer The classrooms are being built in antici- schools,” Szachnowicz said. sometime this month for a building permit
A school construction agreement has been pation of an increase in student enrollment A general contractor has not been yet been from the Anne Arundel County Office of
approved for the construction of 12 additional that will occur when the proposed Arundel hired and a contract has not been awarded. Planning and Zoning to construct the class-
classrooms at Meade High School. Gateway Project is completed. Donna Sills, executive vice president and rooms.
The Anne Arundel County Board of Edu- The Arundel Gateway Project is an effort general counsel of regional developer Green- Szachnowicz anticipates minimal disrup-
cation voted unanimously on Jan. 18 to to accommodate the employees who are berg Gibbons Commercial, said PR II Arun- tion to the existing building.
approve the construction agreement between expected to fill thousands of jobs that will
the Board of Education and PR II Arundel come to Fort Meade as a result of the Base
Gateway Land, LLC.
The agreement allows the developer to hire
Realignment and Closure process, which came
to an end in September 2011.
Pilot project tests Soundoff! distribution
Beginning today, Soundoff! will initiate a pilot project to help assess the most effi-
a general contractor and award a contract to The project is scheduled to be comprised cient method to distribute the weekly newspaper to residents living on post.
build the additional classrooms. of 1,850 residential units; 100,000 square feet During the pilot, Soundoff! newspaper boxes will be located in Potomac Place and
Construction is scheduled to begin in June of office space; 150,000 square feet of retail Heritage Park neighborhoods that utilize mail kiosks.
and completed by July 2013. space; and a possible hotel near Route 198 The pilot will affect the approximately 300 residences that currently use mail kiosks
The two-story, 12-room addition will be in Laurel, east of the Baltimore-Washington located on Second Corps Boulevard and Koogle Street in Potomac Place and on Nin-
located on the west side of the school. A Parkway. ninger Road in Heritage Park.
small connecting corridor to the school will Anne Arundel County Public Schools Residents at these designated sites will no longer have Soundoff! delivered to their
be added. Chief Operating Officer Alex L. Szachnowicz home. Instead, they can pick up a copy of Soundoff! each week when they collect
The additional classrooms will provide 255 said the estimated cost to design, construct their mail.
more seats at the school, which has a current and fully outfit the classrooms at Meade High Soundoff! will be delivered to the newspaper boxes by 6:30 p.m. each Thursday.
enrollment of 2,285 students. is $4.5 million. For more information and to provide feedback about the Soundoff! delivery pilot,
Given the design and space layout, the state “The developers will hire, purchase, con- call the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office at 301-677-5602.
says the facility currently can properly service, tract and pay all the invoices directly with no
SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

6. N ews
Educator, poet, nerd Do I look like a
Family member presents his
grown-up to you?
I need a specialist.
poetry at MLK celebration
Story and photo by Tina Miles
780th MI Brigade
A 780th Military Intelligence Brigade Our board-certified
family member was honored with an pediatric specialists
invitation to speak at a prestigious tribute and kid-friendly
honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther office put everyone
King Jr. at the Washington National at ease and we offer
Cathedral. financial solutions
Tony Keith, son of Annette Duberry, for every budget.
secretary to the commander of the 780th
MI, was personally asked by Patty John- 401-760-1212
son, canon missioner of the Washington pdom.net
National Cathedral, to perform one of his Barry D. Lyon,
original compositions at the celebration, DDS Associates
“King in Our Midst,” on Jan. 16. Pediatric Specialists
The annual event celebrates King’s lega- 7704 Quarterfield Road
cy through service projects, interfaith dia- Glen Burnie, MD 21061
logue, and performances of Washington’s
rich music and dance heritage.
Keith, 30, recited his poem “Awake Tony Keith, son of Annette Duberry, secretary to the commander of the 780th Military
and Awesome,” which also featured vocal Intelligence Brigade, recites one of his original poems, “Awake and Awesome,” at a
excerpts from King’s sermon at the Wash- tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 16 at the Washington National Cathedral www.connect2md.com Search
ington National Cathedral on March 31, in Washington, D.C.
1968. In what was to be his last sermon,
King spoke of “remaining awake through students, and engaging in cultural educa- from an actual artistic performance.
a great revolution.” tion and social justice programming on “On paper, poems are simple, neat,
LOCAL BUSINESSES
Keith intertwined the art of spoken- college campuses. clean, organized with stanzas and a cal-
word poetry between recorded portions As a “nerd,” his thoughts, writings, culated rhyme scheme. On stage, however, SERVICES
of King’s sermon, in what almost seemed teachings and performances are centered poetry can be raw and vibrant, loud, and LINKS TO BUSINESS WEB SITES
to be a parallel interpretation. on topics dealing with race, gender, pov- full of texture and body movements all MAPS AND DIRECTIONS TO BUSINESS
He was invited as a guest speaker after erty, culture and sexuality. meant to transform the atmosphere.”
Johnson heard him at the D.C. Voters Keith has been invited to speak at vari- His written poetry, however, is inspired
all at your
Rally in Lafayette Square Park in front of ous events by major universities across the by the stories and experiences of others.
the White House. United States, as well as by arts and social- “I meet a lot of people, and often lis-
A Washington, D.C., area native, Keith justice, international cultural-immersion tening to their lives inspires me to write
identifies himself as a poet, educator and
“nerd” — a “world-traveled, spoken-word
programs around the world, including
Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago.
something,” Keith said.
At last month’s “King in the Midst” finger
tips
artist, cultural educator, and reader and In 2011, Keith made more than a tribute, Keith performed along with the
writer of inclusion,” he said. dozen appearances at various universities St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church
“I think the first time I wrote a poem nationwide, and his popularity continues Gospel Choir, the Malcolm X Dancers
was in third grade,” Keith said. “I was to grow. As a result of his engagement and Drummers, Urban Nation H.I.P.-
always good at writing, I used to win at “King in our Midst,” Keith received H.O.P. Choir, Washington Performing
writing awards in elementary school all several other invitations. Arts Society’s Children of the Gospel
the time. The first time I ever performed “He has so much creativity and dic- Choir, and City Dance Conservatory
a poem on stage was my senior year of tion,” Johnson said. “Tony is so inspira- Dancers with singers from the School
high school.” tional — he’s a rock star.” Without Walls Concert Choir. Maryland’s Local Business Search
As a poet, Keith has traveled around Keith’s inspiration for performing came Immediately after his performance, Published by the Baltimore Sun Media Group.
the world teaching poetry and empower- from the 1997 movie “Love Jones,” star- Keith left the stage and walked down the
ing young people to engage in the art of ring Lorenz Tate and Nia Long. center aisle, where both he and his mother For online or print
spoken word. “It is a love story that’s documented met and hugged. advertising
As an educator, he has committed through written poetry and performance Duberry cried.
his life to working with first-generation, Call 410.332.6600
poetry,” Keith recalled. “It was then I “I am always blown away by his talent,”
low-income, racial and ethnic minority learned how to distinguish word on paper she said.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF!

7. N ews
Smile Brighter
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The Army will draw down in size by as many
as 80,000 Soldiers over the next six years. That
Join Meade TV in the blogosphere! reduction includes the elimination of at least
eight brigade combat teams.
The Army expects an active force end-strength
Log on and check out the latest reduction from 570,000 to 490,000, said Chief of
Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno,
edition of Meade Week to find out during a press briefing Friday at the Pentagon.
what’s going on at Fort Meade. Our The general said the time is “strategically
blog is located at www.meadetv. right” to reduce the Army’s force structure, but
stressed that it would be done in a “responsible”
wordpress.com. Log on, view recent manner.
posts and tweets, then leave com- “Even given a fiscally constrained environ-
ment, our Army will accomplish our reductions
ments and suggestions. Together we in a responsible and controlled manner,” Odierno said. “Secretary [John]
can make a difference. McHugh and I are committed to ensuring we walk down this hill at the
ready, rather than running our nation’s Army off a cliff.”
Odierno said the Army would execute force reduction measures by
following a “drawdown ramp that allows us to take care of Soldiers and
families, while maintaining a ready and capable force to meet any require-
The Air Force Association Presents ments, including our current operations in Afghanistan.”
CYBERFUTURES
Most of that force reduction, Odierno said, would come from attri-
tion.
Part of the force restructuring will come from a reduction of two
heavy brigade combat teams out of Europe that will take place in 2013
and 2014.
CONFERENCE Odierno said the Army will continue to provide forces on a rotational
basis to Europe for training and readiness exercises with NATO and other
partners.
AND TECHNOLOGY EXPOSITION While the total force end strength would be 490,000 Soldiers within six
years, the Army will see an increase in special operations forces, Odierno
said. He said the Army will increase those forces to 35,000.
March 22-23, 2012 “I want to re-emphasize the incredible missions and roles that they play
and what they’ve been doing over the last 10 years in Iraq and Afghani-
The Gaylord Resort and Convention Center stan and around the world,” Odierno said.
Odierno said the Army’s future also calls for a strengthening of security
National Harbor, MD relationships and partnerships in Asia, as well stabilization of growth in
personnel costs.
The newest and most dangerous enemy facing the United States is not like any that we have seen “The cost of military personnel has grown at a substantial, unsustain-
before. Our enemies come at us with sophisticated cyber intrusions and cyber attacks. Cyber security able rate over the last decades,” he said. “We will not reduce pay, but
is more important now than ever before. reductions must occur on the rate of growth in military compensation
and other personnel costs and related benefits.”
• JOIN AFA in exploring the emerging threat environment of cyberspace, Even with fewer Soldiers and a streamlined force structure, Odierno
featuring speakers from the Department of Defense, private sector, academia, said the Army would continue to meet commitments in Afghanistan and
federal government and military. around the world.
• SEE some of the latest innovations in cyber technology at the Expo. “The Army will continue to play a large role in the missions identified
• WITNESS the finals of the nation’s largest and fastest growing high in the strategic guidance,” he said.
school cyber defense competition CyberPatriot. That includes counter terrorism, irregular warfare, the deterrence and
defeat of aggression, the projection of power, defense of the homeland,
support to civil authorities, and stability and counterinsurgency opera-
tions.
Register Today at www.afa.org
SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

8. N ews
Ergonomics Program
focuses on job safety,
employee comfort
By Chanel S. Weaver federal workforce, completing an average of
Public Affairs Office two a month.
U.S. Army Public Health Command “The teams identify risk factors in an
For nearly 40 years, David Alberth, a office and come up with solutions to miti-
radiation safety expert at the U.S. Army gate those factors,” Pentikis said. “It doesn’t
Public Health Command, worked for the benefit an agency to have an employee who
Army. is uncomfortable and at risk of injury.”
Although his office chair was uncom- The make-up of these office reconfigura-
fortable, his computer screen was getting tion teams varies, but they often include
harder to see, and the space in his office ergonomists, physical therapists, occupa-
was getting increasingly narrower, he hung tional therapists and engineers. A key goal
in there because that’s what he felt devoted of the program is injury reduction.
employees do. “We want to prevent injuries to our
“I knew the work I was doing to keep workforce,” Pentikis said. “Research shows
our military safe from the harmful effects that virtually all musculoskeletal injuries can
of radiation was important,” said Alberth, be prevented.”
a senior health physicist. “I enjoy using my The goal is also to ensure employees
institutional memory and knowledge of his- perform their jobs safely and comfortably,
torical examples to solve current problems.” according to Col. Myrna Callison, Ergo-
Alberth kept files in his office that cov- nomics Program manager.
ered more than 20 years of history. He is so The ergonomics team frequently travels
efficient that employees at the USAPHC, both stateside and abroad to assess employ-
as well as Army and DoD scientists, often ee working conditions and offer interven-
consult him on radiation issues. He was rec- tions to decrease injury risk.
ognized as a master consultant on radiation “We frequently perform ergonomic stud-
issues a few years ago. ies on offices, warehouses, hospitals and
But recently, his co-workers and supervi- other places where federal employees work,”
sor began to notice a problem. Callison said.
“David had a huge collection of files, and Recently, the Ergonomics Program was
his office space was so constrained that he instrumental in the development of a safe-
could barely move around,” said Lt. Col. patient handling program that uses ergo- Photo by Christina Graber
Constance Rosser, a program manager in nomically-sound equipment to help hospital
the USAPHC health physics program. staff lift patients in ways that do not cause John Pentikis, an ergonomist at the U.S. Army Public Health Command, conducts
Mobility was becoming more difficult for injuries. an ergonomics office assessment for a Soldier at the USAPHC. Personnel frequently
Alberth, who suffers with arthritis and other The program is being tested in the Madi- perform ergonomic studies on offices, warehouses, hospitals and other places where
orthopedic problems from his activities as a gan (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.) federal employees work, to minimize the risk of injuries.
long-distance runner in earlier years. health care system, with an ultimate goal of
With a few phone calls, even more paper- being implemented in various Army medical
work and a lot of heavy lifting, Alberth’s
co-workers voluntarily reconfigured his
office. The reconfiguration and design were
treatment facilities.
Alberth said he is grateful that the
USAPHC ergonomics team and his co-
Get the insider’s advantage
completed under the professional direc- workers took actions to preserve his safety Join the conversation on Fort Meade’s social media platform
tion of USAPHC’s Ergonomics Program and health.
members. “The steps we took to ensure he could for the latest community news.
Today, Alberth’s new work space boasts perform his job easier were just a token of Connect with more than 8,000 post community members
state-of-the-art amenities including an our gratitude for his service,” Rosser said. “It
adjustable keyboard, an oversized monitor, is our duty to ensure that all employees have on the installation’s Facebook page. stay updated with tweets
a workstation that allows him to stand at reasonable accommodations.” from Fort Meade’s twitter feed. Catch the latest episode of
intervals, and of course, plenty of space for For more information on the USAPHC’s Meade Week’s video blog. Visit the installation’s website at
him to maneuver around effortlessly. Ergonomics Program, visit U.S. Army Pub-
Ergonomist John Pentikis said the pro- lic Health Command, http://phc.amedd. www.ftmeade.army.mil and visit the links to add your voice to
gram is in high demand for office recon- army.mil/topics/workplacehealth/ergo/Pages/ the conversation.
figurations from customers throughout the default.aspx.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF!

9. N ews
MEPS briefing welcomes
families to the military
By Lisa R. Rhodes tion’s Military and Family Life consultant;
Staff Writer and Amber Rustad, a military spouse and
When Towanda Miller-Harris arrived at ACS volunteer.
Fort Meade’s Baltimore Military Entrance A Marine-specific briefing is held Mon-
Processing Station with her son Christian days.
on Tuesday, she was filled with separation “Welcome to the Military” includes all
anxiety. facets of military life from basic training and
But as her 18-year-old son prepared to be military acronyms to financial readiness and
sworn into the Army, Miller-Harris sat in on parenting classes. The briefing also includes
a 45-minute briefing designed to introduce the addresses of websites geared to military
families to the military. parents.
By the time the briefing ended, Miller- When the briefing ends, families are given
Harris said she felt at ease. a packet of information about military pro-
“It made me feel so comfortable,” the grams and points of contact for assistance.
Pikesville resident said. “I learned what will “The briefing really demystifies the mili-
happen to him and what to expect. I know tary,” Morales said. “It’s for those fam-
he will be in the hands of people who will
take care of him and help him become the
man he wants to be.”
Miller-Harris was one of 30 family mem-
‘It made me feel so
bers to attend “Welcome to the Military,” comfortable. I learned what
an introduction to all the service branches,
family support programs and career and will happen to [my son] and
educational opportunities available to active-
duty service members and their families.
what to expect.’
The briefing is the first of its kind in the
Towanda Miller-Harris
Army and is designed for the family mem-
bers of candidates in all service branches. It Pikesville resident
is currently only offered at Fort Meade.
Impressed with the program, Garrison
Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein has
requested that information about the brief- ily members who don’t have the military in
ing be submitted to the Installation Manage- their background and know nothing about
ment Command as an example of an Army military life.”
best practice. Rustad, wife of Lt. Col. Robert Rustad
More than 5,000 family members repre- of the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion,
senting all service branches have attended said that when her nephew enlisted in the Air
the briefing since it began in April 2009. Force eight years ago, this kind of support
“With less than 1 percent of Americans was not available for new military families.
putting on the uniform, families need to “We just dropped him off at the MEPS in
know what the military is all about,” said Des Moines [in Iowa], gave him a hug and
Lt. Col. Christopher Beveridge, commander cried tears,” she said.
of Baltimore MEPS. “This gives them a The family didn’t even attend the swear-
little peek at what is down the road for their ing-in ceremony.
family member. It also is an opportunity to Rustad said that when a candidate enlists,
thank family members for their support of the family’s life also changes.
their loved ones.” “There are a lot of uncertainties for the
The Baltimore MEPS is the last stop for family,” she said. “I see the difference in the
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHiEF WaRRanT OFFiCER 4 MiCHaEl DYE military recruits from Maryland, Washing- experience from eight years ago to now. It’s a
ton, D.C., Delaware and Northern Virginia better experience. I’m proud of Fort Meade
likE fathEr, likE daughtEr before they travel on to basic training.
The briefing is held on Tuesdays before
the swearing-in ceremony. It is presented by
as a spouse and as a family member for the
support they provide.”
Joe Scabis, whose son Jon was preparing
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Dye of the 902nd Military Intelligence
Group administers the Oath of Enlistment to his daughter Ashley Dye on Pia Morales, Mobilization and Deployment to enlist in the Coast Guard, said the brief-
Jan. 19 at Fort Meade’s Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station. program manager at Army Community ing was a big help.
The 18-year-old is joining the Navy to become a cryptologic technician Service and the liaison to MEPS; Melodie “It was excellent,” Scabis said, “just to
following boot camp and a 30-week course. Menke, Relocation Readiness program man- know what he will be going through for the
ager at ACS; Elicia McIntrye, the installa- next eight weeks.”
10 SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

10. C over S tory
Dow
nhil Cub Scouts’ Pinewood Derby
l rac builds skills, sportsmanship
ers By Brandon Bieltz
Staff Writer
Every year, Fort Meade
Cub Scouts spend weeks
planning and designing what
cise creativity and build sportsmanship,”
according to the Boy Scouts of America
website.
Cars started out as a block of wood
before being cut, whittled and shaped into
they hope will be the fastest unique designs such as a wedge of cheese
wooden car on the installa- or police car with a maximum length of
tion. 7 inches and weight of 5 ounces.
And in a flash, all those hours come The creative process didn’t end with
down to just a few exhilarating seconds as just the cutting. Cars were given flamboy-
the cars speed down a track at the Pine- ant paint jobs including racing stripes,
wood Derby and winners emerge. camouflage and flames.
Fort Meade Cub Scout Pack 377 held Each Scout raced against boys from
its annual event Saturday morning at their den, placing their speed machines
Pershing Hill Elementary School, where four at a time at the top of a steep, metal
nearly 80 young pit-crew chiefs were track purchased from proceeds from pop-
challenged to determine the fastest car corn sales last fall.
in each den. Racing down the track, the light-weight
The event aims to teach the Cub Scouts wooden cars hit high speeds, which scaled
to “strengthen bonds, share responsibility, to a full-sized vehicle, reached as fast as
develop teamwork, learn new skills, exer- 156 mph.
1st Class Scout Jacob Elmore of Fort Meade Boy Scout Troop 377 pulls a lever
sending four wooden cars speeding down the steep metal track at the Cub Scouts’
annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday at Pershing Hill Elementary. More than 80 boys
from Cub Scout Pack 377 competed for the fastest car in their den.
RIGHT: Cars roll to a screeching halt at the electronic finish line. The steep track sent
cars racing to high speeds that if scaled to the weight of a full-size vehicle, would
reach above 150 mph.
photos by brendan cavanaugh
12 SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

11. Top finishers
• Tigers: Cardon Hammerstrom
• Wolves: Jeffery Moody
• Bears: Jacob Wendt
• Webelos: Zachary Meggett
• Outlaws (parents and
siblings): Michael Mahoney
RIGHT: 2nd Class Scout Joel Johnston,
11, (right) checks in Webelo Scout
Isaiah Walters’ racer prior to the annual
Pinewood Derby on Saturday morning.
Each car started out as a block of wood
before Cub Scouts cut, carve and whittle
the wood into unique 7-inch racers.
Cub Scouts carefully load their wooden cars into their lanes on the
racetrack set up at Pershing Hill Elementary School. The Scouts from
Fort Meade Cub Scout Pack 377 raced against other members of their
den, four at a time.
LEFT: Cub Scout Blake Corbey places his police car, themed “Speed
Catcher,” on the long metal track at the annual Pinewood Derby held
Saturday morning.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 13

12. S portS
Clowning on the court
Patriot players take on comedy
basketball team in charity game
By Brandon Bieltz Through the event at Arundel High
Staff Writer School in Gambrills, players helped the
Last week, members of the Fort school raise $500 to benefit Arundel’s
Meade Patriots basketball team played basketball program.
a role they weren’t too familiar with. Event organizer Cassandra Peacock
Under the name of “The Arundel said the money would be used toward
Dream Team,” nine Patriots took the the purchase of a new scoreboard for
court as actors in a basketball comedy the gymnasium and other small neces-
show of dunks, tricks and all-around sities for the team.
shenanigans as they went head-to-head “Whenever we can give back to the
with the Harlem Superstars at a charity community and let them know that
event on Jan. 24 basketball is more than competition
Ricky “7-Footer” Lopes of the Harlem Superstars dances with 5-year-old London
Blakey of Odenton. The Superstars included children and audience members in its
comedy basketball show.
RIGHT: Lopes kneels beside Gary Robinson to even the playing field prior to a charity
basketball game against nine members of the Fort Meade Patriots, who played under
the name of “The Arundel Dream Team.”
photos by brendan cavanaugh
14 SOUNDOFF! February 2, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

13. S portS
— and showing the community, ‘Hey
we aren’t just Soldiers’ and that we can
do good things in the community, we’re
all for it,” said Patriots coach Ronny
Cunningham.
In addition to being eager to play
against the Harlem Superstars and
show children that basketball is fun,
Cunningham said his team was excited
to help raise money for the local bas-
ketball team.
“We’re military guys, we’d do any-
thing we can for the people,” Patriots’
Taras Newby said. “We do what we
can.”
The Harlem Superstars are a comedy
basketball team from New Haven, Ct.,
performing skits and tricks similar to
those of the Harlem Globetrotters to
help fundraisers for organizations such
as schools and police departments.
Although the team has played at
many military installations against ser-
vice members, the Superstars said they
knew playing the Dream Team would
be a challenge compared to their typical
opponents of teachers.
“They’re good,” Mike “Hollywood”
Jones said of the team from Fort
Meade. “We had to bring our A-game.
We knew they were going to come out
and play.”
The Superstars opened the two-hour
event with playful skits, sometimes at
the expense of Dream Team players.
Chris “Chicken” Turnquist jumped on
the back of Newby, seeking “protec-
tion” from his teammates, while Ricky
“7-Footer” Lopes knelt on his knees to
be the same height as Patriots’ Gary
Robinson before the tip-off.
“Anything where I get a chance to get ABOVE: Steve “Surfer Boy” Faukner of
silly,” Robinson said of the pre-game the Harlem Superstars performs a dunk
antics. during the comedy basketball show that
Once the game began, the Super- featured slam dunks, half-court shots
stars’ focus turned to dunks, dazzling and tricks.
behind-the-back half court shots by
Kevin “Showboat” Jackson and skits
led by Turnquist to get the audience RIGHT: Fort Meade Patriots’ Matt
involved. Mitchell joins in on the dunking action
As the game continued, Dream Team late in the game against the Harlem
players took the Superstars’ lead, trying Superstars on Jan. 24 at Arundel High
out their own tricks as Trevor McDade School. Members of the Fort Meade
and Matt Mitchell performed dunks, Patriots basketball team competed in
while other players attempted alley- the charity game to help raise money
oops or behind-the-back-passes. for the school’s basketball program.
After the game, several Dream Team
members said they enjoyed the oppor-
tunity to play against the Harlem FAR RIGHT: Chris “Chicken” Turnquist
Superstars — especially the chance to clowns around with audience member
try their skills in a new way. Pat Lucas of Bowie while the Harlem
“I’m a clown anyway,” Robinson Superstars play nine members of the
said. “This is right up my alley.” Fort Meade Patriots.
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 2, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 15