Off Duty is a compilation of military-affiliated information and events focused for the Soldier, their family members and veterans. Information should be 100 words or less and contain no editorializing. An informational brief that is not time specific will not run for more than 30 days. All submissions are due no later than Friday for publication in the following week’s paper.
Surviving deployments
Come out to the AFTB Surviving Deployment Concept Block from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday. Classes being offered are Stress Management, Time Management, Introduction to Military and Civilian Resources and Budgeting. Child care is provided. For registration or more information, call 568-2382.
Operation Military Kids
Businesses, community organizations or individuals who are interested in supporting military children and youth impacted by the Global War on Terrorism are invited to attend a networking meeting Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Officers’ Club Fox Room. An open lunch line is available at a nominal cost. For more information, contact the Texas Military 4-H at military4h@ag.tamu.edu or call (254) 774-6022.
Red, White and You
Hal Marcus Gallery will have an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. today. The event is free to the public. Hear the artists speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 8. Artwork will be on display until Nov. 23. For more information, call 533-9090.
Alzheimer’s walk
The El Paso Alzheimer’s Association will hold its Memory Walk 2007 at 9 a.m. Saturday at Ascarate Park and walk with a purpose to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the walk. Visit elpasomemorywalk2007.kintera.org to register.
Pet show
The Fort Bliss Post Exchange will be hosting a pet show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Register at the PX. For information, call 562-7200.
Farmer’s market
The Third Annual Farmer’s Harvest Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Old Fort Bliss. The market features fruits, vegetables, apple cider, pies, crafts, pottery, pumpkins, quilts, stained glass, pecans and more. For information, call 568-3137 or 568-4518 the day of the market.
Tour of homes
Tour the new and historical homes of Fort Bliss. Tours run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in conjunction with the Third Annual Farmer’s Harvest Market. For information, call 568-3137 or 568-4518 the day of the event.
Homebuyer information
The Homebuyer Information Seminar provides a wealth of information about the home-buying process. The seminar features speakers from the Veterans’ Administration, Texas Veteran Land Board, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, El Paso Affordable Homes, El Paso Central Appraisal District and Fannie Mae. The seminar will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Centennial Club, Biggs Army Airfield. Reserve by Oct. 15. For information, call 568-7088 or e-mail Ana.Hernandez8@us.army.mil. Child care will be provided at the Child Development Center. Call 568-5689 for reservations.
Framing Bliss sale
Through Nov. 15, Framing Bliss is offering 25 percent off the purchase of a second picture of equal or lesser value. For information, call 568-5563.
2007 CFC
The 2007 Combined Federal Campaign runs Monday to Nov. 15. The Fort Bliss CFC raised $350,000 in 2006, and the goal for 2007 is $375,000. For information, call 569-6774 or 569 4270.
Operation Rising Star
Who is your Fort Bliss Rising Star? Come vote for your favorite Idol at 7 p.m Fridays through Oct. 19 at the Centennial Club. Audience members will receive one ballot, and additional ballots are available with a food purchase. Families are welcomed but, in fairness to participants, children must be able to sit quietly during the competition.For information, call 568-6741 or visit www.OpRisingStar.com.
Pumpkin Patch Harvest
The annual Pumpkin Patch Harvest will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club parking lot. Children can decorate pumpkins, listen to ghost stories and enjoy face painting. Costume contests will be held and FRGs will offer snacks and drinks for donations. This free event is open to all military families and civilian guests. For information, call 569-5715.
Thanks 4 Giving
The Fort Bliss Volunteer Recognition Award recognizes an exceptional family member whose volunteer efforts significantly contribute to improve the wellbeing of the Army and the Fort Bliss community. The award is open to Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retiree, Army civilians, and El Paso civilians. Anyone in the community can nominate someone for the Fort Bliss Volunteer Family Award. Submission deadline is Oct. 20. For more information, call 568-1132 or visit www.blissmwr.com/csc/volunteer2.htm.
Consumer workshop
The El Paso Business Bureau will present a consumer awareness workshop from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Army Community Service Center in Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road. For information and to register, call 568-7088.
Warrant officer briefings
Soldiers interested in becoming U.S. Army warrant officers in any career field can attend one of the briefings held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 22 through 25 at Bldg. 2, Room 120 in C-Wing. Briefings will cover qualifications and application procedures. One-on-one counseling is available before and after each briefing. For more information, call (502) 626-0484, DSN 536-0484 or go to the USAREC Web site at www.usarec.army.mil/warrant. For local information, call Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Avis at 568-6157 or 568-1300.
People Encouraging People
People Encouraging People is a three-day newcomers’ orientation geared toward spouses. The first day is an informational classroom day; the second day is a tour of Fort Bliss, Biggs Army Airfield, WBAMC and a tour throughout El Paso with shopping downtown; the third day is a trip to Old Mesilla, N.M. Childcare is paid for those registered with CDC. PEP classes are Oct. 23 to 25 and Nov. 13 to 15. For class reservations, call ACS at 568-1132.
Contract officer course
The Fort Bliss Directorate of Contracting will conduct the quarterly Contracting Officer Representative Course Oct. 23 to 26 in the basement of Bldg. 2021. For mor information, contact Reynalda Pallaya at 568-3995.
Outdoor Adventures trips
Outdoor Adventures has the following Saturday trips planned:
Oct. 27 – Carlsbad
Nov. 4 – Ladies’ Trip to Ruidoso
Nov. 10 and 11 – Wild West Weekend
To sign up, call 568-2784.
Gold Star Wives
The Gold Star Wives of America will host a luncheon meeting at noon Oct. 25 at the Officers’ Club. Guest speaker will be Guadalupe Cano Daily, Nazareth Nursing Center director of development. Daily will talk about the availability of elderly care and payment options. For more information, contact Jeanne Thompson at 598-0981 or Melitta von Immenhausen at 751-5981.
Traffic court rescheduled
Traffic court scheduled for Nov. 13 has been reset for Nov. 27 at 8:30 a.m.. All who have a scheduled traffic court date for Nov. 13 should now attend the Nov. 27 court. For any information regarding court, call Luz E. Juarez at 568-0761.
Thanksgiving assistance
The Army Community Service Center and MWR will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Assistance Program. This program is intended to assist active-duty Soldiers and their families with Thanksgiving dinner. The vouchers will be redeemable at the Fort Bliss Commissary. To apply, Soldiers must complete a nomination form, and return it to ACS, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road. Nomination memorandums are available at ACS and from unit commanders. MSCs will be notified via e-mail of selected recipients, distribution location and schedule. For more information, call 568-7088.
FECA training
Department of Defense liaison Gary Dickens will provide Federal Employees Compensation Act training for supervisors. Sessions will be at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Fort Bliss Museum auditorium. Training will cover FECA law and the electronic forms that supervisors are now required to submit. For information, call 568-5268. FECA training at William Beaumont Army Medical Center will take place at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the William Beaumont Orthopaedic Conference Room, Bradley Building, Room 3D6, third floor; and 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Clinic Assembly Room, WBAMC, first floor.
Credit repair workshop
Army Community Service will hold the Do It Yourself Credit Report Repair Workshop from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct 25. This workshop will take the mystery out of the credit report, how to manage it and how to take steps to improve credit scores and more. Seats are limited. For information, call 568-4614.
Pre-marital counseling
Those wishing to marry in a Fort Bliss chapel must have pre-marital counseling. A one-day class is offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first Thursday of every month in Bldg. 448. Lunch is provided. Reservations must be made by the last Thursday of the preceding month by calling 568-1519. Register by Oct. 25 for the Nov. 1 class and Nov. 29 for the Dec. 6 class. Check with officiating clergy to ensure this complies with their pre-marital counseling requirements. For information, call Chaplain (Maj.) Hutchinson at the Family Life Chaplain’s office at 568-2623.
AFTB in Spanish
Army Family Team Building is an educational program designed to give family members and Soldiers the tools to survive and thrive in the military lifestyle.
Army Family Team Building is offering the Level 1 Class in Spanish from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in the AFTB Classroom, Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road. To sign up for the class or for more information, call 568-2382.
Waiting families
The Fort Bliss Waiting Families will sponsor a free dinner for all registered waiting families from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 at the Centennial Club on Biggs Army Airfield. For more information or for reservations, call ACS at 568-1132.
Halloween party
A Halloween costume party with a meal and a show, “Evil Never Dies” by the Mystery Troupe of Texas, is at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. There will be prizes for costumes and for solving the mystery. The cost is $30 for Officers’ Club members and $35 for non-members. For information and reservations, call 568-7013 or 569-5715.
Post Wide Yard Sale
Fort Bliss hosts the annual Post Wide Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 27 in all housing units on main post, Biggs, Beaumont, Logan Heights, Hayes and 801 Housing off Martin Luther King Boulevard. This event is open to the El Paso and surrounding communities. All guests entering Fort Bliss property will be required to have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and valid car registration and safety inspection sticker; guests will be subject to vehicle search. All Fort Bliss residents are encouraged to participate. No formal permission is required. For information, call 568-6741.
Ghosts of Fort Bliss
Join Author Ken Hundall from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30 at the Officers’ Club to hear his spooky and suspenseful stories of ghosts and unexplained events that have occurred on post throughout history. Participants will take a walking tour of several buildings and Pershing House. Tickets are $14 for members and $17 for non-members. Children older than 7 are $8. For information and to register, call 568-7013.
Unit funds
For personnel new to unit funds, all units receive the MWR allocation of $2.50 per Soldier for FY08. In order to receive these allocations, the following documents have to be turned in by Oct. 31: assumption of command orders (even if command has not changed), a numbered alpha roster with total number of Soldiers without SSN and DA Form 1687. Incomplete packets will not be accepted. For information, call Teresa Christensen at 568-7506.
New Year’s celebrations
Come blow out the New Year 007-style Dec. 31 at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The celebration will feature entertainment, dinner and breakfast. Cost for members is $85 per couple or $65 for singles. Non-members are $95 per couple or $75 for singles. Call 568-7013 for information and reservations.
The Centennial Club New Year’s Dance Party begins at 10 p.m. in the Metro Station Nightclub and lasts until 4 a.m. Champagne and a breakfast buffet will be served. Cost is $20 per couple or $12 for singles. Call 562-5969 for reservations and information.
Tickets to both events are non-refundable. After Dec. 17, tickets for either event must be purchased at ITR.
Special Forces PT
Soldiers in the rank of staff sergeant and below are invited to participate in the Special Forces Physical Training Program. SFPT consists of runs, ruck-marches and upper-body conditioning. Learn about the physical requirements, commitment and challenge to be a Green Beret. There will also be classes on foot care, rucksack packing and land navigation. Anyone interested in SFPT must sign in by 6:30 a.m. Monday to Friday at the recruiting office, Bldg. 273, Club Road, near Cassidy Gate. For information, call 569-6432 or 569-6433.
Crimeline
The Fort Bliss Directorate of Emergency Services has implemented a telephone tip line for reporting criminal activity. This new tip line is called Crimeline and is intended as a means for individuals with information on criminal activity to provide that information to the authorities while remaining anonymous. Crimeline is monitored by Fort Bliss Military Police only. The number is 744-COPS (2677).
Newcomers’ orientation
This class covers all programs offered by Army Community Service as well as community resources. This is a mandatory class for all newly-assigned Soldiers, private through staff sergeant. Classes are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the ACS Ballroom. Child care is free for all children registered with Child and Youth Services. For information, call 568-1132.
Blood shortage
The Armed Services Blood Program is critically short of types O negative and AB blood. Personnel with those and any other blood type can make an appointment to donate at the ASBP office by calling 568-5365. Blood donated through the ASBP is used for the military community.
Military scholarship
Western Technical College is awarding $1,000 tuition scholarships to every active-duty, reserve or National Guard servicemember from every branch of service and their dependents who enroll at Western Technical College. The scholarship can only be used at Western Technical College and is non-transferable. Courses are offered in the career fields of fiber optics, telecommunications, computers, information technology, automotive, medium/heavy diesel technician, performance tuning, medical assisting, electronics, welding, biomedical equipment technician, massage therapy, refrigeration, hemodialysis, EKG, medical coding specialties and phlebotomy. For information, contact the admissions department at 532-3737 or 566- 9621.
Spouse employment
The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Commission have developed an online database for military spouses who are on orders to PCS to Fort Bliss and for spouses currently stationed here seeking employment. This is not a database for existing jobs; this is a site from which businesses can recruit candidates and possibly create a position should the right person come along. Registration is open to all military spouses. Spouses and businesses can register online at www.elpasojobregister.com.
EFMP
The Exceptional Family Member Program is looking for volunteers to assist with monthly support group meetings and recreational or cultural outings for the children. For information, call 568-7088.
Fan donation for the elderly
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is in need of fans to provide to elderly and disabled adults in anticipation of extreme weather. Fans can be dropped off at any El Paso Fire Station. Those in need of a fan should call the Area Agency on Aging at 533-0998.
Cancer center volunteers
The Rio Grande Cancer Foundation/ GreenHouse is looking for volunteers to donate their time and talent to cancer patients. For more information, call Kylene Davis at 562-7660 or visit www.rgcf.org.
American Red Cross
The ARC is actively recruiting volunteers. Those interested in volunteering must first attend a volunteer orientation, fill out the volunteer packet and complete the background check. Volunteer orientations are held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays at the Fort Bliss Red Cross, Bldg. 45, Slater Road, and at the El Paso Red Cross, 3620 Admiral St., from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays. To register, call 568-4898 or 592-0208.
NCO Wives’ Club
The Noncommissioned Officer Wives’ Club helps enhance the morale and welfare of the Fort Bliss and surrounding communities. Learn what it means to be the spouse of an NCO. The meetings are at 9:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Bldg. 2009, Sheridan Road. For information, call 851-2311 or 590-7202.
Protestant women
Protestant Women of the Chapel meets Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the Center Chapel. Participate in worship and Bible study with other women. Child care is provided, along with a home school room. For more information, call Jane Ahl at 564-3936 or Trudy Wyant at 433-5342.
Employment readiness
The Employment Readiness Program located at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road, was created to address the employment needs of today’s military spouses by providing them the tools they need to successfully search for, obtain and maintain employment. Spouse employment orientation is at 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Visit www.blissmwr.com and click on ACS employment to download an employment handbook with the answers to frequently asked questions. Ongoing workshops are available in RESUMIX/Ten Steps to a Federal Job, Writing a Winning Resume, Networking for Job Search and Career Success, Jumpstart Your Job Search, Job Interviewing Techniques, Career Exploration and Planning and How to Mobilize Your Home Business. For information, call 568-1132. Other useful sites are http://workintexas.com, www.militaryspousejobsearch.org and www.military.com/spouse.
Domestic violence awareness
If domestic violence is to end, each one of us in this community must form a partnership that focuses on creating a safe, violence-free environment. This partnership reinforces that everyone has a right to feel safe and takes a stand against domestic violence. Please contact Yadira Velasco at 569-5058 to schedule your unit’s annual mandatory domestic violence awareness training.
Sexual assault awareness
Active and Reserve Components are also required to receive annual sexual assault training. Contact Johnny Pippen at 569-5374 for more information.
Park your tank
New 1st Armored polo shirts are available at the Air Defense Artillery Association Gift Shop. Also available are FCS and Old Ironsides caps. The shop now carries tan straps in addition to the traditional black straps for silver- and gold-tone spurs, as well as a few other items of interest. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is located inside the ADA Museum, Bldg. 1735, Marshall Road.
Promotion points
Soldiers can earn promotion points for completing Army Family Team Building and Instructor Training classes. Classes are held at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road, or online. For information, call 568-2382.
Marriage workshop
Military families can learn to reduce arguing and conflict in their marriage by using a positive problem solving technique called the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program. Army Community Service offers a free one-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. one Saturday a month. The participants receive educational information on the key concepts for relationships like communications, strategies for handling conflict, forgiveness, commitment, fun, friendship and intimacy. For more information and registration, call 568-4878.
UTEP ROTC
The University of Texas at El Paso Green to Gold active-duty option allows Soldiers to continue on active duty with full pay and benefits. For more information, call 747-6692 or attend their weekly Green to Gold brief at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Fort Bliss Education Center.
TRICARE Online
TRICARE beneficiaries are encouraged to register now for TRICARE Online, a secure Web portal designed to increase access to care for Soldiers and their authorized family members. Register now at www.tricareonline.com. Direct any problems with this Web site to customer service at 1-800-600-9332.