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.
Sun Bowl Brunch
The O’Club will host its annual Sun Bowl Brunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 31 in the main dining room. The cost for brunch is $11 for members, $13 for non-members, $6 for children ages 7 to 11 and children 6 years and under are free. For reservations, call 568-6056 or 568-7013. Photo by Miguel Mascorro.
Debt management
Come learn how to minimize your debt and leave with a strategy on how to turn your financial situation around. Next class is 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday at Army Community Service. To register, call 568-7088.
4x4 trail run
There will be a 4x4 weekend trail run (easy to moderate) Jan. 19 at the Doña Ana trail located 5 miles north of Las Cruces, N.M. The route consists of several trails that loop around and interconnect. They range in elevation from 4,100 to 4,800 feet, with trails leading around the foothills of the Doña Ana Mountains. Trails are mainly sandy arroyos and some rather steep hill climbs and descents to a few off-camber obstacles. For more information, visit www.olskool4x4.com and contact Duane Shaw at 892-4429 to RSVP.
After-holiday sale
The Country Junction store is having an after-holiday sale until Jan. 19. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. All items are discounted 10 percent off of quality handcrafted and vintage items. Many gifts are one-of-a-kind and can be personalized. Country Junction is located at 2011 Sheridan Road, next to the Cassidy Gate. For more information, call 562-7467.
Warrant officer briefing
A Warrant Officer Recruiting Team from Headquarters, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, Ky., will brief on the qualifications and application procedures for all Soldiers interested in becoming a warrant officer in any career field. The briefing is for Soldiers considering applying as a warrant officer in any military occupational specialty. Briefings are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24 inside Bldg. 2, C-Wing, Room 125. Meetings last for about an hour. 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. Information can also be obtained by calling 568-6157 or 568-1300.
Credit repair workshop
Why pay someone else for something an individual can do themselves? If your credit report has some imperfections or blemishes that you want to correct, or you want to learn how to improve your credit score, come to a credit repair workshop from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at Army Community Service. To register, call 568-7088.
Family Child Care classes
The Family Child Care program will be conducting a weeklong training for military spouses who want to provide child care in their homes. Applicants must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. This applies to families living on post and families who live off post as the FCC program has homes off post. The training will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. Classes include the USDA food program, child growth and development, business practices, food handlers, fire, safety, health, child abuse prevention and others. Orientation for the class will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 for all applicants and former providers. To register for the classes and initiate background checks, all interested individuals are requested to come by the FCC office, Bldg. 1743, Victory Road. For more information, call 658-4198.
FEW job workshops
The Three Crosses Chapter of Federally Employed Women is sponsoring a regional training program to be held Jan. 29 and Feb. 1 at the Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces. Registration for this year’s “Mountain of Opportunity” event is open and includes a variety of workshop sessions dealing with leadership qualities, resume building, Web page development and organizational skills. For more information, contact Joyce Hageman at (575) 678-6519 or Marcia Davis at (575) 678-5328.
Award ceremony
Stoddert-del Norte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will recognize the nominees for Texas Armed Services’ 2007 Outstanding Company Grade Officer during a ceremony scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center. DAR State Regent Lynn Forney Young will announce the recipient for this year’s award.
For more information, contact Terri Sirois at 568-6056 or Jane Golden at 584-1566.
Gold Star Wives
The Gold Star Wives of America, El Paso del Norte Fort Bliss Chapter, is hosting a luncheon at noon Jan. 24 at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. Guest speaker Charlie Hooten, former El Paso County commissioner, will talk about benefits available to seniors in the El Paso city and county limits. For more information, contact: Jeanne Thompson at 598-0981.
Mardi Gras party
Metro Station, located in the lower level of the Centennial Club, will host a Mardi Gras party at 10 p.m. Feb. 2. The New Orleans-style party will feature DJ entertainment, free snacks and beads for party guests. Admission is free from 10 to 11:59 p.m.; there is a $4 cover charge from midnight to 4 a.m. The Pub and Metro Station encourages the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign and can assist with courtesy taxi rides to residences off post when necessary. Residences are limited to those within the El Paso city limits. Also, individuals who volunteer to be designated drivers receive free soft drinks all evening. For more information, contact the Centennial at 562-5969 or visit www.blissmwr.com
Super Bowl parties
MWR facilities will be hosting Super Bowl XLII parties Feb. 3. The Centennial Club will host its Super Bowl Party beginning at 2 p.m. in The Pub and the Officers’ Club will begin its festivities at 2 p.m. in the Down Under Club. For more information, call 562-5969 or 568-7013.
MOAA scholarships
The El Paso Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, announces the MOAA 2008-2009 scholarship, grant and interest-free loan programs. Eligibility requirements for scholarships and grants are at www.moaa.org/education. Interest-free loans are available for students younger than 24 who are children of MOAA members (former, active, retired and Reserve or National Guard officers), and children of active-duty, Reserve, National Guard or retired enlisted military personnel. Online applications are available through March 1. Applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average and be planning to attend an accredited college or university as a full-time student. For information, call (800) 234-6622.
Best Sapper competition
The fourth annual Best Sapper Competition, sponsored by the U.S. Army Engineer School’s Sapper Leader Course, will be held May 6 through 8 at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Registration for the competition is under way and is open to all Soldiers serving in the 21-series career field. The competition, organized in two-man buddy teams, is designed to test the knowledge, physical ability and mental strength of engineer Soldiers throughout the regiment. For 52 hours, teams will compete in several grueling events, which involve demolitions, mountaineering, U.S. and threat weapons and land navigation. Military and non-military awards, along with bragging rights, will be given to the top three teams. For more information, contact the Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office at (573) 563-6212 or to register, visit http://www.wood.army.mil/sapper/.
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.
Voice your complaint
Feeling wronged, or have you had an unpleasant experience with an area business? Do you have a complaint? Complain effectively, promptly, and make it matter by contacting the ACS office. Contact Shalita Moore at 568-7088 or e-mail shalita.moore@us.army.mil.
Sheriff volunteers
The El Paso County Sheriff is looking for retirees available to volunteer at the sheriff’s academy, crime records, and public affairs. Duties will include veterans’ affairs, fingerprinting and maintaining media records. A background check is required. Contact Ron Murphy at 546-8117 or 227-0256.
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 2 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. For information, call Chaplain (Maj.) Paul Blundell at the Family Life Chaplain’s office at 568-2623.
EFMP
The Exceptional Family Member Program is a program designed to provide assignment coordination and support for military families. If you are interested in additional information, please contact the EFMP coordinator at 568-3052.
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.
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).
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.
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. Monday through Friday in the ACS ballroom. Child care is free for all children registered with Child and Youth Services. For information, call 568-1132.
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.
Red Cross volunteers
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.
Hometown news releases
Fort Bliss personnel looking for a convenient way to submit hometown news releases can now click on the link located on the Fort Bliss Web site, https://www.bliss.army.mil. Fill in pertinent information, select “submit” and then click “go.” An option for attaching photos or supporting documents is also provided. Staff there will turn the information into a press release and submit it to the hometown media outlets identified through the Soldiers’ family members’ ZIP code. For information, contact your brigade public affairs office, call 568-2497 or e-mail Donita.schexnaydre@us.army.mil.
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.
GreenHouse volunteers
The Rio Grande Cancer Foundation/ GreenHouse is looking for volunteers to donate their time and talent to cancer patients. For information, call Kylene Davis at 562-7660 or visit www.rgcf.org.
Catholic women’s council
Military Council of Catholic Women meets from 9 to 11:30 a.m. every Friday at Bldg. 449. First Friday of each month, Mass is held at 9 a.m. in Chapel 1 followed by a business meeting and fellowship. The second and fourth Friday, rosaries are made for Soldiers. The third Friday a Bible study is held. Free child care is provided. For more information, call Marilyn Christman at 772-0453 or Karen Fletcher at 231-5802.
PWOC
Protestant Women of the Chapel meets Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Center Chapel 1. 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.
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 required to receive annual sexual assault training. Call 569-5374 for information.