Belvoir Briefs

Military Spouse notes
Know a great military spouse you consider exceptional? Think your own military spouse is amazing? If so, send a note to the Army Community Service staff by Friday. In honor of May being Military Spouse Appreciation Month, submissions will be posted on ACS' Unsung Hero Board beginning May 8.
Submissions can be e-mailed to michelle.lake@ us.army.mil or gayla.m.anderson@us.army.mil.

Military spouse job fair express
The USO of Metropolitan Washington, along with Joint Employment Transition Services, hosts a Military Spouse Job Fair Saturday at Fort Belvoir. The job fair features more than 25 employers throughout the National Capital Region; one-on-one job search and résumé-review consultations; sessions on Preparing for Federal Employment, Career Strategies in an Economic Downturn and Maximizing New GI Bill Education Benefits & Career Advancement Accounts.
Participants should come dressed to meet employers and attend job search classes on federal employment, GI Bill/career advancement accounts for spouses, and career strategies in an economic downturn. The event also offers a free resumé review.
The morning session is from 8 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the afternoon session, 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

The job fair is at Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road.
Registration and more information are available by calling 703-805-4277, via e-mail to dawn@usometro.org or on the Web at usometro.org.

Spring cleanup
Fort Belvoir conducts spring cleaning from Monday to May 8. All organizations are encouraged to participate in installation beautification by policing and sprucing up their areas.
Interested volunteers can call Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Training Division, 703-805-5231, to help clean common areas like the PX, commissary and amphitheater.

Troops to Teachers briefing
Interested in teaching as a second career? Old Dominion University's Military Career Transition Program representative presents a Troops to Teachers briefing Tuesday at noon. The presentation is in Room 150 of Barden Education Center.
More information is available by calling 703-781-8203.

Technology Expo
Fort Belvoir's Directorate of Information Management's Technology Exposition is Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Officers' Club, Bldg. 20, Schulz Circle.
More than 80 exhibitors will demonstrate the latest in communication, systems integration, network solutions, equipment, engineering and information technology, storage solutions, office automation, data management, audio and visual equipment, hardware and software and more.
The event is free and open to everyone. Complimentary refreshments will be served and demos and free giveaways will be available while supplies last.
Pre-registration is not mandatory, but is available via e-mail to lrinaldo@cox.net. More information is available from Larry Rinaldo, 703-981-6089 or at www.expoinfosite.com

"The Color Purple"
The Civilian Employee Fund of Fort Belvoir has a trip to see "The Color Purple" July 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center, with orchestra seating. The event is open to all Belvoir DoD civilians and three guests.
Tickets cost $60 per person and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets are available Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Bldg. 210. More information is available from Charlene Anderson, 703-805-4126.

Wives' club luncheon
The Army Officers' Wives' Club of the Greater Washington Area hosts its final luncheon of the year May 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Myer's Officers' Club's Koran Ballroom.
The group will reflect on the past year and install new AOWCGWA Executive Board members.
The Army Band's music ensemble group, Downrange, will provide entertainment.
The luncheon costs $20.
More information is available from Tammy Doerer, 703-646-5322, doerer@aol.com
Reservations must be made by mail, with checks made out to AOWCGWA and received by May 15, to Jill Hoffman, 2609 Military Road, Arlington, 22207.
Cancellations must be made by phone or via e-mail by May 15.
More information about reservations is available through Hoffman, 703-243-4592 or by e-mail at larsjill@earthlink.net.

Free EFMP Movie
Exceptional Family Member Program families can see the movie, "Escape to Witch Mountain," May 16 at 3:30 p.m. at Wood Theater. The theater opens at 3 p.m.
The showing will have special sensory adjustments, 25 percent lower volume and 25 to 30 percent more lighting.
A kid-sized popcorn and drink are included for kids. The show is not open to the general public.
More information is available by calling 703-805-5435.

Child car seats
Belvoir's Fire Department conducts child car seat safety checks from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at all three stations, North Post, South Post and Davison Army Airfield.
Information is available from John Weaver, fire marshal, 805-2091.

Monthly family readiness classes
The Mobilization/ Deployment and Family Readiness Program conducts monthly classes as follows:
May 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Family Readiness Group Roundtable for all FRG leaders, unit commanders and first sergeants and FRG volunteers.
May 11, 10 a.m. to noon, Pre-Deployment Class, preparing for upcoming deployments and learning resources for Soldiers, DoD civilians and family members.
May 18, 10 a.m. to noon, Reintegration Workshop, preparing for return or adjusting as a family after the return, what to expect and resources to help, for Soldiers, DoD civilians and family members.
May 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., FRG Advanced Class, FRG volunteers or unit commands needing more in-depth information on sustaining, and/or revitalizing an FRG.
All classes are in the ACS Classroom, Bldg. 200, Belvoir Road.
More information and registration is available by calling 703-805-5683 or 703-805-4590.
Child care may be available with early registration.

Doggie Days photo contest
Outdoor Recreation has a special day planned for you and your best four-legged friend to show off. Fort Belvoir's Doggie Days, May 9, is a day of fun and games for pooches and the whole family.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pullen Field and includes food (for humans and canines), contests, a dog therapist, a dog whisperer, Children's Corner, agility courses and more.
Owners can submit their favorite pet's cutest, funniest, best overall shot for a photo contest that is part of the event. The contest is open to all pets, not just pets.
Photos can be e-mailed to brianna.m.carter@us.army.mil; brought in person to Outdoor Recreation, Bldg. 778; or submitted until 11 a.m. at the event's registration tent.
Submissions must include pet's name, age, contest category and owner's contact information. Winners will be announced at the Doggie Days awards presentation and owners do not have to be present to win. Photos will be displayed on ODR's Doggie Days Wall of Fame.
Information about the contest is available by calling 703-805-1226.
More information is available from Outdoor Recreation, 703-805-3081.

Learn, grow, lead
Army Family Team Building hosts a Learn...Grow...Lead! Workshop May 13 to 15, in Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200, Belvoir.
"From Spouse to Community Leader: A Workshop in Personal and Professional Growth," provides leadership training to all military spouses and equip them with techniques, insights, skills and tools that allow them to be more effective and successful in their roles as volunteers and as leaders.
More information and registration for the free class is available through Colandra Sealey, 703-805-5556 or via e-mail to fb-mwr-aftb@conus.army.mil.

Travel fair
ITR's Travel Fair is May 14 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Admission is free and there will be giveaways from vendors, a packing contest, a monster coloring mural and more.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3714.

Single parents
The Sailing Solo Support Group, a group for single parents, meets every other Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. in Bldg. 200. Pre-registration is required by calling 703-805 2693 or 1793 or 1794.
Retirement planning
Get the latest options and ideas on how to make the most of retirement and options at a retirement planning seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19 in Bldg. 200, ACS Classroom.
Registration is available by calling 703-805-4590.

FERS pre-retirement course
Fort Belvoir's Civilian Personnel Advisory Center and Planning Inc. present a FERS Pre-Retirement seminar May 27 to 29, for $264.
Topics include eligibility, benefits computation, survivor and disability benefits, supplemental benefits, FEHB/FEBLI, Social Security, Medicare; financial planning, including TSP; health and wellness, including nutrition, fitness and stress management; tax and estate planning; and life after retirement.
People who want to attend should submit an SF 182 to Fort Belvoir CPAC, 5800 Putnam Road, Fort Belvoir, Va., 22060-5821 at least 21 work days before the class starts.
People should not attend unless they are notified via telephone.
Information is available from Stephen C. Crandall, Stephen.crandall@us.army.mil, 704-3005.

AFTB Level I
Army Family Team Building Level I, Navigating The Military Life, is May 20 to 22, from 9:30 to 3 p.m. Classes are in Vernondale Community Center, 9532 Troth Way.
Childcare will be provided. Children must be registered with Child, Youth and School Services before the class. The childcare deadline is May 8.
More information and registration is available through Colandra Sealey, 703-805-5556 or via e-mail to fb-mwr-aftb@conus.army.mil.

Religion

Catholic
A Mass of Anointing is May 16 at 11 a.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Those who want to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are welcome.

Bereavement Support
A Grief Support Group meets Saturday at 10 a.m. at Woodlawn Chapel. Everyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one is welcome.
This is the last group session until September.
More information is available from Anna Claire Smith, 703-608-1002.

Spiritual Healing Retreat
Rachel's Vineyard hosts a confidential weekend retreat for post-abortive women Friday through Sunday. The event offers deep spiritual healing.
More information and registration is available through Project Rachel, 1-888-456-HOPE, or via e-mail to projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org.

PWOC Free Market
The Protestant Women of the Chapel have a free market May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market is at Woodlawn Chapel, across from the Commissary.
People are asked to bring donations from 4 to 8 p.m. May 11. Everything donated should be clean and in working condition.
The event is an ideal way to do some spring cleaning and help other families in the military community.

Education
ODU
The Military Career Transition Program's Master of Science in Education summer classes at Old Dominion University begin May 11. The second summer session begins June 19. Non-degree applications are being accepted now for summer and fall classes. Non-degree students become degree-seeking after beginning the program.
The Master of Science in Education is an initial licensure program that transfers to 44 states and DoD schools around the world. Licensure is offered in elementary, middle school and high school. Active/retired military, military spouses and qualified civilians are eligible for the program. The ODU program adviser can evaluate transcripts to determine what subjects the student could qualify to teach.
Personnel who transfer before completing the program locally can finish their program by taking online or video streamed courses.
More information is available at odu.edu/mctp or by calling Belvoir ODU office, 703-781-8102 for an appointment with an adviser.

UMUC
University of Maryland University College is registering for summer classes.
UMUC is in Barden Education Center, Rooms 126 and 128.
Office hours are Monday through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon.
More information is available through Barbara McKaig, 703-781-0059, bmckaig@umuc.edu.

Central Michigan University
CMU Summer I classes begin May 15, and Summer II classes begin July 7. Classes are available at six locations in the D.C metro area, including Belvoir.
CMU accepts applications year round. Classes are conducted on alternating weekends or weekday evenings. New classes begin every six weeks. Degree completion is available in 18 months or less.
More information is available through Mary Pat Mabeus, 703-360-5336.
CMU is in Room 139 of Barden Education Center.