Belvoir Briefs

Miscellaneous

DeCA accepting commissary certifichecks
The Defense Commissary Agency will accept outstanding CertifiCheck gift certificates from authorized customers through July 31.
CertifiChecks Inc., the Dayton, Ohio, company that has issued the commissary gift checks since 2002, announced Feb. 26 that it had ceased operations and was filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
DeCA will absorb the losses incurred from honoring the certificates from its Defense Working Capital Fund, Resale Stocks Account, officials said, established to allow the federal government purchase and repair activities to account for costs and revenue as if they were commercial businesses.
Since 2002, more than $20 million in gift certificates have been purchased for authorized customers, including more than $3.9 million in fiscal 2008.

International spouses
The International Spouse group welcomes new members. Information is available through Christine Robinson, christine.robinson5@us.army.mil, 703-805-3436.
AFTB instructor training
Have you taken at least 2 Army Family Team Building classes? Interested in instructing others? AFTB Instructor Training classes are April 21 to 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Classes will be conducted in bldg. 200, 9800 Belvoir Road. Free childcare will be provided. All children must be registered with Child, Youth and School Services before the class. The childcare registration deadline is April 10.
More information is available from Colandra Sealey, 703 805-5556, or via e-mail to fb-mwr-aftb@conus. army.mil.

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.

Home-Buying workshop
Anyone considering buying a house should attend a home-buying workshop to learn about credit reports, the mortgage and appraisal processes, and useful tools to become a more-educated consumer.
The seminar is in the ACS Classroom of Bldg 200, on April 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Registration is available through Army Community Service, 703-805-4590.

Home-ownership workshop
Thinking of buying a home? The Virginia Housing Development Authority and Army Community Service have a Home Ownership Education workshop April 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. Topics include budgeting, credit, the loan process (qualifying and lower rate programs), home inspections, the loan closing process and closing documents.
The seminar is the ACS Classroom of Bldg 200. Registration is available through Army Community Service, 703-805-4590.

Annual cleanup
Belvoir participates in the Annual Route One Cleanup April 25.
Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Volunteers can sign in and get reflective vests, trash bags and assignment.
Volunteers should dress in appropriate civilian attire, including comfortable shoes and gloves.
Refreshments provided after registration. The cleanup is from 8 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers should gather in the Community Center parking lot.
Sign up via e-mail to Pauline Hunter, pauline.elizabeth.hunter@conus.army.mil.

Home-Buying workshop
Anyone considering buying a house should attend this class where people can learn about credit reports, the mortgage and appraisal processes, and other tools.
The seminar, in Bldg 200, ACS Classroom, is April 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Registration is available by calling 703-805-4590.

Blood drive reservations
In celebration of 2009 National Medical Laboratory Professional's Week, DeWitt Army Community Hospital's Department of Pathology and The Armed Forces Blood Program have a blood drive at DeWitt April 24 from 8 a.m. to noon in the main conference room.
The goal for the drive is 80 units.
All donors may complete an electronic sign-up form to reserve a 15-minute donation time slot to reduce wait time at militarylifeforce.com; my profile; create a new profile, using Belvoir's ZIP code, 22060 and the blood drive's date.
Drop-ins are also welcome.

Religion

Catholic
Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross are Fridays at Woodlawn Chapel. Soup Supper begins at 6 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.
Ukrainian Easter Egg decorating
A class in Pysanka, Ukrainian Easter Egg decorating, is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other activities, intended for youth 12 and older, are also planned.
Supplies and lunch will be provided, but the event is reservation-only. Reservations are available through Sister Michael, 703-806-3418, or via e-mail to Michael.Bochnowski@conus.army.mil.

Penance service
A Penance Service is Monday at 7:30 p.m., at Woodlawn Chapel. Priests will be available for confession.

Protestant

Lenten luncheons
Wednesdays through Lent, the Fort Belvoir Ecumenical Community hosts Lenten Luncheons at noon at Woodlawn Chapel, followed by a short Lenten Homily.

Christian Seder meal
The Protestant Chapel at Fort Belvoir has a Christian Seder Meal April 9 at 6 p.m. at the Officers' Club. The cost is $11 at the door and reservations are required. Chaplain Conrado Navarro will lead people through the Seder.

Points of contact are:
8 a.m. Protestant service, Larry and Ellen Bosetti, 703-971-0621, e-mail, bosettil@saic.com;
11 a.m. Protestant service, Andre Francis, 703-901-2028, e-mail andre.l.francis@us.army.mil.
Gospel service, Patrice Alston, 703-781-1961, e-mail, patrice.alston@us.army.mil.
ChapelNext, ReNata Bauder, 703-372-2687, e-mail, renatabauder@yahoo.com email:renatabauder@yahoo.com or chaplain Navarro via e-mail to navarros5@verizon.net.

Jewish

Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation has Morning Shabbat Service Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Belvoir Chapel, followed by a kids service at 10:30 a.m.
The congregation has weekly Friday night services at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel and is looking for all Jewish Soldiers and families new to Belvoir.
Information is available from Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.

Pianist wanted
Fort Belvoir's Garrison Chaplain Office is looking for a piano player for its 8 a.m. Protestant service. Recommendations can go through chaplains Maj. Antonio McElroy or Lt. Col. James King, 703-806-4317 or 4316.

Education

Army vocational/technical Soldier program
Congress has selected the Army to participate in an education pilot program designed to provide vocational-technical education opportunities for active-duty Soldiers, officers and wounded warriors, including National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on extended active duty.
The intent of this short-term pilot program is to provide training in high-demand career fields, including computer systems design, administrative and support, waste management and remediation services, professional, scientific and technical services, rehabilitation, nursing, medical technology and other health care occupations.
The AVOTEC program is not based on the Army's traditional TA program that pays for semester or quarter hour courses. Regardless of what education level an active-duty Soldier currently has, they are eligible to enroll for a certificate or licensure at state or national level.

Officers will incur no Active Duty Service Obligation.
The program must be no longer than 18 months long and is limited to $4,500 per fiscal year. To enroll, Soldiers must register in the GoArmyEd portal and approved in a community college, private trade or technical school before Sept. 30.
More information will be presented at an AVOTEC Brown Bag Luncheon Information Briefing at Barden Education Center, April 15 in Room 122, from noon to 1 p.m.
Soldiers can also call a counselor at 703-805-9268 or 9270 or 9267 or visit the AVOTEC Web site, at hrc.army.mil/ site/education/ VOTEC_ Program. html for a listing of participating community and technical schools.

Free career assessment
A free Kuder Career Assessment is offered in Barden Education Center's Multi-Use Learning Facility, Room 112. The assessment is an easy, on-line survey program that identifies people's interests and helps them plan educational and career goals.
The assessment has three independent surveys that take approximately 20 minutes to complete each section and can be done at Barden, at home or anywhere with Internet capability. The survey is available to servicemembers, adult family members, retirees and DoD civilians.
More information is available by calling 703-805-9254.

Webster University
Registration at Webster University is open for summer. Classes begin June 1. The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions. Evening classes are held at Barden Education Center. Office hours are Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-781-7942, stopping by Room 143 in the Barden, via e-mail to belvoir@webster.edu, or from the site, webster.edu/dcmetro.