Belvoir Briefs for May 6

Comedy Show
Come to the Service Comedy Show May 14, from 9 to 10:30 p.m., at Fort Belvoir Community Center. The cost is $5 per person.

Enjoy the unique humor of military and former military comics, Courtney Fearrington (Marine Corps), Josh Scott (Marine Corps), Tyler Richardson (Army Reserves), and headliner, Tim Miller (Army). For information, call 703-805-8471.

Volunteers are needed
Volunteers needed for the Prince William County Schools Mentorship program. One hour a week can make a world of difference to a child! If you are interested in becoming a mentor or would like more information about this program please call the Fort Belvoir School Liaison Officer at 703-805-9119.

Legal Assistance and Claims office closed May 21
Legal Assistance and claims office will be closed for all services May 21 for an inspection. It will reopen May 24.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance
The EEO Offices for Defense Contract Audit Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Defense Technical Information Center invites the Fort Belvoir community to attend their special Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance event. This is a free event May 20 in the McNamara Auditorium from 1 to 2 p.m. The McNamara Building is at 8725 John Kingman Road in Fort Belvoir. The featured guest is the Asian American Arts Center Dance Company. For more information, please contact Tracey France at 703-767-1735.

Elementary school yard sale
Fort Belvoir Elementary School is planning a yard sale in the parking lot June 5. This is to raise funds for the 6th grade dance. Contact Amy Bryant at 703-939-5623 or the school at 703-781-2700 if you have items to donate.

National Capitol Region, Chapter 1st Cav Div Assoc. Meeting
The NCR Chapter will meet at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC), 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200, Fort Belvoir at noon May 21. Chapter members will host a cook-out for members and family from the WTU at the SFAC; Chapter business issues and support to the 3rd Annual Katz Deli Lunch for Wounded Warriors and families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in June will be discussed. Soldiers who served with the 1st Cav Div are invited to attend this meeting. For further information on the chapter go to our website at www.1cda.org/National_Capitol.htm.

NARFE Springfield Chapter meeting
NARFE, a nonprofit organization, has been working since 1921 to protect the earned retirement benefits of current, former, and retired federal civilian employees - spouses and survivor annuitants. If you would like to learn more about NARFE or become a member, please join the members of Springfield Chapter 893 for their May 12 meeting. The meeting will begin at 1:30 followed by a presentation by Fairfax County Sheriff's Office on "Project Lifesaver," a program that assists families with locating and returning wandering adults and children with autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's, and other disorders that may cause them to chronically wander and become lost.

Project Lifesaver's state of the art equipment (a transmitter worn by the client) is the most reliable and practical technology available for locating missing persons. The meeting place is The American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, adjacent to Kay Jenning's Springfield Toyota.

Contact Chapter President Dick Gallagher at rmgallagher@verizon.net or 703 455-4373 for details on the meeting or questions about NARFE. Guests are always welcome and encouraged to attend.
Operational Value of Threat, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessment Course

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Operational Value of Threat, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessment Course (FEMA MGT-336) will be offered in Chesterfield, Va., May 25-27. This course is federally funded and there is no cost. Seating is limited. The training will be offered at Public Safety Training Academy, 6610 Public Safety Way, Chesterfield, Va., 23832.

The training course will assist homeland security professionals from all emergency response disciplines and the private sector to understand and use operationally, information gathered in various threat, risk and vulnerability assessment methods.

Participants will learn about traditional and non-traditional assessments, where they can be found, what information is contained in various assessments, and how to apply the information toward the daily task related to planning and operations. There are detailed blocks addressing issues such as emergency planning, ICS, events, strategic planning, tactical operations, daily response to calls for service and intelligence gathering as a few examples. Additionally, participants will receive 2.4 CEU credits from George Mason University and a certificate of attendance from DHS and the National Domestic Preparedness Coalition.

Contact Michaela Gill at mgill@ndpci.us or by phone at 202-536-2358. Visit ndpci.us for more information.

Army Birthday Ball
Celebrate 235 Years Strong at this year's Army Birthday Ball at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, National Harbor, Md., June 12.

All tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early for an evening of dining, dancing and entertainment featuring country music star Trace Adkins. The event is open to all active duty, National Guard, Reserve, Department of the Army Civilians, Army government contractors, family members, retirees, veterans and invited guests.

Tickets cost $87 per person. A limited number of discounted tickets are available to E-5/E-6 (and GS/NSPS equivalent) at $20 per person, and E4 andbelow (and GS/NSPS equivalent) at $15 per person.
To register for tickets, and learn more about this year's event, visit the Birthday Ball website hosted on AKO, https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/ 606311.

Toastmasters
Toastmasters Club meets at the Barden Education Center every second and fourth Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.. Toastmasters provides a way for its members to improve their public speaking and leadership abilities.

Marine Corps Systems Command Job Fair
Attend the Marine Corps Systems Command Job Fair on May 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the University of Mary Washington's College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 121 University Blvd., Fredericksburg, Va.

The Command is offering exciting civilian careers in engineering, program management, operations research/cost estimating, information technology management, contracting, financial management and logistics management. The majority of positions are at MCSC Headquarters, with a Virginia Railway Express station close. Some program offices are in brand-new office buildings and facilities off base in Stafford, Va.

It is recommended that resumes be submitted before the event by following instructions provided at www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil and clicking on "May 2010 Job Fair." Qualified candidates who send in resumes may be invited for a pre-scheduled interview on the day of the Job Fair. However, submitting a resume before the fair is not required for attendance. Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience or related education as reflected in their resume. Applicants are encouraged to bring plenty of resumes and to allow ample time for resume screening and potential, on-the-spot interviews.

Memorialize a veteran
Through June 15, the Rotary Club of Springfield will affix laminated memorial disks to the blue spruce Springfield Memorial Tree in Calamo Street Park on the corner of Backlick Road and Calamo Street in central Springfield, to honor deceased veterans in connection with the May 30 Memorial Day holiday.

Individuals or organizations can buy memorial disks for $20 each for display on the tree. According to event coordinator David Ogden, memorial disks will remain on the tree at least through June 15.
The Rotary Club of Springfield will use proceeds from the sale of the memorial disks to benefit charitable area programs. All donations are fully tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Springfield Rotary Foundation and mailed to the Foundation's Memorial Tree Fund at P.O. Box 6556, Springfield, Va., 22150.

The Springfield Memorial Tree is a joint venture of the Rotary Club of Springfield, Virginia Tire and Auto and Silverbrook Nursery.

AFTB Level II
Fort Belvoir Army Family Team Building is offering a Level II Management Skills on May 19-21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This course teaches management skills to help you grow as a manager in your personal and professional life and includes Communication, Personal Time Management, and Stress Management. This class will be held at Vernondale Community Center at 9532 Troth Way.

Limited free child care is available. Children must be registered at CYS. Childcare deadline is May 7.

To register for this free class and make reservation for child care, please contact AFTB Program Manager Colandra Sealey at 703-805-2769 or by e-mail at colandra.sealey2@us.army.mil or fb-mwr-aftb@conus.army.mil.

Virginia Defense Force
The 23rd Battalion, Blackhorse Brigade, of the Virginia Defense Force is looking for former company-grade officers, former noncommissioned (or petty) officers, and new recruits to fill its ranks in any of its five Northern Virginia companies.

The VDF forms the governor's ready response force - it can't be federalized, go overseas, or be armed (except under order of the governor in extreme circumstances), and it can't be ordered to deploy outside of Virginia's.

VDF volunteers train a minimum of four hours per month on emergency management-related tasks; complete online Federal Emergency Management Agency courses; and perform such missions as inauguration support; communication support to the Virginia National Guard during hurricanes; and augmenting the Virginia Emergency Operations Center, upon request.

When mobilized by the governor, VDF personnel get regular military pay. Units typically have between 15 and 30 personnel and have almost no equipment that needs to be maintained or safeguarded.
The VDF has no set enlistment period and personnel between 16 and 65 years of age can join.

Information is available from the VDF homepage, vdf.virginia.gov/, or through 2nd Lt. Eric Roos, EricRoosVDF@gmail.com, 703-216-7962.

Kayaking for Wounded Warriors
Join Team River Runner, Outdoor Recreation and Benyaurd Pool to learn the basics of kayaking in the comfort of an indoor pool. The next classes are May 12 and 26 at 7 p.m. Information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

Community FIRST Focus Groups
The Community FIRST process is designed to identify and resolve local issues that address the quality of life of the Army Family. Fort Belvoir constituents are needed to represent the community members in a focus group. Upcoming Community FIRST Focus Groups: Civilians, May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Family Members, May 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All focus groups being held at the Lewis Village Community Center. For more information or to register please contact Shawn Brian, Fort Belvoir Customer Service Officer, at 703-805-2108 or shawn.k.brian@us.army.mil.

Bunco
Join your bunco buddies at 5:15 p.m. in the Community Center Lounge every other Tuesday until May 18. The events offer a chance to meet new people and win prizes.

Reservations are available by calling 703-805-3714.

Boater education
Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., all require boating education. The requirements are based on age. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements.

A class which meets the boating education requirements of all states is offered by Flotilla 25-8 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on May 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class meets at the Mount Vernon Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Highway, Alexandria.

Students receive a manual, a certificate, and card showing class completion.

The cost is $40 per student ($60 if a couple share the manual).

Contact Rich Miller, eaglesailor75@cox.net or 703-7803765 for more information and an enrollment form.

Luau
The Old Guard has a luau from 5:30 to 11 p.m. May 21 at Conmy Hall. The cost is $30. Suggested clothing is collared Hawaiian shirts for males and sun dresses for females, or other appropriate attire.
The menu is barbecue chicken, pulled pork, coleslaw, barbecue beans and potato salad. The vegetarian menu includes a veggie wrap and tossed salad.

Everyone is welcome. Door prizes worth thousands of dollars will be given away.

Information is available by calling 703-696-4183.

Community yard sales
The Villages at Belvoir Yard Sales are one weekend a month through October. All residents of The Villages at Belvoir can sell. However, anyone can stop by and make purchases.

Scheduled yard sales this year are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.

Residents can only sell during yard sale dates announced and authorized by The Villages at Belvoir, unless otherwise authorized by community management offices.

Upcoming 2010 yard sale dates, weather permitting, are: May 15 and 16; June 19 and 20; July 17 and 18; Aug. 14 and 15; Sept. 18 and 19; and Oct. 16 and 17.

Washington Metro Investment Club
The Washington Metro Investment Club is having an open house meeting and May 15 the McCourt Building off Prince William Parkway. The meeting will start at 4 p.m. WMIC meets once a month to discuss investments in the Stock Market. The club is member of National Association of Investment Corps and is comprised of a small group of novice investors interested in learning about current trends in investing. Through a monthly plan of investing directly with companies and participating in their respective Dividend Reinvestment Plans, club members hope to reap a steady and respectable return while learning more about financial planning for the future.

Please contact Ken Wright at 703-801-1465 or Lavoy12@yahoo.com.

Newcomer's Orientation
June 7, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

All newly assigned military personnel, DoD Civilians and Family Members are invited to learn about the Fort Belvoir Community and Services.

Meet the Garrison staff, receive valuable information, special offers and refreshments. This is held at ACS, Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg 200.

Call ACS Relocation Readiness Team, 703-805-5058/3436.

English as a Second Language
Are you interested in learning English as a second language? The ACS Relocation Readiness Program offers these courses. For more information call the ACS Relocation Readiness Team 703-805-5058/3436 for upcoming dates and times.