Residents, civilians can learn much at Newcomer's Orientation

New Fort Belvoir residents and Department of Defense civilians will have the opportunity to learn about organizations, programs and activities on post during the Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Programs Newcomer’s Orientation Jan. 9.

The orientation is 9 to 11 a.m. in the Army Community Services building.

The Child, Youth and School Services, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office and the Barden Education Center, will share information about their services.

“Orientation is open to new residents, their Families and DoD civilians,” said Amy Altersitz, Relocation Readiness Program, relocation specialist. “We have several Soldiers who live on the installation but don’t work here, so they should still come to see what the community has to offer.”

Col. John Strycula, Fort Belvoir Garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane will give welcoming remarks and answer questions.

Representatives from the post organizations are also available to answer questions about Fort Belvoir services.

Many Families ask questions about CYSS and child services; mainly how to enroll children, said Altersitz. She added that the second area most people spend time at is the MWR table to discover available activities.

Most DoD civilians don’t realize many of the services offered to Soldiers are also available to them, according to Altersitz.

“Pretty much all of the services that are available to the servicemembers are available to DoD civilians,” said Altersitz. “Like MWR events, outdoor recreations events and they can certainly go to the education center.”

The orientation is also open to residents who already live on Fort Belvoir so they can get a refresher course on the organizations and programs on post, but also learn about new programs or activities that have started.

“People go ‘Oh, we’ve been here for a year already - we know what’s available.’ Well, come out because there might be something that you don’t know about,”
Altersitz said. “There are always things changing on this post.”

A Belvoir resident herself, Altersitz said she is a big fan of the orientation as she remembers how much she learned about the installation during her meeting.

She also said Soldiers should bring their entire Families instead of just coming by themselves.

“I wish more people would come out to it because I think they would learn a lot,” Altersitz said. “The Soldiers learn it at work, but it would be nice if the Family members came out instead of getting the information second hand.”