Up Front for Jan. 19

Marching orders

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno issued his Marching Orders Jan. 13. 2012, titled "America’s Force of Decisive Action."

This short pamphlet explains his intent, priorities, and expectations after his first four months on the job. It is primarily intended for Soldiers and Leaders in the Army, you may be interested in my guidance, and I welcome your thoughts. Army strong!

The pamphlet can be found at http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/232152.pdf.

Gas pumps closed

The North Post Class Six gas pump will be down on Monday for required maintenance upgrade.

The job will start at 9 a.m. and downtime has been estimated for four hours.

The South Post Service Station will be open to serve our patrons.

Cannon training

The 3rd U.S. Infantry Salute Guns Platoon will conduct Howitzer Salute training Tuesday in Fort Belvoir’s Southwest Training Area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The blank shell training will close the entrance of McCarty Loop Trail off Po Road. To minimize sound intrusion, the canons will be firing to the south.

For more information, call Joseph McMullen at (703) 805-5239 or James Slater at (703) 805-4002.

Survivor education benefits

Survivor Families are invited to attend a presentation from the Veterans Benefits Administration on VA Educational Benefits for Survivors Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Army Community Service, Bldg. 200, 9800 Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, Va.. Anyone desiring specific information regarding the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program — to include the Fry Scholarship, Chapter 33 and Chapter 35 and how it applies to Survivors — should attend.

Free childcare will be provided for this event but attendees must register by Tuesday.

For information, call Janet Elder, Financial Counselor, (703) 805-1827, or Maria Rodriguez, Support Coordinator, (703) 805-5487.

Photography classes

Aspiring photographers can take advantage of a new photography class on Fort Belvoir Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Kawamura Arts, Crafts Center. The four-week course promises to help photographers of all levels build solid photography foundations from the ground up. Classes for 2012 begin in January and will continue through summer. Tuition is $110 per student. Interested students are encouraged to visit the Kawamura Arts, Crafts Center to register or to call (978) 578-9338 for more information.