Action Line

An Action Line has been established to allow Fort Lewis community members to express their concerns and ideas directly to the commanding general.

Your issues will be addressed by the commander and his staff.

The Action Line number is 967-0093.

Amnesty Day

The next amnesty day is Thursday From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is your opportunity to turn in unauthorized ammunition.

There will be no questions asked, no fear of prosecution, no investigation, no paperwork required and no appointment necessary. For anything larger than .50-caliber, it is recommended you call EOD for pickup — your choice.

Amnesty drop-off locations include: at the C-5 mock-up just outside East Gate; in the Ammunition Supply Point parking lot; on Jecelin Avenue at Range 2; on North Fort, on I Street near 9th Street; and at the south side of the Ranger compound.

Amnesty items can always be turned in at the ASP during normal duty hours or at any of the amnesty boxes on post.

Rape Aggression Defense

The Family Advocacy Program is offering self-defense classes for women. R.A.D., which stands for Rape Aggression Defense, continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Classes will teach personal safety lessons, risk awareness, avoidance, recognition and reduction. For more information, contact Jane Gulliver at 967-5901.

Sex Signals Interactive Training

The commanding general of I Corps and Fort Lewis directs all subordinate units to conduct sexual assault prevention and response training from Dec. 1 to 18.

Catharsis Productions will train and educate Fort Lewis personnel on challenging social issues in an innovative and interactive setting. Training consists of a 75-minute, two-person play. The purpose of this program is to educate Soldiers on sexual assault prevention, sexual harassment and gender-based misconduct.

The CG’s intent is that all assigned Soldiers, ages 18 to 25, attend this training. Available dates and times for training are Dec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 10 a.m. and 1 or 3 p.m.

Units must coordinate with the garrison at 967-3769 to schedule unit dates and times.

Change of command

The 504th Military Police Battalion is holding a change of command Wednesday at 11 a.m. on Watkins Field. The outgoing commander is Lt. Col. James H. Mullen, who will pass command to Lt. Col. John G. Voorhees, Jr. A reception will follow on site.

Family Night

The Cascade Community Center is hosting Family Night Nov. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Soldiers and families are invited to enjoy dinner, free games and fun activities. Space is limited, so make reservations at the Cascade Community Center (964-0331). Reservations will be taken until spaces are full. The CCC is located in Building 2400 on Bitar Avenue. For more information, go to FortLewisMWR.com.

Financial Readiness Challenge

If your New Year’s resolution is to get your finances in order, then it is time you registered and attended the Fort Lewis/McChord Financial Readiness Challenge. Army Community Service, in conjunction with the Airman and Family Readiness Center at McChord Air Force Base, will present a series of financial presentations and workshops at the American Lake Community Center on North Fort.

Sessions are scheduled for Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Topics include ID theft, creating a budget, debt management, credit, home ownership, savings and investments. For information and to register, call ACS at 967-3525 or 982-2695.

Human Resource Conference

The Fort Lewis Quarterly Human Resource Conference (sponsored by the Mount Rainier Chapter, Adjutant General Regimental Association) will be held Dec. 5, from 9 to 11 a.m., in the Rainier Lounge of the Cascade Community Center.

All Adjutant General and Finance Corps officers, warrant officers and enlisted Soldiers, and Department of Defense civilian human resource specialists are invited to attend.

Points of contact for the conference are G-1’s Sgt. Maj. Karen Kelly, 967-0792; G-1 Readiness Office, Rory Janicke, 968-9144; Personnel Services Branch, John Keel, 967-7824.

Professional development topics and instructors for the conference are: DIMHRS — Lonnie Meredith and Staff Sgt. Richard Vandeway; FSGLI and TSGLI — Carla Eveleth and Sgt. Jesse Duckett; and RTMC — George Balach.

Brigade adjutants are requested to provide a projected attendance list for their units no later than Dec. 1, to Rory Janicke at 968-9144 or by e-mail to rory.janicke@conus.army.mil.

Parent-teacher conferences

The chain of command encourages Soldier parents to stay involved in their children’s education. Parent-teacher conferences are important parts of that involvement. Local school districts have forwarded the following conference schedules. For more information, call the School Liaison Office, 967-7195.

School District calendars and related information can also be found by going to the Internet and typing in the school district name.

• Auburn schools: Wednesday to Nov. 21 — all grades.

• Clover Park schools: today — all grades.

• Eatonville schools: elementary, Tursday to Nov. 21 and Nov. 24 to 25; middle school and high school, Nov. 24 to 25.

• Franklin Pierce schools: scheduled as needed.

• Peninsula schools: Thursday to Nov. 21 and Nov. 24 to 26 — all grades.

• Puyallup schools: evening conferences.

• Sumner schools: elementary, already completed; middle school and high school, Wednesday.

• Tacoma schools: elementary, Dec 4.

• University Place schools: kindergarten through 7th grade, Thursday to Nov. 21 and Nov. 24 to 26. Other school districts have either completed their fall conferences, or did not provide schedules.

160th SOAR recruiting team

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment recruiting team routinely conducts worldwide unclassified special operations aviation briefings. The purpose of these briefings is to provide information to all aviation units about the mission, organization, unique training and capabilities of the regiment, and to actively recruit Soldiers who want to apply for assessment. The team uses a 40-minute slide and video presentation to accomplish this goal.

The 160th SOAR is looking for Soldiers who possess a strong desire for superior motivation and the desire to successfully complete the mission. Without question, this is the world’s premier special operations aviation organization. The regiment canvasses all Army aviation units and many branch schools to find the best Soldiers who want to be Night Stalkers.

If you think you measure up, you are invited to attend the scheduled briefings Tuesday, in the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Hangar classroom (Building 3063, second floor), 10 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Hooah and Ahoy!

The West Point Society of Washington and Puget Sound and the Naval Academy Alumni Association, Puget Sound Chapter invite all graduates and friends to the Army-Navy Football Game Rally Dec. 6 at the Fort Lewis Cascade Community Center.

A Soldier’s Breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the game on Direct TV at 9 a.m. Cost is $12. Send your check payable to “Founders Day Fund” by Dec. 3 to: Thomas D. Morgan, 96 Jayne Court, Steilacoom, WA 98388. Telephone: 983-8903 or e-mail: tmorgan58@hotmail.com for information. Your check is your RSVP.

Come support your alma mater and watch Army beat Navy.

Special Olympics basketball

Child, Youth and School Services and Washington State Special Olympics are holding basketball for youths ages 8 to 18. Registration runs until Nov. 26. Practice begins after Dec. 4. The cost is $45 per child. For more information, visit CYS Services Central Registration Office, Building 2295, or call 967-2494.

Visual Information

The Multimedia Visual Information Service Center, located in Building 1401 (MILES issue and turn in), now has a new Web-based ordering system called the Visual Information Work Order Site, or VIOS, for short. This site is now required to request services from the VI center.

Services and support offered include: sound and presentation support (such as for briefings or EO events); official DA photos, chain of command photos, ceremonies, GO photos; photographic support for special activities and awards; video event support for activities such as changes of command, redeployment ceremonies or training exercises; printing charts and graphics, land navigation signs, PT signs or large-format printing. Use the following Web site http://www.cert-lic.army.mil to register and submit work order requests. Registration on this site is required to request support for any service offered by the Visual Information Service Center.

62nd Medical Brigade

The 62nd Medical Brigade change of command will take place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 5, on Watkins Field. Colonel Patrick D. Sargent will relinquish command to Col. John A. Powell.

Watch Ultimate Fighting

If you like mixed martial arts, combatives or just like a good fight, the Heroes Sports Lounge at the Cascade Community Center and Club North have got you covered. UFC 91 is available just for you at your local clubs. Undercard fights can be viewed before the big matchup. The Cascade is located on the corner of Bitar and South Division. Club North is on North Fort Lewis on the corner of 41st Division Drive and C Street.

CID seeks help

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is seeking information to assist the investigation of the death of a civilian man in the post’s training area recently. Vong Lam of Tacoma was found dead in the western area of the post’s training area the evening of Oct. 15. The preliminary cause of death is gunshot wound. U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command agents are continuing their inquiry into Lam’s death.

In the early morning hours of Oct. 14, the Fort Lewis Emergency Coordination Center was notified by family members that Lam, 56, was missing. He was last heard from at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. Fort Lewis Military Police searched for Lam through the night. Lam’s truck was located in Fort Lewis’ Training Area 4 at about 9 a.m. on Oct. 15. Lam’s body was found shortly before 6 p.m., Oct. 15.

Persons with any information regarding this case should contact the Fort Lewis CID office at 967-3151, or e-mail CID at crimetips@conus.army.mil. Requests to remain anonymous will be honored, and information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable under the law.

Tour of homes

The Fort Lewis Officers’ Spouses Club will present its 2008 Tour of Homes, Dec. 4. Cost of the tour is $10 per person; it is open to all DOD ID card holders and their guests — no children under 12. This is a great opportunity to tour on-post houses. The featured neighborhood this year is Broadmoor housing area.

Daytime Tours — reception 11 to 11:30 a.m. and tour 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Evening Tours — reception 5:30 to 6 p.m. and tour from 6 to 9 p.m.

Receptions take place and tours begin at Clarkdale Community Center, 2503 S. 8th Street. Programs and maps provided at the start.

Allow two hours to enjoy all of the homes. All homes close at 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale at Clarkdale Community Center Nov. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Kim Neumann at Decorations@fortlewisosc.org.

Operation Rising Star

The 12 semi-finalists, including Fort Lewis’ own Staff Sgt. Victor Trinidad, 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, are competing in the Operation Rising Star singing competition. The winners will be revealed during the 30-minute live-to-satellite show on the Pentagon Channel at 11 a.m. today.

Pet Photo Contest

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is giving military pet owners the opportunity to crow and bark about their four-legged friends and what they mean to them.

The “Patriot Family Pet Photo Contest,” which runs through Dec. 15, allows pet owners to submit photos of themselves or family members with their pets along with a 50-word or less description of their furry friend.

The grand prize winner will receive a $1,500 AAFES shopping spree. Other prizes include a $1,000 shopping spree for first place, two second place $500 awards and two third place $350 shopping sprees. In addition to the monetary prizes, the winning photos will be featured in future AAFES advertisements as well as on Exchange TV, AAFES’ in-house television network.

To participate in the Patriot Pet Photo Contest, shoppers can send entries to PatriotFamily@aafes.com with “Patriot Family Pet” in the subject line. Entrants must include their names, addresses, phone numbers, ranks or occupations and pets’ information (name, breed or type of pet) in the e-mail. More contest details can be found at www.aafes.com.

Suicide Intervention Training

Two-day suicide first aid interactive workshops for community caregivers will be held Wednesday and Thursday, and Dec. 17 and 18. Learn a model of suicide intervention by attending the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Workshop sponsored by Command Army Substance Abuse Program. Registration is required: e-mail gary.ouellette@us.army.mil.

Youth wrestling

Child, Youth and School Services is holding registration for wrestling through Nov. 21. The class is open to all youths ages 5 to 15. The cost is $45. For information or to register, visit the CYS Services Central Registration Office in Building 2295 on the corner of 12th Street and Bitar Avenue or call 967-2494.

AAFES pricing policies

With a mission to provide military shoppers with quality goods and services at competitively low prices, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has to work double-time to deliver the savings troops expect. AAFES’ assault on high prices begins with market price coordinators, who compare the prices of top sellers in key categories with local competition at least once a month.

The price coordinators conduct periodic checks at local convenience, liquor and big box stores, comparing AAFES’ prices on top-selling items in each department. The results are sent to the sales directorate pricing team at AAFES headquarters in Dallas, Texas. From there, pre-tax shelf prices are set to be comparable to the competition. Shelf prices are of primary concern because all products available at AAFES, except for gasoline, are not subject to sales tax.

In addition to regular, local price surveys, AAFES offers a “We’ll Match It!” program that acts as a last line of defense to ensure military shoppers always receive the lowest price possible when shopping the PX. Shoppers who see a price differential of less than $10 can simply tell the cashier, who will match it on-the-spot. Anyone who reports a price difference of $10 or more needs only bring a current local competitor’s ad to receive the reduced price.

Flu shot schedule

For this year’s influenza season, Madigan Army Medical Center will be conducting an influenza vaccination campaign in three phases.

During Phase I, MAMC beneficiaries will be vaccinated in their primary care clinics when the vaccine becomes available. During Phase II, active-duty service members and civilian MAMC staff will be vaccinated during an employee immunization drive Tuesday to Thursday.

Finally, during Phase III, MAMC staff and beneficiaries will be vaccinated during National Influenza Vaccination Week from Dec. 8 to 11. On the Phases II and III dates, vaccinations will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the second floor of the MAMC Medical Mall.

The Influenza Hotline is another source for information about influenza and influenza vaccine and will be updated regularly.

The Influenza Hotline can be reached at 968-4744.

Fantasy Sports Machine

Enjoy playing sports and video games? At Wilson Sports, Fitness and Recreation Center, sports enthusiasts can play their favorite games on the sports machine.

Players can test their knowledge, win great prizes and have fun for absolutely no charge. The games are going on now and do not end until Dec. 29.

There will be weekly games and prizes. For facility hours and directions, call 967-7471. Night firing notice

• 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment will train with demolitions in Fort Lewis Training Area 5 from midnight Nov. 24 until midnight Nov. 25, using Range 62.

• 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment will fire mortars in the Fort Lewis Artillery Impact Area from midnight Nov. 30 until midnight Dec. 5, using Mortar Point 13.

Calendar

The following holidays and days of no scheduled activities are planned:

• Nov. 27, Thanksgiving

• Nov. 28, DONSA

• Dec. 25, Christmas

• Dec. 26, DONSA

• Jan. 1, New Year’s Day

• Jan. 2, DONSA

• Jan. 16, DONSA

• Jan. 19, MLK Day

• Feb. 13, DONSA

• Feb. 16, Presidents Day

• March 13, DONSA

• April 10, DONSA

• May 22, DONSA

• May 25, Memorial Day

• June 12, DONSA

• July 3, Independence Day observed

• July 6, DONSA

American Education Week

American Education Week is Nov.16-22. This year’s theme is: “Strong Soldiers, Families, and Communities!” And there’s some great news for families! Career and training opportunities for military spouses just got better. Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts provide assistance to spouses seeking to gain the skills and credentials necessary to begin or advance their careers.

Eligible spouses can receive grants of up to $3,000 for tuition, fees, books, equipment and credentialing and licensing fees. Career fields targeted for the program are education, health care, information technology, construction trades, financial services, human resources, business and management, hospitality management and homeland security.

To be eligible for the program, the military spouse’s sponsor must be on active duty, stationed at Fort Lewis, and have at least one year remaining at his or her current duty station. The spouse must have a high school diploma, GED or some post-secondary education. Training must be completed by March 2010 and lead to a license, certificate or degree. Prerequisites and remedial coursework can also be included.

Come and meet with one of the advisers at Stone Education Center. They can assist with career counseling, finding education and training resources, and starting the application process for the Career Advancement Account program.

Fort Lewis bus survey

Fort Lewis, in its effort to improve the bus service on post is conducting a survey through Dec. 1, to gather information on Pierce Transit Route 207, which currently runs from Madigan Army Medical Center to the Main Post Bus Depot, Monday through Friday, from 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bus connects at Madigan to Route 206, which provides transportation to Lakewood Towne Center as its final destination.

The survey asks questions about current and future ridership as well as examining the best route on Fort Lewis. The garrison is asking everyone who would ride the bus to take the survey — Soldiers, family members, civilian workers, retirees and veterans — anyone who needs to get around Fort Lewis.

The survey is located on the Fort Lewis Interactive Customer Evaluation site under Transportation. Or you can enter the following link, which will take you directly to the survey: http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&service_provider_id=111829&site_id=348&service_category_id=30.

Holiday religious schedule Thanksgiving Services

• North Fort Chapel: Grace Gospel Thanksgiving Concert, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.

• Main Post Chapel: Thanksgiving Mass, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.; Community Thanksgiving Service, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.

Advent Services

• Main Post Chapel — Catholic: Immaculate Conception Mass, Dec. 8 at 11:50 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Penance Service, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.; Christmas Eve Mass, Dec. 24 at 9 and 11 p.m.; Christmas Day 11 a.m. Protestant: Children’s Christmas Fun Camp, Dec. 6 at 9 a.m.; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.

• North Fort Chapel — Children’s Mass, Dec. 24 at 3:30 p.m.

• Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel — Chapel Next Christmas Concert, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.

Hanukkah Service

• Liggett Avenue Chapel No. 5 (Jewish): Hanukkah, Dec. 21.

New Year’s Day Services

• Main Post Chapel — Protestant: Watch Night Service, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m.; Catholic Feast of Mary Mother of God, Jan. 1 at 11:50 a.m.

• North Fort Chapel — Grace Gospel Watch Night Service, Dec. 31 at 10:30 a.m.

McChord AFB Services:

Thanksgiving Services

• Chapel Support Center — Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m.

• Chapel 2 — Catholic: Thanksgiving Mass, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

Advent Services

• Chapel Support Center — Holiday Tree Lighting Service, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Protestant: Sunday School Christmas Program, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. (Contemporary).

• Chapel 1— Protestant: Christmas Cantata, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. (Traditional)

• Chapel 2 — Catholic: Immaculate Conception Mass, Dec. 8 at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Christmas Eve Mass, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.; Midnight Mass, Dec. 24 at 11 p.m.; Christmas Day Mass, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m.; Mary, Mother of God Mass, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m.