4
Thursday, December 10, 2015 Pentagram
career
news notes
And much of IMCOM’s goal relies on competency management, giving employees the skills they need to get to where they want to be. “This idea of competency management is probably what’s most important and most helpful,” Weathersbee told the attendees at the first brief. He urged employees to take stock of what they hope to achieve in their careers, then map out the best course attaining it. “Look at where you want to be – the next position, or one down the road,” Weathersbee said. But what if an employee wants a position but lacks the skills or experience required? “The key to that is the individual development plan,” he said. He recommended that employees sit down with their supervisors and have honest conversations about their futures, and to lay out the training, education and developmental opportunities that would be necessary. In order to use funds for education career training and development, employees must have accounts on Army Career Tracker (https://actnow.army.mil) and Go Army Ed (https://goarmyed.com). “We cannot process your request without you having those accounts,” Weathersbee said. “If you don’t have those accounts, I would encourage you to set them up. It’s pretty simple.” He also gave employees a walkthrough of some of the specific programs available to them, including Certified Public Manager Training and Academic Degree Training. Certified Public Manager Training is an online program run through Arizona State University that teach-
8 a.m. and noon. Find out more about “Wreaths Across America” at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. If you have questions or concerns call the JBM-HH Military Police operations desk at 703-696-3525. On the day of the event, call 703-722-6558.
from page 1
from page 1
Christmas tour of New York City – Dec. 12
photo by Nell King
Donna Maxey, director of Plans, Analysis and Integration for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, right, listens as CP29 Program Manager Tim Weathersbee speak during the CP29 Career Program session at the Community Center Dec. 4 on the Fort Myer Portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
es trainees about finance, leadership, management, ethics and more. The program relates directly to IMCOM leadership’s focus on helping employees gain credentials, according to Weathersbee. Additionally, the program is used in 40 of 50 states by municipal and state governments to train their personnel. “I think that’s a really good program,” he said. “If we get the funding that we’re hoping to get, we’ll be able to have 12 careerists this year to complete that training.” The application deadline for Certified Public Manager Training has closed, but employees should still look into it, according to Weathersbee. But the Academic Degree Training Program, in which the Army helps pay for an employee’s education, is still accepting applications, he said. The applicant must already be accepted to an accredited college or university and must intend to seek a degree related to their job, according to Weathersbee. “It has to be related to your job, and in installation management, that’s normally pretty easy,” he said. “It’s a really good program,”
DFAC
from page 1
also designed for those who choose not to eat inside the dining facility, but would like a well-balanced meal. Cordon also estimates that Grab and Go is forecast to serve between 50 and 100 service members daily. “The initiative’s intent is to refuel Soldiers with the adequate amount of nutrition and protein following a PRT [physical readiness training] workout,” explained Amis. Grab and Go’s implementation in the National Capital Region was the brainchild of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Bradley Becker, Amis said. The current Grab and Go menu
photo by Nell King
A Grab and Go Meal sign is displayed at the Dining Facility Dec. 1 on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The Grab and Go meal program offers three healthy options daily for service members on the go.
offers a 3-day rotation of nutritionist approved meals: Day one’s meal is a Southwest chicken and egg wrap sandwich with skim milk and banana; a green mon-
Weathersbee said. “We’ve only had one person so far take advantage of it. The process is pretty intense but I would encourage you, if you want to compete to have your degree funded, that you plow through the process. We’ll do everything we can to help you.” He added that candidates seeking a masters of public administration degree might have a better shot at getting accepted into the program. “It’s the belief of senior leadership that it’s the best return on investment for the army,” he said. “That’s not to say that another degree … wouldn’t be considered. Any completed application will be considered.” The deadline to apply to the Academic Degree Training Program is Dec. 23. More information about these specific programs can be found on Army Career Tracker, at https://actnow.army.mil. To see the full presentation from the CP29 briefing, including information about the Intern Program and other resources, visit www. slideshare.net/JBMHH/cp29. Pentagram Staff Writer Guv Callahan can be reached at wcallahan@ dcmilitary.com. ster smoothie and oatmeal with mixed nuts and raisins; or cereal, skim milk, hard boiled eggs and banana. Day two’s meal is an egg and cheese sandwich, skim milk and banana; mixed berry smoothie and oatmeal with mixed nuts and raisins; or cereal, skim milk, hard boiled eggs and banana. Day three’s menu allows Soldiers to select from a peanut butter sandwich, low fat yogurt and banana; tropical smoothie and oatmeal with mixed nuts and raisins; or cereal, skim milk, hard boiled eggs and banana. The cost of the grab and go meals are $3.45 each. The program began Nov. 16; Grab and Go meals are available during the dining facility’s regular operating hours of 7 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.
Departing the Community Activity Center at 5:30 a.m. Have you already seen the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular? Join us for a day of holiday sightseeing in New York City. Visit Macy’s flagship store (the one on 34th Street … where miracles happen), shop at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market in Central Park, visit the world’s largest Toys R Us store in Times Square and finish the trip touring the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, New York (featured on HGTV). Cost is $85 per person and includes admission and transportation. Call Leisure Travel Services at 703-696-3469/3470.
National Capital Region is ‘no drone zone’
The District of Columbia and cities and towns within a 30-mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are a “No Drone Zone.” This includes the Fort Myer, Fort McNair and Henderson Hall portions of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. It also includes Arlington National Cemetery. Operating an unmanned aircraft in this area for any purpose is against the law. For more information see www.faa.gov/uas/no_drone_zone/dc.
Don’t allow holiday glee make you forget operational security
OPSEC at home: Things often get so hectic around the holidays that sometimes we completely forget about basic security; someone else is looking to take advantage of this hectic time. Remember to: • Be alert to public works crews and other personnel requesting access to your residence. Did you call for service? Verify their identity before allowing entry to your home. • Write down the license plate number of a suspicious vehicle and note the description of occupants. • When socializing at parties, don’t talk “shop” and be wary of attempts to elicit information. • Report suspicious activity to the police or local law enforcement.
Tax center looking for volunteers
The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Consolidated Tax Center is looking for volunteers for the 2016 tax season. The tax center will be opening on Jan. 18 and will remain open through May. Free training for the 2016 tax season volunteers will be held Jan. 4-88 at the U.S. Army Legal Service Activity building on Fort Belvoir. This will be a classroom environment with training presented by IRS and American Bar Association experts. A second week of training will be provided from Jan. 11-15 at the tax center on the joint base. Volunteers will practice creating tax returns and become certified IRS-trained tax preparers. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in becoming certified tax preparers. Anyone interested in this opportunity should contact Philip Jussel, senior paralegal, Legal Services Division, at 703-696-0761 or email philip.w.jussel.civ@mail.mil.
ACS volunteer association holiday program
Want to put a smile on the face of a military child? The JBM-HH Army Community Service volunteer association is sponsoring a holiday toy program in conjunction with the garrison chaplains’ holiday food assistance program. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the donation boxes at the Fort Myer Post Exchange, Fort Myer Commissary or Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base through Dec. 16. For additional information, call 703-696-3510. Service members who may be eligible to receive food vouchers/toys should contact their JBM-HH unit first sergeant for referral.
2016 scholarship applications now being accepted
In partnership between the Fort Myer Thrift Shop and Army Officers’ Wives’ Club of the Greater Washington Area, applications are now being accepted for the 201516 school year. Applications must be received and/or postmarked by March 25, 2016. Information about the scholarship program and applications to include the eligibility requirements are now available on the following web sites at www.fortmyerthriftshop.org or www.aowcgwa.org under “scholarships” and “community grant” links. In 2015, the partnership awarded $105,500 for scholarships. Dedicated volunteers and staff generously give of their time, working numerous hours every year at the Thrift Shop to raise funds for deserving students through scholarships. The Thrift Shop is a 501 c (3) tax exempt organization that raises funds for both scholarships and community grants through donations and consignments. Tax receipts are available for all donations made to the Thrift Shop. photo by Nell King
Runner Jennifer Ritchie participates in the Operation Santa Ugly Sweater 5K Dec. 4 on Sheridan Avenue near the Fort Myer Fitness Center on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Ritchie was the race’s overall female finisher with a time of 27 minutes and 40 seconds.
UGLY SWEATER from page 3
within the Cody Child Development Center. The “Ugly Sweater” 5K and 1-Mile Walk was the last event in the Commander’s Race Series for 2015. The next race—the Shamrock Shuffle—is set for March 18, according to JBM-HH Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s
race organizer Todd Hopkins. Hopkins advises everyone affiliated both with the race and the JBM-HH community, that in lieu of the break in event schedule, people should remain active over the next few months and avoid over-indulging. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Lloyd Ingling agreed. “You have to make time for yourself throughout the holidays,” Ingling said. “Make time during the holidays to do 30 to 60 minutes of physical ac-
tivity everyday throughout the week. It’s great for your physical health, mental health and attitude. It makes you a better person.” Results from the race: First place runners in the men, women and youth overall category were Kurt Rorvik with a time of 20:03, Jennifer Ritchie with a time of 27:40, and Quinn Plummer with a time of 23:00. Pentagram Staff Writer Arthur Mondale can be reached at awright@ dcmilitary.com.
Brunch with Santa – Dec. 13
Dec. 13 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spates Community Club and Conference Center, on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH. Enjoy brunch with Santa before he takes his “round the world” tour. Adults — $25, children (ages 6 to 12) — $12.50 and kids under 5 years old dine free. Bring a camera and get a photo of your child with Santa. Reservations are required. Call Spates at 703-696-5147 for reservations or for more information.
Federal employee benefits open season through Dec. 14
Open season for federal benefits runs through Dec. 14. Employees are responsible for ensuring they update their information and make any necessary changes during this time. For more information, log onto the
see NEWS NOTES, page 6