ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 15, 2013) -- Moving to a new Army installation can be a difficult process. Soldiers and Family members used to their previous stateside post or garrison may need to readjust to the different locations on the new garrison where familiar services will be located. To those entirely new to the Army, knowing what services, organizations and activities are available can be daunting.
To provide one venue whereby everyone can discover the multitude of services U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach offers its community members, Army Community Service has organized the Community Showcase. Most agencies and organizations on post and a few clubs, organizations and businesses off post will gather from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at Katterbach Physical Fitness Center.
Joe Lanier, Mobilization and Deployment manager for Army Community Service, serves as the action officer and project manager.
"It's for everyone, but it's really geared for new Soldiers and family members coming to the community," said Lanier. "This is a one-stop shop for newcomers to come in and see what USAG Ansbach has to offer, whether it be postal services, AAFES, ACS of course, DFMWR sports and fitness -- even some off-post vendors are going to be available.
"We're bringing all the agencies and services, putting them in one location so everyone can say 'Oh, they've got this here,' or 'Oh, they've got that here,'" continued Lanier.
The event, however, is not merely for newcomers. Those already familiar with Ansbach can find out what changes have taken place across the garrison, either after an absence from the garrison or to find out what is happening around them.
"Ansbach just went through changes -- the commissary is now in Urlas," said Lanier. "Maybe some returning Soldiers and family members might not know that. People that have been here might want to come here to the showcase to find out the latest and most updated information. It's not just for new arrivals to the community."
The showcase will also perform another function. Although many organizations and agencies comprise the services USAG Ansbach offers, normal human beings comprise the on-post agencies and organizations. The showcase will be a chance for newcomers and the people that make up the garrison workforce to meet one another.
"The people that are going to be at the showcase are the actual people that work at these agencies," said Lanier. "[Community members will] get to meet them and say 'These people are friendly, they're very approachable.' It will give them a sense of home."
Different on-post agencies and off-post organizations and businesses will have rows of tables set up throughout the fitness center's basketball court.
In addition to the information available to the public that visits the showcase, there will be other activities to display what USAG Ansbach has to offer. SKIESUnlimited will hold a ballet demonstration as an example of the extracurricular activities military children can take advantage of. Families can get bus passes for their students attending school in 2013-2014. Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's sports and fitness division will hold demonstrations of various classes available through the physical fitness centers, including piloxing, spin classes and more. Directorate of Public Works' Environmental Division will also be there to teach newcomers the ins and outs of recycling in Germany.
"Germany is very big on recycling, and the newcomers need to know that," said Lanier.
Lanier, as the action officer of this event, credits team effort for putting this event together.
"Teamwork, good leadership and guidance," said Lanier. "I spearheaded this, but I could not have done this without my team."
Lanier also said that the showcase is what his organization, Army Community Service, represents.
"ACS is here to build an adaptable community," said Lanier. "Family members have to adapt to Army life, especially when their Soldier deploys. When their service member deploys, they're here taking care of everything. They need to be able to find those services and know what's available and where those services are located. This represents what ACS is all about as a service as a whole."
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