Ten things to know around the DoD in April

By Arthur MondaleMarch 31, 2016

Twilight Tattoo
Hundreds of visitors watch the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's production of Twilight Tattoo, an hourlong
military pageant featuring Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army
Band "Pershing's Own" on th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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1. TRICARE reimbursement rates change April 1. The TRICARE Health Plan announced new reimbursement rates effective April 1 for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, which are provided under the Autism Care Demonstration (ACD), according to a TRICARE news release. TRICARE's ABA coverage and benefits are not changing, but the new provider rates align ABA with all other TRICARE rates, ensuring the rates are reviewed and appropriately adjusted each year, reads the release. Additionally, TRICARE officials said that they recognize that a handful of geographic locations have fewer providers than needed, presenting a challenge to some beneficiaries. Accordingly, more than 700 new providers were recruited into the ACD in recent months, read the release at, visit http://go.usa.gov/csxhJ.

2. Cyber ready. The end of March marked the activation of Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group, at Fort George G. Meade, Md., in support of the U.S. Cyber Command and Marine Forces Cyberspace Command in defense of networks and communication. The unit is expected to be fully operational in 2017. Fort Meade is already the home of United States Cyber Command, a sub-unified command established in 2009 by the Secretary of Defense.

3. U.S. Air Force unveils website for Medal of Honor recipients. The Air Force has created a new website dedicated to approximately 60 Airmen who received the Medal of Honor for exemplary acts of courage throughout their careers; including those killed in action and others who died as prisoners of war. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for valor that can be bestowed upon a service member, the Air Force-designed Medal of Honor was created on April 14, 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnson first presented the Medal of Honor on Jan. 19, 1967, to Maj. Bernard F. Fisher, who flew combat sorties during the Vietnam War. The website can be accessed at www.af.mil/MedalofHonor/ByName.aspx.

4. Spirit of Service Award. The United States Marine Corps is seeking nominations for the 15th Annual American Legion Spirit of Service Award. The award is presented annually to an enlisted member (E5 and below) from each of the military services for outstanding volunteer service performed off duty in their local community. The awards are presented during the American Legion's national convention, which is taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1. The application deadline is May 13. For more information about the nomination process, see Marine Administrative Message 078/16 at http://go.usa.gov/cp7EH.

5. Naval Academy seeking STEM students. Applications for the 2016 Naval Academy Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Summer Program are open at www.usna.edu/admissions/STEM. Session dates include June 6 to 11 for rising 9th graders; June 13 to 18 for rising 10th graders; and June 20 to 24 for rising 11th graders. The annual summer program is designed to expose young people to STEM concepts and technologies and to encourage 9th to 11th graders to pursue studies in engineering and technology throughout high school, college and beyond.

6. Annual leadership conference now held in D.C. Registration is now open for active-duty service members, retirees and veterans of all branches interested in attending the 5th Annual OutServe-SLDN 2016 Leadership Conference, happening May 19-22 at the Capital Hilton. The event provides a platform to network and attend discussions surrounding issues and the future of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) military community. The four-day agenda includes an evening with singer-songwriter Steve Grand, and attendance of the Hall of Heroes National Dinner and Awards May 21 at 7 p.m.

7. April 22 is Earth Day. The U.S. Army joins in the celebration of Earth Day on April 22. In 2016, the Army pledged to continue to focus on preserving cultural and historical resources, to include environmental standards that enable Army operations essential to Soldiers, their families, and civilian supporters. The Army is committed to technological innovations and energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change; reducing energy consumption, repurposing and recycling, and enhancing the resiliency and readiness of military installations through energy efficiency and renewable energy. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Pentagon-specific Earth Day events will be announced in forthcoming issues of the Pentagram.

8. Month of the Military Child. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child/Child Abuse Prevention Month. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall recognizes this annual observance with a series of events, beginning this year with the JBM-HH's 5th Annual Pinwheel Parade April 8 at 10 a.m. at the Cody Child Development Center on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. Parents and children are invited. For a listing of more events, visit www.jbmhhMWR.com.

9. Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention. April is also Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Mike Henderson signed a proclamation recognizing the joint base's support of this observance. The kick-off event is an April 1 interactive presentation called "Beat the Blame Game" at 9:30 a.m. in the Town Hall on Fort Myer. This presentation will focus on how to stop victim blaming, retaliation and reprisal while empowering people to prevent and intervene to stop sexual violence. For more details about either event, check out this week's "News Notes" section.

10. Twilight Tattoo season returns. This year's Twilight Tattoo season begins May 4 and runs through Aug. 3 with performances held every Wednesday, with the exception of July 6 and 13. The popular annual event will be held on Summerall Field on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall from April through June. Performances are held on Whipple Field on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base from July through August. Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long, live-action military pageant featuring Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." The U.S. Army Blues, vocalists from The U.S. Army Band Downrange and U.S. Army Band Voices, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and The U.S. Army Drill Team will also provide attendees with a live look at the nation's history. For more information on group reservations, contact the U.S. Army Military District of Washington at 202-685-2888 or email usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil.

Pentagram Staff Writer Arthur Mondale can be reached at awright@dcmilitary.com.