Baumholder AFAP Town Hall demonstrates 'freedom of speech' live, well

By Cameron PorterNovember 14, 2016

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Keith E. Igyarto, the commander of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, speaks to participants at the Army Family Action Plan Town Hall held at Baumholder Nov. 10. During the town hall, participants discussed several quality-of-life issues and co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Adam Chapa, a presenter for the Army Family Action Plan support services team, addresses issues such overseas dependent driver's license requirements, length of tour options for civilian employees in Germany and the process to receive housing allowan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Marc Kimble, a presenter for the Army Family Action Plan family services team, briefs during the AFAP Town Hall at the Army Community Service training room on Clinic Kaserne in Baumholder, Nov. 10. Kimble and his team covered issues such as unsanitar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- With the election season wrapping up, it reminds us that freedom of expression and speech are still a vital component to our democratic society.

Recently, dozens of Baumholder community members exercised their right to free speech and expression during the annual Army Family Action Plan Town Hall at the Army Community Service training room on Clinic Kaserne, Nov. 10.

In attendance were more than 30 members of the Baumholder Military Community and several leaders from units and organizations at Baumholder and across the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz area of responsibility, to include the garrison commander, Col. Keith E. Igyarto.

Their mission was to openly discuss several quality-of-life issues and concerns within the Baumholder community they felt needed to be looked at closely and addressed by the leadership.

The town hall provided these community members, who were broken down into four teams, a chance to bring their concerns to the commander's attention.

Maria Donovan, the Family Readiness Support Assistant for 30th Medical Brigade, attended the AFAP Town Hall. She said AFAP offered community members a great avenue to be heard.

"AFAP addresses issues of concern that Soldiers and family members have, but may be afraid to ask or don't know where to go to ask," Donovan said.

Determining these quality-of-life issues and concerns are the responsibility of the AFAP teams from start to finish. The four teams identified issues, discussed the scope of concern for each and developed recommendations to mitigate problems. It's a lengthy process that can take a lot of work, said Donovan. The final step for the teams was to brief their issues and concerns with recommendations to the commander.

At the Baumholder AFAP Town Hall, the family services team briefed such issues as unsanitary and unsafe playgrounds, living quarters upkeep and responsibility, lack of a laundromat service in the community and problems with the pedestrian gate at Clinic Kaserne. The support services team discussed overseas dependent driver's license requirements, length of tour options for civilian employees in Germany and the process to receive housing allowances in a timely manner.

The medical and dental team discussed the lack of urgent care and behavioral health services in Baumholder and child daycare facility hours of operation, while the teen team talked about shuttle bus scheduling and job opportunities for minors in the community.

Army wide, more than 700 quality of life issues and areas of concern were addressed through AFAP since its conception, said Igyarto, and more than 500 were resolved -- for example, social security numbers are no longer listed on forms and correspondence, and the Soldier Group Life Insurance maximum benefit coverage increased from $100,000 to $400,000.

"Those were both AFAP issues," Igyarto said.

The commander said AFAP is a great mechanism to generate feedback and bring concerns to the attention of the leadership, but another mechanism in place that more people should use, he emphasized, is the Interactive Customer Evaluation system. Anyone can log into ICE at any time and make suggestions, identify areas of concern, provide feedback or even leave a message of thanks for a job well done.

"This is where we need your help, so pass it on. We need those ICE comments, so keep them coming," Igyarto said. "It's critically important."

Heather Miles is the Army Volunteer Corps coordinator in Baumholder, and the AFAP program there falls under her area of responsibility. She said the AFAP program at Baumholder is very successful.

"There are some very complex issues in this community with three separate installations located on a large hill, and all the unique units, organizations and missions that make up Baumholder," Miles said.

"I'm very impressed with the feedback the community has received using the AFAP program,"

added Igyarto.

"This is our community and the most important thing about our community is our people. Our AFAP folks are some of the most caring people I've encountered in my 30 years of service. They really do care," he concluded.

For more information on the AFAP program in Baumholder or to volunteer as an AFAP participant, call DSN 483-8188 or civilian 06783-6-8188. To leave comments or suggestions on the ICE system, log into ice.disa.mil and type in USAG Rheinland-Pfalz or Baumholder in the search bar.