FORT CARSON, Colo. – March’s Community Information Exchange meeting covered several topics stretching from the launch of the Army Emergency Relief (AER) campaign to housing updates. Here’s a look at what you may have missed during the meeting.
AER
The AER campaign officially launched on March 1 across Fort Carson and will run through May 15, 2023.
AER provides Soldiers and their Families financial assistance for certain situations. Some categories of assistance include:
• Rent or mortgage
• Utilities or deposits
• Emergency travel
• Travel funds for relocation (PCS)
• Funeral expenses
• Vehicle repair
• Replacement vehicle
• Rental vehicle
• HVAC repair
• Natural disaster
For additional categories, and exceptions, contact you AER Officer at 719-526-4783.
Those who need assistance can fill out this form. Once the form is completed, bring all the completed documents to an AER case manager in the Army Community Service (ACS) main center at 6303 Wetzel Ave., building 1526. Learn more online.
If you would like to donate to the AER Campaign, click here. Active-Duty and retired Soldiers can elect to contribute an allotment here. Your donation ensures that AER can meet the next Soldier's needs.
Black Start Exercise
The Mountain Post will turn off power installation-wide April 26 to assess back-up power generation capabilities following a congressional mandate requiring Department of Defense services to test their ability to operate without power in an emergency.
This Black Start Exercise is expected to last around eight hours for identified essential service locations.
Many facilities can expect services to slowly start returning within 30 minutes to an hour after the initial blackout.
Power outages are frequent in today’s environment, whether from a natural disaster like heavy snowfall or a thunderstorm, or from an enemy threat.
According to the Department of the Army, “Installation energy resilience is vital to the Army’s ability to meet strategic challenges around the world.”
The exercise will be challenging for those who work and live on post, but preparing in advance can reduce stress for everyone involved. Tips, like leaving the refrigerator closed to help keep things cold, as well as other important preparation information can be found on Facebook at U.S. Army Fort Carson, and on the Fort Carson website at home.army.mil/carson.
Housing Update
Cherokee West has been demolished in order to make way for new three- and four-bedroom homes according to Fort Carson Family Homes (FCFH).
Cherokee West was built between 1958 and 1962 and housed over 57,000 Soldiers. Demolition began in July and 239 homes were torn down.
Landscaping was also discussed during the meeting. Representatives with FCFH reminded those living on post that residents are responsible for their own landscaping.
Representatives also highlighted the Self Help building where lawn mowers and weedwhackers can be rented out for a 24-hour period. The Self Help building is located at 6271 Mekong St.
For Families with a deployed Soldier, Fort Carson Family Homes can assist with a wide variety of landscaping issues.
Mountain Post Spouse’s Club
Applications for the Mountain Post Spouse’s Club 2023-2024 Board are now open. For a list of all the positions available, click here.
Applications for Community and SFRG Grants are also open. Go to MPSC.US, click on Community Grants, complete the application and email it to the community grants chairperson. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. March 30.
Awardees will be notified by May 1, 2023.
Applications are also open for scholarships for those in the Colorado Springs, Colorado, military community.
Applications are open to high school seniors, spouse undergraduate, Family member undergraduate, advanced degree (spouse or Family member), certification (spouse or undergraduate). Applicants must have at least one parent/sponsor assigned to a Colorado Springs military installation. Retirees must reside in the Fort Carson community during the school year. Click here for a full list of eligibility requirements.
Directorate of Human Resources
On April 3, the following services will be provided at building 1218 (1625 Ellis Street):
· TAP/CSP
· Casualty Assistance
· ASAP
· Records Management
DEER/ID Cards will open May 8 for business in building 1218. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held May 16.
DMDC’s online USID Card Renewal Pilot Program has gone into production and is available to USID cardholders to request online. You can find more information here.
The Family member Travel Screening Guidance for Summer 2023 OCONUS Assignment Cycle can be lengthy. This includes screening, approval submission, and then passport processing if necessary.
Soldiers should initiate this process as soon as they’re notified of being on assignment. More information can be found here.
Family Travel is located in building 1525 (Soldier Center), Cubicle E, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
New chief of police
Chief Brandon Graber was promoted to Fort Carson police chief during a promotion ceremony March 1.
“I honestly would not be up here without every single person in this room,” said Graber. “Thank you so much for what you do for me and what you do for the organization and the Fort Carson community every single day. I greatly appreciate it.”
Automated Installation Entry
Equipment has been updated for automated installation entry to allow for faster processing and reduced delays at the gates.
Click here to pre-register. Applicants and visitors must use a U.S. drivers license. For those who have been denied access, contact the visitor center at 719-526-2332.
Mountain Post Recreation
The Mountain Post Recreation Program revealed a full list of events taking place throughout April. A full list of events can be found here.
To view all the slides from the CIE meeting, click here.
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