FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Officials talked community resources here at this month’s Community Information Forum, held Wednesday in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
“We do a lot of great events and try to offer people positive outlets,” said Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander. “We ask that after you get all of this good information, please take this information back to your formations and organizations and ensure you are getting the word out. We want to make sure people are having a positive experience while at Fort Leonard Wood.”
Several presenters took to the stage to emphasize events and happenings within their organizations. The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs were first, starting with Army Community Service.
Army Community Service
“They have lots of great things going on. They are located right across from the Commissary in building 486. They have new classes every month. One of the things I like to highlight is the stress and anger management classes. We all have stress in our lives. They are here to help you deal with it better,” said Megan O’Donoghue, FMWR director.
Resources available through ACS include the Family Advocacy Program, Exceptional Family Member Program, Relocation Readiness, Financial Readiness and Survivor Outreach Services. For more information, call 573.596.0212 or visit their website.
Child and Youth Services
“I know a lot of times, when you think of Child and Youth Services you think of childcare, but there are so many other resources available to you in my office,” said Jennifer Chapman, Parent Outreach Services director.
The CYS programs she listed include the School Age Center, Middle School Teen Program, Child Development Center, Youth Sports, School Support Services, Family Child Care, and Parent and Outreach Services.
“I can also do emergency placements. If you have a Soldier that needs emergency childcare, please reach out to me,” Chapman said.
For more information, call CYS at 573.596.0238 or visit their website.
FMWR Business and Recreation
“The Auto Skills Center is your do-it-yourself for auto repairs. They have camper and bulk storage and are currently offering rent five months and get one free,” said Kirstan Carpenter, FMWR special events coordinator.
She said the fall yard sale event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Baker Theater parking lot.
“You can sell or stock up on new treasures,” Carpenter said.
She also mentioned the Daugherty Bowling Center, where cheeseburgers will be buy one get one half off on Sept. 18, National Cheeseburger Day.
Other places mentioned were the Bruce C. Clarke Library, Davidson Fitness Center, Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area, Leisure Travel Services, Outdoor Adventure Center, Pippin Youth Center and the Rec Plex.
Jeffrey Barrett, Business and Recreation chief, said they are scheduled to re-open the Davidson Fitness Center natatorium on Monday.
“Lieber Heights and Wallace pools will then be closed for the season,” Barrett said.
For more information, visit Fort Leonard Wood’s FMWR website.
Better Opportunities for Single Service members
“Here on Fort Leonard Wood, we say single service members, not just Soldiers, because we have this program open to all branches,” O’Donoghue said. “These folks don’t always have a support center to go home to, so we want to provide them with events to build resilience, skill and camaraderie.”
Some of the BOSS events coming up include a scuba certification course, cooking class, board study and a Hispanic heritage convention.
For more information about the BOSS program, call 573.563.5967. For a list of upcoming events, visit their website.
Army Substance Abuse Program
ASAP is responsible for developing, establishing and administering non-clinical alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, education and training programs on post. ASAP also provides suicide prevention support to the installation, said Malia Nemetz, ASAP specialist.
And in line with suicide prevention, Nemetz said firearm cable locks are available for all Defense Department personnel here.
“We want to make sure we are keeping our community members safe,” she said.
To get a lock, Nemetz said to visit the ASAP office in the ACS building.
For more ASAP information, call 573.596.0938 or visit their website.
Armed Forces Wellness Center
“Our name changed from the Army Wellness Center to the Armed Forces Wellness Center because we are now here for all members of the military,” said Anna Schwartz, AFWC supervisory health educator. She said all their services are free to service members, retirees, dependents and civilians who work on post.
They offer help with aerobic fitness, strength and endurance training, flexibility, body composition, weight management, nutrition, stress management, sleeping habits, tobacco cessation and goal setting.
“We don’t just look at the weight on a scale. We look at how individuals are composed,” Schwartz said. “That way, we can accurately track what is changing on the body.”
To schedule an appointment, call 573.596.9677.
Ready and Resilient Performance Center
Ready and Resilient provides the foundation for people to build and sustain personal readiness and resilience. R2 provides training and education resources to active duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers, as well as family members and civilian employees here, said Chris Parks, R2PC manager.
Parks said they have six performance experts on staff ready to help customers reach their professional goals.
Trainings offered include team building, performance enhancement training, academic performance skills and leadership development.
For more information, call 573.563.4174 or 4208.
Interactive Customer Evaluation
Mike Alley, management analyst for the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, said the ICE program is a tool that can be used to make positive changes in services on post.
“We want to hear from you. There are QR codes posted across post,” Alley said. “If you have an idea or suggestion, please let us know how to make this a better place to work, serve and live.”
Religious Support Office
Martha Strong, director of religious education, said there are several opportunities to attend spiritual resiliency programs as well as a variety of classes and religious services.
“We are starting Protestant Women of the Chapel next week. The fall kick-off is at 9 a.m. on (Tuesday) at the Main Post Chapel,” Strong said.
She invited community members to a Patriot Day service, starting at 9 a.m. Monday on the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza.
“We would love to have a good turn out for that, as we remember this important day,” Strong said.
For more information, call 573.596.2127 or 2695, or visit the Religious Support Office’s website.
Defense Commissary Agency
The Hometown Heroes Sidewalk Sale at the Fort Leonard Wood Commissary is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Sept. 14 – the sale will run through Sept. 17.
Army & Air Force Exchange Service
Kristina Alexander, Exchange sales and merchandise manager, said the Burger King grand re-opening is tentatively set for Sept. 15.
“We have been having some phone issues, but the best way to keep track of current information is to visit our Facebook page,” Alexander said.
Memorial Ruck
The 763rd Ordnance Company is planning a memorial event to honor Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Foster.
“He was an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 63rd Ordnance Detachment, which is now the 763rd EOD here on Fort Leonard Wood,” said 1st Lt. Parker Peterson, 763rd EOD executive officer.
According to Peterson, in 1976, Foster was performing a mission, when the improvised explosive device detonated, killing him.
“We at the 763rd believe he deserves to be honored,” Peterson said. “This will be the first one we have done.”
He said the 6.3-mile ruck across post represents the 63rd Ordnance Detachment, “what our unit used to be.”
“The ruck is during unit physical training hours. It is open to all service members across Fort Leonard Wood,” Peterson said. “Our goal is to contribute to the culture of respect for the fallen and dedication to duty. Our profession is built upon those that have gone before us.”
The event is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. Sept. 28 at the 763rd EOD company area with awards for top finishers at 8 a.m.
For more information or to sign-up email parker.s.peterson.mil@army.mil.
Operation Deploy Your Dress
Operation Deploy Your Dress provides free formal dresses to military ID cardholders. Appointments are mandatory to shop. For more information email odydflw@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.
Armed Services YMCA
The Armed Services YMCA of Missouri is hosting a Patriot Day festival from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Waynesville City Park.
The opening ceremony is set for 10 a.m., guest speakers are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.
For more ASYMCA information, call 573.329.4513.
The Community Information Forum is held the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. To check the location for each month, visit their website.
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