WIESBADEN, Germany - Boxing, parking on Clay Kaserne and a host of other topics were on the agenda at a gathering of senior noncommissioned officers at the Strong Teams Cafe March 7.
The monthly get-togethers, hosted by U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Command Sgt. Maj. Sa'eed Mustafa, bring Wiesbaden Army and Air Force NCO leaders together to share information and discuss issues of concern.
Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Tyce, 5th Signal Command, stressing the importance of sports and fitness, asked his fellow senior NCOs to support Soldier athletes by not unduly tasking them with additional duties that would interfere with their involvement with team sports such as basketball and boxing.
Staff Sgt. John Lacroix of the Wiesbaden Health Clinic put in a plea for leaders to help spread the word that with limited parking available in front of the clinic due to ongoing construction, it's important that drivers only use those spaces if really needed for medical care. He explained that a two-hour parking limit for appointments and patients would go into effect this month. He also asked people with appointments to arrive at 15 minutes early to be screened and checked in before an appointment.
Lacroix, who also manages the Viper Pit on Clay Kaserne, promoted the Consolidated Combat Lifesaver training that is available on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Unit training representatives can call mil 337-6637 or email douglas.snow@amedd.com for more information.
The Wiesbaden Red Cross' Jana Fullmer described how after-hours emergency notification services are now managed through stateside call centers. Community members can continue to call the Wiesbaden office at civ (0611) 705-1760 during duty hours or after hours for service.
The garrison's senior NCO and Col. David Carstens, USAG Wiesbaden commander, recognized several individuals during the lunch for commendable service and community contributions. Among those was Spc. Jayse Knapp for his leadership of Wiesbaden's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers.
"They (BOSS members) make a difference in this community, and we couldn't do a lot of events without them," said Mustafa.
The Wiesbaden Boxing Team, led by Coach Sgt. 1st Class Adam Martinez, was honored by the NCO leaders for their dedication to the sport and successes at recent boxing tournaments.
Master Sgt. Richard Jones shared details about the garrison's efforts to enhance the Army's sponsorship program. Saying that the program had improved greatly, leaders could help make it even better by ensuring that those selected to serve as sponsors are the right fit for those they are sponsoring -- males with males, females with females, married Soldiers with those with families and so on. He added that it's crucial that sponsors show up on time to receive newcomers -- not hours later as is still occurring occasionally.
Jones said the next step in promoting sponsorship will be recognizing individuals and units for outstanding sponsorship efforts.
Command Sgt. Maj. Mustafa announced that a chapter of the Sergeant Major Association will soon be launched in Wiesbaden.
The next CSM Luncheon is slated to be held April 4.
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