Teamapg THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 Vol. 58,

2APG News January 30, 2014OPINIONDo you want moresnow this winter?Or are you sickof it already?I do notwant moresnow. I amfrom Texas andI am not usedto this coldweather. Mypipes froze thiswinter.Capt. TraceyHoKUSAHCI want moresnow. I amoriginally fromMinnesota, sothis isn’t a lotof snow forme. I think itis quiet andpeaceful whenit is snowing.By PAT BEAUCHAMPEditor, APG NewsGreetings. Well, two weeksago I told you that I was joining the Garrison Slim Down Challenge. Although the weigh-inlast week was cancelled becauseof snow, I braved the elementsand went to the Headquartersand Headquarters Company scale(just kidding – I work in the samebuilding so I didn’t have far to go)and weighed in.I met my goal of 2 pounds per week and had lost fourpounds.That doesn’t sound like much for the beginning of a dietsince most people tend to lose a lot of weight their first weekor two of dieting. But – let me explain a bit.I am never NOT on a diet of some sort; normally it’seither a low calorie or Weight Watchers diet so this reallywasn’t the start of a new diet for me.I had several life events pop up that hindered my progressa bit, including a baby shower and a bus trip to Atlantic City.I did learn one thing about myself, though, and that is Iam a very poor judge of calories. I stopped at a conveniencestore before the bus trip and bought a double soft pretzel toeat as breakfast and part of it was to be a snack later in theday. I was astounded to discover that each serving was awhopping 375 calories. That means that I ingested 750 calories just by eating both halves of that pretzel. (That’s nearly half of my daily calorie allowance!) It didn’t hurt me toobadly, however, because I ate a very light dinner and hadplanned ahead a bit and brought fruit to snack on instead ofother high calorie and high sugar content items, as I wouldhave in the past. I just need to read packages BEFORE Ibuy them instead of afterward.I’m going to continue this journey. I’ve heard from several people that they’ve been inspired by my commentary oftwo weeks ago and will join the Slim Down Challenge withme. First, thank you to those folks for the very kind words.Second, I hope a lot of people join. Everyone who does joinwill serve as inspiration for me as well.But, because the last weigh-in was technically cancelled,I weighed in yesterday as well along with many other participants. I’ll write of that NEXT week, and every two weeksuntil the end of the challenge. Good luck, everyone!Tips for avoiding identity compromiseReprinted from Fort KnoxGold StandardCapt. BrianKnutsonATECI am donewith the snow.After the firstsnowfall, I seesnow as aninconvenience.Maj. KeithJohnsonAECI do notwant moresnow. I amfrom Texas,where we get aminimal amountof snow. This isa culture shock.Tony RoseCECOMI want moresnow. We livein a climatewhere we havesnow in thewinter. There isbeauty in everyseason. I thinkhaving a snowywinter makesthe coming ofspring evenmore special.Editor reports Slim Down progress000101001010101 1010 1010111 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 000 11 0 111 0 11 0 110 11 11 0 11 0 11 0 11 00IDENTITY000 11000 11 000 11 00 111 00000 111 000 1 00 100 000000 11 0 1 0 1 00 11 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1000101001010101 1010 1010111 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 000 11 0 111 0 11 0 110 11 0 11 0 11 0 11 0 11 0 11 0 11 00000 10 0000 11 000 11 00 111 00000 111 000 1 00 100 000000 11 0 1 0 1 00 11 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 11010100000100000000000001At least 110 million consumers wereaffected by the hackinvolving Target andNeiman Marcus retailers. Whether or not millions more will havetheir identities manipulated and financesruined within the coming months due to morebreaches of securityat other stores is anyone’s guess, said identity theft recovery expertScott Merritt.“By necessity, Ibecame an expert onidentity theft. My information was stolen in 2006, and inrepairing the damage, I learned some not-so-obvious ways wecan all protect against identity theft in the first place,” saidMerritt, CEO of Merritt & Associates (scottamerritt.com)and author of “Identity Theft Do’s and Don’ts.”Merritt’s problems began quickly. While disputing financial charges and dealing with resulting business problems, in2007 he was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested on afalse outstanding felony warrant. He immediately knew why.“I had to enlist my U.S. congressman and convince thestate police, NCIC (National Crime Information Center), FBIand Secret Service that I didn’t commit the felonies,” saidMerriott. “After legal action, however, I was able to have thiscorrected.”Unfortunately, the millions affected by the recent hacksmay be dealing with similar repercussions in the years ahead,he said. Before you become a victim of identity theft, Merrittoffers seven ways to guard against it. Understand how and where it happens. Identity theft islike being robbed when you are away from home; most theftsoccur in places where you do business every day. Either aplace of business is robbed, a bad employee acts improperlyor a hacker breaches the office through the computer. Secure your wallet’s information. Photocopy everything in your wallet: photos, credit cards (front and back),membership cards—everything. Put the copies in the orderthe cards are arranged in your wallet, staple the pictures andplace them in a strong boxor safe. Make sure yourinformation is consistent.For all of your identityand financial documents,make absolutely sure, tothe smallest detail, that allof your personal information is accurate and consistent. Discrepancies suchas using your middle initial on some documents,and not others, or having different addresses,can wreak havoc in proving your identity, and cancompromise your credit score. Secure your digital habits and data. Change your passwords at least twice ayear on a non-scheduled basis—don’t be predictable. Have astrong firewall if you shop online and only access sites thatare protected by a strong firewall and high industry standards.Access accounts of a financial nature only from your personal computer. Protect your banking information. While in the bank,keep account numbers and other data out of sight, and avoidstating account numbers, Social Security numbers and similarinformation out loud. Account for your interactions with vendors. Every timeyou speak to someone with whom you do business, writedown the time, date, name and the purpose or outcome of thecall. If an identity theft occurs on the vendor’s end, you willbe able to reference these prior conversations effectively. Besure to note any animosity or reluctance from the vendor. Don’t carry around your birth certificate or Social Security card. Unless it’s necessary, keep those vital items in asafe, or at least a firebox. If you know someone is goingto need a copy of your tax returns or your driver’s license,for example, make the copies ahead of time. This avoidsthe need for a firm’s employee to leave the room with suchinformation.“Of course, you can greatly reduce being a victim by usingcash more often,” he said. “But if you’re going to use credit,use a card from a national bank or a national credit union andnever a debit card, no exceptions.”Like us on ThursFri25 22 41 31 APG SEVEN DAY FORECASTSatSunMon45 37 The APG News, a civilian enterprise newspaper, is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contentsof the APG News are not necessarily official views of, orendorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense,Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Garrison, AberdeenProving Ground. The newspaper is published weekly by theAPG Public Affairs Office, ATTN: IMAP-PA, Building 305,APG, MD 21005-5001, 410-278-1153. Printed circulation is5,200.Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physicalhandicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor ofthe purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of thisequal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the46 30 36 28 printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source.Editorial content is prepared, edited and approved by theAPG Public Affairs Office. The APG News is printed by TheBaltimore Sun Media Group, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusivewritten contract with APG. The civilian printer is responsible forcommercial advertising and mailing. To obtain a yearly subscription, which costs 16, the price for weekly mailing, or forproblems with incorrect mailing addresses, contact CustomerService at 139 N. Main Street, Suite 203, Bel Air, MD 21014,or call 410-838-0611.The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDepartment of the Army or The Baltimore Sun Media Groupof the products or services advertised.For advertising matters, call The Baltimore Sun Media Group,410-332-6300. Send articles or information for publicationto the APG Public Affairs Office, Building 305, IMAP-PA,APG, MD 21005-5001; call the editor at 410-278-7274, DSNTueWed39 32 40 22 298-7274; send a fax to 410-278-2570; send e-mail to Editorpatricia.g.beauchamp.civ@mail.mil or contact Acting Assistanteditor Alan Feiler, afeilerapg@gmail.com or 410-278-1148,or Reporter Rachel Ponder, rachel.e.ponder2.ctr@mail.mil or410-278-1149.Deadline for copy is Thursday at noon for the followingThursday’s paper.StaffActing APG Senior Commander .Col. Charles GibsonAPG Garrison Commander . Col. Gregory R. McClintonPublic Affairs Officer . Kelly LusterEditor . Pat BeauchampActing Assistant Editor. Alan FeilerContract Photojournalists. Rachel Ponder.Deborah InceGraphic designer/Photographer . Molly BlosseWebsite . www.apgnews.apg.army.mil

January 30, 2014 APG News 3AFAP tackles community concernsPhoto and story by RACHEL PONDERAPG NewsThe 2013 Army Family Action Plan(AFAP) symposium brought out a variety of military and civilian members ofTeam APG who were ready to tackle newand old issues affecting the installation.Participants included group facilitators, work group volunteers and subjectmatter experts, as well as Garrison directors and designated points of contact onhand to answer inquiries.The Directorate of Family and Morale,Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) andArmy Community Service (ACS) hostedthe event Dec. 4-5, 2013.The AFAP is one of the Army’s principal programs to ensure that standardsof living in the Army keep pace withchanging times. It gives Soldiers, Families, retirees and civilian employees theopportunity to influence their own standards of living at the local as well as atthe Department of the Army level.The AFAP is a year-round process.Issues can be submitted online at www.myarmyonesource.com in the “Family Programs and Services” drop-downmenu section under “Army FamilyAction Plan Issue Management System;”on the ACS website at www.apgmwr/community/acs.html.During the opening program, APGGarrison Commander Col. Gregory R.McClinton welcomed attendees andthanked them for their time. “AFAPplays a critical role in the servicesdelivered to Soldiers, Family members, civilians and retirees across theArmy,” he said.McClinton said issues raised at AFAPconferences across the Army are consolidated and presented to Army leadership,which uses this information to requestfunding from Congress.“Things that you will talk about todaywill make a difference,” McClinton said“Specific issues that you come up withtoday may be briefed to your congressman later this year.”During the Dec. 5 closeout led byACS Director Janice Downey, McClinton and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj.James Ervin were briefed by group leaders. McClinton and Ervin listen carefully, offered clarifying information whenneeded and occasionally interjected theirown recommendations.McClinton cautioned that many perceived shortfalls were due to lack offunding, and that “no one knows what2014 will bring.” He encouraged thosenew to the process to continue to worktogether, regardless of budget constraints, to help keep APG an exemplary place to work and live.“This is a great opportunity for you tobe heard by the Garrison staff, and we’dlike for you to continue to let your voicesbe heard through the Community VoiceCommittee (CVC), which meets on arecurring basis,” he said. “Find out whoyour representatives are because theybring a lot to the table.”Ervin thanked the participants andpraised them for their efforts.“You answered an open invitation toattend and help us tackle tough issueswe’re facing in a constrained environment,” he said. Adding that APG’sunique dynamics make it “an installation with two locations,” he said TeamAPG members should remember that“we all are one.”“Let’s continue to get together and seehow we can make things better,” he said.“As long as we keep that perspective,we’ll remain one Family.”Stimulating IdeasThe following are the 2013 AFAPwork group topics and recommendations:Work Group: Community ServicesTopic 1: KUSAHC sick call servicesTopic 2: Installation accessTopic 3: Traffic signalsAPG North Sick Call ServicesScope: Currently, there are no APGNorth sick call services available. APGSouth has sick call services from 6:30 to7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Fornon-emergent medical services, the APGNorth Soldier is advised to make a scheduled appointment. Mission and Soldierreadiness is impacted because Soldiersare receiving delayed medical care andreporting to work sick or injured.ACRONYMRecommendations:Provide sick call services at APGNorth to Soldiers equally – 6:30 to 7:30a.m., Monday through Friday – regardless of their living or working at APGNorth and SouthAuthorize APG North Soldiers accessto APG South sick callWork Group Recommendation:Resolve at APGAPG Installation AccessScope: There is a perception of inconsistency of proper identification checksat installation access points. It is perceived the volume of traffic and task repetition contributes to inconsistency andcomplacency, resulting in force protection concerns for the APG community.Recommendations:Educate APG community memberson physical security processes and procedures at installation access points.Implement the Automated InstallationEntry (AIE) system to assist officers indecreasing manual ID checks.Increase manned installation accesspoints to decrease concentrated trafficvolume.Work Group Recommendation:Resolve at APG.Traffic SignalsScope: There is an imbalance of traffic signal timing at the following intersections: (1) Maryland and Harfordboulevards and (2) Deer Creek Loopand Maryland Boulevard. Going southon Maryland Boulevard from KUSAHC,the traffic signal is significantly shorter.Traveling inbound on Harford Boulevardturning left onto Maryland Boulevarddoes not authorize lanes to turn. Traveling inbound on MD 715 at Maryland Boulevard and Deer Creek Loop isextremely difficult turning left at peaktravel hours. It causes back up in trafficand safety concerns.Recommendation:Install left turn signal inbound MD715 and Deer Creek Loop intersectionInstall left turn signal inbound Maryland and Harford Boulevard intersectionInstall traffic light sensors at Maryland and Harford Boulevard intersectionConduct a traffic survey and adjusttraffic signals accordinglyWork Group Recommendation:Resolve at APGWork Group: Force Support/Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers(BOSS)Topic 1: CONUS commissariesTopic 2: MWR activitiesTopic 3: Installation securityCONUS CommissariesScope: Possible closure of commissaries within the Continental UnitedStates (CONUS) will impact Soldiers’Families’ and retirees’ finances. Costincreases of up to 30 percent, not including travel, place financial burdens onfamilies. Another result would be theloss of job opportunities for food inspectors, Family members and retirees. Therewould also be loss of revenue to otherpost activities due to decreased traffic.Closure of commissaries would impacton morale and welfare programs suchas Holiday Gift cards for junior enlisted Soldiers.Recommendations:Survey patron traffic point of sales toaccumulate data on high usage periodsto maximize profit during peak hours ofoperationIncrease surcharge in order to compensate for operation costsWork Group Recommendation:ForwardMWR activitiesScope: There is a lack of MWRactivities and services on APG South.The MWR resources on APG Southare not utilized to their full potentialby the MWR management. This issueaffects Soldiers and their families located at APG South by lowering morale andincreasing their feeling of separation.Recommendations:1. Add a Leisure Travel Servicesoffice/representative with sales capabilities toAPG South branch of MWR2. Improve advertisement of MWRactivities to APG military and civiliansat APG North and South [using banners,OF THE WEEKUSAGAPGU.S. Army Garrison Aberdeen Proving GroundThe Garrison manages and operates APG, home to more than 90 Garrison-supported activities, 15 satellite activities and eight private organizations.The USAGAPG also provides readiness and mobilization preparedness support to Reserve and National Guard units and other personnel. For information, call 410-278-1147 or visit www.TEAMAPG.com(From left) Youth Work Group members Anthony Chase and Jessica Boyingtonshare their ideas on how to improve APG during the Army Family Action Plan symposium at the Mallette Hall Auditorium Dec. 4.flyers, email, smart phone app, etc.]3. Alternate events between APGNorth and South to increase participationand camaraderie.Resolve at APGInstallation securityScope: The current Standard Operation Procedure for gate access doesnot properly secure the installation. Thecurrent perception is that there is anincreased potential for unauthorizedaccess to the installation, which leads toa sense of vulnerability and insecurity.Recommendations:1. Implement Defense Biometric Identification Data System (DBIDS) and scanall IDs2. Recommend that 20 percent physical identification check be increased3. Increase random vehicle inspections and utilize a cordoned-off areaResolve at APGWork Group: YouthTopic 1: Middle School/Teen buildingTopic 2: APG maintenanceMiddle School/teen buildingScope: Middle school/teens do nothave a designated building with adequate space for age-appropriate activitiesto occur. There are only two rooms withlimited spacing and capacity at the Bldg.2522 Youth Center available for the middle school/teens. They lack the space tobe productive and social with their peers,under qualified adult supervision, in orderto help promote positive behaviors.Recommendations:Refurbish an existing building onAPG dedicated exclusively to middleschool/teen usage with qualified adultsupervision.Resolve at APGAPG MaintenanceScope: There is a lack of maintenanceon APG that directly affects the safety in the housing areas. Dogs are notbeing contained by the fencing currently in place. There are many areas without streetlights or with non-functioningstreetlights. This lack of maintenanceposes both personal safety and auto accident hazards.Recommendations:1. Execute stricter pet control policies and install higher fences to keep petsfrom getting loose2. Repair existing streetlights andinstall lighting between the housing areaand the youth center as well as leading upto both gates.Resolve at APG.

4APG News January 30, 2014Military OneSource offers free tax servicesBy NICK SIMEONEAmerican Forces Press ServiceIf it hasn’t arrived yet, your 2013 W-2wage and tax statement likely is on itsway, and with it the countdown towardthe April 15 tax filing deadline.As preparations begin for the upcoming tax season, military families are beingoffered a no-cost to the customer service to ensure they can meet that deadline from anywhere they may be stationedaround the world.Military OneSource, partnering withH&R Block, is offering all active duty,Guard and reserve forces help in preparing their taxes and in filing their federaland state returns, in addition to the variety of other financial planning services italready provides free of charge.“No matter where you are, when youcall 800-342-9647 or go to [the MilitaryOneSource website], you can access theprograms and services,” Tony Jackson,a military community and family policy analyst for the service told AmericanForces Press Service.The program is designed to address theunique tax requirements and issues affecting military personnel and their families,Jackson said.With many still likely dealing withholiday credit card bills, the April taxdeadline may seem far off. But withmany military families having to filemultiple state tax returns in addition tofederal taxes, beginning the work nowon gathering tax-related documents canprevent headaches later.“Now is the time to prepare, to gather your documents and your questions,”Jackson said, “and [you can] speak toa tax consultant at no cost at MilitaryOneSource.”Additional paperwork at tax time forthose living outside their home statewho may have rental property or maybe subject to taxes where they are currently deployed is a common additionalburden, he noted. Military OneSourcewill provide help filing a federal taxreturn, as well as up to three statereturns, at no charge.Jackson said some 224,000 federal andstate tax returns were prepared for military families last year.The program’s tax experts are able tohelp military families navigate changes intax laws that may have a particular impacton or benefit for members of the military-- as well as any tax implications relatedto military benefits, he added.“They are nationally certified financialplanners, so they are definitely qualifiedto assist families and service members,”regardless of the topic, Jackson said.Reserve component members are eligible for the free service regardless oftheir activation status, as are veteranswithin 180 days of being discharged,retired or separated.The Defense Department establishedMilitary OneSource in 2002 to providecomprehensive information on militarylife at no cost to military families.(Follow Nick Simeone on Twitter:@SimeoneAFPS)MRICD hosts acting deputy assistant secretaryof defense for chemical and biological defenseBy CINDY KRONMANMRICDThe U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (MRICD) started the new year hosting a visit on Jan. 10from Dr. James “Ben” Petro, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for chemical and biological defense. Petro metwith MRICD’s commander, Col. BruceSchoneboom, the deputy commander, Lt.Col. Kevin Pitzer, the executive officer,Maj. Michael Hartenstine, and the director of the Science Program Analysis andIntegration Office, Dr. James Dillman.He toured the chemical surety area andreceived a briefing on the MRICD’s program for handling such materials.Petro was impressed not only withthe existing facility, but also with theimproved capabilities of the new facilitiesin the MRICD’s replacement building.“The demonstration of the [storagefacilities] gives me high confidence thatMRICD is at the pinnacle of safety andsecurity of chemical materials,” said Petro.Petro’s tour of the replacement facility also highlighted many of the unique,state-of-the-art research features incorporated into the 526,000-square-foot build-ing. According to Petro, the “impressivescope of capabilities that will be availableto support the unique competencies of theMRICD staff” as well as their “commitment to the mission” augurs well for thecontinuing ability of the chemical biological defense program team “to address themost difficult strategic challenges facingour Nation’s security.” The replacementfacility is nearing completion with its official ribbon cutting currently scheduled forMay 1.In addition to the tours, Petro andMRICD’s command group discussedthe institute’s research on new chemicalthreats, its participation in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 4th Confidence Building Exercise, andissues related to the recruitment of talented young scientists to maintain the level ofscientific expertise within the organization.Col. Bruce Schoneboom (foreground)discusses with Dr. Ben Petro some ofthe safety and research-capability features of the new labs in the Institute’ssoon-to-be-completed replacementfacilityU.S. Army Photo by Darrell Jesonis

5APG News January 30, 2014PEO C3T fields new System training conceptBy NANCY JONES-BONBRESTPEO C3TWith the Army’s newest set of tactical network systems now in the handsof Soldiers who could be among the lastto deploy to Afghanistan, the service isens

A mobile training team from the U.S. Army Human Resources Com-mand (HRC) briefed more than 200 APG Soldiers and civilians Jan. 22 and 23 on the Officer Evaluation Report (OER), in the Mallette Hall Auditorium. OER mobile training teams are currently visiting major Army instal-lations througho