I have three short quotes for this weeks update, they all say the same thing to me.

just in different ways. My personal favorite is the Churchill quote. Enjoy. ~ Edwin Louis Cole: "You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there." ~ Winston Churchill : "If you're going through hell, keep going." ~ Vince Lombardi : "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up." COMMANDANT/Of course there is always a story: Many moons ago when I went through the MS Highway Patrol Academy, the female trainees had to put on boxing gloves and go heads-up with the male trainees. Long story short, I got the crap beat out of me and was knocked down repeatedly. However, I realized our trainers wanted to assess our innate survival skills, it wasnt about whether we won or lost (i.e. What will this trainee do when the odds are in favor of the bad guy?). Well, I kept getting back up and charging into the fight because I believed I would eventually get in and totally destroy my opponent never happened, but I believed it could. Bottom line, their intent was to instill the following: Dont accept defeat--even when it is staring you in the face. As a law enforcement officer, you fight back with everything you have fight until you have expelled your last breath. Take away: Regardless of profession or personal circumstances keep pushing through.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ The Commandants office sends a weekly email which highlights upcoming events and general news. If you require All AFRICOM e-mail distro list dissemination of general information, submit your input to Commandants Office e-mail at commandant@africom.mil no later than COB each Tuesday. Attachments are prohibited as are lengthy emails. Please summarize the message into one paragraph and provide a POC and/or a link to additional information. Go to this link for the current briefing slides of the most recent USAG-S tenant meeting to get more community announcements and mission related news. http://www.stuttgart.army.mil/DPTMS/Community%20briefings.html.

_________________________AFRICOM NEWS_____________________________
1. INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN SECURITY ISSUES SEMINAR: Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) is offering the Introduction to African Security Issues Seminar, at Ft. McNair, VA (was at Andrews AFB, VA), 1 - 4 May 2012. This is an introductory-level seminar designed to provide a basic understanding of the history, politics, and economics of Africa and key threats and challenges that dominate the African security landscape. This seminar is intended for personnel who have responsibilities related to U.S. Africa policy, programs, or relationships, but possess limited experience or training in African issues. Not intended for personnel who have significant Africa-related experience. ACSS has initially allocated USAFRICOM ten (10) places for the seminar, there are still a few remaining. This is a Directorate funded TDY/TAD. USAFRICOM personnel interested in attending, with supervisor approval, please contact Mr. Michael Esters, 421-4183, Michael.esters@usafricom.mil for more information. Deadline for registration is 6 April 2012. 2. HUNGRY! Dont forget the AFRICOM OPEN MESS for breakfast and lunch. Contact SFC Amy Bauer at 421-4990.

3. As you know, last year, a certain dollar amount earned you a CFC coin. This year CFC-Overseas is kicking-off a 2012 CFC COIN DESIGN COMPETITION. If you would like to create a design, go to <http://www.cfcoverseas.org/announcement/inaugural_cfc_o_coin_design_contest> and <http://www.cfcoverseas.org/files/cfco/docs/2011/2012%20Coin%20Design%20Contest%20Flyer_FINAL .pdf for more information. If you have further questions, please contact the POC, MAJ Rick Banks, USAFRICOM CFC representative at 421-3184 or richard.banks@usafricom.mil. 4. ELECTION YEAR 2012. Individuals can go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website to register, request an absentee ballot, and find other election and voting information. REGISTER AND REQUEST YOUR BALLOT at: http://www.fvap.gov/index.html <http://www.fvap.gov/index.html. For additional assistance, the AFRICOM Voting Officer is Mr. Phillip Whigham, phillip.whigham@usafricom.mil, DSN: 421-3384. 5. RESERVE AFFAIRS OFFICE is the central point for all Reserve/Guard personnel and administrative actions at USAFRICOM (located in Bldg 3313, Room 018/ with a Program Manager for each branch of Service): Air Force 421-3487; Army/NG 421-4398; Marine 421-4543; Navy 421-4484). 6. PCS/PRE- SEPARATION BRIEFINGS Two classes will be presented this month in anticipation of larger attendance with the summer PCS season approaching. You must call the CPF at DSN 431-2599 or commercial 07031-152599 to sign-up for one of the classes. *Information provided during the first 1 3/4 hours is applicable to all services and includes those who are separating from service. *It is mandatory that separating/retiring Soldiers remain for the transition portion of the briefing which is given during the last 45 minutes. 7. "TRAVEL CLINIC" WHAT: Travel Soldier Readiness Process ("Travel Clinic") for all HQ USAFRICOM Personnel (AD, Civilian, Contractor) WHERE: Kelley Annex, Building #3312 (next to Community Mail Room) WHEN: 30 Mar 2012 from 1300 to 1500 WHY: Support official travelers to Africa by setting up a one-stop shop on Kelley for all pre-travel Force Health Protection requirements per ACM 4200.03 (including Yellow Fever certificates/shot records) HOW: Call Heidelberg Central Appointments at DSN 371-2622 (comm. 06221 172 622), and ask for a Travel Medicine appointment on Friday, 23 Mar at the Kelley Clinic Annex. Future dates (tentative): Apr20, May 4 & 18. POC: SGT Christine Harrison, Kelley Clinic Annex NCOIC (421-5605) 8. The USAFRICOM OFFICE OF SECURITY MANAGEMENT is pleased to advertise DSS courses being offered this year at Aviano Air Base, Italy. *DoD Personnel Security Management for Security Professionals, PS212.01, 09 - 13 Apr 2012. If interested, please complete the course prerequisites and enroll through http://www.dss.mil/seta/enrol/stepp.html. The course does not cost anything; however, all costs (i.e.; travel, per diem, etc) associated with attendance is unit responsibility. Billeting reservations can be made by calling DSN 632-4040 or commercial in Europe 0039-0434-30-4040. Please see the DSS catalog for further details. 9. EUROPEAN MOTORCYLE SEASON is fast approaching; with that comes the need for refresher safety training. http://www.imcom-europe.army.mil/webs/sites/staff_org/safety/atstp/index.html will help you learn exactly what training is required to operate a motorcycle in Europe. You will also find course schedules, for all of Germany. If you would like to join the AFRICOM Motorcycle e-mail group please send an email to Matthew.Arant@USAFRICOM.MIL.

10. BIKE TO WORK WEEK: If you would like to join a group of like-minded AFRICOM personnel contact the POC Hap Harlow at mark.harlow@africom.mil. Also, 21-25 May is Kelley Barracks Bike to Work week. There will be a daily rally tent 0730-0830 and 1100-1300 in front of the Kelley Theater Coffee Shop. Daily seminars will be available as well as contests activities and prizes. Finally, there will be a group ride that Friday, departing at 1500hrs from the Rally Tent. Sounds like fun! 11. US MEMBERS WITH GERMAN SPOUSES! Effective 26 June 12, entry for children on the parent's German "Reisepass" (passport) will no longer be authorized. Each individual travelling will be required to have their own passport. Reasoning?...Security--"one person-one pass". This rule will be in effect at all EU borders. 12. ARMY CAREER TRACKER (ACT) FOR DA CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND SUPERVISORS OF DA CIVILIAN PERSONNEL: This is a reminder the ACT has now been deployed for Civilian Employees in Career Programs (CP) 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 24, 27, 31, 32 and 34. Civilian employees should have received an email directly from ACT with instructions on how to access this valuable online leader development tool. Every Army civilian employee and supervisors of DA civilians are encouraged to take advantage of this useful tool to help employees achieve career development goals. The link to ACT is: https://actnow.army.mil. ACT user and supervisor training, simulations, FAQs, and a functionality tutorial are available on the ACT Training Page on AKO at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/601000. Questions regarding Civilian Training should be referred to Mr. Oscar Bocanegra at DSN 421-4463. 13. STUTTGART CIVILIAN PERSONNEL ADVISORY CENTER (CPAC) IS REQUESTING FEEDBACK FROM SUPERVISORS: As part of their 2012 Customer Feedback Initiative (CFI), the Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA) is requesting feedback from supervisors of DA civil service personnel regarding the quality of CPAC services. All supervisors are highly encouraged to provide feedback to the CHRA Director, Ms. Barbara Panther, SES, on the customer service being provided by the Stuttgart CPAC. The feedback provided by supervisors will be considered directly by CHRA leadership to make process improvements. The feedback results and any planned process improvements will be shared with everyone within four weeks of the end of the survey period. Completing the 11 question survey is easy and takes approximately 5 minutes. A one minute video of Ms. Panther explaining the feedback initiative is found at: http://www.chra.army.mil/video/CFI_Survey_Video.wmv. Survey Link is found at: https://www.atrrs.army.mil/ATRRSSurvey/Survey.aspx?s=efdbcd68c9c6409589c3413dfaf54b0a 14. BRIEFING FOR FAMILY MEMBERS EMPLOYED AS DA CIVILIANS (18 APR 12):

The Stuttgart CPAC will conduct a briefing for family members currently employed as Department of Army civilians who are planning to return to CONUS with their sponsor this summer season. The briefing will provide valuable information on topics such as Terminal Leave Without Pay, Priority Placement Program Registration, Executive Order 12721, etc. Employees interested in attending must register for the briefing by contacting Ms. Marion Laragy at DSN 431-3127 or marion.e.laragy.ln@mail.mil. This briefing will be held on 18 Apr 12 at the Stuttgart CPAC Basement Conference Room, Bldg 2948, Panzer Kaserne, 0900-1100hrs. 15. You are cordially invited to a RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR LT COL JOE STANKO, 27 Apr 12, 1500hrs at the Kelley Club (Reception to Follow). Please view the invitation and RSVP using the following link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=100837&k=036142017850. If you are unable to click on the link please copy and paste the address into your web browser.

_________________GARRISON/COMMUNITY NEWS________________________

1. Every year, students who are currently enrolled in STUTTGART COMMUNITY SCHOOLS and plan to return the next year, are required to RE-REGISTER. This years event will take place at the Panzer Main Exchange April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and April 25 and 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additional details will be published in school newsletters or school web sites. If you plan to move before the beginning of the next school year, please notify the PES school Registrar, Jennifer McHale, as soon as possible. *LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS. (For All Schools). Volunteers are needed to assist in a variety of ways during re-registration. Please contact the Registrar, Jennifer McHale, at 0711-680-5200 or jennifer.mchale@eu.dodea.edu. 2. DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE victims of the HOLOCAUST. Every year during Days of Remembrance, ceremonies and activities are held throughout the United Statesin local communities; at state and local government offices; on military bases; and in workplaces, schools, churches, and synagogues. This years theme is Choosing to Act: Stories of Rescue. If you have ideas on how to observe this event and are interested in participating, please contact Yasmin A. Rosa, AFRICOM EEO Manager at yasmin.rosa@usafricom.mil or Jonathan Trussell, USAG Stuttgart Equal Opportunity Advisor at jonathan.r.trussell.mil@mail.mil 3. On 7 April 2012 the Patch Barracks, Panzer Kaserne and Kelley Barracks COMMUNITY BANKS will be open from 1100 - 1600 hrs. Also, all Community

Banks in Germany will be closed April 6 and 9, 2012 for the Easter Holiday. The Panzer Community Bank will be open regular hours.
*Wednesday 25 April 2012 the Patch, Panzer and Kelley Community Banks will be open from 1100 1600 hrs. 4. FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY (FPU) Where: Robinson Barracks Chapel Annex/Bldg. 116 When: Beginning on 18 Apr (12 weeks) every Wednesday from 1830-2030 Who: Contact FPUStuttgart@yahoo.com <mailto:FPUStuttgart@yahoo.com> to register Why: Obtain Financial Peace & It's FREE (sponsored by Stuttgart Chaplaincy)!!! 5. KELLEY CLUB offers: Mondays all you can eat - Pizza & Pasta & Burgers & Salad, Only 5 *Comedy Tour 2012: Thursday, 29th of March 2012 starting 1930 With: Bengt Washburn, Long Horn The Comedian and Kaye-Ree (Soul singer and Songwriter) Advance Tickets- $ 12.00 and at the Door $ 15.00 *April 8 - EASTER BRUNCH 1030 1400, All you can eat, including Coffee, hot Tea and Juices Adults: $ 20.00, Kids between 5 10: $ 7.80, Kids 4 and under: eat for free Reservation`s highly recommended 6. DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY & AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP, 4 April 2012. Speaker: Dr. Sigerseth, EdD, BCBA, Behavior Management Specialist Discussion on Aspergers Syndrome. The 1st Wed of Every Month, Army Community Service, Panzer Kaserne Bldg. 2915, 2nd Floor, 11:30am 12:30pm. Refreshments provided. POCs: Danielle Denis, Acting EFMP Manager, Danielle.denis.civ@mail.mil and Norma Nunez nuneznjj@yahoo.com. 7. HOUSING OFFICE CHANGES: Aspen Consulting, the off post housing referral contractor for the housing office, has drastically limited services due to budget cuts. Aspen no longer serves contractors and services for Department of Defense civilians has been drastically cut, and they no longer offer civilians check in/out appointments and escorted home viewings. Also, the housing office will be closed on April 6 for Good Friday and April 9 for Easter Monday. The new office hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call 431-2200 for more information.

8. Mar 30 TWELTH NIGHT performances open. Often considered Shakespeares most Romantic Comedy, Twelfth Night is a joyous romp with just a few darker moments. When a shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in a foreign land, each thinks the other is dead, and both embark on a series of romantic misadventures involving deception, disguise, a dashing count, a dark lady, dandies, dalliances and fools. 30 & 31 March and 6, 7, 13 & 14 April at 7:30 p.m. 1 & 15 April at 3 p.m. Reserve tickets online www.stuttgartmwr.com 9. Mar 31 SPRING FLING 5K. First 300 registrants get a t-shirt. Register by Mar 28 at Patch Fitness Center. Registration form can be downloaded and brought to fitness center. DSN 430-7136/civ. 0711 680 7136 10. April is MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD, look for exciting events all month. 11. Apr 2-4 XANUDU AUDITIONS. 7 p.m. at Stuttgart Theatre Center on Kelley

Barracks come ready to sing! CAST: 2-5 Men (15 and up), 2-5 women (15 and up). Pre-Audition Workshop: 1 APR at 3 p.m. DSN 421-3258/civ. 0711 729 3258
12. Apr 5 LEARN TO SCUBA. Outdoor Rec. Scuba courses available again. Fee includes transportation, classroom instruction, dive fees, diving equipment, and guide. Participants should bring a swimsuit, towel, and Euros for lunch. DSN 431-2774/civ. 07031 15 2774. 13. Courtesy of the Stuttgart Civilian Personnel Action Center the SUMMER HIRE PROGRAM FOR 2012 is here! The announcement period is March 26 through May 20. Applicants are required to submit their online applications during this period and submit their in-processing packages to the CPAC office within 5 days after the submittal of their online application. Eligible candidates must be family members between the ages of 14 to 22 years old with a valid Family Member ID card. This includes spouses under 18 years of age who are still in high school. The employment period will be June 18 to July 27. POC: Arlynda Y. Almond, Human Resources Specialist, arlynda.y.almond.civ@mail.mil/DSN: 314-4313124/COMM: (49+) 070-3115-3124

__________________________USO/Education NEWS_________________________
1. USO Weekly RB ZUMBA Dance Class has been POSTPONED until April. The instructor is currently out on maternity leave. 2. 21 Apr USO FUN RUN REGISTRATION POSTPONED until 8 Sept. The USO has a location, but needs a sponsoring unit! Keep checking the USO newsletter and website. <http://uso.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=47fa734b47a48bfe86ff2da87&id=7 3. For Admissions and Alumni Staff, COLLEGE FAIR Coordinators, Alumni Reps: The annual Kaiserslautern (Germany) College and University Information Night will be held this year on Thursday, October 4. More than 1500 high school students, plus parents and other community members attend the program each year, making this one of the largest such events in Europe. Annually, we typically have more than 100 colleges and universities plus scholarship programs and other similar representatives on-site to provide information and materials and answer pertinent questions about their schools and programs. We invite and encourage as many college admissions and/or alumni staff or alumni reps as possible to be with us. We plan our event date to coincide with ECIS and/or Fulbright tours in Europe. This year's event is the next evening following the planned college fair in Geneva, from where it would be quite convenient to travel to Kaiserslautern. POC: Larry_Zani@compuserve.com 4. 24/7 ONLINE TUTORING. www.tutor.com/military is a 24/7 one-to-one homework help and online tutoring site for K-12 students, as well as college students. This service is totally free for military

families, and also for DOD civilians living overseas. Get help from a professional tutor anytime you need it. FREE for Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve members in the Army, Marines, Navy or Air Force and their dependents. Tutors are online 24/7 and available to help in more than 16 subjects. Have a wonderful rest of the week; plan and play safe this upcoming weekend. Your Commandant