From: bergman@AFPAN.PA.AF.MIL (CMSgt Mike Bergman)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: Army News Svc 08/26/92
Date: 27 Aug 92 14:30:22 GMT
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC


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* Energy managers excel
* Update on program for exceptional family members
* Early-out picture improves for selected officers
* Absentee voting keeps military involved in democracy

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Energy managers excel

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Six energy-minded Army organizations have 
earned top honors for their achievements in managing energy during 
fiscal year 1991.
      At a recent Pentagon ceremony, the following organizations 
received recognition in the annual Army Energy Conservation Awards 
program:
     -- Active component:  Fort Gordon, Ga. (first place); Base 
Support Battalion, Heidelberg, Germany (second place); Iowa Army 
Ammunition Plant, Middletown, Iowa (third place).
     -- Reserve component:  Indiana Army National Guard (first place, 
ARNG); Tennessee Army National Guard (second place, ARNG); 121st Army 
Reserve Command, Birmingham, Ala. (first place, USAR).
      In presenting the awards, Under Secretary of the Army John W. 
Shannon noted that, in fiscal 1991, "the Army continued to capitalize 
on momentum gained during previous years, resulting in a 17.2-percent 
reduction in facility energy consumption and a 31.6-percent reduction 
in mobility energy consumption from FY 85 levels."
      Army-wide, the FY 91 energy-use dollar savings and cost 
avoidance amounted to more than $325 million, Shannon said. The 
program calls for the energy-saved dollars to be retained at 
installation level for reinvestment in installation projects.


Update on program for exceptional family members

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- If you have a family member with special 
needs, check with your local office of the Army Community Service, 
where you'll soon find a new videotape summarizing how those needs 
might be met, even when you're relocating.
      ACS officials confer with the Army Medical Department to help 
enroll soldiers' eligible family members under the Army's Exceptional 
Family Member Program.
      "Our office just finished coordinating a new videotape 
explaining the program and helping dispel any persistent myths," said 
Shirley Brown, EFMP manager at the Army's Community and Family Support 
Center in Alexandria, Va. She added, "Starting in September, copies of 
it will go to local visual information libraries and to the Army 
Community Service in the field."
      Titled "Facts about the Exceptional Family Member Program," the 
short film tells how to enroll in the program. It also highlights 
support groups and special recreation activities available to family 
members coping with exceptional circumstances. The new video can serve 
as a companion to a video produced by the Defense Department dealing 
with parents' rights and responsibilities in special education 
overseas.
      Brown said that besides the new video coverage, the program's 
literature is being updated over the next few months. Part of the 
update is expected to focus on how the program seeks to help soldiers 
who relocate.
      "When a soldier is nominated for assignment, officials at the 
Total Army Personnel Command here coordinate with the proposed gaining 
command to check into whether the needed services are available where 
a valid personnel requirement exists," she said. "When services are 
not available, PERSCOM may consider alternate assignments."
      Brown added that, while every effort is made to find assignments 
that meet family members' needs, "the needs of the Army come first."

      Of course, family concerns and sensitivities do carry a high 
priority, she stressed. For example, EFMP information never is seen by 
a promotion board or school-selection board. "Having family members in 
the program in no way affects a soldier's career progression."
      Indeed, she concluded, the program increases readiness, provides 
family members the treatment they need, and keeps soldiers free from 
worry about care for their families. "The program helps the 
exceptional person, the entire family and the Army."
                          


Early-out picture improves for selected officers

     WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Some officers seeking an early-out 
option but needing special consideration may look to the Voluntary 
Early Release and Retirement Program managed by the U.S. Total 
Army Personnel Command.
     A recent PERSCOM message announced the policy and procedures 
for fiscal year 1993.
     PERSCOM officials set Sept. 29, 1993, as the mandatory 
deadline for early separation from active duty and Aug 31, 1993, 
for retirement.  The period of opportunity applies to selected 
Army commissioned officers and warrant officers, including those 
serving with the Judge Advocate General's Corps, the Chaplain 
Corps and the Army Medical Department.
     "Requests for early separation or retirement will be submit-
ted in two programs, if required," officials say.  The first 
program (VERRP-1) begins immediately and closes Oct. 15, 1992 (for 
a Dec. 31, l992 -- Sept. 29, 1993, separation or an Aug. 31, 1993, 
retirement).  To be considered by the first program, applications 
must arrive at PERSCOM headquarters by Oct. 15.
     "The second program (VERRP-2), if required, will open Dec. 1 
and close Feb. 11, 1993," officials explain.  "The second board, 
if required, will convene on or about Feb. 23, 1993, with results 
expected on or about March 19.  Officers applying under the second 
program must request a separation or retirement date between March 
30, 1993, and Sept. 29, 1993, and Aug. 31, 1993, respectively."
     Citing the importance of VERRP coverage, officials say the 
affected officers "should coordinate with their military personnel 
division or personnel service company at the earliest date to 
begin processing applications."  Also specified as a "must":  "The 
chain of command will expedite the processing of all requests for 
separation and retirement."


Absentee voting keeps military involved in democracy
by Staff Sgt. Saralynne Standley

     WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Bush or Clinton? Pro-life or pro-
choice? Deficit, taxes, foreign aid, military power, the economy. 
Political issues abound, and they're hot subjects now, with the 
presidential race in the running.
     Make your choice, and make your vote -- the resolution of 
these issues could be up to you.
     It's not hard to vote, even for soldiers stationed in remote 
locations, thanks to the Army Voting Assistance Program.
     "Many people just don't know how to vote," said Tom Feazell, 
the program's coordinator. "It's not a difficult process, but you 
do need the 1992-1993 Voting Assistance Guide, to access informa-
tion to help you either register or request a ballot."
     Absentee voting began with the Uniformed and Overseas 
Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which "was established to ensure 
that all soldiers and their family members are able to vote, 
through the use of the Federal Post Card Application," Feazell 
said. 
     Feazell said soldiers and their families can vote while 
stationed overseas or in the United States, as long as they're 
away from the town in which they're registered. Department of the 
Army civilians can use absentee ballots only if they're stationed 
overseas. 
     In either case, elections can be local or national.
     "We want all soldiers to be given the opportunity by their 
commanders to participate in the election process," Feazell said. 
"So we've asked all commanders to establish unit voting assistance 
officers.
     "The rules vary greatly from state to state, so it's 
important that voting assistance officers ensure that the Army 
voter knows the rules for his particular state. That's why the 
Voting Assistance Guide is so important," he said. The Guide has 
all the information a voter needs to cast an absentee ballot.
     "Normally, most states require that you send in your request 
for registration 30 days before the election," he said.
     Where do you stand? Whatever your convictions, you have the 
chance to state them, on election day. Remember this year's voting 
slogan: "Democracy counts ... on your vote."

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