Spring 2012 • Vol. 5 No. 2 • www.arfp.org

The Month of the Military Child

Follow MYLEAD:

ARCYSS hosts youth summit 

in Puerto Rico

Reaching Out
IN THIS ISSUE

ARMY RESERVE COMMAND TEAM

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz

Chief, Army Reserve

Chief Warrant Officer 5 James E. Thompson

Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Schultz

Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve

FAMily strong STAFF

Sonia I. Wriglesworth

Director, Army Reserve Family Programs

COL Ernest T. Parker

Chief, Public Affairs 

Melissa Russell

Editor-in-Chief, Family Strong

Schatz Publishing

Design and Layout Services

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Spring 2012 • Vol. 5 No. 2

Contents

FEATURED

Month of the Military Child .........................................................................3

Message from the Top: Laura Stultz............................................................4

Perspectives: A Message from Command Sgt. Maj. (ret.) John Schroder ....5

IN THIS ISSUE

Reaching Out..............................................................................................6

Follow MYLEAD: ARCYSS Hosts Youth Summit in Puerto Rico ...................8

Chaplain’s Corner: Value Children .............................................................10

Fort Awesome ..........................................................................................11

Family Emergency Plan Comic Strip .........................................................12

Buzzworthy

Cute Kids and Proud Papas ......................................................................13

Spring Excitement is in the Air: 

Discounts for Eligible Military Family Members.........................................14

Enrichment Camps ...................................................................................14

ON THE COVER 

Nevina Beck, 5, hugs her dad, Sgt. Justin Beck, 

after a Welcome Home Warrior Ceremony. The 

415th Civil Affairs Battalion redeployed July 2011 

after a year deployment to Afghanistan. Photo by 

Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells/USACAPOC(A) PAO

A teen attracts a pigeon to perch on her hand 

Jan. 28 at La Parque Las Palomas in San Juan, 

Puerto Rico. Photo by Spc. John L. Carkeet IV, 

143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) 8

4 Family Strong

FEATURED

Message from the Top

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz and Laura Stultz

Photo by Eric Minton

Laura Stultz

For a small-town girl, the past six years have been the best of my life. What 

began years ago as a part time job for my husband — one weekend a 

month, two weeks a year — evolved into a full time occupation for us both.

Somewhere along the way, I was swept up in the pride and patriotism that is 

the hallmark of military Families across the country. It gave me the strength 

to overcome my shyness to speak up on behalf of Army Reserve Families.

When my husband first deployed in 1991, I struggled to stay connected. His 

unit was two hours away and we had four young children to care for. I was 

also having trouble dealing with the finances. After getting the runaround 

from the mortgage company on several occasions, I contacted the Family 

Readiness Group leader. The no-nonsense call she made to the bank on my 

behalf resulted in a lower mortgage rate under the Soldiers and Sailors Civil 

Relief Act.

So I know firsthand the value of a good FRG.

My husband’s position as chief of the Army Reserve gave me an incredible 

opportunity to give back to the Soldiers and Family members who sacrifice 

so much. Initially I was petrified to speak up, but I believed passionately that 

every Soldier and Family member, regardless of component, deserves ready 

access to assistance and support. And looking back, every opportunity I took to 

speak on behalf of Army Reserve Families has made my life more meaningful.

I’m proud of the work that has been accomplished through Army Strong 

Community Centers to help geographically dispersed Families and I’m hopeful 

that it continues. But I don’t think I can overstate how grateful I am for the 

leaders and members of Family Readiness Groups who make it all happen.

No homecoming, holiday or Yellow Ribbon event would be complete without 

the dedication of more than 1,000 Army Reserve FRGs. They are truly heroes 

of the home front. After months of singlehandedly managing households and 

children, they meet together with Family members to assemble care packages, 

hang banners, paint signs and place small flags into the tiny hands of children 

to welcome home their Soldiers.

I know that I leave you in good hands with Linda Talley. She has been an 

Army Reserve spouse for quite some time and I am certain she will do great 

things for the Army Reserve Family. She recently expressed how excited she 

is to get out and meet as many of you as she can, and I’m sure that you will 

give her the same kindness and support you have shared with me throughout 

the years.

Thank you for everything you do. It has been an honor to know you and 

consider myself among the community of military Families. I wish you all 

the best.
5

FEATURED

Message from: Command Sgt. Maj. (ret.) John Schroder

Perspectives

The biggest challenge for us has been 

reintegration. My advice to both spouses 

and Soldiers is to be patient. There’s a 

ceremony and some classes, and that’s 

done in a matter of weeks, but Deb has 

been home for more than three months, 

and I feel like we’re still going through it. 

Listening to a speech at a recent military 

event, my wife turned to me and said 

“take that down.” I had to remind her 

that I wasn’t her aide. Having been in the 

military, I see the Commanding General 

has his aide and the Command Sergeant 

Major has her aide, so when she comes 

home she doesn’t let that go.

Her aide does a good job of keeping her 

schedule, but when she comes home she 

has to do it herself — at least that’s what I 

tell her. Through all the challenges, I have 

always supported my wife’s career. She says 

I’m the reason she’s where she’s at today. 

She was assigned to a schoolhouse when we 

first met and I encouraged her to take a new 

www.arfp.org | Spring 2012 5

assignment so she could advance in rank. 

She ran with the advice and became a Command Sergeant Major in 1996. I made her 

read and understand regulations and we’ve 

been arguing about how to interpret them 

ever since! We both feel as leaders, you have 

a responsibility to be informed and to make 

informed decisions for the Soldiers you are 

responsible for. Ultimately, we have a lot in 

common. We both ride Harleys and do our 

part in supporting Soldiers — we’re both 

members of Combat Veterans Motorcycle 

Association and participate in the American 

Legion Legacy Runs. I know to give my 

spouse the time she needs to reintegrate at 

her own pace, and I at mine.

They say the Army Reserve is one 

weekend a month, two weeks a year, but 

that no longer applies — the Army Reserve 

is part of who you are as a Family. One of 

the things that we laugh about is that I’m 

still paying the bills, and she’s still bossing 

her ‘aide’ around.

As a senior ‘CSM spouse,’ I have 

a unique perspective in that I am 

male — and in the military, that 

makes me a minority (at times the lone guy 

at the Family Readiness Group meeting). 

My wife, Command Sgt. Maj. Debbie 

Schroder, is the Command Sergeant Major 

of the 310th Sustainment Command. I am 

also a retired Command Sergeant Major. I 

like to say I wear the pants in the Family 

— that is, ‘til my wife gets home.

Having a shared background and experience works to our advantage. We met while 

attending the Army Battle Staff School 

when I was a First Sergeant and Deb was a 

Sergeant First Class. Later, we went to the 

Sergeants Major Academy together.

We also both have several deployments 

under our belt — as CSMs, we both took 

home combat streamers for the 419th 

Transportation Battalion. We managed 

our time apart with the help of Skype and 

text messaging — I may have had a greater 

understanding of the obstacles to staying in 

touch while deployed because I had done 

it myself. Until recently homecomings 

presented a challenge; they could be fleeting, with one of us headed out in uniform 

as the other returned.

The difference between being the deploying Soldier and the spouse left behind is 

that I ended up feeling like the butler with 

so many additional responsibilities. I enjoy 

outside chores, but during deployments I was 

responsible for that, the bills, housekeeping, 

plus two dogs and two cats. I often wondered 

how anyone could manage kids in the mix, 

so I’m glad my stepson is grown! On the 

other hand, I came home from MY deployments, one time to a completely painted and 

renovated bedroom, the next to a new kitchen 

and an updated basement with built-ins!
WALKER, Mich. — The visionary behind 

Army Strong Community Centers, Mrs. 

Laura Stultz, has seen her share of mobilizations and deployments. As the wife of Lt. 

Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, 

her own experiences were the impelling 

cause behind her push for the creation of 

virtual installations. The recent opening 

of the fifth ASCC in Michigan promises 

to connect more geographically dispersed 

military members and their Families 

with resources in their community. What 

began as an Internet-based support tool 

transformed into a physical location due 

to the recommendations from Soldiers and 

their Families. 

“I want to do better for our Army Reserve 

Soldiers,” Mrs. Stultz said. “This center is 

here to give back, and I want everyone to 

know where this place is — like they know 

where their post office is.”

Walker, Mich., is 300 miles away from 

the closest major military installation, and 

that considerable distance was the key 

factor used for its selection as the service 

center. The ASCC offers resources that 

are normally found at active duty military 

installations — even providing access to 

emergency support services.

“There are about 33,000 military personnel in Michigan, and it is time consuming 

for Families to get to an installation, so 

Laura Stultz presides over the Army Reserve’s 

fifth Army Strong Community Center opening 

in Walker, Mich. The ASCC serves to connect 

geographically dispersed service members 

and their Families with support resources in 

their community. An element of the Virtual 

Installation initiative, pilot centers were 

created to fill gaps in services and support. 

They provide flexible and responsive support 

through trained, qualified, and skilled staff, 

combining resources to provide, virtually, 

the same access to support that Soldiers 

and Families would expect from a military 

installation. The ASCC builds communitybased capacity and fosters effective federal, 

state and community partnerships.

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Darrin McDufford, 

88th Regional Readiness Command

6 Family Strong

IN THIS ISSUE
education entitlements, but those are just 

the top five. 

“We are basically an extension of 

resources to Soldiers and Families,” said 

Klinge. “One success story of the 1,000 

plus contacts thus far is a World War II 

veteran needing to apply at a regional 

center for care and assistance. If your 

life has been affected by military service, 

ASCC can help. We’re 

here 40 hours a week.” 

Lt. Gen. Stultz, Army 

Reserve, indicated, “This 

is one of the most costeffective ways to take 

care of our Soldiers. We 

have cut spending.”

With 1.1 million Soldiers in the Army, more 

emphasis will be placed 

on the Army Reserve 

and National Guard, where a majority of 

medical, engineer and civil affairs units 

reside. Lt. Gen. Stultz added that so far 

there have been more than 100,000 requests for support at the five Army Strong 

Community Centers.

“My wife, Laura, came up with the idea 

of a virtual installation to understand and 

appreciate our Soldiers, who are a national 

treasure,” said Lt. Gen. Stultz. “There is 

no better way to show support for the men 

and women in uniform and their Families 

except by opening this center.”

we’re bringing the installation to 

their hometown,” said Mrs. Stultz. 

The center provides assistance 

for Families with life management 

and well-being issues. Included 

are access to health and dental 

benefits, housing assistance, childcare and other helpful programs.

The ASCC also serves as an information and referral office dedicated to 

assisting and supporting all members 

of the military: active, Reserve, retiree, 

veteran, and Family members. The 

center celebrated this past weekend 

with a ribbon cutting and the signing 

of a community covenant, with local 

businesses pledging support for those 

military members seeking assistance.

“Deep in my heart I know this center 

will work. The other centers have provided 

so much support to the men and women in 

uniform,” said Mrs. Stultz.

“The Army Strong Community Center is 

a connection between the military and the 

community. It helps the Families that live 

a great distance from an installation.” She 

also placed emphasis on the needs of the 

Gold Star Families who have lost a service 

member in a combat zone serving in any 

branch of the armed forces.

According to Troy Klinge, the Walker 

ASCC coordinator, some of the biggest 

concerns include legal, employment, 

identification cards, health insurance and 

Brig. Gen. Mike Stone, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, of the Michigan 

National Guard, beamed with excitement 

and asserted, “There are 702,000 Michigan 

veterans. We’re excited about this as a 

resource. The significance to Michigan is 

that this is a game changer.”

“Often service members are afraid to ask 

for help, and what is amazing is the variety 

of needs and demands that 

are out there,” said Stone.

He was elated at the 

apparent limitless desire 

of people willing to help. 

Stone added, “The biggest 

problem is the disconnect 

of veterans understanding 

their benefits and navigating the bureaucracy.”

Stone commented on 

the effort of the teamwork 

required to make the center a success, 

“Grand Rapids is a veteran’s epicenter, with 

a number of resources supporting veterans 

of different ages and conflicts.” 

The net effect of this center will result in 

increased dialogue about resourcing services 

from existing funding. “Thank you to the 

Army Reserve,” said Stone. “This is a great 

asset to the whole region.” 

Lt. Gen. Stultz said two more centers will 

open over the next couple of years.

To learn more about ASCCs and other 

resources, visit www.arfp.org

We’re excited about 

this as a resource. 

The significance to 

Michigan is that this 

is a game changer.

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, 

Army Reserve

www.arfp.org | Spring 2012 7

IN THIS ISSUE
commemoration honored the world’s future 

leaders: America’s youth.

More than 50 teens living throughout Puerto Rico converged on San Juan 

Jan. 26-30 to participate in the island’s first 

Youth, Leadership, Education and Development summit. Sponsored by the Army 

Reserve Child Youth and School Services, 

the summit teaches teens to enrich their 

leadership traits and empowers them to contribute positively toward their communities.

YLEAD is a product of the Army 

Reserve Teen Panel, said Beverly Arah, 

youth services program manager for the 

ARCYSS. The best and brightest kids 

whose parents serve in the Army Reserve 

met with leaders in Washington and voiced 

the need for programs tailored to the youth 

of geographically dispersed Soldiers. 

“Our vision for the first MSC is not only 

to create professional Soldiers but also 

to better citizens for the island of Puerto 

Rico,” said Brig. Gen Fernando Fernandez. 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Two Army 

generals and a city mayor stood at the front 

of the conference hall, each waiting his 

turn to take the podium. Moments later 

the room’s PA system amplified their commanding voices, cutting off their audience’s 

fervent chatter. Heads turned and cameras 

flashed as the trio welcomed their guests.

It is uncommon that the commanders 

of the 1st Mission Support Command and 

Puerto Rico State Guard and the mayor of 

San Juan gather in one room. Their combined presence often involves Yellow Ribbon 

ceremonies, welcome home celebrations 

and, on rare instances, a funeral or natural 

disaster. However, their visit to the Conrad 

Plaza Resort Jan. 26 stemmed from a far 

different but no less important reason. Those 

present that evening were not the usual service members, political figures, and media 

moguls typical in these 

high-profile presentations. Instead, the 

“YLEAD is a terrific tool to develop young 

leaders who can support their Families and 

communities.”

Preparations for the summit began months 

earlier when Marta Feliciano, an ARCYSS 

youth services specialist based in Orlando, 

Fla., laid the foundation for the dozens of 

workshops, field trips, and social activities 

that would unfold during the three-day 

conference. “Every YLEAD summit must 

convey specific themes and messages,” 

Feliciano explained. “We had to make sure 

that our cultural, educational and recreational 

outings followed these guidelines while 

keeping the kids’ interests in mind.”

While Feliciano established schedules and 

budgets, Janeska Barrientos, an ARCYSS 

community outreach specialist based in Fort 

Buchanan, fostered 

local support both 

within and outside 

military channels. 

“We got the word 

Follow MYLEAD:

ARCYSS hosts youth 

summit in Puerto Rico

By Spc. John L. Carkeet IV and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Lawn

Illustration by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Lawn, 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Youth Leadership Education and Development teens admire a fountain 

residing in a garden once owned by Juan Ponce de Leon II during the 

late 16th century. The youth visited several historic sites and monuments 

during the three-day summit that treated the group to a variety of cultural, 

educational and recreational outings. Photo by Spc. John L. Carkeet IV, 

143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

8 Family Strong

IN THIS ISSUE
YLEAD youth visited La Casa Cuna de San Juan, 

the city’s only municipal nursery and shelter 

dedicated to rescuing and nurturing children 

from abusive Families. Here the teens sort and 

fold clothing Jan. 27 donated by the citizens of 

San Juan. Photo by Spc. John L. 

Carkeet IV, 143rd Sustainment 

Command (Expeditionary)

www.arfp.org | Spring 2012 9

IN THIS ISSUE

out by attending briefings, PTA conferences 

and Yellow Ribbon events,” said Barrientos, 

a former marketing coordinator for an 

advertising firm. “I also received support 

from local businesses, government agencies 

and [Fort Buchanan’s] public affairs office.”

Despite the summit’s postponement from 

December to January, Feliciano and her 

team met their recruitment goal. “Only 14 

teens registered before Christmas,” said 

Barrientos. “Three weeks later we had 14 

on our waiting list.”

Hailing from 27 cities around the island, 

most of the teens who arrived at the Conrad 

Plaza Resort Jan. 26 had never met one 

another. Many sat or stood in silence, their 

eyes darting about the room in search of a 

familiar face. As parents 

completed paperwork, 

the staff encouraged their 

guests to mingle through 

the use of games and 

crafts.

“Our curriculum is 

designed with certain 

activities to help the kids get to know each 

other,” said Feliciano. “Even so, this group 

was special because they bonded so quickly. 

By lunch on the first day many of them were 

talking and laughing as if they had known 

one another for years.”

Less than 24 hours after their arrival 

the teens had received a formal welcome 

from civic and military leaders, engaged 

each other in physical fitness challenges 

and participated in interactive workshops. 

These workshops covered a variety of 

topics from Family communication and 

career development to healthy lifestyles 

and environmental conservation. Special 

guests such as the Boy Scouts of America 

and the American Military Academy’s drill 

team led several seminars.

Regardless the subject matter and who 

presented it, one theme remained constant: 

leadership.

“Not only does it help develop [the teens’] 

leadership skills, but they see firsthand that 

our military community loves and supports 

them,” said Arah.

YLEAD did not restrict its activities to 

hotel conference rooms. The youth boarded 

buses and in minutes disembarked at the 

front gates of La Casa Cuna de San Juan, 

a former Navy installation later renovated 

into a children’s shelter. There, the teens 

sorted and folded 

thousands of articles 

of clothing donated by 

the local community. 

They also saw the 

fruits of their labors 

when La Casa Cuna’s staff led them on an 

exclusive tour of their facilities.

“It was touching to see so many babies and 

toddlers saved from abuse and neglect,” said 

Luis Muñoz, a senior at University Gardens 

High School in San Juan. “To me a leader 

is someone who takes what’s available to 

him and makes or does something great. 

I believe we were all leaders that day by 

giving back to this nursery.”

Thanks to a complimentary police escort 

provided by San Juan’s mayor Jorge Santini, 

the group maximized their time at numerous tourist destinations situated throughout 

the island’s capital. The teens embarked on 

guided ours of several museums managed 

by the Institute of Puerto Rican 

Culture, where they learned about 

the island’s ancient Indian and 

colonial Spanish tools, art, history 

and religion. Later they shopped at 

a natural foods market and ate lunch 

along the rolling hills overlooking an 

old, stonewall fort that once defended 

the city from sea-faring invaders.

The succession of field trips ended at 

the San Juan Wildlife Museum, a new, 

multi-million dollar facility that depicts the 

world’s animals and their natural habitats 

with exquisite detail.

During the summit’s final evening, the 

staff treated the teens to festive music and 

dance performances by Tamboricua, a salsa 

group sponsored by the Institute of Puerto 

Rican Culture. Several teens even had a 

chance to show off their singing, dancing 

and stand-up comedy skills during the 

summit’s talent show.

As the children bade farewell to their 

newfound friends, youth and staff alike 

discussed their expectations for the island’s 

inaugural YLEAD summit. “This was the 

Army Reserve’s way of saying, ‘thank you,’ 

to the sons and daughters of its Soldiers,” 

said Arah. “We look forward to returning 

to San Juan next year to see how our brave 

little Soldiers on the home front have grown.”

YLEAD teens hook arms with 

Army Junior Reserve Officer 

Training Corps cadets as 

they conduct a team 

building exercise at the 

Conrad Plaza Resort 

Jan. 27. The summit’s 

workshops promoted 

youth leadership values 

such as camaraderie, 

confidence and 

cooperation. Photo by 

Spc. John L. Carkeet 

IV, 143rd Sustainment 

Command (Expeditionary)

To me a leader is someone

who takes what’s available

to him and makes or does

something great. 

Luis Munoz
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER:

Value Children

By Col. Charles Lynde, USAR USARC Chaplain

As I write this column, “The Hunger Games” continues to play in movie theaters nationwide. 

The entertainment in this dystopian 

world centers on a “game” in which 

teenagers must kill one another to win. 

Many of the adults in the movie are 

more interested in these young people 

as objects than as people. While the 

movie depicts the 74th edition of the 

hunger games, I doubt that a culture that 

values its children so little could last 74 

years. Children are the future of any 

people: in our real world today China, 

Japan and many European nations 

are anticipating significant economic 

and political challenges because their 

birthrates are so low.

In the Bible, Psalm 127:3-5 says, 

“Behold, children are a heritage from 

the LORD, the fruit of the womb a 

reward. Like arrows in the hand of a 

warrior are the children of one’s youth. 

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver 

with them! He shall not be put to shame 

when he speaks with his enemies in 

the gate.”

This passage speaks of children as a 

reward from God, a gift from him full 

of God’s blessing. We should treat our 

children with the same value. They are 

a gift from God, who sends only good 

gifts. While children sometimes come 

with headaches and heartaches, even 

these can serve God’s good purposes 

in the lives of his people.

The psalm also speaks of the courage that a parent has when facing “his 

enemies in the gate.” The gate of a 

walled city is its weakest point and 

requires significant forces to defend it 

from attacking enemies. While most 

parents in our nation these days don’t 

have enemy armies attacking them, 

parents with children can face the 

“enemies” of poor health, economic 

hardship and future uncertainties with 

greater confidence when they have 

children to assist them. For example, my 

wife’s Family is discussing how to take 

care of both sets of their aging parents. 

If these parents had not valued their 

children and cared for them in their 

youth, these senior citizens would be 

facing their enemies with discouragement and loneliness.

Spring contains two special Sundays, 

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Both of 

these days indirectly celebrate children 

and their value since one must have 

children to be a mother or a father. 

While God has blessed my wife and 

me with five children of our own, we 

have also sought additional children 

through adoption (though a PCS move 

has put a significant delay on this). Let 

us look at our children as the blessing 

that they are.

10

IN THIS ISSUE

Family Strong
26

14

5

Hey kids! Warm weather is here 

so it’s time to get out, get active, 

and have fun. Remember – safety 

first! Apply sunblock and always 

get your parents’ permission 

to begin your adventures!
http://www.ready.gov/kids/fun-games

12 Family Strong

IN THIS ISSUE
Civil Affairs Soldiers welcomed home 

by community. Capt. Brian Hanna shows 

off his 4-month-old daughter, Tiffany, to 

fellow Soldiers after a Welcome Home 

Warrior Citizen ceremony. The 415th 

Civil Affairs Battalion, redeployed, July 

2011, after a year long deployment 

to Afghanistan. In a Welcome Home 

Warrior Citizen ceremony, March 25, the 

Soldiers were formally recognized by 

local government officials and Family 

members. The ceremony was developed 

by the Chief of the Army Reserve to 

ensure that every Soldier and Family was 

recognized for their deployment service 

and properly welcomed home in front of 

both fellow Soldiers and the community. 

During each ceremony, Soldiers who 

deployed for the first time receive an 

encased American flag, a Welcome 

Home Warrior Citizen flag, a lapel pin set 

and a U.S. Army Reserve Commander’s 

coin for excellence. The 415th CA Bn. 

is part of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and 

Psychological Operations Command 

(Airborne). Photo by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn 

Wells/USACAPOC(A) PAO

IN THIS ISSUE

Apaula Adams, daughter to Maj. John Adams, public affairs 

officer, 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), explores a 

Humvee during the 7th annual Central Florida Law Enforcement 

Car Show in Oviedo, Fla. Photo by Maj. John Adams, 143d 

Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

www.arfp.org | Spring 2012 13
14 Family Strong

BUZZWORTHY

Spring excitement is in the air:

Discounts for Eligible Military 

Family Members

Out with the winter blahs and in with spring fever... Warm temperatures are right around the corner, and our military 

Families have many unique opportunities to take advantage of 

affordable and convenient vacation options around the world.

In addition to the conventional commercial lodging options, 

there are two major options of military lodging: Armed Forces 

Recreation Center and on-base lodging.

AFRCs provide affordable and convenient getaway options to 

some of the top vacation locations in the U.S. and abroad. These 

locations include Orlando, FL; Honolulu; Seoul, Korea; and 

Garmisch, Germany.

Orlando, Florida – The Shades of Green in Orlando, Fla., 

is a military-owned resort within Walt Disney World. Shades of 

Green is in close proximity to the Walt Disney World attractions 

and two PGA championship golf courses. While there you might 

take advantage of the “Disney Armed Forces Salute” offer for active 

and retired military members of the Coast Guard and activated 

members of the National Guard or Reserve.

Eligibility details and rates are available at: http://bookwdw.

reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/specialOfferDetails?n

ame=Promo&promotionCode=fy11military&market=fy11military

Honolulu – The Hale Koa hotel is located 10 miles from the 

Honolulu airport. The Hale Koa Hotel is nestled on a 72-acre 

tropical oasis fronting the finest stretch of beach in Waikiki. The 

experience will create lasting and cherished memories of your 

tropical vacation in the islands. The Hale Koa Hotel offers an 

array of dining experiences for you to enjoy on property. The Hale 

Koa also offers a multitude of entertainment opportunities beyond 

just “fun in the sun.” A perfect blend of impeccable service and 

affordable prices makes the Hale Koa Hotel an unparalleled value 

for your next vacation experience.

Eligibility details and rates are available at:

http://www.halekoa.com/index.cfm

Tokyo – The New Sanno Hotel is operated by the U.S. Navy 

and is located in downtown Tokyo. It is an American-style MWR 

oasis in downtown Tokyo at a reasonable price. The New Sanno 

Hotel is situated in the heart of the world’s most expensive city 

and offers 149 luxurious rooms. Available to I.D. card holders and 

their guests, The New Sanno offers a variety of accommodations 

and restaurants in a helpful, English-speaking environment.

Eligibility details and rates are available at:

http://thenewsanno.com/

Seoul, Korea – The Dragon Hill Lodge is operated by the 

U.S. Army in support of personnel assigned or employed by 

the U.S. Forces Korea, their Family members and guests. The 

394 guest rooms and suites feature a sumptuous, yet casual, 

contemporary decor with elegant furnishings and are specifically 

designed with comfort and convenience in mind. The Dragon 

Experience guest rooms are upgraded rooms that provide guests 

with superior accommodations and offer first-class amenities 

ranging from spacious rooms to suites with an elegant sitting 

room and Jacuzzi bath.

Eligibility details and rates are available at:

http://www.dragonhilllodge.com/main.html

Garmisch, Germany – The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort offers a vacation retreat designed exclusively for active duty military 

members, DOD civilians and retirees. Edelweiss has been long 

revered as one of the world class resort. Known as one of the most 

desirable destinations in the Bavarian Alps and Germany’s premier 

winter and summer sports center, the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area 

is an idyllic location nestled at the foot of sweeping Alpine vistas.

Eligibility details and rates are available at:

http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/home.html

On-base lodging is also available to eligible military members. 

Temporary, space-available lodging at military installations can 

offer great value and convenience when you’re traveling. Remember 

that on-base lodging is also offered to all Reserve and National 

Guard members. This includes any “gray area” reserve and guard 

retirees who have retired but have not reached age 60 and are not 

yet receiving a retirement check.

Eligibility, rates and locations are available at:

http://www.military.com/Travel/Content1/0,,ML_onbase,00.html

Enrichment Camps
U.S. Army Reserve Family Program Directors

We’re available 

24 hours a day, 

7 days a week! 

Army Reserve Joint & Special Troops 

Support Command

Vacant

SADAFRC, Bldg. 103

Salt Lake City, Utah 84113-5007

Army Reserve Medical Command

Bernard Goss

2801 Grand Ave.

Pinellas Park, Fla. 33782-6140

727.563.3798

bernard.goss@usar.army.mil

Military Intelligence 

Readiness Command

Anette Ellis

8831 John J. Kingman Rd.

Fort Belvoir, Va. 22060-6208

703.806.6934

anette.ellis@usar.army.mil

U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological 

Operations Command (Airborne)

Dorothy Seabrook

2929 Desert Storm Dr.

Fort Bragg, N.C. 28310-5200

910.643.3927

dorothy.a.seabrook@ar-usacapoc.soc.mil

63d Regional Support Command

W.K. Jones

153 Dailey Rd.

Moffett Field, Calif. 94035-1000

650.625.9623

william.k.jones@usar.army.mil

81st Regional Support Command

Christa Burns

1525 Marion Ave.

Fort Jackson, S.C. 29207-6070

803.751.9914

christa.burns1@usar.army.mil

88th Regional Support Command

Rochelle Wheeler

60 S. O St.

Fort McCoy, Wis. 54656-5137

608.388.0447

rochelle.wheeler1@usar.army.mil

99th Regional Support Command

Cheryl Davis

5522 Nashville St.

Fort Dix, N.J. 08640-5730

609.562.7507

cheryl.e.davis@usar.army.mil

108th Training Command

Christina Daily

1330 Westover St.

Charlotte, N.C. 28205-5122

704.342.4237

christina.I.daily@usar.army.mil

11th Theater Aviation Command

Brenda Andreotti

1160 Brandenburg Station Rd., Bldg. 237 

Fort Knox, Ky. 40121-5000

502.626.5741

brenda.andreotti@usar.army.mil

1st Mission Support Command

Elsa Cortes

218 Brook St., Bldg. 1021

Fort Buchanan, P.R. 00934-4602

787.707.4082

elsa.f.cortes@usar.army.mil

200th Military Police Command

Patricia Williamson

1250 Annapolis Rd.

Fort Meade, Md. 20755-5610

301.677.1221

pat.a.williamson@usar.army.mil

335th Signal Command (Theater)

Rejoice Bolware

2323 Dauphine St.

East Point, Ga. 30344-2503

404.559.3790

rejoice.bolware@usar.army.mil

377th Theater Sustainment Command

Fay Ferran

400 Russell Ave., Bldg. 492

Belle Chase, La. 70143-5077

504.552.5833

fay.ferran@usar.army.mil

3d Medical Deployment 

Support Command

Patricia Jordan

5015 N. 34th St., Bldg. 900

Forest Park, Ga. 30297-5122

404.469.4119

patricia.a.jordan@usar.army.mil

412th Theater Engineer Command

Brenda McWilliams

1265 Porters Chapel Rd.

Vicksburg, Miss. 39180-5790

601.631.6160

brenda.sue.mcwilliams@usar.army.mil

416th Theater Engineer Command

Tamra DeBenedetto

10 S. 100 South Frontage Rd.

Darien, Ill. 60561-1780

630.910.3213, ext. 303

tamra.debenedetto@usar.army.mil

75th Battle Command Staff 

Training Division

Sandra Landry

14555 Scholl St.

Houston, Tx. 77034-5617

832.380.7000, ext. 3072

sandra.landry@usar.army.mil

7th Civil Support Command

James Mandley

Unit 23152

APO AE 09227

DSN 314.483.4750

james.mandley@eur.army.mil

807th Medical Deployment 

Support Command

Kathryn Stetson

SADAFRC, Bldg. 106

Salt Lake City, Utah 84113-5007

801.656.4046

kathryn.stetson@usar.army.mil

80th Training Command

Joseph Deboer

6700 Strathmore Rd.

Richmond, Va. 23237-1100

804.377.6428

joseph.deboer@usar.army.mil

84th Training Command 

Vacant

230 Brandenburg Station Rd.

Fort Knox, Ky. 40121-4132

9th Mission Support Command

Kevin Gilbert

1557 Pass St.

Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-2135

808.438.1600, ext. 3191

kevin.gilbert5@us.army.mil

Our Army Reserve Family 

Programs Outreach and 

Support Office is available to 

Soldiers, civilian employees 

and their Families...

www.arfp.org | Spring 2012 15

24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at 866-345-8248
Office of the Chief, Army Reserve

ATTN: Family Programs Directorate

6075 Goethals Road

Building 1901, Office 100-32

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5231

 PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID

EFFINGHAM, IL

PERMIT 714

Family Strong is published quarterly. The contents are informative and not regulatory or directive. Viewpoints expressed are those of the authors and 

do not necessarily reflect the policy of the Army Reserve.

. . . It’s Worth the Trip! www.commissaries.com

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