The Real McCoy, produced by the Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office, 100 E. Headquarters Road, Fort McCoy, Wis., is an authorized publication for members of the Department of the Army. All editorial content is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office. All photos are U.S. Army photos unless otherwise credited. Contents of The Real McCoy are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or Fort McCoy. For reasons of security, the online version of The Real McCoy may not contain all articles appearing in the print version. Contact Fort McCoy Public Affairs by calling 608-388-2769 or at DSN 280-2769 or by sending email to usarmy.mccoy.imcom-central.list.pao-admin@mail.mil
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News Notes
Gun Deer Meet & Greet scheduled for Nov. 22
A gun deer season meet and greet will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Whitetail Ridge Chalet.
Fort McCoy biologists will discuss deer management and the 2019 gun deer season. Permit Sales officials can help with and answer questions about the iSportsman and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources GoWild systems. Law-enforcement personnel will be on hand to answer questions about firearm registration and accept forms.
For more information, call 608-388-6791.
Hunter’s Brunch planned Nov. 23-24
Hunter’s Brunch will be offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 23-24 at Whitetail Ridge.
A buffet-style brunch will be available at the chalet. The pub will also be open 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 22-23 and noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 24.
For more information, call 608-388-3517.
Flu vaccine available at Fort McCoy clinic
The flu vaccine is available to selected Fort McCoy personnel: Child and Youth Services, police, fire, and Emergency Operations Center personnel.
Clinic times and dates are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 12, 14, and 26 at the Fort McCoy Occupational Health Clinic, building 2669.
Starting Dec. 3, the vaccine will be available to garrison appropriated fund employees and active-duty and Active Guard Reserve Soldiers, while supplies last.
For more information, call 608-388-2414.
Salt, pepper mill workshop set for Dec. 2-4
“Create Your Own Salt & Pepper Mill” workshops are scheduled for 4 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2-4 at building 1133.
All materials and instruction are provided. children must be accompanied by an adult (one child per adult). Exceptional Family Member Program members may start two hours early.
Class size is limited, so registration is required one week in advance for each session.
For more information, call 608-388-3505.
Real Colors workshop planned for Dec. 4
The Real Colors workshop is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 4 at Army Community Service (ACS), building 2111.
Real Colors is a temperament tool and workshop designed to improve communication skills to lead to better teamwork, both in and out of the workplace.
The workshop covers recognizing strengths, how people process information, recognizing others’ learning styles, listening and speaking in the language of other colors, and building rapport.
ACS events are open to military members, retirees, civilian workers, family members, and registered Fort McCoy volunteers. For more information, call 608-388-6507.
Christmas Tree Lighting set for Dec. 5
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at McCoy’s Community Center, building 1571.
The event features crafts, activities, pictures with Santa, carols, Santa’s Gift Shop, and food specials. The event is open to eligible Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation patrons.
For more information, call 608-388-4161.
Trees for Troops available Dec. 5
Free Christmas trees will be available Dec. 5 for active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve Soldiers.
Trees will be available at noon Dec. 5 at the Fort McCoy Housing Office, building 6158 at South Post. Trees are available while supplies last. One tree per family, and trees cannot be held for later pickup.
For more information, call 608-388-3704.
Old-Fashioned Christmas trip planned for Dec. 7
A bus trip to Norskedalen’s “Old-Fashioned Christmas” in Coon Valley, Wis., is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
The bus will depart from and return to McCoy’s Community Center, building 1571. The trip costs $15 and only includes transporation. Entrance to Norskedalen costs $6 per adult and $3 per child.
The event features ornament crafting at the blacksmith shop, tours in horse-drawn wagons, craft projects, holiday music, an old-fashioned Christmas dinner, and a bake sale. The dinner and bake sale are not included in general admission.
The trip is open to Fort McCoy employees and their guests. Registration is required by Nov. 29.
For more information, call 608-388-3011.
Breakfast with Santa scheduled for Dec. 7
Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at McCoy’s Community Center, building 1571.
Breakfast includes French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee. The cost is $3 for children 5 years old or younger and $7 for everyone else.
Registration is required by Dec. 5. For more information, call 608-388-2065.
Holiday card workshop set for Dec. 7
A family holiday card workshop is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Army Community Service Family Building, 2161.
All supplies are provided. Families may register for two- to three-hour time blocks. Exceptional Family Member Program members may start one hour early. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration is required by Dec. 2. For more information, call 608-388-3505.
Open Season ends Dec. 9
The federal benefits open season runs through Dec. 9.
Federal employees and retirees may make changes to dental, vision, and health insurance selections during this period. Making changes outside of the open season requires a qualifying life event.
Information on 2019 plans and changes can be found online at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season.
TRICARE Open Season also runs Nov. 11 through Dec. 9. Open season does not apply to TRICARE Retired Reserve, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Young Adult, Continued Health Care Benefit Program, or TRICARE For Life.
For information on TRICARE plans and changes, visit www.tricare.mil/openseason19.
Gingerbread house contest scheduled for Dec. 11
A gingerbread-house building contest is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at McCoy’s Community Center.
All supplies are provided. There is no cost for this contest.
Registration is required by Dec. 6. For more information, call 608-388-3505.
Preretirement briefing dates set for 2020
Beginning March 2, 2020, the Fort McCoy Garrison Soldier for Life-Retirement Services Office (SFL-RSO) will offer a quarterly preretirement briefing from 9 a.m. to noon in building 50, room 100B.
The briefing provides an overview of retirement benefits and entitlements. This briefing is an Army requirement.
The pre-retirement briefing is not a part of the Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP). The preretirement briefing covers topics not addressed in SFL-TAP.
Some of the topics that will be covered include TRICARE, retirement pay, and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Reserve service members are encouraged to contact their servicing RSO for information on Reserve-related pre-retirement briefings.
The 2020 pre-retirement briefing schedule is March 2, June 1, Sept. 14, and Dec. 7. If there are any changes to these dates, a message will be available at 608-388-3716.
For information on Reserve-related preretirement briefings, contact the 88th Readiness Division RSO office at 608-388-7448/9321. For questions and registration information for the garrison SFL-RSO preretirement briefing, call 608-388-3716.
Next issue of The Real McCoy
The next issue of The Real McCoy will be published Dec 13. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 4.
Call 608-388-4128 for information.