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.id-readiness.list.pao-admin@mail.mil
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News Notes -- May 14, 2021
2021-22 Fort McCoy Guide now available
The 2021-22 Fort McCoy Guide is now available throughout post.
The guide features information about Fort McCoy facilities and services, recreation opportunities, a phone directory, a map of the cantoment area, and advertisements from local businesses.
Employees should receive copies through the mail. Additional copies are available at the Fort McCoy Exchange, Commissary, McCoy’s Community Center, and customer-service points throughout post.
If an organization would like more copies, especially to distribute to visitors, the Public Affairs Office has bundles of 50 available to distribute. For more information or to request bundles, call 608-388-4209.
Asian American/Pacific Islander observance set for May 20
Fort McCoy’s observance for Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month is scheduled for noon May 20 over Microsoft Teams.
The guest speaker is Russell Horton, reference and outreach archivist with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
Since 1977, the month of May has been designated to recognize the achievements and contributions to the American story by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Register by emailing anthony.m.cintron2.mil@mail.mil. A link to the presentation will be sent out to registered participants beforehand.
History Center open hours start May 28
Fort McCoy’s Commemorative Area and History Center will hold open hours throughout the summer starting May 28.
The Commemorative Area features World War II-era buildings, an Equipment Park, Veterans Memorial Plaza, and displays telling the history of Fort McCoy starting from 1909. A picnnic pavilion is available at the area for those who wish to bring a lunch.
The area will be open noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from May 28 to Sept. 2.
These open days are open to members of the public, but visitors must provide a valid ID and pass a quick background check at the main gate.
Social-distancing restrictions and masks are required on federal installations.
For information about open hours, the Commemorative Area, or group tours, call 608-388-2407 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Resiliency workshops planned throughout 2021
Army Community Service (ACS) has resiliency workshops scheduled throughout 2021.
Topics include:
• June 16: Problem Solving.
• July 7: Put It In Perspective.
• Aug. 4: Mental Games.
• Sept. 1: Real-Time Resilience.
• Oct. 6: Character Strengths.
• Nov. 3: Assertive Communication.
• Dec. 1: Effective Praise & Constructive Responding
All workshops will be 9 to 11 a.m. at ACS, building 2111. Registration is required one week prior to the event. Space is limited.
ACS events are open to Fort McCoy military members, family members, civilian employees, and registered volunteers. For more information or to register, call 608-388-6507.
ACS offers online stress-reduction training
Army Community Service (ACS) is offering an online stress-reduction class.
Learn how to maintain a healthy mind and body through this self-paced online training. Topics include the difference between normal stress and unhealthy stress and healthy coping strategies for stressful situations.
To register, call or text 608-630-7473 or email jennifer.l.morris169.civ@mail.mil.
The training is available through Aug. 31.
Exchange hiring for seasonal positions
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) at Fort McCoy is now hiring for seasonal positions.
Seasonal positions help cover the summer training surge at Fort McCoy. The Exchange is hiring people for the following positions: cashiers, stockers, food-service workers, and mobile delivery assistants.
Those interested can apply online at www.applymyexchange.com or can call 608-269-4862 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Exchange shopping now open to DOD, Coast Guard civilians
After a change in Department of Defense policy, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service opened its doors May 1 to Department of Defense (DOD) and Coast Guard civilian employees at the Fort McCoy Exchange.
The DOD announced the policy change April 29. Access to ShopMyExchange.com will start later this year.
Opening exchange access to DoD and Coast Guard civilian employees working on installations will improve dividends to Quality-of-Life programs, leverage the military exchanges’ buying power and strengthen the Exchange benefit for Soldiers, Airmen and Guardians—past, present and future.
“Shopping the Exchange brings convenience to civilians working on installations,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “They can stop by the Exchange for essentials on breaks or to and from work instead of shopping outside of the gate — and 100 percent of Exchange earnings go right back to the military community.”
Tax-free shopping is authorized for active DoD and Coast Guard appropriated fund and nonappropriated civilian employees in the United States and the U.S. territories and possessions. Retired DOD and Coast Guard civilian employees will have access to online exchange shopping later this year. Roughly 575,000 civilian stateside employees will gain the benefit.
“Exchange stores have the capacity and merchandise quantities to handle the expanded shopping base,” Shull said. “The Exchange is honored to welcome civilians while strengthening the hard-earned benefit for Soldiers, Airmen, and Guardians.”
The Exchange, the DOD’s largest retailer and the 61st largest retailer in the United States, has served service members since 1895. The Exchange offers tax-free shopping and military-exclusive pricing. Exchange earnings support Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families. Roughly 60 percent of earnings support quality-of-life programs on military installations worldwide. In the last 10 years, the Exchange has contributed $2.2 billion to Child, Youth and School Services; Armed Forces Recreation Centers; and other programs to support troops and their families. All remaining earnings are reinvested in enhancing the customer shopping experience.
The privilege expansion marks the third time since 2017 that the Exchange’s shopping base has grown. In January 2020, all veterans with service-connected disabilities were welcomed back to the installation to shop in person. On Veterans Day 2017, all honorably discharged veterans were welcomed home to shop tax free at ShopMyExchange.com.
Publication date for next The Real McCoy
The next issue of The Real McCoy will be published May 28.
The deadline for article and photo submissions is May 19.
For more information about submissions or article suggestions, call 608-388-2769.