Page 3 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, August 2020

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High Desert Warrior 3 August 2020
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fought to get here, I’ve never seen anyone fight so hard just to get to this point,” said Simmering “These guys are looking at a future real-world mission and they’re tak- ing this seriously and that’s what we want everyone to do.”
During the height of the civil unrest, the 1/34th ABCT MN ARNG provided security for the police department, fire department and the citizens of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, said Col. Timothy Kemp, Battalion Commander, 1/34th ABCT MN ARNG.
“We’re trained very well in the United States Army, to do this type of mission (at NTC) and also to support civil authori- ties — Its part of our training,” said Kemp “The NTC developed a training plan that allowed us to progress at our own pace and
the OPFOR make it a challenge no matter how well you are doing — which only makes you better.”
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division consists of eight major subordinate commands. More than 5,200 Soldiers make up the brigade’s com- bined arms, armor, cavalry, infantry, artillery, engineer and brigade support battalions, constituting more than half of the Minnesota Army National Guard’s total force structure.
Readiness training began once the 1/34 ABCT arrived at NTC, with COVID mitiga- tions protocols continuing during reception, staging, onward movement, and integra- tion (RSOI). Additionally, the installation provided manned access control points and restricted the rotational training unit (RTU)
to the training area in order to create safety zones for the Fort Irwin community as well as the 1/34 ABCT.
“There was no impact to training (From COVID-19), none of the battalions were effected to the point where we couldn’t con- tinue,” said Lesperance.
In August, the 1st Stryker Brigade Com- bat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson will undergo their hardest day in training here at the NTC so they are better prepared to face any threat during future deployments.
“Our objective is to create a crucible event, so this event today is worse than any event they will encounter in the real world,” said Lesperance.
From TRAINING, Page 1
What’s Open?
Amid COVID-19 restrictions, there’s still activities to enjoy on post
Story and Photo by NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — With the state of California and NTC/Fort Irwin moving back to the COVID-19 Stay Home conditions of March 2020, many may wonder what’s still open and available on post to single soldiers, couples and families in the community.
The Family and MWR and other organizations still have activities to take part in, to boost morale and maintain mental health.
MWR:
• Splashpad (Reservation required)
• Oasis Pool (Reservation encouraged)
• Restaurants (take-out only): Samuel Adams Restaurant offering
family-style meals; Shockwave; Bowling Center Snack Bar
• Auto Crafts (Vehicle owners will be allowed to work on vehicles) • Library: DVD rental, computer use, book pick-up (order online) Chapel: Game Show Challenge (facebook.com/fortirwinchapel) Housing: Free, virtual Zumba classes for kids, teens and adults; Hous-
ing décor contest (facebook.com/thevillagesatfortirwin) AAFES/Exchange: Surfboard and cooler giveaways at the shoppettes Army Wellness Center (AWC): Virtual workouts, fitness classes and
nutrition tips (facebook.com/awcfortirwin)
Ready and Resiliency (R2): Resiliency tips and family activities to
manage stress (facebook.com/ftirwinr2)
Behavioral Health/FAP: Advice for single soldiers, couples and families
to manage mental health and combat stress (facebook.com/WeedArmy)
Fort Irwin Tax Center thrives amid pandemic, extended filing deadline
By Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The Tax Center at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin were able to adjust to conditions under a pandemic and file nearly 1,000 tax returns during this tax season.
“Taxes were prepared remotely and tax fil- ers were given the option to submit their taxes to the IRS themselves through the mail or to wait until the Tax Center was approved to open safely, at which time they could sign their tax documents and have them e-filed to the IRS through the Tax Center,” Jessaka Menzie, Chief of Client Services with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate said. “Most tax filers were understanding and satisfied with the options provided.”
The Internal Revenue Service began accept- ing and processing federal tax returns on Jan. 27 and although the normal tax season ends on April 15, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed
the deadline to July 15.
Fort Irwin’s Tax Center had a total of 439
soldiers, 242 spouses and 54 retirees file their taxes with their office this year. There were 974 federal and state returns that were electronically filed, saving families more than $141,000 in preparation fees.
The Fort Irwin Tax Center operates under the supervision of the Legal Assistance Office and in conjunction with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. All tax preparers are volunteers from units at Fort Irwin, trained and certified under the VITA program.
Tax Center personnel received the Army Achievement Medal from the Garrison Com- mander, Col. Jeanette Martin, as well as a coin from NTC’s Commanding General, Brig. Gen. David Lesperance at the closing of the Tax Center. One civilian was also recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation.
The Tax Center said preparing taxes during a pandemic had its challenges but they were able
to adapt to remote operations while providing limited services. Once the center was approved to open under restricted conditions.
“All tax filers were required to make an ap- pointment to complete the process in order to limit the number of people in the Tax Center,” Menzie said. “Tax filers were required to wear masks and to socially distance from others while in the Tax Center. This safe process al- lowed for the tax filers and Tax Center person- nel to complete the tax filing process with low risk of exposure to the coronavirus.”
The number of people filing taxes with Fort Irwin’s Tax Center were slightly lower this year, compared to last year but officials say that is an Army-wide trend, due to COVID- 19.
“The virus hugely impacted the Tax Center’s ability to provide the same type of services as were provided in prior years where the threat did not exist,” Menzie said.
Even with the extended tax filing deadline, some filers may have missed the new deadline. To avoid penalties and fees imposed by the
CW2 Adam Saavedra, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
NTC’s Commanding General, Brig.
Gen. David Lesperance and Fort Irwin’s Garrison Commander, Col. Jeannette Martin, presented coins and certificates of appreciation to the Tax Center on the center’s final day of this season.
IRS, taxpayers need to file as soon as possible. They can still file their taxes for free through the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/filing/ free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.
For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin