AUSA Stuttgart Chapter is proud to announce that we have partnered with the Stuttgart Army Community Services to conduct a Job Fair from 17-19 January 2009 at the Stuttgart   Marriott Hotel in Sindelfingen. The Job Fair is open to all!   
This will be world class job fair for all Military Personnel, DoD Civilians and their Family Members, with a special emphasis for the Wounded Warrior. This job fair will allow companies to actively fill positions locally here in Stuttgart as well as Europe and world wide.
We want to highlight and emphasize the Warrior Transition Program (WTP).

• We are going to provide the opportunity for Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Units (WTU) to meet and be interviewed for future civilian employment.
•  We are seeking donations from the participating companies and other sponsor organizations to provide needed support to the WTU in USAREUR. How many we can support will depend on the generosity of our sponsors.
• Money raised will go to WTUs throughout Europe, but we also want to get as many wounded warriors and active duty personnel to attend as possible throughout the European Theater.  We are working on solutions to transport Wounded Warriors to the Job Fair.

 The Job Fair will allow Companies to actively fill positions locally here in Stuttgart as well as Europe and World Wide.

•  We will provide wireless capabilities so companies can interview and make offers on the spot. 
• We are working to get VTC links with both Wounded Warriors who cannot travel to Stuttgart and with Soldiers in Iraq.
• AUSA will be paying for shuttle bus support between the local installations here in Stuttgart. 

This will be world class job fair (for all Military Personnel, DoD Civilians and their Family Members) with a special emphasis for the Wounded Warrior. This job fair will allow Companies to actively fill positions locally here in Stuttgart as well as Europe and world wide.

• The Stuttgart community is home to the European Command, African Command, DISA Europe, SPAWAR Europe, Special Forces, Marine Forces Europe, and Naval Special Warfare Unit 2.

• Both United States Air Forces Europe and United States Army Europe are within easy driving distance.  

 We expect to attract many U.S. companies who do business with the U.S government.  Once registered, companies and sponsors will be listed on this site. 
Hours of operation for the Job Fair will be 1200 - 1600 on Saturday, 17 January; 0900 - 1630 on 18 and 19 January 2009. We anticipate that available parking in the hotel garage will be limited and there is an hourly charge. 
The Marriott Hotel will be offering a special hotel room rate for company representatives and for those individuals who wish to stay in the hotel. Room rate includes breakfast but not parking. Room reservations will be available on-line using our “AUSA event code” during a specific "window of opportunity". A direct link to the Marriott web site offer will be provided on this web page prior to 15 Nov. For people flying to Stuttgart, you might want to consider taking a taxi to the hotel rather than rental car.
We will be contracting for commercial bus transportation to shuttle Job Seekers between Kelley Bks, Patch Bks, Panzer Kas and the event hotel. Limited parking, for a charge, is available at the hotel.

Tags: ausa, job-fair, stuttgart

It’s hard to believe that your current chapter board is nearly 8 years old. They’ve managed to accomplish quite a bit in their time, from managing various events to helping out off post communities to our top priority: taking care of the soldier and making sure that very important voice is heard, from Europe to Washington DC.

So, it’s with great regret that the current board wishes to step down and retire. To say their help, assistance and guidance is invaluable is a severe understatement.

Most people that meet our chapter board members are quite shocked to realize that there is basically only one American: the current FIB President, Archie Smith, on the permanent board. We even get a chuckle out of it ourselves.

Our Board members, Cornelia Buchenrieder, Reinhard Hierl, Marianne Aponte-Quiones, and last but not least Peter Segerer are all local nationals who have been doing a tireless job handling the events and affairs of First in Battle’s day-to-day business. They are the ones behind the scenes making plans, organizing events, meeting with potential donation making organizations, consulting with Corporate Sponors, setting up tents and chairs, securing equipment and so many other things to help out.

All permanent members of the FIB Board are currently non-military, except for the FIB President. We are now seeking to change that because after all, this chapter, along with the AUSA is all about the Army. We feel that our board needs to be more military focused, so that we can understand the needs of today’s Army and what it is that the Soldier really wants from AUSA and the First in Battle chapter.

So we are currently seeking the following positions:

Military Representatives-people who know what their units want from their AUSA chapter and can clearly express their needs as well as promote the values of AUSA and the First in Battle Chapter.

Secretary - handles most of our office work and coordinates with all other board members and representatives.

Treasurer - handles all chapter related finances.

Legal Advisor - consults with the board on any and all matters for all events and chapter business.

Events coordinator

Reporters from all of our chapter footprint regions to send in news and events/photos for the chapter website.


All interested parties can contact us at fibsusa@gmail.com or call Chapter President Archie Smith at 0171-641-1351. We will also post a special button on our home-page for potential board members.

Tags: FiB, First-in-Battle-Chapter-Board

We’re adding weekly price drops and coupons from some of our shops from the FIB-AUSA Online Store. Check out this week’s specials. Remember when you shop from your chapter’s online stores the chapter makes a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tags: price-drops

First in Battle chapter board members will be selling food at the Graf/Vilseck Crown Jewel Bazaar on 18 OCT 08 from 11:00 - 17:00. We are raising funds for the Graf Army 10 Miler Team for 2009, as well as raising funds for soldier and community projects.

Tags: First in Battle

Don’t forget to join us at the next Bazaar in Grafenwoehr, Germany @ 17-19 October. You Board members will be grilling like crazy for you to help support various projects through this and next year.

What projects? Well, to start off, we’ll be helping out next year’s Graf Army Ten Miler team generate some funds for the event held in Washington D.C. in the Spring. Then we will be working on some smaller projects in conjunction wit Team USA American style football, to help them build up funds for next year’s football camp. Next we’ll be prepping for all of the local/footprint NCO/Soldier boards as well as many other projects we have planned to help promote First in Battle and the AUSA.

After that, we’ll be trying to put some VERY special together for our entire footprint that I think everyone will appreciate.
Stick with us, thins are just getting interesting....

Tags: FiB, First in Battle, Graf Bazaar

The Annual AUSA Raffle will be kicking off very shortly in our area of the world as well as the rest of Germany. Proceeds from the raffle, as always go directly back to the local communities to support various projects for military communities.
Prizes have not been announced yet, but you can be sure they’ll be good based on past raffles, which have ranged from free Stateside trips to motorcycles and vehicles given to the winners.
More details will be coming as we get them, so be sure to check back with Firstinbattle-ausa.com for more details.

Tags: FiB, First in Battle, ausa, raffle

This will probably seem like a ridiculous question to ask a military community, but when was the last time you wrote to a service member? I mean, someone you didn’t even know? I know in this day and age that email is all the “convenient” rage, but what about a handwritten letter? Can you remember the last time you sent some homemade cookies to a total stranger? I always thought of this as a cool thing because not everyone has a spouse or family that they can contact. Sometimes that one little letter can make a very big difference to someone, especially if they are a long way from home, or not having the most perfect of days.

How do you go about writing a service member when you don’t even know their address?
There are lots of different ways to do this. One of the best ways is to visit your local ACS or your local chaplain. They have a HUGE information database for interested people to assist you. Of course the largest database on the planet is the internet. You can use the internet to find great sites like Any Soldier. This is a fantastic site to learn how to contact a soldier, with plenty of the right info. It’s actually ran by a soldier, SGT Brian Horn, who was stationed in Iraq. Check it out.

There’s also the excellent Soldier’s Angels website ran by a large non-profit organization to help distribute letters as well as gifts to service members stationed all over the world. Actually its a network of more than 20 different groups helping to distribute these items.

So as you can see, the internet and your local facilities like ACS can be of immense use to you in helping to contact a soldier, whether you know the service member or not. So whether you are a master baker, poet craft-maker or not, and you want to do something rewarding for a “total stranger”, take some time out of your busy schedule and let a service member you know, or don’t know, how much you appreciate them and what they do for our country. Who knows, you might just make a life-long friend from a “total stranger”.
Here’s some links to get you started:

Any Soldier - Info about sending letters and gifts to soldiers.

Soldier’s Angels - Huge network dedicated to providing letters, gifts and treats to service members.

Adopt a Soldier - Individualized support throughout deployment
Angel Bakers - Homemade treats for the deployed
Blankets of Belief - Handcrafted holiday support for the deployed
Blankets of Gratitude - Handcrafted holiday love for hospitalized veterans
Blankets of Hope - Handcrafted comfort for the wounded
Cards Plus Team - Extra TLC for soldiers & families
Chaplain Support Team - Help chaplains support the troops
Eagle Cane Project - Handmade canes for the wounded
First Response Backpacks - Supplies for wounded in-country
Fisher House Team - Assistance for Fisher Houses & residents
Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet - Care for pets
Hero Flights - Emergency travel assistance
Hero Packs - Care packages
Ladies of Liberty - Extra TLC for deployed females
Living Legends - Remembering the fallen and their families
Operation Outreach - Supporting families waiting at home
Operation Phone Home - Calling cards
Operation Top Knot - Handmade gifts & virtual baby showers
Portraits of Memory - Hand-painted portraits of the fallen
Scarves - Handmade heat and sand protection
SOS:Kids - Helping deployed soldiers help local kids
Valour-IT - Adaptive laptops for the wounded
Veterans Support - Assisting veterans facilities
Wounded TLC - Letters and care packages for the wounded
Wrapped in Holiday Spirit - 180,000 Holiday care packages for the deployed

Tags: service member, write, news

First in Battle and Team USA American Football had a great time in Polling last weekend with the Football Camp. Mr. Dan Miles was on hand along with several other coaches to help teach youths from Germany to Zagreb and all between the finer points of American Style Football. The guys got a real workout from the professional coaching staff, and everyone had a really great time. The Camp is held every year in the same area and helps to give potential players sound choices and refined training to give them a better edge for playing in the States. Jerseys and various types of awards were donated from several professional teams, and videos were also made featuring the various players so that the teams in the States can evaluate them for potential talent. Special thanks also goes out to Service Credit Union for helping out with sponsoring for the event.

Tags: Football

Thanks to all of the golfer for making the FIB/Team USA/Give Children a Chance Golf Tournament a total success.

Tags: golf

We are still joining forces with Team USA American Football and the Give Children a Chance Organization by co-sponsoring a golf tournament with them. Will you be the lucky or just plain skilled one to win a NEW BMW? Check out the site below for full details. Note: The webmaster for this site has mentioned that the site might not be accessible through Army computers because of the various filters and this site makes very heavy use of Flash technology.
http://www.ausatusaafgcacgolftourn.com/

So, who out there wants to play golf with Major Celebs and possibly win a NEW BMW?
Our next Event will be a co-hosted event along with Team USA American Style Football and the Give Children a Chance Organization. We are holding a Celebrity Golf Tournament on 24 June at the Habsberg Golf Course to assist the poorest of children from all over the world.
Celebrities include, but are not limited to:
Lawrence Taylor of the Giants
Robert Newhouse, Doug Donley, Bret Romero, Charlie Williams, Bruce and Kalen Thornton of the Dallas Cowboys
Musician Haddaway of "What is Love?" fame
Gorilla Rilla of Rilla Nation
German Hockey Team Nurnberg Ice Tigers
Many, many others.
Tee time is set for 12:30 pm. Registration, info and more is here:
http://www.ausatusaafgcacgolftourn.com/

First in Battle is looking to sponsor teams for this event, so if you are interested, please Contact Us

Tags: golf, tournments

Thanks to all Box Run participansts for a very successful run. Our sponsors also deserve a Very big thanks for helping us pull off this event. We ask that you support our sponsors by frequenting their places of business and showing your support for them as well as the AUSA.

Tags: box run

Don't forget to come out for this year's BOX RUN in Hohenfels. Just check out the BOX RUN REGISTRATION page for easy online payments and setup. For Larger pics of this year's poster or BOX RUN Map, just click on the pics.

Tags: First in Battle, box run

Attention all walk to Afghanistan participants: You will now be able to receive credit for your participating in any of this year's BOX RUN events! Just be sure to log those miles.

Tags: box run, NEWS

We've added a 3K FUN RUN/WALK to this year's 2008 BOX RUN. For those who wish to register early, please see our REGISTRATION page for more info. You can register as an individual or an entire group.

See you at the run.

Tags: FiB, box run

WE HEAR YOU!!

OK, you talked, we listened. After increased demand for some changes, we are happy to re-activate the 2008 BOX RUN registrations, albeit with some modifications:

PRICE: Individuals -12 EURO.
WHY? We are now providing T-shirts for the run, due to customer demand.

PRICE: Team (5 people, no more, no less) - 50 Euro.
WHY? More people means we can provide a better discount.

UNIT: We are now providing a form for entire units (50 or more participants). It's very simple and there is only one from to fill out. Full instructions are on the registration form.
PRICE: 10 EURO each participant.
Why? Why not?

CLUBS: First in Battle will be in talks with various walking clubs to provide credits to those who wish to participate in the run.

Tags: box run

There will be a short delay in new registers for the Box Run, due to last minute changes. This should only last a couple of days, as we are ironing out some details and requests from participants to bring you the best Box Run ever.
Thank you.

Tags: box run

FIB is lending a helping hand to children and the local communities by co-sponsoring a Celebrity Golf Tournament. We're Teaming up with Team USA American Football and the Give Children a Chance Organization to make this a reality.

Never heard of Give Children a Chance? Well you should know more about this fantastic non-profit organization. It's designed to help out the children of different nations all over the world. It's the creation of SFC Jarrod Gozy stationed at Hohenfels who's been at it for quite some time now. He also received an honorable mention for the Army Times 2007 Soldier of the Year. For more about GCAC, check out the website here.

The tournament will be held in Habsberg, Germany (right next to Velburg, close to Hohenfels) on 24 June 08 @ 12:30. The list of celebs will be posted shortly, but we are absolutely positive everyone will be more than satisfied at the turnout.
The site for registration and all rules and regulation info is here. Check it out, register and be prepared to have a great time. Who knows, one of YOU just might drive away with a new BMW if you get a hole-in-one. Oh. didn't I mention this before? There will be prizes galore to boot. Check out the site to see what I mean!

As a matter of fact, FIB is looking to sponsor a couple of teams from Hohenfels, Graf/Vilseck for the tournament. Interested people should contact us.

Team USA American Football will also be hosting a Football Camp the same week for kids from around the world. They host this camp every year to teach kids about the fundamentals, as well as the outright FUN of American style football. Professional football coaches from the USA always help out every year and it's a very professional course. It's always a great time. For more info contact Dan Miles or check out the TUSAAF website.

Tags: First in Battle, team usa american football, give children a chance

It's that time of the year. Of course we're talking about the 2008 Box Run. The run will be held on post at USAG-Hohenfels. Only one type of run will be held this year due to time constraints - the 10K. It should still be a very challenging and exciting run, as this year we've been given permission from JMRC Hohenfels to make this a "footprint" event - which means we are inviting our Graf and Viseck communities to come out and show what you got!
The Run will start on 3 May 08 from 0900 - 1030, with an awards ceremony starting @ 11:15. Run route info is posted on the registration page.
Special prizes will be awarded to the victors this year, as well as something special for the largest competing unit.

Pre-registration is set up on our website located on the Box Run Page.
Route info is located in our Downloads section. Online payments are processed through PayPal, so you can be assured that all transactions are very secure. The price for the run will be 8 Euro - this is a fundraiser after all
You can also register on run day starting @ 07:00-08:30.
All proceeds of course go right back to the soldiers and surrounding communities as well as supporting such future events as the FIB Scholarship, Soldier Boards, etc.

For those who do not wish to pay through PayPal, we've also set up registration forms for you. Just choose the "No PayPal" links.
For more info, please visit the registration page. If you have more questions/problems, please contact us at fibausa@gmail.com. Hope to see you all at the run.

Tags: run, box run

F.I.B. is still on track with the Annual Box Run. This Year will mark our efforts to create a Command Sponsored Event for the run. This basically means we will be attempting to combine the USAG'S Hohenfels, Grafenwoehr and Vilseck communities for this year's run, and hopefully more future events. Community events such as this help to promote and sustain the special bond that exists between the entire military family, which is exactly what we are. And of course give the winners extra bragging rights for the year
The run this year will start on 3 May (Saturday) @ 09:00. Online registration will again be made available via the First in Battle website several weeks ahead of the event. Race day registration will also be available starting @ 07:30.
There will only be one type of run this year, the 10k, due to the consolidation of the Annual Fest schedule this year. Race day prices, maps and more info will be posted very soon on your chapter website. Check back often for more details. This info is also posted in your Chapter Newsletter.

Tags: run, box run

If you like to buy software online and get it downloaded instantly, then have we got a store for you. The F.I.B. - AUSA Software Store joins our ever growing list of online stores for you to enjoy. We offer over 18000 instantly downloadable titles. As normal with all of the stores advertised on our site, you help your chapter earn commissions when you shop through our stores. So check out the Software Store when you get a chance and let us know what you think.   

Tags: First in Battle , online shopping, software

Thanks to everyone who is supporting Your chapter by shopping through the Online Store. We've separated the stores into individual ones based on customer suggestions. To reach the stores, click on these links and save them to your "favorites" in your web browser:

• Amazon

• Apple

• 4AllMemory

• Newegg

• Overstock

• TigerDirect

• WalMart

As always, your chapter earn funds (a commission) when you shop through your chapter's online store to support your needs with no extra cost to you, which in turn go right back to the chapter.  

Tags: online shopping, First in Battle

The "Rilla" has pounced

We'd like to personally thank Gorilla Rilla of Oakland Raiders fame for coming here to entertain the troops on 07 Dec. It was a fantastic time for all. The "Rilla" met the troops at Hohenfels at Mayer's Kantine, and also the post Bowling Alley.

It's rumored he bowled a couple of games himself. I hear he offered the troops no mercy, in true Oakland Raiders style.
The "Rilla", having conquered all of Hohenfels (and taking every last banana from Mayer's Kantine), then proceeded to lay siege at several off-post businesses, as well as the Graf/Vilseck "Mall" much to the delight of Troops and their families.

Special mention goes to Mr. Dan Miles of Team USA American Football Stars and Stripes. who really made the "Rilla" event happen. Mr. Miles is also a member of the F.I.B. Board (Vice President: Youth Sports). If you were able to see Gorilla and enjoyed the experience, let us know, so we can try to bring some more fun events your way. Team USAAF has a pretty cool site. Check out TeamUSAAF here. Of course this event, as well as many others is posted in your chapter's Gallery. Check it out.
Special thanks also to the Mayer's of Mayer's Kantine at Hohenfels, and the Lane 17 Bowling Alley - Hohenfels for being such gracious hosts.

Tags: gallery, gorilla-rilla

Hey Raiders fans:
Join us and Team USA American Style Football on Friday 07 DEC at Mayer's Kantine (Bldg 36) on Hohenfels to meet and greet Gorilla Rilla of Oakland Raiders fame, who's ben kind enough to do a stop-over goodwill tour. He will be at the kantine from 12:00 to spread the word about the Raiders and Team USA American Football.  The "Rilla" will also be attending Graf and Vilseck over the weekend.

More info about the "rilla": http://video.usanetwork.com/player/?id=58795

Tags: gorilla-rilla, First in Battle , team usa american football

First in Battle congratulates the winners of the 2007 JMRC NCO/Soldier of the Year, and of the Quarter:  

NCO of the Year :  SSG Eduardo Brown   
Soldier of the Year : SGT Jose Quinones
NCO 3rd QTR FY 07 : SSG Eduardo Brown 
Soldier 3rd QTR FY 07: SGT Jose Quinones
NCO 4th QTR FY O7: SGT Christopher Farmer
Soldier 4th QTR FY O7:  SPC Richard Smith
NCO 1st QTR FY 07: SGT Daniel Tate
Soldier 1st QTR FY 07:  SPC Shane Kelly
The winners were awarded with various prizes from F.I.B. to include Army dress blues for the NCO and Soldier of the year for JMRC.  
More pics posted in the gallery.

Tags: First in Battle , awards

We've updated the Gallery. Be sure to check it out HERE.

Tags: box run, gallery

I recently spoke with Youth Sports Coach and F.I.B. AUSA Corporate Sponsor Daniel Miles. Mr. Miles also participates with Team USA American Football here in Germany. We talked about the recent American Football Camp that TUSAAF recently hosted: