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1st Cavalry Division
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Links
1st
Cavalry Division Hompage Links to Support Troopers,
Families and
Provide Information News Sources
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4th BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM The 4th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) of the 1st Cavalry Division is currently deployed in Iraq. The units that are currently deployed are:
We have points of contact for you to send mail to in each of the units in the 4th BCT. Contact the Association headquarters via E-mail at firstcav@1cda.org or by telephone at (254) 547-6537 to receive contact information for these POCs. The Department of Defense has announced the deployment of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division later this year and the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters, and the 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams in the early part of 2009. There have been no announcements for the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade made at this time. All units of the Division are conducting training in preparation for deployment. TOUR LENGTH The President announced on 10 April a change in the length of the Army's deployments which returns the deployment time to twelve-month deployments. The Army will reduce "Boots on the Ground" time to no more than twelve months for all active component Soldiers deploying to the Central Command area of operations after 1 August 2008. Soldiers deploying prior to 1 August 2008 will complete their scheduled deployments. PROVIDING SUPPORT There are many ways that you can demonstrate your support for the Troopers of the First Team and their families. Many Troopers of the 4th BCT are currently in areas that are not well developed and have limited support available for the Troopers. During a Townhall Meeting with the families at Fort Hood a request for packages containing snack foods, toiletries and toilet paper be sent to Troopers. Mailing letters and packages is only one of them. Below we have provided a few different ways that you can help. Providing
the service member with a
TELEPHONE CALLING CARD will
assist them in calling their loved ones from their overseas location when the
opportunity permits. Telephone
calling cards can also be ordered from the Army & Air Force Exchange System
via the Internet at https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx. Individuals and organizations can show their support Troopers and their families with gift certificates. The “Gift of Groceries” program allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates at http://www.commissaries.com or by calling toll free (877) 770-GIFT. The Army & Air Force exchange System offers the “Gift From the Homefront” gift certificate for merchandise at their exchange web site: http://www.aafes.com or by calling toll free (877) 770-4438. Gift certificates may be purchased to be mailed to service members and family members. Only authorized commissary and exchange patrons may redeem the gift certificates at military commissaries and exchanges, including those stores supporting deployed personnel around the globe. Those wishing to provide assistance to First Team families at Fort Hood may order certificates and have them sent to the 1st Cavalry Division Association, 302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703. Please contact us to coordinate this prior to purchasing your gift and let us know which location or unit that you wish to support. They will be delivered to the Division Sergeant Major's office for distribution to needy families. You may wish to continue your support for the Troopers of the Division by adopting a Fort Hood unit. The Central Texas Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the United States Army has provided an opportunity for individuals, businesses and civic organizations to adopt units that are assigned to Fort Hood, Texas. Information on this program is available at http://www.forthoodausa.org/adopt_a_unit.shtml. The 1st Cavalry Division Association is a Corporate member of the Association of the United States Army. Assist with lawn care for our deployed Troopers by signing up as a volunteer with Project EverGreen's GreenCare for Troops. Project Evergreen is a non-profit organization that links volunteers who will care for the lawns of deployed Troopers with the family needing assistance. Visit their web page http://www.projectevergreen.com/gcft/ to see more and sign up as a volunteer. Donating blood is also a worthwhile project. You may be able to specify it be used for our military personnel. Start a blood donation drive in your area, school, church, business, or community. Check with your local blood bank or the American Red Cross. The Army has established a Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline to offer wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers and family members a way to share concerns on the quality of patient care and to provide senior Army leaders with visibility on medically-related issues. Call (800) 984-8523 or e-mail wsfsupport@conus.army.mil. E-mail is the preferred mode of communication for our military personnel and each Trooper has their own E-mail address provided by the Army. The amount of time that each Trooper has at a computer varies on their individiual location and position but all will have access to computers and will be able to communicate with family and friends using the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) account. You may also be able to get an AKO account. Visit the AKO web sit at https://www.us.army.mil/portal/portal_home.jhtml for additional information. Anyone serving in the active Army, retired Army personnel, Department of the Army Civilians, National Guard and Army Reserve members may get a full AKO account. The following people may be eligible for a Guest account: Army volunteers, family members of full AKO members, members of other services and some others. You can send e-mail to an AKO account without being an AKO account holder. SENDING REGULAR MAIL The Department of Defense asks that all unsolicited mail to U.S. troops overseas stop! Government officials say well-meaning groups and organizations usually set up such programs, but they can provide an avenue for dangerous substances and materials to enter into the military mail system. If you wish to provide support to our troops follow the guidelines that are below or select a web site from those listed that provides details, information and guidance for sending packages. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will no longer accept packages and mail addressed to "Any Soldier". Mailed items must be addressed to a specific person by name, unit and APO AE mail address. If you are sending packages, remember to keep them small. We recommend that they be "shoebox size" and that you send several small packages rather than sending one large box. All boxes mailed to Troopers will require postage and a customs declaration label. It is best to check with your local Post Office™ or visit the USPS web page at http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/ for specifics on mailing package before packaging your items and heading to the post office to mail them. Getting familiar with the rules and getting the required forms beforehand helps to reduce your stress level. There is a long list of items that are prohibited and we ask that you follow the rules. For specific restrictions and mailing rates to an APO/FPO address, visit the Rate Calculator. You can also call 1-800-ASK-USPS, consult your local Post Office™, or phone the Military Postal Service Agency at 1-800-810-6098. Overseas Holiday Mail 2008 The 2008 Christmas holiday mailing deadlines have just been announced. If you want your cards, letters, and packages to arrive to a military member overseas be sure to mail them by the following dates: For military mail addressed to APO AE Zip 093 (1st Cavalry Division Units are in this category):
For military mail addressed to APO AE zips 090-098 (except 093); AA zips 340; and AP zips 962-966:
Thanks for supporting our Troopers!
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