By Daniel Adams
Army Community Service Relocation Program Manager
First impressions are lasting ones, which is why Army Community Service (ACS) is here to ensure you will be able to say, “I’m glad I live here”, from the beginning.
All newcomers arriving in Stuttgart’s “purple” community can rely on U.S. Army Garrison’s Army Community Service (ACS), and should think of the “A” in ACS to stand for “All” Community Service. It’s the ACS mission to serve all citizens in our Stuttgart community with our programs and services designed to minimize stress and help you find useful resources in your new community.
We trust your officially assigned unit sponsor will make a great first impression by providing the right information and referrals before and on arrival, so you already know about the programs and services ACS offers and how to take advantage of us throughout your entire tour of duty.
Additionally, you can find opportunities and navigate your new community with ACS information either online at www.stuttgart.armymwr.com or by following our three recommendations below.
First, attend in-processing to learn what is available through ACS – and ensure your spouse gets the information too. Relocation Readiness/Information and Referral is here to help you resource anything and everything throughout your assignment.
Upon arrival, parents may borrow baby items to take to the hotels through the Lending Closet. These items include car seats, booster seats, strollers, highchairs and pack-n-plays. The New Parent Support Program is here to help ease stress and concerns of expectant moms the day they land and to be of support throughout the pregnancy, and up to age 3 of the child. The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) ensures reasonable accommodations and services are made available. It is advised that you drop by ACS, Building 2915 on Panzer Kaserne to have your family’s needs assessed.
Second, get the house settled and organized to feel that sense of control again.
Create your bucket list of what trips you wish to take and what role you’ll want to play in the community. ACS can help you with making a plan whether it is to create budgets to travel more, secure a job, increase parenting skills, strengthen your marriage, cope with adversity, invest for retirement, buy a home, learn German culture and language, translate English/German non-legal and non-medical documents, assist contacting German vendors and service providers, incorporate better sponsorship, become a part of the volunteer force that makes us a community, find community resources and more.
Third, remember to think “purple” in the dynamic joint military community that USAG Stuttgart is, the A in ACS stands for “ALL” COMMUNITY SERVICE and is here to help alleviate stress by knowing where to go first for anything you need to become a part of this great community.
ACS is located in Building 2915 on Panzer Kaserne. You may also contact ACS by calling DSN 431-3362/civ. 07031-15-3362. ACS programs and all Family and MWR offerings are available on our website, www.stuttgart.armymwr.com.
“We’re Glad YOU Live Here”