Gen. David M. Rodriguez assumed command of U.S. Africa Command from Gen.
Carter F. Ham on April 5. Rodriguez is AFRICOM’s third commander since
the command was established in 2008 to coordinate U.S. military
relations and activities with African nations, regional organizations
and the African Union. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, presided over the ceremony.Read More

The annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign began March 1 and continues
through May 15.  This year’s campaign slogan is: “Supporting Soldiers
and their families, yesterday, today and tomorrow.”Read More

Raise your hand if you like doing laundry.  Hello, anyone?  
Unless
you’re part of the 1 percent of the population that finds this chore
therapeutic, you’re with me and the other 99 percent that just want to
get it done.
So it’s established that doing laundry isn’t fun, but
for those of you that have the ability to knock it out at home…at least
you have that.Read More

Like most service members in Stuttgart, I was very happy to learn I
would have the opportunity to serve here. Stuttgart has an outstanding
reputation as a center of innovation, engineering and culture. It’s also
known as one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world. With
critical Department of Defense activities here, there is no doubt that
it’s a great place to live and work.Read More

Every Halloween there is an assortment of ghosts, pirates, super heroes
and ballerinas running about with one of two things in mind — getting
candy or going to parties.
Read More

As part of an Army-wide initiative, service members and civilian
employees from across the Stuttgart military community participated in a
Suicide Prevention Stand-Down Day Sept. 20, while U.S. Africa Command
held its stand down Sept. 27.
Read More

Thirty-four competitors flexed with poise during the fifth annual U.S.
Army Garrison Stuttgart European Bodybuilding and Figure Championship
Aug. 25, persuasively engaging one glistening deltoid at a time for an
appreciative sold-out audience. “A lot of people really admire the
hard work, dedication and discipline these performers put in the gym and
toward their bodies,” said Marie Smith, a dedicated crossfit athlete
who brought her young sons to watch the evening show at the Patch
Fitness Center. Read More

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, know that you are not alone.
Experiencing
a traumatic event is common among service members who deploy to hostile
environments around the globe. Everyone reacts to traumatic experiences
differently, and some service members may face emotional or
psychological challenges such as feelings of anger, isolation, anxiety
or guilt following the event or when they return home. These reactions,
among others, can be common responses to extraordinary events.Read More

Summer campers learned how to “Go Green” during Child, Youth and School
Services’ Camp Adventure program. Children grew and harvested their own
vegetables, went on nature walks and learned to recycle, at camps held
from June 16 to Aug. 25 at the school age and youth centers on Robinson,
Kelley and Patch Barracks, and Panzer Kaserne.  Read More

The Patch Library concluded its summer reading program with reading
awards, participation prizes and an ice cream social on Aug. 7. With a
theme of “Reading is So Delicious,” the program was designed to spark
the literary appetites of young readers at 250 military installations
across the globe.
Read More