European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 14, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday May 14, 1992 the stars and stripes a Page 3 Awag . Presence still needed Oaks says by Kevin Dougherty staff writer Willinger Germany a As the . Military shrinks and bases in Europe close there is a natural inclination for some people to associate the cold War with stability the commander of the . Air forces in Europe said tuesday. That a understandable because the draw Down has had such a Strong Impact on the personal and professional lives of . Service members and their families Gen. Robert c. Oaks told the 36th annual convention of american women s activities Germany. But although the withdrawal of . Forces represents an Allied Victory Oaks said it May not ensure lasting stability in Europe. History has taught that a Europe is a caldron of turmoil a he said and the current instability particularly in the East should not be underestimated. A continuing presence in Europe is necessary a to avoid a second Normandy Beach a Oaks said. A we want to avoid having to fight our Way Back in a third time a Oaks said referring to the two world wars that brought americans to Europe. Western nations look to the United states for leadership which has helped solidify the nato Alliance for 40 years Oaks said. A i done to think the numbers Are nearly As important As the  Oaks also lauded the estimated 300 conventioneers Many of whom represent spouses clubs and service organizations for their Volunteer work. Oaks their Many programs help service members concentrate on their training and exercises because they know their families needs Are being met. Quot it keeps us alive a Oaks said. Volunteers Are especially valuable during the draw Down when everyone is being asked to do the same or More with less. Oaks acknowledged there has been pain in part because service members who volunteered for duty Are being a pushed  asked How to respond to people Back Home who doubt the need for a continued i a. Troop presence in Europe Oaks defended the policy and cited the instability in Eastern Europe. Further Oaks said that aside from the . Commitment to nato the Cost to base . Troops overseas is Only about 10 percent More than in the states. He said 70 percent of the Money spent by service members who live on base and 50 percent of those w to live off base goes Back to the United states. On the Issue of Safe personnel in Southwest Asia Oaks said he docs not foresee a withdrawal soon. Safe currently has about 250 airmen in Southwest Asia in support of operation desert storm. Most Are from Spang Dahlum a Germany which has f-4g wild weasels stationed in the Gulf. A a iraqi president Saddam Hussein is not doing anything that makes us feel better about him Quot Oaks  criticized for ignoring teen programs by Kevin Dougherty staff writer Willinger Germany a teen programs Are among the most neglected and ill conceived within the military a social service system say defense department and . Army Europe officials attending a conference in Willinger. But that Bleak assessment was balanced by a pledge that youth programs will improve and expand throughout the services in the future two defense department officials said during seminars this week at the annual conference of the american women a activities Germany. Teen activities traditionally have taken a Back seat to other programs said col. Kenneth Gingras chief of the Community family support division at Usa eur Headquarters. A the teen programs Are probably one of the most neglected that we have seen a Gingras said. Youth programs especially those directed at youths aged 13 to 18, a Are on the Back Burner All the Way up and Down the line of authority from the Pentagon to the base commanders said Linda k. Smith Deputy director of child development and youth for the defense departments office of family policy support and services. Smith said officials in the defense Secretary a office want to move the Issue to a the front  the teen Issue is the focus of a subcommittee involved in a More expansive review of family policies at the defense department said Gail h. Mcginn the director of the office of family policy support and services. Recently Mcginnis office randomly mailed a questionnaire to 100,000 service members and 50,000 spouses seeking a it has pay backs in the development of our youth a he said. A a it a Money that you save in Law enforcement and in repairs caused by  Many of the current programs Are sports oriented Smith said. While that is the teen programs Are probably one of the most neglected that we have seen. Col. Kenneth Gingras their views on military personnel policies and Quality of life issues. The Survey similar to a 1985 questionnaire includes questions pertaining to operations desert shield and storm and the draw Down Mcginn said. In addition the Pentagon began reviewing last fall the morale welfare and recreation system worldwide. A report is expected within the next six months Mcginn said. A the intent is not to do harm a she said. A the intent is to make sure that what we Are doing for mar is defensible and that it meets the needs of the  Gingras said Many base communities Are now realizing that the Cost associated with creating and sustaining constructive youth programs is reasonable Given the alternative. Fine in some respects Smith said it does no to address a sizable teen population that is uninterested in sports. Furthermore Many youths drop out of competitive sports in their Early teens. A for the most part we lose them at 13,�?� Smith said. A and where Are they going its a real  there Are More than a million children Between the Ages of 6 and 18 in military families around the world she said. Throughout the military there Are 416 installations that have youth activity programs Smith said citing a recent demographic study by her office. The total number of programs is 481. There Are 1,004,738 children and teens who Are eligible to participate. Based on what she has heard at the four Day conference Smith said the major commands in Europe a have a ways to go in youth activities. Smith outlined some major initiatives in the works that would help further the cause a the special subcommittee on teens. A formulation of a policy and vision statement by the department of defense. A a youth leadership series. A More programs for school age family members. A a 24-hour defense department hot line. Community leaders need to realize that it is impossible for youth programs to break even Smith said. She added that it is incumbent upon the Pentagon to assist bases in getting qualified people to manage the programs. Smiths child development and youth office is reviewing the certification process for programs sponsored by the National boys and girls clubs of America. At Usa eur Gingras spoke about the need to have town meetings reserved for teen agers. The idea is to give them Power and a sense of belonging and responsibility by giving them Access to the Community commander Gingras said. In the fall Usa eur plans to Start a teen recognition program that will commend youths who have made contributions to the Community. The award must be credible Gingras said. A we done to know How this will come about a he said. A you done to want to create a the Geek  Quot in Home child care called alternative to centers by Kevin Dougherty Kaiserslautern Bureau Willinger Germany a military parents should look beyond child care centers to find suitable care for their youngsters a defense department official said tuesday. Although officials want to expand the availability of child care programs the military has no plans to substantially expand its centers said Linda k. Smith Deputy director of child development and youth for the defense departments office of family policy support and services. Home providers offer a key alternative she said. Speaking this week at the annual convention of american women a activities Germany Smith said the number of military child care spaces at installations care centers have increased from 53,000 in fiscal 1981 to nearly 158,000 in fiscal 1991. That includes space for schoolchildren. That trend is unlikely to continue Smith said but certified providers can care for up to six children in their Homes. The limit of six includes any of the providers own children. However Smith said there is an institutional mindset a from parents on up to base commanders a that a child care Center is the Only viable option. Parents seem not As comfortable with Home providers As they Are with child care centers located on base Smith said. But costs and the Lack of available space and qualified help make it difficult to expand child care Center programs any further. Officials must consider subsidizing child care providers at Home to attract More qualified people As . Army Europe officials Are doing Smith said. A a subsidized child care program still costs us less than a Center program a she added. Also she noted commands can offer higher wages to recruit qualified care givers at centers on installations. The defense departments appropriated funds for child development programs have risen a from $89.4 million in fiscal 1989 to $189 million for this fiscal year. The projection for fiscal 1993 is $192.5 million. A we really have been jerking programs around a lot a said Gail h. Mcginn director of the defense departments office of family policy support and services. She said training and new policies have put child care services in a state of flux but she added a i think the program has come a Long Way and hopefully you will see a stabilization of  at the other end of the age spectrum the Pentagon a family policy office is putting together a resource manual for elder care. Private sector surveys indicate elder care is at least As much of a concern As child care Mcginn said. A we really done to know the extent that elder care will have on the military a she said. The resource manual will address medical and financial issues As Well As coping with the distances that separate service members and their spouses from their parents. Mcgivn said the manual should be available in military Community centers within 90 Days