European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 20, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Europe outdoors or Norm Zeigler the Winter solstice has passed and the Days Are getting longer. But in nature it still seems like the season of death. Bare Trees. Frozen ground and frigid winds insist that the worst of Winter May be yet to come. But to a a t those who look closely there Are telltale signs of the coming renewal. The first Green Spears of crocuses and daffodils Are beginning to poke through gardens and lawns. In. Orchards branches Are tipped with swollen buds that foretell. Spring s blossoms and summer s fruits. In the natural world death and life Are parts of an unbroken continuum. The victims of Winter kill become food for scavengers both four footed and winged. Trees felled by storms decompose to become nourishment for other Trees and plants. For Many outdoors enthusiasts this is a season More for reflection than activity. It is a time for going Over equipment and refilling tackle boxes. But Winter should not be used As an excuse to become sedentary. Maintaining a proper fitness level will make it that much easier to hike in to a favorite Trout Stream in the Spring or climb a Mountain in Pursuit of Chamois next summer. There Are few Days that Are too cold or Stormy to at least take a walk. And even though the mountains Are heavily blanketed with Snow Many areas maintain hiking paths that Are kept fairly Clear. Especially in Alpine areas of Germany Austria and Switzerland hiking is the major recreational activity for non skiers. Wherever it is done Winter hiking has its own Subtle pleasures. In the forests the absence of foliage allows greater visibility and the few animals moving about seem somehow More intriguing than in summer when the Woods Are teeming with life. Taking a few simple precautions can spare Winter hikers needless discomfort and perhaps danger. All hikers should be sure they know the area they will be hiking in and either use a map or stay on Well marked trails. No one should plan a Long hike. In bad weather. Warm clothing and Good Winter boots Are also a must an even better Winter exercise is Cross country skiing. This total aerobic sport combines the ease of a King with the Appeal of skiing. Anyone who is reasonably fit can learn the basics in a half hour. Cross country skiing a also called nordic skiing a does not provide the Speed thrill of downhill skiing but it need never be Boring. Increasing the Challenge is a simple matter of improving technique and seeking out More difficult terrain. Among the sport s advantages is the absence of lines and High priced lift passes. Basic equipment is inexpensive to buy and even More of a bargain to rent. One of the most important Winter chores for maintaining outdoor gear is cleaning fishing reels and guns should be disassembled and cleaned inside and out. Reel cleaning should also include the line. For monofilament and braided lines a Freshwater rinse and drying Are usually sufficient. It is a Good idea to treat Fly. Lines with a commercial cleaner conditioner. It will make the line last longer and cast easier. Cross country skiing can be a leisurely Glide or an aerobic workouts amps Jim de Helm a the association of american Rod and gun clubs Europe supports a program called the Deutscher . This activity promotes Competition in Hunting style shooting including skeet trap and Rifle events. The Rifle shooting is at simulated game targets. A a Rod and gun club member with a valid German Hunting License is eligible to participate in one of the competitions. The competitions for 1993 Are scheduled from the end of april through the end of August. For More information Contact div shooting chairman Roger Davis Telephone Dan 494-6474 or 06372-3450 Chuck Kotyrba Telephone Dan 490-6339/1410 Siggi Adams Telephone Dan 3706803/6358 Jim Smyth Telephone 0622759980 or Ron Riedner Telephone Dan 480-6948.a the Fulda Rod and gun club will conduct a German Hunting certificate class in february. People interested in taking the course should Contact club manager Artie Abercrombie at Dan 321-3291 or 0661-71375. This column can to a useful look for sharing information among outdoor enthusiasts. If you have questions or information about outdoor activities in your area or just want to talk about your particular interest Contact Norm Zeigler stars and stripes unit 29430, Box 265 Apoate 09211, Telephone Dan 343-8230 or civilian 06155-601230 in Germany action Lin military spouses face catch 22 on  have a question about the regulations for hiring military spouses overseas. I have read several letters in your letters to the editor Section about the co in Baum older Germany and the unfair -. Treatment that some applicants think they have received there. My question is Why does a spouse stationed overseas in Germany for three years Only have one year of eligibility if hired in a temporary position after that year she is told by her supervisor that she has to compete for the very Job she is now doing with everyone who applies for this position at co. She then goes to co to get More information but is told by co personnel that because she has worked continuously for one year she has lost her spouse preference and will not be rehired for the. Position even though she is trained and has experience in this Field. She is told that veterans have first priority and that any spouses who apply have second priority whether or not they have experience. She is also told she is no longer considered a spouse but now a family member. If this is True Why should she even reapply for this position As her supervisor advised especially when co tells her that she will not be rehired. She did reapply and was not rehired. You May think it has something to do with my Job performance but this is not True. I received excellent Job performance ratings the year i worked in the position. Would you please give an answer to me and All the other people who Are asking the same questions and looking for new jobs Debra Dawson Baum older Germany n James m. Biggs personnel staffing specialist office of the Deputy chief of staff personnel civilian personnel division he Usa eur responds. In filling jobs with the department of the army in Europe applicants from external sources Are considered in the order established by Law and regulation. Priorities vary according to the Type of position the Type of funding and the Grade level of the position. For . Appropriated fund positions Federal Law requires that preference be Given to eligible veterans and spouses of military members. The spouses of Active duty military members receive preference in obtaining initial employment upon relocation of their sponsor. Since military spouse preference is not oriented toward Long term opportunities it May be used Only one time per pcs Transfer. Under department of defense guidelines military spouse preference terminates when a spouse obtains or declines a continuing appropriated fund or non appropriated fund position of any kind. This Means that preference ends when a the spouse is employed or declines a Job offer on a permanent position. A the spouse is employed or declines a Job offer for a temporary position lasting one year or longer. A a spouse s temporary employment originally made for less than one yeah is extended so that total employment is expected to continue for one year or longer. We realize it is a very difficult decision for military spouses to accept temporary employment which can last up to four years or wait for a permanent Job offer. Usage urn a civilian personnel offices pos continually publicize information concerning military spouse preference and the fact that preference can be lost upon employment in a temporary position. We must add however that because of the draw Down most positions being filled in Usa eur today Are temporary or term . One to four years in length and we do not expect this to change in the near future. In addition if management wishes to extend a temporary employee this usually can be done without the employee having to recompute for the position. Readers action Una which appears mondays and wednesdays strives to answer questions about life in a military environment. If you Don t know where to turn for Helo. Write readers action line co the stars and stripes. Unit 29480, Apoate 09211. Aji letters must be signed. Please include address and phone number. 20 the stars and stripes a wednesday january 20, 1993