USAG Benelux Town Hall at NATO HQ – Sept. 24, 2026

BRUSSELS, Belgium – U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux hosted a Town Hall and Newcomers Brief at NATO Headquarters, Sept. 24, 2026, in Brussels. The event provided an opportunity for members of the community to find out more about resources available, ask questions and voice concerns to leadership.

Jeff Gliedman, USAG Benelux in Brussels deputy garrison manager, thanked the community for the opportunity to share information about the services the Benelux provides, as well as information about activities coming up. He then introduced the USAG Benelux command team, Col. Peter Young, USAG Benelux garrison commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Velezcosme, incoming USAG Benelux senior enlisted advisor and Yvette Castro, USAG Benelux deputy garrison commander.

Gliedman shared information and updates with the community.

The Alert! Mass Warning Notification System provides alerts for emergencies and weather notifications. Anyone on the Army network is automatically signed up to receive these updates, including information on school closings and delays due to weather. For those not signed up, contact +3145 534 0071 to learn more.
Consolidation plans for building one (previously the school headquarters) continue with the Post Office and Fitness Center progressing.
- The customer area of the Post Office will be redesigned, with an increase in mailboxes available by April 2027. Contact the Brussels Army Post Office for more information on requesting a mailbox.
- The Fitness Center showers, bathrooms and lockers are scheduled to open in February 2027; they are fully ADA compliant.
- A Barbershop is expected to open on Sterrebeek Annex by Fiscal Year (FY) 28.
- The Brussels Library will retain a community space for clubs and organizations to use when it moves. There are plans to create an additional community conference area on Sterrebeek; more information to follow.
- More information on other moves will be available as the consolidation progresses.

Lt. Col. Ebony Peterman, Brussels Army Health Clinic officer in charge, shared updates from the clinic.

Some of the services the clinic provides include family medicine, pediatrics, treatment for chronic conditions, sports physical, optometry and the SHAPE Dental Clinic provides services in Brussels twice a month for active duty exams
The Military Health System (MHS Genesis) is working on updates to make it easier for users to send a message to their provider, request medication refills and review appointments.
The Brussels clinic does not provide emergency services. Community members experiencing an emergency should call 112. The clinic also recommended the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line for beneficiaries who are unsure what level of care they need.
Patients who receive emergency or other medical care off post should contact the clinic for follow-up and TRICARE authorization when required. Patients should retain their hospital discharge documents and schedule follow-up care with the clinic.
Flu vaccines have been ordered, and the clinic will announce vaccination dates once the vaccines arrive. Flu drives are traditionally held on Wednesday afternoons to coincide with early release from school.
COVID-19 vaccines will not be available through the clinic this year. Clinic staff can assist beneficiaries with information on obtaining the vaccine elsewhere.
Patients under age 18 must have a parent present for care at the clinic.

USAG Benelux in Brussels recently welcomed a new chaplain. Chap. Thomas Robinson highlighted resources available to the community through the Religious Support Office (RSO).

Religious support is available to service members, authorized civilians and their Families.
The chaplain can provide confidential counseling and connect community members with additional resources when specialized support is needed.
The RSO is working to expand services in Brussels and will advertise upcoming opportunities as they are finalized.
A community Thanksgiving event is planned for Nov. 25, with additional information to be released.

Representatives from Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) highlighted several programs available in Brussels.

Army Community Service (ACS)

The Brussels ACS Information and Referral Office can assist with newcomer information, Brussels-area tours, cultural adaptation, employment and financial questions, sponsorship and other military-life resources.
Community members can also use computers available through the Brussels office.

Brussels Library

The Brussels Library provides books, children's and young-adult materials, professional-development and educational resources, computers and recreational resources.
Community programs include book clubs and other activities, and community members can request programs or resources they would like to see offered.
The library also provides community space for organizations and activities.

Child and Youth Services

Brussels Child and Youth Services offer programs for children from six weeks through 18 years old.
Childcare programs include full-day care, before and after school care, care during school breaks and no-school days, and hourly care for eligible children.
Parents can request childcare through MilitaryChildCare.com. Fees are determined based on total family income.
Parent's Night Out and Parent's Day Out opportunities are offered throughout the year, you can find more information on the USAG Benelux Happenings Page or the Brussels FMWR Website.
Middle School and Teen programs are available for youth in sixth through 12th grade. Registration is free, and activities include after-school programming, homework assistance, recreation, field trips and summer camps.
Youth sports registration is currently available for archery, basketball and cheerleading. CYS is also seeking volunteer coaches.

Brussels Fitness Center

The fitness center provides cardio and strength-training equipment, free weights, functional-fitness equipment and fitness classes.
Community members can speak with fitness center staff about fitness programs and goals or suggest additional classes.
24-hour access is available to eligible patrons who complete the required registration process, see the front desk during operating hours for more information.
Facility improvements are continuing, including the installation of mirrors.

Isaac Joseph, Military Personnel Division (MPD) retirement and central processing facility specialist, highlighted personnel and passport services available across the Benelux.

MPD provides support including Common Access Cards (CAC) and U.S. identification cards, in and out processing, Belgian privilege cards, voting assistance, fingerprinting, casualty assistance and selected personnel actions.
The office also assists with official and diplomatic passports and can provide guidance on tourist passports in coordination with the U.S. Embassy.
Joseph also discussed the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) and encouraged eligible personnel and family members assigned to the Benelux to travel with documents demonstrating both their identity and their authorization to reside in the region.
- Recommended supporting documents may include NATO or SHAPE identification, dependent identification, residency documentation when applicable and assignment orders.
Personnel who are exempt from EES enrollment should use a staffed passport-control booth rather than an automated kiosk and present documentation establishing their status.
Anyone who believes they were incorrectly enrolled in EES can contact MPD for assistance.

Randy McNally, USAG Benelux Education Center, provided information on educational counseling, testing and college programs.

Education counseling includes assistance with Army Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance programs. Virtual counseling is also available.
Beginning in October, the Education Center plans to offer Army personnel testing in Brussels as a satellite service. Testing opportunities include language proficiency and other Army personnel tests.
Personnel interested in testing should register in advance because examiners travel to Brussels to administer the tests.
National Testing Center services through the University of Maryland Global Campus include CLEP and DSST exams, Pearson VUE certification testing and exam-proctoring services.
UMGC is also offering a French course in Brussels. The three-credit course may be covered by Tuition Assistance for eligible students.

A representative from the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and Employee Assistance Program reminded community members about prevention and support resources.

The Employee Assistance Program provides non-clinical, solution-focused assistance for civilian employees facing challenges such as stress or performance anxiety and can connect individuals with additional resources when needed.
ASAP Prevention services include substance-misuse education, responsible-drinking education and suicide-prevention training.
Community members were encouraged to reach out for assistance when experiencing difficulties and to recognize behavioral changes in friends and coworkers that could indicate someone needs support.
In an emergency, community members should contact emergency services at 112.

Richard Haacker, Logistics Readiness Center transportation specialist, highlighted personal property and transportation services for the Brussels community.

The Personal Property Office assists service members and civilians with household goods shipments and other authorized travel and transportation entitlements.
Because requirements in Belgium can differ from other duty locations, customers were encouraged to contact the office directly for assistance with required documents and shipment procedures.
The transportation office also provides information related to driver's licensing in Belgium and documentation needed for driving throughout Europe.

Dirk De Vos, USAG Benelux Housing Office housing management assistant provided information for personnel arriving in and departing from Belgium.

The Housing Office assists with arrival and departure briefings, rental listings, lease negotiations, extensions and terminations, utility documentation, conflict resolution and mediation.
Housing staff strongly encouraged newcomers to contact the office before signing a lease or making a verbal commitment to a property. Rental laws and requirements vary between the Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders regions.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is generally authorized in two 30-day periods for arriving personnel. Members receiving TLA are expected to actively search for permanent housing and may be required to document why available properties were not suitable. Housing personnel can also assist with short-term leases and other temporary housing options.
The Housing Office works directly with landlords and real-estate companies to review lease terms, including rental periods, termination clauses and annual rent indexation.
Departing personnel should contact the Housing Office as early as possible for assistance terminating leases, closing utilities and preparing for final inspections.
Beginning in February 2027, the process for submitting TLA claims is expected to change, with service members submitting their claims online. Additional guidance will be provided before the change takes effect.
Sponsors were encouraged to connect incoming personnel with the Housing Office as soon as possible, even if final orders or arrival dates are not yet available.

Maj. Chad Boyer, USAG Benelux in Brussels provost marshal, closed the service updates with safety, security and vehicle information.

Community members should contact Military Police (MP) following traffic accidents, break-ins or other crimes involving personnel connected to the installation. MPs can assist with reports and coordination with local Belgian police when appropriate.
Temporary overnight parking is available at Sterrebeek Annex for up to 30 days. Personnel need to coordinate with the MP desk for a parking pass.
Boyer reminded drivers that Belgium's drinking-and-driving laws and blood-alcohol limits differ from those in the United States and encouraged community members to use the public transportation options available throughout Brussels.
Drivers should familiarize themselves with Belgian traffic laws, including priority-to-the-right rules, and research driving requirements before traveling to other European countries.
Road conditions for USAG Benelux locations are available through the garrison website and can be used when planning travel, particularly during winter weather.
Community members were reminded to secure valuables in vehicles and avoid publicly advertising extended absences from their homes.
Personnel bringing a U.S.-registered vehicle into Belgium have 90 days from the date they receive the vehicle to complete Belgian registration requirements. Drivers should also maintain valid insurance and complete the required vehicle inspection, when applicable.
When installation access-control systems are unavailable, two forms of government-issued identification may be required. Acceptable forms of ID include a stateside driver’s license, passport or Belgian Protocol ID.

The garrison conducts Town Halls throughout the Benelux to provide community members with updates, answer questions and connect customers directly with service providers.

For more information on USAG Benelux services, upcoming events and future Town Halls, visit the USAG Benelux website or My Army Post app.

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