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Following the addition of another nightclub to the KMC off-limits list, commanders are reminding personnel that bans are in place to protect servicemembers and their families.
KMC Commander Brig. Gen. Bill Bender issued a memorandum last week that directed all personnel to cease patronage of the Club Lounge Stage in Kaiserslautern, commonly known as the Stage Club, effective immediately.
The 45-day temporary ban was voted into effect by the KMC Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board so the owner of the establishment could bring the club up to German safety code.
The club is one of several under evaluation to ensure businesses are not endangering their patrons with substandard or overcrowded conditions. While U.S. military personnel are not actively enforcing German laws, they are watching closely to ensure those areas frequented by military personnel and dependents provide a safe environment.
When a problem is identified, the disciplinary control board takes swift action to work with the owners of an establishment to correct the deficiency. If an acceptable solution cannot be found, the board votes on further action.
“We have an obligation to look out for the safety of all our Airmen,” said Col. Don Bacon, 435th Air Base Wing commander and member of the disciplinary control board. “We were concerned that the club was allowing more than triple its authorized capacity on a regular basis and wanted to ensure this issue was resolved. Safety for our Airmen is our priority, and we decided to take immediate action.”
In the case of the Stage Club, an officer was appointed to conduct a full investigation of the circumstances found during the evaluation, but conditions were deemed to be such an immediate hazard due to frequent overcrowding, that a temporary ban was put into effect.
Primary investigations have shown the danger of several fire code violations was amplified by the overcrowding. The owner of the club is currently working with local officials to correct the hazards.
One other nightclub is currently on the KMC off-limits list because of an assault on an American civilian. The Arya Club in Kaiserslautern was put on the list more than six months ago after the American was attacked by the owner’s sons. The ban on the Arya club is considered to be permanent.
Contrary to the title, a permanent ban could be lifted from an establishment during a biannual board review if petitioned by someone whose operation is declared off-limits. The board will look at the current risk and history of a banned business to decide if the ban should be continued.
The board serves as a joint-service forum, where a representative from U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern provides input based on complaints by Army personnel and dependents, and is comprised of other senior military leaders from across the KMC. General Bender leads as board president through his role as KMC commander.
“This board provides a fair means of evaluation and action for someone that has concerns about the service or conditions that are offered to our servicemembers,” General Bender said. “And if we think someone’s business may pose a risk to the safety or overall well-being of our people, we will thoroughly investigate it.”
Army Regulation 190-24, Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Boards and Off-installation Liaison and Operations, is the controlling document for board actions in conjunction with USAFE Instruction 31-203, which outlines more detailed guidance within the U.S. European Command.
All regulations emphasize possible consequences for failure to adhere to an off-limits list. According to Army regulation 190-24, violators are subject to the disciplinary action of their respective service regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Local commanders also have the authority to impose other punishment for any personnel in violation of the ban. The board discusses such topics when it meets every three months to review new and existing cases.
When the board meets next, they will reevaluate the ban on the Stage Club and look for signs of improved conditions that will allow servicemembers to enjoy themselves in a safe environment.
Regardless of what the board decides when it reviews the ban, leaders can’t stress enough the importance of avoiding off-limits locations.
“This really is due to a clear and present danger,” General Bender said. “We don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, and it’s not easy to ask people to stay away from a local business, but it’s for the best so we will hold people accountable for not adhering to the off-limits list.”
Other individuals and businesses currently off-limits to KMC personnel include:
• AP Bausysteme construction company in Kaiserslautern
• Dog sellers Gisela Smith and Herbert Sator of Kottweiler
• Cleaning business owned by James Brown at Obergasse 20, Weilerbach
• Cleaning business owned by Martin Massa at Turnerstrasse 70, Kaiserslautern
