Posts Continue Pledge of Improved Care for Families

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Posts Continue Pledge of Improved Care for Families
Army News Service | November 27, 2007

WASHINGTON - From Camp Zama, Japan, to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., leaders at installations across the Army signed Family Covenants in November, with the remaining posts scheduled for signing ceremonies throughout December.

The Army Family Covenant represents a $1.4 billion commitment to improve the quality of life for Army Families. It formally recognizes the sacrifices made on the home front while the Army is at war and pledges to standardize funding for existing Family programs and services. The covenant also seeks to increase the accessibility and quality of health care, improve Soldier and Family housing, ensure excellence in schools, youth services and child care, and expand education and employment opportunities for Family members.

Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. signed the official Army Family Covenant Oct. 17 at Fort Knox, Ky. Army installations worldwide have been following with there own covenant signings.

During the covenant signing at Camp Zama, Japan Nov. 2, Maj. Gen. Elbert N. Perkins, commanding general of I Corps (Forward) / U.S. Army Japan, said: "The health of our all-volunteer force is dependant on the health of our all-volunteer Family.

"The Army recognizes that our Families were the most stretched and stressed part of our Army," Maj. Gen. Perkins said. "More than half of the Army's Soldiers are married and there are over 700,000 Army children. This covenant and many other programs to come are the beginning of the Army's pledge to our Families so that they know they are supported and that the Army cares for them."

Some of the programs initiated for Camp Zama Families include discounted local tours; free bowling; improved Soldier and Family housing; enhanced television viewing selections; DSL Internet service; and several facility upgrades.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157092,00.html