More than 20 years ago, the Department of the Army committed to improving the health, education and welfare of Army Families. By signing the Fort Rucker Army Family Covenant, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence command renews that commitment which is grounded in the Army Soldier Family Action Plan.
In short, the Army Soldier Family Action Plan sets forth policy directing all installations to create an environment of Army Family Strong.
The Army realizes that the strength of our Soldiers depends on the strength of their Families. Here at Fort Rucker, we are committed to providing Families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive. The covenant will provide Army Community Services with the resources necessary to ensure the success of Family programs.
We are committed to bolstering those areas that impact Families most, enhancing their strength and resilience. We are committed to improving Family readiness by standardizing and funding existing Family programs and services. We are committed to increasing the accessibility and quality of Family health care. Further, we are committed to expanding education and employment opportunities for Family members.
The Department of the Army has increased the budget for Army Families from 100 million dollars to 1.4 billion. We know that if a Soldier’s Family is taken care of, they are more focused and better prepared to carry out their mission.
Here at Fort Rucker, this covenant allows us to increase our Child Development Center’s capacity by 10 infant spaces and will improve the overall staffing in the Child Development Center. We are committed to improving Soldier and Family housing and ensuring excellence in schools, youth services and child care.
Fort Rucker has been proactive when it comes to improving its Families’ quality of life and has plans to continue that trend. Our Residential Communities Initiative, which has already brought much needed improvements to our post housing, is just one example.
We want to build the best houses our Soldiers and their Families have ever lived in. We think we have done that. Our new homes have increased the square footage by 60 percent and even take into consideration the need for office space, something the old homes did not have.
Since partnering with Picerne Military Housing in April of 2006 we have completed 242 minor home renovations, 30 major renovations and built 18 new homes. This multi-year program will allow us to touch all 1,476 homes by April 2014.
In the long term, leaders at the highest levels of the Army will continue to focus on Soldier and Family issues, focusing on resourcing and delivering all Family programs and services more effectively. By involving individual Soldiers and their Families in the feedback process the Army will sustain and refine the Army.
On behalf of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence command, we all look forward to further improving the quality of life for our selfless Army Families. With the resources and firm Department of the Army support we promise to honor them for their dedication, love and powerful commitment to the cause of freedom around the world.
Army Community Covenant
The Army Community Covenant is tailored at the local level, with civic leaders at both local and state levels participating in covenant signings, commencing on April 17, 2008, recognizing the strength of Army Soldiers and their Families and the support of their local Community.
For additional information visit the main Army Community Covenant website.
