SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS (Sept. 25, 2014) -- Surrounded by Soldiers, Civilians and family members, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command senior leaders renewed a commitment to keep the total Army Family strong by signing the Army Family Covenant in the front lobby of the headquarters building this morning.
Maj. Gen. Susan A. Davidson, SDDC's commanding general, spoke to the crowd about the significance of the covenant and what it ultimately provides for Families and Soldiers.
"On October 8th, 2007 the Army unveiled the Army Family Covenant, pledging a commitment to provide Soldiers and their family members quality of life," said Davidson, "The covenant aims to improve standardizing and funding of existing family programs and services and increase accessibility and quality of healthcare."
Davidson went on to share other goals of the covenant, including improving Soldier and Family housing, ensuring excellence in school, youth services, and child care, and expanding education and employment opportunities for family members.
"In the past, we have seen tangible changes as a result of this commitment to families." said Davidson, "Extending child care center hours to include evenings and weekends was huge. In the Army we don't always work that typical 8-hour work day. Having extended hours at child care facilities was a necessary improvement in quality of life for our Soldiers and Families."
Other improvements resulting from the covenant include increasing behavioral health providers, updating fitness centers and offering online tutoring services for military children.
"The Army is the strength of the Nation. Soldiers are the strength of our Army and our families are the strength of our Soldiers. We, as leaders, must commit to keeping those bonds of trust strong," said Davidson.
SDDC's command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Cedric Thomas and SDDC's deputy to the commander, Mr. William H. Budden, also signed the covenant, signifying leadership support across the board.
Thomas echoed much of Davidson's remarks and added that the Army announced, yesterday, that the covenant program will be succeeded by a new program called Total Army Strong.
"So, next year, we will be signing a new document, denoting our continued support to the Soldiers and their families and improving on the program even more," said Thomas, "Total Army Strong continues and underscores the U.S. Army's commitment and responsibility to the total Army family -- Soldiers, family members and civilians."
He went on to explain that Total Army Strong will provide a broader, more tailorable platform from which commanders can deliver essential programs to support a ready Army. Commanders will have flexibility to prioritize and adjust installation programs and services regardless of geographic location or component.
To read more about the Total Army Strong program visit the Army's Stand-To website at http://www.army.mil/standto/archive_2014-09-24/.
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