USAG Italy to participate in healthy communities initiative

By Karin J. Martinez, VMC Public Affairs OfficeNovember 9, 2017

usa image
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

VICENZA, Italy -- The Vicenza and Darby military communities have been identified as pilot locations for a healthy communities initiative, with a site visit team scheduled for Dec. 11-15.

Healthy Army Communities is a coordinated Armywide effort to improve health and wellness of the total Army community. This includes active-duty service members, reservists, families, civilians and retirees.

The program is a joint effort of various stakeholders, according to Christopher J. Bradford, U.S. Army Garrison Italy's director of Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Those stakeholders are Army & Air Force Exchange Services, Defense Commissary Agency, Joint Culinary Center for Excellence, Medical Command and Installation Management Command, to name a few. All are expected to pool resources and provide a unified plan toward healthier communities.

This will include developing short- and long-term initiatives that promote healthy eating, increased physical activitiy, improved sleep and reduction of tobacco products.

The reason behind the initiative is simple: as written in HAC literature, "a fit and healthy fighting force is the foundation of a strong national defense."

The site team visit will get everything started, Bradford said in a meeting with the stakeholders Oct. 26. Team representatives will conduct various working groups with the local agencies.

The working groups will help identify efforts already in place here and at Camp Darby and identify which are being done well and those that may need improvement. For example, one positive healthy activity on Caserma Ederle and Caserma Del Din is 24/7 access to fitness centers. The working groups will also make suggestions for new initiatives. New initiatives could take many forms.

"It may be something as simple as healthier vending machine choices," said Command Sgt. Maj. Mason L. Bryant, USAG Italy command sergeant major. "The first step is the visit in December. We'll move forward from there."

Related Links:

USAG Italy Facebook page

USAG Italy website

Related Links:

USAG Italy Facebook page

USAG Italy website