WIESBADEN, Germany - The family support programs offered by the U.S. Army were on display for representatives from a Bundeswehr subsidiary, April 24.
Members of the national-level agency, G.E.B.B. (a company of the German Department of Defense for Development, Procurement and Operations) visited U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden to get ideas on ways to enhance the German Army's family support programs.
"The Bundeswehr is changing and is looking to be a more attractive employer," said project manager Katja Trompeter, who along with Kai Schmidt, head of the Business Unit Child Care and Travel Management Section, learned how the chapel, reintegration programs, Army Community Service and Child, Youth and School Services assist Soldiers and their families.
G.E.B.B., working as an in-house consulting company for German Army bases, has been tasked with helping the Bundeswehr tailor child care to meet the needs of specific Army communities.
"We are trying to find some way to provide for the special needs of the families of Army personnel, especially regarding open hours for day care centers," said Trompeter. "We just started a pilot project ... and we are about to roll out the support to all Army bases in Germany."
Trompeter said her boss, Maj. Gen. Gertmann Sude, contacted his American counterparts because he was aware that the U.S. Army has an established family support program.
"This is something that is still in a very early stage for the Bundeswher," said Trompeter, adding that she was impressed by what she saw during the visit.
Trompeter said G.E.B.B. will continue to offer its support and consult the Army bases and the German Department of Defense.
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