WIESBDAEN, Germany – The Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9, Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, and his Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sgt. Maj. Michael Perry, visited garrisons and units in Germany Aug. 7-9, 2023.
The team’s visit to the Wiesbaden, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Stuttgart communities included stops focused on military construction, housing, and childcare, ending with a tour of the Patch Barracks Child Development Center in Stuttgart.
“The Army recognizes the profound impact that high-quality childcare has on the lives of our Soldiers and their Families. Knowing that their children are well cared for in a safe environment allows our servicemen and women to focus on their duties with peace of mind,” Vereen said. “No Family should have to worry about the care of their children as they serve.
“Through increased investment in accessible and affordable childcare options, we enable our military parents to fulfill their responsibilities without sacrificing the well-being of their children,” he added.
Infrastructure, investment requirements and environmental stewardship are additional components of the G-9’s responsibilities, and the visit to barracks and housing areas also gave Vereen and Perry a first-hand look at facilities at the center of one of the most important areas of the G-9 portfolio: quality of life.
“Our installations are the backbone of our Army,” Perry said. “Visiting installations across the enterprise allows us to connect directly with Soldiers, Families and Army Civilians, gaining invaluable insights and firsthand knowledge that is critical to informed decision making.”
Lunch with Soldiers also helped Vereen and Perry form a personal connection with those they got to meet on their visit.
“Leadership extends far beyond the battlefield. It encompasses a commitment to creating an environment where our Soldiers feel valued, supported and heard,” Vereen said. “By just listening to their concerns we can create opportunities for transparency and ultimately let them know we do value what they say.
“Sergeant Major and I appreciated the chance to meet with so many great Soldiers, their Families and Army Civilians in Germany,” said Vereen. “This gave us an opportunity to thank them for what they do every day for our Army, our country and our partnering allies.”
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