2023 Army Community Partnership Awards announced

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Army announced today the six winners of the 2023 Army Community Partnership Awards.

The awards recognize Army installations and their community partners for initiatives that improve Soldier and family quality of life, enhance readiness, contribute to modernization, improve cost efficiencies, expand capabilities, support Army priorities and strengthen local community relationships.

"Congratulations to the installations honored this year," said Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, deputy chief of staff, G-9. "These programs exemplify a dedication to building strong community ties and enhancing the quality of life for our Soldiers and their families."

Collaboration with federal, state and local governments is crucial for sustaining Army priorities, readiness, reform and modernization.

The awards highlighted partnerships formed between fiscal years 2020 and 2023 that involved garrisons, reserve centers and armories. This year’s awardees are:

• U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii and the Hawaiian Electric Company for the Department of Defense HECO Executive Committee, which forged a partnership for energy solutions, resilience and renewable energy, including the creation of 50 biodiesel microgrids at Schofield Barracks, which avoided $645 million in costs and enhanced Indo-Pacific resilience.
• Joint Force Headquarters, Tennessee National Guard, and Lipscomb University for the Leadership and Public Service Graduate Program, which offers a specialized cohort for service members pursuing a Master of Arts in leadership and public service, with 13 Tennessee National Guard members set to graduate in December 2023.
• USAG Cavazos and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas for the WSTC Transition Assistance Program, which connects transitioning Soldiers and active-duty spouses with high-skill, high-wage jobs.
• USAG Rock Island Arsenal and the State of Illinois for the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, which benefits Army and community emergency response capabilities, with the RIA fire department responding to numerous incidents over the past year.
• Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Pacific Field Office, and local community organizations for the Crime Against Children Task Force, which focuses on combating human trafficking, sexual exploitation and domestic violence against Hawaii's youth.
• The Georgia National Guard and the University System of Georgia for expanding the National Guard's presence across state universities, offering recruiting offices on campuses to foster military career access for students.

The honored installations and communities will be recognized at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in April.

For more information, contact David Leinberger at david.j.leinberger.civ@army.mil.