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Army veteran and spouse visits Fort Stewart to highlight resources for Soldiers and Families

By Cpl. Jonathon DownsMay 2, 2024

CSA and Patty George visits Fort Stewart
Members attending a social event at Club Stewart pose for a group photo at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, and his wife Patty George visited Fort Stewart to learn about initiatives, training and resources which align with Army priorities of Warfighting, People and Transformation. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. – The 3rd Infantry Division's approach to addressing the challenges faced by our Soldiers and Families is based on three hypotheses: prevention will reduce harmful behaviors; better data will yield better decisions; and we are stronger when our communities work together as a team. Patty George, spouse of U.S. Army Gen. Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, is no stranger to those challenges. George visited Fort Stewart this week to learn about best practices and discuss various opportunities available to Fort Stewart Soldiers and Families.

Patty George visits Fort Stewart
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Patty George, left, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, and Jessica Rosenstrauch, right, wife of Col. Jason H. Rosenstrauch, Chief of Staff of 3rd Infantry Division, attend a forum regarding education and the Exceptional Family Member Program at Diamond Elementary School at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. George's discussions signified the importance of how investing in quality of life for Soldiers and Families can increase overall Army readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Patty George visits Fort Stewart
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members attending a forum led by Patty George, top, third from right, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, discuss on-post housing at Southern Oaks Community Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. As an Army spouse and Veteran George places a high importance on quality of life for Soldiers and Families and highlights resources available to Families through challenges they may face while in the Army. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL

George, a military spouse and former Soldier, has experienced military life at all levels and is committed to improving the quality of life for military families. The purpose of her attendance was to better highlight the resources available to Soldiers and their Families.

“I’m a Family member, and I want to advocate for a life I wanted to have,” George said of her experience as a young Army spouse. “It's amazing [that] people have made it through the hurdles you may be facing at that time [and] can really give you some great advice.”

Patty George visits Fort Stewart
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Patty George, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, inquires about childcare programs at the Child Development Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. George's discussions signified the importance of how investing in quality of life for Soldiers and Families can increase overall Army readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Patty George visits Fort Stewart
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Patty George, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, inquires about childcare programs available at the Child Development Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. The Army provides programs to support military families and ensures Soldiers can focus on maintaining physical fitness, discipline and preparation through ongoing combat-oriented training events. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL

During her visit, George attended an education forum that also highlighted the Army’s Exceptional Family Member Program, an initiative designed to support Family members with special needs. The EFMP program was just one of many programs highlighted throughout the day that showcased the resources available on the installation for Soldiers and their Families. George also had the opportunity to learn about housing, childcare, healthy outlets, and spouse employment.

Patty George visits Fort Stewart
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Capt. Justin Kintz, Marne Reception Center commander, informs the process for integrating arriving Soldiers to Patty George, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, at the Marne Reception Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. Mrs. George's visit comes at the start of Military Appreciation Month which highlights the contributions of spouses' and emphasizes the importance of readiness and resiliency through challenges Families may face while in the Army. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Patty George visits Fort Stewart
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Tom Allmon, director of the Directorate of Human Resources, discusses with Patty George, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, about the electronic systems in place to help arriving Soldiers at the Marne Reception Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. George's discussions signified the importance of how investing in quality of life for Soldiers and Families can increase overall Army readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL

"There are so many resources, not only in the Army but also within your community," she said. "Even if you're not sure where to begin, start with going and being open to finding information. Or reaching out to a neighbor or your Soldier and Family Readiness Group."

When asked what she wished she'd known more about as a young spouse, George mentioned financial literacy.

Patty George visits Fort Stewart
Patty George, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, is interviewed by Bryan Lunn, with the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, regarding military Family outreach programs at Garrison Headquarters at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. Mrs. George highlighted resources and programs available to Soldiers and Families that strengthens protective factors and builds readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL

“When I was younger, I could have saved a lot of money, especially when Randy was deployed," she said. "I think that I didn't know what I didn't know. When we were younger, we didn't have certified financial planners. Now we have Financial Frontline and you can access a certified financial planner. I wish I had taken the time to do that, and I wish I had done it every time we PCS’d.”

The visit also included a working lunch with Hinesville city Mayor Karl Riles and the president of the regional workforce team, Anna Chafin. The lunch served as a touchpoint with community stakeholders and senior spouses to discuss the quality-of-life services available beyond the gates.

Patty George visits Fort Stewart
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Patty George, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, arrives at the Marne Reception Center with Col. Marc Austin military at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. The reception center is a vital organization and first step to success for Soldiers and Families at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Patty George visits Fort Stewart
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Patty George, right, wife of U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, talks to Aura Brown, left, director of Child and Youth Services, regarding childcare programs at the Child Development Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 1, 2024. The Army provides programs to support military families and ensures Soldiers can focus on maintaining physical fitness, discipline and preparation through ongoing combat-oriented training events. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jonathon Downs) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Jonathon Downs) VIEW ORIGINAL

"Mrs. George's visit to Fort Stewart was a great opportunity to highlight our commitment to our Soldiers and their Families," said Col. Marc Austin, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander. "It's essential for us to take care of our people. The interactions we experienced today reinforce why Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield is an Army Community of Excellence."

George's visit to the installation is one of many stops as she works to identify best practices and challenges throughout the Army. To learn more about her visit, tune into the Marne Minute at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS-Z4XRWzII.