YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -- The re-signing ceremony of the Army Family Covenant was held at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan's South Post Chapel in order to reconfirm the Army's commitment to improving the quality of life for members of the Yongsan Community, Dec. 2.
The AFC, which was signed in 2007, was re-signed this year by the command at USAG Yongsan, including the Eighth U.S. Army commander Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson and Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney D. Harris, and garrison commander Col. William P. Huber and Command Sgt. Maj. John C. Justis.
The AFC is the promise that the Army will take care of the well-being of its Soldiers and Families, because of the great sacrifices that they are making for the country. In order to keep this promise, the AFC is implemented in a variety of areas including programs, services, healthcare, housing, education and employment opportunities for its Community members.
One component of the AFC, which allows the Army to know how to better keep its promise is the Army Family Action Plan, which collects input from the Community on quality of life issues. Ever since establishing AFAP in 1983, the Army has made over 126 legislative changes; 177 Department of Defense or Department of the Army policy changes; and 197 improved programs and services as a result of suggestions made by the community. Although it is a year-long process, AFAP also hosts an annual conference for Community members to confer and prioritize the biggest issues for the Community.
This year, the re-signing ceremony of the AFC was held at the conclusion of the AFAP conference that lasted from Dec. 1-2, which conveniently allowed Army leaders present at the ceremony to be immediately aware of the greatest needs, priorities, and expectations presented by the Yongsan Community.
By signing the AFC, the command relayed, on behalf of the Army, their intent on improving the quality of life for the Yongsan Community and addressing issues raised in the AFAP.
"In the end, what that piece of paper says to me, more than anything else, is that we're going to stay true to Families, Soldiers, our Wounded and Survivors," Johnson pledged.
He also expressed that he took the covenant seriously, since it represented his commitment to making sure that the ideas expressed by the community would be taken into account, as he and the other members of the leadership decided how to improve the quality of life in Yongsan.
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