Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
ArmyTimes.com
October 6, 2009
By Karen Jowers, Staff writer
If Army leadership doesn’t take care of the Army family, then the leadership has failed.
That, said new Secretary of the Army John McHugh, is one of the lessons he took away from his 17 years in Congress, delving into military quality-of-life and personnel issues.
At a family forum of about 800 people at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting, McHugh said he has a lot of things to focus on as the new top civilian Army leader. But when it comes to challenges, “preeminent in my mind is ensuring we take care of soldiers, and that means taking care of their families,” he told the attendees — more than half of whom were family readiness group leaders.
In his discussions with Army uniformed leaders during his first two weeks in the job, McHugh said, he has been “uplifted by the fact they understand.”
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey, Vice Chief of Staff Peter Chiarelli and Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, chief of the Army’s Installation Management Command, are “leading in this initiative to do a better job for families,” McHugh said.
He said it is critical to encourage bases — from the unit level on up — to “think innovatively to implement programs that tend to the needs of Army families.”
McHugh also participated in recognizing the eight winners of the Secretary of the Army’s Quality of Life awards for innovative programs:
Command Team Quality of Life Award: Army Reserve’s Military Intelligence Readiness Command, Fort Belvoir, Va. Leaders created a culture that integrated family programs into every level of the command’s planning and operations.
Quality of Life Award for Best Practice: Army Reserve’s 108th Training Command, Charlotte, N.C. Among the command’s efforts was “Fort Family” virtual installations, using technology and changing antiquated business practices to improve care for soldiers and their families.
Quality of Life Partnership Award: Fort Hood, Texas. The command developed partnerships with local organizations such as chambers of commerce to expand employment opportunities for family members and veterans.
Quality of Life Partnership, honorable mention: Ohio National Guard’s Joint Family Readiness Program, Columbus, Ohio, whose partnerships created a network that supports children and youth in military families throughout Ohio.
Quality of Life Award for Communications Excellence: U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, for its “Rediscover Hawaii” marketing campaign promoting new programs and available services.
Superior Quality of Life Award, small unit: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Darnell Army Medical Center, Fort Hood. Its acute care walk-in service provides prompt treatment for families with minor injuries and sudden illnesses that can’t wait for the next available appointment of primary care managers, improving the accessibility and quality of health care.
Superior Quality of Life Award, medium unit: Army Reserve’s 108th Training Command, Charlotte, N.C., for its “Fort Family” virtual installation Web site, helping those who have limited or no access to traditional installations.
Superior Quality of Life Award, large unit: Fort Campbell, Ky., for its family resource center, which provides family assistance and program services for active-duty, National Guard and reserve members, family readiness groups, family members and civilians.
October 6, 2009
By Karen Jowers, Staff writer
If Army leadership doesn’t take care of the Army family, then the leadership has failed.
That, said new Secretary of the Army John McHugh, is one of the lessons he took away from his 17 years in Congress, delving into military quality-of-life and personnel issues.
At a family forum of about 800 people at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting, McHugh said he has a lot of things to focus on as the new top civilian Army leader. But when it comes to challenges, “preeminent in my mind is ensuring we take care of soldiers, and that means taking care of their families,” he told the attendees — more than half of whom were family readiness group leaders.
In his discussions with Army uniformed leaders during his first two weeks in the job, McHugh said, he has been “uplifted by the fact they understand.”
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey, Vice Chief of Staff Peter Chiarelli and Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, chief of the Army’s Installation Management Command, are “leading in this initiative to do a better job for families,” McHugh said.
He said it is critical to encourage bases — from the unit level on up — to “think innovatively to implement programs that tend to the needs of Army families.”
McHugh also participated in recognizing the eight winners of the Secretary of the Army’s Quality of Life awards for innovative programs:
Command Team Quality of Life Award: Army Reserve’s Military Intelligence Readiness Command, Fort Belvoir, Va. Leaders created a culture that integrated family programs into every level of the command’s planning and operations.
Quality of Life Award for Best Practice: Army Reserve’s 108th Training Command, Charlotte, N.C. Among the command’s efforts was “Fort Family” virtual installations, using technology and changing antiquated business practices to improve care for soldiers and their families.
Quality of Life Partnership Award: Fort Hood, Texas. The command developed partnerships with local organizations such as chambers of commerce to expand employment opportunities for family members and veterans.
Quality of Life Partnership, honorable mention: Ohio National Guard’s Joint Family Readiness Program, Columbus, Ohio, whose partnerships created a network that supports children and youth in military families throughout Ohio.
Quality of Life Award for Communications Excellence: U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, for its “Rediscover Hawaii” marketing campaign promoting new programs and available services.
Superior Quality of Life Award, small unit: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Darnell Army Medical Center, Fort Hood. Its acute care walk-in service provides prompt treatment for families with minor injuries and sudden illnesses that can’t wait for the next available appointment of primary care managers, improving the accessibility and quality of health care.
Superior Quality of Life Award, medium unit: Army Reserve’s 108th Training Command, Charlotte, N.C., for its “Fort Family” virtual installation Web site, helping those who have limited or no access to traditional installations.
Superior Quality of Life Award, large unit: Fort Campbell, Ky., for its family resource center, which provides family assistance and program services for active-duty, National Guard and reserve members, family readiness groups, family members and civilians.