Stand-To!- Army Community Covenant - April 21, 2008

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Edition: Mon, April 21, 2008
Rich-text Version
SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

"We've doubled the funding in the budget for Family programs over the last year and we're continuing to have that funding, but there's no substitute for neighbors helping neighbors."

-Secretary of the Army Pete Geren

Benning signs First Covenant with local communities
TODAY'S FOCUS

Army Community Covenant

What is it?

The Army Community Covenant is a formal commitment of support by states and local communities to Soldiers and their Families – active, Guard and Reserve. The Army Community Covenant is designed to develop and foster effective state and community partnerships with the Army working to improve Soldier and Family quality of life, while at their current duty stations and as they transfer from state to state.

Army Community Covenant
supporting those who serve

Together, we are committed to building strong communities.

We, the Community, recognize...
...The commitment Soldiers and Families are making every day.
...The strength of Soldiers comes from the strength of their Families.
...The strength of Families is supported by the strength of the Community.
...The strength of the Community comes from the support of Employers, Educators, Civic and Business Leaders and its Citizens.

We, the Community, are committed to...
...Building partnerships that support the strength, resilience and readiness of Soldiers and their Families.
...Assisting in the implementation of the Army Family Covenant.

What has the Army done?

In October 2007, the secretary of the Army initiated the Army Family Covenant. The Family Covenant symbolizes the Army’s commitment to Soldiers and their Families, a national treasure. The commitment is a formal recognition of their sacrifices, and the fact that they are shouldering the burden of war for our nation. The senior leaders substantively backed up their commitment through funding a number of quality of life programs. The Army continues to find ways to improve the quality of life of our Soldiers and their Families, thus improving readiness.

The Army has now launched the Community Covenant to reach out to local communities all across America. Response by communities has been tremendous. The first official signing of the Community Covenant took place at Fort Benning, Ga., on April 17, 2008. Many more are planned in the upcoming months.

Why is this important to the Army?

It is vitally important that local communities across America are aware of and recognize the sacrifices of Soldiers and their Families. Soldiers draw strength from their Families; and the Army and the nation rely on the strength of its Soldiers. The communities in which Soldiers and their Families live provide tremendous support and encouragement. Support from communities through local and national programs helps keep our Army strong.

For more information and a schedule on upcoming events, go to the Army Community Covenant Web site

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

• 2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

• Army Public Affairs Portal

• Stories of Valor
CALENDAR

Saturday, June 14, 2008: The U.S. Army Birthday Ball
WEEKEND SPORTS WRAP-UP

2008 Best Ranger Competition final results

Giles-Madden clinches Army's fourth straight Patriot League women's tennis title

Army posts pair of shutouts in doubleheader sweep of Lehigh

Army swept by Bucknell final day of series

The baseball blog: Army vs. Lehigh (Game 1)

The baseball blog: Army vs. Lehigh (Game 2)

Black Knights to host 2008 Patriot League men’s lacrosse championships

Army splits Patriot League Twinbill with Lehigh

Army holds off Bucknell in nightcap to gain split

Sylve hits NCAA regional qualifier at Princeton

Krembel wins first collegiate tournament

Women's tennis punches ticket to title match

Men's tennis drops 4-3 heartbreaker at Navy

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Congress looks at Army rifle contract (DN)
• A look at combat rifles (ST)
• Ashburn firm to build portable WiFi systems for Army (WP)
• Benning signs First Covenant with local communities (ARNews)
• Army recruits regenerative medicine researchers to heal wounded Soldiers (BG)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Iraqi army takes last Basra areas from Sadr force (NYT)
• U.S. bid to get allies in Sadr army is stymied (DFP)
• U.S. begins erecting wall in Sadr City (NYT)
• Afghan commandos emerge (WP)

OF INTEREST

• Cherry, Broussard take Best Ranger (AT)
• Best Ranger Competition (ARNews)
• Bush appears on U.S. Deal Or No Deal (RTE)
• Election e-mails can end your term in the office (WP)
• Revolutionary War Soldier's legacy pieced together, item by item (BG)
• U.S. to televise Guantanamo trials to 9-11 families (SDT)

WORLD VIEW

• M4 does poorly in Army's own test (IHT | Story)
• Sadr threatens 'open war' as Iraqi army attacks base (BT | Story)
• U.S. urges dialogue between China, Dalai Lama (KT | Story)
• Burst of al-Qaida attacks challenge U.S. efforts to stabilize Sunni areas in Iraq (PRA | Story)
• Al-Qaeda regrouping in Pak to plan terror attacks (EI | Story)
• NATO admits mistakenly supplying arms and food to Taliban (Guard | Story)
• Top U.S. general 'hoodwinked' over aggressive interrogation (Guard | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• (Related to 1st article under INTEREST): Best Ranger (GJA)
• (Related to 2nd article under INTEREST): Reporter’s Notebook : Brendan McGarry is reporting from the Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga. (MT)
• The long haul (NB)
• Missile defense takes a beating (WPR)
• 10 surefire ways to get your milblog unwanted government attention (SP)
• Green thumb? (BN)
• The phone on my hip (SBz)