Army Community Covenant We are now in the fifth year of the Army Community Covenant. The Community Covenant was the vision of former Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Mr. Geren, and complements the Army Family Covenant. The Army Family Covenant is the Army’s commitment to Soldiers and their Families to provide them a quality of life commensurate with their service. The Community Covenant was developed to codify the commitment from the Community to work cooperatively with the Army to build partnerships that support the strength, resilience and readiness of service members and their Families. Community Covenant ceremonies were designed to celebrate local successes and provided the opportunity to work together to fill the gaps between Soldier and Family needs and services provided by the Army. The first Community Covenant was launched April 17, 2008 between Columbus, GA and Fort Benning. At the onset of the Covenant, all signing ceremonies were focused on communities near an installation and primarily a public awareness campaign, a movement to increase awareness of Soldier and Family needs and to encourage communities to provide support. “We can do this. In every community, every day, we can find concrete ways to show our military families the respect and gratitude that each of us holds for them in our hearts. They deserve our support long after the welcome home ceremonies are over. You don’t have to come from a military family, have a base in your community, or be an expert in military issues to make a difference. “ First Lady Michelle Obama & Dr. Jill Biden September 3, 2010 1

Army Senior Leadership launched the Army Community Covenant (ACC) in Apr 2008 ACC Goal: Inspire state and local communities to develop and execute a coordinated, comprehensive local community support network and delivery system to enhance Soldier and Family resilience. ACC Strategy: Community support is a key component of ready and resilient Soldiers and Families Community-based programs help lessen stress of daily hassles and some chronic stressors Focus on geographically dispersed; Guard, Reserve, transitioning Soldiers and Families Strategically aligned with Joining Forces (White House), Joining Community Forces (Guard) and Soldier For Life Use the Community Covenant as a platform to: join community forces; build grassroots, local support networks for military members and their Families; and a symbolic commitment to celebrate success and inspire further efforts We soon realized the need for community support was extremely important in geographically dispersed areas, so the movement began to include communities away from installations. Today, the Community Covenant continues the awareness effort, but focuses on establishing a local coordinated, collaborative network of support bringing together non-profits, faith-based organizations, local government, schools, Chambers of Commerce, veteran service organizations, private citizens, and federal government resources – it joins community forces together. This network becomes a support system for our military and veteran Families. More than 1,000 communities have signed a Covenant, resolution, or proclamation committing to supporting their local service members, veterans, and their Families. The Community Covenant is strategically aligned with the First Lady and Dr. Biden Joining Forces initiative, the National Guard Bureau’s Joining Community Forces effort, and the Chief of Staff’s Soldier For Life program. The Community Covenant is a necessary and enduring program – it helps fill gaps and provides alternatives to Army services, supports geographically dispersed Soldiers and Families, and reduces stress on our Families. Community support is a vital component of Service Member/Family resilience 2

Build Capacity and Capability For Soldier and Family Support Active/Guard/Reserve Resources Role of Network Education Social Services Private Citizens Local Government Chamber of Commerce Legal/Law VSO/PO/MSO Faith Based ACS FAP Chaplains MFLC Army Strong Centers MTF AER FAC AOS Identify needs of local military Families Develop feasible local solutions Collaborate/break down barriers Connect to existing Army services Connect services to Soldiers and Families Family Co-workers Neighbors Local military members/ veterans Support Network Initiators/Influencers Friends CSCs Guard Family Programs Reserve Ambassador CASA FRG Leaders AW2 Advocates Community Relations TAG Vistas Recruiters Nuggets The Strategic Network Community Support Network composition varies Network “leader” situational Local solutions for local needs Prefer one entry point into the network Community Support Model

More than 800 Community Covenants signed in all states, 3 territories, the District of Columbia and OCONUS communities in Germany and Korea Communities embracing the Covenant as a platform to build collaborative, coordinated local support Community Covenant partners include Soldier for Life, National Guard, Reserves, Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army, Army OneSource Community Support Coordinators, and Recruiters. Partners continue to inspire Community Covenant commitments Communities continue to heed the call and take the Community Covenant beyond the signing ceremony and build tangible, innovative local support We soon realized the need for community support was extremely important in geographically dispersed areas, so the movement began to include communities away from installations. Today, the Community Covenant continues the awareness effort, but focuses on establishing a local coordinated, collaborative network of support bringing together non-profits, faith-based organizations, local government, schools, Chambers of Commerce, veteran service organizations, private citizens, and federal government resources – it joins community forces together. This network becomes a support system for our military and veteran Families. More than 1,000 communities have signed a Covenant, resolution, or proclamation committing to supporting their local service members, veterans, and their Families. The Community Covenant is strategically aligned with the First Lady and Dr. Biden Joining Forces initiative, the National Guard Bureau’s Joining Community Forces effort, and the Chief of Staff’s Soldier For Life program. The Community Covenant is a necessary and enduring program – it helps fill gaps and provides alternatives to Army services, supports geographically dispersed Soldiers and Families, and reduces stress on our Families. Where We Are Today 4

Where appropriate, use the Community Covenant as a platform to join community forces. Educate/inform state and community leaders how to inspire Community Covenant implementation and a coordinated, collaborative community support effort. Connect Community Covenant communities to existing military (Family Assistance Centers, etc) and joining community forces (formerly Inter- Service Family Assistance Committees). Collaborate and share information as communities implement the JCF/Community Covenant and join community forces. We soon realized the need for community support was extremely important in geographically dispersed areas, so the movement began to include communities away from installations. Today, the Community Covenant continues the awareness effort, but focuses on establishing a local coordinated, collaborative network of support bringing together non-profits, faith-based organizations, local government, schools, Chambers of Commerce, veteran service organizations, private citizens, and federal government resources – it joins community forces together. This network becomes a support system for our military and veteran Families. More than 1,000 communities have signed a Covenant, resolution, or proclamation committing to supporting their local service members, veterans, and their Families. The Community Covenant is strategically aligned with the First Lady and Dr. Biden Joining Forces initiative, the National Guard Bureau’s Joining Community Forces effort, and the Chief of Staff’s Soldier For Life program. The Community Covenant is a necessary and enduring program – it helps fill gaps and provides alternatives to Army services, supports geographically dispersed Soldiers and Families, and reduces stress on our Families. Way Ahead 5