| The Army Family Covenant was officially re-signed at | | | | services |
| Fort Stewart in Georgia this past November. Army | | | | • Ensure that health care is better and that its |
| leaders re-signed the important agreement between | | | | easier to access |
| leadership and Army families one year after it was | | | | • Improve the housing condition for Soldiers and |
| implemented. | | | | their families |
| Army Family Covenant recognizes the many | | | | • Make excellence in schools, youth services, and |
| sacrifices made by Army Families during this time of | | | | child care a priority |
| war and pledges to help Army families in a variety of | | | | • Expand career and education opportunities for |
| ways, including increased child and health care | | | | Army spouses and their children. |
| opportunities, as well as real efforts to increase the | | | | In addition to this important initiative, Army spouses and |
| career and educational opportunities for all members | | | | Soldiers also benefit from an existing benefit – |
| of the Army family, and the Army spouse in particular. | | | | Army Tuition Assistance (TA) – which provides |
| | | | | Soldiers up to $4,500 a year in education funds for |
| During the signing ceremony Army leaders said that | | | | training and classes at accredited vocational schools, |
| the re-signing was a declaration of the importance the | | | | community colleges and universities. |
| Army continues to place on families. The officers | | | | The benefit is one that Soldiers have earned through |
| present emphasized that although they were not | | | | their service, and each year it renews providing |
| present at last year’s signing, the Army’s | | | | Soldiers with a brand new “bucket” of education |
| commitment to Army families is strong. | | | | funds. |
| "Just because the first folks who signed (the Army | | | | Many schools are making Army Tuition Assistance |
| Family Covenant) have left does not mean there's any | | | | more valuable by offering military spouse scholarships |
| less energy or desire to see this come to fruition," | | | | and discounts to Army spouses when a Soldier enrolls |
| Major General Cucolo said during opening remarks | | | | using TA funds. |
| before the signing. "The team that signed this might | | | | For Army spouses busy with family and community |
| have changed, but the commitment is the same. We're | | | | responsibilities, one great option for enrolling in a career |
| here today to re-affirm that commitment." | | | | training program is 100% online education; this means |
| The Army Covenant includes: | | | | that as long as a spouse has access to a computer |
| • Soldiers (Active Duty, Army National Guard and | | | | and the Internet – they can train for a new career |
| Army Reserve) | | | | without leaving the home. |
| • Dept. of the Army Civilians | | | | Army spouses can study while their children are |
| • Retirees | | | | napping or they can work at night after the children |
| • Vets | | | | have gone to bed. Online education means that Army |
| • Army families and their kids | | | | spouses do not have to commute to class, fill their car |
| • Survivors | | | | with extra gas, find babysitters or compete for |
| Among other things, the Army Covenant pledges the | | | | campus parking spots. When they want to study, they |
| Army will: | | | | just power up their computers and “go to class. |
| • Make sure to fund existing family programs and | | | | |