A covenant, in its most general sense, is a solemn promise to do something specified.
More specifically, a covenant, in contrast to a contract, is a one-way agreement whereby the covenanter is the only party bound by the promise.
A promise or covenant was voiced, in a heralded ceremony Nov. 8 at the Fort Sam Houston Club and Army wide to Army Families by introducing the Army Family covenant, the heart of what the Installation Management Command does. Strengthening Soldier and Family readiness is the mission. Improving Family readiness is crucial to the success of the Army Family Covenant. It is important for the Army its Soldiers and its Families to know that everyone in IMCOM is committed to success.
Fort Sam Houston senior commanders attended the ceremony and command Sergeants Major, all gathered together to the sign the covenant as well as by Families representing each command.
One of the senior leaders, the commander U.S. Army Garrison, Col. Wendy Martinson, spoke of the covenant plan as an Army strategy to reinforce the commitment and sacrifices made by Army families and the source of strength for our Soldiers. The Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army recognized the significant contributions and provided a plan and resources to improve the quality of life for Army Families Army wide.
“We want Soldiers and their Families to stay with the Army,” said Martinson who gave an overview of the covenants designed, what has been accomplished so far and will bring forth for the Army Soldier and their Families.
Major General Russell Czerw, commanding general, Fort Sam Houston and Army Medical Department Center and School, spoke on the Army as a Family of Army Families. He vowed to work together as a unit with the other commands on Fort Sam to improve the quality of living where Families can flourish. ”I believe in our Army and I believe in our Army Families. They are the cornerstone of our nation’s readiness and without them; we would not be Army strong. The center of our society is Family and the center of our Army is our Army Families.”
Czerw vowed to work together as a team with each senior commander and their Command Sergeants Major on Fort Sam Houston to “make this fort a better place to live.”
Following the reading of the Army Family covenant, the senior commanders and their Command Sergeants Major signed the Army Family covenant. Family representative from each command to sign the covenant on display joined them.
Signing the covenant were Lt. Gen. Thomas Turner, commanding general, U.S. Army North, Command Sgt. Maj. George Nieves, with Sgt. Saul and Jessica Salas with their children, Angelika, 8 years old, Victoria, 6 years old, Saul, Jr., 5 years old and Rogelio, 3 years old; Maj. Gen. Russell Czerw, commanding general Fort Sam Houston and Army Medical Department Center and School, Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Riles and Staff Sgt. Isagani and Toni Maawac with their children, Zanita, 7 years old, Mackenzie, 6 years old and Kyle, 4 years old; Mr. J. Randall Robinson, director, Installation Management Command West, with Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Braddock and First Lt. Ricky David and Sandra Yvette Simpson, daughter Kiana Marie, 9 years old; Brig. Gen. James Gilman, commanding general, Great Plains Regional Medical Command and Brooke Army Medical Center, Command Sgt. Maj. Donna Simmons with Pvt. 1st Class Randall and Diana Taylor, son, Caden, 2 and-a-half years old with Reighlynn, 9 months old; Brig. Gen. Manuel Ortiz, deputy commander, U.S. Army south with Sgt. Maj. James Matthews, Mrs. Wendy Strycula and children Lauren, 17 years old, Mark, 15 years old, Kathleen, 14 and Mary, age 9. Wendy is the wife of Lt. Col. John Strycula, commander, 201st Military Intelligence Battalion, (currently deployed); Col. Wendy Martinson, commander U.S. Army Garrison, Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro Class, Sgt. Francisco and wife Spec. Yaritza Rodriguez, and children Kiara, 2 years old and Folen, 2 months old.
Keynote speaker Lt. Gen. Thomas Turner, commanding general, Army North concluded the signing ceremony with a round of applause for the “great Army brats” and their great behavior in the room. He said, “For an Army of values we cherish and demand of our Soldiers loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. These values remain the foundation of trust with the American people and the foundation of trust among warriors. And just as Soldiers made a commitment to each other, today the Army is making a formal commitment to Army Families.”
“The Army Family Covenant means we need to resource our programs and plans properly. Caring for our warriors Families is integral to our mission today. The covenant is an obligation to our Army Families, to care for them the way they deserve. This covenant binds us to a commitment and recognition that Army Families are critically important to the Army mission,” concluded Turner.
