Garrison Commanders Conference Focuses on Contributions of Spouses

Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of the Army Installation Management Command, deeply appreciates the spouses of garrison commanders and their command sergeants major. “Every great thing that happened at Fort Hood when I was in command there happened because of the hearts and minds of spouses,” he told the Command’s 2009 Garrison Commanders Conference.

Spouses participating in the Conference offered their counterparts guidance on how to more effectively support Soldiers and Families by:

-- identifying their particular personal skills and focusing on the activities where they feel they can make a special impact;
-- prioritizing their tasks in support of their installation and its Soldiers and Families;
-- training themselves to be alert to receive – and to seek out – feedback from Soldiers and Families about installation programs and services;
-- relying on the command spouse team for information to gain a broader range of feedback and insights into the programs and services that are working, and identify the areas where their installation needs to improve;
-- understanding that they don’t have all the answers to questions from Soldiers and Families, they just need to know who to direct questions to;
-- sharing the positive and negative aspects of their installations openly and honestly with dignitaries and other special visitors, taking care not to speak for the Army but to convey their individual views as personal perspectives; and
-- growing a “tough skin” and learning to let go of small issues, because mistakes will be inevitable.

The spouses explained that most Army programs are working well in meeting the needs of Soldiers and Families. The Army Family Covenant was cited for helping connect with Families, although the program’s meaning is sometimes unclear to spouses and Families “on the ground” because communications about the Covenant seem intermittent and its actual results need to be highlighted more prominently.

Spouses cited Army education opportunities as effective, along with the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, because single Soldiers and single Army parents can sometimes feel left out of programs aimed at Families. The Army’s new technology for connecting geographically dispersed Soldiers and Families – ArmyOneSource.com – was singled out for its value.

One spouse urged Soldiers and Families to take the initiative in getting assistance when they need it. “Family support and counseling is out there,” she said, “you just have to go out and find it.”

Spouses were appreciative of the increase in new and improved housing but noted that more is needed to meet the demand of a growing Army, particularly to accommodate the influx of younger Soldiers. A spouse who works as an installation nurse commented that the system for obtaining medical appointments is working.

The spouses were as realistic about potential challenges ahead for Soliders and Families as they were appreciative of the improvements they have already seen. A general concern was voiced about maintaining the quality and scope of Soldier and Family programs should future funding shortfalls occur. A more specific concern was voiced about difficulties in identifying Gold Star Families associated with installations and caring for them long-term.

Lt. Gen. Lynch thanked the spouses for their contributions – and their candor – in the vital role they play in support of Soldiers and Families. “The Army experience – because of what we are called to do – can sometimes make us callous,” he observed. “We don’t want to be callous. Spouses help us maintain balance and help us grasp reality. For spouses, it’s all about communication. They often have better ideas and better communications, and we need to tap those strengths.”

Mrs. Lynch added a strong, knowing voice to the conversation when she thanked the spouses for participating in the Conference and encouraged them “to care of yourself and know that you’re empowered to do that so you can take care of Soldiers and Families.” She offered herself as resource to spouses by assuring them that when they bring their issues and concerns to her, “I’ll take them to the general.”