The Army is committed to providing Families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive.
• Provided military Families in 35 states with continued in-state
college tuition benefits after the military sponsor leaves the state.
• Conducted 86 Community Covenant signing ceremonies in 2008 and more than 60 signing ceremonies in 2009 with dozens more in
various planning stages. Leveraged public and private support for
Soldiers and Families through the Community Covenant, and more than
1,500 best community support practices on the Covenant Web site.
• Supported more than 30 bills enacted by states in 2007 to address
flexible and expedited processes to aid military-connected voters in
deployed areas.
• Integrated resources in 38
states through Inter-Service Family Assistance Forums to assist
military Families with child care, resources for schools, teachers and
youth, and to facilitate easy access to information, services, and
support. The Department of Defense is continuing to increase
utilization and coordination with high-level state officials and
agencies.
• Programmed ten new commissary projects with a $210 million investment over the next three years.
•
Provided the Commissary benefit that saved an average of more than 30%
on purchases by Soldiers and Families compared to commercial prices.
Savings totaled $3,400 annually for a Family of four. |
•
Conducted Commissary on-site sales at 104 locations for Guard and
Reserve Soldiers and their Families. Guard and Reserve Families
purchased $14 million worth of commissary products.
 •
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is a major source of
employment; approximately 25% of the more than 43,000 AAFES associates
are military Family members. Another 1.1% of associates are military
members who work part-time in exchanges during their off duty hours.
• In FY08, AAFES provided $589 million in direct support via MWR
dividends and capital investment to the Army and Air Force and
completed 17 long-range capital projects at a cost of $159 million.
• In FY08, 423 AAFES associates volunteered and deployed in support of
OEF/OIF operations. Additionally, the number of AAFES Impress Fund
Activities, serving remote sites downrange numbered 16 in Iraq and 25
in Afghanistan.
• AAFES leveraged a variety of
communication avenues in support of Military and ARMY OneSource. AAFES
placed commercials on the BX’s and PX’s in-store television and radio
networks, advertised through e-newsletters and the Exchange Online
Store, and also provided content regarding exchange benefits to
Military and ARMY OneSource. |
