FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The commander of Installation Management command arrived Friday at Fort Campbell with a clear mission -- share his vision for providing the best care for Soldiers and their Families, and to see how that is being accomplished at home of the Screaming Eagles.
The visit was scheduled to coincide with a major milestone for Fort Campbell's Soldier for Life--Transition Assistance Program. Fort Campbell leadership recently approved an initiative with the United Association to implement a Veterans in Piping Program that trains select transitioning service members for the pipe welding industry.
Lieutenant Gen. David D. Halverson was the guest speaker at Fort Campbell's inaugural Veterans in Piping graduation ceremony. The 18-week program guarantees graduates apprenticeships at any of United Association's national chapters.
"This is a special event," he said to the 17 graduates at Wilson Theater. "When you talk about commitments -- and what we're trying to do with our transitioning Soldiers -- it really is important for us to make sure our deeds match our words. And I think this is what it's about."
Sharing with the graduates the story of how his father transitioned from the military into a welding career that allowed him to provide for a Family with seven children, Halverson assured them that their Army training would aid them in their journey from Soldier to hard-working civilian tradesman.
"Our Soldiers, we have to assist them in this transition," said Halverson. "Our partnerships with United Association, those kinds of organizations, really shows what we can accomplish. We have to continue to think of innovative ways and partner with outside folks."
Halverson said, it is important that transitioning Soldiers know that they take with them strong competencies and an Army support system that will remain.
"Being a Soldier will prepare you very well for the leadership that's needed in the outside world," he said. "If you work hard and are a values-based employee, the sky's the limit as to what you can accomplish."
Following the graduation ceremony, Halverson visited Fort Campbell's Survivor Outreach Services, a program dedicated to upholding the Army's commitment to the Families of fallen service members.
Fort Campbell's SOS team currently serves 985 survivors covering nine counties in Tennessee and seven counties in Kentucky. The program's effectiveness is attributed to model working relationships with the Fort Campbell's Casualty Assistance Center, and SOS National Guard and Reserve counterparts among other agencies.
The daylong visit also included stops at the Soldier for Life--Transition Assistance Program, the Army Substance Abuse Program, and the Soldier Support Center -- a 40,000 square foot facility that consolidates Soldier services from in and out-processing to reassignments.
Brendalyn Carpenter contributed to this story.
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