Photo By Samantha Harms | Soldiers make their way through the information tables following the orientation and...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Tx -- Fort Hood’s weekly installation orientation, better known as the “Fort Hood Orientation: Connect with the Great Place,” for all newly arrived Soldiers and family members recently underwent a change to better serve the installation’s newcomers.
“We identified far too many cases of Soldiers and families encountering challenges and not knowing about the extensive amount of resources readily available to assist them,” shared Col. Chad R. Foster, commander, U.S. Army Garrison – Fort Hood. “Therefore, we wanted to find a way to better connect our Soldiers and family members with the agencies, organizations, and individuals who can lend support. But it’s not just about assistance in times of need, nor is this orientation limited to new arrivals. We wanted to make our military families feel welcome, not just when they first get here but also throughout their time in Central Texas.”
This orientation provides an opportunity to inform Soldiers and family members of what is available to them at the Great Place, whether they arrived yesterday, last week or even three months ago.
Effective Jan. 26, the schedule includes remarks from the Garrison Commander, remarks from the Commanding General and two breakout sessions: an agency briefing for Soldiers and a Spousal Connection for family members in attendance.
The biggest changes focused on ensuring that Soldiers were walking away from the orientation with all the necessary information in the most effective way possible, as well as encouraging family members to attend.
“Fort Hood’s improved orientation brief is just the first phase of a larger effort to adapt our messaging to modern audiences and to provide accessible, relevant and useful information to Soldiers and their spouses about their new home,” expressed Capt. Nicholas Kardong, commander, Fort Hood Installation Reception Center.
“Leadership of both United States Army Garrison and III Armored Corps recognized that the previous briefing had become something more akin to a grueling classroom environment than the simple welcome brief it was intended,” Kardong continued. “To correct this, the team (at the Garrison) developed a roadmap to introduce and refine improvements made over time for the benefit of Soldiers and their families. This roadmap includes a significantly shorter directorate briefing, the Spouse Connect briefing which offers a refined welcome for the sole benefit of spouses, incentives for both single Soldiers and those with dependents who go out of their way to get to know Fort Hood and a new online video channel, probably YouTube, which will offer anyone in the world the chance to get to know their new home here at Fort Hood well before arriving.
“Soldiers and spouses who arrived in the last few months have also benefitted from the opportunity to hear from the III Armored Corps Commander and Command Sergeant Major as they dive into the lineage and purpose of the III Armored Corps, and what they can expect as Phantom Warriors,” Kardon concluded. “If you or your loved ones haven’t had the opportunity to sit in on this briefing, or even if you want a refresher, you’re more than welcome to join us every Thursday at 0900 at the Lone Star Conference Center!”
During the breakout sessions, Soldiers heard from services such as Fort Hood Family Housing, the Directorate of Emergency Services, the Staff Judge Advocate, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers and more. Family members heard from Child and Youth Services, the Fort Hood Spouses’ Club, Fort Hood Family Housing and more.
“I learned about all the different programs and stuff that they have for spouses and information that can help him on his end when it came to TRICARE and housing,” shared Destini Bennett Haynes, spouse of Pvt. Micheal Haynes, 1st Cavalry Division. “It’s definitely just a new transition for us to be here.”
This free event takes place every Thursday; the doors open at 8:45 a.m., with the event beginning at 9 a.m. at the Lone Star Conference Center, Building 5764.
Soldiers and family members who attend will receive a free boxed lunch and have access to free childcare on-site. Childcare is offered onsite from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are appreciated a week in advance, in the event that Child & Youth Services need to adjust staffing, but not necessary as they will also accept children as walk-ins.
“(This was) definitely helpful,” Destini continued. “It was definitely something different, I know in other places they don’t really a lot like this, like at all.”
Service members may obtain more information about the orientation by calling the Processing Control Station at 254-368-1768 or visiting Building 16008, located on 42nd Street. For more information on childcare services during the orientation, contact 254-287-7273.
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2023 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 439665 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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