PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI 65473
VOICE: 573-563-4145
FAX: 573-563-4012
BY: Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Department of the Army announced Fort Leonard Wood as being one of seven installations to be recognized as winners of the 2017 Army Community Partnership awards. The awards will officially be presented at the Army Community Partnership Recognition Ceremony Dec. 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

The Army Community Partnership Recognition Ceremony seeks to highlight examples of exceptional cooperation and diligence that have resulted in improved readiness and will encourage further collaboration to achieve the full potential of community partnering.

Fort Leonard Wood and the Sustainable Ozark Partnership are being recognized for their success in improving resiliency of the Fort Leonard Wood and City of St. Robert’s water infrastructure in addition to the team’s efforts with federal, state and local agencies.

“Your partnership enhances the Army’s readiness and sustainability for the benefit of Soldiers, their families, and the community,” said Ivan Bolden, Army Partnerships chief. “We are proud to recognize you for this great achievement.”

In response to being selected, Col. Tracy Lanier, U.S. Army Garrison commander, said he is thankful for the community support given to the partnership.

“We are truly blessed to be a part of a great community that values partnerships and constantly seek cooperative ways to support our Soldiers and families,” Lanier said.

Kent Thomas, Sustainable Ozarks Partnership executive director, said the award is a symbol of the relationship that exists between various organizations and the installation.

“This award is symbolic of the many great and unique partnerships that exist between Fort Leonard Wood, SOP, our communities and the state of Missouri,” Thomas said.

Awardees include partnerships signed in      fiscal years 2015 through 2017 by garrisons, camps and training areas.

Eligible partnerships included memorandums of understanding, memorandums of agreement, cooperative agreements, educational agreements, leases or licenses, mutual-aid agreements or intergovernmental support agreements.

All submissions were evaluated based on their ability to:

— improve mission training

— provide cost efficiency (savings or avoidance)

— expand capability

— create efficiencies

— improve community relations

This year, seven U.S. Army installations and neighboring communities have been selected for demonstrating partnerships that improved Army readiness and developed strong community  relationships.

The winners include partnership initiatives from Fort Campbell and Montgomery County, Tennessee; Fort Devens Reserve Forces Training Area and the Federal Medical Center, Devens; the Massachusetts Army National Guard (Camp Edwards Training Site), the state of Massachusetts and Cape Cod Communities; Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Pierce County, Washington; Fort Lee and Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia; Fort Leonard Wood and the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership; and Fort Wainwright and the city of Fairbanks, Alaska.