Mrs. Hyten visits Redstone Arsenal's Army Community Service Office

When it comes to helping military families, success comes in the sharing of ideas and best practices.

Laura Hyten visited Redstone Arsenal Thursday with her husband, Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, for the Space and Missile Defense Command’s change of command ceremony.

While in Huntsville, she toured Army Community Service with Survivor Outreach Services coordinator Kerrie Branson to learn more about the resources available to those in need. Branson shared how SOS “embraces and reassures survivors that they are continually linked to the Army family and have support for as long as they desire.”

With taking care of families being important to both Gen. and Laura Hyten, the visit provided her with information she can use to help improve the lives of military families throughout the command.

“Taking care of families is a priority from the upper leadership on down,” Hyten said. “Unless we get feedback on what you are doing well, we cannot hope to make that an effective mission. Just hearing, and seeing and talking to you all makes all the difference; I’m able to share it with other bases, but I’m also able to elevate important issues up to upper leadership.”

Branson; Sue Paddock, ACS director; Jennifer Holliday, wife of Garrison Commander Col. Tom Holliday; and retired Col. Sarah Green shared numerous ways that the installation and the greater Tennessee Valley community think outside the box to serve Redstone and the unique population that works, lives and plays here.

Chris Carter briefed Hyten on the garden plots available for rent through Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, who, in turn, shared ideas she has picked up throughout her 30-plus years as an Air Force spouse.

Hyten said the visit provided her with information she can take to other leaders to help improve the lives of military families.