WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 13, 2004) -- Creators of The Army Campaign Plan: A Family Like No Other were presented the Government Video Star Award Oct. 6.

The award ceremony took place during the Government Video Technology Expo at the Washington Convention Center.

The Army production, winning in the news/information category, was one of just nine videos from eight agencies to receive the annual award from the publishers of Government Video and Videography magazine.

“This video reinforces the Army’s covenant and commitment to families and our appreciation for the sacrifices our families make,” said Delores Johnson, chief of family programs at the United States Army Community and Family Support Center. “Not only do we have the best Army in the world, we have the best family in the world.”

A Family Like No Other was one of three videos and several slide presentations on the Army Campaign Plan compact disc. The CD was first issued in June. It includes statements by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.

The CD was created through a collaborative effort with Training and Doctrine Command staff at Fort Eustis, Va., Metro Productions, SYColeman and members of the Army’s Executive Office of the Headquarters, Strategic Communications. The presentations targeted active-duty Soldiers, the Army Reserve, the Army National Guard and families.

“It was intended to be very candid,” said Patti Benner, director of EOH Strategic Communications.

Benner said the video and CDs were produced after Schoomaker and Les Brownlee, acting secretary of the Army, decided it was time to change the Army to make it more relevant and ready to deal with challenges faced now as well as in the future. Getting information to Soldiers and families quickly became a high priority. It was necessary to train leaders so they could tell platoon and squad-level leaders how the Army will be structured and those individuals could communicate the changes to active-duty Soldiers, the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and families.

The video has been sent to units throughout the Army. Commanders have been told to distribute it at the squad and platoon level and to Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs for use at family support group meetings, mobilization and deployment briefings and local community discussions.

(Editor’s note: Margaret McKenzie writes for the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center in Alexandria, Va. See the Army Campaign Plan Web site at www.army.mil/thewayahead/acp.html)