ARCENT starts Partnership in Education Program in Sumter

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE - U.S. Army Central enhanced its community outreach efforts in Sumter through a new program called Partnership in Education, or PIE.

The program is designed to grow community ties between USARCENT leaders and community members through speaking and mentorship engagements at public schools. Currently, USARCENT personnel are engaged with 21 schools across Sumter School District, the most of any military organization at Shaw Air Force Base.

Sgt. Maj. Rose Byrd, the ARCENT command career counselor, said the program started in August after requests from district leaders and school principals.

"We saw an opportunity that we could support," Byrd said. "USARCENT is one of the cornerstones of the Midlands community and in Sumter in particular. We started small, reaching out to individual schools and organizations, but we haven't stopped growing our effort. Now, ARCENT soldiers are showing the community that we are here, we are involved, and we care."

Throughout the program, soldiers from across the command volunteered as groups or individuals to partner with specific schools. Soldiers read to students, assist with projects for school facilities, support school spirit days and attend career fairs.

"I think the impact from the PIE program in these kids' futures is going to be far greater than anyone realizes," said Col. Christina Burton, USARCENT engineer director who was one of the initial volunteers at Oakland Primary School. "Whether it is reading to a group, discussing military service in a career fair or volunteering to help a spirit day, it is a privilege to represent USARCENT and the Army while engaging with our community's next generation."

First Lt. Scott Klein, the ARCENT morale, welfare and recreation director, thinks the program is most impactful when soldiers focus on personal connections.

"Our partnership program is so important for ARCENT, the Sumter School District and the community as we endeavor to make a difference in the neighborhoods in which we live, work and play," Klein said. "For me, our support to Cherryvale Elementary School is personal, as my wife is an educator there. Having the opportunity to support her very important work is meaningful. This is the community we call home, and it's an honor to make a positive impact."

The PIE program is a component of ARCENT's Community Engagement Program, a holistic approach to positively affecting the community and the lives of soldiers and their families. Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, USARCENT commanding general, expressed his desire to grow the relationships between the command and the community.

"The Partnership in Education Program is a key part of ARCENT's outreach and commitment to the local community," Frank said. "The Army is a people-centric organization, and people are the foundation of ARCENT. Our connections to the local community through programs like Partnership in Education make us stronger."

USARCENT is the Army Service Component Command for United States Central Command and is responsible to the Secretary of the Army for the support and administration of more than 12,000 soldiers, including those assigned to joint task forces and embassies, across the 21 countries in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility.