At last I can report that legislation to fund the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 cleared Congress and was signed by President Obama on April 15.Although Defense Secretary Robert Gates had repeatedly said that cutting any more from the defense budget would affect troop readiness and force modernization, Congress and the White House agreed to provide $513 billion in base defense spending – about $18 billion less than the president requested for Fiscal Year 2011. They also provided $157.8 billion for overseas contingency operations.In a March 2 hearing before the House Defense...
Since its inception the Army has prided itself on transforming everyday civilians into "Army Strong Soldiers." Now it seeks to transform its soldiers into something more: "Soldier Athletes."Faced with the intense physical demands of ongoing deployments and the declining levels of fitness of new recruits, the Army has launched a series of initiatives to train soldiers to not only exercise like an athlete, but to eat like one as well.These initiatives have already changed how soldiers at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, train. Soon they will change how they eat.The concept of "Soldier Athlete" started...
As part of a "right-shaping" of the force, the Army will adjust retention-control points for soldiers this fall.During his first appearance on Capitol Hill, March 30, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III discussed the Army’s temporary end-strength initiative and ensuing force reductions before the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.In July 2009, the secretary of defense authorized a temporary increase of up to 22,000 soldiers for the active Army. This temporary end-strength increase reduced stress and strain on the force by ensuring all deploying units were filled...
The Army Reserve’s 103rd birthday on April 23, 2011, was celebrated when 56 reserve soldiers from all 50 states and territories gathered in the National Archives rotunda April 20 to re-enlist.Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, administered the oath or affirmation to defend the Constitution, the original of which is housed along with the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights in heavily-guarded cases in the rotunda."The soldiers we have gathered here really do represent what America’s is all about," Stultz said.Adding, "It’s about great men and women stepping up every...
Despite the stress on soldiers after nearly a decade at war, the Army is doing well, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III said April 22 during the Association of the United States Army Institute for Land Warfare Installations Symposium and Exposition in San Antonio.Chandler spoke on soldier issues and the state of the Army at the symposium.He acknowledged the problems facing the Army as it begins another decade engaged in war, but noted that last year the Army met its recruitment and retention goals."You all are a large part of that," he said, addressing the Installation Management...
We face many challenges as a country, but after four years in Washington and a lifetime in business, I believe unsustainable spending habits and fiscal insolvency pose the greatest threat to our economic stability, freedom, way of life and future as a nation.We are in real danger of becoming the first generation of Americans to leave our country in worse shape than we found it. Consider:
- This year, the federal government will spend $1.5 trillion more than it will take in, borrowing 40 cents of every dollar. To put that in perspective, the average Tennessee household earned $43,000 in 2008.
If...
"It’s truly a test of tactical, mental and technical proficiencies and these are the tools that every successful leader has to have on the battlefield," Army Secretary John McHugh said referring to the annual Best Ranger Competition.The spectators were gathered in front of the Ranger Training Brigade’s Headquarters at Fort Benning, Ga., about an hour before dawn.A command was given by the 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) to post the colors, and with that the 28th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition began.Fifty two-man Ranger teams from around the Army started the three-day...
On Oct. 27, the secretary of the Army and the Army chief of staff directed the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to conduct a comprehensive review of the Profession of Arms. (See AUSA NEWS, May issue, Page 8.)This Army-wide campaign began in January 2011.The purpose is to assess how the Army has changed after more than 10 years of continuous deployments, and how it must adapt to remain successful in an era of persistent conflict.The 2011 Profession of Arms Survey is a key element of this assessment and your participation is very important.This anonymous study had been designed...
Leader development is key to the ongoing success of the Army, said the Army’s new chief of staff during a visit April 19 with troops from United States Division – Center at Camp Liberty, Iraq."I’m personally involved with leader development at every level, because that’s what really makes us who we are," Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said. "I like to describe the Army as the nation’s pre-eminent leadership experience."As part of that, said Dempsey, the Army is currently reviewing the promotion process to ensure that only the most qualified move on to the next rank."We’re promoting 95 to 98 percent of...
An intelligence-driven U.S. operation in Pakistan killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden yesterday, President Barack Obama announced in a nationally televised address from the White House late May 1."Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Obama said. "A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability."No Americans were harmed," he continued. "They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body."Obama...
President Barack Obama thanked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for his service as he officially announced his intention to nominate CIA Director Leon E. Panetta to lead the Pentagon after Gates retires June 30.Obama said at the White House April 28 that Gates will go down in history as one of the finest defense secretaries in U.S. history.The president also nominated Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to succeed Panetta at the CIA, and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen to succeed Petraeus as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.Obama also is nominating Ryan C...
Story and photo by Spc. Darriel SwattsCAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers of the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) work tirelessly to accomplish the mission of providing full-spectrum aviation operations throughout the country of Iraq. As hard as they work, they play just as hard during their off hours.The 40th CAB is a National Guard-led unit deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. The brigade headquarters is at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad. While Camp Taji is austere in many respects, it does offer Soldiers a variety of sports and recreational activities.“The Soldiers here are giving it...
AUSA on the Hill. AUSA President Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., recently met with Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, to discuss AUSA legislative and educational activities, the role of land power in national defense and the ongoing budget crisis and the impact it will have on the military.Sullivan urged McKeon to fight against defense budget and manpower cuts explaining that "boots on the ground" are crucial to the success of our national security objectives. Sullivan’s letter in the April 11 Army Times (which he provided to McKeon) outlined his...
As a member-based organization, AUSA annually solicits proposed resolutions from its membership. Throughout the spring and summer, individual members and chapters are invited to submit proposed resolutions aimed at enhancing the Army – its equipment, capabilities and the quality of life of its soldiers and their families. How to submit a resolutionAUSA chapters and members are encouraged to submit proposed resolutions to the 2011 AUSA Resolutions Committee for consideration. Prior to the Association’s Annual Meeting, Oct.10-12, committee members will review the resolutions that will become...
There have been many news articles published lately about two issues that are near to our hearts.These issues are unemployment rates among veterans and reserve component members and the welfare of our military families.The first issue obviously has a direct effect on the second. However, what you may not have heard about in these articles is the innovative program that is making a difference – one soldier, one family at a time.The program is the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces.The Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces (EPAF) represents the next generation of the Employer...