STAND TO!

SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

[W]e're moving...to joint interdependence where...we can reach into each other's kit bags and call for capability to come and help us on target, whether it comes from a submarine, whether it comes from an aircraft carrier, whether it comes out of an air base somewhere... (Transcript)

Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker
Chief of Staff of the Army

TODAY'S FOCUS

ARMY STRATEGIC PLANNING GUIDANCE

The Army Strategic Planning Guidance is the Army's institutional strategy and serves as its principal long-range planning document. The ASPG consists of ten Strategic Imperatives.

Strategic Imperative #1:
Implement Transformation Initiatives

The implementation of transformation initiatives consists of five major transformation initiatives:

1. Implement the Modular Force: A total redesign of the operational Army into a larger, more powerful, flexible and deployable force. Centers on Brigade Combat Teams.

2. Developing the Network: Creation of a net-centric, knowledge based environment used to transform decision making.

3. Developing and Fielding Future Combat Systems: Focused on putting higher payoff technologies into the current force as soon as they become available.

4. Force Stabilization: Emphasizes building and sustaining cohesive, deployable, combat ready units.

5. AC/RC Rebalance: Restructure and rebalance more than 100,000 positions. Restructure to increase units with special skills in high demand. Improve rapid deployment capability.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

The U.S. Army has issued an official statement on the proposed women-in-combat legislation. In summary, the statement says "...existing DOD and Army policies are in compliance with the legislation being proposed under House Resolution 1815. Thus, the proposed legislation contained in HR 1815 is unnecessary, does not provide further clarification...." To read the entire statement, click here.

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Military hospitals prepare for overhaul (WT | EB)
• Golden Knights perform for Walter Reed patients (ARNEWS)
• Troops prefer Stryker, despite flaws (SS | EB)
• "The class of 9/11" (Time | EB)
• Veterans' best classroom was war (WP | EB)
• DoD testing 'revolutionary' bio detection device (ARNEWS)
• Tillman's family critical of Army (WP | EB)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Rebel Shiite cleric suggests he'll shift away from war, toward politics (NYT | EB)
• Shiites welcome end of Sunni Arab boycott (WP | EB)
• U.S., Iraqi offensive targets airport-prison zone (MH/EB)
• Insurgents taking aim at private security companies (WT | EB)
• Road construction crews in Afghanistan drive on (CENTCOM News)
• How does bin Laden avoid capture? (Newsweek/EB)

OF INTEREST

• Base closing panel says list is likely to change (NYT | EB)
• "Unwarranted complaints about new base closures" -- Opinion (CT | EB)
• Congressional report urges troops sent to U.S., Mexico border (WT | EB)
• Military air show at Andrews captivating (WP/EB)
• Venezuela, Iran look toward joint power projects (NYT/EB)
• "The Rumsfeld stain" -- Opinion (NYT | EB)

WORLD VIEW

• U.S., Iraqi forces' offensive leads to 300 detainees (Aljazeera)
• Iraqi national security head assassinated, bombings continue (BBC)
• World Economic Forum urges reform in Arab world, more global trade (Jordan Times)
• Iranian president praises country's military equipment (Islamic Republic News Agency)
• China likely to counter U.S. military space plans (China Daily)

ARMY SPORTS

USMA Men: Baseball (5/21) Army 9, 4 Rhode Island 5, 1; Golf (5/21) Army finishes 24th at NCAA East Regional; (5/21) Army captures 2004-05 Patriot League President's Cup for overall excellence in the league's 22 sports.

NASCAR: At the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway (non points event), Joe Nemechek qualified 9th and finished 21st.

NHRA: At the Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals in Columbus, OH, Tony Schumacher finished 1st by beating Doug Kalitta in the finals.