Today's Focus:
ARNG Patriot Academy
SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING
"As men and women of the United States Army, you are part of the greatest military force the world has ever known. Excellence is your standard. As we honor your service, we also recognize the devotion of your loved ones who support and pray for you as you are deployed across the globe. View the complete presidential proclamation
This exceptional spirit of sacrifice is the mark of the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, and your selflessness is the reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today. You have provided the opportunity for all Americans to live in peace and prosperity, and your dedication to our country is acknowledged and appreciated by all."
- President Barack Obama's message on 234th Army birthday
Senior Leader Army Birthday Messages (Audio):
Secretary of the Army
Seargant Major of the Army
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Year of the Noncommissioned Officer
"This is not just a celebration. It's also recognition of the Soldiers who have served our nation for 234 years. It's not about any one individual, it's about the product we give to our country ... and it's about our service. It definitely is a privilege and a responsibility."
- Sgt. Maj. Roger Blackwood, 1st Armored Division's senior noncommissioned officer
Celebrating the Army's 234th birthday at Wiesbaden
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
- Early Bird News Site
- Information Papers with "2009 Army Posture Statement"
- Stories of Valor
- Army Public Affairs Portal
- Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
- 2009 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2009 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates
CALENDAR
June 2009:
- National Safety Month
June 13: 90th Anniversary Transcontinental Motor Convoy
June 14: 234th U.S. Army Birthday
2009 Commemorations :
Year of the NCO
Year of the Military Family
100th Anniversary of the Chaplain Assistant
TODAY'S FOCUS
ARNG Patriot Academy
What is it?
The Patriot Academy is a new Army National Guard (ARNG) program launched on June 1, 2009 at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC), a full-immersion 180-acre contemporary urban training center. The Patriot Academy program has Soldiers complete Basic Combat Training (BCT) and then perform Title 10 Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) while completing high school equivalency training, additional military training, and life skills training.
What has the ARNG done?
The ARNG has set up a Phase I with 60 Soldiers, a Phase II with 250 Soldiers, and a Phase III with 500 Soldiers. The basic concept for this program came from research that indicated 500,000 students dropped out of high school in 2006. These former students joined a group of over 3 million American youth between the ages of 16 and 24 without a high school diploma.
What continued efforts does the ARNG have planned for the future?
As the ARNG progresses through the program to Phase III, the ARNG hopes to graduate 500 Soldiers annually. Further expansion at MUTC or other locations is possible for the future. The price the program pays for investing in the future is better than absorbing the opportunity cost of ignoring a plentiful resource.
Why is this important to the Army National Guard?
Research shows that the lifetime cost of dropping out of high school is approximately $260,000. A study in Illinois and Ohio indicated that the potential cost to a state government for a dropout is over $200,000. Extending this loss out, a Texas study indicated that a one year group of dropouts will cost the state about $19 billion over 50 years. A similar study in California estimated the lifetime loss of one year of dropouts will cost the state over $46 billion. From another sad angle, an Indiana article noted that about half of the adults on welfare lack a high school diploma and about three out of four unemployed adults have literacy problems. The high school diploma is also an indicator of success in the military -more valuable than the General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Focusing on potential loss, however, is not the bottom line. Tapping this 3-million strong pool of talent with a program that promises an education and a jumpstart on a career is a powerful formula.
Resources:
Army National Guard
The National Guard
Related article: First student arrives for first Patriot Academy class
STAND-TO! NEWS
ABOUT THE ARMY
- U.S. Army launches new YouTube channel for 234th birthday (Exam)
- Army astronaut to answer publicly submitted questions from space station (ARMY)
- Panel to discuss new ground combat vehicle (AT)
- Army reverses policy to allow troops to use social networking sites (FN)
- Guard looks to new media to attract recruits (NGB)
- Wounded warrior makes history as first-ever amputee to complete Army warrant officer school (ARMY)
- Fort Bragg's unique Soldiers help alleviate combat stress (ARMY)
- Fort Lewis' wounded warriors team up with Habitat for Humanity (ST)
OVERSEAS OPERATIONS
- Petraeus: 'Tough months' lie ahead in Afghan war (WP)
- Commander maps new course in Afghan war (WSJ)
- NATO agrees to U.S. plan to shake up Afghan command (Yahoo)
- U.S. gains more control as it fights Afghan war (NYT)
- Some in al-Qaeda fleeing Pakistan (DP)
- Value of N. Korea sanctions disputed (WP)
- Kyrgyzstan insists U.S. base to close (NYT)
OF INTEREST
- Reserve, Guard miss May recruiting targets (AT)
- Funnyman Colbert is serious about the Iraq war (LAT)
- Bob Hope’s spirit, but no cheesecake (NYT)
- House panel keeps promise on bigger pay raise (AT)
- Bin Laden still in Pakistan, CIA director says (NPR)
- Obama bows on settling detainees (WP)
- Miranda issues cloud Gitmo cases (WSJ)
WORLD VIEW
- N. Korea 'planning new nuclear test' (AJ)
- U.S. braced for more 'reckless' moves from North Korea (LDT)
- U.S. says North Korea unlikely to take military action (Reut-U.K.)
- Afghan violence 'worst since 2001' (AJ)
- U.S. 'to protect Afghan civilians' (BBC)
- Pakistan targets Taliban stronghold (FT)
- U.S. frees youngest Gitmo prisoner without charge (AA)
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