Stand-To: Procedure prior to first light to enhance unit security, a daily compendium of news, information, and context for Army leaders.

"The Sergeants Major Academy has been transforming for the past two years and is not the academy of yesteryear. We have evolved from an institution that trains to one that is focused more on education; producing broadly-skilled, adaptive, and critical thinking NCO leaders fully capable of operating across the full spectrum of operations while supporting ARFORGEN."

- Col. Donald E. Gentry, commandant, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy

Sergeant Major Academy seeks input on name change

Year of the Noncommissioned Officer

"NCOs must demonstrate courage to accomplish every task without hesitation – no matter what. NCOs must remain with their Soldiers until the mission is accomplished. We must show them we are ready at all times – even when we truly want to do absolutely nothing. As an NCO, a leader, I must always show my Soldiers that I care enough to put their needs above my own."

- Army Sgt. Carlos Rodriquez, 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Echo Company supply sergeant, responsible for 1-43 ADA vehicle part distribution and tactical gear issue at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar

Army non-commissioned officer explains commitment

• Early Bird News Site
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• 2009 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2009 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

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June 2009:

- National Safety Month

June 13 - July 8: 90th Anniversary Transcontinental Motor Convoy trip from D.C. to San Francisco

June 14 - 20: Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2009

2009 Commemorations :

Year of the NCO

Year of the Military Family

100th Anniversary of the Chaplain Assistant

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Army Professional Writing

• Army Engineers return Bronze Tablet to government of Iraq officials (TR)
• Sikhs challenge U.S. Army's ban on turbans, beards (SP)
• U.S. kills five in South Waziristan strike (LWJ)
• Grumble, grumble (AG)

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OPM-SANG

What is it?

U.S. Army Office of the Program Manger (OPM), Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) Modernization Program is a U.S. Army Military and Civilian Advisor Team assigned to Saudi Arabia to provide advice and assistance in modernizing SANG. The program is fully funded by the Saudi Arabian Government through foreign military sales cases executed by U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) and Army Material Command (AMC). OPM-SANG is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is organized into four advisor divisions- Maneuver, Support and Sustainment, Health Affairs, and Technical Affairs (Construction)-and a support staff-G1, G2/G3, G6, Finance, Contracting, Installation Management, Linguistics, Security and Acquisition Management.

What has the Army done?

Since 1973 the Army has maintained and enhanced the special relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States through the OPM-SANG program. Specifically, the Army and OPM assisted SANG in modernizing from a small infantry and cavalry force to a force of 11 brigades, capable of land combat operations. The cumulative program value exceeds $15 billion.

Today, OPM-SANG personnel are directly involved with all aspects of SANG's force expansion and help develop a full-spectrum force by advising SANG personnel at all levels from the battalion, to brigade, to the national headquarters.

Program activities and initiatives focus on the organization, training, operations and sustainment of a modern, land-based force. The program is organized along four lines of effort: Training, Advising, Procuring (major systems acquisition),and Construction (military construction, hospitals, and ranges).

What continued efforts does OPM-SANG have planned for the future?

A further expansion to add two light armored vehicle brigades is currently in work. New equipment acquisition, training and fielding will build an objective force of 12 combat brigades and an enhanced internal security capability.

Other important modernization tasks include: fielding a SANG aviation capability; increasing field medical capabilities; automating SANG logistics supply and personnel systems; improving command and control; and major construction and modernization projects for their facilities.

Why is OPM-SANG important to the Army and the nation?

The Soldiers and civilians serve as 'advisor-diplomats' while assigned to OPM-SANG. They help maintain an important strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia and an important presence in the region. The nation and the Army benefit from the strong ties with Saudi Arabia and the important military-to-military relationships in the U.S. Central Command Area of Operations and the Middle East.

Resources:

Office of the Program Manager Saudi Arabian National Guard (OPM-SANG)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Export and Acquisition DASA (DE&C)

United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)

United States Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC)

Download FM 3-07.1: Field Manual 3-07.1, Security Force Assistance, May 2009