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

"I believe the decisions that the president will make for the next stage of the Afghanistan campaign will be among the most important of his presidency, so it is important that we take our time to do all we can to get this right."

- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, vowed to faithfully execute the president’s orders on Afghan War strategy, at the annual conference of the Association of the U.S. Army

Gates cites importance of Obama’s Afghanistan decisions

Year of the Noncommissioned Officer

"I strive to take care of my soldiers, remain tactically and technically proficient, and to mentor my NCOs to share the same values as I do: ‘Be, Know, Do'. I lead by example. I would never ask a Soldier to do something that I haven’t done myself, or that I wouldn’t do."

- Staff Sgt. Tyler Fosheim, a paratrooper, and a history buff, uses common sense and the Army’s legacy for insight and inspiration in his NCO duties as a platoon sergeant for Company D, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Soldier uses history for motivation

• 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

• Community Covenant
• Army Live
• Bloggers Roundtable
• Fort Bragg hosts multi-national training exercise (The U.S. Army)
• Team furthers education, jobs in Afghan province (DefenseLink)

2009 Commemorations :

Year of the NCO

Year of the Military Family

100th Anniversary of the Chaplain Assistant

October 2009

Army Domestic Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Depression Education and Awareness Month
Energy Awareness Month

Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

Oct. 5- 7: Association of the United States Army Exposition

• Army Media Player
• Flickr: Army images
• YouTube: Army videos
• Twitter: Army updates
• delicious: Army links
• Facebook: Army's fan page

Army Professional Writing

• After deadly assault, questions linger over Afghanistan strategy
• The internal focus of ISAF
• British army chief speaks truth on A-stan
• Who fights this war? Clerks rescue Soldiers in Black Hawk crash

External Links Disclaimer

Army Energy Security

What is it?

The Army Energy Security Implementation Strategy (AESIS) establishes five strategic goals to promote energy security by fostering a culture of energy awareness. The energy security goals are:
• reduced energy consumption
• increased energy efficiency across platforms and facilities
• increased use of renewable and alternative energy
• assured access to sufficient energy supplies
• reduced adverse environmental effects

Army energy projects and initiatives are designed to:
• jump-start Army energy security
• better gauge energy use in garrison and on deployment
• research and develop longer-lasting batteries and other energy storage devices

What has the Army done?

The Army has initiated several key pilot projects to help achieve energy security. The projects include procuring electric and hybrid-electric vehicles for (peacetime) use in garrison. The Army also has been developing hybrid-electric vehicles for tactical (wartime) use in theater.

Moreover, the Army has taken decisive steps to foster a culture of energy awareness and energy security. These steps include:
• establishing (in April 2008) the Army Energy Security Task Force to assess Army energy planning and Army energy initiatives
• ratifying the task force's recommendations to catalyze Army energy security
• initiating six prototype projects to jump-start Army energy security
• developing a new hybrid-electric powered ground combat vehicle
• developing Army energy metrics and objectives
• chartering (in September 2008) a new Senior Energy Executive and a new Senior Energy Council to coordinate and direct Army energy security initiatives
• publishing the Army Energy Security Implementation Strategy (on 13 Jan, 2009)
• publishing (in July 2009) energy security implementation plans by Army commands

Why is this important to the Army?

• Tactical Advantage: Energy dependence creates a logistical tail that slows operations and makes deployed forces more vulnerable to enemy attack.
• Financial Burdens: Energy is a huge expense.
• Congressional legislation and Executive branch orders: mandate change.

What remains to be done?

The Army has just begun to implement its energy security strategy. Successful execution will require the dedication of every Army soldier and civilian. Indeed, leadership and accountability at all levels of command are an institutional imperative.

Energy awareness, accountability and security must be incorporated into all Army processes. The Army, therefore, must continue to initiate cutting-edge energy research; it must continue to pioneer new technology; and it must adopt more energy-efficient business practices.

Resources:

Army Energy Security Implementation Strategy

Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment)Web site