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

"…People accomplish the mission. It is this human dimension with moral, cognitive and physical components that enables land forces to deal with the situational complexity of tactical actions with strategic impacts and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Leadership is of paramount importance, and land forces must continue to develop agile and adaptive leaders who can handle the challenges of full spectrum operations."

- Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr.

AUSA Web site (Oct. 2008, Army Magazine, Volume 58, Number 10)

Year of the Noncommissioned Officer

"Always do what is right, even when no one is looking. Always set the example for the younger Soldiers to follow. Future leaders of the Army are developed by the senior leaders of today."

- 1st Sgt. Mark Newlin, giving advice to junior enlisted Soldiers. He also gave credit to his leaders and senior NCOs for the Soldier that he is today.

Newlin: 'Set the example'

• Early Bird News Site
• Information Papers with "2009 Army Posture Statement"
• Stories of Valor
• Army Public Affairs Portal
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• Community Covenant
• Bloggers Roundtable
• Corps of Engineers completes center for special needs children in Serbia (The U.S. Army)
• U.S. military docs treat nearly 3,000 people in storm-ravaged El Salvador (The U.S. Army)

2009 Commemorations :

Year of the NCO

Year of the Military Family

100th Anniversary of the Chaplain Assistant

December 2009

Dec. 16 to Jan. 25 : 65th Anniversary of Battle of the Bulge

Dec. 12: Army Navy Game
Dec. 24: STAND-TO! edition will not be published
Dec. 25: Christmas Holiday
Dec. 31: STAND-TO! edition will not be published

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Army Professional Writing

• If you see servicemembers on holiday travels, say "thanks"
• Who fights this war?: All female MEDEVAC crew
• Blackfive at the State Department, part one: The good
• Bloggers Roundtable: Maj. Roy Whitley, Program Manager, Army Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay
• Logistics hinder the U.S. Army in Afghanistan

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Army Leader Development Strategy

What is it?

The Army Leader Development Strategy is a document that articulates the characteristics we desire in our Army leaders as they progress through their careers. It establishes eight imperatives for the integration of policies, programs and initiatives to produce Army leaders, and it provides guidance for the career-long development of Army leaders through education, training, and experience.

What has the Army done?

The Chief of Staff of the Army has approved the new "Leader Development Strategy for a 21st Century Army" that builds on the experiences of eight years of war. This strategy is the outcome of a campaign of learning over the past year and has been produced by an extensive enterprise of stakeholders both inside and outside the Army. It is informed by the lessons learned of our ongoing conflicts, assessments of the future operational environment, the Army Capstone Concept, The CSA's Green Book article "The Army of the 21st Century," and FM 3-0 (Operations).

What does the Army have planned for the future?

The Army will adhere to eight leader development imperatives that will guide policy and actions in order to develop leaders with the required qualities and enduring leader characteristics to succeed in complex and uncertain environments across the full spectrum of operations. These eight imperatives are:
• Encourage an equal commitment by the institution, by leaders, and by individual members of the profession to life-long learning and development.
• Balance our commitment to the Training, Education, and Experience pillars of development.
• Prepare leaders for hybrid threats and full spectrum operations through outcomes-based training and education.
• Achieve balance and predictability in personnel policies and professional military education in support of ARFORGEN.
• Manage the Army's military and civilian talent to benefit both the institution and the individual.
• Prepare our leaders by replicating the complexity of the operational environment in the classroom and at home station.
• Produce leaders who are mentors and who are committed to developing their subordinates.
• Prepare select leaders for responsibility at the national level.

More details on the eight leader development imperatives.

Why is this important to the Army?

The Army Leader Development Strategy seeks to develop the agile, adaptive and innovative leaders for our Army within a flexible, relevant and enduring framework. An uncertain and complex future security environment demands that Army leader development prepare leaders to operate with competence and confidence in ambiguous, frequently changing circumstances. Our leaders deserve the best possible leader development process to enable them to effectively lead our Soldiers and protect and promote our national interests.

Resources:

Army Leader Development Strategy Imperatives

Command and General Staff College

United States Army Combined Arms Center

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)