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

"Force protection, although critical, is not a substitute for leadership. Leaders at every level in our military play a critical role…As the department takes steps to strengthen its approach to force protection, I ask leaders and commanders across the force to remain mindful of the unique requirements of the profession of arms -- that military service is grounded in an oath to support and defend our Constitution, but also may necessitate the sacrifice of some of the very rights we defend."

- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, on the release of the Defense Department's final Fort Hood shooting review of recommendations issued by an independent panel in the wake of the Nov. 5, 2009, shooting spree on Fort Hood, Texas.

Pentagon releases final Fort Hood shooting review

"It doesn't really matter when our servicemembers have fallen. We still recognize the sacrifice they made and it's nice to be here for this…For those of us who are in the service, we understand very quickly that we're all family, regardless of branch of service, regardless of when it happened we still pay that tribute."

- Lt. Col. Richard Sloma, casualty assistance officer and one of the eight members of the New York Military Forces Honor Guard, who conducted an honorable Transfer of Remains ceremony at the Albany International Airport, to move the remains of U.S. Army Air Forces pilot 1st Lt. Ray Fletcher brought home to Essex Center Vermont from World War II

New York National Guard helps bring remains of World War II pilot home

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August 2010

Anti Terrorism Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

Aug 21-23: National Guard Association Meeting, Austin, TX

Aug 26: Women's Equality Day See related website: Women in the U.S. Army

Aug 31: End of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); Transition to Stability Operations

September 2010

Suicide Prevention Month

National Preparedness Month

Sept 15- Oct 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept 1: Operation News Dawn begins

Sept 11: Patriot Day

Sept 25: Gold Star Mother's Day

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• Helicopters equipped with acoustic shot detection bound for Afghanistan
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Command Post Exercise "Vibrant Response" 2010

What is it?

Vibrant Response 2010 is a U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) directed, U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) executed culminating training event (CTE) for Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) consequence management response force (CCMRF) 11.1 focusing on Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) missions in a Consequence Management (CM) role.
This command post exercise (CPX) was conducted at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from Aug. 11 through Aug. 19, 2010. This CPX which involved 400 to 500 people challenged the command and control aspects of a joint task force headquarters required to respond quickly to a domestic disaster.

What has the Army done?

The Army has stood up two CCMRFs to respond to large-scale, domestic disasters. The CCMRF is a Title 10 force comprised of both active component (AC) and reserve component (RC) forces. Each CCMRF is commanded by a major general and consists of three brigade-size task forces - medical, operations, and aviation - in addition to smaller, more specialized elements.

This exercise included Soldiers from the 3/30 MEB from Illinois, and 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade (TAB) from Kentucky (TF AVN C2 HQs) with down trace units from Maryland, New York, and North Carolina. The CCMRF falls under U.S. Army North, which is the Joint Forces Land Component Command (JFLCC), the Army Service Component Command (ASCC), to U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and the lead agency for Vibrant Response. As such, ARNORTH coordinates the federal military support for domestic operations on land. The CCMRF is designed to reinforce state/local responders when they request federal assistance.

Why is this important to the Army?

Potential CBRNE incidents are a serious threat to the security of our nation. Such an attack by terrorists on U.S. soil could produce catastrophic results overwhelming civil authorities and first responders. The CCMRF provides an answer to this challenge.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

CCMRF - One (AC) unit will be assigned to USNORTHCOM on Oct. 1, 2010. CCMRF - Two (RC) will be on prepare-to-deploy orders (PTDO) status while assigned to USNORTHCOM through Sept. 30, 2011. The Department of Defense is working with the National Guard Bureau to field an additional, complementary, all-hazards capability through the designated Homeland Response Forces (HRFs). Ohio (FEMA Region 5) and Washington (FEMA region 10) will be the first two HRF states to stand-up by October 2011.

Resources:

U.S. Army North website

U.S. Army National Guard Army Battle Command Training website