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

"When you look at the military in general, we have a tough culture - suck it up, be tough. And frankly you want your Soldiers to be able to go into life and death situations. But we also need to be compassionate enough to understand our Soldiers."

- Major General Mark Graham, with his wife, Carol, while sharing their personal story of tragedy - and ultimately, triumph - with a roomful of Soldiers, spouses and providers during the Suicide Prevention Luncheon on Sept. 10 at the Fort Bragg Club, emphasized the importance of proper support and treatment that would help many Soldiers move beyond the dark moment.

Combating the stigma of suicide: An Army story

"I wanted to be a citizen because it was my choice, not because of the Army. I did all the paperwork for my family and myself as a civilian. I sent it all in myself, and I paid the fees. I can say that it was my own decision; it was not based on staying in the Army. I have been in the Army for 20 years because I love this, not because I had to do it to get my citizenship."

-Chief Warrant Officer 4 Sergio Diaz, senior warrant officer in TF Marne, is a Chilean by birth who moved to the U.S. to fulfill a childhood dream and only joined the Army after seeing the positive change that the Army had on his younger brother

Chilean-born Soldier gets unexpected life in U.S.

• Early Bird News Site
• Stories of Valor
• Army Public Affairs Portal (AKO log in required)
• 2010 Strategic Communication Resource Guide (AKO log in required)
• Information Papers with "2010 Army Posture Statement"

• Community Covenant
• Bloggers Roundtable
• Army hosts DoD, Indian delegation to discuss future R&D collaboration (The U.S. Army)

September 2010

Suicide Prevention Month

National Preparedness Month

Sept 15- Oct 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept 1: Operation New Dawn begins

Sept 25: Gold Star Mother's Day

• Army Social Media: A command information sharing platform
• Facebook: Army's fan page
• Twitter: Army updates
• YouTube: Army videos
• Flickr: Army images
• Army Media Player

Army Professional Writing

• Video: POTUS on retroactive stop-loss pay
• Lady GaGa and Harry Reid's Twitter lovefest on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
• Breaking up with my surrogate spouse
• Soldier surprises wife at home
• Continuation on active duty - Doing what the Army needs me to do
• The House's turn to consider GI Bill fixes

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RDECOM Superior Unit Award

What is it?

The Army Superior Unit Award was established by the Secretary of the Army in 1985 to recognize outstanding meritorious performance of a unit during peacetime, or of a difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances. The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set the unit apart from, and above, other units with similar missions.

What has the Army done?

The Army recognized that during the period Jan.1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2007, the headquarters, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command and its subordinate research centers and laboratories displayed exceptionally meritorious devotion in support of the warfighting force, and performed their mission in a superior manner while accomplishing unique and highly complex tasks. Through a coordinated command-wide effort, the organization developed and accelerated numerous technology and engineering solutions critical to warfighter needs, saving countless lives on the battlefield.

What does the Army have planned?

Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, will present RDECOM its Army Superior Unit Award during a ceremony on Sept.16, at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). At that time, the Superior Unit Award streamer will be added to the colors of each of the command's organizations found on APG. The directors of RDECOM's centers and laboratory also will receive award lapel pins for every person in the organization. As Soldiers wear their awards on their dress uniforms, so the RDECOM civilian workforce will have an award to wear to signify their accomplishments in the global war on terrorism. Staff and personnel at RDECOM's other four subordinate organizations will receive their streamer and pins during ceremonies held at their own installations.

Why is this important to the Army?

RDECOM is the Army's system engineer, and it provides the organic research and development capability for the Army. The command empowers, unburdens and protects the warfighter by developing and accelerating innovative technologies and sound engineering solutions for the battlefield. RDECOM's workforce of 17,000 scientists, engineers and other professionals work day in and day out to enhance the current force and enable the future. RDECOM is science in support of Soldiers.

Resources:

RDECOM website

RDECOM Twitter

RDECOM on You Tube

RDECOM Flickr Page

RDECOM Blog

Related article: RDECOM earns Superior Unit Award