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

"We'll get one shot at transition, and we need to get it right … According to the NATO principles, transition will see our forces thinning out, not just handing off … Indeed, we need to ensure that we take a sufficiently long view [and] that our actions in the months ahead enable long-term achievement in the years ahead."

-Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, March 15, 2011, stresses on the importance of close coordination of the irreversible transition process set to culminate with Afghan forces having the security lead throughout the country by the end of 2014

Petraeus: Afghan transition will have long-term impact

"The Raven saves man-power because it allows you to see what's in your battle space ahead of time. You can't become complacent in battle and you always have to be alert but with the Raven, you don't have to worry as much about sending your guys into danger because you have "eyes on" before you get to where you need to be."

-Sgt. John Martinez, a tanker with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT.

Send out Ravens, save Soldiers

• Information Papers with "2011 Army Posture Statement"
• 2010 Strategic Communication Resource Guide (AKO log in required)
• 2011 US Army Social Media Handbook
• US Army Social Media (AKO log-in required)
• Early Bird News Site
• Stories of Valor
• Army Public Affairs Portal (AKO log in required)

• Community Covenant
• Bloggers Roundtable

2010-2013: 60th Anniversary of the Korean War

2011: 150th Anniversary of the Civil War

March:

Women's History Month - Women in the US Army

Brain Injury Awareness Month:
-Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
-Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center

April:

Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Month:
- Army's SHARP Program

Month of the Military Child: Operation Military Kids website

Celebrate Diversity Month:
- Asian Pacific Americans in the US Army
- African Americans in the US Army
- Hispanic Americans in the US Army
- Women in the US Army

• 2011 US Army Social Media Handbook
• Army Social Media: A command information sharing platform
• Facebook: Follow the Army
• Twitter: Army updates
• YouTube: Army videos
• Flickr: Army images
• Army Media Player
• Get Free "Army Social Media Handbook" iPhone App

Websites of interest:

Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay

Women in the US Army

• Army's Social Media response to earthquake in Japan
• Women of Honor - Master Sgt. Trenest Abrams
• LTG Lynch at the 2011 Secretary of the Army Awards Ceremony
• Afghanistan, Pakistan border photo of the day
• Cpl. Frank Woodruff Buckles
• The wish of a WWII veteran
• Video: You learn a lot quick

External Links Disclaimer

National Guard Homeland Response Force

What is it?

The DoD, based on Quadrennial Defense Review recommendations and Resource Management Decision 700, directs the National Guard to create 10 Homeland Response Forces (HRF): two in FY11 and eight in FY12. Each HRF, with approximately 566 personnel, provides lifesaving capabilities, decontamination, emergency medical, security, and command and control (C2). The HRFs, along with 17 existing CERFPs (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive enhanced response force packages) and 57 CSTs (civil support teams) provide the initial military response to a CBRNE incident.

The HRFs will be staffed with National Guard Soldiers and airmen. Regionally oriented, each of the HRFs will be hosted by state(s) in each of the FEMA regions. HRFs will provide a scalable capability to bridge a gap between initial National Guard response and Title 10 capabilities. HRFs will create a mobile, decentralized response to any incident involving CBRNE and additional hazards (HAZMAT), while recognizing the primary role governors play in controlling the response to CBRNE incidents in their states.

What has the National Guard done?

The National Guard has planned the overall fielding of the 10 HRFs with many implementation details to be worked out by each individual HRF. Eight HRFs will be sourced from single states, including the first two HRFs in Ohio and Washington. The other two HRFs located in FEMA Regions One and Two will be sourced from multiple states within those regions. The state contributing the HRF C2 element will be considered the "host" state.

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

As a key element of the new DoD CBRNE Consequence Management Enterprise, HRFs will complement existing forces of about 18,000 personnel. The HRFs will operate alongside other National Guard-sourced CBRNE Consequence Management forces including WMD-CSTs and CERFPs, as well as federally controlled elements of the enterprise, including DCRF, C2CREs, and follow-on forces, when necessary.

Why is this important to the National Guard?

The 21st century tragedies of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have highlighted the importance of being proactive in preparation and efficient and effective in response. National Guard mobilization methods are improving as they evolve and expand relating to Homeland Defense. The entire enterprise of response is critical to the nation's readiness as we enter the 21st century's second decade and prepare for unknown but certainly challenging horizons.

Resources:

DOD Announces Ohio and Washington National Guard HRFs

Department of Defense Homeland Response Force (HRF) Fact Sheet