Sustain

What is it'

Sustaining our all-volunteer force is the first imperative in restoring balance to the Army. The Army continues to pursue four major goals to sustain the force :

-Recruit and retain quality Soldiers and civilians

-Furnish the best care, support, and services for Soldiers, families, and civilians

-Provide world-class warrior care and transition to our wounded, ill, and injured warriors

-Support the families of our fallen comrades.

What has the Army done'

We've improved our ability to sustain the Army's Soldiers, families, and civilians. As a result of this progress we now are in a better position to achieve balance than we were two years ago. Critical to this was the growth in the size of the Army. Significant accomplishments in 2009 include exceeding recruitment and retention goals, instituting Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, providing comprehensive support for our recovering warriors, and expanding Survivor Outreach Services. For more on what the Army has accomplished, see the 2010 Army Posture Statement at <a href="https://secureweb2.hqda.pentagon.mil/VDAS_ArmyPostureStatement/2010/index.asp" target="_blank">Army Posture Statement Online.</a>

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

The FY11 budget supports the final year of a four-year plan to restore balance to the Army. Highlights from the FY11 President's budget include:

Aca,!Ac Provides $1.7 billion to standardize and fund vital family programs and services to include welfare and recreation; youth services and child care; Survivor Outreach Services; and expanded education and employment opportunities for family members.

Aca,!Ac Provides a 1.4 percent military basic pay raise and civilian pay raise, a 3.9 percent basic allowance for housing increase, and a 3.4 percent basic allowance for subsistence increase.

Aca,!Ac Warrior Transition Units for our wounded Soldiers will continue to receive strong support in FY11 with $18 million in military construction funds allocated to resource construction of barracks spaces.

Aca,!Ac Supports the residential communities initiatives program, which provides quality, sustainable residential communities for Soldiers and their families living on-post, and continues to offset out-of-pocket housing expenses for those residing off-post.

Why is this important to the Army'

The Army has operated at a demanding pace for the last eight years, and while it has met each challenge, the strain has placed the Army out of balance. Nowhere is the stress on the force more profound than in the toll it takes on our people. Ensuring that the quality of life of those who serve the nation is commensurate with their quality of their service, helps sustain our all volunteer force and is central to restoring balance.

Resources:

<a href="https://secureweb2.hqda.pentagon.mil/VDAS_ArmyPostureStatement/2010/index.asp" target="_blank"> Army Posture Statement Online </a>