This is the sixth of an eight-part series highlighting critical elements of the 2008 Army Posture Statement. While the Army remains the best-led, best-trained, and best-equipped Army in the world, it is out of balance. The combined effects of an exceptionally high- and sustained-operational tempo have resulted in our readiness being consumed as fast as we can build it. Therefore, our top priority over the next several years is to restore balance through four imperatives: Sustain, Prepare, Reset and Transform. <br><br> Reset

To reset our force we must prepare our Soldiers, units and equipment for future deployments and other contingencies.

Goals for Reset:

- Develop an Army-wide reset program that repairs, replaces and recapitalizes equipment
- Retrain our Soldiers to accomplish the full-spectrum of missions they will be expected to accomplish
- Revitalize our Soldiers and Families through implementation and full resourcing of the Soldier Family Action Plan (SFAP) and our warrior care and transition programs

To build readiness and restore the strategic breadth and depth needed for anticipated contingencies, the Army must continue to reset the force. The objective of Reset is to undo the accumulated effects of more than six years of combat operations.

There are three broad components of Reset: resetting equipment, retraining Soldiers and reconstituting units by revitalizing Soldiers and Families. Each of these components must be sufficiently resourced to set the conditions for units to prepare for their next deployment and future contingencies.

The Army must repair, replace and recapitalize its equipment. As we reset equipment, we must not only return units to pre-deployment levels of equipment readiness, but also equip them at the standards required either as part of the modular Army or posture them to return to combat.

Retraining Soldiers is another important component of Reset. Soldiers must be retrained to accomplish the full range of missions. Units back from deployments face the challenge of retraining Soldiers for missions that may be different from those they just completed, especially in the reserve component. Some units face a transformation process that includes a new mission and organizational structure. These requirements are in addition to professional education requirements for Soldiers and leaders.

The Army must also revitalize Soldiers and Families. Repeated deployments of longer length combined with shorter dwell time at home have stressed Soldiers and their Families. Soldiers and their Families must be given the time and resources they need to reintegrate and reverse the effects of the sustained operational tempo. The Army is providing a number of programs and services to assist the Soldiers and Families during this time. Properly resourced, these programs will contribute to revitalizing our Soldiers and Families.

For more detailed information on the Army Imperative, Prepare and related information papers, see Information papers

To see the full 2008 Army Posture Statement, see 2008 Army Posture Statement (full version)

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

- 2007 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

- Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

- Army Public Affairs Portal

- Stories of Valor

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