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

"Soldiers and their families are the heart of soul of the force...We need to balance current and future demands with readiness and sustainability."

- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, reiterating Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr.'s four strategic imperatives: sustain, prepare, reset and transform, by way of sustainment to carry Soldiers and their families as they prepare for current conflicts, and reset to restore returning units to a level of readiness necessary for future missions.

Predictability, increased dwell time coming, SMA tells troops

"In the past, the U.S. has initiated many media engagements; this one is a true success in a sense that the Iraqi Police developed it. They've taken forward what's been taught in the past and they're actually using their own capabilities…It's extremely important for the Iraqi public to see that the Iraqi Police is establishing trust. The fact that they're (IPs) not only securing the streets, enforcing the rule of law and establishing IP primacy, they're also doing community relations on behalf of the public - and that's a good way for the public to gain more trust with them."

- Maj. Oscar Malave, stability transition team member, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, emphasizing the milestone reached by the Iraqi Security Forces with the help of the U.S. advise and assist operation

Advise and assist operations help IPs reach milestone

• 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 rescues 3,000 flood victims, delivers tons of supplies in Pakistan (The U.S. Army)

August 2010

Anti Terrorism Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

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

• Army Media Player
• Flickr: Army images
• YouTube: Army videos
• Twitter: Army updates
• Facebook: Army's fan page

Army Professional Writing

• Picture of the day - "House call"
• The upbeat side of being a milspouse
• Worry dolls
• Dual-military couples serve together
• Army's new camo could be "joint"

External Links Disclaimer

Soldier Athlete Initiative

What is it?

Over the last decade, the Army has seen a decrease in overall fitness of Soldiers entering initial training. To counter societal changes, the Soldier Athlete Initiative is focused on training these Soldiers in a physically holistic way. The initiative emphasizes physical readiness, performance nutrition, and injury prevention to better prepare Soldiers for strenuous training and the difficulty of the battlefield. A Soldier needs to train for conflict just like an athlete trains for a competition. By training, fueling and caring for injuries, Soldiers will be better prepared to face the challenges of full-spectrum operations.

What has the Army done?

Earlier this year, Initial Military Training (IMT) and the Army Physical Fitness School revised physical readiness training, replacing Field Manual 21-20 with Training Circular 3-22.20. The new document provides training appropriate to various levels of fitness. The techniques in the manual properly build muscular strength, aerobic and anaerobic endurances while improving mobility and reducing injuries. Early indicators are that this program is contributing to better PT test scores and less injuries.

Dietitians, food program managers, and Soldiers gathered at the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence in Fort Lee, Va., to set standardized menu options for dining facilities to ensure our newest Soldiers receive a variety of nutrient dense foods and beverages to optimize their performance.

What efforts does the Army have planned?

Mobile Training Teams are introducing the physical readiness program to units and the TC is being distributed. The program, and how to execute, is also on a smart-phone application for download.

Drill Sergeants will provide a one-hour block of instruction, Performance Nutrition, to recruits to help them make the right decisions to fuel their bodies during physically demanding work. These lessons will be reemphasized at the DFAC's(Defense Facilities Administration Center) where food and beverages will be labeled to help Soldiers make the right performance focused choices.

The surgeon general of the Army has started a pilot program to prevent and treat the injuries during basic training. Introducing Muscular-Skeletal Action Teams to various training units, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other experts will soon assist with the conditioning and injury prevention and treatment.

Vending machines during advanced individual training will also carry more options and recovery snacks will be provided during Brigade Combat Training to accelerate performance.

Why is this important to the Army?

Our Soldiers must perform and excel at Soldiering at a professional level, just like any world-class athlete. Being physical ready to take on demands their bodies will endure in battle requires fundamental training and education, and changes to some of the ways we have introduced physical fitness and nutrition.

Resources:

Stay informed on Soldier Athlete at TRADOC website

Related article: New training initiative prepares Soldiers as Athletes