The Army has served the nation for over two
centuries. Our Army is truly America's Army - a seamless force
composed of Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard soldiers,
civilian employees, and family members serving the nation at home
and abroad. We have an obligation to give them the best leadership,
weapons, technology, and quality of life possible.
Today's Army is unmatched in the world. We remain prepared to
answer the nation's call - a call which is coming more often than
ever before. The Army's primary purpose is to fight and win the
nation's wars. Our soldiers also can conduct many other operations
- from delivering humanitarian aid to enforcing peace. These
diverse missions highlight the talent, flexibility, and versatility
gained in their training.
These wide-ranging missions also highlight the complex global
security environment. The threats today are less predictable
than in the past, but just as real and just as dangerous. Rising
sophistication among terrorists and rogue states, the standing
armies of potential adversaries, and the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction portend increased challenges for the future.
The Army will continue to play a key role in the nation's response
to those challenges.
In order to conduct our operations at home and abroad, in war
and in peace, the Army must have well trained, highly disciplined
soldiers. We must provide them with modern equipment and offer
them and their families the best quality of life possible. A
high quality Army - one that is prepared to execute a variety
of missions - costs money. Our resources, more than any other
factor, affect the Army's capabilities. Resources determine our
recruiting efforts, our training programs, our modernization plans,
and our force structure.
We must forge an Army prepared to meet the many new challenges
of today's world. America's 21st century Army must be a capabilities-based
force - a force capable of executing diverse missions across the
continuum of conflict. America's Army is stalwart in its determination
to meet the challenges of today, tomorrow, and the 21st century.
Complex Global Security Environment
Diminishing Resources
More and Expanded Missions
The Army Vision
The Army's Role
Fundamental Purpose
Strategic Force of Necessity
Force of Decision
Supporting the National Security Strategy
Supporting the National Military Strategy
Overseas Presence
Power Projection
Power Projection Characteristics
Power Projection Capabilities
Serving at Home
Conclusion
2. The Readiness Challenge: Balancing the Imperatives
Quality People
Recruiting
Retention
Doctrine
FM 100-5, Operations
Joint Doctrine
Multinational Operations
Future Doctrine
Force Mix
Heavy Forces
Light Forces
Special Operations Forces
Force Structure Actions/Trends
Access to Reserve Components
Training
Combat Training Centers
Army and Joint Exercise Program
Overseas Deployment Training of the Reserve
Operating Tempo
Operational Readiness
Future Army Schools
Modern Equipment
Army Modernization Objectives
Summary
Leader Development
The Army's Leader Development System
Reserve Component Leader Development
Civilian Leader Development
Future Leader Development
Conclusion
Quality of Life
Health Care
Army Continuing Education System
Housing
The Family and the Community
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
The Army Safety Program
Summary
Installations
Power Projection Installations
Installation Management Action Plan
Installation Status Report
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Operations
Utilities
Funding
Impact of Contingency Operations
FY96 Budget Overview
FY97 Budget Overview
Conclusion
The National Performance Review
The Financial Officers Act of 1990
The Government Performance and Results Act of
Becoming More Efficient
Redesigning the Institutional Army
Efficiency Working Group
Total Army Quality
Cost Saving Initiatives
Total Asset Visibility
Manpower and Personnel Integration
Integrated Sustainment Maintenance Acquisition Reform
Other Examples
Conclusion
5. America's Army Tomorrow and into the 21st Century
Some Constants
The Army Ethos
Professional Qualities
The Army - Nation Bond
Forging America's 21st Century Army
Force XXI
Horizontal Technology Integration
Digitization
Battle Labs
Experimental Force
Information Age Intelligence
Theater Missile Defense
National Missile Defense
Space Support
TeleMedicine
Conclusion
The annual Army Posture Statement (APS) is an unclassified summary of Army roles, missions, accomplishments, plans, and programs. Designed to reinforce annual Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff, Army, posture and budget testimony before Congress, the APS is subsequently distributed extensively and serves a broad audience as a basic reference document on the state of the Army.