Ea g l e ’ s view U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting brigade
Fall 2012
recruiter “Hot spots” map hits the span
INSIDE 3 Command Corner 4 Brigade News 6 Feature 8 Army News
New tools are now available at the 2nd Recruiting Brigade SPAN site! Each tool was developed with station mission and the recruiter in mind. To learn more about the tools and what this map can tell you about Army Reserve vacancies, see page 5.
command corner
chaplain’s blessing US. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade Fall 2012 Commander Col. Michael A. Faruqui Command Sgt. Major Command Sgt. Maj. Milton Rhodie Public Affairs Specialist / Editor Antonia Leonard Public Affairs Specialist Vickie Evans
Eagle’s View is authorized by AR 360-1 for members of the U.S. Army and their Families. Contents of this publication are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. Eagle’s View is published quarterly by the Advertising & Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade. Please mail submissions and letters to the editor to: ATTN: Editor, A&PA U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade, 3435 Snooper Road Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898; com: (256) 450-9543, fax: (256) 450-9517. e-mail address: antonia.leonard@usarec.army. mil or 2bde-apa@usarec.army.mil. Eagle’s View is currently distributed electronically and will be sent to everyone on the brigade distribution list and those whom have requested a copy.
Faith in Times of Struggle “Dear God, there are so many things You did not promise us. But You have promised to be with us and to guide us through the good and the bad. Father, help us to trust in You for support. Grant us awareness of all things, good and evil, for they are under Your control. Strengthen our faith so that we may truly and fully rely on You. In Your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.”
Commander: Enter a “4 E’s” Frame of Mind
“What God Hath Promised,” Hymn by Annie Johnson Flint God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Col. Michael A. Faruqui Brigade Commander
God hath not promised we shall not know Toil and temptation, trouble and woe; He hath not told us we shall not bear Many a burden, many a care. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love. God hath not promised smooth road and wide, Swift, easy travel, needing no guide; Never a mountain rocky and steep, Never a river turbid and deep. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Annie Johnson Flint was a woman who beat the odds. Twice orphaned as a child and crippled with arthritis as an adult, her life was filled with struggle. In search of refuge, Flint turned to God for strength. His grace filled her spirit and she began to write. The hymns and poems she wrote are cherished by those experiencing tough times of their own to this day.
Team- Congratulations on once again achieving mission in Fiscal Year 2012 and welcome to Fiscal Year 2013! As I look at the accomplishments made by our team, I am sincerely thankful for the dedication each of you have to the brigade. Though FY13’s mission is ripe with challenges, I am certain the Eagle Brigade will continue its success.
best qualified young men and women. It is equally important we educate ourselves in order to foster self development and improve the quality of our Army. Evangelize: Spread the good word of opportunities in today’s Army. We must work by, with and through our local communities to shape an environment for future success. Your strength as a special operator can be measured by your network and congregation. The COI referral base you create will be the legacy you leave behind. I expect you to dialogue with your peers, subordinates and leaders on the meaning of the 4 E’s and how we can expand upon them to improve Team Eagle. I appreciate your hard work and continued dedication to our most important mission of leading quality young men and women into the best Army in the world! ~Eagle 6
CSM: Teamwork is Key to FY13 Success
Deadline for submissions for the Winter 2013 edition is January 14.
~Courtesy of Chaplain (Maj.) Douglas Gibson, 2nd Brigade Chaplain
Command Sgt. Maj. Milton Rhodie Brigade Command Sergeant Major
2 • Eagle’s View
In preparation for this year’s mission, I encourage you to reflect on the 4 E’s: Ethos: Enter the mindset that the mission must always come first. Know the mission statement and validate it every day when you look in the mirror. Make a routine of affirming to yourself and your team that you will always lead the best qualified young men and women to join our Army. Although there may be obstacles to overcome, we must never accept defeat. A strong ethos is the first step towards success no matter how tough the obstacle or great the mission. Example: We are THE “tip of the spear” Special Operators in our remote area of operations and we must set the highest standards of conduct on and off duty. Every key leader engagement executed has the capacity for great success and the potential for mission risk. Educate: We have a responsibility to build enduring relationships with community leadership and educators. We must develop and encourage their influence to expand our Nation’s understanding of what it means to be a Soldier today. These relationships are the pathways to our Nation’s
Team Eagle- I would like to thank you for your support and effort in closing out another successful fiscal year. Congratulations to all members of the team including the spouses and loved ones that stand beside us every day. Without your support, mission accomplishment would be made a great deal more difficult. This past September, we officially transitioned to Small Unit Recruiting (SUR). Components of the mission are no longer assigned to individuals and the emphasis has been placed on teamwork. With this renewed perspective on Army recruiting, we will get after the mission together and leave no one behind. Though our mission has increased, I am confident we will be successful through training, leader development, and teamwork. We must identify our areas of opportunity and aggressively work towards improve-
ment. The In Process Reviews (IPR), Army Interview and task organization are crucial to our mission. I ask leaders at all levels to assess your proficiency in these areas and seek training when possible. I believe this will close the gap on our shortfalls and make us a more effective and efficient Team. During this holiday season, spend time with your families. Take care of each other and be safe at work and at home. If you plan to travel, take precautionary measures, prepare, and complete all assessments prior to driving. Finally, Trisha and I would like to wish you a happy holiday season. We send our most sincere thanks for all that you do. ~Eagle 7
Fall 2012 •
3
brigade news staff Briefs Budget, Funding in FY13 Minimal FY13 funding was received from TRADOC to sustain operations. Be very frugal, particularly for expenses involving travel and supplies. Supply purchases must be kept to an absolute minimum. The FY13 spending ceiling cannot exceed what was spent during this same period last year in FY12. New Band Liaison Team Eagle welcomes SSG Ester Valido, the new brigade band liaison. You can reach her for support at 256-450-9571. Military Family Month “In our military families, we see the best our country has to offer. They demonstrate the virtues that have made America great for more than two centuries and the values that will preserve our greatness for centuries to come ... Military families strengthen the fabric of each community they touch and enrich our national life as shining examples of patriotism,” said President Barack Obama in support of Military Family Month, 2012
Technology corner...........
By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Kuhn, 2nd Brigade Master Trainer/Schools NCO The Department of the Army is currently undergoing a migration to a hosted Enterprise Email solution managed by Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The migration will consolidate all generating forces of Unclassified and Secret Internet Protocol Routed Network (NIPRNet/SIPRNet) Messaging Services into the DoD Enterprise Email Service. DISA Enterprise Email service will provide the same mailbox for an individual throughout their Army career and will be offered as an Army core service. Currently, Recruiting Support Network (RSN) Operations representatives are in negotiations to ensure services provided by Enterprise Email meet or exceed service levels currently provided. DISA Enterprise Email service is conceptualized by persona-based identities. Enterprise Email service users’ first and last names are paired with a corresponding persona to create a unique identity and email address within the system. Personas are associated with the user’s role within RSN, such as Active Duty (MIL), Retired (RET), Civilian (CIV), or Contractor (CTR). Users with more than one persona, or role, will be assigned more than one identity. For example, a civilian employee who is also a member of the National Guard will have two personas. Enterprise Email will assign the employee an identity and email address incorporating the abbreviation CIV and a second with MIL. Full migration of all users began mid-November 2012 with an anticipated completion of March 2013. Once personnel migration is complete, migration of non-personnel mailboxes (NPE) and distribution list migration will begin. Both personnel and non-personnel users affected by the migration should note current email account accessibility is limited to six months after final migration is completed.
Upcoming Events and Activities DECEMBER Dec. 7: Brigade Training Stand Down Day Dec. 8: Army/Navy Football Game Dec. 13: Red Stick Bowl, Baton Rouge Battalion Dec. 14: ATC Conference, Miami Battalion Dec. 20-Jan 2.: Half-Day Holiday Schedule Dec. 22-25: Holiday Weekend Dec. 29-Jan. 2: New Year’s Holiday Weekend JANUARY Jan. 1-6: All American Bowl Center of Influence Tour Jan. 5: U.S. Army All American Bowl Jan. 18-21: MLK Holiday Weekend Jan. 22-25: Brigade Operations Training, Atlanta Battalion Jan. 28-Feb. 1: IG Inspection, Jacksonville Battalion
4 • Eagle’s View
brigade news
2nd Brigade SPAN Features New Tools
By John Towers, 2nd Brigade Missioning, Marketing & Analysis Chief Fiscal Year 2013 is underway and as the emphasis shifted to Army Reserve mission so, too, did recruitment challenges. Our most valuable asset when facing these challenges is knowledge of vacancy locations and the Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) available within them. To help locate vacancies and MOS availability, the 2nd Recruiting Brigade Missioning, Marketing and Analysis (MMA) team has produced 3 tools for use at all levels from recruiter through battalion S2/3. The first tool is the Vacancy Breakout Spreadsheet. This spreadsheet lists every zip code within 50 miles of an Army Reserve center. Each zip code is assigned a weight based on qualified military available (QMA) population. This is the method of weighting zip codes used to assign station mission. However, The Vacancy Breakout Spreadsheet can unlock other valuable data. The Vacancy Breakout Spreadsheet identifies a vacancy by zip code even if it is within a station footprint that does not have a reserve center. Use of the spreadsheet at the station level can validate if a station is capable of supporting the mission it has been assigned. Second, MMA has developed an access database of raw vacancies and available training seats for each center or station. The database screens unit vacancies to ensure additional training seats are not needed. Battalion missions are created using the screened vacancies. Recruiters may find this tool helpful as it contains all vacancies by station throughout the command. The third and most aesthetically pleasing tool is a map of Army Reserve recruiting opportunities. Vacancies within the brigade footprint are grouped into graduated circles, or “hot spots”, to indicate the location of raw vacancies and vacancies constrained by training seat. Supplemented by corresponding numerical data, the hot spots fully illustrate Army Reserve recruiting opportunities across the brigade. The map is produced weekly and includes a chart to summarize opportunities by battalion. Recruiters are encouraged to use these tools regularly. The tools may also be helpful when integrated into a Recruiting Operations Plan. To access the tools, visit the 2nd Recruiting Brigade SPAN site then navigate to the MMA/Vacancy Data Folder. It can also be accessed at: http://span2010.usaac.army.mil/sites/RC-2BDE/MMA/Vacancy%20Data/Forms/AllItems.aspx
Mission Numbers are in: Books Close on FY12, Open for FY13 As the Fiscal Year 2012’s book closed, another successful year of recruiting was marked for the U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAREC) and the 2nd Recruiting Brigade. USAREC wrapped up the year with 60,490 Active Army soldiers recruited and 15,729 news Soldiers recruited for the Army Reserve. Through adhering to the mission objective of quality recruits, 96.4 percent of new recruits had high school diplomas and 64.2 percent were in Categories I-IIIA (an increase from 62.8 percent in FY11). Additionally, USAREC met Regular Army skill-set needs by achieving over 99 percent Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Combining both Active Army and Army Reserve Soldiers recruited, USAREC recruiters accomplished 102.9 percent of the total mission proving once again they can “Provide the Strength” to America’s Army. The 2nd Recruiting Brigade also proved itself Army Strong! Both Regular Army and Army Reserve missions were met with 16,664 Soldiers (108.6 percent mission accomplishment) and 2276 Soldiers (105 percent mission accomplishment) recruited respectively. The brigade contributed 24 percent of total USAREC mission, scoring more new Soldiers than any of its counterparts for the 6th consecutive year. Looking forward to Fiscal Year 2013, USAREC is positioned for continued success. The Regular Army is poised with a mission of 69,000, with 27,992 future Soldiers in the entry pool, and The FY13 Army Reserve enlistment goal has increased to 20,130. USAREC commanding general, Maj. General David Mann advised on the emphasis of Army Reserve mission, “In the latter part of FY 12, we saw a significant improvement in achieving both the prior service and non-prior service Army Reserve missions. We must maintain the momentum throughout the entire year in order to achieve the goals that have been established by our Army.” In FY 13 USAREC will continue to recruit during a period of persistent conflict and while youth propensity to enlist has increased, parents often have concerns about risk. Further, fewer than 1 in 4 individuals between the ages of 17-24 are fully qualified to enlist most frequently due to failure to graduate high school or obesity. It is projected that over 400,000 applications will be screened by USAREC recruiters in FY13 to meet the number of qualified applicants interested in becoming a Soldier for the All Volunteer Force. Colonel Mike Faruqui, commander, 2nd Recruiting Brigade reminds recruiters, “Every screened application brings us closer to a new, fully qualified Future Soldier. Though there are challenges on the horizon, the Eagle Brigade is fully capable of achieving FY13 mission. You truly are America’s best recruiting the best!”
Fall 2012 •
5
Feature
feature
Eagles on the Street...
Recruiter Spotlight: Sergeant 1st Class Kevin Miller Inspires Miami Youth
“How do you use the MSB Assets (Adventure Vans, interactive vans) to build better relations with your high schools?”
“We strive to place these assets at schools where students that have limited access to the Military can participate. Since it is the Army’s facility, the administrators appreciate that we come giving, not just asking. Regardless of the level of interest shown in the Army, the students come away from the asset thinking more about their plans for the future in terms of college and employment. The administrators view this as a victory on behalf of the students, and are generally very happy to welcome us back for subsequent visits.” ~Captain Zachary Carbonell, Memphis Company Commander, Baton Rouge Battalion “Our intent is to put these assets at schools where students that may have limited access to the United States Army can participate. What I have found is the administrators really appreciate the Army giving back to the schools. The students tend to come away from the event thinking about their plans for the future attending college and future job opportunities. The administrators see this as a major accomplishment in educating and giving our youth a better opportunity to succeed in life.” ~ First Sergeant Eva Butler, Memphis Company First Sergeant, Baton Rouge Battalion “[MSB Assets] are good to help us build better relations with the school however, we never get a heads up in advance to let the school know about it so it causes chaos in asking the school to accept the asset..” ~Staff Sgt. Jessie Sapien, Recruiter, Millington, TN, Baton Rouge Battalion
Congratulations to 2nd Brigade FY12 Award Winners!
SSG William Donnell, Raleigh BN Regular Army NCO of the Year
Mrs. Lisa M. Burkman, Brigade HQs Outstanding Administrative Support Employee
SFC Anthony Roberti, Raleigh BN USAR NCO of the Year
Mr. Melvin L. Brown, Miami BN Outstanding Technical or Program Support Employee
SFC Thomas Kenny, Raleigh BN Center Commander of the Year
Mrs. Lisa R. Olshove, Brigade HQS Outstanding Program Specialist Employee
1SG Jonathan Jackson, Raleigh BN First Sergeant of the Year (USAREC Winner)
Mr. Steven E. O’Connell, Brigade HQs Outstanding Supervisory Employee
6 • Eagle’s View
By Antonia Leonard 2nd Brigade Public Affairs Specialist “Too blessed to be stressed,” is the motto that guides Sgt. 1st Class Kevin T. Miller’s life. Miller, Center Commander at the Orange Park Recruiting Station, uses his career as a shining example of the opportunities made possible through the U.S. Army and a positive attitude. Yet, growing up, he had more troubles than many experience in a lifetime and his odds for a successful future were low. Determined to overcome the life of poverty and addiction he was born into, Miller turned to the structure, guidance and educational opportunities available through a career with the US Army. Born the fifth of six children in Miami, FL, Miller began his life addicted to crack-cocaine. His mother was addicted to the drug and used steadily through her pregnancy. Driven by a life of addiction, Miller’s mother often disappeared leaving his 13-year-old sister to oversee the home. During these times, Miller’s basic needs for food, supervision and nurturing went unmet. When his mother returned, she showed signs of abuse from her boyfriend such as black eyes, bruises and bloody noses. At a young age Miller decided he would
Sgt. 1st Class Miller with his wife, Rashawanda (Photo provided by Sgt. 1st Class Miller)
Sgt. 1st Class Miller pictured with Command Sgt. Maj. Stiteler and Lt. Colonel O’Grady May 3, 2011 when receiving the prestigioU.S. Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Award and Medal. (Photo by Kathy O’Grady)
not follow in his mother’s footsteps. He did not want her pain, struggle and addiction to dictate his future. Though a sad day in his memory, Miller considers the day Miami authorities arrived at his childhood home as the day he was saved. Miller was placed in foster care until age 16 when he was adopted. After high school graduation he chose to join the U.S. Army as a food service specialist. Miller said his life was given a higher purpose when he became a Soldier and knew that the opportunities made possible through the U.S. Army would allow him to build a better future. Throughout his career, Miller has completed three tours to Iraq where he witnessed the ordinary struggles of life for Iraqi citizens. While deployed he realized the obstacles of his past were little compared those faced by the Iraqi citizens he encountered. This powerful realization became the basis for Miller’s positive outlook on life. Now, after more than a decade of service, Miller is the Center Commander at the Orange Park Recruiting Station. He shares his Army Story to empower others and encourages Miami youth to follow in his path. Miller is regarded among the Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion as an ex ceptional recruiter who motivates his peers.
Staff Sergeant Desire Sanchez of the Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion is one of many soldiers who Miller has mentored. Sanchez remembers Miller arriving to work every day with a smile on his face. Sanchez said, “Miller’s motivation is contagious. He is an outstanding recruiter who goes above and beyond the call of duty.” As a recruiter, Miller tells his Army Story to inspire others who may believe they do not have a chance for a bright future of their own. He shared, “The Army accepted me with all my flaws. My self-esteem went from negative to positive and I finally felt like I belonged.” Statistically, Miller’s life pointed toward a path of addiction to drugs, incarceration or death but he refused to accept a predetermined fate. He believes the Army gave him a golden opportunity to give back to his country. Miller has devoted his Army career to breaking the mentality of “average is good enough” and his goal is to become a role model for recruiters and Future Soldiers. “The feeling is priceless when I get a letter, telephone call or email from a Soldier saying they are grateful for my leadership,” Miller said, “It is my greatest honor to know young Soldiers have benefited from my story. I am proud to make a positive impact on their lives.”
Fall 2012 •
7
army news
Army tightens fitness standards for students entering professional military education By C. Todd Lopez Courtesy of Army News Service Pre-war height, weight and physical fitness standards are coming back for Soldiers entering professional military education courses on or after Nov. 1. The short explanation is: if you’re heavier than you should be, or you can’t meet the Army’s physical fitness standards, you’re not going to get into the professional military education, or PME, course you’re scheduled to attend. The standards had been waived because the Army needed as many Soldiers as possible trained for the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts -- but that is no longer the case. “In 2007, when the Army was fighting two simultaneous conflicts, we instituted a physical fitness waiver for institutional training courses,” said Brig. Gen. Todd McCaffrey, director of Army training. “This ensured Soldiers attending these courses received the required education and relevant operational and combat skills training, regardless of temporary fitness issues Sgt. Nicholas Johnson, U.S. Forces Korea Soldier of the Year, finishes the pushup portion of the Army Physical or post-deployment recovery and reset Fitness Test during the 6th Annual Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition, Oct. 3, 2011, at Fort Lee, cycles. We accepted this risk, rather Va. (Photo by U.S. Army) than send an untrained or unschooled fitness test and height/weight standards Course. Soldier back to their units.” The policy change applies equally to into our professional military education Now, McCaffrey said, the Army can afcourses taught in-residence and by mobile programs reinforces the efforts the Army’s ford to have Soldiers who meet both the senior leaders have been emphasizing on training teams. training and fitness standards. Soldiers who are identified to attend standards based training and education,” According to a message sent to all Army these courses and schools will get an ini- said McCaffrey. activities, PME courses affected include tial Army physical fitness test, height and More information regarding the policy the Senior Service College, the Sergeants weight screening. Those who don’t pass change can be found at: http://www.apd. Major Academy, the Joint Special Operathe initial test will be allowed one retest. army.mil/pdffiles/ad2012_20.pdf. tion Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, the Soldiers who don’t meet requirements afCaptains Career Course, intermediate level ter the second test will be removed from education, the Warrant Officer Advance the course. Their service school academic Course, the Warrant Officer Staff Course, evaluation report will also be annotated the Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course, “failed to achieve course standards.” the Advanced Leaders Course, the Senior “Reestablishing the Army physical Leaders Course, and the Warrior Leader
Find more Army news on-line at www.army.mil/news/. 8 • Eagle’s View
army news
Army leaders say ‘agile’ force needed for uncertain future By Kris Osborn, ASA(ALT) American News Service
The Army is taking a series of strategically minded and carefully crafted steps to position the force for a full range of potential mission scenarios in an unpredictable, yet challenging and fast-changing future operating environment, service leaders said Oct. 22. Lt. Gen. John F. Campbell, the Army’s deputy chief of staff, G3/5/7, led a panel titled “Versatile Force for the Nation,” at an Institute of Land Warfare forum during the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting and exposition. “The world we live in is very complex, interconnected and politically fragmented.” Campbell said. “Events resonate across the globe very quickly and are amplified by the 24/7 global media. If I had to pick one word for the Army as we move forward, it would be ‘agility.’ We need to have an Army that is precise and able to rapidly deploy,” he
said, making reference to the Pentagon’s Defense Planning Guidance. Placing a premium on the need for the Army to be versatile and adaptable in a rapidly evolving global threat environment, service leaders said the Army must be able to succeed if called upon to perform a unique and broad set of roles and missions. These include conventional, irregular, counter-terrorism, counter-weapons of mass destruction, or WMD, stability, humanitarian and disaster response activities. Campbell also explained that the Army would harvest lessons learned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and re-balance toward the Pacific theater as the Afghan drawdown continues. Part of this includes strengthening alliances with partner nations in the region as well as more broadly looking at missionfocused regional alignments for units as a force-structure strategy for the future.
Regionally aligning units will allow the service to refine and strengthen Soldiers’ cultural and social understanding of specific geographical areas in which the Army may be called upon to operate. “Regionally aligned forces are going to be extremely important as a best means to provide forces that will be better trained and better aware of their operating environment. We want to ensure that our Soldiers can perform better socially, cognitively and physically,” said Lt. Gen. Keith Walker, director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, Fort Eustis, Va. While citing that the Army now has about 60,000 troops currently stationed in the Pacific theater, Campbell and Walker explained that a shift to the region would involve more of a re-balancing effort allowing combatant commanders in the Pacific region to once again have access to LEADERS, continued on page 10
Army activates Reserve units for Hurricane Sandy relief By Maj. Angela Wallace Army News Service
The Army Reserve has mobilized three tactical water distribution units to aid with relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. This will be the first time reservists have been activated for a domestic natural disaster under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, which streamlined the process for the Reserve to mobilize in support of relief efforts within local communities. At the direction of U.S. Northern Command, the 401st, 410th, and 431st Quartermaster Teams, from Lock Haven, Pa., Gainesville, Fla., and Kinston, N.C., respectively, have activated from Joint Base Dix/McGuire/Lakehurst, N.J., for allocation to the affected areas. The units each consist of about 25 Sol-
diers and each unit is designed to operate six 600-gallon-per-minute water pumps. “Our condolences go out to those that have lost loved ones or suffered damage to
Army Reserve. “The Army Reserve is providing units to support first responders and our fellow Americans. These are skilled Army Reserve Soldiers who live and serve in communities across America to include the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, and we stand ready to provide additional support as needed.” While performing hurricane relief support, the Army Reserve units will fall under the joint command of the respective affected area.
their homes and businesses in the storm,” said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Talley, commander,
The Army Reserve is able to leverage both military and civilian skills of its Soldiers in disaster responses. With its nationwide presence, Talley said the Army Reserve is uniquely positioned to assist local officials in relief efforts throughout the country.
Fall 2012 •
9
LEADERS, continued on page 10 forces diverted to Central Command to support efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We’re a different Army from what we were in 2001,” Campbell explained. “We’ve modernized and we are looking to rebalance toward the Pacific as we draw down Afghanistan and Iraq. At the same time, the Army has to look at the world we live in. The Army is resetting. Our goal is to meet the needs of all our combatant commanders. For the past 10 to 11 years, we’ve focused on CENTCOM. As we move toward the future, we are going to partner more with Special Operations Forces and our coalition partners.” Describing “operational adaptability” and “versatility” as essential characteristics needed for the future Army, Walker talked about the conceptual rigor informing an ongoing “campaign of learning” designed to inform the Army’s strategic approach to the future. Even though the particulars of a potential future environment are, as of yet, unknown, complex and uncertain, the Army can consider a range of factors, trends, likely scenarios and contingencies as a useful learning exercise designed to inform a “working hypothesis,” Walker explained. “What characterizes the global environment is the exponential increase in the amount of human interaction and just how fast information gets around the world. We want to have an Army that can adapt to the unknown,” Walker said. “The Army of 2020 is about a transition, preparing for a broad range of actors, an incredible mix of state and non-state actors, para-military forces and uniform forces - some with very sophisticated weapons. We have also had some anti-access/area-denial challenges and those may likely increase.” In particular, the still-evolving results of the Arab Spring as it played out in North Africa and the Middle East, a potentially volatile stand-off with Iran, the growth of Al Qaeda in certain locations and an uncertain future in North Korea -- are all important considerations informing the calculus regarding future plans and potential future engagements, said Todd Harvey, principal director for force development, Office of the Secretary of Defense. “The variety and complexity of the challenges we expect to face remain constant and, in some cases, are increasing,” Harvey said. Harvey also cited concerns about the possibility of potential adversaries, radicals or disruptive forces acquiring stockpiles of weapons in some cases,such as portable, shoulder-fired missiles, unmanned aerial systems, cyber capabilities and improvised explosive devices. “As we look at the landscape before us, it is really a mixed bag. There is obviously potential for quick swings and a high degree of unpredictability,” Harvey said. As a result of these many factors and considerations, Army planners are taking a look into the “deep-future” with a mind to harvesting science and technology innovations, developing, training and sustaining an agile, superior force and preparing a mix of tailor-able capability for the future, Walker and Campbell said. Emphasizing modernization, lethality and the Soldier, Squad and small unit as the foundation of the force, Campbell stressed to the audience that “the most discriminate weapon on the battlefield has always been the American Soldier.”