The Long War on Terror is in transition. The Republic has 30 thousand soldiers in Iraq currently and is looking to wind down operations by the end of 2011.
In our command, there are also leadership changes occurring. Col. (P) Ray Royalty, ACOS G-3 has been nominated by the President of the United States to become a Brig. Gen. and take command of the 95th Training Division (IET), taking the reins from Col. Bill Soderberg, who did a great job as the acting commander. Col. Daniel Christian, Commander of 4th Brigade, 98th Training Division (IET) will leave command and become the next ACOS G-3. Col. Laura Sievert will become the next ACOS AC-Strategic Initiatives, taking over from Col. Karl Voigt, who will retire in April. Lt. Col. (P) William Harris will become ACOS G-1.
The Long War on Terror is in transition. The Republic has 30 thousand soldiers in Iraq currently and is looking to wind down operations by the end of 2011. In Afghanistan, the decision of the way ahead will occur this summer on the future of forces there. It will be conditions based. This will have an impact on the NATO Training Mission and forces 108th have on the ground (Task Force Scorpion). These are the trainers for the Afghan National Army and National Police in the Kabul Military Training Center, Afghan Defense University, Branch Schools, and Regional Training Centers.
New things are happening in the Army as well. There will be a new APFT, replacing the push-ups, sit-ups and 2 mile run. There is a new camouflaged uniform that will begin to replace the controversial ACU that we are currently wearing. This is scheduled for roll out in October of 2012. Our pay rates, GI Bill, dwell time are all in flux and change.
The President also signed a bill that will repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that will take effect in 2011. DoD and the Military Services have asked for 60 days for a deliberate planning process to implement. DoD has also asked the Army to reduce its current force structure by 49,000 soldiers in the coming years on base of 569,400. The Army’s end strength is currently at its highest level since the early 1990’s.
With the Long War on Terror now in its ninth year, the Army as a profession is pausing to take a hard look at itself to reflect on where it is currently, how we have transformed as a profession and where we will go in the future. There is a “White Paper” that I would highly recommend that all of us as professionals should read.
There are a number of changes that that affect us in the training community. Command Sgt. Maj. Payne addresses a few of these in his article. Consolidation of the Drill Sergeant School at Ft. Jackson, S.C., reduced Regional Training Center missions, the ANA mission that I mentioned above and all the myriad of changes that are occurring in the Initial Military Training world are just a few.
With all that is changing around us, it is our values and our ethos that remain constant. Our values... Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage are constant. Our ethos... I will always place the mission first, I will never quit, I will never accept defeat, I will never leave a fallen comrade, remain constant. Placing the mission first, taking care of our soldiers and their families are all constants. Change will be all about us this year... embrace it, figure out how we can again excel with everything that is going on. I look forward to working with all of you again this year.