a. NCO and Soldier Programs - “Could the Army control private social media posts by Soldiers?”
The Marine Corps is under scrutiny now because of the Marines United Facebook group. Some say the Marine Corps leadership has known of this website for years but have done nothing. The other services will now come under the same scrutiny. What recommendations would you make to the Army and the Department of Defense for their review of these sites?
b. AUSA Five Things – “Can foam make a difference on the battlefield?”
AUSA Five Things: A Weekly Tip Sheet for AUSA Members, dated March 13, 2017: “Foam Protection.”
“North Carolina State University researchers are concentrating on the amazing bullet-stopping power of foam, which they’ve discovered can stop armored-piercing rounds. Their foam isn’t like shaving cream but is a composite metal foam that can be used to make ultralight body armor that also protects against gamma rays, heat and fire and maybe even radiation.
What to watch: Advanced armor protection gear is a highly competitive area of research with a potentially large market. Improved safety, comfort and reduced weight are all factors in future designs.”
c. AUSA Five Things – How would “revolutionary education” effect NCOs?”
AUSA Five Things: A Weekly Tip Sheet for AUSA Members, dated March 13, 2017: “Revolutionary Education.”
“When Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport of the Army Training and Doctrine Command talks about ‘revolutionary’ education, he’s not talking about the Battle of Bunker Hill but about changes underway in the Army education system, especially for noncommissioned officers. There will be more emphasis on civilian education, new career paths and more opportunities for joint professional military education in the near future, Davenport says.
What to watch: Getting NCOs to complete the training required for their rank is a top priority. Last year, the Army found 14,000 NCOs had not completed required education, including 4,000 who had been in their pay grade for three or more years and 1,200 who’d been scheduled for school six times or more but never attended. This year, the number of NCOs who have not completed education has dropped to 4,000, he said.”
d. AUSA Moderator – “Why the Army’s role in space is so important.”
“The Army’s future as the world’s most powerful ground force rests, at least partly, in space, a top Army Official said Wednesday on the final day of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Global Force Symposium and Exposition. Richard P. DeFatta, acting director of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Future Warfare Center, said the Army faces many challenges in space and cyberspace that pose problems for ground forces. One of the most critical, he said, is the potential loss of global positioning information. The Army is increasingly reliant on the Global Positioning System, with 250,000 systems either GPS-enabled or dependent, he said . It is critical the Army defend the GPS system, and critical that Army units learn to maneuver in conditions where GPS is degraded or unavailable. Ground forces need communications and navigation aids in space to attach with precision and defend themselves from attack, DeFatta said.”
THIS WEEK'S POLL QUESTION:
(TO VOTE: SCROLL DOWN TO THE FOOTER OF THE PAGE)
Should more U.S. troops be sent to Syria?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure