Stand-To!- Deployment Cycle Support - April 3, 2008

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Edition: Thu, April 03, 2008
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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"I love the infantry. However, the things we do, the pain we endure in training, and the sacrifice and worry that our Families go through as a result of doing this job in combat is huge."

-Sgt. 1st Class Tim Leckie, a convoy security platoon sergeant in Iraq

Infantry Soldiers inducted into Order of Saint Maurice
TODAY'S FOCUS

Deployment Cycle Support

What is it?

Deployment Cycle Support (DCS) is a comprehensive process that ensures Soldiers (active Army and reserve components), Department of the Army (DA) Civilians, and their Families are better prepared and sustained throughout deployments. It provides a means to identify those who may need assistance with the challenges inherent to deployments. The goal of DCS is to facilitate Soldier, DA Civilian and Family well-being throughout the deployment cycle. All Soldiers deployed away from home station for 90 days or more will complete the DCS process. Services for DA Civilians and Families are integrated in every stage of the process, and they are highly encouraged to take advantage of the resources provided.

What has the Army done?

In 2002-2003, the deputy chief of staff, G-3 formed a working group to review the effects of stress caused by deployments with the goal of mitigating the adverse effects associated with extended deployments. The working group identified the requirement to increase emphasis on successful reintegration of Soldiers, DA Civilians and Families into pre-conflict environments. In March 2003, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3 identified the emerging nature of DCS as a personnel coordination requirement and responsibility was shifted to the deputy chief of staff, G-1. On May 2, 2003, HQDA, G-1 published the DCS CONPLAN and Web site focusing on redeployment, post-deployment and reconstitution stages. On March 26, 2007, the DCS directive was published to reflect the entire deployment cycle. As of March 31, 2008, approximately 555,000 Soldiers and DA Civilians and 30,000 other servicemembers have completed the redeployment stage (in-theater) tasks of the DCS process.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Army is continuing to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the DCS process. In order to reduce units’ administrative burden and to avoid duplication of tasks, we are working to integrate the DCS task list into an existing Army system to automate record keeping and accurately track completion of tasks.

Why is this important to the Army?

The DCS process is directly related to the well-being of the force. It consolidates and synchronizes programs designed to assist Soldiers, DA civilians and their Families to prepare them for deployments, assist them during deployment, and successfully reintegrate them upon their return.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

• 2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

• Army Public Affairs Portal

• Stories of Valor

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• URI Army ROTC instructor receives prestigious national teaching award (RC)
• MILCON: Fort Wainwright building for Stryker brigade (ARNews)
• Aviators take on insurgents in Iraq (ARNews)
• Training focus of 'sexual assault awareness month' (ARNews)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Informant: Terror suspects sought him (DN)
• Afghan opposition courts Taliban (CSM)
• Al-Sadr stronghold brims with confidence (ST)
• Attacks on U.S. forces soared at end of March (WP)
• Al Qaeda leader answers questions, says bin Laden healthy and calls for more attacks (NTA)

OF INTEREST

• Pentagon releases memo on harsh tactics (ST)
• Bonnet Carre Spillway opened in annual exercise (2TA)
• Grilling Petraeus (MJ)
• BAE Systems receives $132M U.S. Army production contract for MMPVs (Forbes)
• Technest 3D-ID division wins U.S. Army contract for up to 200 OMNIEYE(R) WellCam 360-Degree Intelligent Surveillance Systems, valued at up to $1 million (CNN)
• Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) awards CrossLink Media exclusive contract to deliver mobile coupons (Fox Bus)

WORLD VIEW

• Iraqi army shows force in Basra (BBC | Story)
• Bush asks NATO leaders to embrace policies (IHT | Story)
• Britain and U.S. at odds over Guantanamo inmate (IHT | Story)
• Bush and Putin will sign a paper in Sochi (MT | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• Al Qaeda: We don't kill "innocents” (AE)
• Saudi Arabia prime source of terror funds, U.S. says (AE)
• Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody: Soldiers, Families 'stretched and stressed' to limit (PTSDC)
• U.S. Army, Marines say op tempo harming readiness (MJ)
• The last look (KDIHH)
• Like a "retired" jersey (SBz)
• When a team unites (GC)
• Month of the military child (SBz)