Stand-To!- First Sergeants Barracks Initiative- Aug. 12, 2008

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SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

"We look at our barracks as our pacing item for IMCOM - take care of our single Soldiers and put them in the best barracks that we can. The barracks are home and we've come a long way from open-bay barracks to today's one-plus-one concept that provides privacy and modern conveniences. "

-Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, assistant chief of staff for installation management and commanding general, U.S. Army Installation Management Command
TODAY'S FOCUS

First Sergeants Barracks Initiative

What is it?

First Sergeants Barracks Initiative (FSBI) is part of the Army plan to improve the quality of life for single Soldiers, and to standardize the management of barracks Armywide. It takes the responsibility of maintaining daily operations away from assigned units, and puts it on garrison staff in a style similar to property and apartment management offices.

Goals of this program include improving barracks utilization, managing vacant barracks space during deployment, reducing maintenance response time, decreasing building damages and extending the life of the facilities. This improves the quality of life for Soldiers and is a proven cost saver for the Army by consciously taking better care of the barracks and reducing payments for basic allowance for housing to single Soldiers.

What has the Army done?

In January 2005, the Secretary of the Army directed the management of barracks and a focused sustainment program at an estimated cost of $260 million per year. The Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) responded with direction to all installations to adopt a FSBI program.

IMCOM centrally funds startup costs and garrisons fund annual operating costs. Garrisons are given flexibility to develop their FSBI organizations based on their scope and resources, and on the general guidance on organization and staffing levels provided in the IMCOM guidance. This is being implemented across the Army from 2008 through 2011.

Why is this important to the Army?

FSBI is built upon Army leaderÃÔ full involvement in the well-being of junior enlisted Soldiers living in the barracks. It will enhance the commanderÃÔ ability to concentrate on his primary organizational missions, while still maintaining influence in the welfare of junior enlisted Soldiers.

Taking care of Soldiers is a readiness issue. Installations are communities where the Army lives, trains, works, mobilizes and deploys. The quality and character of these installations is the keystone to caring for the ArmyÃÔ most precious resource. The underlying premise is that ÅÐur Soldiers living on our installations deserve the same quality of life afforded the society they have pledged to defend.

Resources:

The FSBI Operations Manual

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

Speaker's Toolkit

Information Papers with " 2008 Army Posture Statement"


A CULTURE OF ENGAGEMENT

The Army Community Relations Calendar

Bloggers Roundtable

The Surgeon General's Blog

U.S. Army microgrants help revive small businesses

U.S. hopes rebuilding will win support in Iraqi slum

CALENDAR

Aug. 8 - 24, 2008: XXIX Olympic Games: Beijing 2008: U.S Army Olympian Web site

Aug. 16, 2008: 25th Anniversary of Army Family Action Plan
SOCIAL NETWORKING

• Army Media Player
• Flickr: Army images
• YouTube: Army videos
• Twitter: Army updates
• del.icio.us: Army links

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Glenn Eller wins gold in double trap shooting (BH)
• Soldiers striving for medals in Beijing (ARNews)
• Medals take a long road home (MN)
• Army Soldier battling breast cancer given hope for future children (MW)
• Civilian employees begin Senior Fellowship (ARNews)
• Soldiers pay bag fee on travel to war (WT)
• Combatives champ to turn pro, leave Army (AT)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Next U.S. commander in Iraq cautious on troop cuts (NYT)
• Iraqi prisoners reformed, released (WT)
• Stronger U.S. role likely in Afghanistan (CSM)
• Al-Qaeda threatens Pakistan (PI)

OF INTEREST

• Robots can stand in for Soldiers during risky missions (ARNews)
• U.S. takes Georgian troops home from Iraq (AT)
• Georgian exit leaves vacuum near Iran border (BG)
• Bush questions Russia's motives (WP)
• Russia steps up its push; west faces tough choices (NYT)
• India to join Air Force training exercises in Nev. (LVS)
• Use of contractors in Iraq costs billions, report says (NYT)
• Boeing weighs options on tanker contract bid (SPI)

WORLD VIEW

• Russia 'ends Georgia operation' (BBC | Story)
• Russian forces capture military base in Georgia (IHT | Story)
• War in Georgia: The Israeli connection (YN | Story)
• Anthrax killer' remains a mystery (GRD | Story)
• U.S. Soldiers amazed at Indian anti-terror training (TOI | Story)
• Stratfor acknowledges Russia defeated U.S., not Georgian army in South Ossetia (Pravda | Story)
• Soldier's account of Japanese World War Two massacre to be auctioned (LDT | Story)
• 10 killed in J&K firing; PM calls another meet (TOI | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• Related to article under Interest: Opposing view: 'We have no plans to invade' (USA)
• Army begins uniform modification program for wounded warriors (SM)
• Related to article under Interest: 30% of U.S. Army to be staffed by robots in 2020 (Switched)
• Army deploys all-in-one nonlethal warfare kit (Wired)
• Musharraf impeachment or resignation possible; army and tier two parties crucial (PP)
• Pakistan army to ask Pervez Musharraf to resign (SWP)
• Army to relax information controls to keep pace with cyberspace (PB)
• A leave is not a vacation (BN)

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