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[G. McCabe] Command readiness across the Army is serious business--
has been since 9/11. For General James Thurman, Commanding General
at FORSCOM, US Army Forces Command,
the business at hand at this gathering is making sure the Army continues to answer
the nation's call. The purpose of this is to educate
our senior commanders on how we see the future. [McCabe] A future built around a total Army
force--Active, Reserve, and National Guard. According to Thurman, Reserve component soldiers
currently represent over half of the Army's operating forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Here at this event, a command readiness conference, the principal focus is understanding what
the future brings to the Reserve component and how to sustain it.
Make sure we do everything we can to train the soldiers that are going downrange in Afghanistan
and Iraq. [McCabe] The two-day seminar drew some 300
senior military leaders, primarily National Guard and Army Reserve.
The agenda encouraged insights and opened dialogue
into the complex challenges of bringing citizen soldiers to the fight.
One answer to emerge is Army Force Generation. [male speaker] We're moving to a supply-based
model. That way we can predict our Army, our structure,
and what we need for the Army in the future. [McCabe] Over the last ten years, it's estimated
800,000 Reserve component soldiers have been called to active duty.
[Thurman] We've got to be inclusive as an Army.
This is a total Army concept that is so important. [McCabe] A concept deemed essential--now and
in the future. Gail McCabe, Camp Robinson, Arkansas.
[♪upbeat music♪] That's the Army Today from Soldiers Radio and Television, Atlanta.