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<DIV id=date>Edition: Wed, December 19, 2007<BR><A
href="http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-12-19">Rich-text
Version</A></DIV>
<DIV class=column>
<H2>TODAY'S FOCUS</H2>
<P><B>Army Reserve: Voluntary Education Services</B><BR><BR><B>What is it?</B>
Army Reserve Voluntary Education Services is a Department of Defense program for
which the Army Reserve Command serves as the Executive Agent. The program is
executed through commanders for Regional Readiness Commands worldwide. The basic
tenet of Voluntary Education Services is to provide lifelong learning
opportunities for Selected Reserve Soldiers that enhance their personal and
professional development. Voluntary Education Services enhances recruitment,
retention, and readiness of the Army Reserve.<BR><BR><B>What has the Army
Reserve done?</B> The Army Reserve Voluntary Education Services program has
provided an array of education opportunities and support since its inception.
These programs and support include:<BR><BR>• Tuition Assistance ($250 per
semester hour - $4,500 annual cap)<BR>• Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606 and
Chapter 1607 for OIF/OEF veterans)<BR>• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional
Education Support (DANTES) Testing Program (CLEP and DSST)<BR>• Student Guide to
Success<BR>• Credit for Military Experience<BR>• Certification and
Licensure<BR>• Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System
(AARTS)<BR>• Troops to Teachers Program<BR>• Spouse to Teachers
Program<BR><BR><B>What efforts does the Army Reserve plan to continue in the
future?</B> The Army Reserve Voluntary Education Services was identified by the
Chief, Army Reserve, as a Soldier priority for FY06. The Army Reserve is poised
to streamline and enhance the Army Reserve Tuition Assistance program to ensure
all eligible Soldiers are able to receive financial assistance. Army Reserve
Education Services Specialists will continue to provide Soldiers with guidance
and assistance in planning their education to enhance their military careers and
make them more competitive in the civilian job market. In addition, the Army
Reserve Voluntary Education Services will continue to partner with DANTES to
provide professional certification and licensure examinations to Soldiers,
spouses and Civilians.<BR><BR><B>Why is this important to the Army Reserve?</B>
Many Soldiers enlist in the Army for educational benefits. This is a win-win
situation for the Soldier and the Army. Education is one of the most important
elements in developing a Soldier to reach his or her potential. The Army Reserve
understands that an educated Soldier is better equipped to handle the tactical
and technical challenges facing our Army today and, therefore, views education
as one of the best enhancements possible in developing an Army of capable and
determined warriors to defend our Nation. </P>
<H2>INFORMATION YOU CAN USE</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><A href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993" target=_blank>2007
Strategic Communication Guide</A> - Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication
Guide for key messages and updates.
<LI><A href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879"
target=_blank>Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace</A>
<LI><A href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363" target=_blank>Army
Public Affairs Portal</A>
<LI><A href="http://www.army.mil/valor" target=_blank>Stories of
Valor</A></LI></UL>
<P></P></DIV>
<DIV class=column>
<H2>NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>101st Airborne units</B> receive MRAP vehicles (<A
href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/12/18/6661-101st-airborne-units-receive-mrap-vehicles/"
target=_blank>ARNews</A>)
<LI><B>Soldier found dead</B> at Fort Belvoir Army base (<A
href="http://www.nbc4.com/news/14886625/detail.html?dl=mainclick"
target=_blank>NBC4</A>)
<LI><B>Army adds traumatic SGLI advisors</B> at 10 hospitals (<A
href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/12/18/6657-army-adds-traumatic-sgli-advisors-at-10-hospitals/"
target=_blank>ARNews</A>)
<LI><B>Army identifies officer missing in action</B> from Vietnam war (<A
href="http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december182007/pow_recovered_121807.php"
target=_blank>SN</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WAR ON TERROR NEWS</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>1st Cav to pass control of Baghdad</B> to 4th ID (<A
href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51102"
target=_blank>SAS</A>)
<LI><B>Strategy that's making Iraq safer</B> was snubbed for years (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071219568498.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A
href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2007-12-18-iraqstrategy_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip"
target=_blank>USAT</A>)
<LI><B>Pentagon says services in Iraq</B> are stagnant (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071219568487.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/washington/19military.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1198062535-1FDxQRO/n2gTCeCoiW4yXA"
target=_blank>NYT</A>)
<LI><B>House to vote on $70 billion</B> for wars (<A
href="http://www.charlotte.com/news/ap_news/story/411288.html"
target=_blank>CH</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>OF INTEREST</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Mountain patrols are tough</B> on U.S. troops (<A
href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51104"
target=_blank>SAS</A>)
<LI><B>Tucson-based Army National Guard unit</B> disbanded (<A
href="http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/216767.php"
target=_blank>AZC</A>)
<LI><B>President Bush to visit</B> wounded troops (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071219568553.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071219/NATION/440912629"
target=_blank>WT</A>)
<LI><B>M-4 carbine has high Soldier confidence</B> despite test (<A
href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/12/18/6649-m-4-carbine-has-high-soldier-confidence-despite-test/"
target=_blank>ARNews</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WORLD VIEW</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>U.S. General Casey meets</B> new Pakistani army chief (<A
href="http://news.monstersandcritics.com/" target=_blank>MC</A> | <A
href="http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southasia/news/article_1381962.php/US_General_Casey_meets_new_Pakistani_army_chief"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Former Army private accused of being ringleader</B> in Iraqi rape case
is caught in legal fray (<A href="http://www.iht.com/" target=_blank>IHT</A> |
<A
href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/19/america/Iraq-Rape-Slaying.php"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Decline in Iraq news</B> may have boosted U.S. opinion (<A
href="http://today.reuters.com/" target=_blank>RT</A> | <A
href="http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2007-12-19T061014Z_01_N18463577_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-USA-COVERAGE.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C3-politicsNews-3"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Guerrilla tunnels discovered</B> by U.S Army (<A
href="http://story.malaysiasun.com/" target=_blank>MS</A> | <A
href="http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/310303/cs/1/"
target=_blank>Story</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Bringing out the woman</B> in me (<A href="http://www.army.mil/gijill/"
target=_blank>GI Jill</A>)
<LI><B>Shelter for women opened</B> in Afghanistan (<A
href="http://soldiersmind.com/" target=_blank>SM</A>)
<LI><B>Headed</B> to war (<A href="http://www.americanranger.blogspot.com/"
target=_blank>AR</A>)
<LI><B>Dear</B> "Dave" (<A href="http://www.somesoldiersmom.blogspot.com/"
target=_blank>SSM</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P></DIV>
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