2006 Posture Statement

Soldiers are making enormous contributions and sacrifices while serving at the forefront of a long struggle of continuous, evolving conflict. Their presence has enabled historic elections in Afghanistan and Iraq, and is setting the conditions for democratic institutions to take hold. Our Soldiers are also preventing attacks on our Nation and responding to natural disasters at home and abroad, while sustaining the full range of America's global commitments. At the same time, to be ready for the challenges we face today and tomorrow, we are accelerating our plan to transform and modernize. We are executing The Army Plan to accomplish our mission and to realize our vision: to remain the preeminent landpower on Earth - the ultimate instrument of national resolve - that is both ready to meet and relevant to the challenges of the dangerous and complex 21st century security environment. Our plan consists of four overarching, interrelated strategies. This fully integrated plan is driving change at an unprecedented pace. We are becoming a more powerful, more flexible, and more deployable force with a broad set of capabilities to deal with the full spectrum of challenges we will face. Our improvements will enable our Soldiers to sustain the full range of global commitments which extend beyond today's current theaters of war. We are improving our ability to operate with joint and coalition partners and to perform nontraditional operations. We are also developing better ways to manage increasing demands for forces and relieve stress on Soldiers, their families, and civilian workers to sustain our All-Volunteer force. The 2006 Army Posture Statement describes how the Army is executing The Army Plan to meet the challenges of today and to be better prepared for those we will face tomorrow. Focusing on the Soldier, our centerpiece, the Posture Statement summarizes key implications of the 21st century security environment. This discussion provides the context to examine the Army Vision to accomplish our enduring, constitutionally-derived mission. The Army Plan consists of four overarching, interrelated strategies, focusing on people, forces, training and infrastructure. We explain our initiatives, accomplishments, and compelling needs as they relate to each of these strategies. We describe transformation, not as an end in itself; but rather, how it has helped us to accomplish our mission and to realize our vision. We conclude with a discussion of risk to underscore our compelling needs. This Posture Statement is designed to serve as a primary portal to learn about the Army.