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Social Media Spotlight
Stories of Courage
features Soldier's heartwarming story of marriage proposal to girlfriend on CNN.
"2nd Lt. Gary Hurst, 75th Fires Brigade, and his girlfriend, Meghan Davies, appear on CNN Headline News this morning (Oct. 10) with Robin Meade. It's a little long, but well worth it."
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Campaign of Learning 2012 Overview:
The 2012 Campaign of Learning was an intellectual examination of current and emerging challenges for an Army transitioning from one of execution to an Army prepared to meet the security needs of the Nation in 2020 and beyond. Learn what insights and implications these lessons have for the future Army.
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America's next first battle and first battle after next

The 2013 Campaign of Learning builds on the insights from the 2012 campaign by exploring the challenges for the Army in 2020 and into the deep future of 2030 and beyond. Hear how the Army will examine America's Next First Battle and First Battle After Next.
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Joint Service Culinary team competes in Germany
The Fort Lee Combined Arms Support Command's joint service Culinary Team is currently competing in the world Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany.
The team earned a silver medal, Oct. 7, in the Hot Food Challenge.
For updates on the team's performance during the Culinary Olympics, click here.
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Military Intelligence - this week in history
 The U.S. Army's Intelligence Museum opened at Fort Huachuca with a ribbon cutting by Maj. Gen. Harold Aaron, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. The Sphinx was moved from Fort Holabird to Fort Huachuca and took up position in front of the museum. During the remainder of 1974, the museum welcomed 500 guests, both civilian and military, from the surrounding communities, around the U.S., and foreign countries. When it opened, the museum collection included more than 400 items on display, with another 1,000 items on hand to display as funds became available. The museum closed July 24, 1976 due to the abolishment of the museum curator's position but was scheduled to reopen in 1977 under the control of the Directorate of Training. The artifacts were packed up, shipped back east, and were lost as a collection. It wasn't until 1987, the year that the MI Corps was established, that the chief of the MI Corps, Maj. Gen. Julius Parker, approved the establishment of an MI Corps Historical Holding, the first step in creating an MI Museum. On Aug. 14, 1995, the former Print Plant in building 41411 was turned over for conversion to the U.S. Army Intelligence Museum.
Renovation work began immediately with the MI Corps Association funding the work in the amount of $20,000. It was completed in time for a Nov. 2 opening and dedication ceremony, presided over by Brig. Gen. John Smith, deputy commanding general, and attended by more than 200 dignitaries from Fort Huachuca and the local community.
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TRADOC schools train joint, interagency, multinational students
by Tony O'Bryant, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
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Infantry Officer Basic Leaders Course students train for a dismounted patrol Oct. 3 at Selby Combined Arms Collective Training Facility at Fort Benning, Ga. International soldiers train side by side with American Soldiers in various courses. Pictured from left to right: Lt. Casey Adam, 2nd Lt. Pablo Bonilla, Hellenic army Lt. Kylis Ioannis, of Greece, Gambian national army Cpt. Abdoulie Mboob, 2nd Lt. Jason Boatwright and Yemen army Lt. Jamal Badr. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)
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By the end of fiscal year 2012, more than 500,000 Soldiers will have completed courses taught by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command instructors.
But a lesser known fact is that TRADOC also provides training and professional military education to more than 33,000 students from other services, 3,000 foreign military students and 31,000 civilians from other Department of Defense and U.S. government agencies.
"The training of non-U.S. Army personnel by TRADOC schools is a vitally important function, which directly enhances the Army's ability to successfully conduct joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational operations," said Roger Spadafora, TRADOC's chief of the Interservice Training Office.
Spadafora said he believes that airmen, Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen like the diverse training the Army provides, and that it is a good fit for their requirements.
"Other services like the high-quality training provided by TRADOC schools and courses because doing so reduces their own costs for training development and it frees up the training facilities on their installations," Spadafora said. "The Army provides more than five times the amount of interservice training than other services -- 33,000 airmen, Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen compared to 6,000 Soldiers."
One example of a TRADOC course heavily attended by other services is the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence's Entry Level Food Service Course at Fort Lee, Va., which trains more than 2,200 Marines, airmen and sailors to become food service professionals.
Pfc. Paull Shin is assigned to the Marine Corps Detachment's Alpha Company at Fort Lee and is taking the eight-week course.
"There is a lot of camaraderie in this course between the Marines and Soldiers," Shin said. "I've learned a lot from the Army instructors - they really enforce the standards, but they treat everyone the same. The course teaches you the importance of following instructions and directions when preparing your menu, and I was surprised by the amount of work and equipment you need when operating in a field environment."
Besides developing working relationships among U.S. services, TRADOC schools also help to build familiarity and relationships with international militaries. Each year, more than 3,000 foreign military students from more than 130 different countries attend courses in nearly all of TRADOC's 20 schools for professional military education, or PME, and skill training. The majority of this training and PME takes place under two security assistance programs -- Foreign Military Sales and International Military Education and Training. Although most foreign military members attending TRADOC schools and courses are junior-grade officers and enlisted, the Army War College's International Fellows Program is an example of an Army institution that develops strategic-level leaders. "The International Fellows Program, in my opinion, is the quickest return on investment for the United States in respect to relationship building," said John Baer, the director of TRADOC's Security Assistance Training Field Activity. "The Army's chief of staff sent invitations to 79 countries, inviting them to send their best and brightest emerging leaders to this yearlong program, where they will develop academically and professionally, but just as important, they will develop personal relationships with other future strategic leaders from the U.S. and partner foreign armies." Those relationships, according to Baer, can potentially lead to significant operational and strategic dividends. "I sometimes talk to groups where, because the world can be so complicated and difficult, there is this notion that the United States should just return to a more isolated role," Baer said. "And my response to those folks is that those days are long gone. Today's world is so complicated and intertwined and inter-dependant on many different domains -- economic, business, cultural and security -- it is impossible for the United States to go it alone. We need mutually beneficial partnerships." Baer said that SAFTA's job is to facilitate relationship building by working to find solutions to foreign Army training and professional military education requirements through attendance at TRADOC's schools and courses. Each day his team at TRADOC Headquarters works with the international military student officers, or IMSOs, located at each TRADOC Center of Excellence. Russ Mott, the chief IMSO at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, coordinates with Baer's team to place international military students in Infantry and Armor Schools and courses. During fiscal year 2011, Army instructors taught more than 800 international military students in 26 different courses at the MCoE. Maj. Philipp Schoch is an Armor School instructor and deputy commander for a tank battalion in the Swiss army, and is currently at Fort Benning, Ga., taking the MCoE's Captains Career Course. Schoch just finished the four-week pre-course that international students take to better prepare them before starting the CCC. The pre-course focuses on speaking in English, learning how to brief using U.S. Army terms and becoming familiar with U.S. Army doctrine. Now that he has started the CCC, Schoch is impressed with his experience so far. "I had a very good first impression with the course and my small group instructor," Schoch said. "My instructor is tough and is well prepared. He focuses on things we need to be good company commanders and how to handle different situations besides just warfighting - like leading and dealing with Soldiers."
Schoch said he believes the daily interactions and exposure to Soldiers from different countries provides lessons to both the international students and the U.S. instructors. "The great thing I've noticed about the [captains career] course is that the instructors regularly ask me how we do things in Switzerland, and they ask other international students about how they handle situations in their armies, and a lot can be learned because the quality of the international students is very high," Schoch said. "We have officers from Pakistan and Norway who are some of the best in their armies." Schoch and his fellow international students who graduate the course will be awarded the Foreign Military Badge, which -- according to the MCoE's website -- has been presented to international military students for more than 60 years and is proudly worn by many senior leaders in their countries today.
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2012 AUSA annual meeting, exposition forums, live webcast schedule
 If you'd like to submit a question for an Institute of Land Warfare Panel during the 2012 Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition Conference in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, please send your questions to ocpa.osmd@us.army.mil. Please include the title of the ILW panel in the subject line, and in the body of the email, include your question, name, rank and installation. Your question may be asked live during the panel; however, due to the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee which questions will be asked during the allotted timeframe.
MONDAY, OCT. 22ND
AUSA Aurthor's Presentation 2-4 p.m., Eastern Time When the Warrior Returns: Making the Transition at Home by Nathan Ainspan and Walter Penk Beyond Guns and Steel: A War Termination Strategy by Dominic Caraccilo Riders of the Apocalypse: German Cavalry and Modern Warfare by David R. Dorondo Intelligence Collection: How to Plan and Execute Intelligence Collection in Complex Environments by Wayne Michael Hall Blueprints For Battle: Planning For War in Central Europe 1948-1968 by Dieter Kruger
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A. 1980
B. 1982
C. 1984
D. 1985
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USASMA selects NCO of the Year
by Mikie Perkins, USASMA Public Affairs  Sgt. Renisha Prince smiles after being recognized in front of academy staff and faculty Oct. 4 at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, for her selection as U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy NCO of the Year. Prince and several other Soldiers competed for the coveted title, but she stood out and was honored for her professionalism and knowledge by the commandant and deputy commandant of USASMA. She received an Army Achievement Medal, a special commemorative USASMA watch donated by AAFES, and a beautiful bust with an engraved glass plaque recognizing her accomplishment. You should be very proud, Prince. ULTIMA!
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Sill recognized latest elite in ranks by Jeff Crawley, Installation Management Command
Fort Sill recognized its newest Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductees and Fires Center of Excellence noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the third quarter during a ceremony Sept. 26 at the Patriot Club.
Hundreds of fellow Soldiers, family, friends and co-workers filled the club to honor Staff Sgt. Jonathan Christal and Pfc. Nicholas Ward, as the NCO and Soldier of the Quarter respectively, and to witness the induction of Sgt. 1st Class José Sanchez and Staff Sgt. Blaine Williams into the Fort Sill SAMC chapter. "I'm very proud because it is the most prestigious club in the Army when it comes to noncommissioned officers, who are the backbone of the Army," said Williams, D Battery, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery. Williams' wife, Chantel was one of the many family members at the ceremony. "I'm very proud of him. It was a lot of hard work for him," said Chantel, who said she helped him study for the SAMC boards. During the ceremony each SAMC inductee was introduced by a subordinate Soldier. Pfc. Angel Rodriguez introduced Sanchez. "He (Sanchez) has taught me to strive for excellence in everything I do," Rodriguez said. "He has motivated me from the moment I fell into formation, and he will motivate many more to come." The road to the rigorous SAMC boards began months ago for Sanchez, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery platoon sergeant. "You can't just study generic questions, you actually have to be very knowledgeable on all the subjects from front to back," Sanchez said. Subjects included leadership, drill and ceremonies, map reading and land navigation, and physical readiness training. He was inducted into the SAMC on his first attempt.
For the rest of this story, click here.
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Pvt. Blaine Savage, an Advanced Individual Training Soldier from B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, fires up a generator to support communications equipment during a field training exercise Sept. 20 at Thompson Hill on Fort Sill, Okla. (U.S. Army photo by James Brabenec)
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Advanced Individual Training Soldiers from B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery completed their field training exercise Sept. 20, providing communications to fire control teams and command and control decision makers.
Fifty-one students in the Early Warning System Operator course went through the exercise working either the High-to-Medium-Altitude Air Defense or Short-Range Air Defense systems. The exercise is held once monthly at Thompson Hill training area on Fort Sill, Okla. "The training provided students the hands-on component that complemented what they learned in the schoolhouse," said Christopher Zubia, an early warning defense instructor. "Today they saw an actual air picture of a tactical environment instead of a simulation. This is exactly what they will see at their Forces Command units." Exercise requirements included completing skills the Soldiers learned in Basic Combat Training, such as conducting a tactical road march, and setting up and securing a perimeter. From there, they applied technical skills learned from schoolhouse classes to place, set up and operate their communications equipment. "In an operational environment, Soldiers would choose an open area so they would have maximum use of their radar," said Staff Sgt. Michael Trost, early warning air defense AIT instructor. "Should they encounter any problems, they need to be able to troubleshoot to determine how to fix it -- doing this boosts their confidence in the equipment and in themselves as Soldiers." The two systems provide complementary functions with the HIMAD system giving longer-range data on missiles, fixed and rotary wing aircraft to Patriot fire control teams. Although the SHORAD gives similar data, its information is sent to Avenger fire control teams that primarily serve as air defenders for bases, camps or forward operating bases. For the rest of this story, click here.
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CAC-Training welcomes its first sergeant major
by Melissa Bower, Leavenworth Lamp
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Col. (P) Mike Lundy congratulates SGM Donald L. Rose Jr. on his assumption as the sergeant major for Combined Arms Center-Training, September 28. (U.S. Army photo)
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When Col. Mike Lundy, deputy commander of Combined Arms Center for Training learned that his organization didn't have a top noncommissioned officer, he was determined to get one.
"We're the organization in charge of training, and NCOs are a critical component to that," he said. "We're training Soldiers for (the Combined Arms Center) and to be effective at that we needed an NCO to represent our Soldiers and the main trainers in our Army, which are NCOs." Sgt. Maj. Donald L. Rose Jr. assumed responsibility of that position Sept. 28. He has 27 years experience in the military and has had five combat deployments. Rose comes with expertise in training Soldiers and will bring a much-needed perspective to CAC-T, Lundy said. "I'm very proud to have you on the team, sergeant major," he told Rose. Lundy said he worked with Rose previously at Fort Bliss, Texas. Rose was tasked with deploying a brigade, bringing that brigade home and, while it was in reset mode two months later, had to move the brigade to another installation. "To reform that brigade, stand it up, and have it ready for combat again six months later is truly phenomenal, and an organization can't do that without the best senior noncommissioned officer," Lundy said. For the rest of this story, click here.
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Basic Combat Training week seven
by Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Guidon
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Soldiers in Basic Combat Training from Company C, 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, begin their Urban Operations training on how to clear a building using engineer tape and cones to simulate walls and doors. This allows other members of the company to see their fellow Soldiers' actions and reactions. (U.S. Army photo by Melissa Buckley)
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The Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment started their seventh week of Basic Combat Training by transitioning from Basic to Advance Rifle Marksmanship.
"They're back in the Engagement Skills Trainer, our fully functional weapons simulator. Soldiers move beyond the basics of marksmanship and apply the same fundamental skills while wearing their full combat load of equipment and non-standard firing positions," said Lt. Col. Erik Anderson, 1-48th Inf. Bn. commander. On Tuesday, they continued Advanced Rifle Marksmanship by transitioning from basic iron sights to using the close combat optic and the AN/PAQ-4 ("Pack-4") infra-red laser to engage targets at night under night vision optics. They also executed reflexive fire techniques used in close quarters battle focusing on firing positions and stance, movement techniques, and target identification and engagement skills. By Friday, they were ready to head out to the Urban Operations site to learn tactics, techniques, procedures, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills for executing effective military operations in an urban environment. "Urban Operations is basically clearing rooms. They learned how to clear a room, to make sure there are no enemies hiding and any casualties are taken care of," said Staff Sgt. Leslie Watkins, Co. C, 1-48th Inf. Bn. drill sergeant. "This is building their confidence on how fast they can enter and clear a room." First, the Soldiers practiced in a square made with tape, to simulate rooms. Then, they moved into the fake homes. "We have rooms set up just like a house. There are couches, beds, and dressers. It's good for them to be able to think quickly," Watkins said. "It's a smaller space, they don't know what's behind the door - it gets their adrenaline up."
For the rest of this story, click here.
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Army Signal chief visits CERDEC for a look ahead
by Kashia Simmons, Brigade Modernization Command
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Jill H. Smith, Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center director and Maj. Gen. Lawarren Patterson, commanding general of theU.S. Army Signal Center of Excellence met Sept. 25, 2012, at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., to discuss CERDEC research, development and engineering support to Army initiatives, their implications on training and equipping Soldiers and opportunities for the two organizations to work more closely together. (U.S. Army photo by Kashia Simmons)
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Army leaders from the research and development and requirements communities met here Sept. 25 to strengthen existing ties and discuss opportunities to leverage one another for future support.
Maj. Gen. LaWarren V. Patterson, U.S. Army chief of the Signal Center of Excellence; several technology capability managers new to the Signal Center and members of Patterson
's Capability Development Integration Directorate visited the Research, Development and Engineering Command's communications-electronics center, or CERDEC.
Patterson was joined by William Lasher, the Army's Forces Command G-6, for an overview of CERDEC programs and facilities, and to get a glimpse at how emerging research and engineering developments might influence Soldiers' future capabilities and training. This was Patterson's first visit to CERDEC in his new role as the chief of signal.
"This time I [came] trying to look from a [doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities] doctrinal standpoint -- what's out there and what is going to be involved as far as what is going into the hands of Soldiers," Patterson said. "How will that affect how we train at Fort Gordon? How will that affect what we spiral out of the Network Integration Evaluation out there at White Sands," he asked.
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Check out the NEW online home of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command!
Be sure to check out TRADOC's new look at www.tradoc.army.mil, your link to the latest news throughout U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. The site provides an overview of TRADOC's top priorities as well as current command initiatives. The new look also provides access to other TRADOC Public Affairs products, including TRADOC This Week and TRADOC Daily News. |
Soldiers get 20 days to vote on new PT uniform by C. Todd Lopez, ARNEWS
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Improved Physical Fitness Uniform design and color configuration, design option No. 1. (Courtesy photo)
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Back in February, the Army gave Soldiers a chance to weigh in on the improved physical fitness uniform. The Army took those Soldier suggestions and developed a possible replacement uniform. Now Soldiers can vote on which one of those they think looks the best.
More than 76,000 Soldiers responded to the initial survey. Among other things, Soldiers commented about uniform fit, moisture wicking and anti-microbial properties and how much the uniform weighs. The Army listened to Soldiers and has developed a new improved physical fitness uniform. Now the Army wants Soldiers to weigh in on color options and graphic patterns for the uniform. There are six candidate uniforms -- they are all the same in terms of fabrics, capabilities and durability. What's different is the color of the fabrics and the size, color and shapes of the graphic designs. All Soldiers have the option to log on and choose which uniform option they like best. The poll went live Oct. 9, and will be available for 20 days. Stylistic variations include different colors for the jacket and pants -- black or gray, for instance. Soldiers can also choose among graphic elements and colors for graphic elements. With the jacket, for instance, there is a chevron emblazoned across the chest. That can be in yellow, grey or black, and it can be thick or thin. On the shorts, there's the option to have colored piping on the sides. For the long and short-sleeve T-shirts, there's both fabric color options and the option to have either the word "Army" emblazoned across the chest or the Army logo over the left breast. Soldiers will have 20 days to make it known which they think looks best. Perhaps more important than how the uniform looks is how the uniform will perform and feel. Improvements in the IPFU include reduced fabric weight, tagless labels, antimicrobial properties, quick-dry capability, removal of reflective properties in the uniform, removal of the liner, elastic bottom on the pants, and overall pattern adjustments to provide a better fit. For the rest of this story, click here.
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Virtual Clearance Training Suite teaches Soldiers how to fight IEDs in safe environment
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Left, Pvt. Emmitt Kauffman and Pvt. Cristopal Reyes, both with the 235th Engineer Sapper Company from Petaluma, Calif., train on the simulated Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle or "Buffalo" at the Virtual Clearance Training Suite Sept. 18. (U.S. Army photo by Amy Newcomb)
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A Virtual Clearance Training Suite arrived on Fort Leonard Wood in August, which marked the third fielding of these training systems.
The VCTS is designed to train Soldiers for Route Clearance missions as well as Counter IED and Mounted Maneuver Operations in a virtual environment and contains simulators for the Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle "Buffalo," Vehicular Mounted Mine Detector "Husky" with the Mine Detonation Trailer, Medium Mine Protected Vehicle "RG-31, 33 or Panther," and the Man Transportable Robotic System. Soldiers of the 235th Engineer (SAPPER) Company from Petaluma, Calif., and 848th Engineer (SAPPER) Company from Garden City, Ga., were the first Soldiers to benefit from the new equipment. Spc. Wayne Preciado, 848th Eng. Co., said this is his second time to use VCTS equipment in preparation for a deployment. "I think this training is very beneficial, especially going back the second time. We are getting more details," Preciado said. "I have been on the Buffalo and I told the guys 'I am waiting to hear something new, I want to learn something I didn't catch the first time' and I did." Staff Sgt. Otis Petty, R2C2 Course noncommissioned officer-in-charge, has deployed four times, and said with his knowledge of the VCTS and deployment experience, he thinks this training is imperative for new Soldiers. For the rest of this story, click here.
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TRADOC Trivia: Answer
Click image below to view Army commercial
The answer to the trivia question is A. 1980. "Be All That You Can Be" was introduced 32 years ago.
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TRADOC This Week is the official newsletter of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Contents of TRADOC This Week are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government or the U.S. Army. The appearance of advertising found on links included in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army.
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