ARM 2012 Updates
ARM 2012 Schedule Change (June 25, 2012)
Due to the OPTEMPO of the 75th Ranger Regiment and 3rd Ranger Battalion; and their heavy training requirement during the next weeks, it has been determined that our plan to visit them on July 11, 2012 is impractical at this time. As Rangers, you can understand the need for flexibility so we have implemented a change to our ARM 2012 events/activities plan also and will focus on the Ranger Training Brigade (RTB) and their mission.
Therefore, after coordination with the Commander, RTB, on Wednesday July 11 we will visit RTB AOR (Camp Rogers) with a tour of facilities and the Ranger Hall of Fame; a static display and lunch at the RTB dinning facility. Upon completion of our visit to RTB, we travel to Ranger Joe’s, The U.S. Calvary Store and Extreme Outfitters for your shopping pleasure. You will be able to see the kit that our current Rangers use for everyday training and for preparation for combat. Be sure to keep your discount cards found in your ARM 2012 Welcome Packets.
As a result of the above change we have changed the USARA Breakfast from Thursday July 12 to Wednesday July 11. Before we made the change we took into account all existing ARM registrations as well as hotel arrival and departure days to ensure the least number of members would be affected with regard to the change. In this case only a few members that are arriving late on July 11 or early the morning of July 12 will miss the breakfast. For the vast majority attending; the change is positive in that it allows significantly more time to prepare for the next days scheduled event/activity after both the USARA Breakfast on July 11, and breakfast on your own on July 12.
As a reminder, we have contracted for two 49 passenger tour/charter busses to take members and guests to all ARM 2012 scheduled events/activities. While some may prefer to still drive in their own vehicle we expect most will take advantage of that we are providing.
An updated ARM 2012 Schedule of Events/Activities has been posted on our website or you can view and download the schedule by clicking on the following link:
Please accept my apology for the changes; we must adapt to the changes to real life Ranger missions.
Butch Nery
President, USARA
Individual Weapons Firing Canceled (June 13, 2012)
In making final coordination for the planned ARM Individual Weapons Firing, on June 12, 2012 I met with LTC Thomas Sager, Deputy Commander, 197th Infantry Brigade which is the headquarters for the U.S. Army Sniper School, Combative School, Bradley Master Gunners, Stryker Master Gunners and others. We discussed the cancellations of all HOTEXs which were designed for the Pre Command Course for the next Battalion and Brigade Commanders.
The Commanding General, Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) has been making decisions that will not degrade his training mission. Installation Command, INSCOM facility support is being cut which includes all installation facilities. There is talk about closing the Ammunition Supply Point, DFACS and other facilities. If DFACS is not closed, some consolidation will be made to cut expenses. As of a May 31, 2012 briefing, MCoE Garrison received a 41.5% reduction in budget from FY11, and is currently short $58M to meet FY12 service & supply requirements. MCoE is reducing contract support which may impact instructor force which may require more active duty load. There is also concern about crew proficiency with the lack of ammunition, CLASS V.
Due to major funding constraints, all these live fire exercises and support for demonstrations and individual weapons firing have been canceled forever.
Therefore, the individual weapons firing activity scheduled on July 11, 2012 during ARM 2012 is cancelled. Over the next few days we will decide how, or if, we will fill that time-frame during ARM 2012.
Butch Nery
President, USARA
