The United States Army recently launched an anti terrorism training program for all service members and families in response to the terrorist threat against its community and coinciding with the 10th anniversary of September 11th. The purpose of this program, according to Army officials, is “to focus and encourage Army-wide community awareness and outreach efforts to address important topics related to protecting our communities from terrorist acts.” This program is unique in that it focuses on a number of themes, including intelligence education for both service members and their families, drawing upon Army best practices and findings. Army officials selected each theme based upon a particular need within the Army community and developed educational plans to support each theme. This essay highlights the unique quarterly themes of this anti-terrorism training along with how these best practices are being initiated.

Themes

Army officials launched the anti-terrorism training program in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 with a focus on personal protection. According to official doctrine, “Individual personal protection ensures members of the Army community (soldiers, DA civilians, and family members) are aware of the risks associated with the threat of terrorist activity and the personal security measures they can take to reduce that risk.” Army officials believe that by educating and training all groups within the Army community in personal protection measures, the entire community will be better equipped to prevent or mitigate the damages of a terrorist attack. The second quarter anti terrorism theme is entitled “Anti terrorism Awareness in Contracting.” The Army community relies upon contractors for construction, services, and supplies within the United States and abroad. A disruption in service from a contractor due to a terrorist attack can lead to larger consequences for the Army in running its day to day activities. This focus on Army contracting includes the Army anti terrorism community, such as anti terrorism officers and staff and the contracting community, including “all units, organizations, or activities who receive contract support.” With this initiative, Army officials seek to utilize anti terrorism professionals to provide intelligence education to contractors throughout the Army.

In early 2011, the Army launched its third quarter anti terrorism theme entitled “Understanding the Threat.” This theme “focuses on heightened awareness to understand the terrorist threat, tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as Army resources and processes to enhance threat knowledge and information sharing.” Army officials believe that by educating all units and the wider community on threat assessments and providing enhanced intelligence education for all groups, the wider Army community will be better prepared to recognize a terrorist threat. The final anti terrorism theme of 2011 focuses on the development of a complete anti terrorism doctrine and the integration of this doctrine across the Army. To support this theme, the Army approved FM 3-37.2 (Antiterrorism), which outlines how the Army is including anti terrorism training into intelligence and operation activities. This doctrine lays out a plan by which the Army will leverage its experts on anti terrorism measures across the broader community. This doctrine is thus a framework that ties together all Army communities with a strategic plan to prevent terrorist acts against the community.

The U.S. Army plans to conclude this program by dedicating the month of August, 2011 as the “Antiterrorism Awareness Month.” By launching this series of anti terrorism themes, Army officials hope to educate the broader Army community on terrorism prevention and better prepare the community to prevent such attacks.

Author Bio: Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, anti terrorism training, intelligence education, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Category: Education
Keywords: anti terrorism training, intelligence education