Meeting the challenges of the operational environment.(Commandant's Note)

This is an exciting time in our nation's history to be a Soldier, and I am honored to assume my duties as the 48th Commanding General of Fort Benning and as the Chief of Infantry. The Home of the Infantry remains the centerpiece of Army modernization and training and continues to meet every challenge as its military and civilian work force executes our missions to the highest standard. Today's operational realities demand our closest attention as we provide doctrinal, training, and materiel support to Soldiers preparing for deployment, to those already carrying the fight to our enemies, or those who are returning to home station. In this Commandant's Note I want to highlight the challenges of today's operational environment and outline Fort Benning's support of the operating force.

Today's Soldiers and leaders find themselves dealing with a full spectrum threat on widely differing terrain against a resourceful enemy. They interact with noncombatants and government agencies in areas ranging from urban settings to remote mountainous regions in which both the enemy and the terrain present their own uncompromising challenges. Amidst all of this, our Soldiers draw upon their own and their predecessors' experience to anticipate and deal effectively with the challenges of the environment and the enemy.

The war on terrorism demands a high degree of understanding and application of the lines of operations in counterinsurgency. Ubiquitous media and an increasingly media-savvy enemy also mean that we must continue to retain the initiative in our own information operations as we publicize facts quickly, clearly, and accurately. The water/fish analogy which Mao Zedong first described during China's war against the Japanese in World War II has never been more relevant than it is in the war on terrorism, in which the support of the population for either combatant can be a decisive factor. We address this human dimension through cultural awareness training, foreign language instruction, military transition team training and deployment, and initiatives to reduce collateral damage. Information operations are key to the conflict and are not limited to press within the Islamic world; we must continue to present our case accurately both at home and abroad, among our own citizens and to coalition partners and non-aligned groups.

Fort Benning's support of the operating force has expanded dramatically over the past three years. Mobile training teams export professional military education in the Advanced Leaders and Warrior Leaders courses and at least 16 functional courses, training well over 3,200 Soldiers in FY 2008. Stryker BCT, Heavy BCT, and Infantry BCT Warfighting ...