Taking Stock of 2007

For America's Army, 2007 was quite the year. Looking back, we covered a lot of ground, literally, with the Virtual Army Experience (VAE), and, figuratively, with the launch of some amazing new products and programs. Here are just a few of the year's highlights:

We went on Spring Break! The VAE hit the beaches in South Padre, TX, and Panama City, FL. Check out the VAE blog for exciting highlights and photos at http://blogs.americasarmy.com/vae/. We welcomed two Real Heroes, SPC Jason Mike and SSG Timothy Nein, to the America's Army family. Look for them in 2008. We deployed the America's Army arcade and mobile games. We launched America's Army: True Soldiers for Xbox 360. Make sure to check out the great prizes you can win in the Live the Experience Contest. Learn more at http://truesoldiers.americasarmy.com.

It's been a very good year for us, and we hope it has been great for you as well. Here's to an even better 2008.

Real Hero Jerry Wolford's Year He'll Never Forget

A year in the life of a Soldier can mean many things. For some it's being deployed; for others it's returning home to family and friends. For America's Army Real Hero 2LT Gerald Wolford, it was a year of new experiences that he will never forget. When 2LT Wolford reflected on 2007, he said, "One of the most rewarding things has been seeing the young men and women I have been privileged to serve with, turn from Recruits into Soldiers and Leaders. It is wonderful to see people begin to realize their full potential, and it is an honor to be a part of that." For Wolford, 2007 involved a great deal of personal development as well: graduating from the selective Officer Candidate School, relocating his family across the country, being a featured speaker at numerous VAE events, and, last, but certainly not least, the birth of his precious daughter, Abigail. It's all in a year's work for 2LT Wolford. Learn more about what made 2007 such a special year for him at http://www.americasarmy.com/realheroes/featuredstory.php.

Green-up, America's Army!

Last month, members of the Army Game Project traded in their keyboards and mice for M16 rifles and Interceptor Body Armor, to learn what it takes to be a Soldier in today's high-tech Army. They spent five days completing simulated Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, S.C., in order to provide you with the most authentic Army game ever, America's Army version 3.0. The Mini-BCT allowed members of the America's Army Game Project team to get a glimpse of what it takes to turn a civilian into a U.S. Army Soldier. From wearing ACUs and reciting the Soldier's Creed on demand to Drill Sergeants, to maneuvering the Fit To Win obstacle course, as well as KIM and MOUT training, they got more than a glimpse. Learn more about their Basic Training experience and find out who had what it takes to be Army Strong at http://www.americasarmy.com/intel/makingof.php?view=greenups.

The New and Enhanced Account Management Web Site (AMW) Has Launched!

Now you have access to new features such as a customized AA Personnel Record that highlights player awards, user selectable avatars and enhanced training and mission history. Awards and badges are displayed on your own Army uniform. There is also additional support for multiple America's Army game accounts, and a new messaging system that allows players to send private messages to other registered players.

Even more exciting is that you now have the ability to form and lead a team! Players are able to create teams, invite additional players to join, and assign team member ranks. Broadcast messages can be sent to entire teams with the new messaging system. The team feature also includes team game servers, voice servers, IRC information, server and buddy searches, an independent buddy list and the ability to define a team Web site. The AMW site is the place to create and/or manage everything America's Army. Log in to AMW at http://login.americasarmy.com/ and start taking advantage of the new features. You'll never look at AA the same way again.

Featured MOS: Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C)

Special Forces teams are among the most specialized combat forces in the Army. They experience rigorous mental and physical training in order to accomplish their missions in a rapid and extremely effective manner. The Special Forces Engineer is a crucial member of this team, and must be ready to perform a variety of engineering tasks anywhere in the world, at a moment's notice. Learn more at http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=32. Special Forces Soldiers in the Army conduct offensive raids, demolitions, intelligence, search and rescue and other missions from air, land or sea. Special Forces Engineers are specialists across a wide range of disciplines, from demolitions and construction of field fortifications, to topographic survey techniques. You can experience what it's like to be an 18C in the Army-created game America's Army. To learn more about this career as well as 150+ other opportunities in today's Army, visit the Careers & Jobs page located at GoArmy.com.

Gamer Tip

Operation Shrouded Eagle B is Fully Mission Capable!

The first Fully Mission Capable map created exclusively by the user community of America's Army can now be deployed on Official Honor Servers. Steve Elton of Bethlehem, Penn., used the America's Army Mission Editor to create this all-new, action-packed mission, which takes place in the corporate headquarters of a top- secret research company. Mobilize your team to protect vital intel from falling into enemy hands. Learn how Steve made his map at the Mission Depot Web site, http://www.aamissiondepot.com, and learn how "the next mission could be yours"!

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