1. Better Child Care
Army child development centers will get an infusion of money over the next five years to improve current conditions and maintenance. Current conditions and demand for space will determine how funds are allocated, Army leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee in a written statement.
What to Watch: While describing child care as a matter of “utmost importance,” leaders also cautioned that they see this as a 10-year challenge to provide soldiers, Army civilians and families the quality and availability of care they deserve.
2. A new DoD website provides spouses with information and resources
The DoD Office of Financial Readiness website offers sections of information on topics starting with Money Ready 101 through Money Ready 401, with explanations, videos, articles and blogs, financial calculators and quizzes.
https://www.milspousemoneymission.org/
3. Cadet Summer
The Army is canceling Cadet Summer Training, its largest annual training event, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every summer, about 10,000 cadets from across the country descend on Fort Knox, Kentucky, for training on individual and small-unit tasks and skills. “All appropriate measures are being undertaken to ensure the health and safety of our cadets, cadre and civilians,” said Maj. Gen. John Evans, commander of Army Cadet Command.
What to Watch: The training instead will take place during the fall semester on university campuses across the country. Cadets also will participate in field exercises at major military installations during the fall and spring semesters. The changes will not hinder any cadet’s ability to move forward in ROTC, and seniors who have completed all other requirements will commission on time, Evans said.
4. Self-Mending Armor
Impenetrable armor has yet to be developed despite many attempts, but researchers believe they are on the path to creating a synthetic polymer with the ability to heal, just like human skin. Army research being conducted at Northwestern University is trying to re-create cell regeneration in nylon, plastic and polyester synthetics. The Center for Synthetic Biology at Northwestern is working with the Army Research Laboratory on research that within a decade could allow combat vehicles damaged by enemy fire to heal after a jolt of electrical energy.