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Antiterrorism Awareness Month

What is it?

The Army’s antiterrorism (AT) program protects personnel, information, property, and facilities in all locations and situations against terrorist activities. To prepare for long-term success the Army must embed AT awareness, training, leader development, and education across the force. That level of awareness and vigilance is our most certain defense against terrorist attack.

Why is it important to the Army?

Antiterrorism awareness empowers the entire Army (units, leaders, Soldiers, DA civilians, families, and contractors) to take prevention measures and serve as “sensors” which extend the overall protection posture of the force. This year AT awareness month focuses on high priority areas such as AT doctrinal principles (supporting the fourth quarter fiscal year 2011 (4QFY11) theme), suspicious activity reporting, integrating AT into the operations process, and active shooter response.

What is the Army doing?

Some of the Army’s most significant AT initiatives for FY2011 include continued implementation of iWATCH Army, development of AT doctrine, and the execution of the second annual AT Awareness Month.

iWATCH Army: iWATCH Army is a nation-wide modern version of the neighborhood watch program focused on the threat of terrorist activity. iWATCH Army is designed to heighten public awareness to the indicators of terrorist activity and encourage reporting of suspicious activity to Military Police or local law enforcement for investigation.

Field Manual 3-37.2 (Antiterrorism): published in February 2011, this manual provides AT doctrinal guidance, establishes AT principles, and integrates AT into the operations process.

Antiterrorism Awareness Month: The purpose of AT Awareness Month is to instill Army-wide heightened awareness and vigilance to prevent and protect Army critical resources from acts of terrorism. In support of AT awareness month and other initiatives, the Department of the Army, Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) developed numerous AT products and tools to support the field. These products are available on the Army OPMG Antiterrorism Enterprise Portal (on AKO). The OPMG (AT Branch) will establish an AT information booth in the Pentagon from August 1-3, 2011, while Army commands will establish their own ways of observing AT Awareness Month.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

Other on-going initiatives include:
• Implementation of a DoD revised terrorist threat reporting system - eGuardian
• Development of a Standalone Facilities Antiterrorism Handbook
• Continued integration of AT into the Army Protection Program

Resources:

AKO log-in required:
Army Antiterrorism Enterprise Portal (ATEP) and iWATCH Army
iSALUTE (Counterintelligence Reporting Portal)

Related article:
August brings Army's second anti-terrorism awareness month