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 “This is My Squad” is the foundational principle for Army culture. This initiative, led by the Sergeant Major of the Army, promotes cohesion by encouraging Soldiers to better know those around them, develop greater compassion, and intervene early to protect others. Implementation actions include increased non commissioned officer professional military education, redistribution of experienced leaders, and better reception processes for integrating new Soldiers at each installation and unit.

Project Inclusion is a holistic effort to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across the force. As of March of this year, the Army had conducted 83 Project Inclusion listening sessions with over 4,700 attendees. Separately, the Army reviewed its policy on official photos and removed official photos from all promotion boards. The Army later redacted race, ethnicity, and gender data from Soldier Record Briefs in accordance with the Secretary of Defense’s direction. The Army is building relationships with influencers in diverse cities and communities to better acquire, develop, employ, and retain the best talent across the entire nation.

Quality of Life (QoL) Initiatives

Putting people first also means creating a duty and installation environment that allows Soldiers to thrive. The Army continues to prioritize the QoL focus areas identified in 2019. The COVID era only reinforced how essential each of those initiatives is to the well-being and readiness of our Soldiers and their families.

Housing and Barracks. We continue executing the Army Housing Campaign Plan to shape policies, procedures, and processes at every echelon. The Army implemented 14 of the 18 tenets of the Tenant Bill of Rights in its Residential Communities Initiatives (RCI) projects. We expect the remaining four (common tenant lease, 7-year maintenance history, dispute resolution and rent segregation) to be available at the majority of installations with privatized housing by June 1, 2021. We implemented mechanisms that hold privatized companies accountable to residents for proper maintenance and customer service, hired additional personnel to provide quality assurance oversight, and implemented 100 percent change of occupancy inspections and quality assurance checks. To address environmental hazards (mold and lead), we developed educational materials, a response registry, and policies for habitability and