Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
                         March 8, 2002

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Soldiers worldwide are now invited to submit stories, commentaries and other articles to the Army News Service under a new program called "Soldiers Forum."

The best of the articles will be posted on the "ArmyLINK News" Web page (www.dtic.mil/armylink) at the end of each week and they will also be sent to Army newspaper editors at installations and commands across the globe for use on their commentary pages.

The purpose of the program is to "give soldiers a voice on ArmyLINK," said Col. Stephen Campbell, chief of Command Information at Department of the Army.

First-person accounts of combat in Afghanistan or duty in the Philippines are examples of articles that would be considered for publication, Campbell said. But those are the exceptions, rather than the norm. He said the column is looking for reflections and recommendations regarding everyday Army life.

Observations about Family Team Building programs, the NCO Education System or Common Task Training are just a few examples of relevant topics.

More controversial topics affecting soldiers and their families might also be discussed, such as: drug abuse, domestic violence, street gangs and suicide prevention.

Letters and articles should be sent to the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, ATTN: SAPA-CI (Soldiers Forum), Rm 2B720, 1500 Army Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20310-1500 or better yet, e-mailed to: arnews@hqda.army.mil.