Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey speaks to soldiers during his visit.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey recently visited the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center (SSC) in Natick, Massachusetts. His first stop was a meeting with soldiers, from both the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) and the Headquarters Research and Development Detachment.

Gen. Casey noted that in the future the Army will be in many different places due to persistent conflicts and many complex environments; and the work being done in Natick will ensure that future leaders have the best equipment and protection. "If we give you the right tools, we will make you adaptable and give you a decided advantage to be successful in the asymmetrical battlefield," he said.

Gen. Casey then heard overview briefings on the Land Warrior program and SSC. A display on some of the future technologies that are being worked on at SSC followed, with body armor advances, clothing collaboration, joint precision airdrop and combat feeding highlighted.

While learning about the technological advances for the next generation of body armor, Brig. Gen. R. Mark Brown, SSC commanding general and host of the visit, told Gen. Casey that there have been nine improvements to body armor and three improvements to helmets over the past three years. Uniforms for the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Special Operations Forces were shown as an example of how SSC performs joint work for all military services. Brig. Gen. Brown mentioned that one of the future projects the clothing team will be working on is a uniform for civilians who get deployed.

During a briefing on precision airdrop, Casey learned how the technology is minimizing risk for both the Air Force and soldiers on the ground. Richard Benney, division leader for the Aerial Delivery Equipment and Systems Division, said the technology makes it possible to drop bundles very accurately so soldiers don't have to leave a protected area in search of supplies.

Also shown were two new concepts in combat feeding to support the warfighter on the asymmetrical battlefield. The Unitized Group Ration - Express, sometimes called a "kitchen in a carton," which provides a hot meal for up to 18 warfighters in a remote location, was displayed, down to the steam that rises from the box when it is activated. Gen. Casey sampled some of the menu items from the First Strike Ration (FSR), which is an answer to the field-stripping that happens to Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and includes all eat-on-the-go foods such as pocket sandwiches.

A stop at the Doriot Climatic Chambers was next on the agenda. These chambers can reproduce environmental conditions occurring anywhere around the world. They can simulate temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall and solar radiation. Col. Beau Freund, commander, USARIEM, and Gen. Casey discussed Human Research Volunteers (HRVs) and how to improve recruitment for the program. Freund said that as a member of the medical community, he wouldn't be able to do his work without the HRVs.

Closing out the day was a question-and-answer session. When asked why he visited, Gen. Casey said that he was in Massachusetts to attend a leader development program for generals where they learn about industry and transformation. "The Army is going through the largest transformation, so it's important to get our leaders properly trained," he said.

Once he knew he would be in the area, he wanted to take the opportunity to visit SSC to see firsthand what was being done for soldiers. "I knew what they were doing was good," Casey said. "And this gave me a chance to see not only what they do for the soldier, but for the sailor, marine and Coast Guard."

Another topic mentioned was the Army Family Covenant (AFC), which is a commitment from Army leaders to increase the level and quality of services for military families. Gen. Casey said, "The forces are stressed, and it's affecting families. The covenant is a good way to demonstrate our support to the families."