Soldier Modernization Day on Capitol Hill

June 6, 2007. Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Contact: Foreign Press Centers Defense Liaison Officer Andrew Strike
Telephone: 202-504-6356;Email: strikeap2@state.gov

Seven journalists from all world regions participated in Soldier Modernization Day on Capitol Hill, as part of a joint program witht he Army's Natick Soldier Research Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) and the Program Executive Office - Soldier.

Media saw displays of new weapons and systems, uniforms, body armor currently under development, sampled the next generation of Army rations, and interviewed experts in testing and procurement.  Highlights of the program included interviews with soldiers just back from Iraq and wearing the new Interceptor body armor; interviews with Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and other Members and staff; and several interviews given in Spanish by Army Spanish-speakers.  Medial also enjoyed samples of the Army's latest rations including the latest Meals-Ready to Eat (MREs), the new First Strike Ration, and the new Unitized Group Ration - Express (UGR-E), alsoknown as a "Kitche3n in a Caron," which required no refrigeration, can provide a group-sized hot meal in 35 minutes, and can be easily air-dropped anywhere in the world in support of combat or humanitarian missions.