AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

How difficult is it to transition from the Army to entrepreneurship? Former Army Command Sergeants Major Marissa and Thomas Capel found an opportunity in baked goods and have subsequently seen their prospects rise. They share their story, insights into the pros-and-cons of owning a franchise, and lessons they learned from their years of service. This is the first of a Soldier Today summer series on veteran entrepreneurs led by Sergeant Major of the Army (retired) Dan Dailey.

• Guests:

• CSM (Ret) Marissa Capel, Franchise Co-Owner, Nothing Bundt Cakes

• Hosts:

• SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs

Resources:

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Are codes the key to victory on the battlefield? In the build-up to World War I Colonel Parker Hitt recognized the Army’s non-existent cryptology methods could lead to countless deaths and created an entirely new system, laying a foundation that exists to this day. Host Joe Craig chats with Betsy Rohaly Smoot, the author of the new biography Parker Hitt: The Father of American Cryptology, to unlock the secrets of the man and his methods.

• Guest: Betsy Rohaly Smoot, Author, Parker Hitt: The Father of American Military Cryptology
  

Resources:

University Press of Kentucky:

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

"...If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints." - Betty White. Hear how 3 Army spouses are leaving their footprints through their passion for music. Heidi Ackerman and Deidra Lee Stubbs, members of the American Military Spouses Choir share how music has connected military families and brought healing and happiness through their choral performances. Victoria McAdoo wraps up the episode sharing her experience writing Lima Oscar Victor Echo with Operation Song and her inspiration behind the song. To learn more please check out their websites linked in the resource section below. 

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected]. 

• Host: Holly Dailey, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness

• Guests: 

Resources: 

Center for American Military Music and Opportunities (CAMMO)

Website: https://www.cammomusic.org/

Operation Song

Website: https://www.operationsong.org/

Social Media Platforms:

Center for American Military Music and Opportunities (CAMMO)

Twitter: @cammo_music 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cammomusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cammomusic

American Military Spouse Choir (AMSC)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanmilitaryspouseschoir/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMilitarySpousesChoir

Operation Song

Twitter: @operationsong

Instagram: @operationsong

Facebook: @OperationSong

Music Credits:

American Military Spouses Choir, “Fleet Week Follies: Digital Edition,” Bitta Mostofi, Anna Chlumsky, Waterwell Productions, Inc., 23 May 2020, New York City, video, 7:29, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkCGUKx0N8s.

Dell Ramsdell, vocalist, Victoria Vanderberg and Cindy Morgan, writers, “Lima Oscar Victor Echo (LOVE),” Operation Song, 2020, music video, 3:08, https://subsplash.com/operationsong/media/mi/+ssrhdz4.

“I landed and just heard my leg go pop.” – 1LT Maggie Gleason describing her painful landing after jumping from an airplane during Army Ranger training. She joins AUSA’s Scott Halstead to talk about her leadership journey, including her story of perseverance in earning her Ranger tab despite being injured.

• Guest: 1LT Maggie Gleason, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, United States Army
  

Resources:

2nd Cavalry Regiment, United States Army

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

What’s new with the SMA? Today, SMA(R) Dailey interviews SMA Grinston about the things he is doing to implement our Army senior leaders’ vision, shape the culture of the Army and give us an overall update on how our Army is doing.

• Guest: SMA Michael Grinston, 16th SMA
  

Resources:

Pentagon, HQDA

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Over one million African Americans served in World War II. Not one was awarded the Medal of Honor until the Army revisited the issue almost fifty years later. Robert Child, author of Immortal Valor, joins AUSA's Joe Craig to share stories of the seven men who were finally recognized with the nation’s highest military award.

• Guest:  Robert Child, author of Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II
  

Resources:

Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II

What is the Piestewa Challenge? Lisa Hallett, executive director and co-founder of wear blue: run to remember, tells us how you can join this challenge and honor women in combat. Learn how wear blue: run to remember has evolved into a community that honors all service members and helps others heal from the challenges of war. For more information on the Piestewa Challenge check out the resource section below.

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected]. 

• Guest: 

• Host: 

Resource: 

wear blue: run to remember

Website: www.wearblueruntoremember.org/piestewa-challenge

Social Media Platforms

Instagram: @wearblue

Twitter: @wearblue

Facebook: @wearblue

Senior Non-commissioned officers build and lead disciplined, lethal, cohesive, and honorable teams. COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership, speaks with CSM Eric Buonopane of the U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade about what has shaped him professionally and his philosophy on leader development. The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade conducts transformational training to develop and deliver competent and capable Rangers, Parachutists, Jumpmasters, and Reconnaissance Leaders to enable the U.S. Army and the Joint Force to prevail in combat.

• Guest: CSM Eric Buonopane, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade
  

Resources:

Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade (ARTB)

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Why don’t we focus more on keeping our brains healthy? A lot of research has gone into answering that question. Today, SMA(R) Dailey interviews LTC (Ret) Dr. Daniel T. Johnston about the journey of becoming a doctor, understanding the brain, and mental fitness. Dr. Johnston is a leader in preventative healthcare, brain performance, and human resilience. He also co-founded BrainSpan. BrianSpan provides healthcare providers with a scientifically validated, objective brain wellness assessment that can help improve your brain’s function today as well as keep your brain sharp as you age.

• Guest: LTC (Ret) Dr. Daniel T. Johnston, Co-Founder, BrainSpan

• Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs

Resources:

BrainSpan

Web: https://www.brainspan.com/

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs

Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers

Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

What does it take to develop trust with Company-level Commanders and First Sergeants?  COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership, speaks with COL Michael Kloepper and CSM Christopher Clapin of the 173rd Airborne Brigade about what and who have shaped them as leaders. The command team then describes why their leader development program focuses on company-level Commanders and First Sergeants.  Ultimately, the 173rd Airborne Brigade leader development initiatives are designed to empower Squad Leaders, the drivers of unit culture and readiness.  The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapid forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibilities. Forward based in Italy and Germany, the Brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build interoperability and strengthen the Alliance. 

• Guests:

• COL Michael F. Kloepper, Commander, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army

• Host: COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership

Resources:

173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].