Will changes at Arlington National Cemetery affect your family? Senior leadership updates us on changes in eligibility requirements, how they took veteran feedback into account, and what burial options are available nation-wide at our National Military Cemeteries. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Note: Since the recording of this episode, the Arlington National Cemetery has expanded to 639 acres. Additionally, please visit their website (https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/) for COVID-19 information affecting funerals and visitors.

Guests:

• Ms. Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director, Office of Army Cemeteries

Host: Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Daniel A. Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs

Soldier Today, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, focuses on what is important to Soldiers and NCOs.

Resources:

Arlington National Cemetery

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs

An 82-day slugfest in Okinawa marked the final major battle in World War II. Joseph Wheelan joins us to discuss the tragic human cost of the fight, which ultimately persuaded US leaders to use the atomic bomb rather than invade the Japanese mainland. Wheelan is the author of nine previous books, including the highly acclaimed Terrible Swift Sword and Midnight in the Pacific. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Joseph Wheelan, Author, Bloody Okinawa: The Last Great Battle of World War II

Host: Joe Craig, Director, AUSA’s Book Program

Resources:

Bloody Okinawa: The Last Great Battle of World War II by Joseph Wheelan

Web: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/joseph-wheelan/bloody-okinawa/9780306903212/

Facebook/Twitter: @HachetteUS

Military Spouses give up careers, move a lot and more. What helps them develop resilience in the face of these challenges? Today, we hear from Evie King, an Army spouse and advocate for the health and wellness of military spouses. Her organization, InDependent, hosts a virtual annual Wellness Summit, offers an online community for military spouses, and addresses important health topics like alcohol consumption. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Evie King, Executive Director, InDependent

Host: Patty Barron, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness

Family Voices, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, aims to connect Army families to speakers and issues that are important to their everyday lives.

Resources:

InDependent

Web: https://in-dependent.org/

Wellness Summit: https://in-dependent.org/wellness-summit

Facebook: @independentorg1

Our Community Salutes celebrates high school enlistees and their commitment to military service. Dr. Ken Hartman describes how his non-profit helps communities recognize, honor and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation. In other community news, the Military Basketball Association (MBA) announces their 3-day Finals tournament will be held 8-10 May at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The MBA was featured on our 9 December 2019 podcast episode. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Dr. Ken Hartman, Founder and President, Our Community Salutes

Co-hosts: Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs, and LTC Eugene Irby, AUSA’s Army Fellow

Army Real Talk, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, aims to help AUSA and the Army better connect with the younger generation.

Resources:

Our Community Salutes

Web: https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/

Facebook: @OurCommunitySalutes

Twitter: @drkenhartman  #OurCommunitySalutes

Military Basketball Association (MBA)

Web: https://www.facebook.com/militarybasketballassociation

Facebook: @militarybasketballassociation

The MBA was featured on Army Real Talk episode 9 December 2019: Empowerment – Outlets for Coping with TBI, PTSD, Injuries, etc.

How might changes to the Military Health System affect you and your family? How can we be smart, not fearful, about the coronavirus? LTG Ronald Place, the DoD’s senior military medical leader, updates us on maintaining access to high quality care while transitioning retirees and family members to the TRICARE network, and also provides an update on keeping the force healthy as the coronavirus comes to the United States. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: LTG Ronald J. Place, Director, Defense Health Agency

Co-Hosts: Patty Barron, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness & Mark Haaland, AUSA’s Director of Government Affairs

Resources:

The Military Health System and the Defense Health Agency

Web: https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency

Twitter: @militaryhealth @DoD_DHA @TRICARE

Facebook @militaryhealth @DefenseHealthAgency @TRICARE

Instagram: @militaryhealth

Nurse Advice Line – 24/7 health care support for TRICARE beneficiaries

https://www.mhsnurseadviceline.com/home

Why do we need Army Futures Command (AFC)? CSM Michael Crosby, the top non-commissioned officer (NCO) at AFC, describes it as the bellybutton of the Army acquisition process with a special emphasis on Soldier Centered Design.

Guest: Command Sergeant Major Michael A. Crosby, Command Sergeant Major, Army Futures Command

Host: Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Daniel A. Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs

Soldier Today, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, focuses on what is important to Soldiers and NCOs. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Resources:

Army Futures Command

Web: https://www.army.mil/futures  

Facebook/Twitter: @ArmyFutures

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs website: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers

Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

Equipping Soldiers with AI doesn’t mean computers are in charge. BG Matt Easley, Director of the U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force, explains the military implications of AI and how the Army is organized to leverage the opportunities that it presents. He explains AI’s integral role supporting the Army’s top priorities including Modernization, Multi-Domain Operations, and Talent Management. He also addresses the tight linkage between the Army’s AI Strategy and the Army’s Data and Cloud Migration Strategies as well as the ethical implications of integrating AI into modern warfare. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: BG Matt Easley, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force, Army Futures Command

Host: COL(R) Dan Roper, AUSA’s Director of National Security Studies

Resources:

Army Futures Command

Web: https://www.army.mil/futures

Facebook/Twitter: @ArmyFutures

U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force

Web: https://armyfuturescommand.com/aitf/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army-artificial-intelligence-task-force/

Twitter: @army_aitf

The threat environment is more complex than ever. Find out how the Army’s fiscal year 2021 budget request addresses this new atmosphere directly from LTG Thomas Horlander, the Army’s senior financial management officer. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: LTG Thomas A. Horlander, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller)

Host: Mark Haaland, AUSA’s Director of Government Affairs

Resources:

Army Financial Management and Comptroller

Web: https://www.asafm.army.mil/

Twitter: @asafmc

Military spouses learn quickly that the road to professional credentials and employment is never a straight line. Today we speak to Dr. Belinda Hernandez and learn about the many sacrifices made on her journey towards her PhD. In addition, Dr. Hernandez shares insights from preliminary findings on a study she is conducting for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation which examines the impact on children that live in a home where a caregiver parent cares for a wounded, ill, or injured servicemember. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Dr. Belinda Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

Host: Patty Barron, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness

Family Voices, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, aims to connect Army families to speakers and issues that are important to their everyday lives.

Resources:

Dr. Belinda Hernandez, UTHealth

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @DrBelHernandez

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @UTexasSPH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ut-school-of-public-health

Web: https://sph.uth.edu/

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

Facebook/Instagram: @MyUTHealth

Twitter: @UTHealth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uthouston/

Web: https://www.uth.edu/

Co-hosts Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs, and LTC Eugene Irby, AUSA’s Army Fellow, interview individuals representing the Total Army to highlight the array of different positions and people that make up our Total Force. This includes representatives from the Active and Reserve Components, National Guard, Department of the Army (DA) Civilians and Family Members.

• Active Component: LTC Eugene Irby, U.S. Army Fellow, Association of the United States Army

Army Real Talk, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, aims to help AUSA and the Army better connect with the younger generation. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Resources:

U.S. Army Civilian Expeditionary Workforce

Call: 1-83-DEPLOY-ME (1-833-375-6963)

CSM Robert Priest

Facebook: @CSMPriest @108thTrainingCommand @95thTrainingDivision @98thTrainingDivision @104thDivision @108thDSRecruiting

Instagram: @108_tc @98th_Training_Division

Mrs. Josie Beets

Website: missionlicense.com

Twitter: @JosieBeets @MissionLicense

Facebook: @missionlicense