AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

How has COVID-19 affected the overseas force in Korea? Command Sergeant Majors from the Eighth Army and U.S. Forces Korea discuss their new normal in the wake of the coronavirus with SMA(R) Dan Dailey. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Note: Recorded 14 April 2020.

Guests:

• Command Sergeant Major Jason Schmidt, Command Sergeant Major, Eighth Army, United States Army

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:

United States Forces Korea

Eighth Army

How did Blackhorse troopers overcome the Vietnamese enemy, jungle terrain and weather from 1966 to 1972. Donald Snedeker, a second-generation Blackhorse trooper, joins us to discuss how the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment proved the value of armored forces against an insurgency as they faced the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army for more than five years. Snedeker served as the speechwriter for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Admiral William Crowe and General Colin Powell) from 1989 to 1990, and currently serves as the historian for the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Upcoming Event: (Tentative) 22 July Lemnitzer Lecture – Blackhorse in Vietnam w/ Donald Snedeker

Guest: Donald Snedeker, Author, The Blackhorse in Vietnam: The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam and Cambodia, 1966-1972 

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

Resources:

The Blackhorse in Vietnam: The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam and Cambodia, 1966-1972 by Donald Snedeker

What is the COVID-19 impact on the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR)? With regular “battle assemblies” temporarily suspended, Soldiers can still be paid for command approved and verified time spent on readiness, physical fitness and online training. CSM Ted Copeland of the Army Reserve discusses this, financial relief, career progression and more with SMA(R) Dan Dailey. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Command Sergeant Major Ted L. Copeland, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Reserve

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:

U.S. Army Reserve

Army Emergency Relief

Military Spouses build community wherever they go, and Yvonne Coombs embodies this as the 2020 Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year. She joins us today to describe the critical role her military family took in 2019 as they supported her family through life-threatening medical diagnoses combined with her husband’s accelerated deployment. Yvonne also tells us about co-founding Operation Deploy Your Dress, a non-profit organization that helps military families develop relationships, and have fun, by making formal events affordable. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Yvonne Coombs, 2020 Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year and co-founder, Operation Deploy Your Dress

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:

Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY)

Operation Deploy Your Dress

How has the Army National Guard (ARNG) mobilized during the COVID-19 emergency? ARNG is assisting state and local agencies in a time of national emergency, adjusting pre-deployment training for its global force, and balancing readiness with responding to the community. They are also focused on keeping ARNG careers on track. 

CSM John Sampa of the Army National Guard discusses these and more with SMA(R) Dan Dailey. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Guest: Command Sergeant Major John F. Sampa, Command Sergeant Major, Army National Guard

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:

Army National Guard

Spirit of America is a non-profit working with U.S. troops and diplomats to identify and fill local needs around the world, when and where needed. Their all-veteran team operates in over 70 countries to “build local leaders’ trust, make a child happy, a village secure, or a region stable to bring our troops closer to peace and home.” We cap off this episode with an update from AUSA’s adopted deployed unit, the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, also known as the Black Jack Brigade, on their current deployment to Europe and their COVID-19 response plan.

The Black Jack Brigade was featured on our 9 September 2019 episode. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

• Guest: Jim Hake, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Spirit of America

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:

Spirit of America

Black Jack Brigade

The Black Jack Brigade was featured on Army Real Talk episode 9 September 2019: Life of a Deploying Unit: Adoption of the Black Jack Brigade

What’s the latest with rollouts for Army Greens (AGSU), a new PCS app, and Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)? SGM Edward Bell of the G-4 discusses these and more with SMA(R) Dan Dailey. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Note: This episode was recorded prior to the COVID escalation, and some of the initiatives discussed might shift to the right on the implementation timeline given priority requirements for the COVID response.

Guest: Sergeant Major Edward A. Bell, Sergeant Major, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4

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:

How is COVID-19 affecting Soldiers? SMA Grinston, the Army’s top non-commissioned officer (NCO), describes how the Army’s Medical Research Labs are working on a vaccine, the courageous work of Army medical providers, and efforts to balance killing the virus with maintaining readiness and protecting the force. SMA Grinston covers PCS (Permanent Change of Station) changes, including interrupted moves and financial hardship related to COVID-19, and reminds everyone to stay fit and healthy at home. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Notes:

Guest: Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)

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:

Army Emergency Relief

Sergeant Major of the Army

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs

What is the Army doing about COVID-19? Newly sworn-in Under Secretary of the Army James E. McPherson joins General Carter Ham of AUSA to discuss the Army’s response to the coronavirus. They also cover the Secretary’s thoughts on recruiting, budget and taking care of Army families. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Note: This interview was recorded Monday, 30 March 2020.

Guest: The Honorable James E. McPherson, Under Secretary of the Army

Host: General (Retired) Carter F. Ham, AUSA’s President & CEO

Resources:

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