AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

Host Nzinga A. Curry, Director of the Institute of Land Warfare at AUSA, along with guest co-host Patty Barron, Director of Family Readiness at AUSA, sat down at Fort Hood with a few members of the Black Jack Brigade to discuss their upcoming deployment to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). Our guests were COL Jeremy Wilson, 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division, CSM Kevin Schuller, 1st Battalion 5th Calvary Regiment Command Sergeant Major, and Mrs. Amie Yazzie, spouse of the Brigade Command Sergeant Major. They provided insight on the brigade’s #1 priority – Readiness – which includes four pillars: Personnel, Training, Sustainment and Soldiers & Family. AUSA’s visit to Fort Hood is the result of AUSA adopting the 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division with the goal of providing a supporting relationship before, during and after their deployment.

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].

Black Jack Brigade Social Media

Facebook @black.jack.brigade.1cdTwitter: @1stCav2bct

Co-hosts Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Ken Preston and Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Troy Welch, both of AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs, tackle how standards inform discipline to make the U.S. Army the world’s premiere fighting force. To grow leaders in the Army, we first teach them with standards – what to think – and later introduce discipline – how to think. Commanders decide the standards, and NCOs enforce them, showing a commitment to policies and procedures that keeps Soldiers alive and mission-focused.

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].

Host Joe Craig, Director of AUSA’s Book Program, speaks with author Jon Mikolashek about his new book Blood, Guts, and Grease: George S. Patton in World War I. This early-career biography illuminates how Patton organized and trained the US Army’s first tank brigade, then led it into battle in the Great War. It also shows how his early experiences as a tank commander laid the groundwork for the success of the entire US Army armored forces in World War II.

Thought Leaders, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, brings in-depth conversations with authors of military books and senior leaders. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

13 NOV 2019: ILW Lemnitzer Lecture & Book Signing with Jon Mikolashek

https://www.ausa.org/events/ilw-lemnitzer-lecture-mikolashek

Host Patty Barron, Director of Family Readiness at AUSA, speaks with Kelly Skala, LPC, Model Supervisor from FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress). The FOCUS program provides resilience training designed to assist military families and couples with transitions by building upon their existing strengths to enhance the family unit as a whole. Free to all active duty, reserve and guard military families, this preventative service includes 6-8 sessions that are fun, interactive and personalized. Sessions can be held in person or using a hybrid option to overcome geographical hurdles.

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

Resources mentioned:

FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress)

Social: @focusresiliencytraining

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Web: https://www.focusproject.org/

FOCUS on the Go! (App): https://focusproject.org/mobile-app

FOCUS World (Online Game): https://focusproject.org/focus-world

Soldiers are always ready for battle, but their daily jobs are not always combat oriented. Co-hosts Nzinga Curry, Director, AUSA’s Institute of Land Warfare, and MAJ Brad Cooper, Army Fellow, interview three Soldiers with out-of-the-box Army jobs. CPT Allison Brager serves as a neuroscientist researching sleep and is also a member of the elite Army Warrior Fitness Team. SGT Joseph Hampton dives as part of the Army’s select Dive Program which, among other missions, searches for Soldiers killed in action (KIA) or missing in action (MIA) from previous wars. SFC Christopher Jones recruits gamers to join the Army esports team, emphasizing that yes, Soldiers can stream internet in their barracks room. The common thread is their heart for selfless service combined with fulfilling careers.

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 mentioned:

Try out for Army esportsdiscord.gg/usarmyesports

During this highly anticipated follow-up episode, the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Daniel A. Dailey answers listener questions about the new centralized NCO evaluation system as it moves from time-based to merit-based promotions, with host SMA (Retired) Ken Preston, Vice President, NCO & Soldier Programs, AUSA. Emphasizing respect and fairness built into the new system, the SMA responds to questions such as: Does advance training provide an advantage in the selection process? Can a Soldier be disadvantaged by being in a particular job already? What if raters show favoritism to their buddies?

Listen to Part 1 here: 6 May Soldier Today: New Centralized NCO Evaluation System

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].

To combat some of the “invisible wounds” of the current war, LTG Nadja West, 44th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General of Army Medical Command, joins podcast host Nzinga Curry, Director, Institute of Land Warfare, AUSA, to talk about Soldiers and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). LTG West brings along two esteemed subject matter experts from the Office of the U.S. Army Surgeon General: LTC Dennis Sarmiento, Director Behavioral Health, and Dr. Charles Hoge, Psychiatrist and Senior Scientist. Together, they define PTSD, describe the Army’s system of care, and share industry standards and empirical research the Army developed. The Army is committed to reducing the negative effects of PTSD by addressing mental health and working to help Soldiers seek, and receive, the care they need.

Recommendations for future special editions of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Twitter@ArmyMedicine @LTGWest @CSMMEDCOM @USArmy @USArmyReserve @NationalGuard @MilHealth

Facebook@OfficialArmyMedicine

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialArmyMedicine/

Host Joe Craig, Director of AUSA’s Book Program, speaks with author Robin Hutton about her new book War Animals: The Unsung Heroes of World War II. She tells the inspiring true stories of the recipients of the PDSA Dicken Medal, the highest award an animal can receive for gallantry and bravery on the battlefield. It also includes stories of other military animals whose acts of heroism had been largely forgotten.

Thought Leaders, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, brings in-depth conversations with authors of military books and senior leaders. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at [email protected].

Resources Mentioned:

War Animalshttps://waranimals.org/

Host Patty Barron, Director of Family Readiness at AUSA, speaks with Angela Cabán, 2014 National Guard Spouse of the Year, Founder of Homefront United Network, and current Program Director for Military Saves, Consumer Federation of America. Angela shares her family’s personal story of bankruptcy and how they overcame their debt. She maps out the vital steps to seeking financial help, and emphasizes the importance of the military spouse support network in helping families reach their goals.

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

Resources mentioned:

Military Saves, Consumer Federation of Americawww.militarysaves.orgFacebook & Twitter: @MilitarySaves

 

Homefront United NetworkFacebook: @HomefrontUnitedNetworkTwitter: @HomefrontUnited

 

USAA Educational Foundationhttps://usaaef.org/

 

FindLegalHelp.orghttps://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/flh-home/

Today we debunk common legal myths with officers from the Army’s Office of the Judge Advocate General. Co-hosts Nzinga Curry, Director, AUSA’s Institute of Land Warfare, and MAJ Brad Cooper, Army Fellow, interview LTC Megan Wakefield, Chief, Strategic Communications Office, and LTC Adam Kazin, Criminal Law Division, about the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), military punishments, corrective training, different types of Army discharges, court martials, and more.

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].

Social Media Handle:@goarmyjag

Disclaimers:

Any opinions shared by either LTC Wakefield or LTC Kazin are theirs, alone, and do not constitute the official position of the Department of Defense or the Army.

This podcast is not intended to serve as legal advice.  If you are seeking legal advice as a member of the command, you should contact your local Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.  If you are in need of personal legal advice, you can contact your local Trial Defense Services office.