AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

This Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives, including the 36,574 U.S. Soldiers who died in the Korean War.  COL(R) Steve Lee of Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) joins AUSA’s CSM(R) Troy Welch to highlight KDVA’s role as a connector and convener for anyone who wants to support the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. Alliance, one of the United States’ closest allies in that region of the world.
 
With the motto “Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance,” KDVA is the only professional organization whose sole purpose is to enhance, support, and advocate for the ROK-U.S. Alliance and our Veterans. 1.8 Million U.S. troops fought in the Korean War and 3.3 Million have served in Korea since the 1953 signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Membership with KDVA is free and includes professional networking, mentoring, volunteering, and researching opportunities.
 
Guest: COL (Ret) Steve Lee, Senior Vice President of Operations, Korea Defense Veterans Association
 
Host: CSM (Ret) Troy Welch, AUSA’s Director for NCO and Soldier Programs and Board Member, Korea Defense Veterans Association
 
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.
 
Resources:
 
Korea Defense Veterans AssociationsWeb: https://kdva.vet/
 
Korea-US Alliance FoundationWeb: http://kusaf.org/
 
Korean War Veterans Memorial – Wall of RemembranceWeb: https://koreanwarvetsmemorial.org/wall-of-remembrance/
 
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter (Dailey): @15thSMA
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 

For years, the war in Afghanistan has been fought almost exclusively by US Special Forces. Author Jessica Donati joins AUSA’s Joe Craig to discuss her book, Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War, which delves into the lives of the Green Berets and other operators on the frontlines against the Taliban and the Islamic State group. Donati covers foreign affairs and national security for The Wall Street Journal in Washington. She joined WSJ as the bureau chief in Afghanistan, and previously worked for Reuters in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She was part of the team that reported on the war in Libya, working on a series chosen as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2012.
 
Guest: Jessica Donati, National Security Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, and Author of Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War
Host: Joe Craig, AUSA’s Book Program Director
 
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.
 
Resources:
PublicAffairs:Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

LTG Scott Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and 55th U.S.  Army Chief of Engineers joins us to educate our listeners on how far reaching the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) support and expertise spans across the world. Learn about their various missions, cutting-edge projects from the engineers and research mission area, and how the Corps will continue to provide engineering support for emergency operations – COVID-19 pandemic and natural disaster response efforts. For more information on US Army Corps of Engineers check out the resource section below.
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org. 
Guest: LTG Scott A. Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and 55th U.S.  Army Chief of Engineers
 
Hosts: 
        Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Education & Programs Director
        LTC Brittany Lloyd, AUSA’s Army Fellow
  
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.  
  
Resources: 
US Army Corps of Engineers
Web: http://www.usace.army.mil/
 
Social Media Handles:
FB: @USACEHQ
Twitter: @USACEHQ
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/us-army-corps-of-engineers/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CORPSCONNECTION

 A simple thank you goes a long way. Today, the spouses of two Army senior leaders, Maria McConville and Alexandra Grinston, join Holly Dailey, AUSA’s new Director of Family Readiness, to show gratitude to our military families for their volunteerism and contributions. Additionally, two Army subject matter experts share tips on how to include volunteer experience on your resume, and how to track your volunteer hours in the new, improved Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) at www.armyfamilywebportal.com.  
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org. 
 
Guests: Maria McConville, Spouse of the Chief of Staff of the ArmyAlexandra Grinston, Spouse of the Sergeant Major of the ArmyTeresa Briley, Director, Assistant G-1 for Civilian Personnel, U.S. ArmySteve Yearwood, Program Analyst, Soldier and Family Readiness, ODCS G-9, U.S. Army
 
Host: Holly Dailey, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness 
  
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.  
  
Resources: 
 
U.S. Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9, Installations 
Website: https://dcsg9.army.mil/  
 
U.S. Army, Office of the Army G-1, Personnel 
Website: https://www.army.mil/g-1  
 
Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) 
www.armyfamilywebportal.com  
 
Military OneSource 
Website: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/  

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) kicked off a large recruiting effort, Army National Hiring Days campaign taking place 10 May – 14 June 2021. GEN Paul Funk II, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command joins us to share the importance of this campaign and serving our nation. He also provides updates on how TRADOC is implementing the People First initiative across the enterprise through the new Army Fitness initiative, Leadership Professional Development programs, and the upcoming Cadet Summer Training for ROTC cadets. For more information on TRADOC initiatives please check the resource section below.  
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org. 
 
Guest: GEN Paul E. Funk II, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
 
 
Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs
 
   
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.  
  
Resources: 
Army National Hiring Days
Web: www.GoArmy.com/hiringdays
Web: www.army.mil
 
Social Media Pages
Facebook & Twitter:
@GoArmy
@USArmyTRADOC
@ArmyROTC
@USAREC
@nationalguard
 
Instagram:
@goarmy
 
  
 

AUSA has adopted two Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB)— 3RD SFAB and 5TH SFAB. Our Adopt-A-Unit series continues with 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) sharing their mission and unique role after their recent return from Afghanistan. Joining us to provide insight as they prepare for their next mission is 3rd SFAB command team, COL Michael Trotter, and CSM James Light and 1st Battalion leadership team – LTC Brendan Gallagher, CSM Andrew Whittingham, and SGM Gilmer. They describe how their team supports CENTCOM and highlights the importance of interoperability to integrating and supporting ongoing operations. Learn about the creative ways they have maintained readiness and stayed connected with their families in a COVID environment. To learn more about the SFAB organization follow them at the social media platforms listed below. 
 
Host:  
o   LTC Brittany Lloyd, AUSA’s U.S. Army Fellow 
 
Guests: 
o   COL Michael Trotter, Commander, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade
o   CSM James Light, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade
o   LTC Brendan Gallagher, Commander, 1st Battalion, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade 
o   CSM Andrew Whittingham, 1st Battalion, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade
o   SGM Jacob Gilmer, Operations Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade 
  
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.
 
Resources: 
 
3rd SFAB Social Media Platforms:
 
FB:facebook.com/3sfab
facebook.com/1st-BN-3rd-SFAB-139497760334159
facebook.com/ArmySFAC
facebook.com/SFABRecruiting
 
IG:
Instagram.com/3rdsfab
Instagram.com/ArmySFAC
Instagram.com/sfab_recruiting
 
Twitter:
Twitter.com/3rdSFAB
Twitter.com/armysfac
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org. 

What’s new with the SMA? The Army’s top NCO, SMA Michael Grinston, joins AUSA’s SMA (Ret) Dan Dailey to discuss sexual assault and harassment prevention, financial literacy in the Army, enlisted promotions, the Army Combat Fitness Test and the service’s COVID-19 response
Guest: SMA Michael Grinston, Sergeant Major of the Army
Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs
 
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.
 
Resources:
Sergeant Major of the ArmyWeb: https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/Twitter: @16thSMA
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter (Dailey): @15thSMA
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

The Pennsylvania National Guard serves community, commonwealth and country in peacetime and during national emergencies. SMA(R) Dailey interviews CSM Jon B. Worley, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. They discuss the history of the PA National Guard including its origins as the Pennsylvania militia 270 years ago, its current makeup, their response to anomalies like COVID, riots, domestic disturbance, and the assault on the capital, and what they do for the U.S. and Pennsylvania when not responding to emergencies.
Guest: CSM Jon B. Worley, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel 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.
 
This episode is brought to you by GEICO.
 
Resources:
Pennsylvania National GuardWeb: https://www.pa.ng.mil/
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter (Dailey): @15thSMA
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and AUSA has hosted several events to educate our listeners. We continue the conversation today with Ms. Jill Londagin, Army SHARP Director. She shares how The Army Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program (SHARP) allocate personnel throughout Army units to empower commanders to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and sexual assault incidents. Ms. Londagin highlights resources available to soldiers and family members to provide support to victims and the programs to emphasize prevention. For more information on the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Prevention Program check out the website in the resource section below.
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Guest: Jill Longadin, Director, Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response and Prevention Program, U.S. Army
 
Hosts:Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs
LTC Brittany Lloyd, AUSA Army Fellow
 
Resources:
Website: www.armyresilience.army.mil/sharp
DoD Safe Helpline Phone Number: 1 (877)995-5247
DoD Safe Helpline Website: www.safehelpline.org
Facebook: @ArmyResilience
Twitter: @ArmyResilience
LinkedIn: @ArmyResilience
 

General George Joulwan saw the Berlin Wall go up as a West Point lieutenant and was serving as the commander of U.S. Army V Corps when it came down. Today, he joins AUSA’s Joe Craig to discuss his new book: Watchman at the Gates: A Soldier’s Journey from Berlin to Bosnia. GEN Joulwan served 36 years in the U.S. Army, finishing his military career as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe (SACEUR) during the Rwandan genocide and the Bosnian peacekeeping missions of the 1990s.
Guest: GEN (Ret) George Joulwan, author of Watchman at the Gates: A Soldier’s Journey from Berlin to Bosnia
Host: Joe Craig, Director, AUSA’s Book Program
 
Resources:
University Press of Kentucky:Watchman at the Gates: A Soldier’s Journey from Berlin to Bosnia
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.