AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

Professional development of the Army’s enlisted force is a top priority, and our guest today, CSM (Ret.) John D. Sparks, has been influential in the advancement of their training and education. He has spent a lifetime serving our country as both a Soldier and as a Department of the Army Civilian in roles that support Soldier education. Today he tells us about his background, including his part in creating the Institute for Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development (INCOPD) and achieving accreditation for the United States Sergeant Majors Academy. Currently, CSM (Ret.) Sparks serves as Principal Advisor on Strategic Education for the Sergeant Major of the Army.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guest: Command Sergeant Major (Retired) John D. Sparks, Principal Advisor on Strategic Education for the Sergeant Major of the 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:
Institute for Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development (INCOPD)Web: About INCOPD
United States Army Sergeants Major AcademyWeb: About USASMA
NCO Leadership Center of ExcellenceWeb: https://www.ncoworldwide.army.mil/Facebook: @NCOLCoETwitter: @NCOL_CoELinkedIn: @The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence
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

Urban warfare continued. Joining us today are experts in subterranean operations and urban operations, and of recent U.S. and Israeli urban combat experience. They focus on specific tactical challenges and best practices in urban operations.
 
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Guests:  MAJ(R) John W. Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies, Co-Director, Urban Warfare Project, & Host, Urban Warfare Project podcast, Modern War Institute at West Point
Dr. Daphné Richemond-Barak, Assistant Professor, Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy, IDC Herzliya and Senior Researcher and Head of the International Law Desk, International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) 
Dr. Jeremiah Rozman, National Security Analyst, Association of the United States Army and Israel Defense Forces veteran
 
Host: COL(Ret) Dan Roper, AUSA’s Director of National Security Studies
 
Resources:
 
Modern War Institute
Web: https://mwi.usma.edu/
Facebook: @ModernWarInstitute
Twitter: @WarInstitute
LinkedIn: @Modern War Institute at West Point
Podcast: Urban Warfare Project
 
Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy, IDC Herzliya
Web: https://www.idc.ac.il/en/schools/government
Facebook: @IDC.Herzliya
Twitter: @Idc
LinkedIn: @IDC Herzliya
 
International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) 
Web: https://www.ict.org.il/Home
Facbook: @ICT.org.il
Twitter: @ICT_org
LinkedIn: @International Institute for Counter Terrorism

Urban warfare. What should the U.S. Army prepare for? Today we welcome thought leaders on urban operations from the DoD and Army to discuss the strategic importance of urban environments and how the U.S. Army trains, organizes and equips the force for this complex operating environment.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guests:  MAJ(R) John W. Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies, Co-Director, Urban Warfare Project, & Host, Urban Warfare Project podcast, Modern War Institute at West Point
Dr. Russell W. Glenn, Director, Plans and Policy, G-2, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
COL(R) Patrick J. Mahaney, Jr., Senior Advisor, DoD National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), co-founder and Director, National Center for Urban Operations, & Senior Mentor, Army Dense Urban Studies Strategic Broadening Seminar 
Host: COL(Ret) Dan Roper, AUSA’s Director of National Security Studies
 
Resources:
 
Modern War InstituteWeb: https://mwi.usma.edu/Facebook: @ModernWarInstituteTwitter: @WarInstituteLinkedIn: @Modern War Institute at West PointPodcast: Urban Warfare Project
 
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)Web: https://www.tradoc.army.mil/Facebook: @USArmyTRADOCTwitter: @TRADOCLinkedIn: @US Army TRADOC
 
National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)Web: https://www.nsin.us/Facebook: @NSINusTwitter: @NSIN_usLinkedIn: @NSIN – National Security Innovation Network
 
National Center for Urban OperationsWeb: https://ncuo.net/LinkedIn: @National Center for Urban Operations

How will COVID-19 impact the Military Health System (MHS) during and after the pandemic? LTG Ron Place and CSM Michael Gragg of the Defense Health Agency join us today to discuss MHS reform initiatives, progress on vaccine research and how enlisted staff are supporting. They provide insight into how NCOs enable readiness at the Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), standardization of Exceptional Family Member healthcare across military services, and TRICARE updates including enrollment requirements for TRICARE Select.
Guests:LTG Ronald J. Place, Director, Defense Health Agency
CSM Michael L. Gragg, Senior Enlisted Leader, Defense Health Agency
Co-Hosts:Patty Barron, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness
Mark Haaland, AUSA’s Director of Government Affairs
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Resources:
LTG Place was featured on a previous Army Matters episode:
4 March 2020: Special Edition: Military Health System Changes & Coronavirus Update
The Military Health System and the Defense Health AgencyWeb: https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-AgencyTwitter: @militaryhealth @DoD_DHA @TRICAREFacebook @militaryhealth @DefenseHealthAgency @TRICAREInstagram: @militaryhealth
Nurse Advice Line – 24/7 health care support for TRICARE beneficiariesWeb: https://www.mhsnurseadviceline.com/home

What resources are available to Veterans? Today, our guest, Margarita Devlin, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits at the VBA, joins us to discuss the GI Bill, VA home loans, and transition programs like Solid Start and Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E). She also gives an update on how the VA is handling benefits payments and Veteran engagement during the pandemic.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org. 
Guest: Margarita Devlin, MA, CRC, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs 
Co-Hosts:
Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs
1SG (Ret) Stephen Canonico, AUSA's Assistant Director of Retired Soldiers, Veterans, and Army Civilian Affairs 
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:
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)Web: https://www.benefits.va.gov/YouTube: Veterans Benefits AdministrationFacebook: @VeteransBenefitsTwitter: @VAVetBenefitsVeterans Benefits Administration Call Center Number: 1(800) 827-1000Education Benefits Number: 1(888)GIBILL-1Regional Loan Center Number: 1(877)827-3702
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)Web: https://www.va.gov/Facebook: @VeteransAffairsTwitter: @DeptVetAffairs

Change is afoot for Army Civilian Career Programs. Civilians make up close to 70% of the U.S. Army’s workforce, and these new developments are aimed at improving civilian talent management. Find out the scope and background of what is in store directly from our guest, Barbara Guy, Director of the Career Management Policy Office, DASA-CP, ASA (M&RA).
Plus, CPT William Ibrahim of the Black Jack Brigade shares some farewell remarks as the U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, transitions back home. Army Real Talk has been following their deployment to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR), since Sept 2019. Previous episode links are included below.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guests:Barbara C. Guy, Director, Career Management Policy Office, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASA(M&RA)), Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civilian Personnel (DASA-CP)
CPT William Ibrahim, S9, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army (Black Jack Brigade)
Co-Hosts:Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs
1SG (Ret) Stephen Canonico, AUSA's Assistant Director of Retired Soldiers, Veterans, and Army Civilian Affairs 
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:
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASA(M&RA))Web: https://www.army.mil/asamraFacebook: @HQDAMRAG1Twitter: @MRA_G1_PAO
Black Jack BrigadeFacebook: @black.jack.brigade.1cdTwitter: @1stCav2bct The Black Jack Brigade was featured on previous Army Real Talk episodes:
9 September 2019: Life of a Deploying Unit: Adoption of the Black Jack Brigade
13 April 2020: Spirit of America & Black Jack Brigade COVID Update
 

Meet the new senior enlisted leader at U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC). CSM John Foley joins us today to discuss his 31+ year career with the Army, including what inspired him to enlist. He also provides an update about the recent Army National Hiring Days, the first virtual hiring campaign by the Army, and a look ahead to Fiscal Year 2021 Army Recruiting.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guest: Command Sergeant Major John W. Foley, Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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 Matters Podcast (24 June 2020): Special Edition: Army National Hiring Days (June 30 – July 2) with CSM Tabitha Gavia, U.S. Army Recruiting CommandU.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)Web: https://recruiting.army.mil/Facebook/Twitter: @USARECAUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

Taking care of our people is important during difficult times. Building cohesive teams and tackling suicide within the Army are some of the ways to do that. Today’s discussion with the Army’s Vice Chief of Staff, GEN Martin, and top NCO, SMA Grinston, covers how initiatives like “This is My Squad” (TIMS) and “A Life Worth Living” work together to help leaders at every level address tough issues and build strong teams.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guests:
General Joseph M. Martin, 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
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:
Vice Chief of Staff of the ArmyWeb: https://www.army.mil/leaders/vcsa/Facebook: @VCSA.USArmyTwitter: @VCSA37
Sergeant Major of the ArmyWeb: https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/bio/Twitter: @16thSMA
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

How did Ike approach challenging decisions to give America peace in Europe and prosperity at home? Author and one of Ike’s four grandchildren, Susan Eisenhower, describes how he strategically led the nation through a transformational time by focusing on fact-based decision-making, envisioning the whole, including causes and consequences, and  holding himself accountable. Pursuing the “Middle Way,” Ike led through pivotal events like D-Day, Little Rock, the Korean War, Cold War crises, Red Scare, and the Missile Gap controversies.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guest: Susan Eisenhower, Author, How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions
Host: Joe Craig, Director, AUSA’s Book Program
Resources:
How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest DecisionsWeb: https://susaneisenhower.com/Twitter: @eisenhowergroup

Army engineers are fighting Covid-19 with virtual reality to design and build Alternative Care Facilities and using supercomputers to model predictions of viral spread. Three experts spearheading this vital work from the U.S. Army Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Dr. David Pittman, Dr. Todd Bridges, and Mike Channell, join us today to describe their efforts to defeat the coronavirus and to share insights they have gained for moving forward.
 
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Guests:  Dr. David W. Pittman, Director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) & Director of R&D and Chief Scientist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
Dr. Todd Bridges, Senior Research Scientist for Environmental Science, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Mr. Mike Channell, Chief of the Installation Support Division, ERDC Installation Operations Command 
 
Host: COL(Ret) Dan Roper, AUSA’s Director of National Security Studies
 
Resources:
 
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)Web: https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Facebook/Twitter: @ArmyERDCLinkedIn: @U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)Web: https://www.usace.army.mil/ Facebook/Twitter: @USACEHQLinkedIn: @US Army Corps of Engineers
 
Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program (DoD HPCMP)Web: https://www.hpc.mil/