AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

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 podcast@ausa.org.
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 ReserveWeb: https://www.usar.army.mil/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @USArmyReserve 
Army Emergency ReliefWeb: https://www.aerhq.orgTwitter/Facebook: @aerhq20 January Army Matters episode: 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 podcast@ausa.org.
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)Web: https://msoy.afi.org/Facebook: @militaryspouseoftheyearTwitter: @MilSpoOfTheyear
Operation Deploy Your DressWeb: https://operationdeployyourdress.org/Facebook: @operationdeployyourdressTwitter: @ODYD2017

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 podcast@ausa.org.
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 GuardWeb: https://www.nationalguard.com/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @nationalguard

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 podcast@ausa.org.
Guest: Jim Hake, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Spirit of America
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:
Spirit of America Web: https://spiritofamerica.org/Facebook/Twitter: @spiritamerica 
Black Jack BrigadeFacebook @black.jack.brigade.1cd Twitter: @1stCav2bct 
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 podcast@ausa.org.
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:U.S. Army G-4  | LogisticsWeb: https://www.army.mil/g-4Facebook: @armylogistics

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 podcast@ausa.org.
Notes:1) ALARACT (All Army Action): Click here to view the 3/30 ALARACT message regarding COVID-19 hardships2) 20 January Army Matters episode: Army Emergency Relief
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 ReliefWeb: https://www.aerhq.orgTwitter/Facebook: @aerhq20 January Army Matters episode: Army Emergency Relief
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

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 podcast@ausa.org.
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:Under Secretary of the ArmyWeb: https://www.army.mil/leaders/usa/Facebook/Twitter: @UnderSecArmy

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 podcast@ausa.org.
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
Ms. Renea Yates, Deputy Superintendent for Interment Services, Arlington National Cemetery
Sergeant Major Juan Abreu, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Army National Military 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 CemeteryWeb: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Facebook/Twitter: @ArlingtonNatl
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter: @15thSMA

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 podcast@ausa.org.
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 podcast@ausa.org.
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