AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

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

Our Community Salutes celebrates high school enlistees and their commitment to military service. Dr. Ken Hartman describes how his non-profit helps communities recognize, honor and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation. In other community news, the Military Basketball Association (MBA) announces their 3-day Finals tournament will be held 8-10 May at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The MBA was featured on our 9 December 2019 podcast episode. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
Guest: Dr. Ken Hartman, Founder and President, Our Community Salutes
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:
Our Community Salutes
Web: https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/
Facebook: @OurCommunitySalutes
Twitter: @drkenhartman  #OurCommunitySalutes
 
Military Basketball Association (MBA)
Web: https://www.facebook.com/militarybasketballassociation
Facebook: @militarybasketballassociation
The MBA was featured on Army Real Talk episode 9 December 2019: Empowerment – Outlets for Coping with TBI, PTSD, Injuries, etc.

How might changes to the Military Health System affect you and your family? How can we be smart, not fearful, about the coronavirus? LTG Ronald Place, the DoD’s senior military medical leader, updates us on maintaining access to high quality care while transitioning retirees and family members to the TRICARE network, and also provides an update on keeping the force healthy as the coronavirus comes to the United States. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Guest: LTG Ronald J. Place, Director, Defense Health Agency
 
Co-Hosts: Patty Barron, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness & Mark Haaland, AUSA’s Director of Government Affairs
 
Resources:
The Military Health System and the Defense Health Agency
Web: https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency
Twitter: @militaryhealth @DoD_DHA @TRICARE
Facebook @militaryhealth @DefenseHealthAgency @TRICARE
Instagram: @militaryhealth
 
Nurse Advice Line – 24/7 health care support for TRICARE beneficiaries
https://www.mhsnurseadviceline.com/home

Why do we need Army Futures Command (AFC)? CSM Michael Crosby, the top non-commissioned officer (NCO) at AFC, describes it as the bellybutton of the Army acquisition process with a special emphasis on Soldier Centered Design.
 
Guest: Command Sergeant Major Michael A. Crosby, Command Sergeant Major, Army Futures Command
 
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. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Resources:
Army Futures Command
Web: https://www.army.mil/futures  
Facebook/Twitter: @ArmyFutures
 
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs website: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers
Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

Equipping Soldiers with AI doesn’t mean computers are in charge. BG Matt Easley, Director of the U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force, explains the military implications of AI and how the Army is organized to leverage the opportunities that it presents. He explains AI’s integral role supporting the Army’s top priorities including Modernization, Multi-Domain Operations, and Talent Management. He also addresses the tight linkage between the Army’s AI Strategy and the Army’s Data and Cloud Migration Strategies as well as the ethical implications of integrating AI into modern warfare. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Guest: BG Matt Easley, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force, Army Futures Command
 
Host: COL(R) Dan Roper, AUSA’s Director of National Security Studies
 
Resources:
Army Futures Command
Web: https://www.army.mil/futures
Facebook/Twitter: @ArmyFutures
 
U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force
Web: https://armyfuturescommand.com/aitf/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army-artificial-intelligence-task-force/
Twitter: @army_aitf

The threat environment is more complex than ever. Find out how the Army’s fiscal year 2021 budget request addresses this new atmosphere directly from LTG Thomas Horlander, the Army’s senior financial management officer. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Guest: LTG Thomas A. Horlander, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller)
 
Host: Mark Haaland, AUSA’s Director of Government Affairs
 
Resources:
Army Financial Management and Comptroller
Web: https://www.asafm.army.mil/
Twitter: @asafmc