AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

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 podcast@ausa.org.
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 podcast@ausa.org.
Resources mentioned:
FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress)
Social: @focusresiliencytraining
Email: telefocus@focusproject.org or info@focusproject.org
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 podcast@ausa.org.
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 podcast@ausa.org.

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

The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Daniel A. Dailey discusses resources to assist with the summer Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with host SMA (Retired) Ken Preston, VP, NCO & Soldier Programs, AUSA. Have you received your orders to move duty stations? Join the discussion on changing duty stations, learn about the initiatives the Army has taken to ease the summer surge, and ways to make the move for your family more efficient.
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 mentioned:Defense Personal Property System (DPS): www.move.mil Customer Service 24 Hour Hotline: 1 (833) MIL-MOVEInternational Auto Logistics: www.pcsmypov.com Phone number: 855-389-9499

Host Joe Craig, Director of AUSA’s Book Program, speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson about his new book The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777. In this first volume of a new trilogy, Atkinson turns his attention from World War II to tell the story of the initial years of the American Revolution. After initial successes, the ragged Continental Army experiences a series of setbacks in the latter half of 1776. George Washington uses his political skills and force of will to supply his men and keep them in the field. With the new nation’s future in the balance, Washington seizes an opportunity and personally leads his troops to their first dramatic victories in the war for independence. Rick Atkinson is the author of several books, including the best-selling Liberation Trilogy, and worked as a reporter and editor at the Washington Post. Born in Munich, Germany, he is the son of a U.S. Army officer and grew up on military posts.
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 podcast@ausa.org.