Thought Leaders: Urban Operations Part 1

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 Institute
Web: https://mwi.usma.edu/
Facebook: @ModernWarInstitute
Twitter: @WarInstitute
LinkedIn: @Modern War Institute at West Point
Podcast: Urban Warfare Project

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)
Web: https://www.tradoc.army.mil/
Facebook: @USArmyTRADOC
Twitter: @TRADOC
LinkedIn: @US Army TRADOC

National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)
Web: https://www.nsin.us/
Facebook: @NSINus
Twitter: @NSIN_us
LinkedIn: @NSIN – National Security Innovation Network

National Center for Urban Operations
Web: https://ncuo.net/
LinkedIn: @National Center for Urban Operations

Family Voices: Military Health System Status Update w/ LTG Place & CSM Gragg

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 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
Web: https://www.mhsnurseadviceline.com/home

Special Edition: Veterans Benefits Administration Update - GI Bill, Transition Programs, Home Loans & More

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 Administration
Facebook: @VeteransBenefits
Twitter: @VAVetBenefits
Veterans Benefits Administration Call Center Number: 1(800) 827-1000
Education Benefits Number: 1(888)GIBILL-1
Regional Loan Center Number: 1(877)827-3702

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Web: https://www.va.gov/
Facebook: @VeteransAffairs
Twitter: @DeptVetAffairs

Army Real Talk: Army Civilian Career Program Management Changes & Black Jack Brigade Farewell Remarks

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/asamra
Facebook: @HQDAMRAG1
Twitter: @MRA_G1_PAO

Black Jack Brigade
Facebook: @black.jack.brigade.1cd
Twitter: @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

Special Edition: Meet the New Senior Enlisted Leader at U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)

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 Command

U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
Web: https://recruiting.army.mil/
Facebook/Twitter: @USAREC

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs
Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers
Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

Soldier Today: GEN Martin & SMA Grinston on Suicide, Cohesive Teams and This is My Squad (TIMS)

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, 37^th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
  • Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, 16^th 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 Army
Web: https://www.army.mil/leaders/vcsa/
Facebook: @VCSA.USArmy
Twitter: @VCSA37

Sergeant Major of the Army
Web: https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/bio/
Twitter: @16thSMA

AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs
Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers
Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA

Special Edition: How Ike Led

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 Decisions
Web: https://susaneisenhower.com/
Twitter: @eisenhowergroup

Thought Leaders: Battling Covid-19: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center

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: @ArmyERDC
LinkedIn: @U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Web: https://www.usace.army.mil/
Facebook/Twitter: @USACEHQ
LinkedIn: @US Army Corps of Engineers

Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program (DoD HPCMP)
Web: https://www.hpc.mil/

Special Edition: Army Finance Strategy 2026 (AFS26)

Curious about the Army Finance Strategy for 2026 (AFS26)? Two top officials from the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller), Mr. Jonathan Moak and LTG Thomas Horlander, join us to describe how the AFS26 supports the Total Army. Find out how the 5 Pillars for Acceleration, core to the AFS26 framework, support the Army’s overall People First strategy. The pillars are: Develop the Workforce, Assign and Align Culture, Build the Bench, Inspire Innovation, and Enhance Communication.

• Guests:
  • Mr. Jonathan D. Moak, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller) 
  • LTG Thomas A. Horlander, Comptroller and Military Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller) 

• Host: Mr. Mark Haaland, AUSA’s Director of Government Affairs

Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Resources:

Army Financial Management & Comptroller
Web: https://www.asafm.army.mil/
Twitter: @asafmc
LinkedIn: @ASA (FM&C)

Family Voices: Wear Blue: Run to Remember

How does wearing blue support our Army? Gold Star spouse, Lisa Hallett, started running as a coping mechanism after her husband John was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. Other surviving spouses joined her, wearing their fallen service members’ blue PT shirts during their first runs. The support system they built evolved into Wear Blue: Run to Remember, a nonprofit running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military. They run as a living tribute to the fallen, the fighting and the families of the U.S. military. Lisa and her colleague Dave Leach, join us today to discuss the background of the organization, their pivot to virtual races during the pandemic, and how supporters from both military and civilian communities can get involved. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Guests:

• Lisa Hallett, President & Co-Founder, Wear Blue: Run to Remember
• Dave Leach, Chief Operations Officer / Director For the Fighting Race, Wear Blue: Run to Remember

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:

Wear Blue: Run to Remember

• Web: https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/
• Virtual Summer 2020: https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/virtual-summer-2020
• LinkedIn: @Wear Blue Run To Remember
• Facebook: @wearblue
• Twitter: @wbr2r

Army Ten-Miler

• Web: https://www.armytenmiler.com/
• Facebook: @ArmyTenMiler
• Twitter: @armytenmileratm