AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

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.

Host Patty Barron, Director of Family Readiness at AUSA, speaks with Chelsea Ortiz, Program Manager for MyArmyBenefits, the Army’s official benefits information website. They discuss transferring GI Bill benefits, the Yellow Ribbon Program, managing divorce and TRICARE, and much more.
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.MyArmyBenefits Links
Official Site: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/
GI Bill: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Post-9/11-GI-Bill
Yellow Ribbon Program: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp
Divorce and TRICARE: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/News/How-Does-Divorce-Affect-Your-TRICARE-Benefit
Follow MyArmyBenefits on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myarmybenefits/

To celebrate the Army’s 244th birthday this week, we learn about the NEW National Museum of the U.S. Army, targeted to open in 2020 at Ft. Belvoir, VA. Co-hosts Nzinga Curry, Director, AUSA’s Institute of Land Warfare, and MAJ Brad Cooper, Army Fellow, interview special guests LTG Roger Schultz, USA-Ret., President, Army Historical Foundation and Ms. Tammy E. Call, Director, National Museum of the U.S. Army. The museum is an immersive experience that tells our Soldiers’ stories in all eras, through their own voices. With over 750,000 projected visitors, the museum will offer a touchpoint for young citizens considering Army careers and will generate excitement and inspiration for anyone seeking to serve in their communities. One featured area of the museum is the Experiential Learning Center and its G-STEM (Geography, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) exhibit, offering kids a chance to play in Fort Discover while other visitors learn Soldier skills from the simulators and games in the Training Center. Another highlight is the Army & Society exhibit, covering things we enjoy as citizens that started as Army requirements. Kiosks with Registries honoring Army Soldiers, civilians and animals will be spread throughout the museum. Be sure to add your stories to the Registries and then look them up when you visit.
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.
Army Historical Foundation
https://armyhistory.org/
The U.S. Army Registries – Honoring Army Soldiers, Civilians and Animals
https://armyhistory.org/the-registries/
https://armyhistory.org/the-registries/

Co-hosts Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Ken Preston and Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Troy Welch, both of AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs, discuss what it means to lead by example for emerging leaders and young professionals. Operating within a band of excellence applies to all aspects of life, on- and off-duty, when setting an example for your Soldiers. The goal is to take that piece of the Army you’re responsible for and make it better than it was before you got there.
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.