AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

What is the Piestewa Challenge? Lisa Hallett, executive director and co-founder of wear blue: run to remember, tells us how you can join this challenge and honor women in combat. Learn how wear blue: run to remember has evolved into a community that honors all service members and helps others heal from the challenges of war. For more information on the Piestewa Challenge check out the resource section below.   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.    Guest:  Lisa Hallett, Executive Director and Co-Founder of wear blue: run to remember   Host:  Holly Dailey, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness       Resource:    wear blue: run to remember Website: www.wearblueruntoremember.org/piestewa-challenge   Social Media Platforms Instagram: @wearblue Twitter: @wearblue Facebook: @wearblue

Senior Non-commissioned officers build and lead disciplined, lethal, cohesive, and honorable teams. COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership, speaks with CSM Eric Buonopane of the U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade about what has shaped him professionally and his philosophy on leader development. The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade conducts transformational training to develop and deliver competent and capable Rangers, Parachutists, Jumpmasters, and Reconnaissance Leaders to enable the U.S. Army and the Joint Force to prevail in combat. Guest: CSM Eric Buonopane, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade Host: COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center for Leadership    Resources: Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade (ARTB)U.S. Army Fort Benning and The Maneuver Center of ExcellenceWeb: https://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/ARTB/   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Why don’t we focus more on keeping our brains healthy? A lot of research has gone into answering that question. Today, SMA(R) Dailey interviews LTC (Ret) Dr. Daniel T. Johnston about the journey of becoming a doctor, understanding the brain, and mental fitness. Dr. Johnston is a leader in preventative healthcare, brain performance, and human resilience. He also co-founded BrainSpan. BrianSpan provides healthcare providers with a scientifically validated, objective brain wellness assessment that can help improve your brain’s function today as well as keep your brain sharp as you age.   Guest: LTC (Ret) Dr. Daniel T. Johnston, Co-Founder, BrainSpan   Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs   Resources:   BrainSpan Web: https://www.brainspan.com/   AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

What does it take to develop trust with Company-level Commanders and First Sergeants?  COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership, speaks with COL Michael Kloepper and CSM Christopher Clapin of the 173rd Airborne Brigade about what and who have shaped them as leaders. The command team then describes why their leader development program focuses on company-level Commanders and First Sergeants.  Ultimately, the 173rd Airborne Brigade leader development initiatives are designed to empower Squad Leaders, the drivers of unit culture and readiness.  The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapid forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibilities. Forward based in Italy and Germany, the Brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build interoperability and strengthen the Alliance.  Guests: COL Michael F. Kloepper, Commander, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army CSM Christopher D. Clapin, Sergeant Major, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army Host: COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership   Resources: 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. ArmyWeb: https://www.skysoldiers.army.mil/   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Fort Hunt, now an open space between the Pentagon and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, was the site of secret operations during World War II. Robert K. Sutton, author of Nazis on the Potomac, joins AUSA’s Joe Craig to discuss the military intelligence programs at the site.  The American soldiers at Fort Hunt, many who were Jews that had escaped Nazi Germany as children, interrogated high-level German prisoners and analyzed captured documents to gather crucial information for commanders to win the war.   .   Guest:  Robert K. Sutton, author of Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win World War II   Host: Joe Craig, AUSA Book Program Director   Resources:   Case Mate Publishers: Nazis on the Potomac Web: https://www.casematepublishers.com/nazis-on-the-potomac.html#.YersEP7MJnI   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Are you prepared? Join us to learn how to prepare your Army spouse Resource Toolbox for the unexpected curveballs life throws. Krista Simpson Anderson, has been a military spouse for 13 years and she shares the importance of being equipped and empowered as a military spouse. Listen as she shares the resources in her toolbox and what you should have in yours. To prepare your Resource Toolbox check out the resources section below.    Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.    Guest: Krista Simpson Anderson, Unquiet Professional Co-Founder   Host: Holly Dailey, AUSA’s Director of Family Readiness        Resources:    AUSA Family Readiness Resources Website: www.ausa.org/military-families   Unquiet Professional Website: www.theunquietprofessional.org/partners/

Never can say goodbye, instead we will say thank you! Join us as we celebrate our 200th episode and discuss what's new for the podcast in 2022. LTC Bradley Cooper, Army Real Talk’s original co-host, returns to close our final Army Real Talk segment with Nzinga Curry. Listen as they highlight some their favorite episodes and what you can expect in the new segment, Leading Great Teams.     ·       Guest: LTC Bradley Cooper, Army Talent Management Task Force, U.S. Army   ·       Host: Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs        Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org. 

Welcome Back! What does that mean exactly? Soldier Today sits down with Christine Lathrop, AUSA’s Deputy Director of Membership to discuss how we support soldiers, civilians and the community. For instance, did you know AUSA has 122 chapters located worldwide made up entirely of volunteers who contribute over $250,000 to awards, scholarships and support of soldier and family programs annually? You could be part of this amazing effort by joining AUSA as a member. Guest: Christine Lathrop, AUSA’s Deputy Director of Membership Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs   Resources: AUSA Membership Web: https://www.ausa.org/membership   AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

We are entering a new era of missile warfare. Today Dr. Tom Karako from CSIS joins AUSA’s Dan Roper to discuss the state of Long-range Strike and Air Defense in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the challenges and opportunities associated with the proliferation of multiple weapon systems capable of hypersonic speeds and maneuver.  They describe the importance of both air and missile defense and land-based long-range fires to the defense of Guam and to enable the power projection necessary to secure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific for the U.S. and its Allies and Partners. Guest: Thomas Karako, PhD, Senior Fellow, International Security Program and Director, Missile Defense Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies Host: COL (Ret) Dan Roper, AUSA’s National Security Studies Director Resources: CSIS: Center for Strategic and International StudiesWeb: https://www.csis.org/ Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Catch up with AUSA's 2021 Volunteer Family of the Year, Tawni Dixon, and learn about ways you can give back this holiday season. Learn about their inspiration for volunteering and how their foundation has inspired boaters to volunteer their time with veterans. Hear about the award they created to recognize the difference military children are making in their communities. Mrs. Dixon reminds us the importance of spreading kindness and uplifting the community. After all, a little kindness goes a long way!   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.    Guest: Tawni Dixon, AUSA’s 2021 Volunteer Family of the Year   Host: Thea Green, AUSA’s Deputy Director of Family Readiness     

Leaving Afghanistan from the perspective of a Weapons Squad Leader and a Combat Medic. This is the third in a three-part series of exclusive interviews with members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division who describe for the first time what they saw, heard and felt as they completed the historic evacuation of more than 124,000 people from Afghanistan and closed out U.S. military operations after 20 years in country.Paratroopers SSG Austin Buchanan and SGT Jacob Black join AUSA’s Gina Cavallaro and Scott Halstead at Fort Bragg to share their experiences in Part 3. Links to Parts 1 and 2 are included below. Guests:SSG Austin Buchanan, Weapons Squad Leader, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division SGT Jacob Black, Combat Medic, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Hosts:Gina Cavallaro, Senior Staff Writer, AUSA’s Army Magazine COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director, AUSA’s Center of Leadership   Resources:AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast - Special Edition: Leaving Afghanistan, Exclusive Interviews with the 82nd Airborne Division Part 1 – MG Donahue, Commanding General & CSM Pitt, Senior Enlisted Advisor (29 November 2021) Part 2 – CPT Hawks, Company Commander & SFC Brown, Platoon Sergeant (8 December 2021) Part 3 – SSG Buchanan, Weapons Squad Leader & SGT Black, Combat Medic (15 December 2021) 82ndAirborne DivisionUnited States ArmyWeb: https://www.army.mil/82ndairborneRecommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Hear how 82nd Airborne Division is bringing miles smiles this holiday season through their unique way of bringing holiday cheer through a program known as All American Presents from Paratroopers (A2P2). MSG Alexander Burnett, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs NCOIC joins us to share the unit’s partnership with the Travis Mills Foundation to deliver toys to children in need this holiday. We wrap this episode with farewell remarks from 3rd Security Assistance Force Brigade Force (3rd SFAB), one of AUSA’s adopted units. To learn more about the A2P2 and 3rd SFAB follow them at the social media platforms listed below.   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.     Guest:  MSG Alexander Burnett, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs NCOIC   Hosts:  Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs  LTC Clarence Langley, AUSA’s U.S. Army Fellow       Resources:  82nd Airborne Division Social Media Platforms   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/82ndAirborneDivision      Twitter: @82ndABNDiv Instagram: @82ndairbornediv   3rd SFAB Social Media Platforms   FB:facebook.com/3sfab facebook.com/1st-BN-3rd-SFAB-139497760334159 facebook.com/ArmySFAC facebook.com/SFABRecruiting   IG: Instagram.com/3rdsfab Instagram.com/ArmySFAC Instagram.com/sfab_recruiting   Twitter: Twitter.com/3rdSFAB Twitter.com/armysfac   Previous Episode 3 SFAB Episode  : 10 MAY 2021 Army Real Talk: Adopt -A-Unit SFAB Series Pt. 2 https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-uyvkg-102e889

Leaving Afghanistan from the Company Commander and Platoon Sergeant perspectives. This is the second in a three-part series of exclusive interviews with members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division who describe for the first time what they saw, heard and felt as they completed the historic evacuation of more than 124,000 people from Afghanistan and closed out U.S. military operations after 20 years in country.Paratroopers CPT Kyle Hawks and SFC Jeremy Brown join AUSA’s Gina Cavallaro and Scott Halstead at Fort Bragg to share their experiences in Part 2. In Part 1, released 29 November, we heard from 82nd Airborne Division's senior leadership: MG Chris Donahue, Commanding General, and CSM David Pitt, Senior Enlisted Advisor.  In Part 3, two more of the Division’s Paratroopers tell us what it was like. The final episode will be released on December 15, 2021. Guests:CPT Kyle Hawks, Commander, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army SFC Jeremy Brown, Platoon Sergeant, 1st Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army Hosts:Gina Cavallaro, Senior Staff Writer, AUSA’s Army Magazine COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director, AUSA’s Center of Leadership   Resources:AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast (29 November 2021):Special Edition: Leaving Afghanistan, Exclusive Interviews With the 82nd Airborne Division (Part 1)82ndAirborne DivisionUnited States ArmyWeb: https://www.army.mil/82ndairborneRecommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

What’s new in the 2021 U.S. Army NCO Strategy? Last November following the Sergeant Major of the Army’s annual initiatives brief at the 2020 AUSA annual meeting, Soldier Today reached out to TRADOC to find out more about the Army’s ongoing efforts to modernize leader development for its Non-Commissioned Officer Corps. Today CSM Daniel Hendrex will provide an update on the Army’s NCO Strategy and a few other things TRADOC has been working on since the last time we met. Guest: CSM Daniel T. Hendrex, Senior Enlisted Advisor, TRADOC Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s Vice President for NCO and Soldier Programs   Resources:U.S. Army Training and Doctrine CommandWeb: https://www.tradoc.army.mil/AUSA’s NCO & Soldier ProgramsWeb: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiersTwitter (Dailey): @15thSMARecommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.

Money, money, money! Join us as we learn about the Army's new personnel and pay system and updates to the release timeline. Listen as COL Eggers, Division Chief, IPPS-A Functional Management Division, explains what the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) is all about and when the program will be released to active Army and Army Reserve.  For more information on IPPS-A please check out the resource section below.   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.    Guest: COL Rebecca Eggers, Division Chief, IPPS-A Functional Management Division   Hosts:  Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director for Education & Programs CSM (Ret) Troy Welch, AUSA’s Director for NCO and Soldier Programs       Resources:    Integrated Personnel and Pay System Web: https://ipps-a.army.mil/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armyippsa Twitter: @IPPSArmy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipps-a/