In 1970, the Moody Blues, a rather innovative British rock band, released their sixth collection. The group was known for “concept albums,” tying all of the songs to a central theme. This one didn’t disappoint. Released in the middle of the grim Russian-American Cold War, coincident with the grinding later years of the fighting in Vietnam, the album raised—and tried to answer—questions of “hate and death and war,” to quote from one of the songs on the album. The Moody Blues called it A Question of Balance. It was typical of the era. Today, it’s a quaint period piece from another century, yet...
The Defense Health Agency announced recently that TRICARE for Life beneficiaries are beginning to receive letters guiding them to TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or a military pharmacy for some prescriptions as part of a congressionally mandated pilot program.TRICARE for Life is secondary coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries who have both Medicare Parts A and B in the United States and U.S. territories.The pilot program starts March 15, and requires beneficiaries who use TRICARE for Life to get certain medications through Home Delivery or at a military pharmacy.The program applies to refills of...
A former soldier and an active duty captain teamed with two civilians to win an Olympic bronze medal in four-man bobsled for Team USA at the Sanki Sliding Center in Krasnaya, Polyana, Russia.Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program(WCAP) bobsled driver Steven Holcomb and WCAP brakeman Capt. Chris Fogt teamed with civilians Curt Tomasevicz and Steve Langton to secure Team USA’s 28th and final medal of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.Along the way, they set a track start record of 4.75 seconds.Everything clicked for Sochi Olympic double-gold medalists Alexander Zubkov and Alexy Voevoda...
Association of the United States Army officials announced that Amb. Ken Adelman, arms control director during the Reagan administration, has written a book titled "Reagan at Reykjavik: Forty-Eight Hours that Ended the Cold War."Adelman is offering the book, at a discount price, to all AUSA members who submit an order prior to its May 6 publication date.Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., Association president and a former colleague of the author, called the book "fascinating" and that it describes how President Reagan’s determination and vision – with its message of ‘peace through strength’–...
The 2014 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition will be significantly different this year as AUSA welcomes the new Marriott Marquis as its headquarters hotel," Association officials said.Located directly across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the new Marriott Marquis has 1,175 rooms and 49 suites, and the hotel is connected to the convention center by an underground walkway."Opening May 1, 2014, the Marriott Marquis is a welcome addition to the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition and offers more than 105,000 square feet of superior function space...
Let me start with the good news.The under-62 COLA reduction that was put into law in December has been rescinded for all personnel who entered military service before Jan. 1, 2014.That is very good news for all currently serving personnel and all current retirees, and it only came as the result of a concerted effort by AUSA and its Military Coalition partners, as well as a strong grassroots outcry from you – our members and readers. Thank you!Also, AUSA had a very successful Winter Meeting and Exposition in Huntsville, Ala.Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., spoke to attendees, and Vicki Plunkett, a...
Details of fiscal 2015 defense budget released. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey gave reporters a preview of the president’s budget request for 2015 in a Pentagon press conference. The budget was formally presented to Congress on March 3.The Defense request adheres to the caps for fiscal 2015; however, DoD’s five-year budget plan exceeds spending limits in place for 2016 to 2019 by a total of $115 billion.Included in the budget are proposals that would:Reduce the Army’s end strength from 520,000 active duty soldiers down to a range of...
U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and neighboring countries have resulted in the longest war since Vietnam, and a large population of service members and veterans with combat related mental health issues.While policy makers and advocates have made strides in improving ease of access to mental health care for the service member, military families have been left to sort through a confusing process to obtain such resources and programs when seeking help for themselves or their children.Military life presents a unique set of challenges for service member’s families regardless of...
Three soldiers, selected as the athletes and coach of the year for 2013, were honored and recognized at the Association of the United States Army Winter Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Ala.Maj. Nate Conkey, a competitive All Army world-class rugby player, who serves as the executive officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., was recognized as the male athlete of the year.Lt. Col. Terri Andreoni, a competitive All Army softball player, serving as the analysis cell executive officer, Brigade...
The Army’s 30th annual Army Ten-Miler will be conducted on Sunday, Oct.12, at 8 a.m., at the Pentagon.Produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the Army’s race is expected to attract military and civilian runners from around the world.Army Ten-Miler officials have confirmed that they will continue the two-phase registration process for the Army’s race that was introduced in 2011.Priority registration, presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, for all U.S. service members and runners who have participated in seven or more Army Ten-Miler races is scheduled to open on May 6.U.S...
Coach Michael W. Krzyzewski, legendary head basketball coach at Duke University and a long-time supporter of our men and women in uniform and their families, will receive the 2014 George Catlett Marshall Medal, the highest award presented by the Association of the United States Army.
Two particularly instructive events have occurred recently that illuminate the profession of arms and its role in American life.One happened during the State of the Union speech when President Obama honored the service and sacrifice of Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg, a young soldier he met during a D-Day commemoration and then met again after he was badly injured while serving during his tenth deployment to the war zone.The president explained how Sergeant Remsburg has fought back from near death, loss of vision and paralysis with a determination to continue to serve the nation.The Congress put...
In my first year as the Chief of Staff, I published "Marching Orders" to outline my intent and priorities for sustaining our high-quality, All-Volunteer Army and to describe my guiding principles and the fundamental characteristics of the future force.Last year, I published Waypoint #1 to highlight our progress of Army initiatives, programs, and modernization efforts and to guide our efforts in 2013.This year, we are publishing Waypoint #2 to articulate my vision and strategic priorities for the Army in the years ahead.As we look to the future, the All-Volunteer Army will remain the most...
Balance is a key word in the Fiscal Year 2015 defense budget request, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told Pentagon reporters Feb. 24 that the budget request he and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel previewed today "represents a responsible and, more importantly, a realistic way forward."The request, he said, represents both sound national security and fiscal responsibility."It provides the tools for today’s force to accomplish the missions we have been assigned, rebuilding readiness in areas that were, by necessity, de-emphasized over the past decade,"...