It was a magnificent thing. It was old, dented and tarnished, but otherwise in good shape. Long, long ago—before radios—the Army depended on bugles. They sounded the charge and retreat, moved units here and there, woke sleepy soldiers at dawn, sent them to chow, and played them to sleep (or buried them) with the sweet, mournful sounds of taps. This one belonged to a young captain, but how it found itself in his rucksack, here in the middle of nowhere in the mountains of Bosnia in December 1995, I really wanted to know.He was happy to tell the tale. “It belonged to my great grandfather in World...
Close your eyes and visualize a typical American fifth-grade classroom. Do you see the kids? What are they doing? What are they studying? All are so full of potential. A few of these boys and girls will be our soldiers in Army 2020. Now, mentally enter a high school classroom or walk onto a sports practice field. Here you see the NCOs of Army 2020, those men and women who will be the fifth-graders’ leaders: their recruiters, drill sergeants and platoon sergeants.The hard realities in societal and demographic trends reveal that too many young Americans who wish to serve in our ranks are...
Close your eyes and visualize a typical American fifth-grade classroom. Do you see the kids? What are they doing? What are they studying? All are so full of potential. A few of these boys and girls will be our soldiers in Army 2020. Now, mentally enter a high school classroom or walk onto a sports practice field. Here you see the NCOs of Army 2020, those men and women who will be the fifth-graders’ leaders: their recruiters, drill sergeants and platoon sergeants.The hard realities in societal and demographic trends reveal that too many young Americans who wish to serve in our ranks are...
Close your eyes and visualize a typical American fifth-grade classroom. Do you see the kids? What are they doing? What are they studying? All are so full of potential. A few of these boys and girls will be our soldiers in Army 2020. Now, mentally enter a high school classroom or walk onto a sports practice field. Here you see the NCOs of Army 2020, those men and women who will be the fifth-graders’ leaders: their recruiters, drill sergeants and platoon sergeants.The hard realities in societal and demographic trends reveal that too many young Americans who wish to serve in our ranks are...
The firefight is now in cyberspace, and Army forces are gearing up to throw down.Army leaders emphasize, however, that the technology used to fight the battle is not as important as the people who use it. Attracting, keeping and “growing” smart, mentally agile soldiers, civilian employees and leaders are the keys to achieving U.S. military overmatch in cyberspace.
The idea, expressed in October at an Institute of Land Warfare panel discussion on building Army cyber forces by BG(P) George J. Franz III, “is to encourage a forum where an E-1 with a good idea can trump an O-6 with a bad idea.”...
“Neither a wise nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.” —GEN Dwight D. EisenhowerRecently, Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Raymond T. Odierno asserted that we must prioritize proven technologies in order to enhance soldier and unit lethality, survivability, mobility and network functionality, and to improve our premier ground and air combat system. “Science and technology investments will seek to maximize the potential of emerging game-changing technologies,” Odierno said.Today, amid discussions of budget uncertainty, U.S. Army...
The GEN George C. Marshall “Interviews and Reminiscences” published in 1991 by the George C. Marshall Foundation, provide an abundance of sage observations concerning the need for an Army, the building of an Army, and the challenges of coping with the political and economic influences on those requirements. General Marshall’s lifetime of service from World War I until the late 1950s is without parallel in our history. He completed a remarkable military career and followed it with years of civilian leadership in both the Defense and State departments. His views deserve respect and consideration...
As the sole education provider to the Association of the United States Army, the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) offers AUSA members 130 degree programs in both undergraduate and graduate degrees.Students may attend evening or weekend classes entirely online, on-site, or in a hybrid format that combines on-site and online coursework.Members will also have access to UMUC certificate programs and may be eligible to receive credit through the university’s Prior Learning program.A UMUC education offers many advantages to AUSA members to include maximum convenience, flexibility...
Sheri Sanders Givens of Round Rock, Texas, former executive director and public counsel of the Texas Office of the Public Utility Counsel, was presented a Citation for Exceptional Service in Support of National Defense by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in ceremonies held on Jan. 8 at Camp Mabry in Austin.For nearly four years, Givens was primarily responsible for representing residential and small business consumers before state and federal courts and agencies.When she became aware of military family needs, she began travelling to military bases, including reserve and...
The Army’s doctrine will change dramatically in the near future as joint leaders develop the operational concept of Strategic Landpower, said Gen. Robert W. Cone.One change will be a seventh warfighting function called "engagement," said Cone, who serves as commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.He told those at the Association of the United States Army Aviation Symposium in Arlington, Va., Jan. 15, that the new warfighting function would involve skills used to influence foreign governments and militaries.Relationships with the Special Operations community that the...
Nominations to serve on the Association of the United States Army’s Council of Trustees were submitted by the national nominating committee to the council for consideration at its meeting at AUSA headquarters in late January.Five serving council members Nicholas D. Chabraja; Gen Ann E. Dunwoody, USA, Ret.; Sgt. Maj. of the Army Robert E. Hall, USA, Ret.; Lt. Gen. Larry R. Jordan, USA, Ret.; and Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, USA, Ret., have been nominated to serve as trustees for three-year terms.In addition, Thomas W. Rabaut, deputy chairman, was nominated to serve a two-year term, to expire in 2016...
Finally, I am able to report a little bit of good news.The Congress has passed an omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the government until September.Tucked in the massive $l. l trillion bill is a provision to exempt medically retired personnel (Chapter 61 retirees) and survivor benefit plan annuitants from the under-62 COLA cut, but it does not include all under-62 military retirees.So AUSA will continue to fight to exempt the rest of the under-62 retiree population and to do that we ask you help.Many of you have already contacted your elected officials. It is imperative that they hear...
The Association of the United States Army’s Council of Trustees elected Christopher M. Chadwick to serve on the Association’s council – AUSA’s governing body.Chadwick was elected to fill the unexpired term of Dennis Muilenburg who resigned due to his promotion to a new position at Boeing.Chadwick is the president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security that provides integrated solutions to meet the needs of defense, government, space, intelligence, and security customers in the United States and around the world.Headquartered in St. Louis, the organization has...
The 30th Annual Army Ten-Miler, the third largest 10-mile race in the world, is set for Oct. 12 at the Pentagon in Washington.Produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the annual Army Ten-Miler features a world-class race that attracts over 35,000 runners.The race is preceded by a two-day Health and Fitness Expo with over 85 exhibitors and 40,000-plus attendees.Acclaimed for its fast, scenic course – passing by many national landmarks and monuments in our nation’s Capital – the Army’s race is the only running event to start and finish at the Pentagon.Race officials also...
Command Sgt. Maj. William T. Mixon, USA, Ret., died Jan. 18 in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the Veterans Administration Hospital.Mixon was born in Vidalia, Ga., on Jan. 15, 1929, and entered the Army in 1948.He completed 35 years of service retiring at Fort Bragg, N.C., as the command sergeant major, XVIII Airborne Corps.During his career, he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility including sergeant major, U.S. Army Ranger Department; command sergeant major, U.S. Army Infantry Center; command sergeant major, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam; and command sergeant major, U.S. Army...