sign in sign up
<<
Home , Mark Esper

PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE ARMY www.ausa.org

IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 47 MARCH 26, 2020

Old Hickory Division Honored for Valor 4 Book Program National Medal of Honor Day

7 AUSA Director Joins Military Family Council 8 Chapter Highlights George Washington Eagle Chapters Spc. Kinnis White, right, checks soldiers’ temperatures before they go in to help at the Toledo 9 Northwestern Ohio Food Bank Tuesday in Toledo, Ohio. (AIR NATIONAL GUARD/SENIOR AIRMAN KREGG YORK) DoD, Army act to combat coronavirus efense Secretary Mark Es- to have to be very careful and take readiness and protect the force, the per on Wednesday enacted a prudent measures to ensure we main- Army on Tuesday raised the Health D60-day stop movement order tain that readiness.” Protection Condition level to Charlie for all troops, civilian personnel and Esper, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs across all installations. their sponsored family members over- Gen. and Senior Enlist- On Wednesday, Esper issued the seas, the latest in a series of actions ed Advisor to the Chairman Ramon same guidance for all DoD installa- the military is taking to contain the Colon-Lopez answered questions from tions globally. spread of the COVID-19 virus. troops during a virtual town hall on Under HPCON level Charlie, in- The new order builds on travel re- Tuesday. stallations will limit all access to es- strictions already in place that halted “[We] will get through this togeth- sential personnel only and limit the overseas travel, permanent change- er,” Milley said. “We’ll defeat this vi- number of access points. of-station moves and personal leave. rus once and for all.” Extra measures are also being The stop movement order includes Training and mission requirements implemented to protect contingency exercises, deployments, redeployments will continue, Milley added, as he en- response forces from exposure to the and other global force management ac- couraged troops to listen to their com- virus should they need to deploy. tivities, although some exceptions may manders and follow their guidance. The Army maintains forces ready be granted, the Pentagon said. The military is ready to respond to to deploy within 18 hours to support As many as 90,000 service members COVID-19 efforts for as long as the national security requirements. who were scheduled to deploy or rede- country needs, Esper said, and people Those units are under an HPCON ploy over the next 60 days are expected should prepare themselves. Delta status, the highest level, and to be impacted. Telework will continue “as long as soldiers are expected to remain at “I’m very confident that we’ll main- necessary,” possibly weeks or months. home for extended periods of time. tain mission readiness,” Esper said. Home quarantine may also be di- “As this grows in scale and scope, Health protection level raised rected if necessary. this spread of the virus, we’re going In order to maintain operational See Coronavirus, Page 3

March 26, 2020 | AUSA Extra 1 READY NOW

(U.S. Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs) WHEN IT’S NEEDED THE MOST

(U.S. National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder, 169th Fighter Wing, Public Affairs)

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Dyer) We are proud to provide the vehicle that the National Guard needs when the Nation needs the National Guard.

Humvee is always there AM General is continually investing and will be there when in technologies to provide the best the Nation calls. vehicles no matter the mission.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. The M997A3 Ambulance is manufactured by AM General under a contract with the and built specifically in accordance with specifications provided to AM General by the U.S. Army. The red cross depicted in these materials is an independent licensed trademark of the International Red Cross and is applied to the vehicles manufactured by AM General in accordance with contract specifications. www.amgeneral.com ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Coronavirus From Page 1 National Guard response grows As of Wednesday, more than 10,700 National Guard troops had been mo- bilized in all 54 states, territories and Washington, D.C., and thousands more are expected to join them. The Guard troops are conducting a variety of missions, including de- livering food in hard-hit communi- ties, staffing call centers, providing critical personal protective equip- ment training and sample collection and delivery to first responders and hospital personnel, helping disinfect or clean common public spaces, and restocking grocery store shelves. They are not, however, being used to enforce a nationwide quarantine, Louisiana soldiers prepare to administer nasal swabs at a mobile said Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, testing site in Westwego, Louisiana, March 21. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. GARRETT DIPUMA) chief of the National Guard Bureau. “There’s no discussion, there’s no are deploying to New York and Wash- Although they are designed to serve plan to use the Guard … in any kind ington, two of the hardest-hit states. as trauma hospitals, they can func- of lockdown capacity in the United “Army health care professionals are tion as full-service hospitals. States of America,” Lengyel said adequately equipped with first-rate Army hospital staffs can provide Tuesday in response to a question training, equipment and technology routine and emergency medical sup- about why rumors of such a lockdown in order to deal with emergent health port, allowing local civilian facilities have persisted on social media. issues,” Army Secretary Ryan McCar- to focus on patients believed to have thy said. “Protecting the health of the been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Army medical units deploy force and the American people are our Three Army hospital units—the top priorities.” PCS deferments possible 531st Hospital from Fort Campbell, The units have full hospital capa- PCS moves are on hold through Kentucky, the 627th Hospital Center bility, including intensive-care unit mid-May unless a waiver is granted from Fort Carson, Colorado, and the beds, operating rooms, an emergency for mission-essential moves or for hu- 9th Hospital from Fort Hood, Texas— department and a pharmacy. manitarian or hardship reasons. “You will be on freeze ... for about 60 days and then we will reevaluate,” Milley said, adding that the exact timing remains flexible and service members who are scheduled to retire in the coming weeks are exempt. New Army guidance allows affected soldiers to ask to stay at their current duty station for up to a year, as the Army adapts how it moves people dur- ing the COVID-19 crisis. “People remain our No. 1 priority, our center of gravity in all we do,” Lt. Gen. Thomas Seamands, Army deputy chief of staff for personnel, said. “We’re working really hard to take care of our soldiers, civilians and New York National Guard soldiers conduct sanitizing operations at New Rochelle High families around the globe.” School in New Rochelle, New York, March 21. (AIR NATIONAL GUARD/MAJ. PATRICK CORDOVA) For more information, click here. www.ausa.org March 26, 2020 | AUSA Extra 3 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Army’s 30th Infantry Division to receive Presidential Unit Citation Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier he Army’s famed 30th Infantry Division will receive the Presi- Gen. Carter F. Ham, USA, Ret. President and CEO, AUSA dential Unit Citation for its he- T Lt. Gen. Guy C. Swan III, USA, Ret. roic stand against an entire German Vice President, Education, AUSA Panzer Corps in Mortain, France, Luc Dunn during World War II, the White House Editor announced March 17. Desiree Hurlocker The brutal weeklong battle in Au- Advertising Production and gust 1944 was critical to the Allied Fulfillment Manager victory in Europe, and after the war, Advertising Information Contact: eight units within the division were Fox Associates Inc. 116 W. Kinzie St. • Chicago, IL 60654 recognized with the Presidential Unit Phone: 800-440-0231 Citation, President Email: [email protected] said in a statement. “Today, I am proud to direct the ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra Army to honor the remainder of the do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of the Council of Trustees division and attached units with the of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- Presidential Unit Citation for their sions of personal opinion and should not be heroic stand at Mortain,” Trump said. interpreted as reflecting the official opinion of the Department of Defense nor of any branch, “This action rightfully recognizes our command, installation or agency of the Depart- veterans who triumphed against in- World War II Old Hickory veteran Peter ment of Defense. The publication assumes no credible odds, as well as those who Munger is saluted by National Guardsmen responsibility for any unsolicited material. at a 30th Infantry Division reunion in 2018. died during a critical battle that (NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO) ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its helped ensure the Allied victory in publisher, the Association of the United States Europe.” To do that, German forces had to Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy The Presidential Unit Citation is cut through the 30th Infantry Divi- of the advertisements appearing herein, and awarded to units for extraordinary sion to get to the sea. no such representations, warranties or en- heroism in action against an armed “However, the actions of the 30th dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the enemy, according to Army regula- Infantry Division would prove to be publication. The advertisers are solely respon- tions. It is the unit equivalent of a decisive in blunting this attack,” ac- sible for the contents of such advertisements. Distinguished Service Cross, which cording to the White House. RATES. Individual membership fees payable is second only to the Medal of Honor, The Americans, despite facing over- in advance are $40 for two years, $75 for for an individual recipient. whelming enemy armor, did not stop five years, and $400 for Life Membership. A The 30th Infantry Division was fighting. Cooks, clerks and drivers discounted rate of $10 for two years is available to members in the ranks of E-1 through E-4, nicknamed the “Old Hickory Divi- were pressed into service as riflemen. and for service academy and ROTC cadets and sion” because its soldiers came from The division’s artillery protected its OCS candidates. More information is available National Guard units from North and elements with a constant barrage of at our website www.ausa.org; or by emailing [email protected], phoning 855-246- South Carolina, Tennessee and Geor- fire, and at daybreak, U.S. and Brit- 6269, or mailing Fulfillment Manager, P.O. Box gia, states closely associated with ish close-air support arrived to help. 101560, Arlington, VA 22210-0860. President Andrew Jackson. By the afternoon of Aug. 7, the Ger- On Aug. 6, 1944, the soldiers from man attack stalled, and the division PERK OF THE WEEK the 30th Infantry Division slept in counterattacked to relieve its trapped Sam’s Club membership for $24.88 their foxholes after hastily taking elements through another five days of AUSA members receive an annual Sam’s defensive positions around Mortain fierce fighting, according to the White Club membership for just $24.88 and a $5 and awoke to find themselves under House. Sam’s Club gift card, for $25 in total sav- ings. Click here to sign up. With so many attack by a Panzer Corps, according “More than 2,000 Old Hickory sol- of us working and learning from home this to a statement from the White House. diers were killed or wounded during week, it’s a great time to use your AUSA The Germans were trying to keep the weeklong battle, but their efforts member discounts at Apple, Dell and HP American forces from breaking out of and sacrifice would have a profound and to access free and discounted online training. Visit us at www.ausa.org/savings the Normandy beachhead and into the impact on the course of history,” and click on the company logos for more open countryside. Trump said. information.

4 AUSA Extra | March 26, 2020 www.ausa.org

Heroes like you show up in different ways

GEICO makes life easier for your family by offering a military discount and flexible payment options. It’s our little way of showing up for you.

geico.com | 1-800-947-AUTO | Local Office

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2020 GEICO ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Coming soon: Four new Medal of Honor graphic novels By Joseph Craig ednesday was National Medal of Honor Day, a sol- Wemn day to remember the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines recognized with America’s highest award for valor. Observations this year were quiet- ed due to the coronavirus pandemic, as social distancing and local restric- tions discouraged gatherings and visits to military cemeteries. Fortunately, there are no contrain- dications for flying the U.S. flag. Congress established National Medal of Honor Day in 1990. Law- makers chose March 25 as the day of observance in honor of that date in 1863 when Secre- President Bill Clinton presents the Medal of Honor to Sen. Daniel Inouye, center, during Book Program tary of War Edwin a ceremony at the White House June 21, 2000. (COURTESY PHOTO) Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor to six sur- Society is yet another resource for the This digital release was followed viving members of “Andrews’ Raid- public, with an authoritative website by issues devoted to Roy Benavidez, ers,” Union volunteers who comman- providing details on the 3,525 Ameri- Audie Murphy and Sal Giunta, along deered a Confederate train behind cans who have been recognized from with a printed collection of all four enemy lines and drove it northward 1863 to the present. titles. toward Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Association of the U.S. Army In recognition of National Medal of Given the destination of that mis- Book Program has also tried to honor Honor Day, I am proud to announce sion, it is fitting that the Charles H. this legacy with the Medal of Honor that AUSA’s Medal of Honor series Coolidge National Medal of Honor graphic novel series. will be extended in 2020 with four Heritage Center opened its doors this The first issue, published in con- new issues. year in Chattanooga. junction with the 100th anniversary First up will be Medal of Honor: Unfortunately, as is the case with of the end of , was Medal Daniel Inouye, which will tell the so many museums and other educa- of Honor: Alvin York. story of the World War II veteran tional facilities, the center is tempo- who lost an arm commanding his rarily closed. However, you can still platoon in the last days of the Ital- connect with the center through on- ian campaign and went on to become line educational resources. the highest-ranking Asian American Originally conceived as a museum politician in history. to honor Medal of Honor recipient Following the Inouye book will Alvin York, the Heritage Center fea- be Medal of Honor: Henry Johnson, tures life-sized exhibits to tell the Medal of Honor: Mary Walker and stories of our nation’s heroes and fo- Medal of Honor: Tibor Rubin, along cuses on the values they embody. with another printed collection avail- The new facility will have some able in time for the AUSA Annual company in the years ahead. Meeting and Exposition in October. The National Medal of Honor Mu- Please visit www.ausa.org/moh for seum is scheduled to open in 2024 information on the new titles as they in Arlington, Texas, and efforts are are released and to get copies of the underway to build a monument for first four books. Medal of Honor recipients in Wash- ington, D.C. Joseph Craig is AUSA’s Book Program The Congressional Medal of Honor Director. www.ausa.org March 26, 2020 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

AUSA director joins DoD Military Family Readiness Council atty Barron, director of Family Your Dress to provide new and gen- Readiness for the Association tly used formal wear for military ID Pof the U.S. Army, was sworn in card holders, and other family-related Tuesday as a member of the Defense events. Department’s Military Family Readi- She has organized an increasingly ness Council. popular set of forums held during AU- The swearing-in happened via tele- SA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition conference because of coronavirus-re- that features, among other things, a lated precautions. town hall where Army senior leaders The 18-member council provides answer questions from family mem- recommendations on family programs, bers. The 2018 forum led to an Army policies and plans, meeting at least leadership initiative addressing spouse twice a year to monitor and evaluate employment, child care, housing and Patty Barron speaks at an AUSA-hosted military family forum in 2019. (AUSA PHOTO) programs. permanent change-of-station moves. Barron, once described as “the The spouse of an Army veteran and The Military Family Readiness mother hen in the military spouse mother-in-law of a currently serving Council includes one representative world,” oversees educational and pro- soldier, Barron joined AUSA in 2012 each from the Army, Navy, Air Force fessional development programs for with years of personal and profession- and Marine Corps, the senior enlisted Regular Army, Army National Guard al experience. Previously, she served advisers of each service, representa- and Army Reserve soldiers, Depart- as director of outreach, Military Fam- tives from the Army National Guard ment of the Army civilians and their ily Projects, at Zero to Three and also and Air National Guard, spouses and families at AUSA. worked as director of youth initiatives parents of service members, and three Her programs include family-ori- at the National Military Family Asso- people drawn from military associa- ented financial education seminars, ciation, where she oversaw the associa- tions. Members are appointed for re- a partnership with Operation Deploy tion’s Operation Purple camp program. newable two-year terms.

Active-duty troops to get priority access to DoD child care hildren of active-duty troops will get “priority access” to De- Cfense Department child care programs beginning June 1, according to a policy change signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper. As a result of the new policy, some families may be bumped from DoD child care centers. Families affected by the change will be notified begin- ning in June, and they’ll have 45 days to find alternative care, according to information from the Pentagon. “The department’s system of child care was established to assist service Families affected by the change will be notified beginning in June, and they’ll have 45 members as they face the unique chal- days to find alternative care, according to the Pentagon.(U.S. ARMY/WINIFRED BROWN) lenges associated with the demands of military service,” said Virginia single or dual active-duty members, dren of DoD civilian employees as well Penrod, acting assistant secretary of single or dual National Guard or Re- as those who qualify as space becomes defense for manpower and reserve af- serve members on active-duty or inac- available, such as active-duty service fairs, in a statement. tive duty training status, and service members with a non-working spouse According to the memo signed Feb. members with a full-time working and DoD contractors. 21 by Esper, children of direct care spouse have the highest priority. To read the full memo and for more staff members as well as children of Lower on the priority list are chil- details on the priority list, click here.

8 AUSA Extra | March 26, 2020 www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Scholarships available for chapter members, families he George Washington chapter of the Association of the U.S. TArmy is accepting applications for its 2020 scholarship program until April 10, the chapter’s 2020 Scholar- ship Committee announced. To apply, you must be a chapter member or a member’s immediate family member. Applicants must also be attending an accredited college or university or selected for fall entry as an undergraduate or graduate student. Applications must include an official transcript, a letter of recommendation from a supervisor, teacher or coun- selor, and a George George Washington chap- Between 2014 and 2019, the George Washington chapter awarded almost $250,000 in Washington ter membership scholarships to chapter members and family members. (AUSA PHOTO) number. A copy of the membership card is preferred, if Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, $250,000 in scholarships to many possible. in late spring or early June. gifted and dedicated chapter members For a complete list of scholarship If there are any questions, con- and family members. requirements and where to send your tact retired Col. Glenn Yarborough, The scholarship program was estab- applications, click here. chapter president, at 703-748-1717 or lished to provide recognition, inspira- All scholarship awardees will be in- [email protected]. tion, financial assistance and encour- vited to attend the George Washington Between 2014 and 2019, the George agement to chapter members and their chapter luncheon at the Army Navy Washington chapter awarded almost families. Eagle Chapters The following chapters attained Eagle status for February by showing positive membership growth. The number of consecutive months of growth since July 1 is shown in parentheses. Korea (8) Magnolia (6) North Texas (5) Capital District of New York (7) Fort Jackson-Palmetto State (6) Las Vegas-John C. Fremont (5) Fort Campbell (7) Puerto Rico (6) Arizona Territorial (5) Arsenal of Democracy (7) Leonidas Polk (6) Utah (5) Major Samuel Woodfill (7) Fort Sheridan-Chicago (6) GEN Creighton W. Abrams (5) Fort Rucker-Wiregrass (7) Des Moines Freedom (6) MG Harry Greene, Aberdeen (4) First Militia (7) SGM Jon R. Cavaiani (6) Florida Gulf Stream (4) Greater Augusta-Fort Gordon (7) Gem State (6) Suncoast (4) Coastal South Carolina (7) Tucson-Goyette (6) Space Coast (4) Texas Capital Area (7) Pikes Peak (6) Greater Kansas City (4) Rock Island Arsenal (7) Delaware (5) PFC William Kenzo Nakamura (4) Joshua Chamberlain (6) Col Edward Cross (5) San Diego (4) Picatinny Arsenal-Middle Forge (6) Fort Pitt (5) Monmouth (3) West Point Area (6) George Washington (5) Tobyhanna Army Depot (3) Northern New York-Fort Drum (6) Francis Scott Key (5) Isthmian (3) Western New York (6) Newton D. Baker (5) Polar Bear (3) Corporal Bill McMillan-Bluegrass (6) Tri-State (5) New Orleans (2) Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson (6) Fairfax-Lee (5) Houston Metroplex (1) Redstone-Huntsville (6) A.P. Hill Rappahannock (5) GEN Joseph W. Stilwell (1) Emerald Coast (6) Chattahoochee Valley-Fort Benning (5) Marne (6) Braxton Bragg (5)

www.ausa.org March 26, 2020 | AUSA Extra 9 PURPOSE-BUILT FOR MISSION SUCCESS™

PROVEN SOLUTIONS ENABLING NEXT-GEN COMBAT CAPABILITIES

systelusa.com | [email protected] | 888.645.8400