PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE www.ausa.org

IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 2 NUMBER 19 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Senior Army Leaders Discuss Race, Politics 3 Special Ops NCO to Receive 4 Feedback Sought for Arlington Burial Changes 7 NCO & Soldier Programs Chapters Earn New Ribbon

8 Chapter Highlights Fort Pitt Fort Rucker-Wiregrass Registration is required to view programming and visit the exhibit halls during AUSA Now, the 9 2020 virtual annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. MITCHELL RYAN) Registration opens for AUSA Now egistration is now open for programs for NCOs and soldiers fea- Simultaneous streaming is AUSA Now, the 2020 virtual turing Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael planned over multiple channels to Rannual meeting of the Associa- Grinston, military family seminars accommodate the varied programing, tion of the U.S. Army that will be held and a town hall meeting with Army which will include Warriors Corner Oct. 13–16. leaders, and programs aimed at the presentations from the Army, xTech- A combination of live and prere- Army National Guard, Army Reserve Search briefs from competitors in the corded programming is planned, in- and for cadets at the U.S. Military Army’s innovation competition, and cluding an opening day address from Academy, ROTC and Officer Candi- seminars for small businesses, in- Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. date School. cluding the ability to speak directly Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Retirement planning and benefits to Army representatives. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James Mc- presentations are also in the works. Virtual exhibits will also be part Conville and many other Army lead- The final day of AUSA Now is set of AUSA Now, including industry en- ers also will speak. aside for AUSA chapter and region gagement opportunities. A splashy opening ceremony is events. Registration is required to view planned for Oct. 13, beginning about programming and visit the exhibit 10 a.m. halls. There is no fee. Membership The schedule for other programs in AUSA is encouraged but not re- will be set to accommodate live view- quired, and some member-only pro- ing in most time zones. motions are expected. Several contemporary military fo- For more information or to regis- rums are planned, as well as special ter, click here.

September 10, 2020 | AUSA Extra 1

ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

McCarthy: Tough conversations about race will continue he demonstrations and emotion- al calls for social justice across Tthe country this summer led to tough conversations between Army leaders and their soldiers—and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy plans to continue those talks as the service works to eliminate bias in the ranks. The death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers reverberated across the coun- try, McCarthy said. “It was a powder keg that ignited the country, and the anger and the frustration spilled out on the streets, and, quite frankly, they should have,” he said during a virtual discussion hosted by the Reagan National De- fense Forum. ‘I don’t know what it’s like to be a Black man in America, but I’ve got to listen. I’ve got to During “significant protests” in learn,’ Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. JAMES HARVEY) Washington, D.C., McCarthy was out there, you see it and you feel it,” Mc- Black man in America, but I’ve got to in the streets, talking to the National Carthy said. listen. I’ve got to learn,” McCarthy Guard soldiers and airmen mobilized In response, Army senior leaders said. “Twenty percent of our forma- to support local authorities. have resolved to listen, learn and tion represents that demographic. “We didn’t have a single soldier or put in place initiatives to make sure You know that tension is in our airman put a hand on a protester. If every soldier can meet his or her po- ranks, it’s in our cities, so we’re go- anything, they were giving hugs and tential. ing around the country, we’re having handing out water, but being out “I don’t know what it’s like to be a sensing sessions.”

Army must remain nonpartisan in ‘political environment’ rmy Chief of Staff Gen. James thing that McConville said he and McConville said it is the Ar- other Army leaders are striving to Amy’s duty to remain nonpar- provide. tisan and nonpolitical, and to “bring “When we have issues—racism or the force together to make everyone anything else that divides this na- feel part of the team.” tion—we should take action,” he said. Speaking at a virtual conference “Any kind of racism or extremism in a politically charged year, McCo- in our Army has to be totally elimi- nville said the Army’s mission is to nated. We cannot have those type of take a closer look “at the things that things,” he said. People with extrem- may divide us” while building cohe- ist or racist views “cannot serve in our sive teams. Army.” He declined to talk about politics or Asked about the Army’s role in do- politicians but acknowledged “we live mestic policing, particularly in the in a political environment.” face of protests and riots, McConville “We should not wake up every day said domestic deployments of active- and take for granted the trust of the duty troops should happen only in nation,” McConville said. “extreme conditions.” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McCon- Keeping that trust means having “The job of the American military ville said the service’s mission is to take a an Army that reflects the nation’s is to protect the nation, not police the closer look at divisive issues while building diversity and allows inclusion, some- nation,” he said. cohesive teams. (U.S. ARMY/LAURA BUCHTA) www.ausa.org September 10, 2020 | AUSA Extra 3 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Soldiers to be recognized for heroic actions in separate Iraq missions Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier

Gen. Carter F. Ham, USA, Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Guy C. Swan III, USA, Ret. Vice President, Education, AUSA Luc Dunn Editor Desiree Hurlocker Advertising Manager Advertising Information Contact: Fox Associates Inc. 116 W. Kinzie St. • Chicago, IL 60654 Phone: 800-440-0231 Email: [email protected]

ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the special operations soldier will proved by the president. offi cers or members of the Council of Trustees of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- receive the Medal of Honor for On Oct. 22, 2015, Payne, then a sions of personal opinion and should not be his role in a daring hostage sergeant fi rst class, was an assistant interpreted as refl ecting the offi cial opinion of A the Department of Defense nor of any branch, rescue mission in 2015 in Iraq, while team leader on the mission to rescue command, installation or agency of the Depart- a second soldier could posthumously be hostages being held by the Islamic ment of Defense. The publication assumes awarded the nation’s highest award for State group in Hawija. no responsibility for any unsolicited material. valor for his actions in 2005. “With speed, audacity and courage, Email: [email protected] Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne will receive he fi rst led his team as they quickly ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its the Medal of Honor during a ceremony cleared the assigned building, liber- publisher, the Association of the United States Friday at the White House. ating 38 hostages,” according to the Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy Payne, a Ranger assigned to Army White House. of the advertisements appearing herein, and Special Operations Command who has Payne then heard a call on the radio no such representations, warranties or en- deployed 17 times, will be the seventh for help clearing the other building, dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the service member—and second living re- and he and a teammate exposed them- publication. The advertisers are solely respon- cipient—to receive the Medal of Honor selves to enemy fi re as they bounded sible for the contents of such advertisements. for actions in Iraq. across the compound. RATES. Individual membership fees payable A posthumous Medal of Honor could Payne entered the building under in advance are $40 for two years, $75 for be awarded later this year to Sgt. 1st intense enemy fi re, amid smoke, heat fi ve years, and $400 for Life Membership. A Class Alwyn Cashe, who died in 2005 and fl ames, to fi nd the armored door discounted rate of $10 for two years is available to members in the ranks of E-1 through E-4, from wounds suffered while trying to that was imprisoning the hostages, ac- and for service academy and ROTC cadets and rescue his fellow soldiers from a burn- cording to the White House. OCS candidates. More information is available ing Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Iraq. Payne and other members of his at our website www.ausa.org; or by emailing [email protected], phoning 855-246- Cashe and his soldiers from 1st Bat- team took turns using bolt cutters to 6269, or mailing Fulfi llment Manager, P.O. Box talion, 15th Infantry Regiment, were cut the locks on the door. 101560, Arlington, VA 22210-0860. on patrol in Samarra on Oct. 17, 2005, Choking on smoke and heat, Payne when their Bradley was hit by a bomb. reentered the building once again and PERK OF THE WEEK Cashe suffered second- and third-de- fi nally broke through the door, freeing gree burns over 70% of his body when 37 hostages. he ran back into the Bradley multiple He made sure every hostage was times to rescue soldiers trapped inside, safe before evacuating the compound. If you’re still buying school supplies or the Associated Press reported. Payne said he doesn’t consider him- searching for supplies for your home offi ce, He died Nov. 8, 2005. self the recipient of the Medal of Honor. take advantage of your member discount at Defense Secretary Mark Esper en- “I consider myself the guardian of Offi ce Depot and Offi ceMax. Your member- ship also gives you discounts on printing and dorsed the Medal of Honor for Cashe. this medal,” he said. “What is impor- binding services. Visit www.ausa.org/offi ce Now Congress must waive the fi ve- tant for me is my teammates’ legacies and shop online or click “shop in store” to year time limit, and it must be ap- will live on with this Medal of Honor.” download your ID card to take into the store.

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Army seeks feedback on Arlington burial restrictions embers of the public can register to view upcoming Mvirtual meetings to discuss capacity challenges facing Arlington National Cemetery, Virgina, which is quickly running out of space. The public also can submit in ad- vance comments or feedback before the meetings, which come as the Army is proposing new criteria that would dra- matically tighten the eligibility crite- ria for burial at the cemetery. If approved, the new criteria would limit the number of service members eligible for below-ground interment at the cemetery and restrict even farther those who would qualify for above- ground inurnment. The fiscal 2019 National Defense Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conduct military funeral honors Authorization Act directed the Army for WWII veteran Carl Mann at Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. ARMY/ELIZABETH FRASER) secretary to establish revised eligibil- ing to commemorative monuments at The proposal directs the cemetery to ity criteria to keep the cemetery func- the cemetery. preserve 1,000 gravesites for current tioning as an active burial ground Those who wish to attend or submit and future Medal of Honor recipients. “well into the future,” the Army said their comments should contact Mat- It also would restrict below-ground last fall when it first revealed the pro- thew Davis at matthew.r.davis.civ@ interment for service members who posed changes. mail.mil or 1-877-907-8585. are killed in action, recipients of the The cemetery just outside Washing- For more on the meetings, click here. Silver Star or above who also served ton, D.C., one of America’s most hal- To attend a meeting, submit your in combat, recipients, lowed grounds, is running out of room, full name, organization, email address combat-related service deaths while and there have been several initiatives and phone number, and which meet- conducting uniquely military activi- to try to preserve space for the future, ing you would like to attend. Requests ties, former prisoners of war, presi- including expansion projects and pro- must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern dents and vice presidents of the Unit- posals to tighten eligibility require- Sept. 17. ed States, and veterans with combat ments for burial there. Written comments must include the service who also served out of uniform The Advisory Committee on Arling- author’s name, title or affiliation, ad- as a government official and made sig- ton National Cemetery’s honor sub- dress and phone number and be sub- nificant contributions to the nation’s committee will meet from 2–4 p.m. mitted via e-mail at least seven days security at the highest levels of public Eastern time Sept. 21. The full com- before the appropriate meeting. service. mittee, an independent group char- Above-ground inurnment in vaults tered to provide the Army secretary Proposed changes would be reserved for World War II- advice and recommendations on the During fiscal 2018, about 6,500 ser- era veterans, to include legislated cemetery, meets from 2–4 p.m. East- vice members, veterans and eligible active-duty designees; retirees from ern Sept. 22. family members were buried at Ar- the armed forces who are eligible for Both bodies will receive briefings on lington National Cemetery. retired pay but are not otherwise eli- the current burial demand and capac- The proposed changes come after gible for interment; veterans who have ity challenges impacting the life of the more than two and a half years of served at least two years on active duty cemetery, among other topics. deliberation, public outreach and sur- and who have served in combat; and Also meeting is the remember and veys, including feedback from veterans veterans without combat service who explore subcommittee, which will and military service organizations, ac- also served out of uniform as a gov- convene from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern cording to the Army. ernment official and made significant Sept. 21 to discuss ways to maintain If no changes are made, the cem- contributions to the nation’s security the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier etery will be closed to new interments at the highest levels of public service. Monument and other issues pertain- by the mid-2050s, the Army said. For more information, click here. www.ausa.org September 10, 2020 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Chapters honored for supporting NCOs and soldiers By Victoria McAdoo welve Association of the U.S. Army chapters are the proud Trecipients of the new NCO and Soldier Programs ribbon. The icy blue ribbon, AUSA’s newest ribbon, was launched in March with the goal of encouraging AUSA chap- ters to increase programming for and focus on NCOs and soldiers. The first ribbons will be awarded as part of the presentations given to chapter presidents during AUSA Now, the 2020 virtual annual meet- ing scheduled for Oct. 13–16. The chapters being honored this year are: • Dix • Capital District of New York • Fort Campbell • Major General Harry Greene, The new ribbon was launched in March with the goal of encouraging AUSA chapters to increase programming for and focus on NCOs and soldiers. (U.S. ARMY/CLAUDIA LAMANTIA) Aberdeen • Fort Rucker-Wiregrass ognition or retiree award ceremony; • Host an additional NCO leader- • Greater Augusta-Fort Gordon hosting an event with a like-minded ship seminar • Marne organization; and hosting a leader- Chapter presidents were then asked • Braxton Bragg ship seminar led by a senior NCO. to submit a summary of all the rel- • Arkansas evant events. • Henry Leavenworth Chapter Plus Challenge This year’s top three chapters will • Rock Island Arsenal The AUSA NCO and Soldier Pro- receive a monetary award to use for • Pikes Peak grams team also wants to congratu- future programs and events. One requirement to earn the ribbon late this year’s Chapter Plus Chal- Despite the late start and the added was the appointment of a chapter vice lenge winners. challenge and restrictions of the CO- president of NCO This year’s winner is the Pikes Peak VID-19 pandemic, AUSA chapters NCO & Soldier and Soldier Af- chapter. The Fort Campbell chapter continued to do what they all do so Programs fairs, with the goal came in second place, followed by the well—constant providers of events, of connecting chap- Greater New York-Statue of Liberty programming and services to local ters with NCO and Soldier Programs chapter. members, soldiers and communities. at the national level. The Chapter Plus Challenge was It is our hope that chapters see the The person in this position is re- created to encourage chapters to pro- value in obtaining the NCO and Sol- sponsible for helping to create, assist duce additional programming geared dier Programs ribbon, just like the with and implement programming di- toward NCOs and soldiers. other ribbons they strive for through- rectly related to NCOs and soldiers. Completing the challenge required out the year. Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan- the following steps: The AUSA NCO and Soldier Pro- iel Dailey, vice president of NCO and • Participate in a local chamber of grams team is looking forward to Soldier Programs at AUSA headquar- commerce event highlighting the efforts and achieve- ters, will host a virtual meet and greet • Host an AUSA livestream view- ments of all the chapters, their volun- for the newly appointed chapter NCO ing party, Soldier Today discussion teers and their local military commu- vice presidents in mid-September. group or podcast listening party fea- nities. Other requirements for earning turing an NCO or soldier as a guest For more information, please con- the ribbon include having an actively • Register five new actively serving tact me at [email protected]. serving NCO or soldier from any Army soldiers as AUSA members component on the chapter board; par- • Conduct a briefing to speak about Victoria McAdoo is AUSA’s senior coor- ticipating in an NCO or soldier rec- the benefits of AUSA membership dinator for NCO & Soldier Programs.

8 AUSA Extra | September 10, 2020 www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Commendation medal awarded to chapter president he president of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Fort Pitt Tchapter received a Pennsyl- vania Commendation Medal for his contributions to the Meet Your Army- Pittsburgh outreach event. Carlos Carmona, president of the McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania-based chapter, received the award from Rory Cooper, civilian aide to the sec- retary of the Army for Pennsylvania (West) and Maj. Nicholas O’Brien of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. “AUSA in Pittsburgh was the key veteran service organization involved in the planning Fort Pitt and execution of Meet Your Army- Right to left: Rory Cooper, civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for Pennsylvania Pittsburgh. We worked very closely (West), Carlos Carmona, his wife Beth, son Dakota and daughter Hope. (AUSA PHOTO) with the Pennsylvania National going from no military involvement ment in the Pittsburgh Marathon by Guard, Army Reserve and Army Re- to requesting Armed Services Voca- setting up and paying for local mili- cruiting Command,” Carmona said. tional Aptitude Battery tests for the tary units to participate in the mara- The chapter worked with recruit- following school year. Other schools thon relay and paying for National ers from all components to target key asked for Army leaders and recruit- Guard and Best Ranger winners to high schools to engage in senior lead- ers to return next year. participate in the marathon and pro- er discussions, he said. Chapter members also set up a vide visibility. The National Guard provided se- senior leader and senior corporate They also coordinated to have mili- nior leaders to meet with school su- executive luncheon for a handful of tary formation runs during the chil- perintendents and administrators, local companies to meet and discuss dren’s marathon and Pittsburgh 5K discuss key programs and promote veteran hiring, Carmona said. race and for military leaders to be at Army participation in the schools. Finally, the chapter worked with the finish line and present medals to These visits resulted in some schools Cooper to increase military involve- marathon finishers, Carmona said.

Chapter presents scholarships to outstanding students he Association of the U.S. Army’s and other academic expenses. • Matthew Hutson of Enterprise, Fort Rucker–Wiregrass chapter “Seeing these young Americans University of Alabama Trecently awarded $10,000 in strive for greatness and work diligent- • Corinna Jones of Enterprise, Bar- scholarships to outstanding local stu- ly towards their goals is truly inspir- nard College of Columbia University, dents. ing,” said Kevin Shoun, the chapter’s New York Ten high school seniors and under- vice president of scholarships for the • Sarah Jane Levine of Enterprise, graduates received past two years. “I am excited to see Auburn University Fort Rucker- $1,000 toward what the future holds for this year’s • Kaitlin McInnis of Enterprise, Wiregrass their continuing scholarship winners.” University of Alabama at Birmingham education. The scholarship recipients are: • Joanna Paris of Ozark, Naval Scholarships are based on academ- • Alison Best of Fort Rucker, Uni- Academy Preparatory School, fol- ic achievement, personal achieve- versity of Texas at Austin lowed by the U.S. Naval Academy ment and community involvement, • Mackenzie Capehart of New • Lauren Tucker of Fort Rucker, according to a Facebook post from Brockton, University of Alabama Auburn University the chapter. • Christina Haken of Enterprise, • Wyatt Wymann of Newton, Mari- The funds may be used for tuition Samford University on Military Institute www.ausa.org September 10, 2020 | AUSA Extra 9