Society of National Association Publications —­ Award Winning Newspaper VOLUME 37 NUMBER 4 www.ausa.org FIFTY CENTS February 2014

Pay, Benefits are Incentives to Join Army – 2 –

AUSA Opposes 1-Percent COLA Cut – 3 –

Veterans Hiring Event at AUSA Winter Symposium – 6 –

Honors to the Nation: U.S. Army All-American Bowl East Team athletes, right to left, linebacker Shaun Hamilton, Carver High School, Montgomery, Ala.; wide-receiver Shaq Davidson, Gaffney High School, Gaffney, S.C.; and defensive back Nick Ruffin, St. Pius X Catholic High School, Atlanta, Ga., face the colors prior to the playing of

the National Anthem at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. See Special Report – 2014 Army All-American Bowl, Page 11. (Photo by: Pfc. Brian N. Lang, USAR, 205th Press Camp, Headquarters, 2014 Army All-American Bowl) 2 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

‘Outlaw’ and ‘Palehorse’ troops patrol with Afghan Uniformed Police Sgt. Joshua Edwards Public Affairs Combined Task Force Dragoon

roopers with Combined Task Force Dragoon continue their Tmission of advising Afghan Na- tional Security Forces in preparation for the upcoming presidential and parlia- mentary elections. Soldiers with O “Outlaw” Troop and P “Palehorse” Troop, 4th Squadron, Com- bined Task Force Dragoon, teamed up with Afghan Uniformed Police, known as the AUP, for a series of foot patrols at various checkpoints throughout Kan- dahar Province during the month of De- cember during Operation Alamo Scout. The AUP has been conducting these missions to address security concerns they might face as they train and prepare for the 2014 elections and also to engage with local community elders near various checkpoints throughout the province. With prayers being recited over loud- speakers throughout the night and smil- ing children playing and running up to the service members on patrol in excite- ment during the day, the AUP patrols are allowing the police to reach out to local village elders and inquire about how Staff Sgt. Jason Peacock with Troop O, 4th Squadron, Combined Task Force Dragoon, drinks chai tea with the local Afghanistan each area will participate in the upcom- Uniformed Police in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The troopers conducted a series of patrol missions with the Afghanistan Uni- ing elections. formed Police at various security checkpoints throughout the province. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Joshua Edwards, Combined Task Force The assessment allowed them to gain Dragoon Public Affairs) a firm grasp on how much security, if any, would be necessary for a safe and and weaknesses of the various check- elections and provide enduring security next one. successful outcome. points and an indication of the support to the villages,” 1st Lt. Joseph Brock- The AUP and the National Directorate “It’s an assessment of the strengths they would require to have successful bank, platoon leader, 1st Platoon, Pale- of Security, or NDS, of Afghanistan, are horse Troop, said. in the lead for information gathering dur- The elections have become an oppor- ing military operations in the country as tunity for the AUP to estimate just how well as for security operations. Pay, benefits are incentives to join willing and involved the local population “The Alamo Scout series is really our (Editor’s note: The following is a Let- be tamed” is in fact a ten-year catch up will be in the democratic system of gov- partnering with the Dand District AUP ter to the Editor published in the Wash- effort enacted by Congress to close a pay ernment. and NDS,” Capt. Ryan Yaun, command- ington Post by Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, gap that had grown to 14 percent. In preparation they are assessing er, Outlaw Troop, said. USA, Ret., president of the Association Parity has been achieved and that where there is a concern for security and “They really lead and drive all the of the United States Army, which chal- growth will level off. conducting reconnaissance missions at intelligence with everything we do out lenges the erroneous assumptions made Pay and benefits must be competi- each polling site to ensure its safety. here. We just assist them with any securi- in a Post article regarding military pay tive because almost three of four re- “Elections are important for unify- ty needs. We go out to all the checkpoints and benefits.) cruitment-age Americans cannot qualify ing the nation of Afghanistan, and get- and partner and do dismounted patrols in for military service, and those left have ting more people involved means more and around the village population cen- read with dismay the December 26 other career options. [building] faith in the government we are ters based off what the AUP and NDS article, “For Military, Benefits and If military pay and benefits are the trying to support over here,” said Brock- see where they want that partnership in Reform are Challenge,” which de- same as those of civilians, there is little bank. the villages,” he added. I Adding, “The more people feel safe The Alamo Scout mission went as monizes our troops as unworthy of the incentive to join an organization with the benefits they receive while ignoring the inherent risks of military life. about voting, and the more people that planned and the AUP look forward to challenges, sacrifices and hardships mil- One of the world’s richest nations can come out to vote, are clear indications of working with the troops again in the fu- itary personnel and their families face afford a military compensation and ben- the stability of the government and the ture. confidence people have in the govern- “We spoke to them about doing this while providing the nation’s defense as efits package that matches the dangers ment.” again and they told us we can come any- volunteers. and hardships its defense personnel must Afghan police at each checkpoint time we want and really continue to part- Military personnel costs, described endure. as “burgeoning” and making up nearly welcomed the troopers, prepared fresh ner,” Yaun said. half the Pentagon’s budget, are in fact chai tea and sat down with them to dis- Adding, “Their policemen really en- approximately 30 percent of the budget Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret. cuss local operations. joy working with our soldiers, so I kind as they have been for the past 30 years. President After each sit-down, the troopers and of think it starts at the smaller level. The The growth in those costs that “must Association of the United States Army AUP set out on a foot-patrol from the more we continue to work with them, designated security checkpoint to the that’s going to continue to develop.” ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 3

Cyberspace warriors graduate, awarded Army’s newest MOS Wilson A. Rivera Public Affairs Office Fort Gordon, Ga.

he network is under attack! Cyber attacks are a daily reality Tand are growing in sophistication and complexity. How does the Army keep pace with this evolving threat and defend its network? Fifteen soldiers made history when they were awarded the newest Army mili- tary occupational specialty (MOS), – 25D – cyber network defender, during a gradu- ation ceremony held in Alexander Hall, Fort Gordon, Ga. Soldiers completed a 14-week course, considered rigorous for its curriculum, to learn the skills needed to meet the de- mand for cyber warfare. “Cyberspace is composed of hundreds of thousands interconnecting comput- ers, servers, routers, switches, fiber optic cables which allow our critical infrastruc- ture to work,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald S. Pflieger, regimental sergeant Graduates of the Cyber Network Defender course wait to receive their certificates and be awarded the newest Army military occupational major for the U.S. Army Signal Center of speciality, 25D, during a ceremony at Alexander Hall, Fort Gordon, Ga. (Photo Credit: Bill Bengston, Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) Excellence and Fort Gordon. Pflieger was the guest speaker for the – information technology specialist, 25B; ra- network defense infrastructures such as fire- “A gap was identified within the non- first-ever graduating class for the Cyber dio operator-maintainer, 25C; and telecom- walls, intrusion detection systems and more. commissioned officers’ career field,” Network Defender course. munications operator chief, 25W. Soldiers are also tasked to take action Pflieger said. “The next step was to iden- He added, “A functional and healthy Significant changes to the 25 career to modify information systems, computer tify the right soldiers.” cyberspace is essential to our economy management field identify the positions network configurations in regard to com- Staff sergeants interested in becoming and national security.” and personnel to perform duties with cyber puter network threats and collect data to a cyber network defender must meet the He also noted, “With the need for edu- network defense, and selected functions analyze events and warn of attacks. requirements, such as having a minimum cated individuals to defend our network, for cyber network defender MOS positions Cyber network defenders will be of four years information technology expe- so does the need to engage cyberspace.” transferred from previous MOS positions trained to perform assessments of threats rience, and an Armed Services Vocational Through the establishment of the new cy- associated with cyber network defense. and vulnerabilities within the network en- Aptitude Battery of 105 in both General ber network defender, 25D MOS, there were Major duties a cyber network defender vironment, conduct network damage as- Technical and Skilled Technical scores. changes made to the classification and struc- will perform include protecting, monitor- sessments, and develop response actions. They also must be a U.S. citizen, com- ture among the 25 career management field ing, detecting, analyzing, and responding Increases in cyberspace operations plete an in-service screening, and have a series for communications and information to unauthorized cyberspace domain actions; training continue in key Army leader edu- recommendation from their battalion or systems operation with other MOS revisions deployment and administration of computer cation programs. higher. AUSA opposes 1-percent COLA reduction for military retirees

eliminate the working-age COLA reduc- retirees who are paying the price for the No gain tion before its implementation in 2015. deal and others who are not – to say noth- There is an old saying that there is no Message from ing of currently serving soldiers who, without pain gain without pain. when they retire will be penalized as well. Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret. That saying certainly applies to the the President This change in the retirement sys- budget deal which was passed by the Sen- tem is a breach of faith and a devas- President The Army will gain some significant ate Dec. 13. tating financial blow to an earned de- Association of the U.S. Army budgetary advantage and certainty from With the passage ferred compensation component. the legislation but at a significant cost – of the budget deal, we Those currently serving will look at USA, with your help, has fought the 1 percent COLA reduction for work- have made inroads into how current retirees are treated and, as since the beginning of sequestra- ing-age military retirees. the nightmare that is the economy improves, will vote with tion to end the arbitrary, cookie- AUSA opposes that reduction and will sequestration. their feet and retention of battle-tested A work beginning now to get that provision cutter approach to deficit reduction. We have restored soldiers will diminish and national se- Now, along with you, we will fight of the budget deal repealed. budget certainty for curity will suffer. with equal vigor to undo the provision The administration and Congress have Please go to our website, www.ausa. of the new law that creates an enormous the Army for the next always vowed that any changes to the mili- penalty for current and future military re- two years and allowed for appropria- tary compensation and benefits package org, click on the “Contact Congress”

tirees who protect and defend this nation. tions legislation that will provide much would be grandfathered for the current force. link, enter your zip code, and send the We will work with the many mem- more financial flexibility within Army The budget deal breaks that vow and tar- AUSA-suggested letter titled Repeal bers of Congress who agree with us to accounts. gets a group within a group, creating some the Military Retiree COLA Cut. 4 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

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Published by Association of the United States Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret. Army, a non-profit educational association. President Peter F. Murphy Jr., Editor Publication, Editorial and Executive offices: Bill Rice, Production Manager Post Office Box 1560, Luc Dunn Arlington, VA 22201-0860 Telephone: (703) 841-4300 Editorial Assistant, Social Media Specialist Advertising Information and Rates Available Reprinting of material appearing in the AUSA Desiree Hurlocker, Advertising Production Manager NEWS requires written permission from AUSA. Display Advertising J&S Publications, Inc. Call: (301) 482-0720 E-Mail: [email protected]

□□ Neither AUSA NEWS, nor its publisher the Association of the United States Army, makes any repre- sentation, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy of the advertisements appearing herein, and no such representations, warranties or endorsements should be implied or inferred from the appear- ance of the advertisements in this publication. The advertisers are soley responsible for the contents of such Association of the United States Army (AUSA) National advertisements.  □□ AUSA NEWS, (ISSN 1075-458X) published monthly. Volume 37, Number 4. Subscription: $5.00 a Go to AUSA website – www.ausa.org year ($4.00 a year for AUSA members). Publication offices: Association of the United States Army, 2425 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia, 22201-3385. Periodicals postage rate is paid at Arlington, Vir- Click on at top of page ginia, and additional mailing office. □□ POSTMASTER - send address change to AUSA NEWS, P.O. Box 1560, Arlington, Virginia 22201- If you have a facebook page – please “like” AUSA! 0860. If this newspaper is addressed to a member of the U.S. Military service whose address has been changed by orders, it is to be forwarded without payment of additional postage. See Section F020.2.6, ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 5

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1-pecent COLA cut for military retirees is ill-advised provision “The Budget Act provision flies in the bill way back in June. service members. face of that pledge and breaks faith with The Senate Armed Services Committee „„ Includes over 30 provisions or re- Capital those who have served their nation for 20 worked together and passed their version at forms to the Uniform Code of Military years and with those who will retire in the the same time; however, the full Senate could Justice related to combatting sexual as- Focus future, who until now had the expectation not get its act together and pass a final version. sault in the military. of a full COLA adjustment each year to Accordingly, defense leaders from the „„ Directs that the operational re- Julie Rudowski match calculated inflation. House and Senate combined parts of the serves receive a minimum 180 day Assistant Director “As the economy rights itself, this dev- House bill and the one approved by the notification before the cancellation of Government Affairs astating blow to an earned deferred com- Senate Armed Services Committee. a deployment and a minimum 120 day pensation benefit will be an enormous Instead of a formal conference com- notification before a deployment. ‰‰ AUSA needs you!! A last min- disincentive for retention of battle-tested mittee process, the compromise bill was „„ Authorizes the commander of U.S. ute budget agreement passed by Con- military personnel. Those currently serv- passed by each chamber without any con- Special Forces Command to provide addi- gress included a provision that would ing will look at how today’s retirees are sideration of amendments. tional family support services to U.S. Spe- negatively affect the calculation of the treated and will leave active duty, dimin- As a result, many of AUSA’s top priorities cial Operations Forces and their families. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for ishing leadership in our defense forces were never brought to the floor for debate. „„ Facilitates the development of under-age-62 military retirees. and weakening our national security.” This means that we will continue to more functional, lighter, and more pro- The bill would require a 1-percent It is critical that you add your voice to his. fight for issues such as full concurrent re- tective body armor. reduction in COLA for military retirees Visit our website, www.ausa.org, click ceipt and an end to the Survivor Benefit „„ Recognizes that the formula for until they reach age 62. on the Contact Congress link, enter your zip Plan (SBP)/Dependency and Indemnity calculating allowable private sector As you can imagine, this ill-advised code, and send the AUSA-suggested letter ti- Compensation (DIC) offset. compensation on DoD contracts has provision has created a firestorm. tled “Repeal the Military Retiree COLA Cut.” The bottom line is that we did get an become dysfunctional and does little to In addition to meetings on Capitol ‰‰ Defense Authorization Bill authorization bill for fiscal 2014, and, protect the taxpayer or provide trans- Hill with lawmakers determined to re- clears Congress. President signs. The along with our partners in The Military parency in government contracting. peal the provision, AUSA President Gen. regular order for passage of the defense Coalition, were successful in our fight The NDAA rationalizes the cap Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., has also authorization bill is for each chamber to against administration proposals to in- to $625,000 and does away with the sent letters to all members of Congress pass a bill, appoint negotiators to work crease or establish new TRICARE fees. flawed formula. „ outlining his strong opposition to the out the differences and then agree on a fi- The bill authorizes $526.8 billion for „ Prohibits DoD from initiating an- provision and urging them to repeal it. nal bill that the president will sign. the Defense Department’s base budget; other round of BRAC. „ Sullivan’s letter said, “Both the Ad- Once again, regular order failed. $80.7 billion for overseas contingency op- „ Provides additional funding for ministration and the Congress have stated Yes, Congress did manage to hammer erations – mainly the war in Afghanistan Abrams tank upgrades and heavy equip- repeatedly that any changes to the military out a final agreement and, yes, the presi- – and $17.6 billion for national security ment improved recovery vehicles. compensation and benefits package would dent did sign it into law. But again this programs within the Energy Department. „„ Allows military retirees and fam- be grandfathered for the currently-serving year, it was far from the normal process. The bill also: ily members to return to TRICARE force and for current retirees. The House passed their version of the „„ Provides a 1-percent pay raise for Prime if they choose. AUSA Winter Symposium in Huntsville features veterans’ hiring event he Association of the United States from combat operations in the U.S. Cen- Army (AUSA) has partnered with tral Command Area of Responsibility. Tthe American Freedom Founda- „„ To learn more, visit www.warrior- tion to host the second Warriors To The stotheworkforce.net and www.ausameet- Workforce Hiring Event for veterans, in ings.org/winter conjunction with Still Serving Veterans, „„ To download a PDF of the Warriors To The to be held at the 2014 AUSA Winter Sym- Workforce brochure, visit http://bit.ly/IAENaX posium and Exposition. To Register for Warriors To The Work- This one-of-a-kind event, to be held force, visit http://bit.ly/1bOX38j Feb. 19 – 21, 2014, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala., is part of the Event Partners American Freedom Foundation’s nation- „„ American Freedom Foundation – wide initiative to help veterans find jobs. www.americanfreedomfoundation.org The first event was held at the AUSA Veterans and those about to retire take part in the very successful Warriors to the Work- „„ AUSA – www.ausa.org 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition at force Hiring Event at the 2013 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington. „„ SourceAmerica™ – www.sourceamerica.org the Walter E. Washington Convention A second event will take place Feb. 19 – 21 at the Association’s Winter Symposium at „„ GES – www.ges.com Center was a great success according to the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala. „„ Still Serving Veterans – www. the hundreds of veterans who participated stillservingveterans.org in this new program. Warriors To The Workforce is unique terviewing techniques, job searching, career The hiring event in Huntsville will in that the American Freedom Founda- planning through goal setting, translating tion will vet out resumes and match those military skills and training into civilian life Media Contacts also bring together major companies from Ted Hacker throughout the country to profile their ser- qualified veterans, transitioning military and corporate experience, among others. service members and spouses with em- Attendance at the Warriors To The Work- American Freedom Foundation, Inc. vices and provide employment opportuni- ployers with specific job descriptions. force Hiring Event is free and open to veter- [email protected] ties for veterans. In addition to the hiring event, Warriors ans, military service members and spouses. (615) 330-9394 Veterans attending the Winter Sympo- To The Workforce will include workshops The 2014 AUSA Winter Symposium sium and Exposition have the opportunity for veterans each day providing resources and Exposition will focus on preparing David Liddle to talk with employers, submit qualifica- and information on subjects such as mental the Army for an unpredictable global se- AUSA tions and even participate in job inter- readiness, confidence building, networking curity environment to the year 2020 and [email protected] views on the spot. and presentation skills, resume writing, in- beyond – while continuing the transition (703) 907-2613 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 7

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Housing 1 Source program helps newly assigned soldiers and families Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, USA, Ret. Director, Noncommissioned officer and Soldier Programs

reetings from the Association of the United States Army G(AUSA), our Army’s and our soldiers’ professional organization. Special thanks to the Alamo Chap- ter in San Antonio for hosting my visit to their wonderful city and the historic Fort Sam Houston in December. The chapter and Housing 1 Source of San Antonio hosted an evening so- cial for all corporate sponsors. The event gave me the opportunity to meet and speak to all the organiza- tions that support the chapter and all our soldiers and their families. Maj. Gen. Russell J. Czerw, USA, Ret. and the Housing 1 Source leader- ship gave me a tour of their facilities and their mission. Housing 1 Source is the best soldier and family sponsorship program for newly assigned personnel I have ever seen. They are a one-stop shop for hous- ing, utilities, schools and everything new families need to integrate into the local communities. My remarks to the corporate spon- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Ken Preston, USA, Ret, left, rides newly named horse ‘Preston,’ while U.S. Army North and Fort Sam sors centered on the current draw- Houston command sergeant major, Hu Rhodes, rides ‘Van Autreve,’ named for the fourth sergeant major of the Army, Leon down of the Army and the fiscal im- Van Autreve. pacts of sequestration and the recent government shutdown. Thanks to Command Sgt. Maj. Hu We have the greatest Army in the We wish Hartless the greatest suc- Historically, our Army has gone Rhodes, the Army North CSM, and Parry world right now and when the dust set- cess as he assumes one of the most de- through draw-down events after every Delozier for hosting my visit to Fort Sam tles, we will still have the greatest Army manding positions in the Army as the major conflict in the last 150 years, but Houston. in the world because we have the great- IMCOM CSM. this transition is different. One of the great highlights of the trip est soldiers. Before departing Fort Sam Houston Globally, the world is still very un- was spending about 90 minutes with all I referenced a point made by the Vice I visited the Caisson Platoon where one the officer and noncommissioned officer Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. John F. stable and we face an uncertain future. of the horses was named in my honor. For the Army, this challenge is mul- leaders of Army North in a leadership Campbell, when he told the soldiers and I was very honored and humbled by tiplied with the fiscal absence of a de- professional development forum. noncommissioned officers at the Best this recognition. fense budget and sequestration. The audience included young team Warrior Competition Awards Ceremony Quality-of-life programs for sol- leaders who have responsibility for their to let him and the Army leadership worry The ceremony gave me the opportu- diers, retired soldiers, Army civilians piece of the Army, two or three soldiers; about money and budgets and for young nity to say thanks to this small group of and their families will face significant to platoon leaders and sergeants; to se- leaders to focus on training their soldiers. soldiers who perform one of the most impacts. nior leaders in command and staff posi- It is the young adaptive leaders who important and dignified missions for For all of the members of AUSA tions. seek out and focus on opportunities to our fallen warriors. and those corporate sponsors who seek Leaders want to know what they can train their soldiers during these lulls in Last year this group of soldiers par- opportunities to help our warriors, this do to be competitive for promotions and garrison who will demonstrate the po- ticipated in more than 1,200 funerals. is a window of opportunity. key assignments as the Army gets small- tential to serve in positions of increased With many of the soldiers support- er. A long time ago in an Army prior responsibility in the future. ing these funerals coming from detailed The older group of leaders wanted to I attended the change of responsibil- to 9/11, budgets were tight, especially units across the installation, this small for quality of life programs, and com- know how to prepare for transition into ity ceremony for the Installation Man- unit is instrumental in helping with the manders at all levels embraced their the civilian workforce. agement Command (IMCOM) where Lt. training and preparation to ensure each volunteers. Others just wanted to know more Gen. Michael Ferriter hosted the transi- All of you are volunteers and you about sequestration and the subsequent tion between Command Sgt. Maj. Earl funeral is a success and a treasured want nothing more than to help. impacts on the Army. L. Rice and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey memory for family and friends. Now is the time to reach out to all All of these questions were expected S. Hartless. Now more than ever America’s commanders and senior leaders to help and it is important for all of us to reas- For all of us here at AUSA, we wish Army needs AUSA and AUSA needs them understand the untapped assets in sure our troops that we will get through Rice and his family the greatest success your membership support. their community and seek out opportu- this period of angst just as we have done as he begins his transition for retirement nities to do more with less. many times in the past. and the next chapter in their lives. Still Serving, Still Saluting! ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 9

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Cost of Living Allowance 1-percent reduction hurts retired military personnel the military compensation and benefits to deficit reduction. long enough to birth money, especially package would be grandfathered for the Now, along with you, we will fight when you factor in the President’s Day re- View from current force, so we and our Military Co- with equal vigor to undo the provision cess, the Spring recess, the Memorial Day alition partners are fighting hard to re- of the new law that creates an enormous recess, the July Fourth recess, and the Au- the Hill move this outrageous provision. penalty for current and future military re- gust recess which, in essence, reduce the Here are some of the things we are do- tirees who protect and defend this nation. nine months to six months. Bill Loper ing to fight it: Please click here, enter your zip code, Regardless of the speed with which Director „„ AUSA President Gen. Gordon R. and send the AUSA-suggested letter titled Congress marches, AUSA will be offer- Government Affairs Sullivan, USA, Ret., and I met with Sen. “Repeal the Military Retiree COLA Cut.” ing testimony, making visits to members Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., in her office. The good news is that we have time of Congress, and joining with the many USA has been leading the fight to She is one of several senators leading to fix this and we will not stop until it is other organizations in The Military Coali- end the draconian cuts in defense the fight to identify alternative funding fixed! Do your part to help and send a let- tion – all to make our voice for the soldier spending caused by sequestration to replace the provision. In addition to ter to your members of Congress. heard in the halls of the Capitol. A meeting with her, we visited with Sens. There is some other news on the legis- We will be working to promote enact- and to mitigate the devastating effect it has had on national security, military readi- Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; Lindsey Graham, lative front. ment of legislation that will benefit our ness, modernization and procurement. R-S.C.; Richard Shelby, R-Ala.; and Jeff At last the FY 2014 Defense Authori- membership. Late last month, Republicans and Sessions, R-Ala. zation Bill has been voted and has been There are many issues that remain: Democrats finally worked together and We also conferred with professional signed by the president. „„ Maintaining pay parity between the produced a bill designed to break the staff from the Senate Armed Services The bill includes a one percent basic pay military and civilian sectors. stranglehold that sequestration has had on Committee. raise for military service members – less „„ Full concurrent receipt for all dis- the Department of Defense. „„ Sullivan and I joined other members than AUSA and its Military Coalition part- abled retirees. The legislation restores budget certain- of The Military Coalition at a press con- ners advocated, but at least a pay raise. „„ Ending the Survivor Benefit Plan/ ty for the Army for the next two years and ference held by Senators Graham, Wicker As AUSA urged, the Congress main- Dependency and Indemnity Compensa- paves the way for appropriations legisla- and Ayotte. tained the TRICARE fee increases at no tion offset for survivors. tion that will provide much more financial All attending agreed to work together more than the cost of living increases „„ Limiting increases in TRICARE flexibility within Army accounts. to ensure this provision is repealed before rather than the higher fee increases pro- fees/deductibles to COLA increases. The Army will gain some significant it takes effect in December 2015. posed by the administration. „„ Prohibiting TRICARE for Life en- budgetary advantage and certainty from In fact, the members would like to see Also by the time you read this, the sec- rollment fees. the legislation. it repealed before the budget law takes ef- ond session of the 113th Congress will „„ Retaining the current retirement system. However, there is a provision in the bill fect in mid-January. have begun and the president’s State of „„ Maintaining funded Army opera- that will negatively affect the calculation AUSA completely supports this. the Union address will be about to occur. tional end strength sufficient to support of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) „„ Sullivan and I also dropped by the The Congress will be preparing to re- our national defense strategy, Joint Force for under-age-62 military retirees! offices of Senate Armed Services Com- ceive the budget request for FY 2015 in and Army mission requirements. It requires a 1-percent reduction in mittee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., early February. „„ Maintaining assured access to the COLA for military retirees until they and Ranking Member James Inhofe, R- One can only guess if Congress will reserve component. reach age 62. Okla., to deliver letters from to both lead- be able to complete the appropriations „„ Increasing funding for spare parts, It effectively targets a group within ers that clearly outlines our position. process by the end of the fiscal year on maintenance and training. a group, creating some retirees who are „„ Sullivan is sending 538 similar let- Sept. 30 since this fiscal year still is be- „„ Full funding for resetting the Current Force. paying the price for the deal and others ters to all other members of Congress urg- ing funded by a continuing resolution four „„ Maintaining defense spending of at who are not – to say nothing of currently ing a bipartisan solution to this breach of months into the year. least 4 percent of GDP/Army share of at serving soldiers who – when they retire – faith with military personnel. If the past few years are any indication, least 28 percent. will be penalized as well. AUSA, with your help, has fought it is not likely that the new congress will „„ Providing pay and benefits for re- Both the administration and Congress since the beginning of sequestration to do any better. serve component personnel and their have said repeatedly that any changes to end the arbitrary, cookie cutter approach Apparently nine months is just not see page 17 Path to a healthy Army Organic Industrial Base is examined breadth and diversity needed to support Additionally, many of the AOIB in- eas: capacity, capital investment, mod- the joint warfighter – today and in the fu- stallations have deployed forward repair ernization and workload. Torchbearer ture – in an uncertain, complex national activities (FRAs) overseas to support The Army needs timely and predict- security environment. U.S. maintenance requirements around able funding to fully implement the AO- Issue Paper The AOIB consists of 23 geographi- the world. IBSP. This will allow the AOIB to lever- cally dispersed government ammunition The health of the Army Organic Indus- age best business practices; maintain Lt. Col. Frank Turner plants, manufacturing arsenals and main- trial Base is a key aspect for the United an experienced, skilled and specialized AUSA Army Fellow tenance depots that provide materiel and States Army to retain the capacity and ca- workforce; make prudent investments in equipment readiness to U.S. soldiers, pability to conduct future contingencies. modern, safe and capable infrastructure he Association of the United sailors, airmen and marines. As the Army shifts focus from war- and equipment; and ultimately provide States Army’s Institute of Land Many of these installations provide time production to sustainment opera- the capability for the joint force. TWarfare (ILW) has recently re- one-of-a-kind capabilities that are diffi- tions, it must ensure that critical capa- This Torchbearer Issue Paper may be leased a new publication. cult to rapidly replicate elsewhere. bilities are preserved in a way that will read in its entirety at http://www.ausa. Titled “The Army’s Organic Indus- Over the past decade, the AOIB has allow rapid expansion when needed. org/publications/ilw/DigitalPublica- trial Base: Providing Readiness Today, reset the service life of millions of pieces The Army developed the Army Organ- tions/Documents/tbip-aoib/index.html. Preparing for Challenges Tomorrow” of equipment and manufactured billions of ic Industrial Base Strategic Plan (AOIB- Other ILW publications are available (Torchbearer Issue Paper, December rounds of ammunition and repair parts, de- SP) to chart a path for the future of its or- online at http://www.ausa.org/ilw, and 2013), the paper explores the path to livering combat materiel readiness to men ganic industrial base that considers risks may also be obtained by calling (800) sustaining a healthy Army Organic In- and women in uniform and enabling them while providing cost-effective solutions. 336-4570, Ext. 4630, or by e-mailing a dustrial Base (AOIB) with the depth, to respond rapidly to national emergencies. The AOIBSP focuses on four key ar- request to [email protected]. ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

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SPECIAL REPORT: U.S. Army All-American Bowl 2014 February 2014 Athletes, soldiers, ROTC cadets meet at 2014 Army bowl

The 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl East, left, and West teams gathering for group photos in their game day uniforms at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Peter J. Beradi, 205th Press Camp Headquarters) Staff Sgt. Peter Berardi A variety of skills are tested as players go Adding, “It’s what makes it a very After some group photos and talking through the challenges as a team, and only unique event.” time, soldiers and players were ready to ast and West 2014 U.S. Army All- East or West will prevail, said Doug Ber- “The players all have a very strong set get on the field together. American Bowl Teams met each man, chairman of the All-American Games. of values that parallel us in the military, “It’s pretty cool getting to see [sol- other on the field for the first time Players were joined by some of the top to get to where they have in their football diers] out here running around with [stu- E soldiers in the Army, who were there to careers to this point,” Sgt. 1st Class Da- dents],” said Brian Allen, from Hinsdale at the Alamodome in San Antonio in early January. mentor them on the Army values and inform vid Stover, the 2013 Army drill sergeant Central High School, Hinsdale, Ill., and The American Family Insurance Dream them of the many paths the Army offers. of the year, said. offensive lineman for the East Team. Challenge pits the East vs. West and six sol- “It integrates some of our Army sol- “They’ve got the team work, the loyalty, He added, “It’s pretty special. I’m just dier mentors against each other in multiple diers too, which is one of the things we the duty, the selfless service, the same core thankful for everything they do for us and events including quarterback throws, a sled like doing here at the All-American values that the Army builds off of and it’s an it’s good to get to hang out with them.” push and an obstacle course. Bowl,” Berman said. amazing opportunity to see that,” he added.

Maj. Gen. Jeff Smith, commander, U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, Ky., Brig. Gen. Maria Gervais, deputy commander, U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort presents an Army ROTC scholarship worth $150,000 to Colin Campbell. The scholar- Knox, Ky., presents an award to Deionte Thompson for receiving the top evaluation ship will pay Colin’s four years of college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. in the Army National Combine. Thompson, a high school junior who plays defensive Upon graduation, he will commission as an Army second lieutenant. back, has committed to the University of Alabama. 12 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

High school athletes play to honor the Army, soldiers and veterans Staff Sgt. Peter Berardi defensive lineman for the West Team. Adding, “We get more practice time election as a player for the 2014 here than the other bowls, getting that U.S. Army All-American Bowl extra time to get in sync with guys that is a prestigious honor for ath- you’ve known for a couple of days and S got more time to bond as friends. I felt letes. While only the strongest are chosen like this bowl was a better decision.” to wear the Army colors, the players A teammate based his decision on en- have their own reasons to don the jersey tirely different factors. representing the Army. “I chose to play in the Army Bowl be- Some players choose to participate cause it’s [about] a lot more. It’s not just in the All-American Bowl over other for you and your family and the honor of bowl games because it is the top high being an All-American, it’s for the Army,” school football game, pitting the best said Dwight Williams, from Juniperro players from the East against the best Serra High School in Gardena, Calif., and from the West, while others see it as an linebacker for the West Team. opportunity to honor those who have He added, “They shed their blood and served in the nation's largest fighting give me the opportunity to out here and force – the Army. do this and they put their lives on the line One West team player made his de- and I just want to honor them.” cision based on how well the event is Regardless of why players chose to put together and the length of time the participate in the 14th Annual U.S. All- players get to spend with each other. American Bowl, the climactic game of “It’s an original bowl, I felt it was the East vs. West at the Alamodome in San Dwight Williams, from Juniperro Serra High School in Gardena, Calif., linebacker most well put together of all of them,” Antonio was enjoyed by the players and for the 2014 U.S. Army All-American West Team, renders a salute in honor of all said Bijhon Jackson, from El Dorado family members, the armed forces and the members of the armed forces during a team pratice at Blossom Athletic Center in High School in El Dorado, Ariz., and nation’s football fans. San Antonio. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Peter Beradi) Army ROTC cadets mentor and train high school band members rmy ROTC Cadet Sarah Her- men Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard rero, looking sharp in her Army in 2008, 2009 and 2011, and aged out as Acombat uniform, stands outside its color guard captain in 2012. one of five tourist buses lined up against Herrero is currently working toward a a curb in downtown San Antonio ready to Bachelor of Science degree in university form a gaggle of students into something studies with concentrations in mathemat- worthy of representing the Army colors. ics, chemistry and general business at Herrero, who stands maybe a little over Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. five feet tall, seems to magically sprout sev- She will graduate in May and commission eral inches as she calls out names of high as an Army second lieutenant in the summer. school students lined up outside the bus. While at Texas Tech, she has worked The high school students, some still wak- as a research assistant for the department ing up from a long night, quickly board the of chemistry on a project involving bio- bus. They know who is in charge. diesel fuels and has also been active in Herrero, who makes up for her size by community service projects. the take-charge attitude of her command She was selected to be the Texas Tech voice, later jokes that she can fit inside a University Corps of Cadets Ranger Chal- standard Army-issue duffle bag. lenge commander in 2011 and 2012, But, her job right now is no joking bringing home first place trophies from matter as she takes this mission seriously. Army ROTC Cadet Sarah Herrero, a senior at Texas Tech, talks with color guard members 5th Army ROTC Brigade both years in She places great importance on taking of the Army All-American Band. (Photo Credit: Vickey Mouze, U.S. Army Cadet Command) the female and coed divisions. care of, and mentoring, this bus full of Another band alumnus, Cadet Justin Participating in the color guard and working with the current band members. color guard members. Ahn brings similar experience to the band. rifle sections are an integral part of the Herrero has extensive performance ex- The members, representing the nation’s A student at New York University, Ahn is halftime show. perience. Hailing from San Antonio, she best, will perform during halftime at the enrolled as a junior in ROTC at Fordham The U.S. Army All-American March- attended John Jay Science and Engineering 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. University. He is majoring in politics and ing Band has been a fixture at the bowl Academy in San Antonio where she was a Held annually in San Antonio’s Al- would like to work in the Army’s civil af- since 2008. member of the marching band and served as amodome, the bowl brings in 90 of the fairs field as a commissioned officer. During bowl week, 125 band members color guard captain during her senior year. nation’s football players in a classic East Ahn is a relative newcomer to the band receive instruction from top collegiate, Later, in 2009, Herrero was a member vs. West match-up every January. and played clarinet in 2011. high school drum and bugle corps in- of the U.S. Army All-American Marching If the AAB represents top football tal- ROTC experience includes compet- structors from across the country as well Band Color Guard. She has served as an ent, the Army All-American Marching ing in ROTC’s annual Ranger Challenge, as educational sessions with members of ROTC mentor for the Army All-Ameri- Band represents the nation’s best high belonging to his battalion’s color guard the U.S. Army Field Band. can Marching Band since 2010. school marching bands. This band is the and the Pershing Rifles. His hometown is Herrero, along with other cadets who are She has been a member of the 2007 Rev- equivalent of football players being se- Hamden, Conn. band alumni, also act as mentors. Each cadet olution Drum and Bugle Corps Color guard. lected by the NFL for “band kids.” draws on their skills and experience when Also, she was in San Antonio’s Cross- see next page ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 13

Top-ranking linebacker Shaun Hamilton plays ‘extra hard’ for Army dad Yalonda Wright hard work has gone into this.” U.S. Army Recruiting Command Hamilton has an even closer connec- tion to the Army. His father, Lt. Col. Shelton D. Hamilton, labama golden boy Shaun has served more than 20 years in the Army Hamilton will joined the ranks Reserve, with two tours in Afghanistan. of great All-American line- A “It is an awesome honor, with me be- backers at the 14th Annual U.S. Army ing in the Army,” said Shelton Hamilton. All-American Bowl. He added, “Shaun has a work habit that Hamilton, a linebacker at Carver High makes him special. When he first started School in Montgomery, Ala., recently working toward this goal, he would get up committed to the University of Alabama. at five o’clock in the morning and go work He is ranked the number six line- out in the park four days a week from the backer in the ESPN300, 56th in the re- end of football season until February. That gion and seventh in the state. is just the kind of kid that he is.” Not only is he a top-ranking athlete, but By recruiting the nation’s best qualified is also carrying a 4.0 grade point average. men and women, the Army is committed For more than a decade, the colors of to selecting and developing youth who will the U.S. Army have heralded the premier become Army Strong, exhibit Army Strong high school football game in the nation, values and will remain Army Strong mem- showcasing athletes like Hamilton who bers of their communities. represent the Army values not just on the Hamilton and the more than 200 play- field, but in all aspects of life. ers represent that strength, matching the “I remember back in the ninth grade, All-American Bowl messaging campaign, me and my brother were working out and “Only the strongest wear our colors.” watching the Army All-American game “I am going to play extra hard and with and he said that if I worked hard and a chip on my shoulders knowing that he stayed ‘prayed up,’ it would be me play- [Shaun’s dad] is a lieutenant colonel in ing in that game one day,” Hamilton said. Shaun Hamilton, a linebacker for the U.S. Army All-American East Team is pic- the Army and he is serving our country,” Adding, “Now, I am here and a lot of tured here during his jersey presentation ceremony at Carver High School, Mont- Hamilton said. gomery, Ala. (Photo Credit: Courtesy photo) ROTC Cadet Travis Watson ‘marshalls’ athletes at Army bowl combine Vickey Mouze classmen who are participating in the U.S. “The biggest thing that carries over U.S. Army Cadet Command Army National Combine. from football to the Army is the lead- “I understand them and can coach ership aspect, discipline, structure and ike a seasoned leader, Travis them up,” Watson said during a break. making decisions in adverse situa- Watson is barking out orders, He played five years as a center at Sam tions,” he said. moving back and forth and ges- Houston State University. His long-term goal is to join Special L The combine focuses on measuring Forces so he can embed with local nationals. turing all at once as he directs a group of high school football players on the speed, strength, quickness, and football skill, To reach that goal, he has completed field in the Alamodome in San Antonio. while also providing educational seminars a bachelor’s degree in political science “Put your toe ON the white line, not touching on the recruiting process, speed with a minor in history and Middle OVER the white line or BEHIND the and strength improvement, and leadership. Eastern studies. Soon, he will begin a white line,” he said. Held annually in association with the master’s in homeland security. Satisfied, he jots down the players’ U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the combine He also studied abroad in Jordan as gives the nation’s top 500 underclassmen a an undergrad and plans to improve his names and corresponding jersey num- ROTC Cadet Travis Watson jots down notes bers as he moves down the line. chance to demonstrate their physical talent at the Army National Combine. (Photo Credit: Arabic.

Right now, Watson is making sure and compete against one another before top Vickey Mouze, U.S. Army Cadet Command) While those goals are still a ways that the football players are in the right scouting organizations, as well as the All- off, he is excited right now to lead as an Sam Houston State University. place at the right time. American Bowl Selection Committee. infantry officer. He is also an infantryman in Company He is one of 20 ROTC cadets out on If Watson looks like a natural when “I’ve always known I wanted to be a B, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, the field who, as marshals, are each in leading people, it is because he is already foot soldier, to be in the infantry.” 72nd Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry charge of a group. an experienced leader off the field. Division, Texas Army National Guard. As for today, Watson is able to share Watson draws on his college football He is an Army ROTC cadet in ROTC’s Watson said football and the Army are his passion for football and the Army experience as he mentors these under- Simultaneous Membership Program at a lot alike. with up and coming scholar athletes. SMP so he could get some enlisted experi- is that a person gets out of life based on be the best they can be, either in ROTC, Band ence before commissioning through ROTC what they put into it. band or color guard. from previous page as an officer. He is currently a sophomore. “I played my heart out on that [foot- They all said that ROTC has made them Cadet Andre Racanelli, who is major- Racanelli played tenor drums in 2012 ball] field in front of 40,000 people at the become better leaders and look forward to ing in anthropology at James Madison in the band and is now serving as a band 2012 game,” Racanelli said. “That that mentoring soldiers one day, just as they are University, is in ROTC’s Simultaneous mentor for the second time. was one of the proudest and most fulfill- mentoring high school students now. Membership Program (SMP). He, along with the other cadet men- ing moments of my life.” “We’re responsible for the best of the He is a private first class in the Virginia tors, said the most important thing they Each cadet spoke about how they have best high school musicians and performers,” National Guard. He said he entered the had learned from their band experience drawn from their ROTC experience to Herrero said. “We owe our best to them.” 14 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

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Association of the United States Army • 2425 Wilson Boulevard • Arlington, VA 22201 SIGNATURE: ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 15

Wear Blue – Run to Remember honors fallen heroes of Iraq, Afghanistan “stand side by side with active duty, with other Gold Star Families, with AUSA civilian members who support us … and then we run.” Halfway through the Family Programs three mile route near Fort Lewis every- one passes through Patriot’s Landing, a Peter Slavin military retirement community, where every week people stand by small flags ne of the 26 miles covered by bearing the names of the fallen, cheer the giant Marine Corps Mara- the runners, and hand out water. Othon in Washington, D.C., is Hallett recalls Wear Blue’s first din- very different than the rest. ner of remembrance a few years ago. For many who take part in or watch A Vietnam Navy veteran came at the the event, nothing is as moving as the urging of his daughter. There, she told Wear Blue Mile. This is mile 13, where Hallett, he had encountered a Gold Star the 30,000 or so runners pass posters mother, someone who has lived with showing the names and faces of hun- this loss. He didn’t know what to say. dreds of men and women who lost their Until then, coming back from Viet- lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. nam to an unfriendly reception had Mile 13 is also lined with hundreds haunted him, but now he realized the of family members, friends, service worst thing was for someone not to members, and others silently display- come home at all. The next week he ing large American flags bearing black called his Vietnam buddies and arranged streamers with the names of the fallen. their first reunion in 20 or 30 years. Some runners are left in tears. Once together, they set up a record- The mile is organized by Wear Blue– ing studio and each of them told his Run to Remember, an all-volunteer out- story of Vietnam. “It was” says Hallet fit started four years ago by two Army “a safe place to let it all out. “ wives, Lisa Hallett and Erin O’Connor, Anyone can join Wear Blue by join- at Fort Lewis, Wash., to honor the fallen ing a meet-up or a chapter and going in the nation’s two recent wars. Hallett on a run. At a simpler level, she says, had just lost her husband, Capt. John Army wives Lisa Hallett, who lost her husband John in Afghanistan, and Erin “someone can get involved with Wear Hallett, in Afghanistan. O’Connor founded Wear Blue four years ago at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Blue by putting on a blue shirt and Wear Blue’s estimated 5,000 mem- and ran this year’s Army Ten-Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon. making their steps purposeful. bers wear shirts with a wide footprint “Our service members have given enabling it to have a Hooah Tent and stand in solidarity in the circle.” on the back inscribed “For the Fallen, all… it is powerful to take a moment, thereby increase its presence and people’s Every week, Wear Blue demonstrates for the Fighting, for the Family.” to pause, and to be grateful and then to awareness of Wear Blue. it can draw different communities and dif- Many members also imprint the live purposefully.” Barron calls Wear Blue “a celebration ferent generations together. names of particular deceased service To learn more, visit www.wearblu- of life as well as a reminder of the fallen.” On her Saturday mornings, Hallett members. eruntoremember.org. Since its founding, Wear Blue has Wear Blue members flock each year to says she and her three young children continued to spread in both the military the Army Ten-Miler, the Marine Corps Mar- and civilian communities, with chap- athon and the Seattle Rock ‘n Roll Marathon ters at Fort Bragg, Redstone Arsenal, and Half-Marathon and thousands turn out and Joint Base Lewis McChord, and for local Memorial Day runs. informal “meet-ups” have begun at 20 But the heart of Wear Blue are the less to 30 other Army installations. glamorous training runs on Saturdays, Part of what Wear Blue does, ex- always preceded by a circle of remem- plains Hallett, is “challenge people to brance. run distances and speeds further and Runners gather and call out the names faster than they thought possible. of every service member who died on that For some people, that challenge starts weekend since the wars began in Iraq and at three miles, and for others that means Afghanistan. By the end of the year, every tackling their first double marathon!” soldier, marine, sailor, or airman who died When AUSA’s Family Readiness in either war will have been remembered. director, Patty Barron, traveled to the Runners can also call out and honor Fort Lewis area in 2012, she was taken the name of friends or family from any to a Wear Blue run and met Hallett. era who died in a conflict. Barron was impressed and could relate For civilians looking beyond words to Hallett’s story, because she had lost like “Thank you for your service” to do her father suddenly at age five in an au- something tangible for military families, tomobile accident. Wear Blue offers an opportunity. Barron invited Hallett to speak at “There’s nothing quite as easy,” says AUSA’s Annual Meeting that fall. Hallett, “as joining a circle of remembrance, whether or not one wishes to run. “There is AUSA also sponsored Wear Blue’s Over 5,000 military and civilian runners now wear blue shirts that are inscribed on a message spoken, without words, when we participation at the Army Ten-Miler, the back: ‘For the Fallen, For the Fighting, For the Family.’ 16 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

CAPITOL HILL UPDATE Bills AUSA is currently tracking

ACTIVE DUTY/GUARD & RESERVE ISSUES • Eliminates the phase-in period under current law with HEALTH CARE ISSUES respect to such concurrent receipt. House Action House Action • Introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. H.R. 55 (Prioritize Military Pay) • Referred to Committees: Armed Services; Veterans’ H.R. 288 (CHAMPVA Children’s Protection Act of 2013) Cosponsors: 13 Affairs Cosponsors: 15 • Prioritizes pay and allowances to members of the Armed H.R. 333 (Disabled Veterans’ Tax Termination Act) • Increases the maximum age for children eligible for medi- Forces in the event the debt ceiling is reached or there is a Cosponsors: 113 cal care under the CHAMPVA program. funding gap. • Introduced by Rep. Michael H. Michaud, D-Maine • Introduced by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. • Permits retired mmbers of the Armed Forces who have • Referred to Committee: Veterans’ Affairs • Referred to Committees: Armed Services; Judiciary; a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent H.R. 574 (Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation Act of 2013) H.R. 690 (Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit Cosponsors: 38 • Eliminates the phase-in period for concurrent receipt Correction Act) • Amends the Social Security Act to reform Medicare pay- Cosponsors: 35 • Extends eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service. ments for physicians’ services by eliminating • Modifiesthecalculationofdaysofactiveserviceused the sustainable growth rate system and providing incen- • Introduced by Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga. to reduce the minimum age at which a member of the tives for the adoption of innovative payment and delivery • Referred to Committees: Armed Services; National Guard or reserve may retire. modelstoimprovequalityandefficiency. Veterans’ Affairs • Introduced by Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa • Introduced by Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, D-Pa. • Referred to Committee: Armed Services H.R. 738 (Healthcare for Early Retirement Eligible • Referred to Committees: Energy and Commerce; Reservists Act of 2013) Senate Action House Ways and Means Cosponsors: 6 S. 240 (Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit H.R. 1971 (Keep Faith with TRICARE Prime Act) Correction Act) • Eliminates the requirement that certain former members Cosponsors: 38 of the reserve components of the armed forces be at least Cosponsors: 15 • DirectsDoDtoprovidecertainTRICAREbeneficiarieswith 60 years of age in order to be eligible to receive health the opportunity to retain access to TRICARE Prime • Modifiesthecalculationofdaysofactiveserviceused carebenefits. to reduce the minimum age at which a member of the • Introduced by Rep. John Kline, R-Minn. • Introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. National Guard or reserve may retire. • Referred to Committee: Armed Services • Referred to Committee: Armed Services • Introduced by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. • Referred to Committee: Armed Services Senate Action SPOUSE/FAMILY ISSUES S. 234 (Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2013) VETERANS’ ISSUES Cosponsors: 20 House Action • Permits certain retired members of the uniformed services H.R. 1620 (The Military Spouse Job Continuity Act) House Action who have a service-connected disability to receive both Cosponsors: 100 H.R. 241 (Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act) disability compensation from the VA and either retired pay • Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit Cosponsors: 24 by reason of their years of military service or Combat- against income tax for amounts paid by a spouse of a • Directs the secretary of Veterans’ Affairs to establish Related Special Compensation. member of the armed forces for a new state license or standards of access to care for veterans seeking health • Introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. certificationrequiredbyreasonofapermanentchangein care from VA medical facilities. • Referred to Committee: Armed Services the duty station of such member to another state. • Introduced by Rep. Dennis A. Ross, R-Fla. • Introduced by Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa. • Referred to Committees: Veterans’ Affairs SURVIVOR ISSUES • Referred to Committee: Ways and Means H.R. 357 (GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013) H.R. 1333 (Military Family Leave Act of 2013) Cosponsors: 50 House Action Cosponsors: 34 • Requires courses of education provided by public institu- H.R. 32 (SBP/DIC Offset) • Amends Title 38, United States Code, to grant family of tions of higher education that are approved for purposes of Cosponsors: 186 members of the uniformed services temporary annual the educational assistance programs administered by the leave during a deployment. • Repeals the requirement for reduction of survivor annui- secretary of Veterans’ Affairs to charge tuition and fees at • Introduced by Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa. the in-state rate. tiesundertheSurvivorBenefitPlantooffsetthereceiptof veteran’s dependency and indemnity compensation. • Referred to Committee: Veterans’ Affairs • Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla. • Introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. Senate Action • Referred to Committee: Veterans’ Affairs • Referred to Committee: Armed Services • Voted out of committee on June 3, 2013. Sent to S. 759 (The Military Spouse Job Continuity Act) House floor for vote. H.R. 1770 (Equal Benefits under Survivor Benefit Plan Cosponsors: 19 for Reserve Component Members) Senate Action • Allows a credit against income tax for amounts paid by Cosponsors: 9 a spouse of a member of the armed forces for a new state S. 6 (Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013) licenseorcertificationrequiredbyreasonofapermanent Cosponsors: 25 • Amends Title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the differenttreatmentundertheSurvivorBenefitPlanaccorded change in the duty station of such member to • Reauthorizes the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, to members of the reserve components who die from an injury another state. provide assistance to small businesses owned by veterans or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during • Introduced by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. and improve enforcement of employment and reemploy- inactive-duty training compared to members of the armed • Referred to Committee: Finance ment rights of members of the uniformed services. forces who die in the line of duty while on active duty. • Introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. • Introduced by Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah • Referred to Committee: Veterans’ Affairs OTHER • Referred to Committee: Armed Services House Action Senate Action RETIREE ISSUES H.R. 293 (Army Combat Action Badge Eligibility) S. 735 (Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013) Cosponsors: 2 House Action Cosponsors: 0 • Expands retroactive eligibility of the Army H.R. 303 (Retired Pay Restoration Act) • Allows surviving spouses to remarry at age 55, consis- Combat Action Badge to include members of the Army Cosponsors: 81 tent with other federal programs, without losing their VA who participated in combat during which they personally • Permits additional retired members of the Armed Forces survivorbenefitstoincludeDependencyandIndemnity engaged, or were personally engaged by, the enemy at who have a service-connected disability to receive both Compensation (DIC) and health care. any time on or after Dec. 7, 1941. disability compensation from the VA for their disability and • Introduced by Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt. • Introduced by Rep. Rich Nugent, R-Fla. either retired pay by reason of their years of military service • Referred to Committee: Veterans’ Affairs • Referred to Committee: Armed Services or Combat-Related Special Compensation. ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 17

PenFed Foundation Dream Makers program provides grants for soldiers he Pentagon Federal Credit ing session of the AUSA Annual Meeting ows of service members are also eligible. dation.org/dream_index. Union Foundation (PenFed and Exposition in late October. Other requirements include having a The PenFed Foundation is a nation- TFoundation), a nationally rec- “Many families struggle to buy their gross annual income of $55,000 or less, ally recognized nonprofit organization ognized nonprofit organization work- first home, but for military families it can or 80 percent of area median income, ad- working to meet the unmet financial ing to meet the unmet financial needs be even harder,” said Christopher Flynn, justed for family size. needs of military members and their of military members and their families, president and CEO of the PenFed Foun- In order to receive a grant, the borrower families through supporting wounded announced Jan. 6 it helped more than dation. must also attend an approved first-time warriors and providing the military 200 military families across 40 states Adding, “From frequent moves around homebuyer’s course by the U.S. Depart- community with financial management last year alone attain the dream of own- the country and overseas to trouble saving ment of Housing and Urban Development. assistance and home ownership aid. ing their first home through its Dream money for a down payment, members of “The Dream Makers program provides Through a unique public-private part- Makers program by providing a record- our armed services often have to postpone an incredible opportunity for many mili- nership, the PenFed Foundation joined breaking $1 million in grants to cover this important milestone. Our Dream tary families who have sacrificed so much with the Department of Veterans Affairs down payments and closing costs. Makers program helps bridge that gap.” to protect our nation to buy their very own to fund the new Lee and Penny Anderson PenFed Foundation was the 2013 The program helps military families home,” Flynn noted. Defenders Lodge, a $17 million project. recipient of the newly established As- who are first-time homebuyers purchase Adding, “There are so many ways we PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit sociation of the United States Army their first home by offering grants for can thank the military community for Union) covers all labor expenses for the National Service Award for “exemplary down payments and closing costs. their service and sacrifice and this pro- foundation so nearly every dollar donated service and demonstrated enduring sup- Service members and veterans of all gram is one of the best.” goes directly to supporting its programs. port to the American soldier and the branches of the military are eligible to apply To learn more about the PenFed Foun- To make a donation or learn more United States Army community.” including the Department of Homeland Se- dation’s Dream Makers program and ap- about the foundation visit: http://www. The award was presented at the open- curity and the Department of Defense. Wid- ply online visit: http://www.penfedfoun- penfedfoundation.org.

da for 2014. AUSA NEWS and ARMY Magazine, as The Directorate of Government Af- COLA In the next few months, as the legislative well as through our electronic legislative fairs hopes that you had a joyous holiday from page 10 session revs up, we will urge you to use the newsletter -which will arrive via e-mail season and are well on the way to a glori- families that are commensurate with their prepared letters in the “Legislative Action each week. ous New Year. active duty counterparts. Center” of the AUSA website – www.ausa. If you are not yet receiving the news- AUSA’s holiday gift to you is our prom- These are just some of the legislative org – to speak out on issues of importance. letter, just send an e-mail to jrudowski@ ise to continue to be the Voice for the Army issues that will be part of the AUSA agen- We will keep you informed through ausa.org. providing Support for the Soldier.

A Tradition of Excellence

TO BENEFIT SOLDIER FAMILY MWR PROGRAMS

30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMY’S RACE 12-OCT-14 UPDATES AT ARMYTENMILER.COM OR LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Distribution of this announcement does not constitute endorsement by the Federal Government, the DoD or the Army. 18 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Officer Candidate School (OCS) offers path to become an Army officer owa native Kathryn Estep joined the The first phase of Officer Candidate Army with the mindset of serving her School teaches leadership skills that build Icountry and inspiring others. onto what soldiers learned in basic training. The 23-year-old graduate from the Uni- The knowledge taught in the classroom versity of North Dakota knew the Army during Phase 1 is taken to the field in Phase would fulfill her goal of helping build strong 2 with mental and physical exercises. leaders for the U.S. Army and America With a majority of Phase 1 spent in while providing her with a solid career. a classroom environment, soldiers are “I want to lead by example and show taught subjects ranging from history to that being strong can help you in all as- land navigation. They spend time study- pects of life,” Estep said. ing and taking exams to familiarize them- Adding, “I knew I could come right selves with the information. into the Army and have that stable career.” Applying classroom knowledge in a Like many college graduates, Estep field exercise environment, OCS instruc- joined the Army and pursued a spot at Of- tors teach soldiers combat tactics like ficer Candidate School (OCS). warrior tasks and battle drills. OCS is one of three paths to becom- These exercises give soldiers the op- ing an officer along with the Reserve Of- portunity to perform as squad leaders dur- ficers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the ing field training to give them the opera- United States Military Academy at West tional experience and knowledge that will Point, N.Y. Delta Company soldiers at Officer Candidate School march to the field to begin their assist them as future platoon leaders. College Option soldiers on the road missions at Fort Benning, Ga. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo) “Walking out of here, I want to be an to becoming officers attend basic train- officer,” said Bruer. ing and then go on to Officer Candidate we’re not open to all,” he added. at a desk job. You really learn to work under Adding, “I’m hoping to go forth and School at Fort Benning, Ga. The Army provides an active career pressure, work with deadlines and work with lead others and help them see how they Here they undergo two phases to com- that is maintained through professional a variety of different people.” can capitalize on their potential.” plete training that test and push their men- development, training and routine physi- Bruer, a Cornell University graduate, OCS instructors say Officer Candidate tal, physical and emotional limits during cal fitness tests. studied government in college and has an School is about refining leadership and the 12-week course. This type of career appeals to college interest in Middle Eastern politics. giving officer candidates an avenue to put Aspiring officers look to Officer Can- graduates seeking a journey in life that is Before joining the Army, she consid- that leadership to the test to learn more didate School as a path that will challenge more than a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. routine. ered going the civilian route and was look- about themselves and what they are going them on a daily basis and provide a stable “You’re challenged physically and ing for positions related to the military. to be called upon to do as strong leaders in career after they graduate the program mentally,” said officer candidate Alexan- With more research, Bruer realized the Army or in future careers in the civil- as second lieutenants and transition into dra Bruer. that the best way to work with the mili- ian world. various positions within the Army. Adding, “That’s something you’re never tary was to join the Army and become a (U.S. Army Marketing and Research “The challenges coming out of college going to get working in Washington, D.C., soldier. Group) were I didn’t want to have any uncertain- ty,” said officer candidate Estep. Adding, “I didn’t want to have a part- time job that didn’t actually benefit me.” Joining the Army right out of college, Estep was surprised and grateful for the leadership opportunities she was provided. “I’m twenty-three years old and the lead- ership we’ve taken on is very surprising be- cause I’ve been a platoon sergeant in charge of approximately 30 people,” she said. To take the path and enter OCS as a non-active duty solider requires certain characteristics. The OCS program recruits candidates who understand team dynamics and have management experience in different areas. People from all backgrounds and skill sets are appreciated as long as they have shown leadership abilities and growth po- tential. Capt. Richard Smothers, D Company commander at Fort Benning, sees officer candidates as future leaders who need to be shaped and molded. “They came here because they wanted something more,” said Smothers. “They wanted to lead and they want- ed to do it in an environment that really fosters growth. We are a very selective group. We are the profession of arms, and Officer candidate Paulette Prince leads her squad during a field exercise at Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo) ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 19

National Guard celebrates 377 years of service to the nation Sgt. Quentin Jones adviser for National Guard Affairs-Af- Teams, some mixed with different ser- fight,” explained LeDoux. ghanistan, said. vice members from different units, relied Adding, “It’s an opportunity to bring ince Dec. 13, 1637, some early It consisted of six team events includ- on each other for support and energy to together service members who are spread American settlers who formed mi- ing: a 5k race, sit-ups, pull-ups, ammo can complete each challenge, which was the across the U.S. to celebrate with healthy litias became minutemen – a highly squats, tire flips and burpees – a leg and basis for the challenge itself, said LeDoux. competition, building esprit-de-corps and S chest endurance exercise. “It was more than celebrating the guard’s teamwork while having fun.” mobile, elite force of the military. These settlers would come together as volun- Twenty teams competed, scoring birthday, but a chance to give back to the For the 2nd “Black Jack” Brigade teers to form the U.S. National Guard to points for final placing in the race and [Bagram Airfield] community,” Luca said. Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, protect their land and homes. complete team repetitions at each of the “[The guard] opened the challenge Fort Hood, Texas, it did just that, as three Once again guardsmen came together five other events, added Luca. to everyone. We are one team with one see next page with teamwork and esprit-de-corps during the U.S. National Guard Five-Kilometer Race and Minuteman Challenge on Ba- gram Airfield, Afghanistan. This event concluded the guard’s three- day, 377th birthday celebration that con- Institute of Land Warfare sisted of a leadership dinner, a breakfast with soldiers and airmen, a cake cutting, a re-enlistment ceremony, a race and the Min- uteman Challenge, said Maj. Eric Luca. Winter Symposium Luca is from Cleveland and is an infor- mation officer for the 437th Military Police and Exposition Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard. A Professional Development Forum U.S. National Guard Affairs-Afghani- stan hosted the event, and the 437th Mili- 19–21 FEBRUARY 2014 tary Police Battalion sponsored it. The five-man team challenge was open The Von Braun Center to all U.S. service members and civilians Huntsville, Alabama on Bagram Airfield, Master Sgt. Edward LeDoux, senior career counselor/enlisted AMERICA’S ARMY: Sustaining, Training, and Equipping for the Future

NEW RATES AND LOCATION FOR 2014 - HUNTSVILLE, AL

A U.S. Army Ohio National Guardsman EXCLUSIVE MID-DAY EXHIBIT HALL HOURS with the 838th Military Police Company and on Team Rogue performs ammo can squats during the U.S. National Guard 5k Nowhere will you find a more impressive display of innovations and Race and Minuteman Challenge on Ba- advanced technologies. Tap into the latest information and insights, gram Airfield, Afghanistan. The race and challenge concluded a three-day National and network within the Army community. Guard 377th Birthday celebration hosted by the Ohio National Guard 437th Mili- For information, contact Alex Brody 703.907.2665 tary Police Battalion and National Guard ausameetings.org/winter Affairs-Afghanistan. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Quentin Johnson) 20 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

VCU and Army join to establish Supply Chain Management degree Public Affairs Office VCU is a major urban public research Combined Arms Support university with national and internation- Command al rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls nearly 31,000 students in Public Affairs Office 223 degree and certificate programs in Va. Commonwealth University the arts, sciences and humanities. Sixty-eight of the programs are he Army Logistics University unique in Virginia, many of them cross- and Virginia Commonwealth ing the disciplines of VCU’s 13 schools TUniversity (VCU) have part- and one college. nered to create a new degree program to This program provides the Army a support soldiers. great opportunity, said Dr. Billy J. Davis, The Master of Supply Chain Man- College of Professional and Continuing agement is slated to begin in fall 2014 Education, Army Logistics University. and will emphasize innovation, critical “The comprehensive curriculum thinking and logistics management. will help prepare students for the rig- In a recent ceremony at the Richmond orous demands of being a supply chain campus, Dr. Michael Rao, VCU president, and logistics professional.” and Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, Combined In a ceremony at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Michael Rao, VCU president, and He noted that ALU students will also Arms Support Command and Fort Lee Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee commanding be able to combine their studies in the commanding general, signed a Memoran- general, signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement to develop the new Master Theater Logistics Planners Program with dum of Understanding agreement to de- of Supply Chain Management degree program. (Photo Credit: VCU University Relations) additional coursework taken at VCU. velop the program. “This collaboration will educate and Combined Arms Support Command, understand this, and I’m so proud that my ment of Defense officers and civilians.” help prepare military and civilian sus- known as CASCOM, a major subordinate colleagues in the School of Business have The 12-month enhanced graduate degree tainment professionals to become inno- command of the U.S. Army Training and become national leaders in this area.” program in the VCU School of Business will vative logisticians who are competent, Doctrine Command, is responsible for The signing of the memorandum rep- place special emphasis on innovation and committed and adaptive to their field of training over 185,000 students annually resents the culmination of a journey in creative thinking as well as the use and ap- professional practice,” Davis said. through more than 540 courses taught by partnership that began with a VCU lead- plication of SAP enterprise software. Adding, “Collaborations, such as the ordnance, quartermaster and transpor- ership visit to Fort Lee in 2012. Students will learn how to manage the this, are instrumental in bridging and tation schools, the Soldier Support Institute That visit established the foundation complexities of global supply chains by connecting the military sustainment and the Army Logistics University (ALU). that has developed into this new coopera- using applied research programs, analyz- professional to the intricacies of the The mission for the command is to tive graduate degree program. ing real-world problems and working with global industrial base. The program will train, educate and grow the sustainment “We were so excited that VCU was not local firms and government agencies. create an optimal learning environment community as well as develop and inte- only interested in developing a joint grad- The program will draw students from where knowledge about supply chain grate innovative Army and joint sustain- uate program in supply chain manage- the corporate sector as well as from the and logistics throughout industries and ment capabilities, concepts and doctrine ment but also in standing up a new teach- military, and provide both the unique op- applications can be shared.” to enable unified land operations. ing department to do so,” Wyche said. portunity to learn from each other. The program still requires approval from “I am proud to inaugurate an academ- Adding, “The program we have co-de- “The course reflects what the Army the VCU Board of Visitors and the State ic program that will be critically impor- signed reflects our shared vision of the logis- and defense department have wanted for Council of Higher Education for Virginia. tant for Central Virginia,” Rao said. tician who will master both the defense lo- years – a careful blending of govern- This new degree program represents Adding, “Central Virginia – led by gistics system and the business of logistics.” ment and business theories and practices the great teamwork between the defense VCU and Fort Lee – needs to be a na- He also said, “Together, we have designed involving the art and science of supply and academic communities, Wyche said. tional model for innovative logistics and a course of instruction that will, perhaps, be chain management and logistical support He added, “We are looking forward to supply chain management. At VCU, we the best such program available to Depart- to our armed forces,” Wyche said. a lasting and meaningful relationship.”

LeDoux said he was pleased over- National Guard all with the challenge that took almost from previous page 40 U.S. service members and months teams from the brigade were represented of planning to incorporate it on Bagram at the challenge, bringing their competi- Airfield. His hopes are high another chal- tive spirits with them, said Lt. Col. Mark lenge will take place in the states for next Huhtanen, Black Jack deputy commander. year's birthday celebration of the Guard. “It was fun and challenging, with the Five committees contributed to the over- different events playing to different peo- all setup of the challenge: National Guard ples strengths,” added Huhtanen. Affairs-Afghanistan; the 210th Military Huhtanen remarked on what he felt was the Police Company, North Carolina; the 198th most important part of the challenge, which Signal Group, Delaware; the 437th Military was remembering our military heritage. Police Battalion and the 181st Field Artil- “It was great to celebrate the National lery Battalion, Tennessee; and the National Guard’s birthday, after all the guard is an im- Guard Military History Detachment. U.S. service members and civilians start a five-kilomter race during the U.S. National portant part of our heritage,” said Huhtanen. The winner of the challenge was team Guard 5k Race and Minuteman Challenge on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The race Adding, “The challenge brought ser- “Sappers In,” five members from the 130th and challenge concluded a three-day National Guard 377th Birthday celebration hosted vice members together, which brought out Engineer Brigade, Schofield Barracks, Ha- by the Ohio National Guard 437th Military Police Battalion and National Guard Af- the Warrior Ethos and Army values.” waii, with a score of more than 1,500 points. fairs-Afghanistan. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Quentin Johnson) ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 21

Army World Class Athletes are on their way to Winter Olympics in Sochi Tim Hipps Army Installation Management Command

hree soldiers from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program Tearned nominations for the U.S. Olympic Luge Team for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Team USA luge coach Staff Sgt. Bill Tavares will lead Sgt. Matt Mortensen and Sgt. Preston Griffall, who secured their spot with a ninth-place finish in doubles at the Luge World Cup stop, Dec. 13, at Utah Olympic Park. The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, duo completed its first run down the 1,335-meter track that features 15 curves in 43.948 seconds, followed by a shakier slide down the mountain in 44.132 seconds – for a cu- mulative time of 1:28.080. Germany’s Tobias Wendl and Bvias Arlt won the race with a 1:27.326 clock- ing. “There’s always a little bit of pressure when you’re sliding, but for Preston and I, the main thing was just get down to the finish without walls – do something that you’ve done hundreds of times, and just Sgt. Matt Mortensen and Sgt. Preston Griffall of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program earn a berth in the 2014 Olympic do it OK,” said Mortensen, 28, of Hun- Winter Games by virtue of their World Cup performances, including this run to a ninth-place finish in luge doubles, at Utah Olympic see next page Park in Park City, Utah. (Photo Credit: Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs)

Pave the Way for Army History Celebrate your Army service or honor the Army service of a loved one with this timeless tribute of an attractive Mesabi black granite brick prominently displayed on the grounds of the National Museum of the U.S. Army.

Available in 4” x 8” and 8” x 8” sizes priced at $250 and $500 respectively, orders are being taken now, with early purchasers being given prime placement along the Path of Remembrance. The bricks will be installed in time for the Museum’s grand opening celebration.

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program lugers Sgt. Preston Griffall, 29, of Salt Lake Act Now! Visit www.armyhistory.org/bricks City, Utah, and Sgt. Matt Mortensen, 28, of Huntington Station, N.Y., flank WCAP or call 855-ARMY-BRX and U.S. Olympic luge coach Staff Sgt. Bill Tavares after receiving their Team USA jackets at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. They will represent the U.S. Army at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, scheduled for Feb. 6-24 in Sochi, Russia. Mortensen and Griffall secured their spot with a ninth-place finish in the World Cup Luge doubles event Dec. 13 at Utah Olympic Park. On Dec. 14, they anchored Team USA’s silver medal winning relay team. (Photo Credit: Tim HIpps, IMCOM Public Affairs) 22 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Soldiers to Sochi pending U.S. Olympic Committee ap- “It’s unbelievable,” Mortensen said. the big one, you know? Yeah, after Matt proval, during a gala at the Utah Olym- “I get emotional thinking about it. It’s and I missed it narrowly in 2010, this has from previous page pic Park Museum. been almost 17 years that I’ve been work- been a long time coming.” Joining the WCAP lugers on Team ing toward this point, and for it to finally tington Station, N.Y. USA: Mazdzer of Saranac Lake, N.Y., happen is like a dream come true.” Adding, “Second run, I tried not to do Tucker West of Ridgefield, Conn., and Griffall hopes his third go-round it OK, but we still managed to get down Aidan Kelly of West Islip, N.Y., in men’s might indeed produce the charm. without any walls.” singles; Erin Hamlin of Remsen, N.Y., “Emotionally, it’s a pretty powerful Griffall, a 2006 Olympian who just Hansen of La Canada, Calif., and Sum- thing,” he said. missed making the team in 2010, had mer Britcher of Glen Rock, Pa., in wom- Adding, “This is the biggest event even more reason to be concerned. en's singles, along with Christian Nic- for our sport. It only happens every four As the bottom guy on a doubles team, cum of Woodinville, Wash., and Jayson years. We have World Cups and World it’s often difficult to see what is happen- Terdiman of Berwick, Pa., in doubles. Championships in between, but this is ing. “Our second run, like Matt said, we had some problems on the run,” said Griffall, 29, of Salt Lake City, Utah. “There’s a big scoreboard, actually, behind curve 14 – because I can’t see di- rectly in front of me because Matt’s sit- ting there – so I was turned around and trying to look at the scoreboard to see Land Forces: Assuring Security and Stability what place we were in. And we’re still traveling at 60 or 70 miles per hour, and I couldn’t see where the place was on the in the Indo-Asia-Pacific board,” he added. Another four years instantaneously flashed through the mind of Griffall. “I had no idea what place we were in, and Matt wasn’t doing anything, so there was no reaction at first. I was like, ‘Oh, my God, maybe we didn’t get the place that we needed,’” he recalled. Adding, “I finally was able to see around him once we got further up the outrun and I saw that we were in second place [at that point in the competition] and at that point I knew that we had met the place we needed to in order to qualify for the Olympics. “I was just extremely excited,” Griffall said. “That was what we needed AUSA Institute of Land Warfare to do. I was happy for both Matt and I that we were finally able to do this after seven years. This is the goal that we had, and we finally met that goal.” Adding “I’m just trying to enjoy it LANPAC right now and we’re going to look for- A world-class international event ward toward Sochi, get there and try and Symposium & Exposition go for it – give ourselves the possibility highlighting the role of land power of going for a medal.” in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. A Professional Development Forum Mortensen was “paralyzed by emo- tion” the moment he realized the WCAP Be part of the discussion as Joint, Interagency duo’s second run was good enough to earn an Olympic berth. and Multinational key leaders along with 8–10 April 2014 “All that matters is that we qualified academia, industry and NGO’s examine: Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, HI for the Olympics and we’re going to So- chi,” he said. • Information warfare and cyber activities “We ended up in ninth place today, • Leveraging training with technology which is same as last week, so that’s re- • Humanitarian assistance and ally, really good for us,” he noted. disaster response The next day, Mortensen and Griffall FREE REGISTRATION enjoyed a “victory lap,” of sorts, by an- for active duty military choring Team USA to a silver medal in and government personnel the World Cup team relay, an event that will make its Olympic debut in Sochi. Kate Hansen slid the women’s singles ausameetings.org/lanpac leg and Chris Mazdzer filled the men’s AUSA, Industry Affairs: 703.907.2665 singles spot on the relay team. USA Luge officially announced nom- ination of the 2014 Olympic Luge Team, ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 2014 q AUSA NEWS 23

 Star Chart  South Sudan Evacuation ach month, in which a chapter achieves and retains a growth equal to or greater than its assigned membership goal, it will be classified as a Star Chapter. The chapter name will be listed on this Emonthly Star Chart with the number of consecutive months as a Star Chapter listed to the right. Sunshine 193 Capital District of New York 66 Gen. John Vessey Jr., MN 169 Aberdeen 66 Greater Kansas City 164 Gen. W. C. Westmoreland 66 Tobyhanna Army Depot 163 Texas Capital Area 62 Major Samuel Woodfill 150 First Militia 61 Arsenal of Democracy 130 Carlisle Barracks – Cumberland Valley 54 Rhode Island 123 Mission Trails 53 Rock Island Arsenal 129 Central Ohio 52 North Texas 131 Kuwait 47 Redstone - Huntsville 123 CPL Bill McMillan – Bluegrass 33 Columbia River 114 Fires 22 Connecticut 107 GA Omar N. Bradley 22 Space Coast 90 Northern New Jersey 19 Tri State 89 Western New York 18 Fort Leonard Wood – Mid-Missouri 83 CPT Meriwether Lewis 13 St. Louis Gateway 77 Polar Bear 11 Arizona Territorial 76 Stuttgart 4 Tucson-Goyette 70 Corporate Member Growth orporate members provide the leadership, as well as goods, services and the financial means that assist chapters with their programs and projects Cdesigned to support our soldiers, civilians, retirees and their families. The following chapters have increased their corporate member companies by 10 or more since July 1, 2013. As of December 31, 2013 A U.S. Army soldier with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s East Re- sponse Force travels on an Air Force jet from Djibouti to support the departure and Chapter Increase evacuation of the U.S. Embassy from South Sudan in December. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Captain Meriwether Lewis 21 Micah Theurich, USAF.)

• U.S. Army South: Fostering Peace and Security in South America, Central America and the Caribbean (October 2013) To order books, visit the AUSA website at www. • The Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex: ausa.org or contact Dr. Roger Cirillo at 800-336- Land Warfare Papers Winning the Future Fight (August 2013) 4570 ext. 6653 or via e-mail at [email protected]. • LWP 98 – Army Adaptation from 1898 to the • Déjà Vu: Servicemembers’ earnings are under Present: How Army Leaders Balanced Strategic attack—again (June 2013) and Institutional Imperatives to Best Serve the Nation by Robert H. Simpson and Mark C. Smith Torchbearer Alerts (September 2013) • A Crisis in Military Housing: Basic Allowance for Housing Under Attack (October 2013) • LWP 97 – Design, Mission Command and the • Recreation Centers Offer Value to Troops, • Breaking the Faith (February 2012) Network: Enabling Organizational Adaptation 2 3 Families (4th Quarter 2013) by Todd A. Schmidt (August 2013) Defense Reports • LWP 96 – Institutionalizing Stability Operations: A Special Reports • DR 13-1 – The U.S. Army Capstone Concept: An Unsung Soldier: The Life of Gen. Andrew Policy Analysis by Michael Kelly McCoy (June 2013) • Remembering a Sine Wave: A History of Feast • Defining the Army of 2020 (January 2013) J. Goodpaster by Robert S. Jordan (Naval and Famine for the U.S. Army by Frederick J. • LWP 95 – Cyberspace Operations in Support of Landpower Essays Institute Press, September 2013) Counterinsurgency Operations by David W. Pendall, Kroesen (October 2013) • LPE 13-4 – Strategizing Forward in the Western • Team 19 in Vietnam: An Australian Soldier Ronald Wilkes and Timothy J. Robinson (April 2013) • AUSA + Second Session, 112th Congress = Pacific and Elsewhere by Huba Wass de Czege at War by Lt Col. David Millie, MBE Ret. (The • LWP 94 – Misinterpretation and Confusion: What Some Very Good News (January 2013) (October 2013) University Press of Kentucky, October 2013) is Mission Command and Can the U.S. Army Make • Profile of the U.S. Army 2012: a reference LPE 13-3 – Cavalry in the Movement and • Losing Vietnam: How America Abandoned it Work? by Donald E. Vandergriff (February 2013) • handbook (June 2012) Maneuver Warfighting Function by Frederic J. Southeast Asia by MG Ira A. Hunt Jr., USA Ret. • LWP 93 – Strategists Break All the Rules by (The University Press of Kentucky, June 2013) • Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents’ Guide Brown (May 2013) Adelaido Godinez (January 2013) by Vicki Cody (also available in Spanish) • LPE 13-2 – The Hard Truth about “Easy • LWP 92 – Leader Development, Learning Fighting” Theories: The Army is Needed Most Agility and the Army Profession by Brian J. Reed Torchbearer National Security Reports When Specific Outcomes Matter by Huba Wass (October 2012) • Strategic Mobility: Enabling Global Responsiveness de Czege (April 2013) for America’s Force of Decisive Action (July 2013) National Security Watch • LPE 13-1 – Military Ethic and the Judge • NSW 13-1 – Strategy and Policy: Civilian and • The U.S. Army in the Pacific: Assuring Security Advocate General’s Corps: Legal Guardians of Military Leadership in the 21st Century by and Stability (April 2013) the Profession of Arms by Mari K. Eder Nicholas R. Krueger (January 2013) Torchbearer Issue Papers (April 2013) • NSW 12-4 – Earned Deferred Compensation by • The Army’s Organic Industrial Base: Providing • LPE 12-1 – Just Don’t Take Away My • Generals of the Army: Marshall, MacArthur, Nicholas R. Krueger (August 2012) Readiness Today, Preparing for Challenges Smartphone by Jeremy Rasmussen Eisenhower, Arnold, Bradley by James H. Tomorrow (December 2013) (October 2012) Willbanks, Editor (The University Press of NCO Update Kentucky, April 2013) • Odierno: Sequestration Would Make Even One • Addition Through Subtraction: Empowering the • My Life Before the World War, 1860–1917: Major Operation Difficult2 (1st Quarter 2014) Soldier by Lightening the Load (October 2013) All publications are available free of charge at: A Memoir, General of the Armies John J. www.ausa.org/publications/ilw. Pershing by John T. Greenwood, Editor To order these and other ILW publications, visit the Institute of Land (The University Press of Kentucky, July 2013) Warfare at the AUSA website (www.ausa.org); send an e-mail to [email protected]; call (800) 336-4570, ext. 4630; or write to 1 Available ONLY on the AUSA website at www.ausa.org/ilw. • Exposing the Third Reich: Colonel Truman AUSA’s Institute of Land Warfare, ATTN: Publication Requests, 2425 Wil- 2 Lead story. Smith in Hitler’s Germany by Henry G. Gole 3 Winner of the 2013 AUSA/Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) son Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3326. writing contest. (The University Press of Kentucky, August 2013) 24 AUSA NEWS q February 2014 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

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