PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE www.ausa.org

IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 31 DECEMBER 5, 2019

Work continues to fix military housing 3 Government Affairs Stopgap funding hurts readiness 4 Member Benefits Discounts on gifts and travel 6

Chapter Highlights West Alabama Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, right, will succeed retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Ken- Capital District of New York neth Preston, left, as AUSA’s vice president for NCO and Soldier Programs. (AUSA PHOTO) 8 Dailey joins AUSA as NCO vice president

etired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, ence, energy and thoughtful insights.” Daniel Dailey joined the As- who has been with AUSA since 2013. Dailey “is precisely the right leader Rsociation of the U.S. Army on While stepping down as an AUSA to follow SMA Preston and to build Monday as its new vice president for vice president, Preston will remain a upon the programs AUSA has estab- NCO and Soldier Programs. senior fellow with AUSA’s Institute lished that focus on the 84% of the “There is nobody better to continue of Land Warfare. Total Army that serve in the enlisted the growth in our soldier programs,” The transition between Dailey and ranks,” Ham said. said retired Gen. Carter Ham, AUSA Preston is expected to take about two “All of us at AUSA wish SMA president and CEO. months. Preston well in his richly deserved Dailey retired from the Army effec- Preston was the 13th sergeant retirement, and we extend a warm tive Dec. 1 after 30 years of service, of the Army who also served welcome to SMA Dailey.” including a final four-year assign- two Army chiefs of staff; now-retired Dailey said he views his move to ment as the 15th sergeant major of Gen. and Gen. AUSA as part of a commitment to be the Army. George Casey. a Soldier for Life. He served as the senior enlisted Ham, who elevated Preston to vice “It is an honor and a privilege to adviser to two Army chiefs of staff, president in a move to bring more have the ability to continue to serve now-retired Gen. Raymond Odierno attention to the position, said Pres- our soldiers, Army civilians, vet- and Gen. , now the chair- ton “has made a tremendous impact erans and their families as part of man of the . across our association, just as he did our Association of the United States At AUSA, Dailey assumes an ex- while serving as the 13th SMA. We Army team,” he said. ecutive position held by retired Sgt. have all benefited from his experi- See Dailey, Page 3

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USA & Global Travel Army leaders pledge to continue fixing on-post housing he Army is withholding incen- tive payments from privatized Smart SIM + Cheap Thousing companies and creat- ing 24-hour complaint hotlines in its efforts to improve on-post housing, Phone Plans for US Military but a lot more work remains to be done, the service’s senior leaders said. “It is our responsibility to provide Personnel & Family Members housing, not simply to code but also ******************************************************** to quality,” Army Secretary Ryan Mc- Carthy said, adding, “we owe it to the Unlimited DATA with Voice Calls & SMS Smart SIM 45% of our force who live on-post.” McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville testified Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, left, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville Tuesday alongside the other service testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. DANA CLARKE) secretaries and chiefs before the Sen- ate Armed Services Committee. tized housing companies accountable top quality of life priority and as- The hearing took place 10 months is by withholding incentive fees, typi- signed housing operations to Gen. after a similar event before the com- cally awarded for good performance. Gus Perna, commander of the U.S. mittee in February that highlighted The Army recently withheld “sub- Army Materiel Command. widespread reports of poor mainte- stantial fees” from the contractor on The Army will continue to work to nance, black mold, pest infestations Fort Benning, Georgia, and Joint improve on-post housing, but the pro- and other issues in privatized mili- Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, cess will take time, McCarthy and tary housing. “because of poor performance, work McConville told the senators. The Army has more than 86,000 order response time as well as qual- The work also will require money, privatized homes on its installations, ity,” McCarthy said. McCarthy said, when asked about with one-third in poor condition, one- The average incentive fee “right how a continuing resolution, which third in fair condition and one-third now is about 77%,” with some getting funds the Army at fiscal 2019 levels, in good condition, McCarthy said. as little as 11%, McConville said. is affecting the Army’s efforts. Since February, more than 2,100 “We see that making a difference in The Army has requested about $1.1 families have been displaced while the performance of the contractors in billion for housing restoration and October, November & December 2019 Orders their homes are being repaired, with executing their mission,” he said. modernization, plus millions in bar- * 20% Discount (Smart SIM) almost 200 of them still in temporary The Army also has held town hall racks improvements, and that money housing as of Tuesday, he said. meetings with soldiers and families, is being held up without a fiscal 2020 * 20% Discount (Smartphone) “To displaced families, days can feel created 24-hour help lines, empow- budget, McCarthy said. Use this coupon when checking out: USMILQ42019 like weeks and weeks can feel like ered the chain of command, and cre- “We can’t initiate the projects, we months,” McCarthy said. “These aren’t ated transparency in the work order don’t have the funding. And existing simply numbers; these are lives.” process, McCarthy said. ones are being funded at the previous * Coverage in the USA & 230+ countries One way the Army has held priva- Senior leaders made housing their levels, so the buying power is reduced.” * Free Incoming Call in 120+ countries Dailey added. “I look forward to building on our Army,” he said. “In the Army, we * Just stay in touch with this Roaming SIM From Page 1 what he has done.” have a proud tradition of senior lead- “I am joining a dedicated team Preston said he’s pleased that Dai- er transition in our units across the of professionals that has built and ley is his successor. “Everyone in the Regular Army, Army National Guard To Order, Visit: preserved the best professional and Army today, from private to , and the Army Reserve. We are doing representative association for the knows and respects him. This new the same thing here at AUSA. Dan https://www.dualglobalmobile.us world’s best Army,” Dailey said. role enables him to continue his ser- Dailey is the right leader now to con- “I will remain committed to the vice to our nation and our Army.” tinue serving our Army team.” https://sales.dualglobalmobile.us mission, vision and values of our “I cannot think of anyone more “I look forward to serving our asso- association, continuing in the foot- compassionate and dedicated to the ciation in other capacities as needed Email: [email protected] steps of SMA Ken Preston, who has thousands of soldiers, Army civilians and will continue to be a Soldier for done phenomenal work at AUSA,” he and families who serve and support Life,” Preston said.

www.ausa.org December 5, 2019 | AUSA Extra 3 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Continuing resolutions delay Army’s efforts to modernize, grow readiness Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier

Gen. Carter F. Ham, USA, Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Guy C. Swan III, USA, Ret. Vice President, Education, AUSA Luc Dunn Editor Desiree Hurlocker Advertising Production and Fulfillment Manager Advertising Information Contact: Fox Associates Inc. 116 W. Kinzie St. • Chicago, IL 60654 Additional stopgap funding in 2020 could cause a six-month delay or longer for the Phone: 800-440-0231 Army to continue growing readiness and improving modernization. (COURTESY PHOTO) Email: [email protected]

By Mark Haaland my’s civilian workforce, an increase ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra uch work remains to be ac- the Association of the U.S. Army sup- do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of the Council of Trustees complished by Congress as ports. of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- the government continues If the House votes to impeach the sions of personal opinion and should not be M interpreted as reflecting the official opinion of to operate under the current stop- president, the Senate must take up the Department of Defense nor of any branch, gap funding measure, or continuing impeachment without delay, which command, installation or agency of the Depart- resolution, which runs through Dec. means the Senate will not consider ment of Defense. The publication assumes no 20—less than three weeks from now. any other legislation until the conclu- responsibility for any unsolicited material. The Senate has not passed any of sion of the impeachment proceedings. ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its its 12 appropriations for fiscal year AUSA is strongly encouraging the publisher, the Association of the United States 2020. But there is some good news Senate to complete the appropriations Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy in that the House and Senate have bills before any impeachment trial be- of the advertisements appearing herein, and jointly agreed to funding levels for gins. Failing to do so will likely re- no such representations, warranties or en- each bill. sult in additional continuing resolu- dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the This is important for passing the tions into March or later, which would publication. The advertisers are solely respon- final measures, but difficult chal- cause a six-month delay or longer for sible for the contents of such advertisements. lenges remain. the Army to continue grow- RATES. Individual membership fees payable For example, border wall Government ing readiness and improving in advance are $40 for two years, $75 for funding remains an issue Affairs modernization at the new five years, and $400 for Life Membership. A and has implications for the funding levels. discounted rate of $10 for two years is available to members in the ranks of E-1 through E-4, defense, military construction and Disagreement over funding for the and for service academy and ROTC cadets and homeland security appropriations. border wall is another main reason OCS candidates. More information is available Unfortunately, the ongoing con- for the ongoing impasse between the at our website www.ausa.org; or by emailing [email protected], phoning 855-246- tinuing resolution funds the Army at House and Senate Armed Services 6269, or mailing Fulfillment Manager, P.O. Box last year’s levels and does not permit Committees for a final National De- 101560, Arlington, VA 22210-0860. the Army to begin new programs or fense Authorization Act. expand current programs to modern- AUSA is strongly advocating for PERK OF THE WEEK ize and grow overmatch capability. and encouraging Congress to find a Battle Digest Under a CR, new military con- solution on the border wall disagree- Your next issue of Battle Digest, The Battle struction projects for housing are not ment and other remaining issues to of Chancellorsville, is ready for download. able to commence, either. pass the NDAA, as well as the de- The Confederate victory at Chancellorsville is considered the crowning military achieve- As mentioned last month, the 3.1% fense, military construction and vet- ment of Gen. Robert E. Lee. As an AUSA pay increase for our troops will still erans appropriations, before the end member, you get a free download of the go into effect beginning Jan. 1. of 2019. current issue of Battle Digest, a summary Unfortunately, the defense appro- that includes important lessons on strategy, tactics and leadership. You can also get priation is still needed for a final Mark Haaland is AUSA’s Government 15% off printed copies or previous issues at decision on a pay increase for the Ar- Affairs Director. www.ausa.org/battle

4 AUSA Extra | December 5, 2019 www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Declining budgets could hinder future Army contracts he health of the Army contract- design without the details,” such as ing enterprise is strong, a senior reliability, maintainability, sustain- TArmy official said Wednesday at ability and even if it can be manufac- a one-day seminar sponsored by the tured on a large scale. Association of the U.S. Army. Industry is looking for ways to A workforce of about 8,000 people quickly transition from prototypes to works in 270 offices overseeing 300,000 the next step of being a program of contracts valued at about $74 billion. record, meaning it is a directed and “We hire the best people and in a funded project responding to an ap- timely fashion,” said Stuart Hazlett, proved need. the Army deputy assistant secretary Shyu worries that declining bud- Heidi Shyu speaks at AUSA’s Hot Topic for procurement. “That has not al- gets could leave the Army with many event on Army contracts. (AUSA PHOTO) ways been the case,” he said, proudly prototypes that aren’t being built be- describing a credentialed and certi- faster and nontraditional contracting. cause there is no funding. fied force where the majority were Shyu warned that some faster con- Shyu sees the need for new systems hired in the last 11 years. tracting has inadvertently created that are quickly and easily upgraded, The Army Acquisition and Con- challenges for some companies, par- are less dependent on the current tracting Hot Topic event, held at AU- ticularly smaller companies. global positioning system, and have SA’s headquarters in Arlington, Vir- This can happen because of larger reduced sustainment costs. ginia, included a keynote speech from upfront costs for things like building She also warned there are hazards Heidi Shyu, a former Army assistant prototypes, Shyu said. to buying off-the-shelf products, as secretary for acquisition, logistics “A prototype does not equal produc- the commercially built products may and technology who sees hope in new, tion-ready,” she said. “It is proof of not be sustainable over the long term.

www.ausa.org December 5, 2019 | AUSA Extra 5 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Save on gifts, car rentals and hotels with membership By Susan Rubel Market, Regal, Lindt Chocolates, Vi- No matter which hotel brand is s you shop for gifts for the holi- staprint, Overstock, Samsung, Rover, your favorite—Marriott, Wyndham, days, don’t forget to take ad- Columbia Sportswear, Diamondback, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Best Western or Avantage of member savings at FedEx, Gander Outdoors, GE Appli- some of the popular boutique hotels— places like Apple (now including the ances, Huffy Bikes, Petco, the Honest you’re likely to find a much better iPhone 11), Dell, HP and gourmet gift , The Honey Baked Ham and price in our exclusive wholesale hotel companies like Harry & David, Per- much, much more. discount portal. sonalization Universe, 1-800-Baskets Abenity provides members access to With more than 600,000 proper- and more. more than 302,000 local and national ties worldwide, you’ll find options in When you visit www.ausa.org/sav- deals. nearly every country, state, province ings to access these, your gift keeps AUSA also offers MemberDeals, a and city. giving because many of the companies second option for discounts on tick- Wyndham Vacations/RCI has pur- pay a small royalty to fund ets to movies, theme parks, chased Alliance Reservations Net- our mission here at the Asso- Member sporting events, Broadway work, the company that runs the ciation of the U.S. Army. Benefits shows, concerts, ski resorts, AUSA Wholesale Hotel program, so This helps fund scholar- golf and much more. you’ll soon see their vacant timeshare ships, NCO and Soldier programs, For MemberDeals, visit www.ausa. properties in this inventory as well. Family Readiness programs and AU- org/entertain. Visit www.ausa.org/hotelclub to SA’s Institute of Land Warfare. You’ll also find an excellent Sam’s start saving. Our hope is that our affinity rela- Club offer of $14.88 per year. Click on And don’t forget our wonderful tionship with these partners will be “Shopping Memberships” at the top of partners at Red Roof Inn (where pets a win/win/win—savings for our mem- the MemberDeals page. stay for free), who provide an AUSA bers, funding for our mission, and member discount of 20%, one of the increased business for our partner Car rentals and hotels best discounts they offer and better companies. Many of us travel quite a bit in than their regular military discount. December, so remember to use your Choice Hotels provide members up Local and national deals discounts at Avis, Alamo, Budget, En- to 20% off at almost all their brands, Register at www.ausa.org/abenity terprise, Hertz and National. including Ascend, Cambria, Com- to receive deals at your local restau- When you visit Avis, Budget and fort Inn, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, rants and bars, theaters, gyms, cell Hertz from www.ausa.org/savings, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, MainStay phone stores, pharmacies, medical your discount is already applied. Scroll Suite, Woodspring Suites, Suburban, offices, auto service and other retail down to add an additional coupon. EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn. locations. The companies update these offers View deals from providers like regularly, and it’s often a free day, an Susan Rubel is AUSA’s Affinity Programs Costco, Michael’s, TJ Maxx, World upgrade or an additional discount. Director.

New podcasts highlight Expert Soldier Badge, resilience he Association of the U.S. Army The episode will feature guests from training, tools and resources to help is releasing five new podcast epi- the Military Basketball Association individuals grow their skills, career Tsodes in December. and Operation Song, which are dedi- or business The first podcast in the “Army Mat- cated to supporting veterans. The next podcast, available Dec. 23, ters” series features Sgt. Maj. of the Next up is an episode on how sol- features an interview with David Roll, Army Michael Grinston talking about diers and family members can grow author of George Marshall: Defender of the Expert Soldier Badge, which was their skills, career or business. the Republic. developed to measure soldiers’ exper- The episode, available Dec. 16, fea- Finally, on Dec. 30, AUSA will re- tise in warrior tasks and drills. tures an interview with 1st Lt. Mi- lease a special edition of the podcast The episode was available Monday. chael St. Germain, an Army Reserve where hosts from all four segments On Dec. 9, the podcast will highlight platoon leader and UH-60 Black Hawk will come together to discuss the past ways veterans can cope with traumatic pilot who is also the marketing man- year and what’s to come in 2020. brain injuries, post-traumatic stress ager for Grow with Google-Veterans. Full details on the podcasts are disorder and other challenges. Grow with Google provides free available at https://podcast.ausa.org/

6 AUSA Extra | December 5, 2019 www.ausa.org

ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

AUSA members help build new home for Army veteran By Kelcey Sexton embers of the Association of the U.S. Army’s West Ala- Mbama subchapter recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Hillcrest High School Army JROTC program and other local organizations to build a home for an Army veteran and her family. Gloria Burns, who was honorably discharged from the Army in 1981, had a 26-year career as a mental health worker in a local hospital be- fore retiring due to complications from breast cancer. Gloria Burns, left center, and her two granddaughters at the groundbreaking ceremony for their new home. (AUSA PHOTO) Before being approved for the new home, she and her granddaughters Burns takes care of the girls in order with our community. By working to- had been living in to give her adult daughters, Shaunte gether with Habitat for Humanity, we West Alabama an unsafe neigh- and Brittany, a chance to begin their were able to make a difference for a dis- borhood, and mold careers and earn a steady income. abled female veteran and her family,” in the house was causing health prob- Shaunte, Zoe’s mom, attends school said retired Lt. Col. Nicholas Britto, lems for all of them. to become a registered nurse and is the subchapter president. “It means a whole lot for me—for also a member of the National Guard “At the same time, we brought to- us—to just be in a clean, safe, nice en- expecting to be deployed to the Middle gether members of our community, ed- vironment,” Burns said. “It just means East soon. ucators, veterans, politicians and busi- the world to me.” A groundbreaking ceremony was held nesses to help one of our own,” he said. Burns, 52, is raising her 3- and Oct. 28, and the house was completed “It doesn’t get any better than that.” 5-year-old granddaughters, Zoe and in a “blitz build” between Veterans Day, Winter, while the girls’ mothers attend which was Nov. 11, and Nov. 16. Kelcey Sexton is a member of AUSA’s school and work. “Our goal is to create a partnership West Alabama subchapter.

2019 Veteran of the Year honored for Vietnam service he Association of the U.S. Ar- “Any one of you can and should be my’s Capital District of New standing here in my place,” Sacca said, TYork chapter recently honored as he asked his fellow veterans in the Vietnam veteran John Sacca as the audience to stand and be recognized. New York State Military Museum’s After enlisting in the Army in Au- 2019 Veteran of the Year. gust 1966, Sacca was first assigned to In a Nov. 2 ceremony at the museum 8th Army in South Korea. in Saratoga, New York, the chapter In 1967, he requested a transfer to partnered with the Vietnam and was assigned to the 79th Capital District Friends of the New Chapter president William Valenza, right, Maintenance Battalion, where he of New York York State Military congratulates John Sacca. (NEW YORK ARMY NA- served through the 1968 Tet Offensive. Museum and the TIONAL GUARD/COL. RICHARD GOLDENBERG) He extended his tour in Vietnam to New York National Guard to present the New York State Military Museum, transfer to the 1st Cavalry Division Sacca with a special proclamation and were joined in honoring Sacca by Brig. (Air Mobile). Assigned to C Troop, 1st a flag from the U.S. Capitol building. Gen. John Andonie, director of the Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Sacca served William Valenza, the chapter presi- Joint Staff for the New York Guard, as a door gunner on a Huey gunship dent, and retired Brig. Gen. Barry U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko and Meg Kelly, and later as radio operator in the Hartman, a trustee of the Friends of the mayor of Saratoga Springs. troop’s infantry platoon.

8 AUSA Extra | December 5, 2019 www.ausa.org