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

IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 3 NUMBER 7 JUNE 17, 2021

New Graphic Novel Honors Civil War Hero 3 Register Soon for AUSA Annual Meeting 4 Army Partnerships Critical in Europe 5 Family Readiness Operation Deploy Your Dress 8 Chapter Highlights Fort Riley-Central Kansas Army Secretary Christine Wormuth marks the Army’s 246th birthday by hosting a mass reenlist- Fort Jackson-Palmetto State ment ceremony and cake-cutting at the Pentagon. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. KEVIN ROY) 9 Secretary says Army is ‘under stress’ ust three weeks on the job, request for $1 billion for unfunded “We are steadily working to en- Army Secretary Christine Wor- contingencies. hance our force structure, build muth said she’s “impressed but “Would we like to have a bigger inclusive leadership and invest in notJ surprised” by today’s Army and Army? Absolutely,” he said of a bud- quality-of-life initiatives,” she said. fully supportive of its transformation get that cuts Army funding in fiscal “Our responsibility is to ensure ev- and modernization efforts. 2022 after accounting for inflation. ery soldier and civilian has the right “From what I have seen, our Army “We are the strongest land force in leadership policies and resources to is in great shape, but we have impor- the world, and a great source of that be safe and successful among their tant work ahead,” said Wormuth, the strength comes from our allies and teams so they can continue to be suc- first woman to serve as Army secre- partners,” McConville said, describ- cessful in our nation’s defense.” tary in the service’s 246-year his- ing Army readiness as “fragile” while The Army is a technology leader, tory. “I want to use this window of money is being allocated to compre- Wormuth said. opportunity to make certain that the hensive transformation and modern- “The Army is prototyping and ex- Army will continue to provide mod- ization efforts. perimenting with new capabilities ernized and ready forces capable of Those big, generational adjustments and concepts. The Army is at the responding globally.” are “the only way we’ll maintain our forefront of developing and fielding Army Chief of Staff Gen. James overmatch against near-peer competi- new technology in counter-UAS, di- McConville said protecting modern- tors and would-be adversaries.” rected energy, hypersonic weapons, ization of the Army is his top priori- “We are still under stress in some next-generation assured positioning, ty, but that requires additional fund- areas, like air defense,” Wormuth ac- navigation and timing devices and ing requested in a $4.4 billion list of knowledged. She also said that tech- pushing software coding to the edge,” unfunded priorities and a separate nology isn’t the only priority. she said.

June 17, 2021 | AUSA Extra 1

ASSOCIATION OF THE

New graphic novel highlights 1st recipient he story of Pvt. Jacob Parrott, the first soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor, is high- Tlighted in the newest graphic novel in the Association of the U.S. Army’s series on recipients of the nation’s highest valor award. Medal of Honor: Jacob Parrott tells of how Parrott and 23 other men vol- unteered during the Civil War to go nearly 200 miles into Confederate territory to steal a train and destroy tracks behind them as they sped north, all part of a plan to prevent reinforcements from interfering with an attempted capture of Chattanoo- The April 1862 mission to steal a train and destroy tracks became famous as the . (AUSA GRAPHIC) ga, Tennessee. The raiders were captured, but the graphic novel series in October 2018. They gained a little bit of distance April 1862 mission became famous The digital graphic novels are avail- and were able to damage some tracks, as the Great Locomotive Chase, and able here. but it wasn’t long before Confederate on March 25, 1863, Secretary of War During the Civil War, Parrott, a soldiers gave chase. presented the first native of Fairfield County, Ohio, en- The raiders’ train ran out of fuel Medals of Honor to six members of listed in the Army as part of Compa- near the Georgia-Tennessee border, the raid, handing the very first med- ny K, 33rd Ohio Voluntary Infantry, and the Union soldiers, including al to Parrott. according to the Army. Parrott, were captured, according to “Jacob Parrott will always be re- In April 1862, the 18-year-old Par- the Army. membered as the first recipient of rott and two dozen other volunteers Parrott was returned to the Union the Medal of Honor,” said Joseph were given orders to enter enemy in March 1863 in a prisoner ex- Craig, director of the AUSA Book territory and destroy railroad tracks change, according to the Army. Program. “The daring raid that he between Chattanooga and Atlanta. He rejoined the 33rd Ohio and rose and his fellow volunteers made deep The Union team boarded a train through the ranks and was commis- into Confederate territory reads like heading north from Atlanta. At Big sioned as a lieutenant, fighting at an adventure novel. The scriptwriter Shanty, Georgia, the passengers and Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and artists who created this book crew disembarked, but the raiders and Missionary Ridge. captured that sense of drama.” stayed on and uncoupled the engine, Each AUSA graphic novel is cre- Medal of Honor: Jacob Parrott is fuel car and three boxcars before es- ated by a team of professional comic available here. caping with the train, according to book veterans. The script for the AUSA launched its Medal of Honor the Army. graphic novel on Parrott was writ- ten by Chuck Dixon, whose previous work includes Batman, The Punisher Meet the AUSA headquarters staff and The ‘Nam. Pencils, inks and the Gina Cavallaro cover are by Karl Moline, who has Senior Staff Writer, ARMY magazine worked on Supergirl, Buffy the Vam- pire Slayer and Rogue. Gina Cavallaro is an author and Colors were by Peter Pantazis, who journalist who has been with AUSA has worked on Black Panther, Super- for four years. Since 2001, she has man and Justice League, and the let- written about the Army at home tering was by Troy Peteri, who pre- and abroad, including over several viously worked on Spider-Man, Iron deployments to cover operations in Man and X-Men. Iraq and Afghanistan. In her spare Three more graphic novels are time, Gina loves to cook, hike, bike planned for this year, along with a and spoil her dog, Nacho. paperback collection in the fall. www.ausa.org June 17, 2021 | AUSA Extra 3 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Registration opens July 15 for in-person AUSA Annual Meeting Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier

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

ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of the Council of Trustees of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- sions of personal opinion and should not be interpreted as reflecting the official opinion of the Department of Defense nor of any branch, command, installation or agency of the Depart- Soldiers, defense contractors, AUSA members and more roam the exhibit hall during ment of Defense. The publication assumes no responsibility for any unsolicited material. AUSA’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Exposition. (AUSA PHOTO) Email: [email protected]

ith the District of Columbia tions, networking opportunities and ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its now reopened to in-person more than 700 exhibits spread over publisher, the Association of the United States events, the Association five halls. Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy Wof the U.S. Army is quickly moving Updated information will be avail- of the advertisements appearing herein, and ahead toward holding the 2021 Annu- able here. no such representations, warranties or en- al Meeting and Exposition in October. AUSA meeting planners are work- dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the Registration opens July 15, and ing to make this a safe, healthy and publication. The advertisers are solely respon- housing registration opens eight comfortable event based on public sible for the contents of such advertisements. days earlier, on July 7, for the event health guidelines for large events. RATES. Individual membership fees payable that will be held Oct. 11–13 at D.C.’s “We’re thrilled to host our indus- in advance are $40 for two years, $75 for Walter E. Washington Convention try-leading event that will, at long five years, and $400 for Life Membership. A Center. last, reunite the community that al- discounted rate of $10 for two years is available to members in the ranks of E-1 through E-4, Professional development forums lows us to achieve our mission of pro- and for service academy and ROTC cadets and and addresses by top military lead- viding a voice for the Army, support OCS candidates. More information is available ers will be based around the 2021 for the soldier, and honoring those at our website www.ausa.org; or by emailing [email protected], phoning 855-246- theme, “America’s Army and its Peo- who have served,” AUSA officials 6269, or mailing Fulfillment Manager, P.O. Box ple, Transforming for the Future.” said in a recent statement. “We’ve 101560, Arlington, VA 22210-0860. That is a theme that communicates missed you, and we look forward to there is no effort more important welcoming you back to D.C. this Oc- PERK OF THE WEEK than building a winning team, with tober.” people at the center of everything the The D.C. convention center is doing Army stands for and must do to meet its part with technology investments Visit www.ausa.org/savings to access dis- the challenges of today and tomor- to keep the facility clean and safe. counts for your summer travel. Save at Alamo, row, Army officials said. This includes increased air filtration Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National and almost all hotel brands through our whole- The three-day event is being and purification and contactless food sale hotel discount program by visiting planned to feature keynote speakers and beverage purchases. www.ausa.org/hotelclub. Also, check out from the Army, DoD and industry “It’s time to get back to business, Armed Forces Vacation Club options for week- long stays at resort hotels for just $379 per leaders, as well as professional de- and we can’t wait to see you there,” week. Select “AUSA Member” on the eligibility velopment forums, awards presenta- AUSA said. drop down.

4 AUSA Extra | June 17, 2021 www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

US, NATO military strength key to deterring threats redicting that before long, the U.S. will be in an all-out, ki- netic conflict in the Indo-Pacif- Pic, retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said it’s critical that Europe strengthen its deterrence posture now against threats from Russia. The prediction, Hodges said, is not based on secret intelligence but on what he has gathered from watching and listening and “how the Chinese have observed our lack of resolve in so many ways ever since Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 … and we didn’t do anything.” “I believe we’re going to be in a kinetic conflict—that’s kinetic mis- siles, planes, submarines, ships, rockets—in the Indo-Pacific region in Sgt. Kerri Fruster conducts security operations during Operation Courageous Fury, a joint about five years,” Hodges said. “The training exercise at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. (U.S. ARMY/MARCY SANCHEZ) clock is ticking if we don’t act, and so because of that, we are going to John Allen, president of the Brook- what will happen if we don’t act.” need a very strong European pillar, ings Institution, and British strate- He cautioned that China and Rus- not a pillow, to deter the Kremlin if gic analyst Julian Lindley-French, sia are prepared and more than will- the United States gets fixed in the president of the Alphen Group. ing to exploit vulnerabilities, lack of Pacific region.” The book, he said, lays out a new resolve or gaps in capabilities that Hodges made his remarks June 9 vision “for a tech-driven Europe involve the U.S. and NATO. at a Thought Leaders webinar hosted defense built around an evolving, If his prediction about conflict with by the Association of the U.S. Army, adapting NATO alliance” in an era China is correct, Hodges said, Russia where he discussed Future War and of great-power competition, and is “a is, likewise, preparing to take advan- the Defence of Europe, a new book he warning to our civilian political mas- tage of that. co-authored with retired Marine Gen. ters, particularly in Europe, about “We won’t be able to keep a large American presence focused just on Europe,” he said. “We’re going to have to deal with this pacing threat, as [Defense] Sec- retary [Lloyd] Austin calls it, so this is a call to arms for our European allies to take on more responsibility and to step up, not just spend more, but be ready.” Hodges, the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Analysis and former com- mander of U.S. Army Europe, said President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip as president, which began June 9 with a first stop in the U.K., is a “re- ally great opportunity for our presi- dent early in his administration to A British army jumpmaster checks the parachute of Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, South- reaffirm America’s commitment to ern European Task Force, Africa’s commander, before an airborne operation into Juliet Europe and the entire NATO alli- Drop Zone, Italy. (U.S. ARMY/SPC. GIOVANNY LOPEZ) ance.” www.ausa.org June 17, 2021 | AUSA Extra 5 THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY PRESENTS THE ARMY’S ROLE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

General (Ret.) Robert B. Brown Admiral (Ret.) Scott H. Swift fmr. Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific fmr. Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Dr. Loren Thompson Dr. Thomas Karako Lexington Institute Center for Strategic & International Studies JOIN THE DISCUSSION! The webinar room will open at 1355. WEDNESDAY, 23 JUNE Can’t make it? The video will be available on our YouTube 1400–1500 EDT page the following day. As the U.S. military continues to increase its focus on the Indo- Pacific, the Army is making significant adjustments to better support the joint force in this priority theater of great power competition. Join us as we examine the ongoing changes in this dynamic theater and their implications for landpower and the joint force.

Part of the Association of the United States Army’s

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National Army museum reopens on service’s birthday ust in time for the Army’s 246th birthday, the National Museum of the United States Army re- Jopened to the public on Monday. The 185,000-square-foot museum at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, originally opened on Veterans Day 2020 but was forced to close just 32 days later because of COVID-19 concerns. Museum staff held regular virtual events and field trips during the clo- sure. With 11 galleries filled with nearly 1,400 artifacts, a multisensory the- ater with a 300-degree screen, flight and tank simulators and more, the The museum features 11 galleries filled with nearly 1,400 artifacts, a multisensory the- museum is the first and only one to ater with a 300-degree screen, flight and tank simulators and more.(AUSA PHOTO) tell the complete history of the U.S. Army and its soldiers, with narra- Years in planning, the museum is a ville said a highlight of the museum tives that begin with the earliest mi- joint effort between the Army and the is telling the stories of individual litias before the country was founded Army Historical Foundation. soldiers. and continue to present day. The Association of the U.S. Army is “The Army museum has done an Free timed-entry tickets are re- the single-largest contributor to the incredible job of bringing to life the quired for admission. The museum facility, which is owned by the Army inspirational stories of service and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern but managed by the Army Historical sacrifice of American soldiers,” he every day except Dec. 25. Foundation. said. “Every soldier has a story, and Details and reservations are avail- At the 2020 grand opening, Army the Army museum is the home of able here and here. Chief of Staff Gen. James McCon- those stories.”

Longtime AUSA volunteer leader Ralph Gauer dies etired Col. Ralph Gauer, a Life Intelligence Brigade and chief of staff Member and longtime volun- for the 1st Cavalry Division and later teer leader with the Associa- for III Corps. Rtion of the U.S. Army, died June 3. He retired from the Army in 1990 He was 84. and created RCG Media Services, Gauer, a native of Chicago who set- which provided military and interna- tled in Harker Heights, Texas, served tional affairs news products to com- as president of AUSA’s Central Texas- mercial television broadcasters. Fort Hood chapter, Texas state presi- In 1997, Gauer left television and dent and president of the association’s joined the staff of Texas state Sen. Fourth Region, which covers Arkan- Troy Fraser, where he focused on sas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklaho- business, veterans and national de- ma and Texas. He was also a member fense issues. of AUSA’s national leadership team. He retired again in 2017 but re- After joining the Army in 1958, mained engaged in issues important Gauer served 31 years in conventional Retired Col. Ralph Gauer. (COURTESY PHOTO) to the Army, soldiers and their fami- and special operations units in Pana- School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, lies, veterans, and the communities ma, Central and South America, Viet- according to his obituary. that support them, his obituary said. nam and Korea, and in multiple facul- He also served multiple assign- Gauer is survived by his wife, Mary, ty assignments at the Army’s John F. ments at Fort Hood, Texas, including three children, Ralph Jr., Todd and Kennedy Special Warfare Center and as commander of the 504th Military Laura, and other family members. www.ausa.org June 17, 2021 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Bridal gowns, formal wear for service members, spouses By Holly Dailey espite the challenges of CO- VID-19, love remains in the air, and couples are tying the Dknot. Whether you are having a micro wedding, virtual wedding, hybrid wedding or eloping, Operation De- ploy Your Dress: Bridal Edition has you covered—with a dress, that is. Founded in 2015 by five Army spouses at Fort Bliss, Texas, Opera- tion Deploy Your Dress is a nonprofit organization that offers new and gen- tly used formal wear to service mem- bers and military spouses. In December 2020, opportunity came knocking. “We were presented to receive about 250 brand-new bridal gowns. This was definite- Family ly out of the box Readiness for ODYD,” said Operation Deploy Your Dress is a nonprofit organization that offers new and gently used Yvonne Coombes, formal wear to service members and military spouses. (COURTESY PHOTO) one of the organization’s founders. “It took several months to come up with “We didn’t sit by and wait for AUSA team-up a game plan for distribution, and the world to become more stable,” Speaking of teaming up, did you just this month, we launched ODYD: Coombes said. “Starting in the spring know that Operation Deploy Your Bridal Edition.” of 2020, we were able to update our Dress teamed up with the Associa- The new program is completely processes in the shops by going all- tion of the U.S. Army in 2017? virtual, she said, “meaning you don’t digital with our inventory.” Through our blooming partnership have to be near one of our shops to All Operation Deploy Your Dress and the commitment and passion of receive a bridal gown. A gown will shops now receive and deploy dresses our AUSA chapters and Operation be deployed to you in the comfort of using a barcode and digital inventory Deploy Your Dress, we have been able your home.” system, she said. to extend our connection and ongoing Another new aspect “is that you “This helps the volunteers to be support to soldiers and families. can be sponsored by a military ID more efficient and helps us at the na- We are also excited to be moving card holder to receive a bridal dress tional level track each shop’s inven- forward with planning our success- if you are a fiancée or an aged-out tory from afar” and fill needs such ful “pop-up” event at AUSA’s national military dependent,” Coombes said. as sizes and styles in a more timely headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, “Team ODYD is thrilled to welcome manner. later this year. some new brides into our military Additionally, three new locations COVID-19 guidelines permitting, community—just go to our website.” opened during the pandemic—at Operation Deploy Your Dress and Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Drum, New AUSA’s Family Readiness director- Pandemic operations York, and in Germany, the group’s ate will co-host this magical event Even though the pandemic slowed first overseas location. with gowns, tuxedos, suits and ac- the “deployment” of formal wear, and “Most recently, we announced our cessories that will be collected from even shut down some of its shops, Op- 11th shop opening, which will be in across the country. eration Deploy Your Dress is back up Fort Rucker, Alabama, later this Look for more details to come, and and running. summer. We are thrilled to team up we hope to see you soon! What is even more impressive is in these military communities with what the group’s all-volunteer force all the spouses clubs of these instal- Holly Dailey is AUSA’s Family Readiness has been doing behind the scenes. lations,” Coombes said. Director.

8 AUSA Extra | June 17, 2021 www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Chapter member receives award for decades of service member of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Fort Riley- Central Kansas chapter was Arecently honored for her decades of support to soldiers, families and the surrounding community. Mary Sue Moore, the chapter secre- tary, received the 2021 Distinguished Trooper Award from Maj. Gen. Doug- las Sims, commander of the 1st Infan- try Division and Fort Riley, Kansas, during a June 10 ceremony. The Distinguished Trooper Award is the most pres- Fort Riley- tigious award be- Central Kansas stowed on a private citizen by the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, ac- cording to the installation. At the award ceremony are, left to right, Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris, Mary Sue Moore and Maj. Gen. Douglas Sims. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. ERIC JOHNSON) During the event, Sims and Com- mand Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris, the term president of the Lady Troopers, In addition to her service with division’s senior enlisted leader, pre- an organization that works to con- AUSA, she is currently the secretary sented Moore with an engraved coin, nect the military with its local com- for the Armed Forces Community lapel pin and certificate. She also re- munities, and worked canteen events Foundation and was a founding mem- ceived a jacket with the division logo. during Operations Desert Shield and ber of the Central Kansas Military Moore played a key role as a three- Desert Storm. Community Foundation in 2004.

AUSA chapter supports statewide conservation project By W. Thomas Smith Jr. embers of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Fort Jack- son-Palmetto State chapter, Mincluding chapter president Leon Lott, joined South Carolina Gov. Henry Mc- Master for the launch of a statewide tree-planting initiative called Power Plant SC. The event was held in late April on the grounds of the governor’s mansion Sheriff Leon Lott, third from right, president of the local AUSA chapter, attends the in Columbia. launch of a statewide tree-planting initiative called Power Plant SC. (AUSA PHOTO) Tom Mullikin, the state’s Flood- water Commission chairman and an “We are involved in every aspect of “The presence of Sheriff Leon Lott AUSA member; McMaster and his the communities we serve,” said Lott, ... and several AUSA members speaks wife, Peggy; and who also is sheriff of Richland County. to the level of support and the energy Fort Jackson- Lt. Gov. Pamela These projects “provide young people we’ve created from all quarters with Palmetto State Evette planted the with purpose, opportunity, and a fun this initiative since we began planning first of the approxi- way to get outside, enjoy, and even con- it over a year ago,” Mullikin said. mately 3.4 million loblolly pine tree tribute to our state’s natural beauty,” seeds and saplings placed across the he said. W. Thomas Smith Jr. is a member of state by schoolchildren, Boy Scouts, Mullikin, who conceived and direct- AUSA’s Fort Jackson-Palmetto State 4-H clubs and other organizations. ed Power Plants SC, agreed. chapter. www.ausa.org June 17, 2021 | AUSA Extra 9