AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

Three years ago, Virginia Army National Guard SFC Tyler Butterworth filmed a video replicating a scene from Parks and Recreation that included Army ration packs and locations. The video went viral, and now Butterworth is a social media superstar with millions of followers who uses his content to show the funny side of Army life and aid recruiting. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with SFC Butterwo...

In early 2021, as Dr. Kate Rubins was floating above Earth in the International Space Station, she decided she wanted to give back to the country that had given so much to her. She immediately commissioned for the Army Reserves, and today is both prepping for NASA’s upcoming moon missions while also doing microbiological research and training for the Army. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with MAJ...

For the past 100-plus years, V Corps has been helping to reinforce U.S. commitments in Europe. Today, under the command of LTG Charles Costanza, the corps is doing some of its most important work with partners stationed near the Russo-Ukrainian War. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTG Costanza to discuss his latest observations about the battle and how he was able to continue serving while r...

Seventeen-year-old Linda Singh was homeless and working at a pretzel stand in a suburban Baltimore mall when she met a National Guard recruiter. That conversation led to a 38-year Army career, culminating in her role as the first female and African American Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with MG (Ret.) Singh to discuss how she overcame a number of...

On August 8th, 2012, as CPT Florent Groberg was escorting coalition and Afghan personnel to a compound in Asadabad, Afghanistan, he spotted a man approaching who was wearing a suicide vest. Acting quickly, Groberg managed to push the attacker away from the group, but the vest still exploded, killing four people and seriously injuring Groberg. More would have perished, though, if it hadn’t been for the Captain’s actions, which led t...

After a highly decorated 20-year Army career, LTC (Ret.) J.C. Glick found himself in the midst of a hugely difficult transition, first from his deployments, and then to civilian life. Things got so desperate that he made four attempts to take his own life, but eventually he found the help he needed. He is now a published author and a consultant to managers and athletes, and he currently serves as the CEO of The COMMIT Foundation, w...

COL Julia Coxen grew up with a natural understanding of the importance of service to her country. Her experience in ROTC led to a successful Army career in Special Operations, a PhD centered on using data to combat sex trafficking, and her current role inspiring the next generation of systems engineers at West Point. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with COL Coxen to discuss how data and system de...

The 2024 football season was one of the best ever for the Army West Point Black Knights Football Team. Leading the squad was head coach Jeff Monken, who has brought stability and strategy to a squad and allowed it to compete toe-to-toe with some of the top, best-funded football programs in the country over the last decade-plus. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Coach Monken to discuss his own ...

Seventeen-year-old Jack Moran enlisted in 1944 to help fight the Nazis, and, within his first fifteen seconds of combat, he witnessed seven fellow Soldiers die. He went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, chase Nazis through Germany and help liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with the now-99-year-old Moran to discuss his World War II experiences, how h...

The Army is a family—and just like with all families, communication is key. That’s why Soldier and Family Readiness Groups were created, and the Army continues to spread the word on the services they provide—and solicit feedback from all possible stakeholders. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Dee Geise, the Director of the Prevention, Resilience and Readiness Directorate, to discuss how these...

In the final seconds of the 2024 Olympics Women’s Rugby 7s Bronze Medal game, the American squad came from behind for an upset victory, clinching its first-ever medal in the sport. Captain Sammy Sullivan played a huge role in the victory, and hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with her to discuss her journey from Army Brat to eventual Olympic champion, the role of the Army in her success, and how a ...

If Army Soldiers or officers find themselves in a financial emergency, the Army Emergency Relief (AER) organization is often the first place they turn to. SMA (Ret.) Michael “Tony” Grinston took over the helm of the group earlier this year, and he’s making changes that’ll take the organization to new heights. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with SMA Grinston to discuss his own Army journey, how A...

After leaving the Army in 2010, Tim Hsia wasn’t quite sure what to do next, but he had an itch to become an entrepreneur. His path took him to Stanford University, where he found some inspiration, and now his Context Ventures has poured millions into veteran-led startup companies. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Tim to talk about his own business journey, how veterans can get their startups ...

Inflatable tanks. Phony uniforms. Fake radio traffic. In early 1944, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the “Ghost Army,” was founded, and its ragtag collection of artists, Soldiers and engineers oversaw almost two-dozen “deception missions” that saved the lives of an estimated 30,000 Soldiers. In March of this year, their work was recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (R...

On Mother’s Day, 1968, Army Medic SPC Allen Hoe watched 18 of his friends die in battle during the Vietnam War. In the five decades since then, he has devoted his life to helping the families of those fallen Soldiers and the Army community. And it was at a 2005 Memorial Day event in Washington that he met a nurse who returned the favor by giving Allen peace after the death of Allen’s own son, who died during a deployment to Iraq in...

Almost 100 years ago, a mother grieving the loss of her son in battle brought together other mothers who were coping with similar losses; in the process, she started American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Over the past century, the organization has grown and continues to aid mothers—and families—through the grieving process, inspiring its members to continue a life of service. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and ...

When he was a young boy growing up in Puerto Rico, two relatives of Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez inspired him to enter the field of medicine. And an Army program led him to a 45-plus-year career saving lives, overseeing global medical innovation and preventing outbreaks, all culminating in his current position as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs of the United States. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.)...

One of the most important elements of any large organization is to ensure free and clear communication between all levels and people. In the 1930s, the U.S. Army recognized this and relaunched Infantry Journal, which many attribute to helping craft tactics and technologies leading into World War II. Ninety years later and with new technologies and possible crises around the world, the Army has just launched The Harding Project, whi...