PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org January 18, 2024 | AUSA Extra 1 DoD expands online ID card renewals F amily members, retirees and other eligible personnel can now skip the badge office and renew their military ID cards online under an expansion of a DoD pilot program. The pilot program, which was launched last February, previously was open only to sponsors with a com- mon access card. Now, most retirees and non-CAC holders are eligible for the online service, DoD announced. “We think modern capabilities like renewing a driver’s license online make it easier for people to get what they need when they need it without burdening them with having to take a trip somewhere,” Mike Zarlenga, of the Defense Manpower Data Center, said in a DoD news release. DoD issues about 4.5 million ID cards a year, Zarlenga said. About 2.5 million of those are Uniformed Services Identification cards, and, of those, about 1 million are renewals that are eligible for the online option, Zarlenga said. Uniformed Services Identifica- tion cards are issued to retired and reserve members, dependent family members of uniformed service mem- bers and other eligible individuals in accordance with DoD policy to facili- tate access to benefits, privileges and DoD installations. Under the ongoing pilot program, eligible ID card holders can apply for renewal online via the ID Card Of- fice website here. The online option is available for renewals and not initial issue ID cards. It also is limited to applicants within the United States, although officials are working to ex- pand the program elsewhere, accord- ing to the DoD news release. Providing retirees and family mem- bers with an online option frees up badge offices for active-duty person- nel and civilian employees. “We want to enable the ID card sites today to better service the CAC holders who are our mission enablers,” Zarlenga said in the news release. “We want to make sure that people visiting that office can get an appointment when they need one, and they can get their CAC and resume their mission or duties with minimal impact to them or to the department.” For more information, click here. Sgt. Stacey Collins and military working dog Hugo, both with the 8th Theater Sustainment Com- mand, pose for a photo during training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. TRISTAN MOORE) NDAA Authorizes Two Medals of Honor 3 Register for AUSA’s Global Force Symposium 5 Family Readiness Holistic Support in the New Year 6 Chapter Highlights Redstone-Huntsville 7 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 5 NUMBER 36 JANUARY 18, 2024 K-9 trainingwww.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY January 18, 2024 | AUSA Extra 3 Bill authorizes Medal of Honor for WWI, Vietnam heroes The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes awarding the Medal of Honor to former Pvt. Marcelino Serna and retired Col. Thomas Griffin. (U.S. ARMY/KEVIN FLEMING) T he heroic acts of two soldiers could be recognized with the Medal of Honor under the 2024 defense authorization bill. The 2024 National Defense Au- thorization Act, signed by President Joe Biden in December, authorizes awarding the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, to former Pvt. Marcelino Serna and re- tired Col. Thomas Griffin. Serna previously was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during World War I, while Griffin received the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam. Upgrades of the soldiers’ awards to the Medal of Honor must still be approved by the president, but the NDAA waives the time limit that requires the medals to be awarded within five years of the combat action. ‘Coolness and courage’ A Mexican national who volun- teered to serve in the Army after the U.S. declared war on Germany in 1917, Serna was assigned to the 335th Infantry Regiment, 89th Divi- sion, American Expeditionary Forc- es, and deployed to France. According to his Distinguished Service Cross citation, Serna “dis- played exceptional coolness and courage” in single-handedly “charg- ing and capturing 24 Germans” near Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mario Terenas has been with AUSA for 16 months. He has two daughters—one a platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division and the other a freshman at Millersville University in Pennsylva- nia. Mario enjoys woodworking and is using his skills to renovate his house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Meet the AUSA headquarters staff Mario Terenas Deputy Director, AUSA Center for Leadership Flirey, France, on Sept. 12, 1918. On that date inside the Meuse- Argonne region, Serna was on a scouting mission when he spotted a German sniper. As he explained in a 1962 interview with the El Paso Times, he saw a sniper “walking on a trench bank and wounded him from about 200 yards away. I followed his trail into a trench and heard some German soldiers talking. I saw four of them and started shooting. I got three of them.” Serna later got close enough to lob three grenades into the trench, kill- ing 26 German soldiers and prompt- ing the surrender of 24 more. “I herd- ed them into a tight group with a .45 automatic in one hand and a Luger, which I had picked up, in the other. After a few minutes I was able to fire an SOS flare, and my buddies came to help me,” Serna said in the interview. Courage under fire Griffin was a captain and senior adviser with the 2nd Infantry Di- vision on March 1, 1969, when his battalion was ordered to “forestall an imminent attack threatened by North Vietnam Army units,” accord- ing to his Silver Star citation. Coming under attack almost im- mediately, Griffin exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to direct air strikes. “Captain Griffin continu- ally remained in an exposed position and made numerous trips across fifty meters of open ground to advise his Vietnamese counterpart,” the cita- tion states. As friendly forces stopped 30 me- ters from the entrenched enemy po- sition, Griffin “took two hand gre- nades from a Vietnamese soldier and, together with his counterpart, assaulted a machine gun bunker, killing five enemy in that position,” according to the citation. Now inside the enemy perimeter, Griffin and his counterpart led the battalion forward, brandishing the captured machine gun and grenade launcher, inspiring the battalion to assault, the citation reads. When his counterpart was wound- ed, Griffin ran under the heavy fire to carry him to safety. He then car- ried four more wounded soldiers to safety and led a final attack, routing the remaining enemy who left behind 59 dead, numerous automatic weap- ons, ammunition and equipment, the citation reads.www.ausa.org4 AUSA Extra | January 18, 2024 Gen. Bob Brown, USA Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, USA Ret. Vice President, Leadership and 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: adinfo.rmy@foxrep.com 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- ment of Defense. The publication assumes no responsibility for any unsolicited material. Email: extra@ausa.org ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its publisher, the Association of the United States Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy of the advertisements appearing herein, and no such representations, warranties or en- dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the publication. The advertisers are solely respon- sible for the contents of such advertisements. MEMBERSHIP RATES. Premium membership rates are $40 for two years or $75 for five years. Lifetime membership is $400 and can be paid in full or in four monthly installments. A special Premium rate of $10 for two years is open to E1–E4 and cadets only. New two-year Basic membership with select benefits is free. Learn more at www.ausa.org/join or by emailing membersupport@ausa.org, phoning 855-246-6269, or mailing Fulfillment Manager, P.O. Box 101560, Arlington, VA 22210-0860. Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier PERK OF THE WEEK ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY The holidays can be a time when we notice changes in our elderly relatives. A Place for Mom is the leading senior living advisory service with local experts to help families find the right care for their aging loved ones. Members receive $350 when they move to a community referred by APFM. For more information, click here. Paper highlights lessons from war in Ukraine, 1940 Battle of France Elements of the German 10th Panzer Division cross the Meuse River during the Battle of France in May 1940. (FRENCH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE PHOTO) A s the Army modernizes for large-scale combat opera- tions, an examination of the war in Ukraine and the 1940 Battle of France could provide insights for penetrating organized defenses in an era of high technology, writes the au- thor of a new paper. Lt. Col. Nathan Jennings, an Army strategist and associate professor at the U.S. Army Command and Gen- eral Staff College, writes that the Germans achieved victory against French and British forces in 1940 with a combination of “intentional, incidental and accidental asymme- tries that allowed them to penetrate and exploit the most imposing defen- sive construct of their era.” As such, U.S.-led coalitions will have to “apply similar degrees of novelty and adaptation to negotiate the lethality of the current military environment,” one where swarm- ing drones, relentless surveillance and precision strikes are “wreaking havoc on combined arms offensives,” Jennings writes in “Maneuver and Breakthrough in 1940 France: In- sights for the U.S. Army and the Russo-Ukrainian War,” published by the Association of the U.S. Army as part of its Land Warfare series. For every successful Battle of France, which saw a unique set of asymmetric advantages within fleet- ing military and political conditions, there are numerous examples—ex- emplified by the “tank graveyards” in Ukraine—where large-scale ground assaults shattered them- selves against defenses primed with fortifications, counterattacks and in- tegrated fires, Jennings writes. In the effort to develop a force that is optimized for combat at scale, as opposed to the brigade-centric or- der of battle that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, Jennings writes, the Army is developing divisions capable of multidomain operations “to serve as the primary unit of action and to provide senior commands with poten- tial to execute ... operational penetra- tion with intent to inflict systemic disruption or even collapse across rear areas.” Pointing to the Army’s own vision for transformation, Jennings notes that the service must be “prepared to innovate with new manifestations of maneuver warfare that will allow it to avoid, or negate, the attrition- al and positional trends that have caused frustration and exhaustion across the steppes of Ukraine.” Read the paper here. It is an updated version, incorpo- rating lessons and observations from the war in Ukraine, of a paper pub- lished in April 2022. The original paper is available here.www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY January 18, 2024 | AUSA Extra 5 Global Force 2024 highlights ‘continuous transformation’ R egistration is now open for the Association of the U.S. Army’s Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama. The three-day event will take place March 26–28 at the Von Braun Cen- ter in Huntsville, just outside Red- stone Arsenal and home to Army Materiel Command. This year’s theme is “Continuous Transformation to Deliver Ready Combat Formations,” with keynote speeches and panel discussions fo- cused on the Army’s efforts to become a leaner, more agile fighting force that’s sustainable in a contested en- vironment. Senior Army leaders from Army Materiel Command, Army Futures Command and the office of the assis- tant Army secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology are sched- uled to participate, along with lead- ers from other Army commands. Leaders from the service’s cross- functional teams focused on the Army’s modernization priorities also are slated to appear. Throughout the event, the Army will run the Warriors Corner, fea- turing presentations by Army lead- ers. There also will be more than 200 exhibits, showcasing the latest inno- vations from industry and the Army. A full agenda will be available soon. For more information or to regis- ter, click here. Soldiers and defense industry representatives examine new technology during the 2023 AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org6 AUSA Extra | January 18, 2024 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Resources for turning new resolutions into healthy habits W elcome to 2024. The Asso- ciation of the U.S. Army’s Family Readiness director- ate will cherish the memories shared in 2023, but it’s time to build our toolkits for the new year. While many New Year’s resolutions relate to physical fitness, expanding our goals to encompass mental, spir- itual and financial well-being can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. With help from the outstanding programs available to soldiers and families, you can turn good resolu- tions into healthy habits. A military family forum at AUSA’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposi- tion, where many resources were discussed, is a good place to start. Follow us on Facebook at AUSA Fam- ily Readiness to watch the forum and connect with us. Holistic Health and Fitness is one example. It is a brigade-based pro- gram that helps units thrive by as- sisting with physical, spiritual, men- tal, sleep and nutritional growth. Comprehensive Soldier and Fam- ily Fitness, which includes Master Family Readiness Resilience Training, is another pro- gram that helps soldiers and families achieve strong and healthy psycho- logical and physical fitness growth. The program offers performance cen- ters manned by experts in sports or performance psychology, kinesiology, counseling, education and more. Soldiers and families also can use Master Resilience Training to learn skills such as the resilience skill of “Hunting the Good Stuff” to coun- teract negativity and create positive emotions, as well as the steps to and benefits of setting concrete goals. Whether it’s taking daily walks, starting a workout routine or visiting an Armed Forces Wellness Center to meet with a nutrition specialist for a new recipe or diet, small changes can yield significant results over time. It’s also important to have a strong circle of support, to include friends, family, coworkers and leadership. For times when we need a little more support, Military OneSource has confidential military and family counseling services to help with the everyday challenges of military life, including relationships, grief and loss, communication and more. There also are licensed counselors available worldwide to help in-person or virtually. The beginning of the year is the best time to evaluate your financial goals and create a realistic budget. With the rising costs of living, a ho- listic view on finances has never been more important. Financial Frontline provides sol- diers and families with programs, policy and educational resources to achieve financial readiness. Through its website, you can register for class- es on money management, budgeting and investing in your future or find a personal financial counselor for one-on-one assistance. Establishing a solid financial foundation provides a sense of security and peace of mind. What is your New Year’s resolu- tion? Remember, the key to success- ful resolutions lies in setting realis- tic goals, celebrating small victories and embracing the journey toward overall wellness. May this year be a transformative chapter in your pursuit of a health- ier, happier and more fulfilling life. Kaylee Spielman is AUSA’s Family Readiness intern. Military family members participate in a yoga session as a part of the Holistic Health and Fitness program in Garmisch-Partenkirchens, Germany. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. ANDREW JO) Robyn Mroszczyk, an Army spouse and the financial education program man- ager in the Army G-9, discusses holistic resources for military families during a forum at the 2023 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY January 18, 2024 | AUSA Extra 7 Chapter honors outstanding NCOs, marks Guard birthday Receiving awards from AUSA’s Redstone-Huntsville chapter are, from left to right, Claus Martel, father of Maj. Patrick Martel; Sgt. 1st Class Holly Schmidt; 1st Sgt. Steven Davis; and Master Sgt. Arthaniel Turner. (REDSTONE ROCKET/ERIN ELISE ENYINDA) T he Association of the U.S. Army’s Redstone-Huntsville chapter recently presented its annual Sgt. John Ordway Leader- ship Awards and celebrated the Na- tional Guard’s 387th birthday during an event at the Jackson Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Ordway, the award’s namesake, played an important leadership role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803, exercising responsibilities such as issuing provisions, appoint- ing guard duties and keeping regis- ters and records. The chapter created the awards program in 2005 to honor outstanding NCOs in all three Army components. This year’s recipient for the Nation- al Guard was 1st Sgt. Steven Davis, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 142nd Military Police Brigade. During his 35 years of service, Davis has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and served in every leadership position from team leader to first sergeant for three military police companies. Davis “is an outstanding leader that can be counted on to take ap- propriate actions in the absence of orders,” said Mike Dove, the AUSA chapter’s vice president for Army Reserve and National Guard affairs, as reported by the Redstone Rocket. “First Sgt. Davis is extremely pas- sionate and dedicated to the mission and always places his unit, the sol- diers, and the Army’s needs above his own.” Master Sgt. Arthaniel Turner, as- signed to the 13th Battalion, 108th Ordnance Regiment, was the award recipient for the Army Reserve. He has served on active duty and with the Army Reserve since 1988 and is responsible for more than $1 mil- lion in equipment and the training, health and welfare of 36 soldiers. “Master Sgt. Turner is a true lead- er who cares about his troops. He embodies the Army values and never fails to achieve and go beyond what is required of him,” Dove said, accord- ing to the Redstone Rocket. The active Army recipient was Sgt. 1st Class Holly Schmidt, the NCO- in-charge at the Redstone Arsenal Veterinary Treatment Facility. She “is a servant leader who lives by the noncommissioned officer creed and the Army values,” Dove said. Schmidt mentored officers and updated the clinic’s practices while overseeing more than 1,200 patient encounters over the past year, Dove said. “She is an empathetic leader who knows her soldiers and patients and always places their needs above her own,” he said, as reported by the Redstone Rocket. The chapter also presented its President’s Award to Maj. Patrick Martel of the 142nd Military Police Brigade for “faithfully serving his country and state as an Alabama National Guard soldier,” Dove said. His father, Claus Martel, accepted the award on his behalf. Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Alred, senior enlisted leader of the Alabama National Guard’s 203rd Military Police Battalion and the breakfast’s keynote speaker, said the National Guard is “a living tes- tament to the enduring spirit of free- dom.” “Freedom as we know it is a pre- cious and fragile gift,” Alred said. “It requires not only the resilience of our ideals but also the commitment of the individuals willing to defend them. The National Guard stands as a bea- con of that commitment, a force that embodies the essence of freedom.” Redstone- Huntsville Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Alred, se- nior enlisted leader of the Alabama Na- tional Guard’s 203rd Military Police Battal- ion, speaks at an awards breakfast hosted by AUSA’s Redstone-Huntsville chapter. (REDSTONE ROCKET/ERIN ELISE ENYINDA)Next >