PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org February 12, 2026 | AUSA Extra 1 Afghanistan hero to receive Medal of Honor Army Restarts Jungle Training in Panama 3 LaNeve Sworn In as Army Vice Chief 4 NCO & Soldier Programs Life Skills, Leader Development 7 Chapter Highlights Northern New Jersey Central Texas 8 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 7 NUMBER 38 FEBRUARY 12, 2026 Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013 while shielding a Polish military officer from an explosion, will be awarded the Medal of Honor. (COURTESY PHOTO) S taff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a 10th Mountain Division soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013 while shielding a Polish mili- tary officer from an explosion, will be awarded the Medal of Honor. President Donald Trump an- nounced the award in a call Tuesday with Ollis’ parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, according to their statement, which was posted on the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation website. “As Michael's parents, nothing can ever fill the void left in our hearts,” the Ollises wrote. “For now, we wish to thank God for the 24 years that our son had on earth. Many people are alive today because Michael lived, which is a blessing.” Ollis was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third- highest award for valor in combat. In 2019, the medal was upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross, accord- ing to a 2024 10th Mountain Division news release. A native of New Dorp, New York, in the city’s borough of Staten Island, Ollis was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, in the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, when the unit deployed to Af- ghanistan in January 2013. The deployment was his third, pre- ceded by a 2008 deployment to Iraq with the 1st Armored Division out of Baumholder, Germany, and a 2010 deployment to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, ac- cording to the news release. On Aug. 28, 2013, Ollis and his fellow soldiers were in a building at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in eastern central Afghanistan when the base came under a complex en- emy attack involving vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, suicide vests, indirect fire and small-arms fire, according to the official citation of his actions. After directing his soldiers to move from their building to the safety of a bunker, Ollis accounted for his sol- diers then returned to the building to check for casualties. He then moved See Medal of Honor, Page 5Register today // Sponsorships Available sponsorships@ausa.org // WWW.AUSA.ORG/LANPAC 30+ Countries 70+ Exhibits 2,000+ Attendeeswww.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 12, 2026 | AUSA Extra 3 Army reestablishes jungle warfare training in Panama Staff Sgt. Brandon Lewis, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, learns machete-han- dling techniques from a Panamanian instructor Feb. 5 during the Jungle Operations Training Course–Panama at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón. (U.S. ARMY/SPC. TREY WOODARD) T he Army is reestablishing jungle warfare training in Panama, and soldiers who suc- cessfully complete the course will be authorized to wear the jungle tab. This will be the Army’s second jungle tab-producing school, and the Panama school’s program of instruc- tion will closely replicate that of the jungle school operated by the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Charged with operating the Com- bined Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama will be soldiers with the 1st Security Force Assis- tance Brigade, whose advising mis- sion has been transformed into a unique organization called the Army Security Cooperation Group-South, or ASCG-S. Established in 2017 as the first of six specialized advisory brigades, the 1st Security Force Assistance Bri- gade, known as an SFAB, completed one deployment to Afghanistan in 2018 and then became regionally aligned with the U.S. Southern Com- mand area of operations, conducting security force assistance with Colom- bia, Argentina, Panama and Hondu- ras, among other partners. In a ceremony Jan. 27 on Kelley Hill at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 1st SFAB was redesignated as the ASCG-S, according to an Army news release. The new organization “will become central to security coopera- tion in Panama,” the release said. “We are now charged with holding a different line, no longer as advis- ers, but as committed jungle warfare experts,” said Col. Keith Benedict, who commanded the 1st SFAB and now commands the new ASCG-S. “We are charged with and have the opportunity to spearhead combined and combined arms jungle training,” he said. During the ceremony, former 1st SFAB soldiers replaced their distinc- tive brown berets with patrol caps and their adviser patches with the patch of 6th Army, the release said. Located within Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal, the Jungle Operations Training Center’s instruc- tors and students will use the base facilities in coordination with Pana- manian authorities during and inter- mittently in between courses, accord- ing to ASCG-S spokesperson Maj. Val Bryant. Soldiers will start arriving in Feb- ruary to begin training, Bryant said. “The school is fully operational, but we continue to refine and improve it,” he said, explaining that classes began in August with U.S. Army and Panamanian instructors teach- ing a combined course with Panama- nian security forces and U.S. service members. “Army Security Coopera- tion Group-South assumed responsi- bility of the course in October and is working with subject-matter experts in Panama and across the joint and combined community to continually enhance the training.” Former 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade soldiers stand up the new Army Security Cooperation Group-South at Fort Benning, Georgia. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO)www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | February 12, 2026 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. To celebrate America’s 250th, membership rates are reduced to a five-year Premium rate of $50 and a two-year Premium rate of $30. Lifetime membership is $250. A special Premium rate of $10 for two years is open to E1–E4 and cadets only. Two- year Basic membership with select benefits is free. Learn more at www.ausa.org/join . Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier PERK OF THE WEEK ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY LaNeve receives 4th star, sworn in as 40th Army vice chief of staff C hristopher LaNeve, who most recently was the senior mili- tary assistant to the secre- tary of war, has been sworn in as the 40th Army vice chief of staff. In a ceremony Feb. 6 at Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, LaNeve received his fourth star, pinned on his uniform by his wife, Kim, his daughter, Capt. Caitlin LaNeve, his son, Capt. Nick LaNeve, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Following his promotion, LaNeve was sworn in by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, a former Special Forc- es officer and Vietnam veteran who is currently special presidential envoy for Ukraine and Russia. In remarks after his promotion and swearing-in, LaNeve praised his family, friends and colleagues, fight- ing back tears that he proclaimed a family trait, saying, “We are a family of criers.” “It is not lost on me, the responsi- bilities of the office of the vice chief of staff of the Army,” LaNeve said, recognizing that “the outpouring of support from current and past Army senior leaders has been invaluable. Without being named, one legendary vice said, ‘The chief leads the army and the vice runs it.’ ” A native of Pittsburgh, LaNeve is a 1990 graduate of the University of Arizona and holds master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the Command and General Staff College. He was commissioned as an infantry officer and went to com- mand Eighth Army in South Korea, the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Germany. He served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and on the Army staff in the Pentagon. LaNeve gave his word to the Ar- my’s formations at home and abroad that he would execute the responsi- bilities of the job to the best of his Delight your loved ones this Valentine's Day. Shop from a dozen of the 1-800-Flowers brands and use code FORAUSA for your 20% to 25% AUSA member savings. For more in- formation, visit www.ausa.org/gifts. ability by marshaling every resource and capability available to support the warfighter. “I've served as long as I have because of one reason: People. I unapologetically love them and love our Army,” LaNeve said. “They are what makes our Army great.” He invoked the memory of Gen. Raymond Odierno, a former vice chief of staff and chief of staff of the Army, who died in 2021, recalling Odierno’s “timeless quote that’s more relevant than ever—'The strength of our na- tion is our Army, the strength of our Army is our soldiers, the strength of our soldiers is our families.’ This we’ll defend.” LaNeve succeeds Gen. James Min- gus, who has served as the 39th Army vice chief of staff since Janu- ary 2024. Mingus, who enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in December 1981 and was commis- sioned as a field artillery officer in 1985 through the Winona State Uni- versity’s ROTC program, retired on Feb. 6 after 45 years of service. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, formerly the se- nior military assistant to the secretary of war, has been sworn in as the 40th Army vice chief of staff. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 12, 2026 | AUSA Extra 5 Medal of Honor From Page 1 toward the enemy force, which had penetrated the base’s perimeter, the citation reads. According to the citation, Ollis lo- cated Lt. Karol Cierpica, a Polish of- ficer and a member of the coalition forces also stationed at the base, and together they moved toward the point of attack, without body armor and armed only with rifles, the citation reads. While under continuous small- arms, indirect and rocket-propelled grenade fires, Ollis and Cierpica reached the attack point and linked up with other friendly forces to begin a coordinated effort to repulse the enemy from the airfield and adjacent buildings. They moved under fire from posi- tion to position, engaging the enemy with accurate and effective fire, the citation reads. During the fight, an enemy com- batant gained close access and, com- A plaque hangs in the SSG Michael H. Ol- lis Warrior Grill at Camp Kościuszko, Po- land, dedicated in 2024 in honor of the Staten Island native. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) Count your savings when you pay no interest on balance transfers You swiped the cards and spread some cheer—now your statement’s here. ‘Tis the season to dominate debt! Get a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months on balances transferred to a new Platinum card within 60 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR between 10.24% and 18% applies. Plus, no transfer fees! 1 Navy Federal is federally insured by NCUA. 1 As of 2/2/2026, rates range from 10.24% APR to 18.00% APR, are based on product type and credit- worthiness, and will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction. Balance transfer offer: Application must be submitted by 3/31/2026. 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Ollis positioned himself between the insurgent and Cierpica, who had been wounded in both legs and was unable to walk. Ollis fired on the enemy fighter, incapacitating him, but as he ap- proached the wounded fighter, the man's suicide vest detonated, mortal- ly wounding Ollis, the citation reads. In 2006 at age 17, Ollis enlisted in the Army after graduating from the Michael J. Petrides School, where he excelled in the school’s Junior ROTC program. After infantry basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Ollis moved through the ranks with his first two assignments in Germany and at Fort Campbell, completed Air As- sault School, graduated from Ranger School and earned his Basic Para- chute Badge at Airborne School, the news release says. He was 24 years old and a newly promoted staff sergeant when he led a squad on the 2013 deployment to Afghanistan. After his death, the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation was estab- lished, and a campaign was launched to award Ollis the Medal of Honor. In 2017, the president of Poland award- ed Ollis the Star of Afghanistan and the Gold Medal of the Polish Army, the highest honor that country can give to an allied soldier.www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | February 12, 2026 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY W ith a mission to support soldiers serving around the world and honor those who came before, the National 4th Infantry (Ivy) Division Association provides a rally point for the soldiers and veterans of the division, whose motto is “Steadfast and Loyal.” The association was formed in 1919 following the end of World War I. By the war’s end, elements of the division had served in fi ve major campaigns and suffered 2,160 killed in action and 10,660 wounded in action, accord- ing to the Center for Military History. Created by soldiers from the unit, the association “was intended to last as a permanent body dedicated to comradeship among those who served in the division,” according to the group’s website. The organization hosts a national reunion each year for soldiers and Spotlight on AUSA Association Partner: N4THIDA veterans of the division, as well as local events at its chapters across the country. Its offi cial publication is The Ivy Leaves, which has existed since the association’s founding and is dedicated to perpetuating the his- tory and achievements of the 4th In- fantry Division. Each year, the association awards Legacy Educational Scholarships to members’ children and grand- children who are undergraduate students. It also sponsors the E.R. Smith Memorial Scholarship for chil- dren from Gold Star families, named in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Elmelindo Smith, a 4th Infantry Division sol- dier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in 1967 during the Vietnam War. For more information, please visit https://4thinfantry.org/. If your association is interested in partnering with AUSA, contact Su- san Rubel at srubel@ausa.org. Association Partnershipwith AUSA is an opportunity for like-minded military service organizations to join AUSA in support of the Total Army—soldiers, DoW civilians and their families. YOUR VALUE DRIVEN PARTNER OF CHOICE KRH PROVIDES INTEGRATED HR SOLUTIONS AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES TO VARIOUS CLIENTS. KRH IS RECOGNIZED AS A WELL-FOUNDED, SUSTAINABLE, AND LEGAL PARTNER TO BUSINESSES WITHIN THE REGION. AS INDUSTRIES EVOLVED, KRH IS AGILE IN GAINING A DEEP UNDERSTANING OF ITS CLIENTS’ CHANGING NEEDS AND REFORMING ITS STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS NEW CHALLENGES. 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(U.S. ARMY PHOTO) I n an effort to strengthen soldiers’ readiness and confidence, the Association of the U.S. Army’s NCO and Soldier Programs director- ate recently conducted a Life Skills Training visit to the National Train- ing Center at Fort Irwin, California, bringing practical, hands-on educa- tion directly to troops and leaders in one of the Army’s most demanding operational environments. Led by retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s vice president of NCO and Soldier Pro- grams, the trip combined techni- cal training, lead- ership professional development and community engage- ment aimed at boosting soldier readi- ness beyond the tactical mission. During the visit, 57 private- ly owned vehicles were serviced through Life Skills workshops held at the installation’s Auto Craft Shop. Soldiers received instruction on fun- damental vehicle maintenance tasks such as oil changes, fluid checks, tire inspection and brake awareness. While these may appear to be rou- tine skills, they have a meaningful impact on financial readiness, safety and self-sufficiency, particularly for junior soldiers and families often navigating independence for the first time. Participation extended well beyond the automotive bays. Nearly 300 soldiers and leaders attended pro- fessional development sessions con- ducted throughout the visit. These sessions focused on leadership, resil- ience, and preparing troops for both military and civilian success. The Fort Irwin visit also highlight- ed the importance of connecting sol- diers with resources that support ev- eryday challenges. AUSA’s Life Skills programs aim to reduce stressors that can impact readiness by equip- ping troops with knowledge that saves time, money and frustration. For many participants, the opportu- NCO & Soldier Programs nity to learn practical maintenance skills in a supportive environment helped build tenacity and encouraged continued self-development. Equally important was the sense of community generated during the events. Soldiers, leaders and families worked side by side, sharing experi- ences and building relationships that strengthen unit cohesion. Events like this reinforce that readiness is not solely about training for combat, but also about ensuring soldiers and families are prepared to thrive in all aspects of life. The success of the visit reflects strong collaboration between AUSA’s NCO and Soldier Programs team, the association’s National Training Cen- ter-High Desert chapter, Fort Irwin leadership and installation support organizations that helped coordinate facilities, participation and outreach. Their combined efforts ensured sol- diers had access to valuable educa- tion while maintaining mission focus at the National Training Center. Life Skills Training continues to demonstrate AUSA’s commitment to supporting service members at the point of need. Whether learn- ing basic automotive maintenance, engaging in leadership development discussions or building stronger pro- fessional networks, these programs empower soldiers with practical tools that enhance both personal and pro- fessional readiness. Follow us @ausa_nco_soldier_pro- grams on Instagram to see all we’re doing across the Army. Sgt. 1st Class Jordan Etchells is AUSA’s NCO and Soldier Programs Skillbridge intern. Soldiers and leaders attend a profession- al development session focused on lead- ership and resilience hosted by AUSA's NCO and Soldier Programs directorate at Fort Irwin, California. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org 8 AUSA Extra | February 12, 2026 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Chapter events strengthen bonds, facilitate partnerships O n Jan. 27, the Association of the U.S. Army’s Northern New Jersey chapter hosted two events aimed at furthering the association’s goals of facilitating in- dustry partnerships and strengthen- ing the bond between the Army and the American public. During a lunch-and-learn event at L3Harris Technologies in Clifton, New Jersey, the chapter partnered with the Association of Old Crows, the Army Aviation Association of America and the Institute of Elec- trical and Electronics Engineers to provide an update on electromagnetic spectrum opera- tions. The presen- tation was an opportunity to “hear from experts in the aerospace and defense industry and connect with professionals in [science, technology, engineering and mathematics],” the chapter said in a social media post. Guest speaker Will Verdecchia, business development manager for aerospace and defense at Rohde & Schwarz, discussed the complex and evolving electronic warfare domain and the need for testing and mea- surement that is scalable, adaptable and dependable. That evening, the chapter held its annual membership networking event at VFW Post 1302 in Kearny, featuring leaders from AUSA nation- Northern New Jersey Last week, seven members of AUSA's Central Texas chapter board of governors were inducted as Good Neighbors by the leadership of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, recognizing exceptional support for soldiers and families. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) al headquarters, including retired Brig. Gen. Jack Haley, the associa- tion’s vice president for Membership and Meetings, and Susan Rubel, AUSA’s Insurance and Affinity Part- nerships director. In his remarks, Haley said that AUSA’s mission is to educate soldiers and families, Army civilians, retired soldiers and veterans, and the busi- nesses and industries that support the Army; inform Congress and the public about issues affecting the Army; and connect the Total Army, industry partners, like-minded asso- ciations and other supporters at the national, regional and chapter levels. “We’re an educational associa- tion—that’s what AUSA is,” Haley said, noting that the association re- cently surpassed 2 million members. The insights from Haley and Ru- bel were “invaluable,” according to the chapter. Attendees “gained a deeper under- standing of AUSA Northern New Jer- sey and how your membership ben- efits support you,” the group said. “It was wonderful to see so much mean- ingful networking and engagement taking place—laying the groundwork for future collaboration and events.” AUSA members honored for service Members of AUSA's Northern New Jersey chapter meet with leaders from the associa- tion's national headquarters during the chapter's annual networking event. (AUSA PHOTO) Central TexasInterested in advertising on Army Matters? Email podcast@ausa.org for more information. AUSA’s Army Matters podcast amplifi es the voices of the Total Army – one story at a time. Join hosts LTG (Ret.) Les Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey as they interview the modern chroniclers of the Army experience to discuss inspiring leadership stories, current issues faced by soldiers, and our military families’ journeys. 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