PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org February 19, 2026 | AUSA Extra 1 Drones added to One-Station Unit Training Soldiers Can Apply for New Space MOS 3 Army has ‘Declared War’ on Training Distractions 4 Family Readiness Teaching Army Traditions 6 Chapter Highlights Greater Philadelphia-Penn and Franklin Monmouth 7 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 7 NUMBER 39 FEBRUARY 19, 2026 Soldiers conduct virtual small unmanned aircraft systems familiarization training Jan. 30 in the Clark Simulation Center at Fort Benning, Georgia. (U.S. ARMY/JOEY RHODES II) S oldiers participating in One- Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, are now undergoing a 10-hour familiariza- tion course in small unmanned air- craft systems as part of the formal program of instruction, the Army announced. Modeled after the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Robotics Lethal- ity Course, the 12-lane curriculum ranges from basic controller inter- face mechanics to advanced tactical reconnaissance and lethal kinetic strikes. Using Virtual Battle Space 4 soft- ware and the Virtual Drone Col- lective Trainer software plug-in, developed by the Combined Arms Center-Training Innovation Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the Army can provide immersive train- ing for thousands of soldiers annu- ally, the service said. “The Army has always used simu- lation-based training to reduce noise, training costs and wear and tear on equipment and resources,” allow- ing troops “to receive immersive, life-like, low-cost training on equip- ment they have minimal experience operating, without risk of damage to equipment, personnel or resources,” said Jayson Karch, training special- ist with the Maneuver Center of Ex- cellence Directorate of Training and Doctrine, according to the release. The course is divided into three phases, including flight training, ba- sic tactical training and a culminat- ing assessment. During the tactical phase, infantry and armor trainees use night vision, thermal and infra- red cameras to identify enemy per- sonnel and vehicles before conduct- ing simulated drone strikes. The goal is “to ensure every sol- dier is familiar with a combat en- abler they will encounter in future formations,” the release said. Simu- lation training also will provide an opportunity for talent acquisition and management, as course gradu- ates who demonstrate above-average proficiency will be considered for the formal sUAS Operators Course. See Drone training, Page 6www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 12, 2026 | AUSA Extra 3 Army seeks applicants for new space operations MOS Spc. Samuel Aguilar, assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, trains with a satellite com- munications tool at Caserma Del Din, Italy. (U.S. ARMY/CAPT. JENNIFER FRENCH) T o meet rising space and missile threats, the Army is accept- ing applications for its newest MOS. The 40D, space operations special- ist, MOS will be established Oct. 1 for enlisted soldiers who are special- ists through sergeants major in all three Army components. This new specialty will create a permanent career path in space operations and build an NCO corps to complement Functional Area 40A officers in the Army space operations branch, the Army said in a news release. “This is the first space-specific MOS for enlisted soldiers, and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commanding general of U.S. Army Space and Mis- sile Defense Command, said last fall. Previously, enlisted personnel were “borrowed” from other branches and returned after roughly three years. “The establishment of [the] 40D MOS will alleviate the burden on other Army branches who are lending their soldiers to space operations,” Gain- ey said. “This new space operations MOS is designed to build a robust and experienced noncommissioned officer corps in Army space and will ensure that Army space formations are equipped with soldiers who have experience in space operations.” Applications are being accepted Lt. Col. Todd Orges joined AUSA in July as the association's Army Fellow. In his spare time, Orges en- joys fly fishing, trail running and touring historical battlefields, and is a big Cleveland Browns football fan. He is hoping to attend the Army War College in the next few years and eventually serve as an AUSA chapter president after retirement. Meet the AUSA headquarters staff Lt. Col. Todd Orges Army Fellow through April 30. To qualify, soldiers must apply to transfer to the new MOS and, if selected, complete for- mal training conducted by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense School in Colorado Springs, Colo- rado. Notifications of selection board results are expected this summer, and initial selectees will transition to the 40D MOS and attend training beginning Oct. 1. The Army is currently forecasting around 1,000 40D billets that could grow up to 1,500 billets by 2032. The Army relies on space capabili- ties and systems to provide global po- sitioning, satellite communications, weather and related environmental conditions and intelligence collection platforms, the service said. These critical enablers help the Army plan, communicate, navigate, maneuver, engage the enemy, provide missile warning, maintain situational under- standing, protect and sustain forces. Leaders plan to “look across the entire Army for soldiers who wish to take that leap to the 40D MOS that will propel them to new heights, skills and knowledge,” said Com- mand Sgt. Maj. John Foley, senior enlisted leader for Space and Missile Defense Command. “We need them on the front edge of the fight within the space domain ... and be able to dominate in the space environment.” Space soldiers operate from the ground to support the warfighter, Foley said. “That is the distinct dif- ference that only soldiers can do for our Army,” he said. More information is available in MILPER Message 26-028 here. Com- mon Access Card-enabled login is re- quired.www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | February 19, 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 refl ect the opinion of the offi cers 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 refl ecting the offi cial 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 fi ve-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 benefi ts 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 Weimer advocates for quality-of-life improvements for soldiers, families T he Army has “declared war” on activities that keep sol- diers from the tough, realistic training they need to remain combat- ready, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee on personnel. “Taking care of our people is the foundation for a lethal combat ready force, the lifeblood of that force is tough, realistic training,” Weimer said in a hearing Feb. 11 alongside his counterparts from the other ser- vices on quality-of-life issues faced by service members and their families. “We must train for the fi ght we face today, not the one we fought yester- day,” Weimer said. “Our people are the heart of the Army … the engine of our combat power. Our commit- ment is to provide them with [the] quality of life they need, the leader- ship they deserve and the cutting- edge training required to dominate any adversary.” Pointing to high retention rates and meeting last year’s ambitious goal to recruit 61,000 new soldiers four months early, Weimer said, “Ameri- cans join the Army to stay in our ranks, to be soldiers,” an ethos that he said could fail if the Army can’t provide them with what they need. With the frequency of unpredict- able funding and government shut- downs, Weimer said, the Army is “fi ghting uphill” to decrease facility maintenance backlogs. “A soldier’s focus must be on their mission, not on a work order that can’t be fi lled,” Weimer said. “We’ve declared war on distractions. We are relentlessly eliminating burdensome administrative requirements to free up our leaders to do what they do best—build lethal teams. Every hour a leader spends on a redundant task is an hour they are not training their soldiers.” The sort of tough, realistic training Weimer is promoting, he said, “is not cheap.” He said the Army is trans- forming its training to refl ect the “brutal realities” of the modern bat- tlefi eld, where the skies are saturated with drones and electronic warfare and contested logistics are relentless. In opening remarks at the hear- ing, Master Chief Petty Offi cer David Isom, senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the committee that the joint force has three priorities—a prop- erly armed force, global integration across all domains with interagency, industry, allies and partners, and a force that is ready. People, Isom said, are “fulfi lling their end of the bargain through tough training, long deployments and ensuring they are ready every day. On their behalf, I'm asking that we uphold our end of the bargain by providing the stable, predictable funding that they need to succeed, provide the tools and training they need to win, and the quality of life that honors their service.” Master Chief Petty Offi cer David Isom, left, senior enlisted adviser to the chair- man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , converses with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer Feb. 11 during testimony before the Sen- ate Armed Services Committee subcom- mittee on personnel. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO) Members have out- standing pricing of just $3.16 a month for Dental Savings powered by Aetna Dental Access, an affordable option for anyone who does not have dental insurance and that saves money on services not included for those with insurance. Visit www.ausa.org/nbm.www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | February 19, 2026 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Soldiers, spouses benefit from AUSA educational forums E arlier this month, the Associa- tion of the U.S. Army’s Family Readiness team was invited to support several events hosted by AUSA’s National Training Center- High Desert chapter at Fort Irwin, California, led by President Renita Wickes and Amanda Harmon, sec- retary and Family Programs vice president. During the visit, I had the oppor- tunity to facilitate three Customs, Courtesies and Traditions educa- tion forums. Cre- ated last year by AUSA’s Family Fellows, this program is being offered through AUSA’s 122 chapters in the U.S. and around the world. The program is based on Cus- toms, Courtesies and Traditions of the United States Army: A Primer for Family Members, a guidebook authored by Ginger Perkins, one of AUSA’s Family Fellows and a 38- year Army spouse, and published by AUSA. It is an easy-to-read A to Z ref- erence resource, addressing areas including Army ceremonies, attire guidelines for military and civilians, and the POW/MIA missing man table that honors service members who are prisoners of war or missing in action. These in-person educational fo- rums, held at Fort Irwin’s Cracker- jack Flats Community Center, pro- Family Readiness vided interactive discussions and activities that prompted participants to share their experiences. Par- ticipants, which included military spouses, soldiers, civilian employ- ees, retirees and chapter members, responded with positivity and high spirits. Each participant received a copy of the guidebook, which features a foreword by retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. Teaching Army traditions, protocol and etiquette is essential for several reasons. It helps enhance resilience and adaptability, eases the transi- tion into military life, builds esprit de corps by fostering community and connections, and preserves Army tra- ditions and values by carrying them forward to future generations. AUSA’s Family Readiness team is very grateful for the collaboration of the National Training Center-High Desert chapter, Fort Irwin’s leaders and senior spouses, volunteers and installation support organizations in passing on the importance of Army traditions. Holly Dailey is AUSA's Family Readiness director. “While live flight is an important and vital portion of certifying a [small unmanned aircraft systems] operator, new operators use simula- tions to build basic skills without all the resources required for live flight,” said Rory O’Brien, a simulation spe- cialist with the Maneuver Center of Excellence. There are insufficient resources for every infantry and ar- mor trainee to fly a live system, “so virtual simulations allow us to train the skills at scale,” he said, according to the release. As small unmanned aircraft sys- tems grow into a defining feature of the modern battlefield, the Army plans to publish these training lanes on the milGaming website, meaning units across the force can download and utilize the same scenarios for home-station training. The curriculum integration “rep- resents a fundamental shift in how the Army prepares for the modern, transparent battlefield,” by prioritiz- ing digital literacy from day one, the release said. The Maneuver Center of Excel- lence seeks to “ensure that the next generation of infantry and armor soldiers is not just keeping pace with change but driving it. As these sol- diers transition to the operational force, they provide a ready, lethal and tech-capable backbone for the multi- domain formations of tomorrow.” Drone training From Page 1 Participants engage in interactive discussions during a Customs, Courtesies and Tradi- tions education forum hosted by AUSA at Fort Irwin, California. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.orgFebruary 19, 2026 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY AUSA chapters honor heroic ‘Four Chaplains’ of WWII Retired Gen. Bob Brown, center, AUSA president and CEO, greets members of the asso- ciation's Greater Philadelphia-Penn and Franklin and Monmouth chapters after Brown was awarded the 2026 Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Gold Medallion. (AUSA PHOTO) I n early February, members of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Greater Philadelphia-Penn and Franklin chapter and the Monmouth chapter from Eatontown, New Jer- sey, paid tribute to four chaplains who sacrificed their lives for their fellow service members during World War II. The annual Chapel of Four Chap- lains Awards Banquet honors four Army chaplains who were killed on Feb. 3, 1943. They were Lts. George Fox, a Methodist minister; John Washington, a Catholic priest; Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; and Alexander Goode, a rabbi. Sailing alongside more than 900 service members, civilians and crew aboard the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester, the chaplains held vis- its and services to occupy the troops, who had been advised by the Dorchester’s captain that the ship was being tailed by a German submarine. A German torpedo struck the Dorchester just before 1 a.m. on Feb. 3. As the ship descended into chaos, “men rushed to the top deck to escape by lifeboat, but found many were un- able to be used, either due to icing, or due to the extreme tilt of the ship— the result of taking on water from the torpedo. Some men simply jumped overboard to avoid going down with the ship,” according to the Army. As the ship sank, the four chap- lains attended to the needs of fright- ened troops by calming them, tend- ing to spiritual needs and helping the wounded. It soon became clear that there were not enough life vests for every- one on board. One by one, without hesitation, the chaplains removed their vests and gave them to soldiers who were still without. According to the Army, as the ship went down, witnesses recalled seeing the four chaplains praying in unison for the souls of the fallen and the sur- vival of those still clinging to hope. Of the more than 900 men on board the ship, 672 were killed. During the event, retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO, was awarded the 2026 Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Gold Me- dallion by the Four Chaplains Me- morial Foundation in recognition of outstanding leadership and service. “There is no greater example of self- less service than the four chaplains,” Brown said. “We wouldn’t have a na- tion if it wasn’t for individuals willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.” The annual commemoration “con- tinues to remind us of the power of faith, cooperation, and moral cour- age,” the Greater Philadelphia-Penn and Franklin chapter said in a so- cial media post. “It was a privilege to stand alongside fellow AUSA mem- bers in honoring those who embody these ideals.” Greater Philadelphia- Penn and Franklin Monmouth The annual Chapel of Four Chaplains Awards Banquet in Philadelphia honors four Army chaplains who were killed on Feb. 3, 1943. They were, left to right, Lts. George Fox, a Methodist minister; John Washington, a Catholic priest; Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; and Alexander Goode, a rabbi. (U.S. ARMY GRAPHIC)Next >