PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org February 20, 2025 | AUSA Extra 1 Yuma Proving Ground tests M10 Booker A s the Army continues its sweeping transformation ef- forts, officials recently tested the new M10 Booker, one of the ser- vice's top priorities, at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. The M10 Booker is meant to be an armored infantry support vehicle, not a battle tank, designed to support the Army’s infantry brigade combat teams, according to the Army. The service has said it plans to acquire more than 500 of the vehicles. “The data we are collecting is for a decision on full rate production next summer,” said Yuma Proving Ground test officer Jade Janis, according to an Army news release. The vehicle originally underwent competition testing of prototypes at Yuma Proving Ground in 2020, with Janis serving as test officer on the The Army's new M10 Booker armored infantry support vehicle undergoes a full complement of performance testing at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. (U.S. ARMY/MARK SCHAUER) Applications Open for AUSA Scholarships 3 Register for AUSA's LANPAC Symposium 4 Family Readiness Resources for Military Marriages 6 Chapter Highlights Greater Augusta-Fort Eisenhower 7 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 6 NUMBER 41 FEBRUARY 20, 2025 See M10 Booker, Page 6 entrant that was ultimately selected. “It’s a lightweight infantry ve- hicle similar in weight to a Bradley [Fighting Vehicle], but with a larger weapon,” said Janis, according to the Army. “The intent is to be able to rapidly deploy them with an infantry combat brigade; you should be able to fit two of them in a C-17.” Christened in 2023 at the Na- tional Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the M10 Booker is named for Pvt. Rob- ert Booker, an infantryman who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II, and Staff Sgt. Stevon Booker, an armor soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003 and posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The vehicle’s main weapon is an M35 105 mm low-recoil tank gun, and it also carries a 12.7 mm M2 heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Its diesel en - gine puts out 800 horsepower, power- ing a top speed of 40 miles per hour. “There are a lot of similarities to an Abrams [tank] as far as the turret is concerned,” Janis said. “The hull itself is all new.” In addition to test firing the arma- ments in both a natural environment and from a cold chamber, the M10 Booker is undergoing a full comple- ment of performance and reliability, accessibility and maintainability testing. Test vehicles are running across punishing desert road cours- es, up steep slopes and through a wa- tery fording basin, sometimes while under a full load. “Aside from being a totally new www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 20, 2025 | AUSA Extra 3 AUSA accepting applications for national scholarships T he Association of the U.S. Army is accepting applications for more than $304,000 in na- tional scholarships in 2025, with 40 scholarships awarded by AUSA and seven administered by the associa- tion in conjunction with the Army. Scholarship applications will be accepted online until May 5. Those selected to receive an AUSA national scholarship will be notified in late June. AUSA national scholarship appli- cants must be active AUSA Premium members, Association Partner mem- bers or their children or grandchil- dren. Membership is not a prerequisite for the Army scholarships adminis- tered by AUSA. For more information, including eligibility rules and requirements, or to apply, click here. AUSA’s national scholarships in- clude awards for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pro- grams, and general studies. In the STEM category, AUSA will award 10 Delta Dental Oral Health and Wellness Scholarships valued at $2,000 each; two Joseph P. and Helen T. Cribbins Scholarships val- ued at $10,000 each; and six Nicholas D. Chabraja Scholarships valued at $5,000 each. The Delta Dental program pro- Heather Calvert joined AUSA in August 2024. She has a background in the events/trade show industry and holds a master’s degree in mar- keting from the University of St. An- drews. Heather is a coffee enthusi- ast, and in her spare time she enjoys gardening and is always working on a new craft or do-it-yourself project. Meet the AUSA headquarters staff Heather Calvert Corporate Leadership Specialist, Center for Leadership vides scholarships to Army family members and transitioning soldiers for the advancement of oral health and wellness. Eligible applicants may pursue programs such as den- tistry, nursing, home health care aide or caregiver training. The Joseph P. and Helen T. Crib- bins Scholarships honor the memory and legacy of Joseph and Helen Crib- bins, longtime supporters of Ameri- ca’s Army and AUSA, while the Nich- olas D. Chabraja Scholarships honor the past chairman of AUSA’s Board of Directors. Both may be used for completing degrees in STEM areas. AUSA’s general studies scholar- ships consist of the MilDef Way Scholarships; the GEN Carl E. Vuono Leadership Scholarship; the SMA Leon Van Autreve Scholarship Program; and completed coursework scholarships. For the second year, two MilDef Way Scholarships, each for $5,000, are being offered. MilDef is a sys- tems integrator and full-spectrum provider specializing in rugged infor- mation technology for the military, government and critical infrastruc- ture sectors. The company provides hardware, software and services in the harshest conditions and most challenging environments. The GEN Carl E. Vuono Leader- ship Scholarship was created in 2023 in honor of former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Carl Vuono, who served on AUSA’s Board of Directors for 20 years before retiring in 2023. The scholarship is for $10,000. In honor of Leon Van Autreve, the fourth sergeant major of the Army who was instrumental in establish- ing the NCO education system, eight scholarships are available: one for $25,000, one for $10,000, one for $5,000, and five for $2,000, for a to- tal of $50,000. For young professionals with debt from recently completed college courses or professional certifications, eight $2,500 scholarships are avail- able. Three full-ride scholarships, each valued at up to $48,000, will be awarded for Trident University, an accredited online institution offer- ing bachelor’s and master’s degrees that gives credit for leadership and professional experience. AUSA also administers the fol- lowing Army scholarships: the SGM Larry Strickland Memorial Fund and Scholarship, the SGM Dawn Kil- patrick Memorial AUSA Scholarship, and ROTC scholarships. AUSA’s national scholarships include awards for science, technology, engineer- ing and math (STEM) programs, and gen- eral studies. (U.S. ARMY/STEVEN STOVER)www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | February 20, 2025 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. Premium membership rates are $40 for two years or $75 for fi ve 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 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 Sign up now for AUSA’s LANPAC Symposium and Exposition Member Deals is our member benefi t site for entertainment discounts nation- wide. Click "Choose a City" on the site and see all the fun things to do with great discounts for a city you’re visiting, or your own city. Visit www.ausa.org/entertain to see all of the options and start saving. Gen. Ronald Clark, commander of U.S. Army Pacifi c, discusses his vision and priorities during a press conference at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. CAROLINA SIERRA) R egistration is open for the As- sociation of the U.S. Army’s LANPAC Symposium and Ex- position in Hawaii. An international symposium and exhibition dedicated to land forces in the Indo-Pacifi c, the three-day event will take place May 13–15 at the Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu. This year’s theme is “Prevailing Through Landpower,” and Gen. Ronald Clark, the new commander of U.S. Army Pa- cifi c, is slated to provide a keynote. During the event, leaders from the U.S. Army and partner armies in the Indo-Pacifi c and government and in- dustry representatives will discuss land forces’ contributions in the In- do-Pacifi c, theater sustainment, gen- erating ready forces, applying joint land power in multilateral exercises for regional security, organizing land forces for the combined or joint fi ght and developing NCOs to prevail in the region. Army leaders from more than 25 Indo-Pacifi c countries are expected to attend. There also will be more than 60 exhibitors. The Indo-Pacifi c is home to more than half of the world’s population, 3,000 different languages, several of the world’s largest militaries and two of the three largest economies, according to U.S. Indo-Pacifi c Com- mand. In the region, the Army plays a key role as the U.S. builds partnerships with allies and works to deter coun- tries such as China, described by senior leaders as the U.S. military’s “pacing challenge,” and North Korea. At Clark’s change-of-command ceremony in November, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George warned that the region is growing more com- plex and dangerous. “Russia, China, Iran and North Korea represent an axis of upheaval that is increasingly collaborating to threaten the free world,” George said. “We understand how the bat- tlefi eld is changing, and we have a sense of urgency about transforming our Army to meet the needs of our nation in today’s volatile operating environment.” A full agenda for LANPAC will be available soon. For more information or to register, click here.www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | February 20, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Love, resilience, sacrifice help military marriages thrive M ilitary marriages often involve a unique blend of love, sacrifice and resilience shaped by the demands of the mili- tary lifestyle. All couples encounter ups and downs. Stressors such as frequent de- ployments, relocations and the emo- tional toll of separation can strain even the strongest relationships. However, these opportunities also serve as starting points for deepen- ing emotional connections and foster- ing strong commitment. In navigat- ing the complexities of military life, partners can learn to communicate effectively, practice patience and rely on one another for support. According to Department of De- fense statistics, approximately 50% of active-duty service members are mar- ried. The shared experiences of overcoming hard- ships often create bonds that are about enduring love and growing together in faith and un- derstanding, showcasing the extraor- dinary strength of military families. Did you know that Army chaplains offer a variety of quality-of-life coun- seling to soldiers and their families? In 2020, the Army Chaplain Corps launched an initiative called “Grow- ing Through Adversity,” a documen- tary filled with true stories about marriage. In the film, Army couples Family Readiness share their personal, and often chal- lenging, marital experiences to en- courage others who want to build strong marriages. Couples can download a study guide, watch the “Growing Through Adversity” film together and use the attached “Discussion Road Map,” pausing at certain points to grow and learn in their relationship. Holly Dailey, director of Family Readiness for the Association of the U.S. Army, has been married for more than 32 years to her husband, retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan- iel Dailey, AUSA’s vice president for NCO and Soldier Programs. It is vital to share examples and success stories within your commu- nity to provide positive reinforcement for others navigating the unique chal- lenges of military life. For example, a veteran couple who has experienced deployments and reintegration can openly discuss how they maintained communication, trust and intimacy despite the distance and uncertainty. Their stories can provide valuable insights and encouragement to oth- ers facing similar situations, helping them develop coping strategies and resilience. Sharing their experiences also can offer a reality check for any- one harboring unrealistic expecta- tions. By being honest and vulner- able, military couples can cultivate a more supportive and understanding community where relationships can thrive amid adversity. The Army Chaplain Corps also of- fers events to build strong and ready teams that cater to families of de- ployed soldiers, single soldiers and couples. Click here to find an event in your local area. Cindy Risch is AUSA's Family Readi- ness program manager. Holly Dailey, AUSA's director of Family Readiness, and her husband, retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, the associ- ation's vice president for NCO and Soldier Programs, celebrate on their wedding day, Dec. 11, 1993. (COURTESY PHOTO) M10 Booker From Page 1 platform, there is nothing out of the ordinary for us in the way we test things. Everything should be stan- dard practice so far as testing is con- cerned,” Janis said, according to the Army. The M10 Booker is also being sub- jected to performance evaluation at the Arctic Regions Test Center, Yuma Proving Ground’s cold-weath- er testing facility, at Fort Greeley, Alaska, the release said. Personnel at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, conduct reliability, accessibility and main- tainability testing on the M10 Booker vehicle. (U.S. ARMY/MARK SCHAUER)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY February 20, 2025 | AUSA Extra 7 Medical center commander addresses chapter briefing C ol. James Pairmore, com- mander of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Eisenhower, Geor- gia, provided an update on military health initiatives during a January event hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army’s Greater Augusta-Fort Eisenhower chapter. The chapter’s monthly breakfast and briefing program features speak- ers on different military topics to help educate, inform and connect local business and civic leaders, veterans and retirees, fam- ily members and other stakeholders, said retired Col. Kelly Knitter, the chapter president. Pairmore, who has served as com- mander of Eisenhower Army Medi- cal Center since 2023, said that the Defense Health Agency’s transition to a new patient-centered primary care model known as “My Military Health” will provide better quality service to patients. “My Military Health is a step for- ward in how we deliver and manage health care for our military commu- nity,” he said. “This platform is more than just a system—it is a symbol of our dedication to providing updated, accessible and patient-centered care for those who have given so much for our nation.” Announced last year by Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, director of the De- fense Health Agency, My Military Health includes a suite of digital tools such as the SilverCloud behav- ioral health platform, which uses an app on mobile devices to provide men- tal wellness care; secure video for telehealth appointments; and Care Companion, another digital health tool that can help patients keep up with their recovery care plan. “This helps us move beyond tra- ditional models of care that rely primarily on in-person visits,” Cro- sland said, according to the Military Health System. “The tools will in- Greater Augusta-Fort Eisenhower clude cutting-edge technologies that strengthen our digital platform and provide a comprehensive blend of self-guided care, real-time and flex- ible virtual care and upgraded direct patient care—a model of care that fundamentally changes the experi- ence for patients.” Military and civilian health sys- tems do not have enough depth to continue the status quo with na- tionwide human resource shortages, Pairmore said, and a patient-cen- tered approach leveraging telephonic and virtual meetings helps improve quality of service. It provides imme- diate care and faster distribution of medication and reduces unnecessary trips to the hospital, he said. Pairmore also highlighted the im- pact on the medical center of Hurri- cane Helene, which forced the evacu- ation of 20 patients to other military hospitals. Despite damage from doors blown in, water intruding through walls and windows, and a period without power or potable water, the center is recovering and looking for- ward to its 50th anniversary on April 25, he said. During the event, the chapter also presented an $8,000 donation to the Fort Eisenhower Christmas House, a program that helps junior enlisted soldiers and their families during the holidays. In closing remarks, Pairmore ex- pressed his appreciation for those in attendance, particularly the civil- ian representatives from the chap- ter’s Community Partners. “Thank you for all your support, dedication, and continued trust in us to provide medical care for you and the com- munity,” he said. “Together, we are building a healthier future for Fort Eisenhower and the Central Savan- nah River Area.” Col. James Pairmore, center right, and Command Sgt. Maj. George Foster, center left, com- mand team at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, attend an event hosted by AUSA's Greater Augusta-Fort Eisenhower chapter. (AUSA PHOTO) Leaders with AUSA's Greater Augusta- Fort Eisenhower chapter present a dona- tion to the installation's Christmas house during a recent event. (AUSA PHOTO)Next >