PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org August 10, 2023 | AUSA Extra 1 Army bids farewell to senior leaders O n Aug. 4, after leading the Army together for four years, Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston stepped down from their posts. McConville, the 40th Army chief of staff, relinquished responsibility to Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. George has been nominated to be the next Army chief of staff, but he must still be confirmed by the Senate. Grinston, the 16th sergeant major of the Army, turned over responsibil- ity to Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, who most recently was the senior enlisted leader for Army Spe- cial Operations Command. McConville and Grinston have been “truly incredible teammates,” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, left, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville, right, conduct a pass and review during their relinquishment and change-of-responsibility ceremony Aug. 4 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. DEONTE ROWELL) New SMA Sends Message to the Force 3 1st Special Operations Commander Dies 4 Government Affairs Defense Funding Moves Forward 9 Chapter Highlights AUSA Members Named CASAs 10 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 5 NUMBER 15 AUGUST 10, 2023 Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. “During four consequential years, these two men led our soldiers with honor and demonstrated that one of the Army’s greatest strengths is its ability to adapt with speed and strength to new challenges.” McConville has been the “consis- tent and persistent leader that the Army has needed these last four years,” Wormuth said. “Our Army will be stronger and better prepared thanks to your efforts.” Army leaders could always count on Grinston for honesty and sound advice, Wormuth said. “We have counted on him to speak up, and he has always excelled at his mission,” she said. “You have been an inspi- ration, SMA, and you will truly be missed.” McConville said he is “one of the luckiest guys alive because I’ve had the honor of serving with the world’s greatest people.” During his service, particularly as Army chief of staff, he has seen soldiers do “the most incred- ible things during the most challeng- ing times,” McConville said. From responding to crises in the Middle East and Europe to providing hope and relief to communities grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, sol- diers have answered whenever the nation has called, McConville said. “I cannot be more proud to have served as the 40th chief of staff of the Army,” he said. As he retires, “I take comfort in knowing the Army is in See Leaders, Page 8www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY August 10, 2023 | AUSA Extra 3 New SMA urges fellow NCOs to lead, care for soldiers I n one of his first messages to the force, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Mi- chael Weimer called on NCOs to set the example for their soldiers. “We serve in the greatest Army in the world,” Weimer writes. “Our Army earned this reputation on the shoul- ders of generations of professional noncommissioned officers. Our NCO corps is unique and envied around the world. Sustaining this reputation re- quires dedication and commitment. I join every NCO in our Army in living up to the expectations associated with modeling what right looks like every day. I will not forget, nor will I allow my fellow NCOs to forget, that we are professional warfighters.” Weimer, a veteran special opera- tions soldier, became the 17th ser- geant major of the Army on Aug. 4. He succeeds Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, who retired after four years on the job. In his message to the force, posted on social media, Weimer called on his fellow NCOs to lead, develop and care for their soldiers. He also said it’s important for leaders to under- stand their roles and responsibilities and make sure soldiers know what to Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, right, is sworn in as the 17th sergeant major of the Army Aug. 4 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. DEONTE ROWELL) expect from them. As an NCO, Weimer said, he has two basic responsibilities—accom- plishing the mission and taking care of soldiers. Taking care of soldiers means making sure they’re ready to fight, survive and win, Weimer writes. “In every case, brilliance at the basics sets the foundation to tackle com- plex problems,” he writes. “Effective training meets published standards, pushes capabilities, challenges deci- sion-making skills, builds teams and inspires confidence. Invest in your own personal development and invest in developing your subordinates.” NCOs also have a key leadership role, Weimer writes. “Our Army functions best when leading through command teams. NCOs are essential to any successful command team,” he writes. “Absent an NCO, it’s not a command team.” As the Army looks to the future and the possibility of fighting and winning on “any distant battlefield,” NCOs remain “the heart and soul of our formations,” Weimer writes. “Technology is a valuable enhancer to our profession, but it is and always will be our NCOs who lead, train and inspire young Americans to embrace a warrior mindset shaped by the Army Values and the professional of arms … ensuring tomorrow’s vic- tory,” Weimer writes. His message is available here. Spc. DeAndre Swinson, left, receives instruction from Staff Sgt. Jacob Wair, both as- signed to the 549th Military Police Company, in assembling a fixed gun position during training in July at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. (U.S. ARMY/BETHANY HUFF)www.ausa.org4 AUSA Extra | August 10, 2023 Gen. Bob Brown, USA Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, USA Ret. 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Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier PERK OF THE WEEK ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Vietnam hero, special operations and airborne legend dies at 90 R etired Gen. James Lindsay, the first commander of U.S. Special Operations Command who also led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Divi- sion and was a life member of the As- sociation of the U.S. Army, died Aug. 5. He was 90. “Gen. Lindsay was truly the heart and soul of what we are all about. His leadership impacted the fabric of our nation, and our generation owes him tremendously for his presence and mentorship,” Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg, North Carolina, said in a statement. A native of Vass, North Carolina, Lindsay enlisted in the Army in Feb- ruary 1952 and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1953 after at- tending Officer Candidate School, ac- cording to the Fayetteville Observer. During his 38-year career, Lindsay held eight assignments within the 82nd Airborne Division, from platoon leader to division commander. For actions during his second de- ployment to Vietnam, Lindsay re- ceived the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest award for valor. At the time, then- Lt. Col. Lindsay commanded the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, which located and destroyed three main force Viet Cong and North Vietnamese battal- ions in the Plain of Reeds from May 31–June 4, 1968. After an airborne insertion on the enemy flank, Lindsay’s battalion came under heavy fire from automat- ic weapons and small arms, accord- ing to the award citation. “Moving from position to position under the hail of bullets, [Lindsay] directed his troops’ fire and, once fire superiority had been gained, led an assault into the hostile bunker complex which de- stroyed sixty of the fortifications and Gen. James Lindsay. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) forced the enemy to withdraw,” the citation says. Lindsay continually fought through “vicious” fire, both on the ground and from his helicopter, to repel enemy counterattacks throughout the bat- tle. “While leading a sweep through the woodline early in the morning of 4 June, he surprised three Viet Cong whom he engaged and killed before they could inflict any casualties upon his men,” according to the citation. In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, Lindsay was awarded two Distinguished Service Medals and four Silver Stars for his service in Vietnam. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan nominated Lindsay as the first com- mander of the newly created U.S. Spe- cial Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Florida, according to the Fayetteville Observer. It was Lindsay’s final assignment be- fore his retirement in 1990. “Our hearts are heavy as we render one last salute for Gen. James Lind- say,” the 82nd Airborne Division said in a Facebook post. “We thank you for your service to our nation and a com- mitment to excellence. Old Paratroop- ers never die, they just slip away.” AUSA members have access to a variety of exclusive en- tertainment offers, including up to $100 off at Walt Disney World Resort, up to $65 off at Universal Orlando Resort, more than 30% in savings at Sea World and Cirque Du Soleil, more than 50% off at Las Vegas attractions and up to 40% off movie tickets. Receive a $30 coupon when you sign up at www.ausa.org/entertain. www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY August 10, 2023 | AUSA Extra 5 Visit navyfederal.org to join. Insured by NCUA. *Dollar value shown represents the results of the 2021 Navy Federal Member Giveback Study. The Member Giveback Study takes into consideration internal market analyses comparing Navy Federal products with industry national averages, as well as discounts, incentives, and other savings. Image used for representational purposes only; does not imply government endorsement. © 2022 Navy Federal NFCU 14172- E (8-22) We’ve Got Your Bases Covered We’re here to help the military community and their families make the most of their money. Our members could earn and save $349* per year by banking with us. ‘Highly effective’ Army equipment aiding Ukraine fight E quipment the Army has been sending to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia has been proven “highly effective” in combat, a senior Army official said. Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the performance of vehicles and munitions in Ukraine “validates the Army’s approach to how we produce things and how we test and design them.” “Wars are complicated endeavors, they rise and fall based on many factors,” Bush said Monday during a meeting with Pentagon reporters. “American equipment that is get- ting to Ukraine is highly effective in combat, and that doesn’t just happen, that’s the result of decades of work by thousands of people to make sure our equipment’s tested well.” Bush noted that the Army’s indus- try partners produce equipment “at a high level of quality.” While many allies and partners also contribute to production, Bush asserted that the United States produces the best in terms of quality. Of the systems being sent to Ukraine, he listed as examples the Patriot missile system; the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, known as GMLRS; the High Mobil- ity Artillery Rocket System, or HI- MARS; the Javelin anti-tank weapon system; many types of 155 mm artil- lery; counter-unmanned aerial sys- tems and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. On the way to Ukraine by early fall are M1 Abrams tanks, he said. The tanks, he said, “have to get to Europe and then to Ukraine along with all of the things that go with them—ammunition, spare parts, fuel equipment, repair facilities. It’s the full package that goes with it, and that’s still on track.” Bush addressed “uninformed spec- ulation” that U.S. Army stockpiles are at risk of being depleted in the race to help Ukraine. “There is a lot of support, we are working through our allies to help make sure Ukraine is supplied, so it’s not all the United States, and I think that’s a success story,” Bush said. “The U.S. Army is committed to and will succeed in maintaining our stocks sufficient for training and readiness … while also supporting our ally Ukraine with what they need, working as part of an interna- tional team to make sure that hap- pens,” Bush said. “The United States is the arsenal of democracy, but we can have multiple arsenals in other democracies, and we have those, and they’re helping.”www.ausa.org8 AUSA Extra | August 10, 2023 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY readyandsecure.com Storage Solved ® Optimized Shipping Containers BY LAND, SEA, OR AIR STOCK STACK SHIP AND Leaders From Page 1 tween or something unprecedented, we will be ready, we will adapt, and we will win.” The Army will aggressively tackle any challenge, Weimer said. “Our great hands,” McConville said. “The Army has the best leaders I’ve seen in 42 years of service.” Grinston echoed McConville’s re- marks. “The future of our Army is in good hands,” he said. The outgo- ing sergeant major of the Army said he’s often asked about his legacy. “It’s pretty simple,” he said. “It’s the people. If you want to know what I think my legacy is, it’s those that will follow me.” In his remarks, George, who be- came the 38th vice chief of staff last August, said the Army faces many challenges at home and abroad. “But this is not new,” George said. “Fac- ing down challenges both known and unknown is what our Army is built to do. We remain ready today to respond whenever our country calls. Whether it’s large-scale combat operations, disaster response, something in be- success will come through cultivat- ing a warrior culture grounded by personal discipline and personal courage,” he said. Soldiers will be “disciplined and brilliant at the ba- sics to ensure we’re ready now and ready to handle the most complex problems here to come,” Weimer said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised McConville and Grinston for their service and expressed confi - dence in George and Weimer. “We’ll deter confl ict where we can, but if we have to defend ourselves, we will fi ght and we will win—and we will win decisively—and that’s because of the leaders that we are honoring today,” Austin said. “It’s because of all our selfl ess soldiers who raise their hands to serve, and it’s because of your commitment to make our country stronger and our world safer. The United States Army has never failed its mission for the American people, and it never will.” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McCon- ville is honored with a clap-out Aug. 2 as he leaves on his last day of work at the Pentagon. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. XAVIERA MASLINE)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY August 10, 2023 | AUSA Extra 9 Defense bills support pay raise, global deterrence efforts Soldiers with the 1st Cavalry Division explain the capabilities of the M2A3 Bradley Fight- ing Vehicle to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., during a congressional visit in July to Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. OSCAR GOLLAZ) W ith Congress out of town for the August recess, this is a good time to recap recent events and where things stand with respect to the annual authorization and appropriations process. Before going on recess, the Senate passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act by a large bipartisan majority, 86–11. Several important provisions impacting the Army and DoD are included. In particular, the Senate version of the NDAA authorizes a 5.2% pay raise for service members and DoD civilians, which will help blunt the impact of inflation and help recruit- ing and retention efforts. The legis- lation authorizes full funding of the administration’s budget request for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and the European Deterrence Initiative, and requires the establishment of the Indo-Pacific Campaigning Initiative. Together, these efforts are critical to countering adversaries in both Eu- rope and the Indo-Pacific. It also includes significant invest- ments to support recruiting efforts and improve supply chains in the in- dustrial base. This bill is expected to be confer- enced with the version passed a few weeks ago by the House of Represen- tatives, but the timeline and what form that conference will take are unclear. Similarly, the Senate Appropria- tions Committee held markups and passed all 12 appropriations bills by large bipartisan majorities, includ- ing the defense appropriations bill and the military construction, vet- erans affairs and related agencies bill. These bills provide significant investments in our armed forces, vet- erans and their families. The appropriation bills largely sup- port budget requests from the Army and the Department of Veterans Af- fairs, and the defense appropriation Government Affairs adds $850 million for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Ac- count. The Association of the U.S. Army has recommended that the Senate Appropriations Committee add fund- ing to support Army modernization and infrastructure, but the budget agreement between the president and the House speaker has limited what lawmakers can do. As the appropriations process pro- ceeds in both the House and the Sen- ate, AUSA continues to advocate for additional money for the Total Army and for the appropriations bills to be passed on time for the new fiscal year. Congress faces significant odds to pass appropriations bills by Sept. 30, the last day of the current fiscal year, and a continuing resolution will likely be needed to avoid a lapse in funding. AUSA’s Government Affairs team will track these and other develop- ments and continue advocating for the Army with Congress. You can help to build momentum for passage of critical legislation that supports the Army, including appropriations and the NDAA, by contacting your representatives and senators. Mark Haaland is AUSA’s Government Affairs director. AUSA continues to advocate for addition- al money for the Total Army and for the appropriations bills to be passed on time. (ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL PHOTO)Next >