PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org August 21, 2025 | AUSA Extra 1 Army tests new flexible dining initiative T he Army is piloting its Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining initiative at Fort Hood, Texas, allowing soldiers to use their meal entitlements outside of traditional Army-operated dining facilities for the first time. During the limited user assess- ment test from Aug. 11–25, 200 sol- diers from the 61st Quartermaster Battalion will be able to swipe their Common Access Card at select Army and Air Force Exchange Services vendors. Troops can choose from special menus with items approved by food service experts and dietitians at locations such as Freshens, Qdoba, Burger King, Starbucks and Subway, according to an Army news release. A soldier at Fort Hood, Texas, participates in the Army's limited user assessment test for the Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining initiative. (U.S. ARMY/LACEY REINOEHL) AUSA Hosts Corporate Leadership Event 3 Army Needs Continued Investment in Space 4 Family Readiness Exploring Customs and Traditions 6 Chapter Highlights Central Texas 7 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 7 NUMBER 15 AUGUST 21, 2025 See Dining options, Page 5 The special menus also were formed based on affordability in ac- cordance with the set meal entitle- ment ranges, the Army release said. Soldiers participating in the test will be able to purchase multiple meal types—breakfast, lunch and din- ner—in a single visit, using separate transactions for each. The assessment comes in response to soldier feedback. It is not meant to replace traditional dining facilities but add options for soldiers, said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, deputy command- ing general and acting commander of Army Materiel Command. “We’ve expected soldiers in barracks to fol- low the same eating patterns that we have maintained for decades,” Mo- han said, according to the release. “We were swinging behind the pitch and failing them. We are on the cusp of totally changing that.” The Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining, or FEED, initiative supple- ments other expanded options in installation dining, including grab- and-go kiosks, food trucks and bis- tros; a growing meal prep program; and a campus-style dining venue pilot that will transform the tradi- tional dining facility model. While the Fort Hood assessment is primarily to test system function- ality, it also will provide a snapshot into soldier preferences and empha- size accessibility, said Rick Bennett, NEXT GENERATION MACHINE GUN FIRE CONTROL For use on multiple weapon platforms, the FCS™ 14 is a direct view optic for crew-served weapons - greatly increasing accuracy on both static and moving targets. With compact size/ weight along with user-friendly operation, the system provides the ultimate solution for faster engagements and increased first shot hits. Performance from Trust ™ •Direct view optic with removable thermal imager •Onboard ballistic computer •Integrated laser range finder •Ballistically compensated 2 MOA green dot 014584 CLICK HERE FOR PRODUCT INFORMATION AND DEMO VIDEOS VISIT US AT AUSA BOOTH #1955 www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY August 21, 2025 | AUSA Extra 3 AUSA launches new Corporate Leadership Program F rom Aug. 12–14, the Associa- tion of the U.S. Army’s Center for Leadership hosted Leonar- do DRS for a three-day professional development event—marking the of- ficial launch of the AUSA Corporate Leadership Program. This event was the culmination of a year of planning and collabora- tion with human resources directors at Leonardo DRS. The program en- hances internal leadership develop- ment by translating Army leader- ship principles into the corporate environment. As an institution built to develop leaders, the Army offers a uniquely powerful foundation for cul- tivating leadership in business. Nineteen mid- to senior-level lead- ers, identified as high performers and future successors across all lines of business, participated in the immer- sive experience. The agenda featured six tailored workshops led by a diverse group of facilitators, including retired Army leaders, corporate professionals and subject-matter experts. Retired Gen. Dave Perkins, the Center for Leadership’s distin- guished chair, led a session on ef- fective delegation through empower- ment, emphasizing how the Army’s concept of mission command trans- lates to corporate audiences. He stressed the importance of commu- nicating the “why” behind decisions Joel Theroux has been with AUSA since January 2024. Married for al- most two years, he and his wife wel- comed their son in May. Joel is an avid supporter of all Minnesota pro- fessional sports and Virginia Tech sports and is a self-described “huge nerd” who has enjoyed nerd culture and video games since before he started kindergarten. Meet the AUSA headquarters staff Joel Theroux Senior Financial Budget Manager and empowering teams to contribute insight and solve problems. Jacqueline Hooper, assistant pro- fessor and lead for professional de- velopment programs at the Air Force Academy, underscored the impor- tance of emotional intelligence in leadership. She noted that adapting communication styles is essential for effectively supporting employees in a variety of situations. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Tabitha Gavia, a Center for Leader- ship education fellow and director of operations at Merit International, led a session on leading with charac- ter. She highlighted the need to rec- ognize and mitigate personal stress triggers, because how you behave under pressure is how people will re- member you. Additional facilitators included re- tired Col. Scott Halstead, director of the AUSA Center for Leadership, who facilitated a session on accountability in leadership. Leadership education fellows retired Lt. Gen. Tom James and retired Brig. Gen. Jennifer Buck- ner delivered sessions focused on cul- tivating a growth-oriented culture to build cohesive teams and adaptive leadership, respectively. Participants also experienced AU- SA’s signature “Inspiration to Lead” journey on the National Mall, con- necting workshop themes to power- ful stories of leadership at national memorials. “The speakers made clear and effective connections be- tween the impact that leadership has on our warfighters and the po- tential for lives saved through effec- tive leadership,” one participant said. “It was an incredible experience and changes the way I think about how my actions and influence can affect so many lives.” The program’s value was summed up by another participant. “This ex- perience was very informative; the best leadership training course I've attended because it was intimate, in- formative, provided tools for applica- tion and offered great networking for mentors.” Session Two of the Leonardo DRS program is scheduled for June 2026 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This inaugural program sets the stage for future partnerships, bring- ing the Army’s legacy of leadership into the heart of corporate America. Learn more about the AUSA Cor- porate Leadership Program and schedule an introductory meeting by visiting www.ausa.org/center-for- leadership/corporate-leadership. Heather Calvert is the AUSA Center for Leadership's corporate leadership specialist. Retired Gen. Dave Perkins, the AUSA Cen- ter for Leadership’s distinguished chair, ad- dresses the association's inaugural Corpo- rate Leadership Program. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | August 21, 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 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 the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, from April 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025, membership rates are reduced to a five-year Premium rate of $50 and a two- year Premium rate of $30. Lifetime member- ship 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 ben- efits 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 Army pursuing lighter, more mobile technology for space capabilities A s the U.S. competes against global adversaries in the space domain, the Army needs continued investment in technology to deliver capabilities to warfighters, the commander of Army Space and Missile Defense Command said. “China and Russia are competing heavily in space … that’s a competi- tion that we can’t allow them to win,” Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey said Aug. 11 during a Defense News webinar. “We need to continue our investments and continue to evolve the capability to be able to meet the needs of our warf- ighters on the ground. So, we have to be able to deliver capability that allows our forces to be able to maneu- ver, shoot and communicate without impediment from space effects.” Space and Missile Defense Com- mand is reorganizing the command, modernizing air and missile defense and delivering space capabilities to troops, Gainey said. It also is aug- menting close-fight activities to get “capabilities down to the tactical edge” and support troops in key ar- eas throughout the world, he said. The command also is embracing Soldiers assigned to the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force fill a high-altitude balloon during exercise Balikatan 25 in the Philippines. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. BRANDON RICKERT) AUSA members get a discount at all Choice Hotel brands, including Cambria Hotels & Suites, Clarion Hotel, Comfort Inn, Country Inn & Suites, EconoLodge, Mainstay Suites, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn, Woodspring Suites and more. Visit www.ausa.org/choice for more. new technologies, such as high-al- titude balloons, that could operate well in contested or denied environ- ments. Soldiers want capabilities that are “smaller, lighter, more mobile,” Gainey said, “so [we’re] taking the capabilities we have now, leveraging technology to make it smaller and mo- bile, and then the warfighter is able to push it down to the tactical edge.” He added, “When you're in a con- tested and denied environment, you're looking at, ‘How can we lever- age other platforms to provide some of the same or similar capabilities so we continue to have uninterrupted communication, continue to leverage … maneuver under obscureness?’” The Army will continue to invest in its space capabilities and adapt to meet the needs of troops, Gainey said, citing as an example the creation of a new 40D space operations MOS. Creating a cohort of Army space experts, via the new MOS, “is a natu- ral progression to keep up with the changing warfare environment and leverage those next-gen … technolo- gies to be able to put our soldiers in an advantage on the battlefield,” he said.www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY August 21, 2025 | AUSA Extra 5 Dining options From Page 1 Soldiers from the 61st Quartermaster Battalion eat at Qdoba during the Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining initiative pilot at Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. ARMY/LACEY REINOEHL) senior logistics management special- ist in Army Materiel Command’s Army Food Innovation and Trans- formation Division. “If a soldier can’t make it to a din- ing facility, that soldier now has somewhere to go to get a meal with- out forfeiting their entitlements,” Bennett said, according to the news release. Throughout the test, represen- tatives from Materiel Command, AAFES, the 61st Quartermaster Battalion’s human resources repre- sentatives and others will be avail- able to troubleshoot, assist soldiers and collect feedback. While the Army wants soldiers gathering in dining facilities where they also build camaraderie, it can’t expect troops to eat in those facilities three times a day, seven days a week, Mohan said, adding that transform- ing the way the Army feeds its sol- diers is crucial. “When soldiers pass up that ben- efit and that entitlement every single day, we fail them. We've expected sol- diers to figure it out. We are chang- ing that,” he said, according to the release. “It’s imperative that the Army gets this right. Our goal is to ensure that soldiers remain the best- sustained, best-fed and fittest fight- ing force in the world.”www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | August 21, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Families play significant role in Army customs, traditions C odes, rituals and symbols shape the military world. At the heart of this world are Army customs, courtesies and tradi- tions, which are more than formal practices—they are the living bonds connecting generations of soldiers and their families. This month, we want to highlight the significance of customs, courte- sies and traditions and celebrate the vital role families play in preserv- ing and living these values. You can also learn more in the Association of the U.S. Army publication Customs, Courtesies & Traditions of the Unit- ed States Army: A Primer for Family Members by Gin- ger Perkins, an AUSA family fel- low who thrived as an Army spouse for 38 years through more than 20 moves around the world and multiple combat deployments. Customs are time-honored prac- tices passed down through repeated use that shape daily interactions and the character of Army life. While not always written into regulations, they are woven into the fabric of service, learned by both soldiers and their families. Examples of Army customs include reveille and retreat ceremonies, which mark the raising and lower- ing of the flag; formal tea gatherings to honor incoming and outgoing se- nior spouses; and blessings, invoca- tions and benedictions given by Army chaplains at events. These customs develop naturally over time, often shaped by the in- volvement of families who provide steadfast support. Courtesies are the outward expres- sions of respect and consideration that reinforce the Army’s values. For both soldiers and their families, courtesies strengthen the bonds of mutual respect and teamwork, cre- ating a welcoming and supportive environment. Examples of Army courtesies in- Family Readiness clude the hand salute—a gesture of respect, integrity and professional- ism—and volunteering to improve the quality of life in local Army com- munities. Courtesies are important because they are the foundation of a culture where all soldiers and fami- lies feel valued and included. Traditions are the ceremonies, symbols and rituals that connect ser- vice members and their families to the Army’s rich history. These tradi- tions deepen the sense of belonging and continuity for everyone in the Army community. Notable Army traditions include change of command ceremonies, cel- ebrating the Army birthday on June 14, unit mottos and songs and formal military balls and dinners. Traditions are kept alive not only by those in uniform but by the fami- lies who participate and carry these rituals forward. Families are the heart of the Army community, offering encouragement and stability to soldiers through the challenges of military life. The role of families is inseparable from Army customs, courtesies and traditions. By taking part in ceremonies, so- cial events and daily routines, fami- lies help build a strong network of mutual support. This sense of com- munity is essential for morale, espe- cially during deployments or times of change. Cindy Risch is AUSA's Family Readiness program manager. Sarah Soyka, wife of incoming garrison commander Col. Michael Soyka, receives yel- low roses from a soldier—a long-standing Army tradition—during the garrison change of command ceremony Aug. 6 at Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. ARMY/DAVID POE)T wo outstanding soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, will have new au- tomobiles for the remainder of their time at the installation, thanks to an initiative from the Association of the U.S. Army’s Central Texas chapter. Spc. Leonyn Ojeda and Staff Sgt. Joel Kayoka, Soldier and NCO of the Year for III Corps and Fort Hood, re- ceived the new vehicles July 31 from the AUSA chapter and Killeen Auto Group, a chapter Community Partner. “This is one of the best times to be a member of AUSA, because we get to recognize excel- lence—excellence in our NCO corps and in our soldier corps,” said Chris Albus, the chapter president, as re- ported by the Fort Hood Herald. Each year, the chapter and Killeen Auto Group award the winners of the III Corps Soldier and NCO of the Year competition with a new car of their choice. Ojeda, who is assigned to the 9th Hospital Center, 1st Medical Bri- gade, chose a black Ford Mustang. Ojeda has been in the Army four years and recently reenlisted with a five-year contract. “I always wanted to be in the Army,” Ojeda said, as reported by the Fort Hood Herald. “I have soldiers under me, and I wanted to motivate them … so I could show them that you’ve got to want it to stay in the Army.” Ojeda is in communications but soon will be training at Joint Base San Antonio to be a veterinary tech- nician. He said that he hopes to even- tually become NCO of the Year after he gets promoted. Col. Scott Preusker and Command Sgt. Maj. Osmil Sazon, Ojeda’s com- mand team with the 9th Hospital Center, attended the event. Sazon said that the Best Squad competi- tion consists of an array of difficult tasks, including physical fitness, pan- els, land navigation and chemical de- Killeen Auto Group managing partner Joshua Smith, left, and Chris Albus, rear, president of AUSA's Central Texas chapter, present new cars to Spc. Leonyn Ojeda, right, and Staff Sgt. Joel Kayoka, Soldier and NCO of the Year for III Corps and Fort Hood. (AUSA PHOTO) Central Texas www.ausa.orgAugust 14, 2025 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Chapter provides car leases for two exceptional soldiers fense drills. “Our team was No. 3, but Ojeda was the soldier over all,” Sazon said. “Anybody can take it, but he was the winner for the whole III Corps.” Kayoka, who was joined by his family at the presentation ceremony, selected a Hyundai Santa Fe. He is a combat engineer with the 36th Engi- neer Brigade who has orders to move to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the coming months. He said he had only been doing his job and wasn’t particularly seek- ing recognition as NCO of the Year. “I don’t think I was aiming for it, I think it just kind of fell into my lap. I was just leading my soldiers, doing everything I needed to do, and they just made this announcement that I would be winning,” Kayoka said, as reported by the Fort Hood Herald. Even though it will only be for a short time, “I appreciate the bless- ing,” Kayoka said of the car. Spc. Leonyn Ojeda, Soldier of the Year for III Corps and Fort Hood, smiles in his new Ford Mustang, courtesy of AUSA's Central Texas chapter. (AUSA PHOTO)Next >