PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org September 11, 2025 | AUSA Extra 1 AUSA announces 2025 national awards T he Association of the U.S. Army has announced the re- cipients of its 2025 National Awards, which honor individuals for their selfless service and dedication to the Army and its soldiers. “I want to congratulate our Na- tional Award recipients and thank them for their commitment, dedica- tion, selfless service and support to soldiers and our Army,” said retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. “They are examples for us to emulate, and each of our honorees has made such a difference in the lives of others, our Army and our na- tion. They represent the very best of AUSA, and I can’t wait to honor them in October at our Annual Meeting.” On the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, an American flag is unfurled during a remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. JOSEPH SPRAKTES) Retired Gen. William ‘Buck’ Kernan Dies 3 AUSA Honors Legislative Liaison 4 NCO & Soldier Programs Fort Hood Life Skills Training 13 Chapter Highlights 2025 Best Chapters 14 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 7 NUMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 Never Forget The awards will be presented at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Ex- position, Oct. 13–15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. During the annual meeting, in conjunction with the Army’s 250th birthday, AUSA also will present Army Medal of Honor recipients with the 2025 George Catlett Mar- shall Medal. AUSA’s highest award, the Marshall Medal is presented for distinguished and selfless service. This is not the first time the medal has gone to a group instead of a per- son. In 2024, the Marshall Medal was awarded to The U.S. Army Non- commissioned Officer. In 2020, it was awarded to The Army Family, and it was awarded to The American Sol- dier in 2004. Here’s a look at this year’s Nation- al Award recipients. Sullivan Leadership Medal The General Gordon R. Sullivan Leadership Medal is being presented to retired Gen. Michael Garrett. Named for AUSA’s former presi- dent and CEO and the 32nd Army chief of staff, the award was pre- sented for the first time in 2024. It recognizes an individual who dem- onstrates exemplary leadership and mentorship for the advancement of the Army both during and after their uniformed or civilian service or in an See Awards, Page 5Available on © 2025 JC Technology Made in U.S.A. www.acecomputers.com | (877)-223-2667 | CCS@AceComputers.com High-Performance Desktop Powered by CCS-3 QEBwww.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY September 11, 2025 | AUSA Extra 3 Former airborne, special operations commander dies R etired Gen. William “Buck” Kernan, former commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment, died Sept. 2. He was 79. “The airborne and special opera- tions forces communities lost one of its greatest leaders and advocates this week with the passing of Gen. William ‘Buck’ Kernan,” Lt. Gen. Greg Anderson, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, said in a statement. “He leaves behind a last- ing legacy of distinguished service to our nation and a deep commitment to Soldiers and their families. We offer our sincerest condolences to his fam- ily as we mourn together.” Kernan, who was the 2015 recipient of the Association of the U.S. Army’s General Creighton W. Abrams Medal for exceptional service to the Army, was commissioned as an infantry of- ficer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in November 1968. Just a year later, Kernan served as a rifle platoon leader in the 101st Air- borne Division’s 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, in Vietnam, the division wrote in a tribute online. After returning from Vietnam, Kernan held leadership roles of in- creasing responsibility, including commanding two airborne compa- nies, two Ranger companies, an airborne infantry battalion and a Ranger battalion. He would then command the 75th Ranger Regiment during its combat parachute assault into Panama during Operation Just Cause in December 1989. As a general officer, Kernan served in the 7th Infantry Division and in U.S. Special Operations Command before returning to command the 101st Airborne Division from Febru- ary 1996 to February 1998. As com- mander, he deployed elements of the division to Saudi Arabia in September 1996 in response to the bombing at Khobar Towers. The June 1996 attack on the housing complex near Dhah- Retired Gen. William ‘Buck’ Kernan greets then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odi- erno during AUSA's 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. MIKKI SPRENKLE) ran killed 19 American airmen and injured more than 400 other U.S. and international troops and civilians. Kernan then commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps, and later U.S. Joint Forces Command/Supreme Al- lied Commander Atlantic. He retired in 2002. He remained active in the Army community after retiring from the service. He served on the advisory board of the Patriot Foundation, which provides scholarships and child care services to families of soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, who were killed or wounded while serving. He also was an ambassador for the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, which provides educa- tional and career opportunities for soldiers who have suffered severe, permanent wounds during service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and was an advisory board member for the Na- tional Infantry Museum. Gen. William ‘Buck’ Kernan, then-commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, briefs re- porters during a Pentagon press conference in 2002. (DoD/R. D. WARD)www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | September 11, 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 AUSA recognizes service of longtime legislative liaison Victor Samuel Mark Haaland, left, AUSA's director of Government Affairs, and retired Gen. Bob Brown, center, the association's president and CEO, present a certificate of appreciation to retired Lt. Col. Victor 'Vic' Samuel during a ceremony at AUSA headquarters. (AUSA PHOTO) AUSA members can share an out- standing benefit with any family member: free SAT/ACT prep materi- als through eKnowledge, the official e-learning partner of the National Federation of High Schools for SAT and ACT preparation. Learn more at www.ausa.org/eknowledge. O n Sept. 4, the Association of the U.S. Army honored retired Lt. Col. Victor “Vic” Samuel of the Army Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison, who is beginning his second retirement after more than four decades of federal service as a soldier and an Army civilian. Samuel has been a longtime sup- porter of AUSA, particularly at the association’s Annual Meeting and Exposition where AUSA strives to help the Army educate, inform and connect with Congress, said retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. “Over the years, Vic has helped many senior Army leaders prepare and give vital testimony on Capitol Hill,” Brown said. “He has helped the Army to convince Congress to support many important programs, including quality-of-life improvements, train- ing and readiness initiatives and the Army’s modernization priorities.” Brown presented Samuel with a certificate of appreciation and an AUSA challenge coin during the cer- emony at the association’s headquar- ters in Arlington, Virginia. “In recognition of many years of distinguished leadership and ser- vice … the Association of the United States Army expresses its sincere ap- preciation for Vic Samuel’s tireless work ethic, collegiality, and numer- ous achievements. His exceptional contributions were instrumental in the success of key Congressional en- gagement efforts and strengthening the Army’s relationship with Con- gress,” the certificate says. Samuel attended Hampton Uni- versity in Virginia and was commis- sioned as a second lieutenant in the Army in 1984. During his career in uniform, he served in a variety of operational assignments, including with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Germany and the 20th Engineer Bri- gade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2002, Samuel joined the Of- fice of the Chief Legislative Liaison as a soldier, where he managed the personnel and military construction portfolios. He retired from active duty in 2005 and assumed the du- ties of the office’s programs division deputy that same year. Lasting relationships are the “building blocks” in fostering con- gressional support and ensuring the Army has the authorizations and resources to fight and win, Samuel said, thanking AUSA for its efforts on behalf of the force.www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY September 11, 2025 | AUSA Extra 5 Apply today! Visit navyfederal.org/MoreRewards . With More Rewards, you can also enjoy: You Could Get 20,000 Bonus Points With Your Summer Purchases! Start the summer with a More Rewards American Express® Credit Card, and you could earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.¹ Plus, you can get a one-time $98 statement credit when you purchase an annual Walmart+ Membership.² Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA. ¹Offer valid for cardholders issued new Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® credit card accounts. 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Annual Walmart+ membership must be purchased within one year from your Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card account opening date to receive the one-time statement credit. Please allow up to 30 days after the annual Walmart+ membership fee posts to your account for the $98 credit to post. Your annual Walmart+ membership will auto-renew annually following enrollment, and your credit or debit card on file will be charged for an additional term at the fee(s) in effect at the time. You may cancel your annual Walmart+ membership by calling Walmart Customer Care at 800-924-9206 or through your Walmart account. Walmart is a registered trademark of Walmart Apollo, LLC. ³Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Cards earn 3 points for every $1 of eligible purchases made for gas, transit, restaurants, food delivery, and supermarkets, and 1 point for every $1 of other eligible purchases. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services, minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, gambling, convenience checks, cash advances, or other cash-equivalents (e.g., money orders, gift cards, prepaid cards). Merchants are assigned codes by payment networks based on what they primarily sell. We rely on this information to identify gas, transit, restaurant, food delivery, and supermarket purchases. If the purchase is not identified as a gas, transit, restaurant, food delivery, or supermarket purchase, it will not receive additional points. For example, purchases for transit that are identified as railway, ferries/water trip, taxi, limousines, bus lines, charters, tour buses, tolls, road/bridge fees, and parking/lots will receive 3 points for every $1 spent. However, purchases at restaurants located within another establishment (e.g., hotel, casino, commissary, grocery store, event venue), and purchases for gas at superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs, may earn 1 point per $1 spent because they typically are not assigned codes identifying them as restaurant or gas purchases. For more information, view the More Rewards American Express® Card Program Description at navyfederal.org. The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card is issued and administered by Navy Federal Credit Union. American Express® is a federally registered service mark of American Express and is used by the issuer pursuant to a license. © 2025 Navy Federal NFCU 14496 (4-25) Plus, earn 1X points on all other purchases.³ 3X Points at Restaurants & on Food Delivery³ 3X Points at Supermarkets³ 3X Points on Gas & Transit³ Travel Discounts & Perks Our Members Are the Mission Awards From Page 1 executive role as an industry leader. “Gen. Mike Garrett is a role model and remains a great mentor in ev- erything he does,” said retired Lt. Gen. Roger Schultz, chairman of the Army War College Foundation who received the inaugural Sullivan Med- al last year. “Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to helping oth- ers in a way that’s truly in a class all his own. It’s an honor for me to share space on the Sullivan award roster with this distinguished soldier.” A former commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, the Army’s larg- est command, Garrett served in the Army for nearly 40 years. Garrett served several assign- ments in the 75th Ranger Regiment and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Battalion, 325th Air- borne Infantry Regiment. He activat- ed and commanded the 25th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, deploying the unit to Iraq in 2006. He also commanded U.S. Army Central before leading Forces Com- mand from March 2019 until his re- tirement in July 2022. He remains active in the military community, serving as chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He also is an executive in residence at Fayetteville State University and a distinguished se- nior fellow on national security at the Middle East Institute. He serves on the board of several organizations, including Textron, First Command Financial Services and Semper Fi & America’s Fund. Abrams Medal The General Creighton W. Abrams Medal for exceptional service to the U.S. Army will be awarded to Jennie Taylor, a Gold Star widow and nation- ally recognized military advocate. An educator by training, Taylor turned her grief into purpose follow- ing the death of her husband, Utah Army National Guard Maj. Brent Taylor, who was killed in Afghani- stan in November 2018 while serv- ing on a leave of absence from his elected position as mayor of North Ogden, Utah. See Awards,Page 6 Retired Gen. Michael Garrett is the recipi- ent of AUSA's 2025 General Gordon R. Sullivan Leadership Medal. (AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION PHOTO)www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | September 11, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY National Awards From Page 5 Taylor became a powerful voice for service and sacrifice, traveling the country to speak on topics such as resilience, grief and leadership. “Jennie Taylor exemplifies the enduring strength of patriotism through purposeful leadership, life- long service and a legacy forged in sacrifice,” Angela Ritz, director of the Army Ambassador Program, wrote in a letter endorsing Taylor’s nomination. Taylor is the founder and director of the Major Brent Taylor Founda- tion, which aims to train service- oriented leaders, honor military members, first responders and their families, and engage communities in meaningful acts of service. A mom of seven, Taylor is on ad- visory boards for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and the Woody Williams Foundation. She hosts the podcast “Relentlessly Resilient,” which focuses on cultivat- ing emotional strength in challeng- ing times, and is an adjunct professor at Utah State University and Weber State University. “Jennie’s leadership transcends titles,” Ritz wrote. “She brings peo- ple together—Gold Star families, military kids, corporate donors, school teachers, public servants— and inspires them to lead, serve and honor those who defend our nation. Her voice and example have become a guiding force for how America re- members, serves and aspires.” Drexel Biddle Medal The Major General Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Medal for outstanding contributions to the Association of the U.S. Army will be awarded to re- tired Lt. Col. David Fulton, president of AUSA’s European Region. “David Fulton is the definitive can- didate for AUSA’s Biddle Medal,” said Gemma McGowan, president of AU- SA’s General Creighton W. Abrams chapter in Wiesbaden, Germany, in nominating Fulton for the award. “His dedication to the association, the Army and its community spans over 16 years, marked by consistent lead- ership and a profound commitment to soldiers, families and retirees.” A 1986 graduate of the U.S. Mili- tary Academy at West Point, New York, Fulton was commissioned as an infantry officer. Over his Army career, he served in infantry and hu- man resource management assign- ments, retiring in 2006. He has con- tinued to serve, working for the Army in civilian leadership capacities and is currently director of the Wiesbaden Mission Support Element in Germany for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. His involvement with AUSA began when the European Region needed help revitalizing the General Creigh- ton W. Abrams chapter, McGowan wrote in her nominating letter. Ful- ton volunteered to serve and quickly led the chapter to an unprecedented six consecutive awards as AUSA’s Best Overseas Chapter. His success at the chapter led to his election as region president. In addition to his volunteer ser- vice with AUSA, Fulton is president Gold Star widow Jennie Taylor cuts an Army birthday cake alongside soldiers from the Utah Army National Guard in June. (ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/SGT. 1ST CLASS TIMOTHY BEERY) Retired Lt. Col. David Fulton, center right, AUSA’s European Region president, speaks with attendees at AUSA's LANDEURO symposium in July in Wiesbaden, Germany. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.orgSeptember 11, 2025 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY of the Army in Europe and Africa Retired Soldier Council. He also is on the West Point Men’s Gymnastics Endowment Campaign Committee and has returned to his alma mater annually for the past 27 years to vol- unteer as a cadet mentor and meet administrator for the men’s gymnas- tics program. “Rarely has any individual taken such a genuine interest in all facets of the military community, and his impact on the association’s influence in Europe is unprecedented,” Mc- Gowan wrote. Fulton has demonstrated unwaver- ing dedication to AUSA, soldiers and their families, Gen. Christopher Do- nahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, wrote in a recommendation letter in support of Fulton. “A distinguished veteran and civilian with 40 years of federal ser- vice, Mr. Fulton embodies the Soldier for Life ethos,” Donahue wrote. Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard, special assistant to the chief of the National Guard Bureau and 2021 recipient of AUSA’s Lieutenant General Ray- mond S. McLain Medal, has known Fulton since they served together as lieutenants in 1989. They later worked together when Fulton was the Abrams chapter president and Jarrard was assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Fulton “set the standard for his love of the Army and his untiring efforts to promote the Army and AUSA,” Jarrard wrote in a letter of recommendation. “Dave’s infectious positive attitude permeated through- out the organization. Everyone knew who Dave Fulton was and that he represented AUSA.” McLain Medal The Lieutenant General Raymond S. McLain Medal, given to a current or former member of the National Guard for advancing a seamless and component-integrated Army, will be awarded to retired Gen. Daniel Ho- kanson, who retired last August af- ter serving as the 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau. “Gen. Hokanson’s priorities of peo- ple, readiness, modernization and reform postured the [Army National Guard] at the forefront of national and international responses,” Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, wrote in a letter nominating Hokanson for the award. “Through a global pandemic, civil unrest, wars across the globe and natural disasters, Gen. Hokan- son’s leadership enabled the [Army National Guard] to perform at the highest levels while prioritizing sol- diers and families.” A tireless supporter of military families, Hokanson initiated the drill weekend child care pilot program for the Army National Guard—the first of its kind, Stubbs said. The program enables dual military and single par- See Awards, Page 8www.ausa.org 8 AUSA Extra | September 11, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY National Awards From Page 7 ents to manage the care of their fam- ily while serving their country. From 2019 through 2021, Hokan- son oversaw some of the most com- plex requests in National Guard history, including the COVID-19 pandemic response, unprecedented wildfires and hurricanes and steady state international deployments, Stubbs wrote. “Gen. Hokanson’s impact on [Army National Guard] readiness was un- matched, and through his unwavering leadership, the [component] success- fully executed more than 27 million domestic response missions during his tenure as chief,” Stubbs wrote. A 1986 graduate of West Point, Ho- kanson served on active duty in air cavalry, attack helicopter and air- craft test organizations before join- ing the Oregon National Guard. He commanded at the company, battal- ion and brigade combat team levels and served as the 30th adjutant gen- eral of Oregon. He also served as deputy com- mander of U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command. A veteran of Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan, Hokanson commanded the 41st Infantry Bri- gade Combat Team in Iraq and was chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan. Hokanson also was a member of the United States World Helicop- ter Team and founded the National Guard’s first Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic and Military Air Rescue Team programs. He was director of the Army Na- tional Guard and vice chief of the Na- tional Guard Bureau before serving as chief from August 2020 to August 2024. Rudder Medal The Major General James Earl Rudder Medal, given to a current or former member of the U.S. Army Reserve for advancing a seamless and component-integrated Army, is awarded to retired Col. Steven Pa- tarcity, who retired this summer after serving as a strategic planner and program manager with the Of- fice of the Chief of Army Reserve. “Mr. Patarcity exemplifies what it means to be a Soldier for Life, … rep- resenting a lifetime of unwavering commitment to our nation’s defense,” Stephen Austin, assistant chief of the Army Reserve, wrote in a letter nominating Patarcity for the award. Patarcity has almost 50 years of military and civilian government service, including 33 years in uni- form. Commissioned in 1977 from the ROTC program at Duquesne University in Pennsylvania, Pa- tarcity served in numerous positions in command and staff assignments from platoon to division. He also has served as command executive officer and chief of staff for the 200th Mili- tary Police Command, deputy com- mander of the 220th Military Police Brigade, and the operations officer and staff supervisory operations of- ficer for the 99th Regional Readiness Command. His “distinguished career” culmi- nated in a “transformative 10-year tenure” as the strategic planner for the Office of the Chief of Army Re- serve’s operations and plans direc- torate, Austin wrote. “In this role, he revitalized a pro- gram that had fallen dormant for al- most five years, leading a team in de- veloping innovative approaches to the Army Reserve’s Security Cooperation and International Affairs Program, thereby fundamentally reshaping how the Army Reserve engages with our partner nations,” Austin wrote. Patarcity’s actions led to a more than 80% increase in joint training exercises, senior leader engagement and professional military education with key allies—and an expansion from Canada and the U.K. to also engaging with France, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Finland, Ireland, the Republic of Korea, Aus- tralia, New Zealand, Italy and the Philippines. He and his team also developed the Global Reserve Forces Network, a new alliance enabling reserve com- ponent allies and partners to share common interests and methods for improving training, mobilization and readiness. A veteran of Kuwait and Iraq, Pa- tarcity was decorated by the French government in May 2024 with the Medaille de la Defense Nationale for his work in expanding security coop- eration contacts between the Army Reserve and the French Army. Gen. Daniel Hokanson retires as the 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau. (ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/SGT. 1ST CLASS ZACH SHEELY) Retired Col. Steven Patarcity receives the French Medaille de la Defense Nationale during a May 2024 ceremony in Washing- ton D.C. (U.S. ARMY RESERVE PHOTO)www.ausa.orgSeptember 11, 2025 | AUSA Extra 9 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Since 2005, Patarcity has served as senior vice president of AUSA’s Fort Pitt chapter in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. “He is a proven leader, a dedicated professional and a true champion of the Army Reserve and the soldiers it serves,” Austin wrote. “His legacy will continue to strengthen our forces and safeguard our nation for years to come.” Bainbridge Medal The Sergeant Major of the Army William G. Bainbridge Medal for contributions to the Army Noncom- missioned Officer Corps will be awarded to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Boyd, who retired from the Army Reserve in 2009 after 23 years of service and is president of AUSA’s Major Samuel Woodfill chap- ter in Cincinnati. “Mike stands apart because of his constant professional and ongoing commitment to our Army and the soldiers who serve,” Brig. Gen. John Dunn, deputy commanding general of the 200th Military Police Com- mand, wrote in a letter endorsing Boyd for the award. “This quality that he demonstrates as the chapter president is the same quality that generated his success as a first ser- geant and command sergeant major in combat, namely, unwavering sup- port and caring for the people within the organization.” Boyd enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1986 and served in many leader- ship positions including platoon ser- geant, first sergeant and command sergeant major in the 478th Engineer Battalion at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. In 2003, Boyd mobilized with the battalion for Operation Enduring Freedom, the first mobilization in battalion history. He deployed again with the battalion in 2007, this time to Iraq where the soldiers conducted route clearance, bridging and con- struction missions in support of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Upon returning home, Boyd en- sured all 550 soldiers who had de- ployed received the care they needed to reintegrate with their families and employers. A native of Cincinnati, Boyd is now an applications engineering team leader for Makino Inc., a machine tool manufacturer. In addition to AUSA, Boyd is deep- ly involved in his community, work- ing with Army recruiting battalions and ROTC cadets in the Cincinnati area. “His dedication to fostering the next generation of military leaders is commendable and reflects his deep commitment to professional devel- opment within our profession,” Maj. Gen. Mark Quander, deputy com- manding general for military and in- ternational operations for the Army Corps of Engineers, wrote in a letter endorsing Boyd for the award. Quander also lauded Boyd’s work with area veterans and those still serving. Boyd “embodies the spirit of the NCO corps” and displays a “dedi- cation to duty, commitment to ex- cellence and unwavering integrity,” Quander wrote. Cribbins Medal The Joseph P. Cribbins Medal for exemplary service by a Department of the Army civilian will be awarded to Erick Ocasio, an Army civilian for 16 years who serves as director of programs, policy and projects in the U.S. Army Europe and Africa G-6. In his role at U.S. Army Europe and Africa, Ocasio, a former soldier, is responsible for a $250 million infor- mation technology portfolio that en- ables the provisioning of IT services throughout the command’s footprint. In the past year, Ocasio was in- strumental in strengthening the IT capability for V Corps in Poland and enabling strategic services for forces deployed throughout Europe as part of Atlantic Resolve. He also is the communications warfighting function lead for the Army’s support to Ukrai- nian forces, executing $80 million worth of IT capabilities and require- ments since the start of the invasion. Ocasio also is passionate about de- veloping leaders, Fulton, AUSA’s Eu- ropean Region president and recipi- ent of this year’s Biddle Medal, wrote in a letter nominating Ocasio for the award. At work, Ocasio is an active participant in the Army’s Senior Leader Development Program and provides mentorship to six people in the junior program, Fulton wrote. He also leads biweekly leadership dis- cussions for emerging military and civilian leaders. In a personal capacity, Ocasio co- founded Cyber Marvels, a nonprofit that introduces science, technology, See Awards, Page 10 Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Boyd, right, president of AUSA's Major Samuel Woodfill chapter in Cincinnati, helps install hand railings at the home of a local Army veteran. (AUSA PHOTO) Army civilian Erick Ocasio addresses a leadership forum during AUSA's inaugural LANDEURO symposium in July in Wies- baden, Germany . (AUSA PHOTO)Next >