PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org June 12, 2025 | AUSA Extra 1 Army to Rename 7 Bases 3 AUSA Hosts Army 250th Birthday Event 4 NCO & Soldier Programs Training at Fort Leonard Wood 8 Chapter Highlights Suncoast 9 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 7 NUMBER 5 JUNE 12, 2025 Happy 250th Birthday, Army! AUSA graphic novel honors milestone Army birthday I n celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday, the Association of the U.S. Army is releasing a special edition graphic novel titled The Birth of the U.S. Army. The standalone graphic novel marks the milestone anniversary of the Army, which was established on June 14, 1775—more than a year before the Dec- laration of Independence. Under civil authority, militia from separate colo- nies unified under a new commander to form a national force to fight for inde- pendence. “AUSA is proud to celebrate the 250th birthday of America’s first national insti- tution, the Army, with this new graphic novel,” said Joseph Craig, director of AUSA’s Book Program. “My thanks go out to the creative team and our histori- cal advisers for making it possible.” The Birth of the U.S. Army is avail- able here. AUSA also has a Medal of Honor graphic novel series that highlights Army recipients of the nation’s highest award for valor. Those graphic novels are available here. The Birth of the U.S. Army opens on See Graphic novel, Page 6 Click for video: The AUSA team wishes the Army a happy 250th birthday. (AUSA VIDEO)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY June 12, 2025 | AUSA Extra 3 Posts renamed for heroes from Civil War through Somalia S even Army installations re- named in 2023 will be re- named once again in honor of soldiers who were decorated for he- roic actions in conflicts from the Civil War through the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, the Army said in a news release. The changes were first announced by President Donald Trump during a visit on Tuesday to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to kick off the Ar- my’s 250th birthday celebrations. They follow orders earlier this year by Defense Secretary Pete Hegs- eth to rename Fort Liberty to Fort Bragg in honor of Pfc. Roland Bragg, a World War II Silver Star recipient. He then renamed Fort Moore, Geor- gia, back to Fort Benning in honor of Cpl. Fred Benning, who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War I. Each of the nine installations had been renamed in 2023 following the recommendations of an eight-mem- ber commission that was tasked by Congress to remove Confederate names, symbols, displays and monu- ments from DoD properties. In Virginia, Fort Pickett, formerly Fort Barfoot, is renamed in honor of World War II Distinguished Service Cross recipient 1st Lt. Vernon Pick- ett. While pinned down by enemy machine-gun fire, Pickett crawled forward and destroyed two enemy positions with grenades, according to the Army. After being captured, he escaped from a transport train with fellow prisoners of war and rejoined his unit before being killed in action. Fort Lee, Virginia, formerly Fort Gregg-Adams, is renamed for Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Fitz Lee for his heroism during the Spanish- American War. During a coastal as- sault in Cuba, Lee voluntarily dis- embarked under direct enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades from the battlefield, the Army said. Virginia’s Fort A.P. Hill, formerly Fort Walker, honors Medal of Honor Fort Gordon, Georgia, formerly Fort Eisenhower, is renamed for Medal of Honor recipi- ent Master Sgt. Gary Gordon for his valor during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. Six other installations will also be renamed, the Army announced. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) recipients Lt. Col. Edward Hill, 1st Sgt. Robert Pinn and Pvt. Bruce An- derson. During the Civil War, then- Capt. Hill, Pinn and Anderson ex- ecuted significant actions separately at Cold Harbor and Chapin’s Farm in Virginia and Fort Fisher, North Car- olina, in support of the U.S. Army, the news release says. In Texas, Fort Hood, formerly Fort Cavazos, is renamed in honor of Distinguished Service Cross recipi- ent Col. Robert Hood for his heroic actions during World War I. Under heavy enemy shelling near Thiau- court, France, then-Capt. Hood di- rected artillery fire under enfilading machine-gun fire. After his gun crew was lost to enemy fire, he rapidly re- organized and returned fire within minutes, restoring combat capability, according to the Army. Fort Rucker, Alabama, formerly Fort Novosel, is renamed in honor of Distinguished Service Cross recipi- ent Capt. Edward Rucker for his her- oism in World War I. Flying deep be- hind enemy lines, then-1st Lt. Rucker and his fellow aviators engaged a numerically superior enemy force in a daring aerial battle over France, disrupting enemy movements and completing their mission against overwhelming odds, the Army said. Fort Gordon, Georgia, formerly Fort Eisenhower, is renamed for Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Gary Gordon for his valor dur- ing the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. A Delta Force sniper, Gordon and fellow sniper Sgt. 1st Class Randy Shughart volunteered to be inserted to defend wounded crew members at a helicopter crash site and held off an advancing enemy force, protect- ing the pilot after exhausting all his ammunition, according to the Army. Fort Polk, Louisiana, formerly Fort Johnson, is named in honor of Silver Star recipient Gen. James Polk for his actions as commanding officer of the 3rd Cavalry Group (Mechanized) during operations across Europe in World War II. According to the Army, then-Col. Polk led reconnaissance and combat missions under fire, spearheading Third Army advances as part of Task Force Polk. He later was commander in chief of U.S. Army Europe.www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | June 12, 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 hosts 3-day Army birthday celebration in Philadelphia T his weekend, the Association of the U.S. Army and its Greater Philadelphia-Penn & Franklin chapter will host a historic celebra- tion of the U.S. Army’s 250th birth- day. The three-day celebration, begin- ning on Friday, will take place in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Army and the nation. It is open to the AUSA community, soldiers, veterans, their families and anyone who wishes to gather on Independence Mall and celebrate this significant milestone. “AUSA is proud to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday in Philadel- phia, where both our nation and our Army were born,” said retired Brig. Gen. Jack Haley, AUSA’s vice presi- dent for Membership and Meetings. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime expe- rience.” While national commemorations are scheduled in Washington, D.C., the celebration in Philadelphia of- fers a unique backdrop to the Army’s milestone anniversary on Saturday. Rooted in community partnerships and longstanding relationships, AU- SA’s three-day celebration reflects the community’s deep pride in mili- tary service. The weekend-long celebration is For soldiers, veterans and their families, the free MyVetBenefits mobile app and website digitally creates a personalized list from a da- tabase of more than 2,500 service-con- nected benefits from federal, state and local veterans' organizations. Learn more at www.myvetbenefits.com/. Soldiers assigned to the 28th Infantry Division conduct a flyover at Citizens Bank Park during a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game in May. (ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/1ST LT. KATE McNELIS) packed with events honoring the leg- acy and service of soldiers from the earliest days of the Continental Army to those serving today. There will be a powerful lineup of events including a parade, an enlistment ceremony for 250 new soldiers, reenactments, concerts, commemorative ceremonies and community tributes—culminat- ing in a grand celebration on Inde- pendence Mall, where the American Army’s story began. Attendees will learn about the Army and its history, as well as those who choose to serve—fulfilling two key AUSA missions, to educate and connect the nation with her Army. Haley, who served for more than 30 years, said the Army’s milestone hits close to home. “I’m especially grate- ful for the incredible support of our Greater Philadelphia-Penn & Frank- lin chapter, which has led the charge in making this celebration possible,” Haley said. “Their dedication and leadership have been integral to this effort and a shining example of what it means to stand with our Army.” For more information or to partici- pate, visit goarmy250.com. Follow the celebration @aus- apennfranklin and with hashtags #goarmy250 #Army250.www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY June 12, 2025 | AUSA Extra 5 Poppas: Army must remain ready in unpredictable world A volatile security environment that could erupt anywhere at any moment has replaced the predictability of conflict from the last couple of decades, said Gen. An- drew Poppas, commanding general of Army Forces Command. There was a time after 9/11, he said, when leaders knew when and where they were going to deploy, what the human and physical terrain was going to be and even select the bed they’d be sleeping in. “Well, that level of predictability's gone, the future is not written, and in fact, it is a much more uncertain and a much more lethal world,” Pop- pas said June 5 during a Strategic Landpower Dialogue event, part of a series co-hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Poppas pointed to current events, such as the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, China’s reaction to U.S.-led exercises in the Indo-Pacific or the tensions brewing in the Middle East, as examples of challenges bubbling up around the world. “I think that we are continuous- ly on a precipice, and it's going to take one strategic miscalculation. It might not be 30 days until that war comes upon us, but it could be within 30 minutes,” Poppas said. “That’s the world in which we're operating today, and that is literally worldwide.” In the context of a joint fight, Pop- pas pointed out that despite the vast oceans in the Indo-Pacific, the Army’s contribution as a land power remains extremely important. The largest military components of partner nations are ground forces, Poppas said, as he emphasized the im- portance of the U.S. Army’s integra- tion of those nations in its exercises and soldiers’ engagements through- out the region. “It’s our partnership with them, the assurance that we provide, and then physical presence, obviously, is the deterrence,” Poppas said. “We also provide survivability in terms of long-range precision fires that could be maneuvered and placed in multiple locations out there.” In a contested environment such as the Indo-Pacific, he said, the Army’s logistics capabilities are “imperative for the overall fight.” As commander of Forces Com- mand, Poppas said it is his job to make sure soldiers are in the right formations, have the right equipment and the right mindset to move out when the time comes. To get there, he and his leaders are guided by four focus areas. The first is people, and the bonds built through a foundation of trust and empowerment. Next is winning the first fight. “That's the contract that we have. If something happens tonight, there's an expectation and a demand that we are ready to move forward with the formations,” Poppas said. He added that behind that win is training and making sure “that we're masters at the basics, that we can execute at the higher echelons … across all the domains and integrate our coalition and allied partners.” The Army must also win the fu- ture fight by developing the right formations and by fighting as a bal- anced force that includes the Regular Army, the National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. “The way that we fight is not as an active-duty component alone,” Poppas said. “We are absolutely de- pendent on the inner strength of the active duty, the National Guard and the Reserve. It's the way we're struc- tured. It's the way that we have to fight.” Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding gen- eral of Army Forces Command, smiles during the Army's 250th birthday celebra- tion on Tuesday at Fort Bragg, North Car- olina. (U.S. ARMY/PFC. RICHARD MORGAN) Pvt. 1st Class Tyler Gonzales, with the 552nd Military Police Company, 25th Infantry Di- vision, provides security overwatch June 2 during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readi- ness Center Exportable exercise in the Philippines. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. 1ST CLASS GARY SILVERMAN)www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | June 12, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Graphic novel From Page 1 April 19, 1775, as American and British soldiers clash in the Mas- sachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord, and in the bloody British retreat to Boston that follows. “As the alert spread, thousands of Mas- sachusetts militia and minutemen converged to harass the British regu- lars,” the graphic novel says. On May 10, 1775, the Second Con- tinental Congress convenes in Phila- delphia, and delegates from the 13 colonies turn their attention to the onset of hostilities with Britain. After much deliberation, the Con- tinental Congress on June 14 votes to create the Continental Army. This new Army, America’s first national institution, includes 10 companies of riflemen, with the first enlistees coming from Maryland, Pennsylva- nia and Virginia. A day later, Congress votes to ap- point Gen. George Washington, a renowned veteran of the French and Indian War, as commander in chief of the Continental Army. His com- mission reads, in part, “We, repos- ing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, consti- tute and appoint you to be General and Commander in chief … for the Defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof.” The graphic novel then traces Washington’s journey from Cam- bridge, where he gets his first glimpse of his fledgling Army, to the March 2, 1776, bombardment of British-held Boston. Despite that first victory, “repeat- ed setbacks and gains lay ahead for the new Army. They would fight in fields, wilderness, and towns for the next seven years,” the graphic novel says. The Army’s ultimate victory would come in Yorktown in 1781. The British defeat at Yorktown led to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, in which the British acknowledged the independence and sovereignty of the United States. “Born from a desire for liberty, forged in the heat of battle, the Unit- ed States Army has stood as the first line of defense for 250 years,” the graphic novel says. “The proud tra- dition of citizen soldiers lives on.” The Birth of the U.S. Army, like AUSA’s other graphic novels, was created by a team of professional comic book veterans. The script for The Birth of the U.S. Army was writ- ten by Chuck Dixon, whose previous work includes Batman, The Punisher and The ‘Nam. Artwork and the cover were by Wayne Vansant, who has worked on The ‘Nam, Savage Tales and All Quiet on the Western Front; and the lettering was by Troy Peteri, who has worked on Spider-Man, Iron Man and X-Men.www.ausa.orgJune 12, 2025 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY KRH provides integrated HR solutions and life support services to various clients. KRH is recognized as a well-founded, sustainable, and legal partner to businesses within the region. As industries evolved, KRH is agile in gaining a deep understaning of its clients’ changing needs and reforming its strategies to address new challenges. TURNKEY SOLUTIONS | AGILE TEAM | DYNAMIC SERVICES ENGINEERING SERVICES INTEGRATED LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES HR & ADMIN SERVICES FIELD OPERATIONS SERVICES GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SECTOR INTEGRATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (IFM) TRANSPORTATION SERVICES KRH ACADEMY SERVICES AccountabilityPassion Excellence Integrity Commitment Innovation Respect VALUES SCAN FOR MORE CENTCOM HQ KUWAIT, SHARQ, AL SHUHADA STREET, AL GHAWALI TOWER TEL: BD@KRHKW.COM +22320113965 OPERATING IN THE HEART OF CENTCOM YOUR VALUE DRIVEN PARTNER OF CHOICE F ormed in 1932, the Military Order of the Purple Heart aims to serve all who have re- ceived the Purple Heart, awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces “who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action,” according to the organiza- tion’s website. The history of the Purple Heart dates to Aug. 7, 1782, when Gen. George Washington established the Badge of Merit at Newburgh, New York. “Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fi delity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward,” Washington said of the award. The order is composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients but sup- ports all veterans and their families Spotlight on AUSA Association Partner: MOPH through a variety of nationwide ini- tiatives, including legislative advo- cacy, suicide awareness, scholarships and youth programs. It also operates the Center for De- velopment and Civic Engagement, the largest volunteer program in the federal government that supplements essential personnel for the care and treatment of veteran patients. “Our members have all answered our Country's call. Now as Combat Wounded veterans, we proudly con- tinue to serve our country by helping America’s active duty, veterans, her families and those who have borne the burden of battle,” the group’s website says. For more information, please visit https://www.purpleheart.org/. If your association is interested in partnering with AUSA, contact Su- san Rubel at srubel@ausa.org. Association Partnershipwith AUSA is an opportunity for like-minded military service organizations to join AUSA in support of the Total Army—soldiers, DoD civilians and their families.www.ausa.org 8 AUSA Extra | June 12, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Recognizing blood donors, teaching life skills in Missouri Soldiers learn how to change engine oil and other basic car maintenance techniques during a Life Skills event led by retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s vice president of NCO and Soldier Programs, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. (AUSA PHOTO) Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Brock, right, president of AUSA's Fort Leonard Wood-Mid Missouri chapter, presents a 'Giving4Living' guidon streamer recog- nizing 100 or more donations during a single-day blood drive to Delta Company, 787th Military Police Battalion. (AUSA PHOTO) I n the month of May, the Associa- tion of the U.S. Army’s Fort Leon- ard Wood-Mid Missouri chapter hosted multiple events that educated, informed and connected participants on the support the association pro- vides to service members, families and the community. I was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood from 2004–2007 as a drill sergeant and first sergeant for basic trainees. I hardly had time to sleep, much less learn about the amaz- ing connection that exists between the AUSA chap- ter, Army leaders and the small but tight-knit commu- nity. Last month, 18 years after I left the area, I returned to a town that still felt like family. During my trip, I was invited to tour the new blood donor facility at Fort Leonard Wood. I was greeted with Midwestern hospitality at the Armed Services Blood Program by retired Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Brock, the chapter president, and blood program recruiter Carl Nor- man. They proudly highlighted the program and the gorgeous building that provides blood donations across the Department of Defense. The facility recognizes organi- NCO & Soldier Programs zations that provide 100 or more eligible donors during a single-day blood drive with membership in the 100-Donor Club, which began in Oc- tober 2022. In 2023, the Armed Ser- vices Blood Program began partner- ing with the AUSA chapter, and the chapter presents a “Giving4Living” guidon streamer to each 100-Donor Club member. Since the inception of the partnership and recognition pro- gram, 19 organizations have earned club membership. These units, enshrined on a 100-Donor Club plaque hanging in the donor center lobby, have provid- ed more than 2,200 eligible donors, resulting in more than 4,000 blood products being made available to ill and injured service members and their families. To date, the unit with the highest donation level at Fort Leonard Wood is Charlie Company, 787th Military Police Battalion, which has made the honored plaque four times. The AUSA chapter guidon streamer highlights units’ excellence and se- cures bragging rights for the leaders and soldiers within the organization. The chapter also supported this year’s Best Sapper Competition, dur- ing which soldiers from across the Army compete in a grueling week- long competition at Fort Leonard Wood to be named the Army’s Best Sapper team. The chapter hosted its Best Sapper Meal to support the event, feeding over 600 people in- cluding competitors, support staff, cadre and community members. AUSA mascot Sgt. R. Hero made an appearance, delighting soldiers and family members who took advantage of selfie time with him. Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan- iel Dailey, AUSA’s vice president of NCO and Soldier Programs, also traveled to Fort Leonard Wood to con- duct a Life Skills event with soldiers. Life Skills is an AUSA program that teaches soldiers how to change engine oil and other basic maintenance tech- niques for their personal vehicles. The chapter hosted this event on the installation over two days, ser- vicing 33 vehicles—and for the first time, we were able to offer this op- portunity to spouses, allowing them to learn this critical skill. Thanks to Brock and the Fort Leonard Wood-Mid Missouri chapter for all they do in support of soldiers, families and their community. Follow NCO and Soldier Programs @ncosoldierprograms on Instagram. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Guerra is AUSA’s director of NCO and Soldier Programs.Chapter hosts Operation Deploy Your Dress pop-up event F urthering the Association of the U.S. Army’s mission to support soldiers and families, AUSA’s Suncoast chapter in Tampa, Florida, recently partnered with Op- eration Deploy Your Dress to host a pop-up event where more than 106 dresses were provided to service members and military spouses. “We are overjoyed at the response we received from our community for Yvonne Coombes and Operation Deploy Your Dress,” said Marilyn Westropp, the chapter president. “What a great experience for every- one who participated in our AUSA Suncoast Chapter. We had so much fun seeing our members and meeting military women from all branches.” Coombes is a co-founder of Opera- tion Deploy Your Dress, which was formed in late 2015 at Fort Bliss, Texas, by a group of military spouses who organized a dress swap to lessen the cost of for- mal wear for holiday balls. The idea quickly grew into an organization run by dozens of volunteers, offering gently used dresses and accessories to military members and dependents. AUSA has partnered with Opera- tion Deploy Your Dress to host a pop- up event at its national headquarters for several years, but this was only the second time a giveaway has hap- pened outside the Washington, D.C., area. The first was earlier in May in conjunction with AUSA’s LANPAC Symposium and Exposition in Ha- waii. “This event was only possible due to the amazing support of AUSA at the chapter level and could not have been pulled off without AUSA Fam- ily Readiness at the national level,” Coombes said. “It is just another amazing example of the great things we are able to do through our team- ing agreement with AUSA, and we’re so excited to get to work with some new chapters along the way.” The Suncoast chapter’s event was held at the American Legion Alafia Post in Riverview due to chapter member Shirley Baez, who negoti- ated use of the venue at no charge, Westropp said. “We wanted that loca- tion because many military families live in that area of our Hillsborough County. The women who came to the event were so excited that we chose that location since they usually must drive a long way for many events,” she said. Westropp coordinated with Coombes and Thea Green, deputy di- rector of AUSA Family Readiness, to plan the pop-up experience. To pro- mote the event, Westropp arranged for Coombes to appear in an inter- view on WTSP Channel 10 Tampa Bay and partnered with other mili- tary service organizations to spread the word on social media. “We provided one dress for each woman with a military ID and en- couraged them to bring their daugh- ters with them as well. They were so excited,” Westropp said. “We also invited the men to join their wives. They loved seeing their wives get a free ball gown for an upcoming event.” Women continued to reach out af- ter the pop-up event, Westropp said, and the chapter plans to hold another giveaway soon. “We never know the circumstances of a person’s life, and whatever we can do to educate, inform and con- nect is important,” Westropp said. “We now have a good idea of what is needed to continue this for our AUSA Suncoast Chapter to keep providing dresses for the military women in our community.” Left to right, Thea Green, deputy director of AUSA Family Readiness; Mickia Free- man, program manager for the Blue Star Families Tampa chapter; Yvonne Coombes, co-founder of Operation Deploy Your Dress; AUSA Suncoast chapter member Shirley Baez; and Marilyn Westropp, Suncoast chapter president, prepare for the Suncoast chapter's pop-up event in partnership with Operation Deploy Your Dress. (AUSA PHOTO) Suncoast Yvonne Coombes, co-founder of Op- eration Deploy Your Dress, helped plan and execute the pop-up dress giveaway event hosted by AUSA's Suncoast chapter in Tampa, Florida. (AUSA PHOTO) www.ausa.orgJune 12, 2025 | AUSA Extra 9 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMYNext >