PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org November 14, 2024 | AUSA Extra 1 DoD eases medical waiver restrictions T he Pentagon has lifted its re- strictions on more than 50 medical conditions that used to disqualify a potential recruit from joining the military. The effort has helped thousands of previously disqualified young people join the military as the services, in- cluding the Army, contend with a tough recruiting environment. Established in 2022, the Medical Accession Records Pilot aims to ad- dress changes in the health land- scape among young people by short- ening the “any history of” timeframes for several conditions that required waivers, such as attention deficit hy- peractivity disorder, or ADHD. With nearly 77% of 17- to 24-year- olds disqualified for military service A recruiter with the New Jersey Army National Guard greets attendees during a military apprecia- tion football game Tuesday at Rutgers University in New Jersey. (ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/SPC. SETH COHEN) New Initiatives Enhance Quality of Life 3 Soldiers Need Spiritual, Physical Health 4 NCO & Soldier Programs Best Squad at AUSA 2024 7 Chapter Highlights Capital District of New York 8 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 6 NUMBER 29 NOVEMBER 14, 2024 without some type of waiver, the pilot “has been helpful to expand” the re- cruiting market, Katie Helland, DoD director of military accession policy, said in a news conference with re- porters. The Medical Accession Records Pilot, which earlier this year listed 38 medical conditions that no lon- ger require a waiver, now has been expanded to include 51 conditions. “We're testing the feasibility of re- ducing the timeframe for those con- ditions,” Helland said. Between July 2022 and August 2024, more than 9,900 applicants were medically qualified using the program, with 57% of them success- fully enlisting, according to DoD spokesperson Jade Fulce. As an example, one recent addition to the pilot eased the requirement for young people with a learning disor- der such as dyslexia, from having a history of the disorder any time after their 14th birthday to just within the past year, Fulce said. Another addition related to young people with conditions such as asthma, reactive airway disease or exercise-induced bronchospasm. In- stead of disqualifying or requiring a waiver for someone who has had one of these conditions after their 13th birthday, that history timeline was shortened to the past four years. Expectations for the success of this program are high, but officials remain cautious, Helland said. She See Medical waivers, Page 3www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY November 14, 2024 | AUSA Extra 3 Pentagon makes headway on quality-of-life improvements Medical waivers From Page 1 J ust a couple months after De- fense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced seven initiatives to enhance service member and family well-being, the department is mak- ing steady progress, defense leaders said. “We have done a great number of things over the last four years,” Ron- ald Keohane, assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve af- fairs, said during a recent event at the Center for a New American Security. These initiatives include increasing compensation for service members, working with spouses on additional employment opportunities and train- ing and expanding access to child care, he said. “We understand the fi- nancial security element of a family is critically important,” he said. The new initiatives include offer- ing health care flexible spending accounts for service members, in- creasing spouse employment and ca- reer development opportunities and improving conditions at remote and isolated installations, among others. Military operational tempo is in- creasing and will continue to in- crease, Keohane said, so leaders must remain flexible. “Our ability to think outside the box is critically im- portant,” he said. Service members and families largely live within the department’s ecosystem, so getting the fundamen- tals down is essential, said Brendan Owens, assistant secretary of de- fense for energy, installations and environment. Soldiers receive information about available installation programs during a community resource fair Oct. 22 at Camp Casey, South Korea. (U.S. ARMY/PFC. JUNG MIN LEE) pointed out that while the recruiting landscape has been a huge challenge for all the services, it is improving. “At the end of September, the ser- vices enlisted just shy of 225,000 new recruits in fiscal year 2024. That's over 25,000 more than fiscal year 2023,” Helland said. Nevertheless, she said, the mili- tary must remain “cautiously opti- mistic about the future recruiting operations as we continue to recruit in a market that has low youth pro- pensity to serve, limited familiarity with military opportunities, a com- petitive labor market and a declin- ing eligibility among young adults,” she said. “People go to sleep in housing that's on a military installation. … They go to work in a building the DoD owns. They drop their kids off at DoD schools or in child development cen- ters. … They go shop at a commissary … and then they go home, right?” he said. “Their entire lived existence is inbuilt in natural environments that DoD is responsible for.” In lock step with the department’s efforts, the Army has invested in quality-of-life initiatives for soldiers and their families, including pri- oritizing $3 billion for family and privatized housing across 50 Army installations, streamlining hiring at child care development centers and increasing enlistment bonuses, among others. Some of the initiatives, including increasing free internet access in barracks, were inspired by DoD’s interactions with young, unmarried service members. “Every time ... we’d go and visit barracks, one of the questions that I asked our [troops] ... is, ‘If you could have 10 more square feet in your bar- racks room or free Wi-Fi, what would it be?’” Owens said. “No one is going to be surprised that a 19-year-old wants free Wi-Fi.” Each of military services has been pilot-testing different initiatives and gathering feedback from troops and families, Owens said. “It’s extraordi- narily helpful for us to build on that [feedback] and iterate on it.” Quality of life strategies remain essential to readiness, Owens said. “When we put people in spaces that enable them to sleep well, to have privacy, to have security, the version of themselves that they bring to work is the best version of the warfighter that we need,” he said. “If we lose a talented service member and their family because standards are not sufficiently high, that is a direct im- pact” creating a “ripple effect across the force.”www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | November 14, 2024 Gen. Bob Brown, USA Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, USA Ret. Vice President, Leadership and Education, AUSA Luc Dunn Editor Desiree Hurlocker Advertising Manager Advertising Information Contact: Fox Associates Inc. 116 W. Kinzie St. • Chicago, IL 60654 Phone: 800-440-0231 Email: adinfo.rmy@foxrep.com ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the offi cers or members of the Council of Trustees of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- sions of personal opinion and should not be interpreted as refl ecting the offi cial opinion of the Department of Defense nor of any branch, command, installation or agency of the Depart- ment of Defense. The publication assumes no responsibility for any unsolicited material. Email: extra@ausa.org ADVERTISING. 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Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier PERK OF THE WEEK ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY AUSA members receive 20% off FightCamp, a connected at- home boxing gym with world-class trainers, and right now you’ll also re- ceive $158 worth of free equipment. Visit www.ausa.org/fc for your ex- clusive 20% off and add promo code PT7E7Q5R for the free products. Experts tout importance of physical, spiritual health for soldiers T he Army needs soldiers who are physically and spiritually healthy to perform the de- manding missions required of them, said retired Maj. Gen. Tom Solhjem, the former Army chief of chaplains. In a Noon Report webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army on Wednesday, Solhjem said readiness has “both a very deeply spiritual com- ponent … and a very physical compo- nent. We’ve got to have people to do what the nation needs them to do.” Solhjem invoked evidence-based research showing that spirituality is present in every human being at birth. “Science shows that spiritual life is really like a hub, and the other things are the spokes that go to the wheel which makes our life go around, … so spiritual development in children is extremely important,” he said. On nutrition, Solhjem noted that during the pre-World War II days of the Great Depression, Army leaders saw a culture of malnutrition around the nation in the gaunt, unhealthy faces of the young people who would one day become soldiers. The answer was to institute school lunch pro- grams, he said. Today, citing obesity, he said the opposite is true, explaining that “readiness begins in the nation.” “We see it coming into the Army, we have a real concern that we have a population now that’s not gaunt, but now eating the wrong things,” Solhjem said. Renowned chef, author and phi- lanthropist Daniel Thomas, who participated in the webinar along with Solhjem, pointed out that eat- ing healthfully is critical to a sol- dier’s ability to meet the challenges of combat. Soldiers, he said, need to under- stand nutritional health. “Boots on the ground is just as important as the general, everybody has a place, it is a machine,” Thomas said. “It’s one of the main things I try to focus on whether I’m talking to military indi- viduals or just the average person or celebrity, I want to make sure they learn to eat healthy.” Retired Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, left, AUSA's vice president for Leadership and Education, greets, from left to right, renowned chef Daniel Thomas, retired Maj. Gen. Tom Solhjem, the former Army chief of chaplains, and Marshall Williams, founder and president of West Point Resources, before an AUSA Noon Report webinar. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY 6 AUSA Extra | November 14, 2024 F ormed in 2017, the Korea De- fense Veterans Association’s mission is to enhance the Re- public of Korea–U.S. alliance by advocating for the partnership and supporting the people who built and serve the alliance. The alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea “remains the linchpin of peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the Indo-Pacific region,” ac- cording to an Oct. 30 news release from the Department of Defense. “Our two nations share fundamen- tally common interests and values that underpin regional security ef- forts, such as respect for democratic governance, the rule of law, territo- rial integrity, and sovereignty.” Millions of U.S. troops have served in Korea, and the association aims to tell their stories through its “From My Service in Korea, I Learned” ini- tiative and its “I Know a Korean War Veteran Campaign.” “Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so,” the association’s website says. The stories can also help to shed light on the sacrifices made by ser- vice members and their families, the website says. “Your contribution may be just what someone needs to hear in order to feel connected and sup- ported.” The association also sponsors an Impact Scholarship Program to help veterans and their spouses, children and grandchildren attain their edu- cational goals. Scholarships are only available to association members. For more information, please visit https://kdva.vet/. If your association is interested in partnering with AUSA, contact Su- san Rubel at srubel@ausa.org. Association Partnership with 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. Spotlight on AUSA Association Partner: KDVA Gilland: West Point develops future leaders of character S ervice-eligible Americans are “looking for purpose,” and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, is ready to mold them into leaders of character, its superintendent said. “Our younger generation today is looking for purpose,” Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland said during an Oct. 29 Wash- ington Post event focused on veterans and lessons in leadership, resilience and service. At the academy, cadets are “surrounded by different people, which is our staff, our faculty, our coaches. … Everybody is committed to … developing young people into be- ing leaders of character.” To prepare cadets to lead the next generation of soldiers, the academy remains focused on the future, Gil- land said. “We’re expecting them to … graduate and lead … other young men and women in your Army … and to be able to accomplish missions and objectives that the Army lays out for them,” he said. “From the academy perspective, are we setting those con- ditions for the new people that are coming into the academy today to be leaders in the 2040s and the 2050s?” To prepare for the future fight, cadets are learning from ongoing global conflicts. Looking to the fight- ing in Ukraine and the Middle East, the academy is taking lessons and adapting them into the curriculum “in near real time,” Gilland said. Future conflicts also will demand novel perspectives to enable the Army to outpace its adversaries, he said. “We have to adapt and look at our adversaries through different lenses,” Gilland said. “What our ad- versaries were 20 years ago, 11 years ago, may not be what they need to be in the future, and we have got to understand that, and we’ve got to be able to go forward with that mind- set.” The academy is working hard to foster trust, even as American trust in public institutions wanes, he said. “We are all in this together as citi- zens of our nation, and … trust is foundational to everything that we do,” he said. Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, march in formation Nov. 2 prior to the Army-Air Force football game. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. DAVID RESNICK)www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY November 14, 2024 | AUSA Extra 7 Best Squad from Army Pacific represents service's best Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, left, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, right, congratulate and promote the winners of the 2024 Best Squad Competition dur- ing the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition. (AUSA PHOTO) E ach year, the Army conducts the Best Squad Competition, one of the most grueling tests of leadership, physical endurance and team cohesion in the military. Over 15 intense days, 60 soldiers put their skills to the test in a se- ries of events designed to push them to their limits. This year’s competi- tion was held at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, where squads from across the Total Army showcased their grit and determination with the goal of being crowned the Army's 2024 Best Squad. The final leg of the competition brought new challenges in the na- tion’s capital, in- cluding a formal board at the Pen- tagon, a commu- nity CrossFit event on the National Mall and the Army Ten-Miler. When the results were revealed Oct. 14 during the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, it was the 25th Infantry Division's squad from U.S. Army Pa- cific that stood victorious. The team’s performance exemplified the soldiers’ strong teamwork, leadership and physical fitness. ‘Immense pride’ As the squad members made their way to the stage, the sheer joy and shock of winning such a challeng- ing competition were evident in their faces. “Winning meant that all of our hard work came to fruition. I was happy to represent the 25th ID and be the first winners of the competi- tion from the conventional Army,” said Staff Sgt. Ethan Hays, the squad leader. Sgt. Luke Burton, another mem- ber of the squad, echoed Hays’ senti- ments. “Participating in and winning the Army’s competition has been a privilege and humbling experience and brings immense pride,” Burton said. NCO & Soldier Programs The victory was made even sweeter as some of the squad members re- ceived special recognition, including Spc. Mason Breunig, who was named Soldier of the Year. “Winning showed me that all the training and prepa- ration paid off, and that in order to succeed you need to trust your team,” Breunig said. Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Haynes of U.S. Army Medical Command, who was named the Army’s NCO of the Year, called the honor the highlight of his career. It also fuels him “to keep striving for excellence,” he said. Well-earned promotions During the Annual Meeting’s Eisenhower Luncheon on Oct. 15, squad members Breunig and Spcs. Collin Burrows and Gage Buck were promoted to sergeant in front of the Army’s senior leaders. The moment was made even more poignant when Breunig’s parents were invited to the stage by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, and the proud parents were able to witness their son’s promotion and the entire squad’s moment of glory. The squad’s success is a testament to the spirit of the 25th Infantry Di- vision, also known as “Tropic Light- ning,” which embodies the speed and precision with which the division’s soldiers accomplish their missions. The squad’s victory in this competi- tion is just the latest accomplishment in the division’s long history of excel- lence. “The winning squad that repre- sented USARPAC is indicative of the physical, mental and emotional grit that it takes to operate within this region. They are a mirror im- age of countless other squads operat- ing from the coldest regions on our planet, out to our hottest,” said Com- mand Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt, the division’s senior enlisted leader. “We are very proud of them, and their win is indicative of our motto of ‘One Team!’ ” The “Tropic Lightning” of the 25th Infantry Division has struck once again, and the entire Army is better for it. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Guerra is AUSA’s director of NCO and Soldier Programs.www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY 8 AUSA Extra | November 14, 2024 T he Association of the U.S. Ar- my’s Capital District of New York chapter, in partnership with the Friends of the New York State Military Museum, recently rec- ognized retired Col. Chester “Chet” Edwards as the 2024 New York State Veteran of the Year. Retired Master Sgt. Don Roy, the chapter president, presented the award alongside retired Brig. Gen. Barry Hartman, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner of Round Lake and Roy McDonald, president of the New York State Military Museum, during a ceremony at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge in Saratoga Springs. “One of the things that I love about this event every year is that you highlight someone whose service in the military has led them to a life- time of service. And as I’ve gotten to know Chet’s background and all that he has done, I can’t think of a more deserving representative of the veterans community than you, Chet,” Woerner said, as reported by The Saratogian. Edwards served on active duty in the Navy from 1966–1972 and de- ployed to Vietnam as an assault sup- port patrol boat coxswain with the Mobile Riverine Force. After leaving the military, he worked for three de- cades in the financial industry before becoming a middle and high school teacher. In his remarks, Edwards noted that veterans in the past did not get the same support as they do today. “I know when we came back [from] Vietnam, as many of you will remem- ber, we were not honored. We were actually given the opposite. We were treated very bad. And over the years, it’s slowly gotten better,” he said, ac- cording to The Saratogian. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Edwards reenlisted as a sergeant in the New York National Guard, retiring as a colonel in 2018. Chapter honors 2024 New York State Veteran of the Year Retired Master Sgt. Don Roy, right, president of AUSA's Capital District of New York chapter, presents retired Col. Chester Edwards, left, with an official citation honoring Edwards as the 2024 New York State Veteran of the Year. (THE SARATOGIAN/ELENA TITTEL) Capital District of New York During his service, he assisted civil authorities during national disas- ters, including Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Fellowship and camaraderie are critical aspects of military service, Edwards said. “It seems that no one is concerned about race while they’re in the mili- tary. At least I didn’t experience any. They were just brothers,” he said. “You cared about who was next to you because your life was in their hands. And they cared about you for the same reason, without reservation.” In retirement, Edwards has been a proud advocate for veterans, assist- ing local officials in establishing Ko- rean Veterans Recognition Day and consistently helping veterans sign up to receive benefits from the Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs. “It’s important for me to know that veterans can have a community to come into after the military that un- derstands where they have been and what they’ve done in their lives. It’s a different world,” Edwards said, as re- ported by The Saratogian. “And once you’re in the military, in combat, you never really go back to what you were before. It’s a whole different mindset, and we need to take care of our guys and ladies.” Retired Col. Chester Edwards, left, is rec- ognized as the 2024 New York State Vet- eran of the Year by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner of Round Lake. (COURTESY PHOTO)Next >