What does the next generation think about the world today? About service? About their own anxieties? Well, perhaps the best place to start is to chat with this year’s Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s Military Youth of the Year Award recipient, right? Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with award-winning speaker Ahsha B. – as well as Boys and Girls Clubs President and CEO Jim Clark – to talk about what the organization is doing to help today’s young people, how the ...
Apr 12, 2023•27 min•Ep. 257
Brigadier General (Ret.) Anne Macdonald is an Army trailblazer in all senses of the word: part of the first gender-integrated class at West Point Academy, the first active-duty combat arms (aviator) female to be promoted to General Officer, and the current President of the Army Women’s Foundation. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with BG Macdonald to talk about the glass ceilings she’s busted, her powerful experience visiting an Afghan women’s prison and what she ...
Mar 29, 2023•35 min•Ep. 256
When people think about the stressful and difficult parts of Army service, home life isn’t always given a great deal of thought. And yet, finding a balance between your unit and family is perhaps the most important part of a Soldier’s life. Host LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and his very special guest co-host—his wife, Vanedra Smith—talk with California Army National Guard LTC Chris Elson and his wife, Gina Viscusi-Elson, on how to make an Army marriage strong, provide tips on ways to survive the d...
Mar 15, 2023•31 min•Ep. 255
In 2012, former USMC Sergeant Paul Szoldra started a website satirizing the military. Over the last eleven years that site – The Duffel Blog – has entertained hundreds of thousands of people both within and outside the military. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Szoldra to talk about the effectiveness of satire, some of their favorite Duffel Blog articles, and a certain SMA ranking story from years ago… Guest: Former Sgt. Paul Szoldra (USMC), Duffel Blog, F...
Mar 01, 2023•37 min•Ep. 254
After thirty years of heroic service, Colonel (Ret.) Kenny Mintz decided to undertake an epic adventure in 2022 – a walk across the United States, going from Washington, D.C. to southern California. The path allowed him to retrace the route he and his single mother drove when he was a child moving across the country. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with COL Mintz to talk about how football led to his career in the Army, what drew him closer to his mother, and how...
Feb 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 253
For the past forty years, Daryl Davis has befriended members of the Ku Klux Klan and convinced (directly and indirectly) over 200 to quit the organization. How has he accomplished this? And how can everyone apply this technique to their own life? Hosts LTG (Ret.) Les Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Mr. Davis - along with Chaplain (MG) Thomas Solhjem - to chat about the power of conversation, the beauty of music, and how the Army uses Mr. Davis' experience to help soldiers take care...
Feb 01, 2023•39 min•Ep. 252
MSG Tim Kennedy was living a life without purpose until he joined the U.S. Army and then became an MMA fighter. Those two organizations allowed him to channel his aggression and led to a career as a top-ranked fighter, Army Special Forces sniper, television host, human trafficker hunter and entrepreneur. Series co-hosts LTG (Ret.) Les Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with MSG Tim Kennedy to talk about how failure continues to drive him, how to take punches, and how a Captain’s dry humor ...
Jan 18, 2023•40 min•Ep. 251
From the battlefields to the barracks to the boardrooms, Army Matters will find the best individuals and stories to entertain and inspire you. Produced by the Association of the United States Army. Subscribe and follow now. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are no...
Jan 11, 2023•2 min
Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of the ever-present Bass Pro Shops, one of the world’s largest outdoor retail chains, makes his very first podcast appearance in today’s episode. New series co-hosts LTG (Ret.) Les Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Johnny to chat about how his father’s involvement in WW2’s Battle of the Bulge inspired him to make veterans and the military a priority for the business (and in life), how a love of fishing (and a mail catalog) led to the company’s success, ...
Jan 04, 2023•29 min•Ep. 249
Military spouse. Mother. Behavioral therapist. And AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year. Amanda Tomasura has spent the last fourteen years aiding her communities; she sits down with host Holly Dailey to discuss the importance of giving back to the community, how putting teens through boot camp can be an incredibly positive experience, and perhaps her most terrifying moment – jumping out of a plane. Guest: Amanda Tomasura, 2022 AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year Recipient Host: Holly Dailey Recommend...
Dec 19, 2022•16 min•Ep. 248
Lt. Colonel Jacob Helgestad was fast asleep in Kuwait when someone knocked at his door in mid-August, 2021. “Hey, Sir, we gotta go to Afghanistan.” Within 24 hours Helgestad’s 625 troops were landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport and in the thick of a mass evacuation. Host Colonel (Ret.) Scott Halstead speaks with Helgestad about how he had his team prepared for that very moment, the role the unit played in evacuating 124,000 people, and how science fiction military novels are a great es...
Dec 05, 2022•26 min•Ep. 247
After a painful medical diagnosis, Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Chad Butters and his wife Jodi decided to change their lives, leading them to pursue their passion about the outdoors, faming and starting a distillery. Host SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sits down with Chad at Eight Oaks Distillery, drinks in hand, to talk about Chad’s Army career, some sound advice for entrepreneurs and (most importantly?) what spirits he recommends. Guest: CW5 (Ret.) Chad Butters, Founder and CEO, Eight Oaks Farm Disti...
Nov 21, 2022•22 min•Ep. 246
What makes a battlefield hero? Is it upbringing, training, and being placed in a specific situation? Or a combination thereof? Host Joe Craig sits down with Dr. Raymond James Raymond, author of the book Elite Souls: Portraits of Valor in Iraq and Afghanistan, to discuss five heroes he profiled. Learn how their moral courage led them each to saving the lives of many, how these officers’ upbringings and West Point experiences influenced them, and how Dr. Raymond’s cousin’s exploits in World War II...
Nov 07, 2022•24 min•Ep. 245
For almost two centuries, women were not allowed to join the U.S. Military – yet millions served. Now with almost 20% of the military being female, the Military Women’s Memorial is celebrating the three million women who have served the Nation in both peace and war -- since before the founding of the Republic. Host COL (Ret.) Dan Roper sits down with CW5 (Ret.) Phyllis Wilson, the Memorial’s President, to share their stories of bravery, how the Memorial is celebrating its 25th anniversary… and w...
Oct 24, 2022•21 min•Ep. 244
Throughout Master Sergeant (Ret.) Cedric King’s Army career he always faced challenges head on. His biggest obstacle, however, took place in 2012 when he was injured by an IED device and lost his legs. But rather than feeling sorry for himself, he accepted it and is now a triathlete, author and motivational speaker. Host Colonel (Ret.) Scott Halstead talks to Cedric about the superheroes that inspired him at Fort Bragg, how hard it is to learn to walk again, and how a trip to a mini-mall changed...
Oct 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 243
In celebration of NCOs and Soldiers at AUSA’s 2022 Annual Meeting, 10-12 October in Washington, DC, SMA Michael Grinston swung by AUSA’s headquarters to talk about the exciting events: the Army Ten-Miler is in person; the new award for Best Squad will be presented; and the next Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army will be revealed. In addition, SMA Grinston provided a preview of his upcoming initiatives for his final year as Sergeant Major of the Army. The initiatives include reducing harmful beh...
Oct 03, 2022•29 min•Ep. 242
When Frank Dolberry was a teenager thinking of joining the Army, an acquaintance dismissed the notion, thinking it was an unrealistic dream for someone like him. Major Frank Dolberry sits down with host Colonel (Ret.) Dan Roper to discuss how this motivated him to succeed, other inspirations he found along the way including the tremendous legacy of service in his family, and how he thinks the Army could improve its recruiting outcomes. Guest: MAJ Frank Dolberry, AUSA Army Fellow Host: COL (Ret) ...
Sep 26, 2022•17 min•Ep. 241
When people are at their lowest point, sometimes something as simple as a note or small gift can make a world of difference. Major General (Ret.) James Johnson, the head of Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends gift packages to service members overseas, speaks with host Holly Dailey and co-host Maria McConville about the power of gratitude. And then social scientist Dr. Alaina Hansom joins to discuss research that proves the benefits of showing gratitude. (In the spirit of this show… T...
Sep 19, 2022•26 min•Ep. 240
Military intelligence leaders generally work behind the scenes and are trained to shun the spotlight, but they play vital leadership roles in every single part of the Army. Major General Michelle Schmidt talks with host Colonel (Ret.) Scott Halstead about her 30-year career, including being at the Pentagon on 9/11 to saying goodbye to friends in the final days of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan in 2021, and whether the book Fast After 50 should be considered fictional… Guest: MG Michelle A. Sch...
Sep 12, 2022•17 min•Ep. 239
When military people hear about the U.S. Army Pacific area, they think about the ocean and the inevitable Navy presence there. But the region contains sixty percent of the world’s population and land patrol is the key to the region’s stability. Host Sergeant Major of the Army (retired) Dan Dailey sits down with General Charles Flynn, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific, to talk about the region’s importance, training opportunities there for young officers, and some of the leaders that ha...
Sep 05, 2022•19 min•Ep. 238
Whether it’s during a snowstorm, pouring rain or a heat wave, a devoted group of volunteers show up for every single Army funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, there to represent the Chief of Staff and the entire Army family. Cindy Risch, the current Senior Spouse of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, is one of those ladies and speaks to host Holly Dailey about how powerful her experience as an Arlington Lady has been, the highs and lows of being a military spouse and how some people just really love th...
Aug 29, 2022•17 min•Ep. 237
Most people believe it’s not a question of if China will invade Taiwan, but “when”. So can this be prevented? Host Joe Craig sits down with Elbridge Colby to discuss his 2021 book The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict, as well as how a possible war might play out, how the Chinese forces could be neutralized before that happens, and what allies could surprisingly play the biggest roles. · Guest: Elbridge Colby, author of Strategy of Denial: American Defense in...
Aug 22, 2022•23 min•Ep. 236
There have been countless analyses of the Ukrainian-Russian War since it began earlier this year. The most effective of these have been from experts who have witnessed the conflict firsthand. Colonel (Ret.) Dan Roper speaks with Dr. Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute about what he’s observed from the battlefields of Ukraine, explains the four stages of the war thus far, and describes how Ukraine could not only survive but defeat the Russi...
Aug 15, 2022•19 min•Ep. 235
In October 2001, then-Captain Jim Wanovich parachuted into Afghanistan to begin the American invasion of the country. Twenty years later, in August 2021 Jim’s son, First Lieutenant Andrew Wanovich deployed to Afghanistan to assist with the evacuation of the country. Host Colonel (Ret.) Scott Halstead sits down with the Wanovich family – Jim, his wife Kim and Andrew – to discuss what these operations were like, how Kim felt watching both her husband and son go into these dangerous missions, and t...
Aug 08, 2022•19 min•Ep. 234
Sergeant Major (Ret) Burnie Haney got hooked on fishing as a young boy when he caught a five-pound largemouth bass and his father carried it around the campfire like a trophy. After a thirty-eight-year Army career Haney decided to turn his passion into a full-time business, starting New York Fishing Adventures. Host Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret) Dan Dailey sits down by Lake Ontario with Haney to talk to him about his Army career, how to get help with startups from local groups and – yes – get...
Aug 01, 2022•19 min•Ep. 233
With over 30 years in uniform, Colonel (retired) R.D. Hooker Jr. served in various overseas postings (Grenada, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and more), taught at West Point, and served in the White House. Host Joe Craig sits down with Hooker, who just released his seventh book, The Good Captain: A Personal Memoir of America at War, to discuss his career, the times he refused orders, and how to make a great first impression - by burning down a watchtower… Guest: R.D. Hooker, Jr., author of Good Capt...
Jul 25, 2022•20 min•Ep. 232
Reading as a family is proven to aid children in developing key language and literary skills. But what happens when a family member is away on leave for extended periods of time? Thirty-three years ago, a military spouse created United Through Reading to create a system that would help bring families together through books. Host Holly Dailey talks to United Through Reading’s Molly Haskin to talk about the program, how they have adapted to the latest phone technology, and whether it’s possible to...
Jul 18, 2022•20 min•Ep. 231
When people think of Formula One racing, they imagine fast cars, exotic locales, and millions of fans. When former Acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley thinks of F1, he sees the future for the Army and other organizations. Host Colonel (retired) Dan Roper sits down with Whitley to talk about racecar driving, digital twins, and how someone who originally enrolled in agricultural studies worked his way towards overseeing a $700 billion military budget. Recommendations for future topics are we...
Jul 13, 2022•18 min•Ep. 230
Cadet Command is perhaps the most important initiative of the U.S. Army, overseeing more than 30,000 ROTC cadets that could become the next generation of officers and this country’s leaders. Host Colonel (retired) Scott Halstead sits down with his old friend, Major General Johnny Davis, to find out more about the program and the General’s role in overseeing it. The two discuss the role of mentorship, what today’s cadets have on their minds and – perhaps most importantly – the right way to drink ...
Jul 11, 2022•25 min•Ep. 229
In December 2011, American E.O.D. tech Aaron Hale was immediately blinded by an explosion in Afghanistan. But rather than feel sorry for himself, he decided to make the rest of his life an adventure. Host Sergeant Major of the Army (retired) Dan Dailey sits down with Aaron as part of his series about entrepreneurship to talk about whitewater kayaking, how he overcome an even bigger disability, and how he re-discovered joy – and a successful business start-up – in making fudge with his wife Kayla...
Jul 04, 2022•23 min•Ep. 228
