AUSA 2015

Message from the Central Texas Fort Hood Chapter President A Message From John Crutchfield

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uch has happened since our last newsletter was published.

Early in the month, the chapter and AUSA lost a giant when Ron Taylor passed away unexpectedly. Ron’s influence and dedication has been illustrated at his Memorial Service, in newspaper articles, in countless community conversations and at the AUSA National Meeting. Chapter leaders are now finding out, in detail, how critical he was to chapter operations. If

falls to us to identify new volunteers and create new processes to continue the work that Ron did quietly, behind the scenes, to carry out the chapter’s mission. This is a burden that none of us expected to carry but it is a challenge that will be carried out to honor Ron’s memory.

On August 27, your chapter hosted the new Sergeant Major of the Army, Daniel Dailey, at a reception at Club Hood. Dan spent part of his career as a Command Sergeant Major in the 4th Infantry Division here at Fort Hood. He is no stranger to the Great Place. He is engaging, articulate, enthusiastic and focused. Dan will prove to be a great addition to the Army leadership team Seventy members of your chapter just returned from the AUSA National Meeting in Washington D.C. where we were recognized as the largest chapter in the association and the First Cavalry Division was recognized as the largest active duty division. I am happy to say that MG John Uberti, MG Mike Bills and MG Jeff Colt attended with us. We participated in many

activities while there. For me, the highlight was GEN Mark Milley’s speech at the Eisenhower Luncheon. GEN Milley is the 39th Chief of Staff and a former III Corps and Fort Hood Commander. Many here know him well. GEN Milley’s presentation focused on making the case for readiness.

He was historically factual, focused, resolute and, at times, emotional. Here are a just a few selected quotes to give you a feel for his message.

• “Readiness is our No. 1 priority and there is no other No. 1.”

• “There is no doubt that the Army will one day be required to expand and be ready for a contingency.”

• “We do not have the luxury of preparing to fight one enemy at a time.”

He expressed his view that myths about war endure but they cannot be allowed to shape the force of the future. Here is a sample.

• “War will be short.” “Many of the major conflicts of the nation’s history were expected to be brief, and rarely

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ever were, perhaps because of sheer bloody incompetence.”

• “Wars can be won at great distances.” “Our missiles are wonderful. I love them. But, an opponent’s will to fight is broken on the ground.” “After the shock and awe comes the march and fight.”

GEN Milley spoke about the voices of the ghosts that speak to he and all combat commanders from the grave. In his case, they number 242. He said they remind him that no Soldier should die because they are not ready.

GEN Milley delivered the most powerful presentation I have heard at an AUSA event of any kind. You should see it. There is a link to the video at our chapter website, www.forthoodausa.org.

Our chapter cannot carry out it work without the help of a large number of people - past and present. We have a record of Soldier support of which chapter members should be proud. I hope you are.

Join us. You can help.

October AUSA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER • 1

AUSA National Meeting well attended by local officials

A Message from the National Meeting

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rea city officials and local members of the Association of the U.S. Army who attended the organization’s annual meeting this week in Washington, D.C., said the event was inspiring and made strong arguments that America’s ground forces must be fully funded to ensure the country can defeat a number of growing threats around the world.

“I have no doubt our Army is in the right hands at the right time,” said Killeen Mayor Scott Cosper, who attended the event with five other Killeen officials.

Cosper commended Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, a former III Corps and Fort Hood commander, and other Army leaders who spoke at length about the importance of Army readiness and the need for “strong, well-

equipped ground forces” during the three-day event.

“The message was loud and clear,” Cosper said.

The AUSA is an advocacy group for the Army and soldiers.

John Crutchfield, president of the local Central Texas-Fort Hood AUSA chapter, which sent more than 70 members to the event, said some people were moved to tears during Milley’s speech at the event’s Eisenhower Luncheon on Tuesday.

“I was looking around, and there were literally people crying,” said Crutchfield, adding he’s been to 11 such luncheons, but Milley’s keynote speech was by far the most impressive.

Milley discussed the importance of readiness, and what can happen when American soldiers are not ready when called to battle.

The cost of not being ready comes in lost lives — a point Milley made when he spoke about soldiers who have died under his command.

“For me, that number is 241,” he said.

“We see their faces and all of them speak to us from the grave.”

As chief of staff, he said he promised to make the Army the best equipped and trained as he can to minimize the loss of life and win. “Those ghosts remind us that no soldier should ever die because they were not ready.”

Crutchfield said there were also a lot of “one-on-one conversations” about the importance of Fort Hood, especially as a premier training site for heavy ground forces such as tanks and other vehicles. With a growing threat from

Russia, which has a large heavy maneuver force, Fort Hood is seen as “extremely important” among top Army brass, Crutchfield said.

Attendance at the event, according to AUSA, was estimated to be more than 26,000 people, and for some locals who went, it’s an important time to network.

The event “shows how important it is to be a part of this whole AUSA,” said Copperas Cove Councilwoman Marty Smith, one of three Cove officials who attended the event.

She said the opening ceremonies and the speech by outgoing Secretary of the Army John McHugh were the highlights for her.

“His was mostly a farewell speech,” she said.

Many of the military leaders who attended the meeting were stationed at Fort Hood previously — including Milley. The locals were able to reconnect with many of those soldiers, who now work in the Pentagon or other important positions.

“And they still enjoy being around us,” said Smith, who is also a member of the local AUSA group.

During the opening ceremonies, the Central Texas-Fort Hood AUSA chapter earned an award for being the biggest chapter in the world, and the 1st Cavalry Division earned a similar award for being the largest active-duty division in the Army.

Army News Service contributed to this report.

Contact Jacob Brooksjbrooks@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468

2 • October AUSA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

October 2015

Ron Taylor, AUSA 4th Region President & former Central Texas Chapter president, passes away

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By Jacob Brooks

ith his casket carried by a U.S. Army honor guard, Ron Taylor — a wellknown, well-respected soldier advocate, banker and military veteran — was laid to rest on a rainy day on September 9, 2015 in Killeen.

More than 600 people, including retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon Sullivan, attended Taylor’s funeral at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.

Sullivan, who delivered the eulogy, called Taylor “an example of what selfless service is all about” and “a great American who will be missed.”

Taylor, a senior vice president at Fort Hood National Bank, was a longtime leader in local, state and national organizations of the Association of the United States Army, a nonprofit that acts as an advocacy group for the Army. Sullivan is the current national president of AUSA.

Taylor, 55, died last week in his hotel room during a business trip to Leesburg, Va., about 40 miles west of Washington, D.C. Taylor, a Belton resident, served in

“He treated people like they were an old friend — everyone,” Gretsch said. the Army for 22 years, including at Fort Hood, where his last job before retiring in 1999 was deputy chief of the

Fort Hood Consumer Affairs Office.

Following the funeral service, Taylor was buried in a private ceremony at theCentral Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Dave Gretsch, who knew Taylor for 20 years and worked with him at Fort Hood’s III Corps Headquarters, said Army leaders would regularly seek Taylor out to help soldiers and families in need, and he had excellent speaking and social skills.

“He treated people like they were an old friend — everyone,” Gretsch said.

“I’m a better man for knowing Ron,” he said.

The service featured a strong military presence, including at least seven current and former generals and dozens of command sergeants major, first sergeants and other high-ranking noncommissioned officers.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola said he was confused and stunned when he heard the news of Taylor’s death.

He called Taylor “a retired soldier with a passion for helping all soldiers and their families.”

Ciotola said Taylor was a constant presence at Fort Hood deployment and homecoming ceremonies, “and sadly, he was at hundreds of memorial services.”

In his eulogy, Sullivan said Taylor had a rare ability to touch people’s lives, and he knew that people are what really matter in any organization.

“He knew how to listen and how to have a conversation,” Sullivan said.

“People trusted him because of that.”

Killeen Mayor Scott Cosper read a proclamation from the city honoring Taylor, calling him an “incredible community leader” and advocate for soldiers.

Taylor is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his daughters, Shineka and Eboni; and his grandchildren, Aubrey, Demarcus, Terrell and Aden.

Contact Jacob Brooksjbrooks@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468

Adopt a Fort Hood Unit is Back

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he Central Texas Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the United State Army is increasing its efforts to reenergize the Adopt a Fort Hood Unit. The new focus on the program was instituted to reconnect Soldiers with the community in order to provide additional support for Soldiers and their families.

For several Fort Hood units and local community sponsors, Adopt a Fort Hood Unit never lost focus, but for many others, the program “fell of the radar” due to repeated unit deployments, reorganizations, and changes in key personnel.

As part of his 2016 Plan of Work, John Crutchfield, President of the Central Texas Fort Hood AUSA Chapter, resolved to bring new life to the Adopt a Fort Hood Unit project.

Colonel (Retired) Larry Phelps was appointed to get the program up and running once again. “This is a wonderful program. When I commanded at the Battalion and Brigade level at Fort Hood, our Adopt a Fort

Hood Unit sponsors were great partners. The program allows units to get more knowledgeable and more involved with the surrounding Central Texas community. And, it allows our community partners to learn more about our great Fort Hood Soldiers, units, and families. “It’s a win-win for everyone in our community,” Phelps said.

Adopt a Fort Hood Unit pairs a unit with a community partner.

This partnership allows units to learn more about the community, and opens doors for the Soldiers and families of that unit to interact and participate with the community, business owners, and Central Texas community leaders. The host Community Partner gets opportunities to learn more about the units on Fort Hood, and to build relationships that might otherwise never be possible.

Fort Hood units and community partners interested in participating in the Adopt a Fort Hood Unit Program can contact Larry Phelps at reddognsdq@gmail.com.”

October 2015

October AUSA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER • 3

Resolutions 2016 AUSA PRIORITY

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rmy Chief of Staff General AUSA’s priority resolutions outline ď Žâ€˘ Fully fund readiness accounts in PERSONNEL Mark A. Milley has laid out key and essential actions required to order to meet Combatant Commander ď Žâ€˘ Endstrength floor: 990,000 Total three priorities: Readiness, properly fund, maintain, sustain and Army (460,000 active; 335,000 Army Na- demand for trained and available rmyforChief of modernize Staff General Mark A. Milley has laid out Guard; three priorities: Readiness, adapting the Army a combat-ready, all-volununits. the Army for tional 195,000 Army Reserve) adapting the future and taking care American Army that is ready to the future andteer taking care of troops. The Association of the United States Army shares INVESTMENT his goals. However, of troops. The Association of the defend the nation in an unpredictable ď Žâ€˘ Ensure the continued success of the United States Army sharesthere his goals. world.divide between the emerging geopolitical ď Žâ€˘ Robustly RDT&E and procureAll-Volunteer Forceconfronting by adequately is a growing realities the United States fund and the However, there is a growing divide funding talent management initiatives ment to develop, maintain and inbetween the emerging geopolitical DEFENSE BUDGET crease overmatch with to recruiting, retention, declining resources provided to the Army by Congress. One of ourrespect highest priorities is for Congress and capability the President to against realities confronting the United States ď Žâ€˘ Fund the Army FY17 base budget all potential enemies. quality of life (policies, pay and benstrike a deal provided to remove the threat of budgetary andinsequestration before they cause irreversible damage to our and the declining resources at $135 billion (by Octobercaps 1, 2016) efits), and cuts retirement. to the Army by Congress. One of our order to support the National Military ď Žâ€˘ Fully man, train and fund the Army’s national security.and Strategy with reduced risk. highest priorities is for Congress acquisition workforce and the Army OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE the President to strike a deal to reď Ž ď Žâ€˘ Fund Operations and Maintenance in Contracting Command. move the threat of budgetary caps and • Provide Overseas Contingency order to restore operational readiness AUSA’s priority resolutions outline key and essential actions required to properly fund, maintain, sustain and modernize sequestration cuts before they cause Operations funding as requested to to ≼90% across all vehicle and irreversible damage to our national support operational needs. fleets, andin ≼75% all a combat-ready, all-volunteer American Army that is ready towatercraft defend the nation anacross unpredictable world. security. aircraft fleets.

DEFENSE BUDGET

Fund the Army FY17 base budget at $135 billion (by October 1, 2016) in order to support the National Military Strategy with reduced risk. „ Provide Overseas Contingency Operations funding as requested to support operational needs. „

PERSONNEL

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„ Ensure the continued success of the All-Volunteer Force by adequately funding talent management initiatives ZLWK UHVSHFW WR UHFUXLWLQJ UHWHQWLRQ TXDOLW\ RI OLIH SROLFLHV SD\ DQG EHQHÀWV DQG UHWLUHPHQW „

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

)XQG 2SHUDWLRQV DQG 0DLQWHQDQFH LQ RUGHU WR UHVWRUH RSHUDWLRQDO UHDGLQHVV WR • DFURVV DOO YHKLFOH DQG ZDWHUFUDIW à HHWV DQG • DFURVV DOO DLUFUDIW à HHWV „ Fully fund readiness accounts in order to meet Combatant Commander demand for trained and available units. „

INVESTMENT

Robustly fund RDT&E and procurement to develop, maintain and increase capability overmatch against all potential enemies. „ Fully man, train and fund the Army’s acquisition workforce and the Army Contracting Command. „

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4 • October AUSA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

October 2015

ROTC: 100 years of producing America’s leaders, 1916-2016

Maj. Gen. Peggy Combs Commanding General U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox ext summer we will mark the 100th Anniversary of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), and I’m both impressed with and proud of the many accomplished and superior leaders we have commissioned for all of the Army components.

Not only has ROTC been a source of excellence over the past century, but I’m confident the program will continue to adapt and evolve to produce the best leaders for life, for the nation and for the Army in an ever-changing military and world landscape.

It’s been a long, remarkable road from the humble beginnings of ROTC to the great program we have today.

We’re going to celebrate this anniversary with a series of events and commemorations culminating in a special dedication at Fort Knox, Ky., and I’d like to invite all our alumni to get involved.

ROTC’s rich history began when Rep. Justin Morrill of Vermont introduced legislation which became known as the Land Grant College Act of 1861.

The proposed act gave every state 30,000 acres of public land to be used in establishing and sustaining at least one agricultural and industrial college in each state.

The bill stipulated that instruction in military tactics had to be included in the curriculum of these institutions.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law July 2, 1862.

The ROTC program was officially organized when President Wilson signed the National Defense Act of 1916.

Although military training had been taking place in civilian colleges and universities as early as 1819 – notably at places like Norwich University and state military colleges like Virginia Military Institute and The Citadel – the signing of the 1916 National Defense Act brought this training under a single, federally-controlled entity: the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Since then, ROTC has continually grown and evolved to meet the nation’s demand for quality junior leaders.

The act also established Junior ROTC, which has grown into a stellar citizenship program for approximately 300,000 high school students in 1,700 schools across the nation.

During World War I, the ROTC program grew to encompass 220 colleges and universities by 1940.

From August 1940 to December 1941, more than 80,000 organized Reserve Corps officers, with most being ROTC

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The 100-year-old Reserve Officers’ Training Corps trains, grows and produces superior leaders for the current and future total force Army. (Photo by Cara Nordin) graduates, answered the call to active duty.

In 1964, the government established financial assistance in the form of college scholarships to attract the most talented young people possible to the program.

ROTC was later opened to women in the fall of 1973 to bring diversity to the cadet corps.

Up until 1973, only men were allowed into the ROTC program. The first female cadets were commissioned in 1976.

Today, women constitute 20 percent of the Corps of Cadets and more than 15 percent of each commissioning cohort.

In April 1986, the U.S. Army Cadet Command was formed.

With its headquarters at Fort Monroe, Va., Cadet Command assumed responsibility for more than 400 senior Army ROTC units, four regional headquarters, and Army Junior ROTC with programs in more than 800 high schools.

Cadet Command transformed ROTC from a decentralized organization, turning out a group of junior officers with varying degrees of expertise, into a centralized command producing lieutenants of utmost and consistent quality.

One of the more recent development in ROTC training focuses on the challenges of today’s global environment, which requires our junior leaders to be ready to deploy and lead soldiers on battlefields around the world.

They must be adaptive leaders, agile thinkers able to thrive and lead in the uncertain environments that our Army and our nation will face in the future.

In 2010, we began the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program, allowing

cadets to spend their summers across the globe performing various humanitarian missions and training with their host nation’s military in Asia, South America and Europe.

Each summer more than 900 cadets have deployed to as many as 38 countries. As these cadets commission, they bring those crosscultural experiences and learned competencies with them into our force.

Army ROTC has a total of 275 programs located at colleges and universities throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with an enrollment of more than 35,000.

The program produces over 70 percent of the second lieutenants who join the active Army, the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve.

We can’t celebrate the history of college military leadership programs without recognizing Gen. George C. Marshall, an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute.

During his nearly 50-year career, General Marshall served in a multitude of positions as an officer and a statesman, to include the third Secretary of Defense, the 15th Chief of Staff of the Army, and the 50th Secretary of State.

Many of the leadership principles General Marshall embodied – candor, commitment, courage, integrity and selflessness – are the key traits instilled today in all ROTC cadets.

We continue to regard General Marshall as the model for the citizensoldier-statesman we want to produce.

Another notable ROTC alumnus is former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who is being awarded AUSA’s George C. Marshall Medal for his selfless service to the nation.

Before joining the Department of Defense, Mr. Panetta served as the

October 2015

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and several other positions of distinction in the government.

He is an alumnus of the Bronco Battalion at Santa Clara University in California. After he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a law degree, Mr. Panetta went on to serve in the Army as an Army intelligence officer from 1964 to 1966.

With the experience he gained as both an ROTC cadet and an officer in the Army, he was able to apply his skills to other high-profile government positions – culminating in serving as the Secretary of Defense.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell is yet another notable ROTC graduate and Junior ROTC cadet.

He attended City College of New York, and it was there that he began his military service by joining ROTC. After his graduation in 1958, Powell was commissioned a second lieutenant and went on to serve 35 years in the Army. In 1989, he was promoted to the rank of general, and was appointed

by President George H.W. Bush to the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

After retirement he went on to serve his community by founding America’s Promise, an organization which helps at-risk children.

We also include among our alumni: Wal-Mart founder Samuel Moore “Sam” Walton (University of Missouri); Supreme Court Justice Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. (Princeton University); basketball hall of famer Leonard Randolph “Lenny” Wilkens (Providence College); Black Enterprise Magazine publisher Earl Gilbert Graves Sr. (Morgan State University); space shuttle astronaut Nancy Sherlock Currie (The Ohio State University); and football coach, announcer and motivational speaker Louis Leo “Lou” Holtz (Kent State University).

While those are notable people, we’re just as proud of each of the legions of leaders this program has produced for America over the years, and we intend to keep producing America’s leaders.

I’m proud of the history of ROTC, and of being one small part of a program that will continue to turn out some of the best led, best trained and best equipped corps of men and women who will use their professional training in management, discipline and leadership as a solid foundation for a successful military or civilian career.

Leaders for Life!

See more at: http://www.ausa. org/publications/ausanews/ archives/2015/10/Pages/ROTC100year sofproducingAmerica%E2%80%99slea ders,1916-2016.aspx#sthash.7x3rsNNU. dpuf

October AUSA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER • 5

To join or renew your AUSA membership you may go online at ausa.org or stop

by Fort Hood National Bank at the TJ Mills Blvd. location to receive the Central Texas - Fort Hood Chapter of AUSA Coupon Booklet worth over $10,000.00 in savings from local merchants.

In addition, you may complete the above membership application and mail to the Central Texas Fort Hood Chapter, AUSA, PO Box 10700, Killeen, Texas 76547.

Thank you for your support.

Upcoming Events

November 03, 2015 November General Membership Meeting

November 18, 2015 Board of Governors Meeting

November 04, 2015 Executive Committee Meeting

December 09, 2015 Executive Committee Meeting

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6 • October AUSA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

October 2015