AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

Tunnel to Towers: 25 Years of Turning Loss into Hope

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller had just completed a night shift with New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Squad 1. He was driving home to play golf

The Failure Resume

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Curtez Riggs, a retired First Sergeant, entrepreneur, and founder of the

From Flint to Influence

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Curtez Riggs, a retired First Sergeant, entrepreneur, and founder of the

Becoming the Leader You Didn’t Expect to Be

Not every Soldier grows up planning to serve.  In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with Cadet Orion Van Buskirk, a junior—otherwise known

A Green Beret Finds Unexpected Purpose in Ukraine

For many veterans, the end of military service raises a difficult question: Who am I now?  In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Da

The Army Ten-Miler: Beyond the Finish Line

Running the Army Ten-Miler is a Washington, D.C. tradition bringing together the military and civilians, including wounded warriors and wheelchair athletes, since 1985. I

Leadership before D-Day: Pressure–With Director Anthony Maras

History often remembers the invasion: the beaches, the Soldiers, and the first waves crashing ashore on D-Day. But in the days before Allied forces reached Normandy, anot

The Sound of a Nation: The Washington Tattoo Story

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with SGM (Ret.) Mark Reilly, founder of The Washington Tattoo, a large-scale musical production designe

Triage to Three Stars: 25 Years Since 9/11

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTG (Ret.) Patricia Horoho to reflect on her experience responding firsth

Soldier, Scientist, Innovator

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTC Armand Balboni, a U.S. Army officer whose career spans military servi

Not a Straight Line: From Cadet to Commander

In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with BG Maurice “Moe” Barnett, Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Com

Hope After the Fire: Sgt. Rick Yarosh on Resilience and Service

Sgt. (Ret.) Rick Yarosh travels the country with Sweethearts & Heroes, speaking primarily to students about hope, empathy, resilience, and the idea that none of us succee

Beyond the Medal: Clint Romesha on Leadership Under Fire

Heroism is often remembered in a single moment, but for those who live it, the story does not end when the shooting stops. Leadership, responsibility, and accountability

Talent, Mobility, and the Force Behind the Force

When it comes to readiness, the careers of Army spouses are sometimes overlooked, but the balance required to maintain economic stability and quality of life within the f

The Price of Freedom: Service After Loss

The military does many things with precision and honor, but for families left behind, the hardest journey often begins after the ceremony ends. Grief does not follow a ti

Redefining Tech for the Future Fight: A General's New Mission

The character of war is changing, but its human stakes are not. Speed, software, autonomy, and long-range systems now shape the battlefield, yet every decision still carr

Scoring Touchdowns for Soldiers’ Health

Officers and Soldiers of all ranks perform daily physical tasks that rival—if not surpass—those of some of the world’s top athletes, thanks to the Army’s world-class trai

East is Up for the U.S. Army in Korea

With its proximity to China, Russia, and—obviously—North Korea, the United States Forces Korea command is growing in importance by the minute. Leading this force—as well

Developing a Sweet Tooth for Business

In 2014, a military spouse and a priest—both avid bakers—wanted to create a fun, welcoming place that could help out transitioning veterans. They started Dog Tag Bakery,

A Silent Night in WWII: A Special Christmas Story

On Christmas Eve, 1944, Elizabeth Vincken and her twelve-year-old son, Fritz, sat down for a quiet Christmas Eve dinner, hopeful for a respite in the midst of deadly batt