Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — To support Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s “peace through strength” priorities, at a recent AUSA coffee series speaking event, an Army leader outlined how the service built its $253 billion budget request for fiscal year 2027, which includes investments in housing, training and recruiting.

Army Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, the service’s budget director, said the proposal centers on three lines of effort:

• Modernizing through the continuous transformation initiative, expediting how the service fights, equips and trains, while getting new technologies into the hands of Soldiers.
• Delivering combat-ready forces, including investments in next-generation weapons systems.
• Strengthening the profession, investing in quality-of-life improvements for Soldiers and their Families.

To deliver combat-ready forces while aligning with the War Department’s priority to rebuild the military, the Army’s proposal includes $7.3 billion for munitions expansion, $3.8 billion for its organic industrial base and $1.3 billion for warfighter end-strength growth.

Army vehicles currently in development include the XM-30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, the Army’s replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the M1E3 Abrams, and the service’s next-generation battle tank.

Lisa Salazar, who attended the event from the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the next steps for the XM-30 and M1E3 will be to finish the prototype stage and begin fielding pilot programs. The Army recently revealed its first M1E3 prototype at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year.

McElwain noted that technology is changing exponentially faster than ever before.

“We can’t control the pace of which that’s happening, but we can try to keep up,” she said. “So, as we deliver combat-ready forces, we’re trying to make sure the budget ensures that units are properly equipped and trained.”

The Army plans to add 18,300 Soldiers, raising its total personnel by 5.3%. The increase includes 15,000 active-duty troops and another 3,300 National Guard members. The service also proposed a 5 to 7% pay raise for Soldiers, earmarked $2.5 billion for recruiting and retention efforts and requested a 9.6% increase for operations and maintenance.

The Army proposed spending $295 million for increased essential combat unit training and $432 million for critical repair parts.

McElwain said improving housing for Soldiers aligns with the War Department’s priority of restoring the warrior ethos by allowing Soldiers to focus on the mission.

The service will invest $4 billion in family housing, child development centers and quality-of-life improvements, and an additional $2.9 billion will go toward barracks upgrades.

“Investment in Soldiers also means investment in families,” McElwain said, adding that the foundation of the Soldiers starts with ensuring their families are cared for.

One significant funding increase is 12.9% toward research, development, test and transformation, including the development of the Army’s next-generation command and control. McElwain said NGC2 will provide layers of technology, including data, infrastructure, applications and transport — giving commanders a wider view of multiple platforms and domains.

Finally, regarding the War Department’s priority of reestablishing deterrence, the Army plans to spend $1.1 billion to defend the southern border, $1.9 billion on counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and invest in a nuclear energy resilience program.

“It really is a budget that strategically balances present readiness with what we need for future dominance,” McElwain said.

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — Understanding the military justice system can be daunting for both service members and the general public. To bridge this knowledge gap, members of the 4th Circuit Army Office of Special Trial Counsel and the Fort Leavenworth Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provided a transparent, step-by-step look into the military justice process during a mock-trial May 21, 2026, in DePuy Auditorium at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The mock trial simulated a realistic and all too common scenario, an alcohol-facilitated sexual assault between two soldiers.

The educational exercise began at the very inception of a military criminal case: the “preferral” of charges. During this phase, the audience learned how charges are sworn and how a commander formally notifies a soldier of the accusations against him/her.

The simulation then guided attendees through the subsequent phases, including the Article 32 preliminary hearing, a crucial step to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed, and the formal “referral” of charges to a court-martial.

Following the pre-trial procedures, volunteer participants acted out a condensed version of an actual court-martial. The audience watched the legal teams navigate Voir Dire, the process of questioning and selecting impartial panel members, which is a jury in the civilian legal system.

The mock trial then proceeded through opening statements, the direct and cross-examination of both the victim and the accused, and concluded with brief closing arguments.

Tackling a grave topic like sexual assault in this format underscored the gravity of the proceedings and the meticulous nature of evidence examination in military courts. Additionally, this condensed version of a trial allowed the public to see all aspects of the process in a short period.

The event culminated in an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing the audience to engage directly with legal experts about the intricacies of the justice process.

This mock trial served as an essential educational tool. It not only clarified the distinct phases of a court-martial but also reinforced the system’s commitment to fairness, accountability and the rule of law. By making these complex legal procedures accessible, such exercises build institutional trust and ensure personnel are fully aware of how justice is administered within the ranks.

The event was a collaboration between the Fort Leavenworth SHARP program, the Fort Leavenworth Office of the SJA and the Army OSTC.

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — The day before their graduation, School of Advanced Military Studies students were offered the opportunity to shoot skeet using shotguns to simulate battling enemy drones, led by an analyst who has been bringing back lessons learned from the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.

The SAMS students joined analyst and Air Force veteran Paul Schwennesen, director of Global Strategy Decisions Group, May 20, 2026, at Brunner Range at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to familiarize themselves with this rudimentary but effective method for eliminating a drone threat using regular 12-gauge shotguns, like those a hunter would use, as well as a drone-modified shotgun with a longer barrel to improve distance accuracy and capacity to hold more ammunition. Schwennesen said shotguns are used as a counter-drone weapon, rather than a single-shot pistol, for their firepower.

“It’s a cloud of lead,” he said of the shotgun’s blast of pellets. “Whereas, if you’re trying to shoot that same target … with one single bullet, it is next to impossible,” he said. “A moving target in the air is a very, very difficult thing to hit, and so shotguns give you that cloud of knockdown power.”

Schwennesen said Global Strategy Decisions Group has been covering the war in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in 2022. He said he has been sharing lessons learned about the ongoing conflict to try to help improve the United States’ “security posture in the face of the new drone threat.”

“Over the past few months, our team has done a deep dive into the shotgun counter-drone option, particularly in light of the rise of fiber-optic, (electronic warfare) jamming-proof drone technology. As dated as it may sound, shotguns represent pretty much all we have as a ‘last line’ inner layer of a layered (counter-unmanned aircraft systems) strategy.”

Schwennesen said his group has provided the shotgun-vs.-drone demonstrations and familiarization training in Ukraine; at West Point, New York, and Fort Huachuca, Arizona; to special operations groups and national defense representatives and would be, shortly after the demo with SAMS students, to troops in Norway as well.

“Fundamentally we are trying to remind our soldiers, sailors and airmen that they are not defenseless in this new threat environment,” he said. “A moderate amount of training with modern shotguns and widely available loads can make a substantial difference in the face of new attack vectors.”

Schwennesen said shooting skeet is great practice for soldiers, and it is an inexpensive way to build eye-hand coordination and the reflex to shoot drones. He said such practice is hugely valuable and makes shooting drones easier, and since most installations already have the infrastructure to provide that practice, service members could easily and feasibly be honing drone-destroying skills using targets.

SAMS student Maj. Julian Hutchins said the work Schwennesen is doing and his efforts to get information and familiarization to the force is really important.

“I think, in general, what we’ve learned over the last year is that warfare is all about innovation and adaptation, and adapting during a conflict is extremely, extremely important. That’s why you see these high cycles of innovations and adaptations that are happening in Ukraine in their conflict right now,” Hutchins said. “So, getting the force to break out of the old GWOT, Global War on Terror mindset, and start thinking about what warfare could be like in a potential future scenario is invaluable.”

Hutchins said when the changing character of war is considered, introducing new technologies to the force and factoring in that cost can be prohibitive, but neither new technology acquisition nor expense would be issues with this type of defense since the military already has shotguns in the inventory.

“We have people trained on these pieces of equipment, and it takes nothing to enter this type of adaptation into the force, except for a dedicated strategy when it comes to range usage and how we’re doing our collective training,” Hutchins said.

SAMS student Maj. Michael Spalla agreed that using shotguns for this use is effective when considering tactics, techniques and procedures for dealing with threats.

“Oftentimes, we’re looking to do new things in new ways. Occasionally, you can do something old in a new way, and this is an example of that,” Spalla said. “We’ve learned a lot about electronic warfare at SAMS, which we certainly do and will need in the future. Also, something as simple as a shotgun that the basic soldier at the basic level could wield that is inexpensive, that’s also a good TTP as well.”

Schwennesen said he has been trying to share information he has been gleaning from the modern battlefield in Ukraine and how the U.S. military can learn from it.

“We’re not really offering any hard and fast answers. We’re all trying to learn this on the go because the world is changing so fast,” he said.

Schwennesen said he made his first trip of now nine trips to Ukraine as a volunteer after feeling a call to help people who needed help. He said he soon realized how much Ukrainians were learning and adapting, and the situation went from them learning from others to them being the ones to impart lessons learned.

“We’re trying to learn as we go here,” he said. “What we know is that there’s really no viable counter-drone technology widely fielded right now. There’s nothing.”

Schwennesen said every squad in Ukraine is using shotguns, which are often the only weapon available against drones, particularly when electronic warfare jamming is of no use. He said he would like to see the U.S. military adopt the practice.

“What I would love to see is the DoD start to pick this up and realize that, especially in the Army, especially on that side of the house, or even particularly for the Air Force — if the Air Force security forces took this seriously and armed all of their, the equivalent of the MPs, with shotguns and knew how to use them, that could make a big difference for protecting our air assets, which are an extremely vulnerable target,” he said. “Our F-35s, all these billion-dollar airframes are just sitting on the tarmac, wide open to attack — like what Ukraine did to Russia. We’ve seen this, we’ve been warned so many times, and we’re just going to take it on the chin because we’re not doing anything about it.”

After shooting several rounds of skeet from different positions, both singularly and with multiple shooters at the same time, the SAMS students discussed with Schwennesen some of the shotgun method’s possibilities, how it could be implemented, ideas for other types of drone defense and more.

SAMS student Maj. Daniel Lafranchi said he appreciated Schwennesen sharing take-aways from his experience in Ukraine.

“It’s very rare to get somebody that has the experience firsthand, talking to the people that are actually experiencing this type of problem set,” Lafranchi said. “A lot of times we hear about Ukraine, we hear about second or third hand, but hearing from somebody that actually has been there and talked to people on the ground, getting that firsthand experience, being able to provide us with that information is invaluable.”

Source: United States Army

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. (May 27, 2026) — Members of the Presidio of Monterey military community participated in the Bureau of Land Management’s Freedom 250 commemorative event at Fort Ord National Monument on May 23. The event honored retired Sgt. 1st Class Allan MacDonald, a decorated cavalry veteran whose lifelong devotion to Fort Ord’s mounted Army heritage left a lasting mark on the Monterey Peninsula.

Hosted by the Bureau of Land Management near the gravesite of MacDonald’s horse, Comanche, the ceremony served as California’s featured BLM Freedom 250 event, part of a nationwide initiative recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary. Held during Memorial Day weekend, the event brought together community members, military representatives and MacDonald’s family to reflect on service, sacrifice and the Army’s enduring connection to the region.

“Former bombing ranges and military training grounds now support one of the largest remaining expanses of coastal maritime chaparral on this stretch of California’s coast,” said Zach Ormsby, BLM central coast field manager. “What once prepared Americans for war now welcomes Americans in peace.”

The event included support from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center Joint Service Color Guard and historical remarks from command historian Cameron Binkley, who connected MacDonald’s story to Fort Ord’s cavalry heritage and the Army’s transition from horse-powered to mechanized warfare.

Binkley described MacDonald as a bridge between two eras of Army history. MacDonald enlisted in the Army in 1938 at age 17 and served with the 11th Cavalry Blackhorse Regiment during a career that spanned World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star and remained devoted to cavalry traditions long after horses disappeared from military service.

“Keeping the tradition alive,” Binkley said, referencing the motto of the 11th Cavalry Regiment. “Today, we do exactly that.”

Following his retirement from military service, MacDonald became a familiar figure at ceremonies, parades and community events throughout the Monterey Bay region. Often dressed in his cavalry uniform and riding his white Mustang, Comanche, he helped preserve the memory of Fort Ord’s mounted Army heritage for new generations until his death in 2016.

Following the ceremony, officials unveiled a new interpretive marquee honoring MacDonald’s life and legacy near Comanche’s gravesite. The display helps visitors understand the connection between the gravesite, nearby historic landmarks and the cavalry traditions that once shaped military life on the Monterey Peninsula.

Members of MacDonald’s family attended the unveiling, including his daughter, Jane Minglana, who accepted commemorative gifts presented in her father’s memory.

“My dad would really be proud of this,” Minglana said. “He wanted to live to be 100 and couldn’t make it.”

The ceremony served as a reminder that the Army’s legacy on the Monterey Peninsula lives on not only through history and memorials, but through the continued partnership between the military community and the region it serves.

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – Military Professionals now have instant access to all Army branch journals through the new Line of Departure app, which currently delivers more than 1,200 professional military articles directly to the field.

Army University Press launched the app on May 12, 2026, expanding the reach of their Line of Departure website that previously consolidated the Army’s branch journals into a single, searchable interface. The new mobile version enhances the user experience by letting readers receive article alerts, build custom bookshelves, and share content with others.

Maj. Nate Green, a Harding Fellow for Armor Magazine, noted that the app’s ease of use directly meets reader needs on the go. “I am a big fan of the mobile app and how it brings resources to readers. In less than three clicks, I can be reading an article from a professional bulletin,” Green said.

Putting professional discourse and leadership lessons learned directly in Soldiers’ hands supports the Army’s mandate to reinvigorate professional writing. Lt. Gen. Jim Isenhower, commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Command, emphasized the importance of effective writing earlier this year, calling it “a critical aspect of our Army profession.”

“Modernization is one of the key initiatives of the Line of Departure — to help all of the branch journals have a more modern capacity to provide lessons learned and share their content with Soldiers across the Army,” said Michael Serravo, director of Line of Departure.

The mobile app builds upon a highly successful web foundation. Since its launch in October 2024, the centralized Line of Departure platform has acted as a force multiplier and an “equalizer” for smaller journal teams with minimal staffing. Website usage has consistently grown, reaching more than 50,000 views and 19,000 new visitors in April 2026 alone.

By pushing this established platform to mobile devices, the Army is breaking down branch silos. Capt. Garett Pyle, Harding Fellow at the Army Sustainment Bulletin, noted that the centralized system provides an avenue to cross-communicate. “Now, I can easily view articles from other branches that I would otherwise never see. We are sharing insights and overall increasing Army lethality through this process,” Pyle said.

Sgt. 1st Class Marcel Blood, Harding Project deputy director and Ordnance noncommissioned officer, stressed the universal value of this information flow for the Total Force. “I can’t stress enough that there is something in the journals for everyone. Whether you’re on division staff and are trying to solve problems for the CG, or a Soldier learning to use a drone for the first time, there are articles published by your Soldiers, peers, and leaders that can help you,” he said.

Recognizing these benefits, Master Sgt. Travis Ragle, the co-editor in chief of the Special Warfare Journal, expects the mobile app to drive exponential growth in readership as awareness builds.

“The broader reach sparks discourse and coordination among branches, as well as assists in special operations recruitment through the amplified exposure Line of Departure provides,” Ragle said.

Readers can expect publication of approximately eight articles per branch journal each month.

Download the Line of Departure App on your mobile device’s app store.

About Army University Press and Line of Departure

Army University Press serves as the U.S. Army’s premier multimedia organization, functioning as the entry point for rigorous tactical analysis, doctrinal debate, and discussion on emerging topics vital to national defense.

Line of Departure, in collaboration with the Harding Project, is leading the Army’s effort to modernize branch journals and reinvigorate professional military writing as part of the service’s broader transformation initiative.

• Visit the AUP website to learn more about its educational portfolio.

• Visit Line of Departure to access all Army branch journals in one central location and find information on getting published.

(Note: This article references “Isenhower: Writing ‘Critical’ to Army Profession” which can be found here.)

Source: United States Army

TOWER BARRACKS, Germany — U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria celebrated the academic achievements of its community during the annual College Graduation Recognition Ceremony at Netzaberg Chapel May 20, 2026.

This special event provided an opportunity for graduates to walk across the stage and be recognized for earning a degree between fall 2024 and spring 2026—a unique chance for many who may not be able to travel to the United States for their commencement.

At this year’s ceremony, 84 graduates registered of whom 77 walked across the stage: 43 service members, three retirees, 15 family members, six contractors and 10 civilians. The class of 2026 earned a total of three academic certificates, 24 associate degrees, 30 bachelor’s degrees, 23 master’s degrees, and three doctoral degrees from 22 different colleges or universities.

“These numbers represent far more than academic achievement, they tell a story of discipline, sacrifice and purpose”, said Barbara Young, education services specialist for USAG Bavaria. “You’ve shown that distance is not a barrier to excellence and that service and education strengthen one another.”

A highlight of the ceremony was student speaker Master Sgt. Krystal Simpson, who holds a doctoral degree in general psychology. She was selected as a speaker because of her passion for education and her moving story of personal and professional growth.

“I stand before you, telling you that resiliency is important, representation is important more than anything today,” Simpson said. “Trust the path that you are on, loving and respecting yourself and understanding who you are and that the most important thing in this world is yourself.

“I tell my Soldiers: What you do today is based off what you did yesterday,” she continued, “but it only affects what you do tomorrow if that’s what you allow.”

Among the graduates was Randall Fielding, information technology specialist at USAG Bavaria, who reflected on earning his Master of Science in cyber security.

“Small steps towards a goal a day can equal miles of progress,” Fielding said. “Consistency has been my best train of thought over the years. If you can be consistent with your goals, you will reach them.”

Dwayne D. Key, deputy to the garrison commander, gave the keynote speech and congratulated the graduates on their hard work and determination. He also acknowledged the unique challenges faced by the graduates.

“For many of you, this achievement did not come easily,” he said. “You completed coursework while balancing military service, careers, family responsibilities, and all the unpredictability that comes with this military life.

“No meaningful achievement happens alone,” he continued to the Family members in the audience. “Your support matters. And your fingerprints are on these accomplishments too.”

Key closed the speech by emphasizing the pride the graduates should take in the accomplishments.

“Take time to celebrate this achievement,” Key said. “To every graduate here today: I’m super proud of you. We’re all proud of you. Your families are proud of you. Your leaders are proud of you. And you should be proud of yourselves. Congratulations on this incredible achievement – and once again well done.”

For more information about education programs at USAG Bavaria, visit https://home.army.mil/bavaria/edcenter.

Source: United States Army

NORRIDGE, Ill. – Brig. Gen. Michael Shanley, commanding general of the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, served as the keynote speaker during the Village of Norridge’s 33rd annual Memorial Day ceremony, May 24, 2026.

The ceremony honored fallen service members while recognizing current and former Norridge residents who have served in the military.

“For those of us who wear or have worn the uniform, Memorial Day is also a moment of reflection,” Shanley said. “We remember those we served with. We remember their courage, their devotion to duty, and their humanity. We remember that they were not just heroes in the abstract. They were people with families, plans, personalities, and futures. And that is what makes their sacrifice so profound. They gave up their futures so we could have ours.”

Shanley explained how Memorial Day’s original traditions continue today.

“Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War, when families and communities gathered to decorate the graves of those who had died in service to the nation. It was originally known as Decoration Day. That simple act of placing flowers and flags on graves became one of the most meaningful American traditions,” Shanley said. “Today, that tradition continues across the country. At Arlington National Cemetery and at cemeteries in towns large and small, Americans still place flags, bow their heads, speak the names of our fallen heroes aloud and keep faith with those who gave their lives for this nation.”

Sailors from Naval Station Great Lakes joined U.S. Marine Corps Reserve personnel and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers in the observance.

“Today is a day to remember all the service members who died serving our country and who made it possible for us to be where we are today,” said Navy Petty Officer Kristen Jacobson, special units coordinator at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes. “If you’ve served in the military, you likely know people who died while serving, so Memorial Day is also a day for me to remember the friends I’ve lost.”

The event featured a procession of the 50 state flags, a 21-gun salute and a wreath-laying ceremony at the village’s Veterans Memorial Wall. Musical support was provided by the Army Reserve’s 484th Army Band.

“Memorial Day has always been a meaningful time for me to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ken Fabis, commander of the 484th Army Band. “Growing up, my father, who served in the Marine Corps, often shared stories about the friends he lost during the Korean War. Those conversations left a lasting impression on me.”

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois also delivered remarks during the ceremony.

“This weekend is a somber reminder for our entire nation,” Duckworth said. “Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who answered the call not for themselves, not for their family members, but for democracy. Because when you serve this nation, you’re stepping forward to defend our Constitution and our freedoms for the entire nation. And when you lay down your life in that process, you are laying down your life for people who will never know your name, never know to thank you and never know that you did this. But they will benefit, and their children and grandchildren will benefit from your sacrifice. What we can do, those of us who survive, is continue that commitment to our democracy.”

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – The current nature of warfare is at historic levels of complexity and volatility.

The School of Advanced Military Studies’ latest graduating class, celebrated May 21, 2026, in a ceremony on Fort Leavenworth, spent 10 months preparing to be the strategic response to the military’s call for answers to the historic change of the national security picture.

Speed and unpredictability are foundational focuses of SAMS’ three programs Col. Dwight Domengeaux Jr., director, SAMS said, calling each a “warrior scholar prepared to meet the highest priority of the nation and allies.”

“These graduates are ready now. They’ll immediately help commanders in the operational force to fight and win in a complex environment. In fact, several members of the 2026 class departed early, and are already on their way to operational deployments, where commanders will expect them to perform on day one, and the soldiers on the line are depending on their confidence and leadership,” he explained.

A total of 129 master’s and doctorate degrees were conferred to graduates of the Advanced Military Studies Program, the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program, and the Advanced Strategic Planning and Policy Program.

SAMS curriculum is practicum-driven, and experience focused to include nearly a dozen hands-on exercises, 800 contact hours, a 10,000-word monograph, and direct planning support to division and corps of Ukraine, U.S. Army Combined Arms Command and other combatant commands.

Guest speaker Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, President and Commanding General, Army University, explained SAMS is a program with no joint-force equivalent, emphasizing the graduates’ educational significance to national security.

This level of strategic, operational thinking becomes a “habit of mind”, Bredenkamp said, that will be tested from day one.

“Be Ready. Be confident. SAMS has prepared you well. Senior leaders fight to receive SAM graduates. That is why they put you in the most challenging positions,” he said.

Bredenkamp’s wife is a SAMS graduate, which provided him a personal experience with senior leader expectations of SAMS planners.

To combat the potential pressures of their next assignments, Bredenkamp gave graduates three pieces of guidance; maintain an appropriate perspective, bring solutions, speak up.

He explained that perspective should remain beyond the tactical issue plaguing a command.

While more than capable of solving that level of problem, the investment in their careers lives beyond the obvious, he said.

“Your commander did not bring you in to solve the tactical problem. The reason they brought you onto the team is the second order problem that the tactical problem was hiding,” Bredenkamp said.

Solutions created by SAMS graduates may be imperfect, but are innate to their critical and creative thinking skills the joint force must capitalize on, Bredenkamp explained.

“You were trained to do something most staff officers cannot do, which is hold a complex problem in your head long enough to design a way through it,” he said.

Finally, the inaugural president of Army University challenged the graduates to communicate, specifically risk, with confidence.

“SAMs has prepared you to be the person to speak up when others are silent. You don’t have to speak loudly or theatrically. Just speak clearly. Truthfully, and with conviction, because that is what your commander deserves, and they will appreciate you. Maybe not the first time, but eventually,” he said.

“You are all part of a noble profession, and as SAMS graduates will be held to a higher standard where much is expected. I know you are up to the task,” Bredenkamp concluded.

This year’s ceremony also recognized the founder of SAMS, retired Brig. Gen. Huba Wass de Czege, who died November 25, 2025.

In addition, the following students were presented awards for their performance during their time at SAMS.

Iron Leader Award: Maj. Kory Osigian, U.S. Army

Presented to the student with the highest physical fitness as assessed by the highest overall score on the Army Fitness Test.

Lt. Col. Michael “Scott” Flurry Award: Lt. Col. Tyler Folan, U.S. Marine Corps

Presented to the top Joint Service graduate who best exemplifies the full spectrum of attributes embodied by distinguished former AMSP graduate—the late Marine Lieutenant Colonel Michael “Scott” Flurry—and his legacy of academic excellence, physical fitness, and superior leadership.

Maj. Gen. Edwin Harding Award: Dr. Barry Stentiford and Maj. Ronald Apostle

Presented to one faculty member and one student for their outstanding contribution to professional military journals as assessed by the school leadership.

Col. Arthur D. Simons Center for the Study of Interagency Cooperation Award: Lt. Col. Jacob Griego

Presented to the author of the best monograph on an interagency topic

Best Class Monograph: Col. Joerg Vitoschek, Federal Republic of Germany

Presented to the student in both ASLSP and AMSP whose research paper is judged to be the best in the class

Best AMSP Monograph: Maj. Kaleb Castillo

Presented to the student with the best monograph from AMSP

Col. Thomas Felts Leadership Award: Maj. Karlos Esteban, U.S. Army

Presented to the student who best exemplifies all the desired attributes of an Advanced Military Studies Program graduate. Named in honor of Col. Thomas Felts, who graduated from AMSP in 1998 and was a student in the SAMS senior service program in 2005.He was killed in action in Iraq in 2006 while serving as an advisor to the Iraqi Army.

Watch the graduation ceremony on the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/live/3tCcBE1W_kI?si=zuBN2GAhDIiw9LKY

Additional photos from the event can be viewed on CGSC’s Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usacgsc/albums/

Source: United States Army

FLORENCE, Italy — Hundreds of Americans and Italians gathered under a clear blue sky on Memorial Day to honor thousands of U.S. service members buried at the Florence American Cemetery, marking the remembrance with a solemn ceremony defined by gratitude and shared military history.

The May 25 event drew a crowd of military officials, local citizens and organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of those who died in defense of liberty, including a delegation of veterans from Veterans of Foreign Wars Mediterranean Post 8862 based out of Vicenza, Italy.

The pristine grounds, which serve as the final resting place for 4,392 American service members, were transformed earlier in the weekend by a joint contingent of American and Italian boy scouts. The scouts meticulously placed American and Italian flags at the base of every single headstone, creating a grid of red, white, green, and blue across 70 acres.

“We gather here today at this Florence American Cemetery to honor the 4,392 Americans laid to rest on these grounds,” said Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson, Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, during his keynote remarks. “They represent just a fraction of the nearly 70,000 U.S. service members who rest in peace eternally across the European continent.”

The ceremony emphasized the bonds forged between the United States and Italy during the campaigns of World War II. More than a dozen ceremonial wreaths were laid at the base of the central memorial to pay tribute to the fallen. Among them was a wreath from U.S. Army Garrison Italy, presented jointly by USAG Italy Garrison Commander, Col. Vaughn D. Strong Jr., and his Camp Darby Deputy Garrison Manager, Tim Andersen.

For the veteran community in Italy, the annual pilgrimage to the cemetery represents a profound duty. Commander Bobby White of VFW Vicenza Mediterranean Post 8862 noted that his post has maintained this tradition for at least two decades.

“For today’s event here at the Memorial Day ceremony, the historical value is that for the VFW, for many years we’ve been here,” White said. “We have come here to pay homage to our fallen soldiers and comrades. They have made sacrifices dating back to World War I and World War II. So this day, I take it dearly, because I get to say thank you to those who paved the way for us to be here.”

Italian military and auxiliary representatives spoke with equal emotion about the price paid by American forces to secure the freedom of their nation.

“I feel like it was important to pay my respects to the American Army,” said Col. Luciano Prestipino of the Italian Red Cross Military Corps. “The ones to put boots on the ground, to put their life on the line, to free us.”568

Lt. Gen. Massimo Panizzi of the Italian Army delivered an address that captured the geographic and emotional reality of the young service members buried thousands of miles from their homes.

“They rest here. Far from the voices they love, far from the streets where they grew up. But not far from our gratitude,” Panizzi said. “And today, from this land of Italy, we offer them immense thanks. The Italian people remember your sacrifice. We remember their lives given up on our soil for the freedom of others. And we all honor the bond of friendship forged through courage, suffering and hope. Every name carved in stone reminds us that freedom is not free.”

The gravity of the landscape also left an impression on the younger generation participating in the commemorations, giving them a rare perspective on wartime sacrifice.

“I feel quite honored to be at a place like the Florence American Cemetery,” said Brian Ehler, 14, a Life Scout in Scouting America. “I think it’s quite a rare experience that no normal American teenager would usually have. And I think it’s also a good way to remember the fallen who’ve given up their lives, so we could be here at this very moment.”

As the formal program concluded, a U.S. Marine stepped forward just outside the monument area to play a final tribute of “Taps.” The bugle call echoed across the graves and the large marble tablets nearby, which bear the names of an additional 1,409 service members missing in action.

Moments after the final note faded, the silence was broken by the roar of a ceremonial flyover. F-16 fighter jets from the 555th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, streaked across the clear skies to end a day dedicated to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy — U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF‑AF) expanded its commitment to human performance with the launch of the Post‑Exercise Optimization Program, or POP, a new initiative designed to help Soldiers and civilians recover faster and maintain readiness after periods of high operational demand.

POP builds on the foundation established by the Optimizing the Human Weapon System program, which integrated human‑performance science into SETAF‑AF operations throughout 2024 and early 2025. OHWS data revealed a consistent pattern: After major exercises, readiness and sleep scores dipped sharply before gradually rebounding.

“My role is to help leaders make data‑driven decisions,” said Christie Cornell, Integrated Prevention Advisory Group lead for SETAF‑AF. “Data is telling us Soldiers perform at lower levels of readiness when certain stress factors are present.”

When OHWS ended in April, SETAF‑AF’s Integrated Prevention Advisory Group developed POP as a no‑cost, internally run successor. The program preserves the momentum of OHWS while expanding its reach across the formation.

POP is a fully developed, research‑supported, four‑week recovery program designed to counter the predictable dip in readiness following major exercises or operational missions. Each week includes a 50‑minute virtual workshop for leaders and a 90‑minute in‑person session for personnel, supported by a customized participant guide. The curriculum covers burnout prevention, sleep and recovery, high‑performance learning environments and chaplain‑led resilience training.

“We approach the human weapon system with expertise and background in performance psychology,” said David Baleno, a performance expert with the Ready and Resilient Performance Center. “Usually, people perform more poorly when under a high cognitive load.”

Baleno, who holds a master’s degree in sports psychology and is a certified mental performance consultant, emphasized that the program’s design mirrors how Soldiers must perform under pressure.

“By training under more complicated, higher‑stress situations, we can help apply skills like memory and recall or problem-solving to optimize performance,” he said.

POP also draws on successful models across the joint force. The Navy SEALs’ mental toughness program and the Air Force’s True North initiative demonstrate that proactive stress‑management training can prevent burnout, improve performance and increase deployability. These are principles echoed throughout the POP curriculum.

“The weekly sessions are interactive,” said Lloyd Scharneck, R2PC manager. “We want participants to share what they’re going through. That way, we can make necessary adjustments and build the skills which optimize their productivity now and maintain that level into the future.”

Hands-on sessions include nervous‑system regulation, mindfulness training, stress‑relief and inflammation workshops, as well as assistance with stressor recovery. The program’s design reflects an ecological approach, addressing both individual stress responses and the leadership environments that shape them.

“Our team ensures units are aware of, and are actively utilizing, the resources the Army provides for performance optimization,” Cornell said.

Although program coordinators developed POP in response to trends observed during African Lion 2025, participation is open to any SETAF‑AF directorate, regardless of exercise involvement. OHWS data showed that even during periods of budget constraints and organizational change, personnel were able to bounce back when equipped with awareness and targeted interventions.

POP aims to accelerate that recovery.

“Any team experiencing high OPTEMPO [operational tempo], persistent stressors or post‑mission fatigue can benefit,” Cornell said. “We built POP to be flexible. Directorates can integrate it into their battle rhythm without disrupting mission requirements.”

SETAF‑AF leadership repeatedly emphasizes that people — not platforms — are the command’s decisive advantage. POP reinforces that priority by giving Soldiers and civilians the tools to recover quickly, manage stress effectively and sustain performance across demanding missions.

“POP strengthens the formation from the inside out,” Cornell said. “It ensures our people have what they need to recover, reset and stay ready for whatever mission comes next.”

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

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