Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

SEMBACH, Germany– Nine military units from U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’ Sembach Kaserne gathered June 11 to compete in the Sembach Cup and Summer Fest, with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command taking first place overall.

The event drew participation from across the echelons, featuring food, drinks, music and informational booths alongside the day’s main activities. Competitions included kickball, table tennis, “Just Dance,” cornhole, pickleball, a cook-off, a water balloon toss and tug-of-war. Senior leaders and junior enlisted Soldiers competed alongside one another throughout the festival.

A highlight of the event occurred outside the formal competition. During the tug-of-war, a Soldier lost a wedding ring in the grass. Competitors immediately paused the competition, the installation’s corrections team loaned a security metal detector to another unit, and personnel from multiple commands assisted in sweeping the area until the ring was recovered.

The 10th AAMDC secured the overall victory, followed by the 30th Medical Brigade in second place and the 68th Theater Medical Command in third. Other participating units included the Navy, 409th Contracting Brigade, Medical Readiness Command-Europe, American Forces Network-Europe, U.S. Army Correctional Activity-Europe and U.S. Army NATO Brigade.

Community sponsors supported the event, including the USO, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS), Family and MWR, Kaiserslautern Landstuhl Spouses’ Association, American Legion, Stars and Stripes, the Sembach Education Center and Military and Family Life Counselors.

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp

*Editor’s note:*This courtesy article was drafted with the assistance of generative AI. It was subsequently reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by USAG Rheinland-Pfalz public affairs to ensure accuracy, compliance with DoW security guidelines, and to reflect the appropriate tone.

Source: United States Army

CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. – Nine soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, participated in a two-week unmanned aerial system program that began May 31, 2026, as the Michigan National Guard expands its UAS training initiative.

The Michigan National Guard’s UAS program provides service members with no prior experience the training needed to understand regulations, develop flight proficiency and safely operate unmanned aerial systems in support of unit missions. Once certified, operators can utilize and integrate UAS into their units. The training can also tailor instruction to specific unit capabilities, including drone-strike simulations.

“The goal of this training is to expose [service members] to the challenges and opportunities provided by a piece of equipment like that,” said Army Maj. Brandon Shortner, the battalion’s executive officer. “That’s making such an impact on the modern battlefield.”

Students began in the classroom for an overview of regulations and systems before moving to flight simulators. Once proficient, they transitioned to field training with a level one UAS, the smallest drone class, maneuvering through an obstacle course that replicates real-world conditions. Instructors adapted the course difficulty based on mission requirements and individual skills.

“Every unit has a different mission set, and every mission set will require a different platform,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Aric Petersen, UAS Training Center supervisor for the Michigan National Guard.

After demonstrating competence on the level one drone, the soldiers will progress to live-fire training to learn demolitions and how to arm the platforms.

In February, the War Department designated the Michigan National Guard’s Camp Grayling as the nation’s first national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, resulting in an increased emphasis on UAS training and capability development across the force. Camp Grayling is the largest National Guard training facility in the U.S.

“It’s an incredible honor to be part of a small group of individuals selected to do this,” said Army Spc. Aleksandr Blain, an infantry team leader assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment. “We are looking forward to developing these skills.”

Blain was the first of the trained 126th Infantry Regiment drone pilots to execute a drone strike using a first-person view drone June 10. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Burr, an infantry platoon sergeant assigned to the battalion, assisted Blain with the strike as the drone navigator. The navigator role is critical to ensuring UASs reach targets accurately and safely.

The strike was completed using a two-drone hunter-killer team composed of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform used to crosstalk with the pilots to confirm targets prior to the strike and a first-person-view system equipped with a fixed-angle camera, giving operators a real-time view from the aircraft’s perspective.

The drone is flown entirely by the pilot, enabling precise maneuverability and continued operation in contested environments where GPS may be unavailable or degraded.

The first-person-view drones are piloted completely by manual control, so they find what is called acrobatic mode, which means the pilot has full control over the drone; it doesn’t hover.

The two-week training course not only enhanced the unit’s tactical performance but also boosted morale among the small group of participants.

“Being on the cusp of innovation is always fun,” Blain said. “It’s uncharted territory.”

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Montana Army National Guard firefighters trained alongside Airmen and state firefighters assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing Fire Department during a June 11 joint aircraft rescue firefighting exercise.

The training at the 120th Airlift Wing included classroom instruction and hands-on live-fire scenarios designed to strengthen aircraft rescue firefighting capabilities and improve interoperability across the Montana National Guard.

Participants received instruction on airfield operations, emergency response procedures and aircraft rescue firefighting tactics before applying those skills during live-fire exercises using an aircraft training simulator.

“This was an opportunity to cross-pollinate with the Air National Guard and gain valuable experience on an active airfield,” said Capt. Timothy Lenihan, commander of the Montana Army National Guard firefighting detachments.

“Using a live-fire aircraft trainer and operating aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles provided our Soldiers with training opportunities that are difficult to replicate elsewhere,” Lenihan said.

Prior to the live-fire training, participants learned how to safely operate on an active airfield, including vehicle movement procedures, communication requirements and coordination with air traffic controllers.

“One of the most important skills we’re teaching today is how to communicate effectively with the FAA tower,” said Staff Sgt. Graydon Irish, training officer for the Montana Army National Guard firefighting detachment. “Clear, concise radio communication is essential for safely operating on an active airfield.”

The training provided Soldiers an opportunity to operate specialized aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles, respond to simulated aircraft emergencies and work directly with experienced aircraft rescue firefighters. Soldiers practiced vehicle positioning, fire suppression techniques and coordination in conditions designed to replicate a real-world aircraft emergency.

Irish said exposing Soldiers to the aviation environment builds confidence and familiarity before they are required to respond to an actual incident.

“Before Soldiers can confidently operate in an aviation environment, they need exposure to it,” Irish said. “Listening to experienced airfield operators and then communicating with the tower themselves helps build that confidence.”

Beyond the technical skills gained during the training, leaders said the training strengthened relationships between Army and Air National Guard personnel and improved their ability to work together during emergencies.

Army firefighting units bring capabilities designed for austere and tactical environments, while the 120th Airlift Wing Fire Department specializes in aircraft rescue firefighting and airfield operations. Training together allows both organizations to better understand each other’s procedures, equipment and capabilities.

“I think Army and Air National Guard units have different standard operating procedures,” Lenihan said. “If we’re responding to the same crisis or emergency and we’ve never worked together before, then we don’t know how to operate together. Training together now helps us work more effectively as a team in the future.”

Brig. Gen. Trent Gibson, the adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, said the training demonstrates the value of integrating capabilities across the Montana National Guard and building relationships before emergencies occur.

“When Soldiers and Airmen train together, they build the trust, communication and shared understanding needed to respond effectively when Montana communities need us most,” Gibson said. “Training like this strengthen our readiness and ensure we can bring the full capabilities of the Montana National Guard to any mission.”

The training also highlighted future opportunities for collaboration, including technical rescue, rope rescue and hazardous materials training, further expanding the capabilities of both organizations.

“Whether we’re wearing an Army or Air Guard uniform, our mission is the same,” Irish said. “Protect lives, protect property and be ready to respond when Montana needs us. This training helps ensure we can do that together.”

The training strengthened readiness across the Montana National Guard while providing Soldiers, Airmen and state firefighters with valuable experience operating in a realistic aircraft emergency environment.

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

ZAGREB, Croatia — More than 100 cyber professionals from seven European nations and seven U.S. National Guard state partners participated in Combined Adriatic Cyber Endeavor (CACE) 2026, a multinational cyber defense exercise hosted by the Croatian Armed Forces at the Petar Zrinski Barracks, June 1-11.

The Croatian Cyber Command hosted the largest regional cyber exercise for the first time, bringing together participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia, along with their respective U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program counterparts from New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, Iowa, Maine, Vermont, and Colorado.

“We do things vastly differently across countries, across states,” said Maryland Air National Guard Warrant Officer 1 Nicholas Custead, assigned to the 276th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, who served as an exercise planner and member of the red team. “So, having everybody in the same room allows us to pool our ideas and come up with the best solutions. It’s the best way to collaborate.”

The two-week exercise began with academic instruction, scenario development, and final preparations before transitioning into the operational exercise. Each state and its partner nation formed a defensive cyber blue team and a white cell for the exercise, while Croatia and some National Guard members supported an offensive red team. The exercise represented the latest evolution of a regional effort designed to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and cyber defense capabilities among Adriatic+ partner nations.

“These exercises are unique opportunities to have actual hands-on experience and see what it takes to combat a threat, impacting the region,” said Paul Winter, senior vice president for professional services at SimSpace. “There’s a lot of planning and prep for these activities, and our team has been really grateful for the teamwork of the host nation.”

A significant NATO milestone of the exercise was the first-ever interconnection of SimSpace cyber ranges operated by Croatia and Slovenia. The exercise centered on a fictional military mission in which participating teams were tasked with defending the shared unclassified network. Blue team participants conducted threat hunting, incident response, reverse engineering, and network defense operations while documenting findings, developing remediation plans, and submitting situation reports.

The white team served as the exercise control element, overseeing coordination, scenario management, participant guidance, and overall governance. White team members were responsible for ensuring the exercise met its training objectives, maintained realistic conditions, enforced established rules, and evaluated participating teams. The red team planned and executed simulated adversary activities designed to challenge the blue team network defenders, while the Croatian green team and Simspace staff developed and maintained the network infrastructure and cyber range environment used throughout the exercise.

“It’s about coordination, collaboration, and everyone working together,” said Maj. Dubravko Jerković, Croatian Cyber Command commander and exercise director. “I think the whole point of this exercise is the communication, exchanging information, and getting to know the people, so we build the maturity of cyber in our region.”

The virtual training environments were provided through a U.S. security cooperation investment and donated to the Croatian and Slovenian armed forces in late 2023. During the exercise, the interconnected ranges expanded training capacity and enabled participants to operate across the larger, complex cyber environment.

“It is important as a cyber range provider not to just provide the solutions, but to really enable the partner nations to run and operate as self-sufficient as possible,” said Lee Rossey, chief technology officer and co-founder of SimSpace. “We want to fade into the background and enable them to be able to design, execute, and run as much as possible on their own.”

Officials said the successful integration demonstrated the growing cyber capabilities of both nations and established a foundation for future multinational training events. Several participating nations either have received or are expected to receive similar virtual training environments, creating opportunities for additional regional cyber exercises in the future.

“Cooperation is very important,” said Aleš Čretnik, Slovenia national representative and cyber range chief/advisor for the Slovenian Ministry of Defense. “Establishing trust among the nations that actually know each other, especially the technical stuff, so that they know who they should contact for help or any other support in case of larger incidents.”

The exercise built on previous regional cyber cooperation efforts, including the Adriatic Regional Security Cooperation Cyberspace Exercise hosted in Postojna, Slovenia, in 2024. Throughout the exercise, participants worked side by side to defend networks, share technical expertise, and strengthen relationships among allied and partner nations.

“CACE 26 is an example of the growing maturity in cyberspace defense across the Adriatic region,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Brown, IMA to the Partnership Division, U.S. European Command J69, who also previously served in the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Cyberspace Operations Group. “This year, Croatia took the lead, demonstrating the increasing capability and ownership of our Allies and partners in the cyber domain after years of USEUCOM-led cyberspace security cooperation in the region, including the National Guard’s State Partnership Program. As our Allies and partners independently plan, resource, and execute multinational exercises, it showcases a more capable, resilient, and interoperable cyber force to defend Alliance territory, which increases regional stability.”

Eight Airmen assigned to the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Cyberspace Operations Group and one Soldier assigned to Maryland Army National Guard Cyber Protection Team 169 joined three members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) Cyber Operations Center at the exercise. It was the first time that an AFBiH cyber expert led their Maryland counterparts as one of the seven blue teams.

“I’m most proud of how my team handled the situation, because we are the smallest team at this event, and I’m proud of the collaboration with other teams, and also our partnership with Maryland,” said AFBiH Capt. Armin Kolašinac, a vulnerability assessment officer at the Cyber Operations Center. “In the beginning, [Maryland] showed us everything, because we were new at this, but now we are catching up, and there are some things that we can also teach them. It’s significant for me, and it’s significant for my [AFBiH] colleagues because it shows that the partnership with Maryland is bearing fruit. We can see progress, and I can see that my teammates trust me.”

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

WIESBADEN – U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden is nearing completion on the selection process to find the best food contractor to reopen the German Dining Facility on Clay Kaserne. The new dining facility will ensure daily meal service for host nation employees.

After a public announcement requesting vendor solicitations for Clay Kaserne’s newest dining facility this past February, a total of eight vendors applied for the opportunity to operate the German Kantine.

The selection process included scoring of business plans and food testing, and the best candidate was identified by a panel of ten evaluators.

The panel represents a cross-section of the garrison, including larger organization on Clay Kaserne that employs German staff.

Panel members represent the Garrison Works Council, the Directorate of Public Works, the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, 2nd Theater Signal Brigade, Logistic Readiness Support Center, Installation Management Command Europe and United States Army Europe and Africa.

Evaluation criteria focused on the food concept, menu, pricing, and overall value.

After the initial round of reviews, the top two vendors prepared food for a tasting in the follow-up round, allowing evaluators to sample and compare their offerings.

“The German canteen is extremely important to us because it’s there for our German workforce,” said Mitchell Jones, USAG Wiesbaden Deputy to the Garrison Commander, and part of the evaluation panel. “[This way] they can have fast [and] traditional meals – quick and affordable.”

While the canteen will be open to all community members, its focus is to provide convenient, high-quality meal options on post to Local National employees.

“We have others in the community that can use it as well – NATO, SAG-U, Americans. So, it’s a great addition to our community that is constantly growing,” said Jones.

Jones also spoke to the quality-of-life enhancements the dining facility will bring, highlighting its accessible location and return of traditional German cuisine on Clay Kaserne.

“We try to make the best choice by checking everything today, and through the food tasting we ensure that we not only get the best food, but also the best prices,” said Margot Jones, a 2nd Signal Brigade works council member and part of the evaluation committee.

The process was designed to identify the best dining option for the USAG Wiesbaden community by involving a broad representation of stakeholders. The top-scoring vendor from this two-fold evaluation process will be presented to the Garrison Works Council for its final consent, in accordance with German co-determination rights.

The dining facility will serve freshly prepared hot meals during breakfast and lunch on workdays. While the focus is on German home-style cuisine, there will be a variety of vegetarian, vegan, international and seasonal dishes available.

The goal is to open the German Dining Facility this summer in Bldg. 1531, on Clay Kaserne, situated behind the Fitness and Post Office.

The selected vendor will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned in to the My Army Post App, social media and the Garrison’s website for updates about the upcoming opening date and details.

Source: United States Army

ALPENA, Mich. – Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Rhode Island National Guard Airmen completed a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) from Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, to Fort Irwin, California, during the National Guard’s Minuteman Rotation, the first at the National Training Center (NTC).

The Minuteman Rotation concept aligns National Guard annual training requirements with combat training center rotations with their active-duty counterparts. The first Minuteman Rotation took place in March 2026 at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana, with Soldiers from Florida Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

“The Minuteman Rotation is a specialized, high-intensity training program at combat training centers that are designed to simulate real-world combat scenarios for rotational units, in a controlled, large-scale environment,” said Capt. Courtney Bonneau, Alpha Battery Commander, 1st Battalion, 182d Field Artillery Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard. “Being able to conduct this mission, within our annual training plan as National Guard Soldiers, was a great opportunity to train as we would fight in combat operations.”

Soldiers from Michigan Army National Guard’s Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 182d Field Artillery Regiment, participated in the Minuteman Rotation from June 6-13 to support the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, with deep fires during NTC rotation 26-08. The rotation highlighted joint interoperability across the Army and Air National Guard to rapidly infiltrate over 2,000 miles with HIMARS from 1st Battalion, 182d Field Artillery Regiment, on a C-130J Hercules from the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143d Airlift Wing.

“The joint training is extremely beneficial for successful agile combat operations,” said Capt. Ben Newman, a C-130J Hercules pilot with the 143d AW, Rhode Island Air National Guard. “By understanding the interoperability between the Air Force and Army, we can align processes and terminology to achieve mission success.”

Static artillery is highly vulnerable in the multi-domain environment that has advanced sensors and long-range fire capabilities. By leveraging HIRAIN, commanders can conduct deep fires forward of the line that minimize ground exposure and create an unpredictable, non-linear battlefield.

“HIRAIN brings speed, reach and survivability to the deep fight by inserting a precision-fire platform that can be rapidly inserted to support any theater of operations,” said Sgt.1st Class Corey Morawa, Platoon Sgt., Alpha Battery, 1-182d FAR, Michigan National Guard.

HIRAIN is a highly coordinated joint operation in which HIMARS is rapidly airlifted to a forward or austere location, offloaded to execute a precision strike, and quickly reloaded and extracted before adversary forces can detect or target the unit. It is the ultimate military execution of the “shoot-and-scoot” tactic at extreme speed and distance, in degraded conditions.

The Minuteman Rotation at NTC provided valuable joint training across U.S. services and active-duty counterparts, while aligning to the annual training requirements for the National Guard.

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — U.S. Army Master Sgt. Nikole Jurecko, operations noncommissioned officer in charge for the G-6, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, was promoted from sergeant first class during a ceremony at Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, June 12, marking her entry into the Army’s senior noncommissioned officer ranks.

Her parents, Penny and Tommy Jurecko, pinned on her new rank during the ceremony, which was attended by family, friends, leaders and fellow Soldiers.

The ceremony carried special meaning for Jurecko as her parents traveled from Red Oak, Texas, to participate in the promotion and celebrate her achievement.

Lt. Col. Holly Glisson, assistant chief of staff, G-6, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, praised Jurecko’s commitment to mission accomplishment and Soldier care.

“She will go above and beyond for anyone,” Glisson said. “You can always come to her with a problem. She will figure it out.”

Sgt. Maj. Adam Dement, G-6 sergeant major, said the promotion reflects both Jurecko’s accomplishments and the increased responsibility that comes with joining the Army’s senior noncommissioned officer ranks.

“You are going to become the scarcity, the expert that’s in the room,” Dement said. “They look to us to give them the unvarnished truth.”

Dement said the promotion expands Jurecko’s responsibilities beyond technical expertise and into advising commanders, developing Soldiers and helping shape future signal operations.

After reciting the noncommissioned officer charge, Jurecko reflected on the people who helped shape her career and the challenges she overcame along the way.

She thanked her parents for supporting her and the Soldiers she served alongside, recalling their efforts to provide care packages and holiday stockings to deployed service members throughout her career.

“There was a time in my career when I honestly only saw myself retiring as a staff sergeant,” Jurecko said. “People will try to put you in a box. They will look at a profile or a limitation and tell you what you cannot do. Do not listen to them.”

Jurecko credited mentors who challenged her to look beyond perceived limitations and pursue opportunities she once believed were out of reach.

She encouraged Soldiers to remain focused on their goals despite setbacks or criticism.

“Keep pushing. Keep proving them wrong and never let anyone else write your story,” Jurecko said.

The promotion marks Jurecko’s entry into the Army’s senior noncommissioned officer ranks, where she will continue serving as a leader, mentor and technical expert within the Signal Corps.

Source: United States Army

POZNAN, Poland — U.S. and Polish military leaders rededicated the Michael H. Ollis Warrior Grill at Camp Kosciuszko on June 12, honoring the newly minted Medal of Honor recipient and reaffirming the powerful bond between the two nations.

The ceremony unveiled an updated plaque for Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, whose Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded posthumously to the Medal of Honor earlier this year for his actions in Afghanistan.

Ollis, of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, was killed on Aug. 28, 2013, during a fierce insurgent attack at Forward Operating Base Ghazni. Moving alongside Polish Army 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica, Ollis shielded his wounded ally from a suicide bomber, sacrificing his own life to save another.

Originally dedicated to the Staten Island, New York native in 2023, the Warrior Grill is the first Polish military dining facility named for an American service member. Leaders said the rededication not only reflects Ollis’s Medal of Honor, but also the enduring significance of his sacrifice to U.S.-Polish military cooperation.

“Staff Sergeant Ollis did not do this because of a formal treaty alliance,” said Col. Jeremy McHugh, U.S. Army Garrison Poland commander.

“He did it for brotherhood, for kinship that develops between Soldiers in harm’s way.”

The event’s timing added extra meaning, coinciding with the Army’s 251st birthday and taking place at a camp named for Polish and American Revolutionary War hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

“May both individuals serve as examples of the friendship and relationship between our nations for the future,” McHugh said.

Lt. Col. Grzegorz Holubowicz, deputy commander of Poland’s 14th Garrison Support Unit, called Ollis’s actions a lasting symbol of the values shared by both militaries.

“His actions remind us that the soldiers of Poland and the United States are united by common values — honor, courage, loyalty and steadfast commitment to serving and protecting others,” Holubowicz said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip B. Blaisdell, V Corps senior enlisted leader, reflected on his connection to Ollis and his family, tying the soldier’s sacrifice to the long-standing alliance between the United States and Poland.

“We’re here for Poland because on Sept. 11, 2001, Poland was here for us,” Blaisdell said, referencing Poland’s support alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After the White House Medal of Honor ceremony on March 2, Poland awarded Ollis the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, its highest honor for foreign citizens.

The rededication concluded with an Army birthday cake-cutting, linking Ollis’s legacy of service to the Army’s ongoing commitment to its Soldiers, allies and partners.

Source: United States Army

A unit tribute plaque for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas’ U.S. Disciplinary Barracks was added to the Wall of Honor at the National Museum of the United States Army during a dedication ceremony May 21, 2026, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The ceremony took place 152 years after Congress passed a law to establish a military prison at Fort Leavenworth. The USDB is one of the oldest organizations in the U. S. Army Military Police Corps. The inclusion of the USDB plaque was the culminating event of the USDB’s sesquicentennial celebration, which took place in 2024 at Fort Leavenworth.

The USDB tribute plaque was installed along the Path of Remembrance walkway leading to the museum entrance. The unit tribute program is a donor recognition program managed by the Army Historical Foundation, the National Army Museum’s non-profit organization.

At the ceremony last week, I welcomed the group that consisted of current Army corrections professionals, USDB staff, former USDB commandants, retired USDB alumni, family members and American Correctional Association leaders. I thanked all who donated their time and resources to preserving the storied history of the USDB with this unit tribute plaque.

USDB Commandant Col. Douglas Curtis’ remarks were read during the ceremony.

“From the stone walls of the original ‘Castle’ at Fort Leavenworth to the modern facility that operates on the fort today, generations of soldiers and civilians have served there with professionalism, compassion and unwavering dedication to duty. They carried out one of the Army’s most difficult and least understood missions: enforcing military justice while preserving human dignity and providing the opportunity for retribution, rehabilitation and re-entry,” Curtis’ said in his provided remarks. “Equally important is the institution’s commitment to rehabilitation and successful reentry. The USDB’s education, vocational, behavioral health and reintegration programs are second to none within military corrections, designed to provide offenders the greatest possible opportunity to return to society as productive citizens. In doing so, the USDB not only fulfills an obligation of justice and stewardship, but also reduces long-term strategic risk to the armed forces and the communities to which these former service members return.”

Brig. Gen. Sarah Albrycht, commanding general of Army Corrections Command and the provost marshal general of the Army, said the USDB was born from a need to reform and professionalize the way the military handles corrections and discipline.

Years ago, Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Barr, widely known as the “Father of the USDB,” saw the dire conditions in which military prisoners were held and advocated for a single, humane and rehabilitative institution. His vision laid the groundwork for the “Military Center for Corrections Excellence” that we know today. The unit’s motto perfectly encapsulates its purpose: “Our Mission – Your Future.” It is not just a place of confinement, but a place of real transformation.

Retired Maj. Gen. Mark Inch, former USDB commandant, ACC commanding general and provost marshal general, spoke about the role the USDB plays not only in the military, but in society.

The National Museum of the United States Army is for everyone in the nation to come see, celebrate and remember the symbols of what the Army has done for the nation. The USDB plaque does this for corrections professionals. The soldiers, men and women who have passed and those who continue to serve at the USDB are now represented there among other great Army units. The history of military corrections is so deeply engrained with the American Correctional Association, dating back to 1870s and setting the standards and professionalism among corrections professionals. Service members who made the worst mistakes are all confined in one social environment where they conform under the leadership of the USDB officers and NCOs, who provide discipline, training, rehabilitation and education to set them up for success in society upon their release.

Additionally, the officers and NCOs who are trained at the USDB are needed by the Army to go forward when necessary to ensure strategic success. It has been shown what a difference having USDB correctional professionals meant at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Afghanistan; and Iraq.

In 1971, the USDB adopted the motto, “Our Mission – Your Future.” This motto symbolizes the can-do attitude, the spirit of team work and the philosophy of the USDB. The entire custodial staff provides individualized treatment to inmates to prepare them for a self-reliant, trustworthy and respectable future.

We reflect on the past only to build for the future. We emphasize behavior, education, vocational skills and a chance to choose. We emphasize the positive, not the negative. We focus on participation, not punishment; restoration, not retribution; on privileges, not privation; and on partnership and progress, not isolation and humiliation. Discipline is necessary to maintain order, for without order, nothing can be learned, and without knowledge, there is no hope for a new and brighter day. We accept the principle that a man has a right for a new start in life.

On Jan. 18, 1971, Col. F.E. Payne, USDB commandant, concurred with the recommended design of a distinctive insignia for the USDB. This design incorporated the motto, “Our Mission – Your Future,” which was recommended by Maj. Charles A. Hines, Military Police Corps, a student at the Command and General Staff College in 1970-1971. On Feb. 12, 1971, Maj. Gen. Lloyd B. Ramsey, the provost marshal general, approved the design. Upon design completion by the Institute of Heraldry, it was fielded on March 1, 1972.

The USDB Distinctive Unit Insignia is a gold color metal and enamel device that consists of a gold sun on a blue enamel area with nine gold rays radiating upward and surmounted vertically overall by a gold sword between the green enamel post oak leaves, vertical with stems conjoined in bottom below pommel, all between two white enamel columns at the sides and the two end enamel scrolls above and below the columns, the upper scroll surmounting the rays and the sword inscribed, “Our Mission,” and the lower scroll inscribed “Your Future,” all in gold letters.

The sun on the USDB Distinctive Unit Insignia symbolizes authority, healing, knowledge and a new beginning representing the overall mission of the organization. The sword denotes all military personnel. The oak leaves and columns refer to military and civilian stability in rehabilitation. The columns and inscribed scroll simulate a doorway and allude to the custodial guidance of the unit.

The National Museum of the United States Army is owned and operated by the U.S. Army and is open daily with free admission. For more information visit www.theNMUSA.org. For more information about the Unit Tribute Program, visit www.armyhistory.org.

Source: United States Army

For decades, the Army’s personnel and pay process was a labyrinth of paperwork and disconnected databases, leading to frustrating delays and a lack of visibility for Soldiers and commanders alike.

In 2023, a comprehensive, Army-wide solution – the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS‑A) – was introduced, providing a modern platform to streamline and update the Army’s human resources and talent management processes.

This sweeping digital overhaul replaces an antiquated network of over 200 human resources and pay systems across the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard with a single, integrated, and secure online portal, heralding a new era of efficiency and transparency. The launch of IPPS-A was not merely an IT upgrade; it represents a fundamental pillar of the Army’s broader modernization strategy, a critical enabler for building the agile and data-driven force.

“With Personnel Action Requests, we are replacing the administrative guesswork of emails with the guaranteed transparency of real-time status updates, ensuring Soldiers are never left in the dark about the status of their actions,” said Col. Mary B. Divine, IPPS-A USAR Program Chief. “Soldiers will no longer have to wonder about their leave request or promotion packet; they can now follow its journey through every step of the approval process directly from their smartphone.”

This change is a muti-compo effort with the Active Component representatives from the Department of the Army, G1 leading development through the Functional Management Division (FMD). The Business System Architecture Division (BSAD) represents the Army Reserve and works to support the FMD, fostering a collaborative relationship to advocate for and defend Army Reserve interests in the representation, build and deployment of IPPS-A’s Human Resources and Pay system functionality.

“In the world of modern systems development, software is created and rolled out in phases. This iterative process … allows for continuous improvement based on valuable feedback from users,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris Akbaroff, Cross Functional Chief.“IPPS-A is a prime example of this methodology in action.”

Between April 1 to Sept. 30, 2025, IPPS-A released over 590 bug fixes or system enhancements. BSAD worked with the FMD in most if not all solutions. Even with the long list of achievements, the Army Reserve team remains focused on continuous improvement.

Recent system upgrades have delivered significant improvements to the promotion and assignment processes, directly benefiting the individual Soldier. The system now offers greater transparency by allowing Soldiers to view their own authoritative data. Key data is shared across multiple functions within the system, helping HR professionals make timely and accurate decisions. These changes reduce errors, eliminate frustrating data mismatches, and empower Soldiers with better visibility and control over their career progression.

For leaders and HR professionals, modernization is enhancing data accuracy and streamlining critical workflows. The system now automatically updates records when personnel actions are approved, eliminating hours of manual data entry and reducing the risk of human error. Dashboards have been significantly upgraded with new data and improved interfaces, giving leaders a clearer, more accurate picture of their formations to make better decisions. Furthermore, crucial updates to the DD-214 separation document process ensure that every Soldier’s record of service is generated correctly, securely, and transmitted accurately the first time.

Behind the scenes, the Army’s personnel system is becoming more intelligent and efficient. The assignments process has been updated to handle complex scenarios automatically, from generating the correct orders for transfers to intelligently managing job openings in the marketplace. By improving how different systems talk to each other and automating tasks that were previously manual, these upgrades are creating a more reliable and responsive platform. This ensures the right Soldier gets to the right place at the right time with greater accuracy and less administrative burden.

This newfound transparency is at the heart of the IPPS-A initiative, empowering Soldiers with unprecedented access to their own records and putting them in control of their careers.

“We know Soldier pay is one of the most valuable resources, and our top priority is to protect it. That’s why we are moving Army Military Pay into the new IPPS-A system in careful, deliberate stages,” said Master Sgt. Tiffinie Hampton, Pay & Benefits NCOIC. “Instead of changing everything at once, we are doing it step-by-step to ensure everything is right. For example, we started by moving death gratuity payments into IPPS-A in January 2026. Testing the system on a smaller scale first allows us to learn and apply those lessons as we expand.”

“This careful process ensures that when we move pay for larger groups, like TPU and Active Guard Reserve Soldiers, the system will be more reliable, and the risk of errors is minimized,” said Hampton. “We are committed to making sure your pay is handled correctly.”

From a strategic perspective, IPPS-A provides Army leadership with a comprehensive, real-time view of the entire force, a critical component of the Army’s “People First” strategy.

“The true value of this platform is providing our HR professionals with powerful new, easy to use capabilities, allowing them to deliver superior support through data-driven analytics to our Soldiers and commanders, which in turn directly strengthens the overall readiness of our force,” said Maj. Gen. Dianne Del Rosso, Deputy Chief of Army Reserve. “I am exceptionally pleased with the tremendous progress of the IPPS-A program, and I’m proud of the dedicated Soldiers and civilians who are the driving force behind this successful modernization of our personnel and talent management capabilities.”