the “sit rep” · the “sit rep” he arsenal of emocracy hapter of aa september 2018 edition...

THE “SIT REP” The Arsenal of Democracy Chapter of AUSA

SEPTEMBER 2018 EDITION

www.ausaarsenalofdemocracy.org

Greetings Everyone,

As we begin our Fall activities, please be aware that your Arsenal of Democracy Chapter Board of Directors (BoD) has been very busy planning some great events. Thanks for your involvement and support. I sincerely hope that all of you will continue to support our activities and encourage new members to join AUSA. Remember that our "Strength is in Numbers".

Please mark the following dates on your calendar and look for more e-mail messages about the following:

22 September 2018, Celebrate Michigan’s Military at DC3S, Sterling Heights

8-10 October 2018, AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

18 October 2018, Community Partner Luncheon (previously called the Corporate Luncheon) at the Detroit Athletic Club

28-29 November 2018, AUSA Autonomy Symposium at Cobo Halll, Detroit

Finally, I challenge each member to sign up one new member in our chapter. Membership is the key to our continued success. 2019 is shaping up to be a great year for our soldiers, families, Army civilians, retirees, veterans, and engaged citizens that we support.

Mark A. Montjar

Brigadier General, US Army Retired

President

Go Army! Hooaahhhhhhh!

In This Issue

President’s Letter ................................................ 1

Membership Update ........................................... 2

General Officer Announcements.…………………….3-4

Defense Appropriations……………..……….………...…..5

Military Benefits……………………..……..……………..……6

Upcoming Events…………………………………………..7-13

Members in the News and on the Move……….….14

2018 Calendar of Events .................................... 15




BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Current Membership: 1473 Expiring this month: 134

Numbers matter! Please take the time to renew your membership and invite friends and colleagues to

do the same. If you need to update your contact information, sign up, or renew your membership,

please contact us or visit http://www.ausa.org/membership/Pages/default.aspx

Tammy Kielian BG(Ret) Mark Montjar 810-845-3909 248-640-3472 [email protected] [email protected]

Executive Committee

President BG(Ret) Mark Montjar

Executive Vice President Ms. Susan Davis‐Kienscherf, BRTRC Federal Solutions

1st Vice President Ms. Tammy Kielian, Ace Electronic Defense Systems

2nd Vice President, Jessica S. Pellegrino, Pellegrino Consulting, Inc.

Treasurer LTC(Ret) Mike Bracket, assisted by his wife Linda

Secretary COL(Ret) Valde Garcia, KBRwyle

President Emeritus LTC (Ret) George Patten, PM Partners

Board of Directors

Stephen Couchman, Communications, Steambox

COL (Ret) Trish Sellers, Corporate Affairs, General Dynamics Land Systems

Ms. Mary Lamparter, Family Programs; Celebrate Michigan's Military, DC3S

COL (Ret) Gerhard Schröter, Govt. Affairs

COL (Ret) Dave Vergollo, ROTC, AECOM

COL (Ret) Joe Moravec, US Army Reserves & National Guard, Booz Allen Hamilton

Mr. Chris Haag, Emerging Leaders, BAE Systems

Mr. Jim Burrows, Secretary Emeritus

LTC (Ret) Sam Homsy, 2018 Annual Corporate Luncheon, Navistar Defense

LTC (Ret) Mario Musotto, 2018 Annual Breakfast Meeting

Mr. Doug Relyea, Golf Outings, Compaero

Mr. James R. Winlund, 2018 Army Birthday Ball Co‐Chair, BAE Systems

Thank you to this issue’s contributors: Mark Montjar, Mario Musotto, Jim Winlund, Valde Garcia, Doug Relyea, Cory Monson, and a special thanks to all who contributed photos.

http://www.ausa.org/membership/Pages/default.aspx

mailto:[email protected]





GENERAL OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS

4 September 2018 The Chief of Staff of the Army announces the following officer assignments:

Major General Rodney D. Fogg, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Operations, United States Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama to Commanding General, United States Army Combined Arms Support Command/Sustainment Center of Excellence and Fort Lee, Fort Lee, Virginia.

Major General Robert A. Karmazin, United States Army Reserve, Deputy Commander, Mobilization and Reserve Affairs (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida to Director, J7/9, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Brigadier General William B. Dyer, United States Army Reserve, Assistant Judge Advocate General, Operations (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the Judge Advocate General, Washington, District of Columbia to Commander, Rule of Law Field Force, and Commander, National Atlantic Treaty Organization, Rule of Law Field Support Mission, Afghanistan.

Brigadier General John B. Hashem, United States Army Reserve, Director (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Army Reserve Engagement Cell and Deputy Commanding General - Support, United States Army North, Fort Sam Houston, Texas to Deputy Director, J-5, United States Africa Command, Germany.

Brigadier General Susan E. Henderson, United States Army Reserve, Deputy Commanding General (Troop Program Unit), 79th Theater Sustainment Command, Los Alamitos, California to Director, CJ4, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, Kuwait.

Brigadier General John F. Hussey, United States Army Reserve, Commander (Troop Program Unit), Great Lakes Division, 75th Training Command, Fort Sheridan, Illinois to Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force-Guantanamo, United States Southern Command, Cuba.

Brigadier General Isaac Johnson Jr., United States Army Reserve, Chief of Staff (Troop Program Unit), 350th Civil Affairs Command, Pensacola, Florida to Director of Civil Affairs and Civilian Operations, C9, United States Forces Korea, Korea.

Brigadier General Robert G. Michnowicz, United States Army Reserve, Deputy Commanding General (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia to Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Intelligence (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), J-2, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Brigadier General Christopher O. Mohan, Commanding General, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Operations, United States Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.




GENERAL OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS CONT.

Colonel (Promotable) James M. Smith, Executive Officer to the Commander, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois to Commanding General, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The following officer was confirmed by the Senate on 20 August 2018:

Lieutenant General John M. Murray, United States Army, for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as Commanding General, United States Army Futures Command, Austin, Texas. He is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, United States Army, Washington, DC.

The following officers were confirmed by the Senate on 31 July 2018:

Lieutenant General Stephen R. Lyons, United States Army, for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as Commander, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He is currently serving as Director for Logistics, J-4, Joint Staff, Washington, DC.

Lieutenant General Stephen M. Twitty, United States Army, for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as Deputy Commander, United States European Command, Germany. He is currently serving as Commanding General, First United States Army, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois.

Major General James F. Pasquarette, United States Army, for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, United States Army, Washington, DC. He is currently serving as Commanding General, United States Army Japan/Commanding General, I Corps (Forward), Japan.

In accordance with leadership guidance, a redacted copy of the Memorandum of Instruction is available for professional development, mentoring, and understanding of the characteristics and experiences desired in future Army senior leaders. The MOI is in the Documents Section of the GOMO website at:https://www.gomo.army.mil/Ext/Portal/Resources/References.aspx.

https://www.gomo.army.mil/Ext/Portal/Resources/References.aspx




DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS 2019

Report of the Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations Volumes 1 and 2 of 3 This Volume 1 report is the first of three volumes of the Section 809 Panel’s Final Report and continues

the panel’s mandate for making recommendations to streamline acquisition. To date, the efforts of the panel have proven to be highly productive, and outreach efforts continue to generate hundreds of ideas for improving acquisition that the panel is diligently investigating.

https://section809panel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sec809Panel_Vol1-Report_Jan18_REVISED_2018

-03-14.pdf

This Volume 2 Report builds on the Section 809 Panel’s previous policy recommendations by offering an introductory paper on the tenets of a viable defense acquisition system aimed at improving the existing over-managed system to more readily meet warfighter needs. This report represents an overview of the state of the system now and offers a vision for the future. Volume 2 also contains recommendations relat‐ed to the acquisition workforce, commercial source selection, the Cost Accounting Standards Board, and services contracting as well as further discussion of the Dynamic Marketplace concept and a section on decluttering Title 10 of the U.S Code.

The Section 809 panel is recommending the Defense Department elevate the role program executive officers play in acquisition by giving them more power over program decisions and funding within their capability portfolios.

https://section809panel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sec809Panel_Vol2-Report_June18.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2019

SUMMARY OF THE BILL The Committee recommendation of $667,980,036,000 includes funding to devel‐op, maintain, and equip the military forces of the United States and for other purposes. The fiscal year 2019 budget request for activities funded in the Department of Defense appropriations bill totals $668,409,933,000 in new budget authority, including $68,078,580,000 in overseas contingency operations funding and $514,000,000 in mandatory spending.

https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY2019%20Defense%20Appropriations%20Act,%

20Report%20115-290.pdf

The U.S. House of Representatives on June 29th approved the fiscal year 2019 Defense Appropriations bill. The legislation funds the Department of Defense – including operations, readiness, equipment moderni‐zation, and health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families. The legislation provides a total of $674.6 billion for the Department of Defense. This includes $606.5 billion in base discretionary funding – an increase of $17.1 billion above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. The bill also provides $68.1 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)/Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) funding. This funding level is consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act which was approved by the House last month, as well as the recently enacted budget agreement. The legislation also includes a 2.6% pay raise for the military, the largest in nine years.

https://section809panel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sec809Panel_Vol1-Report_Jan18_REVISED_2018-03-14.pdf





https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY2019%20Defense%20Appropriations%20Act,%20Report%20115-290.pdf






GOVERNMENT ISSUES NOTICES ABOUT MILITARY BENEFITS

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Two important benefits changes have been announced in Washington, D.C., that could affect many Association of the U.S. Army members or their friends.

One involves dental and vision care coverage for families of active-duty service members, military retirees and their families, with 5.4 million Tricare beneficiaries affected. For military retirees and their families, the Tricare Retiree Dental Program expires Dec. 31. They may enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program, known as FEDVIP, but to have coverage in 2019 they must enroll during an open season that begins Nov. 12 and ends Dec. 10. Details are available at https://tricare.mil/coveredservices/benefitupdates/archives/07_17_18_fedvip_plans.

Active-duty family members, and reserve members and their families, may also be eligible for the federal vision coverage. To have benefits in 2019, they also must sign up during the enrollment window.

The second change is a tax refund that may be owed to up to 130,000 veterans who received a disability severance payment from the Defense Department since 1991. The refund results from what DoD and the IRS have determined is an overpayment of taxes.

DoD is mailing notices to affected veterans, who must apply to the IRS for refunds. Details on how to apply and how much money to expect are included in the letter, but defense officials said a veteran could receive up to $3,200.

Details on the tax refund are available from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at https://www.dfas.mil/dsp_irs.html.

https://tricare.mil/coveredservices/benefitupdates/archives/07_17_18_fedvip_plans

https://tricare.mil/coveredservices/benefitupdates/archives/07_17_18_fedvip_plans

https://www.dfas.mil/dsp_irs.html

https://www.dfas.mil/dsp_irs.html




UPCOMING EVENT— HELP FOR OUR DISABLED TROOPS

15TH ANNUAL INJURED VETERANS FUNDRAISER

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:

ARMY SSG. TRAVIS MILLS (RET) WWW.PRHSPEAKERS.COM

OCTOBER 6, 2018

AMERICAN POLISH CULTURAL CENTER IN TROY $60 DONATION

Doors open at 4PM TICKETS NOW ON SALE

FOR INFORMATION – DAN HIGGINS (248) 504-9843 or email – [email protected]

http://WWW.PRHSPEAKERS.COM




UPCOMING EVENT— A CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR PETERS




UPCOMING EVENT— CELEBRATE MICHIGAN’S MILITARY

Registration link: http://conta.cc/2mqA4PH

POC: Mary Lamparter [email protected]

http://conta.cc/2mqA4PH




UPCOMING EVENT — COMMUNITY PARTNER LUNCH

Our Corporate Annual Luncheon has a new name: Community Partner Luncheon!

SAVE-THE DATE and REGISTER EARLY: The AUSA Annual Community Partner Luncheon (formerly known as Annual Corporate Luncheon) will be on 18 October 2019 at the Detroit Athletic Club from 1100-1400., 241 Madison Street, Detroit, MI. This great networking opportunity is held yearly to recognize our community partners as well as honor those earning "Of-the-Year" (OTY) awards including the TACOM Civilian OTY, TACOM NCO OTY, Volunteer Family OTY, MI Army National Guard Soldier and NCO OTY. This year’s Keynote Speaker is MG Brian Cummings, PEO GCS. Individual Registration is $75 ($50 for government and military). Table of 10 Sponsorship is $800 (Comes with table recognition and recognition from the podium) POC for Questions is Sam Homsy at [email protected] or 586-859-1124.

Looking forward to seeing you there! Register at: https://conta.cc/2PB2fIk


https://conta.cc/2PB2fIk




UPCOMING EVENT—100 YEARS of HEROES

November 10, 2018

Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, MI

Michigan’s Military and Space Heroes Museum, together with Military Families United, is hosting this “100 Years of Heroes” dinner gala event. Join us as we honor our state’s current service personnel and veterans on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One. This event will include a Hometown Heroes display showcasing the stories of Metro Detroit Area members of our armed forces who have served our country during the past century. Frank Beckmann will be the Master of Ceremonies for this event, which will feature SSG Travis Mills as the keynote speaker and music performed by “The Governors Own” 126 Army Band. Ticket cost is $150 each.

Doors will open at 5:00 PM with a cocktail hour during which the displays may be viewed. Guests will be seated by 6:30 PM for the beginning of the program and dinner. The formal after-dinner program will begin shortly after 8:00 PM and conclude by 9:30 PM.

Net proceeds from the event will be used to support the operations and programs of the organizers, both of which are nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Visit Military Families United for more information: http://www.militaryfamiliesunited.org/events/100-years-of-heroes/

Organizer Michigan's Military & Space Heroes Museum and Military Families United

Organizer of 100 Years of Heroes

Every day the Michigan's Military & Space Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, MI shares the personal stories of heroism, leadership and sacrifice - sometimes the ultimate sacrifice - of ordinary Michigan men and women thrust into the extraordinary circumstances of war. The museum believes that sharing this heritage is vital to understanding our past and preserving our future.

Military Families United is a Michigan organization that Honors The Fallen, Supports Those Who Fight, and Serves Their Families. The National Gold Star Family registry, a program of Military Families United, contains the first comprehensive on-line database of all who have died on the battlefield since WWII. By allowing family members and friends to leave tributes about their loved-ones lives, this website ensures their memories live on and future generations will know their stories. It is important that others know not just that they died in a War but how they lived!

http://www.militaryfamiliesunited.org/events/100-years-of-heroes/

http://www.militaryfamiliesunited.org/events/100-years-of-heroes/

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/michigans-military-amp-space-heroes-museum-and-military-families-united-17627157375




UPCOMING EVENT— VETERANS’ DAY SERVICE

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul will host its 55th Veterans’ Day Service at the Cathedral on Sunday, November 11th, 2018 at 4:00 pm. The emphasis of this service is thanks-giving – an expression of our profound appreciation for all who have served the pursuit of freedom and peace in service to their country, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background. To this end, we include all who have served in the armed forces of the United States, Canada and our Allied Nations. We also honor those who serve in state and local police and fire departments. This year, they will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11th 1918, which once was called Armistice Day, but now is referred to as Veterans’ Day. Our speaker to help us remember this most important historic event, celebrating the end of the war to end all wars, will be the Dean of our Cathedral, The Very Rev. S. Scott Hunter, D.Min. If you have never attended one of these services, we urge you to do so. From the solemn procession accompanied by bagpipes and organ, to the bugler’s playing of Taps and Last Post, to the concluding hymn, you’ll find it both moving and inspiring, and a fitting tribute to all those who have served our country. A reception with light refreshments will follow the service.

If you and members of your Veterans’ Organization would like to participate as a group, please contact them so that appropriate arrangements can be made. It is very important that you contact them in advance. You can email at [email protected], you can also call the Cathedral office at 313-831-5000 and ask to speak with Cindy Greening, or you are welcome to contact Bob Prout at 586-242-8181. Participating groups need to arrive by 3:00 pm and gather in Barth Hall at the Cathedral.

The Cathedral is located in the heart of Detroit’s midtown Cultural Center. It is easily accessed by proceeding a few blocks west on Warren from the I-75 Warren exit (first exit south of I-94). Free, lighted parking is available behind the Cathedral, accessible from East Warren Avenue via Cathedral Lane.





UPCOMING EVENT— ARMY AUTONOMY & AI SYMPOSIUM

Online Pre-Registration National Partner – $550 Community/Individual AUSA Member $600

Onsite Registration National Partner – $700 Community/Individual AUSA Member $750

If you would like to sponsor this event, or present a Tech Ten, contact any of the following:

BG (Ret) Mark Montjar - [email protected]

Susan Davis-Kienscherf - [email protected]

Jessica Pellegrino - [email protected]




MEMBERS IN THE NEWS AND ON THE MOVE

Congratulations to Arsenal of Democracy new board member, Stephen Couchman. Steve will serve as our Director of Communications. He is creator of STEAMBOX Educational Services, LLC. Additionally, he is the CEO of LivePicture, a highly-successful experiential events and consulting company that provides state-of-the-art interactive solutions. Steve will work with the Communications Committee and will take over as Publisher of the SIT REP.

Mr. Alan Parks graduated from the U.S. Army War College on June 8th, 2018. During his time there studying National Security Strategy and Policy, he also served as the Captain of the Army War College's Trap Shooting Team, leading them to 2nd Place in the Jim Thorpe Sports Competition against the other Senior Service Colleges. His support as an AUSA Arsenal of Democracy Chapter member led him to assist the Carlisle based Cumberland Valley AUSA Chapter with hosting weekly moderated movie sessions at the Strategic Arts Film Program in concert with the Army's Historic Education Center. A proud graduating member of Seminar 16 and the premier National Security Policy course, Mr. Parks will use these skills to lead inside the Army through his new assignment as the Deputy Operations Director for the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management.

Congratulations to AUSA member Andy Stass and his family. His son Michael Stass was commissioned as a Regular Army (RA) officer as a Distinguished Military Student (DMS) and Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG). He has been assigned to the 101st Airborne division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He is assigned to the Second Brigade, which is ear‐marked for a rotation to Syria in 2019. He is currently attending Basic Leadership Course (BLC) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning is the Maneuver Center Of Excellence (MCOE), home of the US Army Infantry and US Army Armor Corps.




2018 Calendar of Events

Sept. 17 A Conversation with Sen. Gary Peters Macomb Community College Clinton Twp., MI Sept. 22 Celebrate Michigan’s Military DC3S Sterling Heights, MI Oct. 8-9 AUSA Arsenal of Democracy Hospitality Receptions Washington, D.C. Oct. 8-10 AUSA Annual meeting Washington D.C. Oct. 18 AUSA Community Partners Luncheon Detroit Athletic Club Detroit, MI Nov. 10 100 Years of Heroes Suburban Collection Showplace Novi, MI Nov. 28-29 AUSA Army Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Symposium and Exposition Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI Dec. 15 Wreaths Across America Resurrection Cemetery

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