In Simon Sinek’s book “The Infinite Game” he contrasts the idea of infinite and finite games as it relates to organizational operational philosophy and culture. Although I am not a fan of the term game as it relates to the Army; in the context of the book’s central idea it is an effective metaphor. The United States Army is in fact an infinite game, meaning the organization will outlive each of us and continue to grow with no established finish line or time horizon. In contrast a Soldier’s career, assignments, firefights, even operational campaigns are finite games within the infinite game of the United States Army. The finite game has a start and ending...

Soldier records management is a critical component of Army Human Resources. Accurate records ensure Soldiers are paid properly, promoted on time, and marketable when broadening and developmental assignments are available.

One of the most valuable documents in every Soldier’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)/Army Military Human Resources Record (AMHRR) is the Record Brief. In the past, this document had multiple versions and form numbers. Now, the Automated Record Brief (ARB) has replaced the Officer Record Brief (ORB), Enlisted Record Brief (ERB), Personnel Qualification Record (DA Form 2A/B) and the DA Form 2-1 as the single source document for promotion boards and other Personnel Actions Guide (PAG) items.

In addition, the ARB and its accuracy will be crucial for a seamless transition to the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A). Currently slated for a Q3 FY 2021 launch, IPPS-A will bring Army HR into the 21st century, updating many of our current procedures for the first time in half a century.

In November, our very own 95th Division Association traveled to France to take part in some key commemorations. As many of you know our Division played a critical role in the liberation of France during World War II, and this year marks the 75th anniversary. The 95th Infantry Division consisted of approximately 14,000 Soldiers. After being called to active duty they deployed in August of 1944 to France where they liberated more than 439 towns and cities during their nearly 12 month deployment including Dortmund, which was Germany’s ninth largest city. The 95th Division is credited with killing or wounding 15,276 German soldiers and capturing 31,988. Eliminating 47,264 German soldiers came at extreme costs with the 95th Division suffering 6,591 casualties—almost half the Division. Every five years, the association, led by Major General (Retired) James Archer—former commanding general of the 95th Training Division (IET)—along with current and past members of the Division travel to France to help honor the brave service members that fought battles in Metz and the Lorraine region.

Similarities in the two jobs abound. “I get to positively motivate, educate and interact with people from different areas.” Trooper Grauzer said, “Every experience is a learning opportunity, and I go to places I never thought I would go. Both jobs have a chain of command with rules and regulations to follow. I have to multitask, be proactive and physically and mentally ready for the unexpected.”

A DPS trooper for nine years, he investigates vehicular crashes and works traffic enforcement and criminal investigations anywhere in Texas.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit 3rd Brigade, 98th Training Division (IET). I had a great trip meeting the staff, gaining a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by the brigade, and meeting with the 98th Alumni Association at their monthly luncheon.

In late November, Brig. Gen. Tony Wright traveled to New York. After meeting with 3rd Brigade leaders in Buffalo, the Commanding General had the opportunity to meet with the 98th Training Division Alumni Association at their monthly luncheon in Rochester, New York. Brig. Gen. Wright not only greeted the active group of veterans, but gave them a status of the Division briefing.

The alumni association includes Soldiers from all ranks across the 98th Training Division, but also is also a welcome group to a number of veterans from other units and services across the Department of Defense.

Task Force Marshall leaders welcomed new sergeants into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps during an NCO Induction Ceremony in Eastover, South Carolina on November 19, 2019.

An NCO Induction Ceremony is a ceremonial tradition that is separate from the promotion itself and serves as a rite of passage for those Soldiers joining the ranks of the professional Noncommissioned Officer Corps, according to the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).

It’s nearly impossible to escape the changes in our society and in our daily lives. Our Army is no different. Uncertainty seems to be everywhere (leadership and organizational change, new ACFT, budget unpredictability, etc.). Leaders in all levels of our organization are not exempt or immune from volatile changes. And though the Army has employed and adopted strategies, doctrines, and models to assist leaders with mapping the known and unknowns in uncertain environments (AAR’s, risk management, etc..), leaders must continue to lead in uncertain times.

As a Soldier and leader for over 30 years I am constantly asked about the benefits of serving this nation. Many of these questions come from young adults deciding on their future or from Soldiers considering their options when re-enlisting or deciding to leave the Service. There are a number of reasons and benefits for serving to include protecting your country’s liberty and freedom, improving yourself and learning new skills, and giving back to a country that has given us so much.

ARMU | Sept. 19, 2019

Fort Knox, Ky. — Soldiers of the 2-397th (104th Training Division) conducted a Leader Training event called Sharpened Steel at Fort Knox to hone skills necessary to Soldiers and leaders. The Hatchet Battalion successfully completed two Excellence In Competition events with several Soldiers earning permanent awards for their superior performance.

Holding both pistol and rifle versions of Service Conditions (Combat) Excellence In Competition events at Fort Knox, the pistol event resulted in one Soldier being awarded the EIC Bronze Pistol badge and the rifle event had two Soldiers achieving the distinction. This was the first time the Hatchet Battalion held either event and their command reports a heightened Soldier interest growing as a result.

One of the oldest branches in the US Army is interestingly, a group of noncombatants; the Chaplain Corps, officially recognized on July 29, 1775. The US military not only recognized the importance of Chaplaincy from the very beginning, but continues to build and equip the Chaplain corps, which is the largest in the world. There are close to three thousand Chaplains serving in the three components of the US Army.

What is a Chaplain? What does a Chaplain do? This article is to answer these questions, and hopefully one will better understand the role of a Chaplain

In 2018, 1-398 Basic Combat Training faced multiple challenging issues.  One of the last battalions in the 108th for readiness, recruiting was non-existent, retention was worse, and morale was dismal.  These facts were backed up by the 104th Monthly Unit Report Card (MURC).  1-398 was second from the bottom in the division for readiness.  The 2018 Command Climate Survey indicated dismal morale, as well as multiple SHARP and EO issues.  Many Soldiers hated their jobs, their unit, or both.  Non-participant and unsatisfactory participant numbers were high, and Soldiers were requesting transfers out of the unit in droves.

Interview By Sgt. 1st Class Darleen G. Adkins, Public Affairs NCO 104th Division (LT)

They came together as a team in June of 2018 and 1st Sgt. Carrie Kavanaugh and Maj. Zachary Abrams have been a collaborative, complementary force ever since. Although their paths have been divergent on their way to this position, their foundations and ideologies are remarkably similar.

Born in Oxford, Nebraska and growing up in Beaver City, Kavanaugh lived in a city of just over 600, graduating High School with a tri-county combined class of 47, while Abrams was born and raised in the “big city” of Tucson, Arizona and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Both Soldiers however, had family members that went before them in military service, with Kavanaugh loving the military from a young age and Abrams deciding while he was in high school to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

The year 2019 has been an eventful and gratifying one for the 108th Griffon Association. Much has been accomplished. Most satisfying was financial assistance to a Soldier of a 108th Tng Cmd unit, who was injured in a training accident, with a subsequent delay in the INCAP pay determination, which resulted in a family financial crisis. The Association provided him and his family with several thousand dollars in grants to sustain them until the military relief was implemented.

Grab those wooden mallets because it’s time to chase down the delicate, sweet seafood flavor of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and in Kent County, on Maryland’s Upper Eastern Shore, the supply is plentiful and the tradition of celebrating the season is lively.

Home to 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches, emerald green waters, 320 days of sunshine annually and a year-round calendar of exciting events, Panama City Beach is beloved by travelers of all types seeking an affordable beach vacation. The destination has something for everyone, from voluntourism seekers, eco-adventurers, adrenaline chasers and foodies to couples and families looking to make lasting memories.

The popular mountain getaway of Hendersonville, North Carolina — long known for its apple orchards and charming downtown — has emerged as a hot spot for wine enthusiasts. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain countryside provides a peaceful oasis to sip quality wines while taking in long-range views.

Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Hendersonville beckons travelers looking to disconnect from daily worries and reconnect with each other and the natural world.

Just north of the Mason Dixon Line, close to the midpoint of the Great Appalachian Valley, is Franklin County PA. It is home to history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. With four-seasons of family-fun and outdoor recreation, Franklin County getaways refresh and energize.