AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTC Armand Balboni, a U.S. Army officer whose career spans military service, biomedical science, law, academia and executive leadership in the private sector. 

Balboni’s journey did not begin with certainty. Told early on that he was not college material; he enlisted in the Coast Guard after high school—an experience that would ultimately give him the confidence to pursue higher education, earning an MD, PhD and a law degree. He held a successful civilian career as an innovator in medicine, but in search of more, LTC Balboni rejoined the Army Reserve, where he now works within the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). As the Deputy Director of the Advanced Capabilities Directorate, he helps bridge the gap between industry and the military—translating real-world needs into actionable solutions. Whether working with partners across Africa or advancing lifesaving technologies like freeze-dried plasma, his mission remains constant: reducing the time between innovation and impact.

Guest:  
LTC Armand L. Balboni, J.D., M.D., Ph.D., U.S. Army Reserve
Deputy Director, Advanced Capabilities Directorate
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

"My Country, My Story" 2026 Writing and Art Contest
Winners will receive a $100 gift card and public recognition on the podcast, AUSA social media and at AUSA's Annual Meeting in DC that attracts 40K attendees.

Find out more: https://www.ausa.org/education/writing-and-artwork-contest

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. 

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. 

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at [email protected]. 

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with BG Maurice “Moe” Barnett, Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command. From growing up in Gary, Indiana, to leading the Army’s largest commissioning source, BG Barnett reflects on the mentors, missteps, and moments that shaped his 31-year journey. 

He speaks candidly about nearly leaving the Army after his initial obligation, the life-changing impact of battery command, and the lessons learned from both hard corrections and compassionate leadership. Barnett challenges young Soldiers and cadets not to treat service as a temporary obligation, but to “put all your chips in the middle of the table” and give their full commitment to the profession.  

Guest: BG Maurice Barnett, Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command

Army ROTC: https://armyrotc.army.mil/

Go Army ROTC: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc 

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. 

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at [email protected].

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Sgt. (Ret.) Rick Yarosh travels the country with Sweethearts & Heroes, speaking primarily to students about hope, empathy, resilience, and the idea that none of us succeed alone. He now describes the tragedy that brought him this wisdom as “the best thing that ever happened” to him. 

In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a retired U.S. Army cavalry scout, Purple Heart recipient, nationally recognized speaker, and author. Deployed to Iraq in 2005, Yarosh was serving near the Abu Ghraib prison when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck an improvised explosive device on September 1, 2006, leaving him with severe burns on over more than 60 percent of his body and resulting in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. This conversation is not only about that day, but also about service, recovery and hope.

Guest: SGT Rick Yarosh, U.S. Army Retired, Co-Founder and H.O.P.E. Expert, Sweethearts & Heroes

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. 

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at [email protected].

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

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

In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Battle of Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan. Drawing from a career shaped by family service, mentorship, and combat leadership, Romesha reflects on what prepared him long before that day, and what followed after.

From the mindset of young Soldiers deployed to an isolated and vulnerable position, to the reality of continuing combat operations for nine months after losing teammates, Romesha offers an unfiltered look at leadership under extreme pressure, rebuilding trust, and the responsibility after service. 

Guests: SSG Clint Romesha, United States Army Retired, Medal of Honor Recipient

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. 

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at [email protected].

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

When it comes to readiness, the careers of Army spouses are sometimes overlooked, but the balance required to maintain economic stability and quality of life within the family is often tested through frequent moves, disrupted careers and hard choices made quietly in the background. 

In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Elizabeth O’Brien and Josh Fugate to share how Hiring Our Heroes is moving the ball forward for military spouses in their work lives. Liz is a military spouse, former college basketball coach and senior leader at Hiring Our Heroes who spearheaded fellowship programs that match military spouses with employers. Josh is a program participant whose newfound career portability is paying dividends. Today, we hear how Liz’s journey from coaching at West Point and leading college basketball programs to restarting her career after seven moves in nine years, forced professional setbacks that inspired a legacy.

Guests:

Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior Vice President, Hiring Our Heroes

Josh Fugate, Army Spouse and Career Forward Participant, Hiring Our Heroes

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. 

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at [email protected].

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.