ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Capt. Luis Avila, who has battled back from severe injuries suffered during his fifth combat deployment, inspiring many along the way, has been awarded one of the highest honors given to members of the military police.

“I can’t think of a more deserving soldier and member of our regiment to receive this honor,” Army Inspector General Lt. Gen. Donna Martin said as she presented Avila with the Order of the Marechaussee, silver, according to an Army news release. “Today, we are here because the impossible was made possible with faith, family, courage and prayers.”

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing two new podcasts in December, following a major relaunch of its “Army Matters” series.

First up in December is an episode titled “Twenty-four Hours’ Notice to Deploy to Afghanistan,” featuring Lt. Col. Jacob Helgestad, executive officer for the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing two new podcasts in November, following a major relaunch of its “Army Matters” series.

First up in November is a podcast featuring Raymond James Raymond, author of Elite Souls: Portraits of Valor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Units involved in the withdrawal from Afghanistan will be recognized for their service, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced.

“At President Biden’s direction, all units involved in the retrograde operation from Afghanistan, Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome will be awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation or its equivalent,” Austin said in a statement released Aug. 31.

The Association of the U.S. Army has joined with other military and veterans’ organizations in support of bipartisan legislation that expands Department of Veterans Affairs health care to more than 3.5 million veterans exposed to the toxic fumes of battlefield burn pits.

As debate swirls around the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a new paper published by the Association of the U.S. Army suggests that political and military leaders must examine all facets of the operation as they develop a strategy for future warfare.

A webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army will highlight the role of special operations forces during the past 20 years of war and their part in future warfare.

The Dec. 9 event, part of AUSA’s Thought Leaders series, will feature three authors who have written books about special operations troops. It will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern. The webinar is free, but registration is required here.

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing seven new podcast episodes in December, including exclusive interviews with paratroopers who deployed for the Afghanistan evacuation mission and a look at the role of hypersonic weapons on the future battlefield.

A new special podcast from the Association of the U.S. Army reveals the thoughts of 82nd Airborne Division leaders about the unprecedented Afghanistan evacuation mission they undertook in August.