AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

History often remembers the invasion: the beaches, the Soldiers, and the first waves crashing ashore on D-Day. But in the days before Allied forces reached Normandy, another battle was unfolding behind closed doors. A battle of judgment, uncertainty, and leadership under immense pressure.  

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with filmmaker Anthony Maras, director, co-writer, editor, and producer of Pressure, now in theaters. This historical thriller focuses on the 72 tense hours before D-Day and the difficult decisions that faced General Dwight D. Eisenhower and meteorologist Captain James Stagg. The film examines a rarely considered side of history: decision making in times of uncertainty with millions of lives hanging in the balance.   

Known for building tension through films rooted in real events, including Hotel Mumbai, Maras discusses leadership under emotional pressure, how to make slow-moving weather patterns thrilling, and what really happened in the moments leading up to D-Day.

Guest: Anthony Maras, Director, Pressure

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 podcast@ausa.org. 

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, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with SGM (Ret.) Mark Reilly, founder of The Washington Tattoo, a large-scale musical production designed to be a unifying voice at the intersection of music, history, and national identity. What began as a vision to create world-class performances has grown into a platform that supports servicemembers, veterans, first responders, and their families—particularly those facing the effects of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. 

Reilly shares how his background with the Army’s Old Guard shaped The Washington Tattoo, explains what a military tattoo is, and reveals the unexpected healing power of music.  

The Washington Tattoo will perform in Washington D.C. on July 17-18.

Find out more at: https://www.thewashingtontattoo.com

Guest:  SGM Mark Reilly, U.S. Army Retired, President and CEO, The Washington Tattoo

Also Happening: The Warrior Games
The Warrior Games is an annual event, first held in 2010, that celebrates the resiliency and dedication of military service members. The Warrior Games will be livestreamed on June 13-20th from San Antonio, TX. Click below to learn more. 

Link: https://dodwarriorgames.com/ 

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 podcast@ausa.org. 

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, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTG (Ret.) Patricia Horoho to reflect on her experience responding firsthand to the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11 and the leadership that emerged in those first critical moments. 

2026 marks 25 years since the attack, and her heroism will be remembered during the National Memorial Day Concert held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in D.C. on Sunday, May 24th. 

Trained in trauma nursing and mass casualty response, Patty Horoho reflects on her 33 years of service—from nearly leaving the Army, to rising through the ranks to become the first nurse and first woman to serve as the Army’s Surgeon General. Now continuing her service through initiatives like 2Serve Together, Horoho remains focused on supporting military families and strengthening the broader community. 

National Memorial Day Concert: https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/ 

Guest:  LTG Patricia D. Horoho, U.S. Army Retired, Founder and President, 2Serve Together and AUSA Senior Fellow

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 podcast@ausa.org. 

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, 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 podcast@ausa.org. 

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 podcast@ausa.org.

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.