The Stories of the Pacific episodes bring together seven Soldiers whose experiences reflect the depth, diversity and purpose of the U.S. Army in the Indo-Pacific, where the Army operates in a complex and rapidly changing environment.   Our co-hosts sat down at AUSA’s LANPAC event in Hawaii back in May to meet incredible leaders in the U.S. Army Pacific Command, from junior enlisted to more senior levels.  Their voices represent the Total Army and provide an authentic look at service in one of the most important regions in the world.  In the first of two episodes, they speak with SFC Sarah Nelms, a PHD candidate who deployed four times as a member of the Army National Guard, COL Khalid Shabazz, a Muslim Chaplain whose life was transformed in the Army, and SSG Gage Smith, a top Army Recruiter excelling at connecting people with their calling.  Guest: Part 1 with Soldiers from the U.S. Army Pacific Command 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 (https://www.ausa.org/podcast/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 (http://www.ausa.org/donate) .  Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org (mailto: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.

​AUSA Volunteers: Join AUSA

​AUSA Volunteers: Join AUSA (Subtitles)

Seven Soldiers. Diverse perspectives. One shared purpose across the Indo-Pacific. 🌊🇺🇸 At LANPAC in Hawaii, our Army Matters co-hosts sat down with members of the U.S. Army Pacific Command for an authentic look at service at every level of the Total Army. In Episode 1, releasing Wednesday, Oct. 7, you'll hear from: 🎙️ Sgt. 1st Class Sarah Nelms — doctoral candidate and four-time Army National Guard deployer 🎙️ Col. Khalid Shabazz — Army chaplain 🎙️ Staff Sgt. Gage Smith — top Army recruiter Subscribe to Army Matters on YouTube or your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode! #USARPAC #ArmyMatters #LANPAC #USArmy #IndoPacific #Military #Podcast #Shorts

AUSA's Coffee Series presents: LTG Johnny Davis, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Commanding General September 29, 2026 AUSA Conference & Event Center 2425 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 United States

Military pride often co-exists with isolation. Maj. Jake Kelly joins #ArmyMatters to discuss breaking the cycle of carrying loss alone and finding real connection after service. Listen now at the link in the comments.  #Shorts #MentalHealth #Grief #Podcast

Where do Soldiers turn when grief becomes too heavy to carry alone?  After losing three fellow Soldiers in one year, Maj. Jake Kelly turned to poetry to process his trauma. Now, he’s opening up about his journey and his new book, "The Spurs of Service," on the latest episode of Army Matters. 🎧 Listen to the full episode at the link in the comments. #ArmyMatters #AUSA #MentalHealth #Grief #Shorts

The Army teaches Soldiers how to fight, lead and endure. But what happens when the mission ends, and the weight of service remains?  In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Major Jake Kelly, an Armor Officer, Army Strategist and author of The Spurs of Service, a collection of poetry inspired by military service, loss, leadership and healing.  After losing a fellow Soldier to suicide, and losing two close friends in the Army as well, all in the same year, Kelly spent a long time carrying a grief that he struggled to explain, even to the people closest to him. Writing became a way to process these experiences; and that writing eventually led to a book that has resonated with Soldiers, veterans, spouses and military families alike.  Drawing parallels between the lives of Soldiers and cowboys, The Spurs of Service explores sacrifice, duty, resilience, brotherhood and the emotional cost of a life spent serving others. Guest:  MAJ Jake Kelly, U.S. Army Author, The Spurs of Service Poetry Readings: CSM(R) Robert V. Abernethy, Senior Director, NCO & Soldier Programs, AUSA Interested In Purchasing The Spurs of Service? It can be found at Sawdust Publishing (https://sawdustpublishing.com/product/the-spurs-of-service/?v=0b3b97fa6688) and Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Inspirational-Collection-Military-Softcover-Veterans/dp/B0G5LXN1BK/) .  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 (https://www.ausa.org/podcast/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 (http://www.ausa.org/donate) .  Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org (mailto: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.