Webinar: Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace by Association of the United States Army

Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace

About

AUSA’s Noon Report Webinar series invites you to join us on Tuesday, 21 February 2023, at 12:00 EST to hear a presentation by Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia, author of Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace. Bellavia will share how the bonds with his platoon motivated him to clear an enemy stronghold in Fallujah—and how reuniting with the unit 15 years later for the medal ceremony helped them all grapple with the legacy of the Iraq War.

WEBINAR ENDED

Agenda

1145-1200: Log-on
1200: Opening remarks by LTG Leslie Smith, Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA
1205-1225: Presentation by Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia, author of Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace
1225-1245: Question & Answer Session with SSG David Bellavia & SMA Dan Dailey, U.S. Army Retired, Vice President NCO & Soldier Programs, AUSA
1250: Closing remarks by LTG Leslie Smith, Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA

Presenters

David Bellavia

Staff Sergeant

Staff Sergeant David Bellavia is the only Iraq War veteran to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Surrounded by his family and every living member of his Task Force, he was awarded this honor on 25 June 2019 in recognition of his heroic efforts during the Third Battle of Fallujah in 2004. He served in three military campaigns: Kosovo 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom I and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He returned home in 2005 and founded the advocacy organization Vets for Freedom, but in 2006 and 2008 he went back to Iraq as an embedded reporter. It was during these years that he wrote his first book, House to House, a first-hand military account that details his experiences in Fallujah. In 2019, he founded Deuce Deuce Relief Fund, which supports the Soldiers of his former Task Force 2-2 in Iraq. He wrote his second book, Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace, in 2022.

SMA Dan Dailey, U.S. Army Retired

Vice President NCO & Soldiers Programs, AUSA

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, U.S. Army retired, joined the staff of the Association of the U.S. Army, where he serves as vice president of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs.
A native of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, Dailey enlisted in the Army in 1989 and attended basic training and advanced individual training as an 11B (infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia. During his career, Dailey held every enlisted leadership position in the mechanized infantry, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander to command sergeant major. Dailey has served with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions stateside and overseas. In March 2009, he was selected as the 4th Infantry Division command sergeant major, where he served as both the command sergeant major of Fort Carson, Colorado, and U.S. Division‐North, Iraq. In 2011, Dailey was selected to serve as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Dailey was sworn in as the 15th sergeant major of the Army on Jan. 30, 2015, and relinquished the position on Aug. 9, 2019.
In addition to four tours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, Dailey deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He earned the Bronze Star with Valor for his leadership during the 4th Infantry Division’s two‐month Battle for Sadr City in 2008.
Dailey is a graduate of class 54 of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the Command Sergeants Major Course. Dailey holds a Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Excelsior College.
Dailey has been married to his wife, Holly, for 26 years. They have one son, Dakota.

LTG Leslie Smith, U.S. Army Retired

Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA

Lieutenant General Leslie C. Smith, US Army (retired) currently serves as the Vice President for Leadership and Education, Association of the United States Army, the Carter Chair for leadership at Georgia Southern, LV Smith Corporate Group CEO, and on several corporate boards. LTG Smith received his commission from Georgia Southern University (GSU) in 1983 as a Field Artillery Officer. In 1985, he graduated from GSU with a bachelor's degree in accounting and as a distinguished military graduate and branched as a Chemical Officer.

LTG Smith's final assignment on active duty from 2018 to 2021 was as The Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Army, the first Chemical officer to serve in that position. His early assignments include service in the Georgia National Guard; Chemical Staff officer in the 3-52d Air Defense Artillery Battalion; Division and DIVARTY staff officer and company commander in the 82d Airborne Division; Chemical Branch Assignments Officer, PERSCOM; S-3 and XO in the 23d Chemical Battalion; and the Joint Staff, J-5. In 2001, he assumed command of the 83d Chemical Battalion, where elements of the Battalion deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

Following command, he served on the Army Staff in the G-8 in the Full Dimensional Protection Division. In 2005, he assumed command of the 3d Chemical Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later served as the G-3, 20th Support Command (CBRNE). From 2008-2010, he was the 25th Chief of Chemical and Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. In 2010, LTG Smith returned to the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) as the Commanding General. In June 2013, LTG Smith became the first Chemical officer to serve as the Commanding General of the United States Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. He served as the Deputy the Inspector General from 2015 to 2018.

His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Command and General Staff.

LTG Smith also holds master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the National Defense University and is married to Vanedra, and they have two daughters.

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