Shreveport resident selected as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army

By U.S. Army Public AffairsMarch 4, 2020

Shreveport resident selected as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army
H.T. “Ted” Cox, left, receives a CASA certificate from Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army at an investiture ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo Credit: Sgt. James Harvey) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON -- The Honorable Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army, appointed H.T. "Ted" Cox as a new Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army during an investiture ceremony on Feb. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Cox, a resident of Shreveport, will represent Northern Louisiana.

"I am greatly honored that Ted has agreed to serve in our CASA program," McCarthy said. "I am confident that he will have an immediate positive impact in Louisiana, and specifically on the priority city of Shreveport. Our Army is an all-volunteer force, and now more than ever we rely on our volunteers, such as CASAs, to help build networks, foster relationships and tell the Army story to local communities."

CASAs serve a vital role for the Army by promoting good relations between the Army and the public and advising the secretary about regional issues. Each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories have one or more CASAs to provide vital links between the Army and the communities for which they serve. CASAs are usually business or civic leaders who possess a keen interest in the welfare of the Army and their communities.

"I am extremely proud, yet humbled to have been selected by the secretary for this distinguished position," Cox said. "The U.S. Army has provided the foundation for our nation's freedom for 244 years as well as providing opportunities for all who have served, those serving, and those who will serve. As a CASA, I have the opportunity to tell the Army's story from my personal experience as well as from a professional perspective. I enthusiastically look forward to telling Louisiana citizens, especially young people, about the Army's mission and its heritage."

Mr. Cox began his Army career as a private in basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and ended his career 37 years later as an assistant division commander for support with the 95th Training Division. He served as an infantry paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam and was mobilized as a reservist to serve a tour in Iraq, where he led a legal team that reestablished the juvenile justice system in Baghdad. He is currently the judicial administrator of the Caddo Parish Juvenile Court in Shreveport, and is involved in many programs helping youth and their families.

CASAs serve a two-year term without compensation. Terms may be extended to a total of 10 years of service. The secretary may also recognize a civilian aide as a CASA Emeritus after 10 years of service with distinguished service.