Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASAs) are business and community leaders appointed by the Secretary to advise and support Army leaders across the country. CASAs come from many professions including business, education, finance, industry, law, the media, medicine and public service. Each is proactively involved in the community and brings to the position an interest in the Army, a high degree of business and civic leadership and an ability to influence the public. CASAs are Special Government Employees who agree to serve as representatives of the Secretary of the Army without salary, wages or related benefits, and are afforded a 3-star protocol status. Each CASA is committed to supporting all Department of Army Civilians, Soldiers and their Families. In particular, CASAs partner with the Soldier for Life program to assist Soldiers as they transition from the Army.
CASA 100th Anniversary
Click Here to See the 100th Anniversary Proclamation 100th Anniversary Proclamation.pdf
FAQs
Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) are essential to the Army’s ability to connect with America by helping to build partnerships and strengthening relationships in their communities. The role of a CASA varies greatly based on geographic location; proximity to Army installations or activities and support of local recruiting brigades of battalions. Some of the common roles the CASAs play are below:
Recruiting is the #1 priority for CASAs. They support the Total Army Recruiting mission by using their community connections to link the Army to influencers within the community.
CASAs support:
Prospect Campaigns. Prospect campaigns are activities that ensure authentic access to high schools, trade schools, community colleges, colleges universities, pre-med, healthcare professional career schools and similar settings.
Awareness Campaigns. Support activities that will reach the general public through participation in public activities such as parades, fairs, festivals, community celebrations, military open-house functions, job fairs, and public meetings.
Tell the Army Story. Using media access and community engagement, CASAs facilitate meaningful interactions between Army recruiters, key influencers, and youth with a propensity to serve.
CASAs are America's link to the Army!
Each component faces unique challenges, and as leaders in their states or territories, CASAs play a unique role by being the Secretary’s link to the Guard and Reserve. In particular, CASAs in states with little to no Active-Duty presence are almost exclusively involved with National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers. CASAs typically develop strong relationships with The Adjutant General (TAG) and reserve units since local need varies greatly.
CASAs support our Soldiers and their Families as they transition out of uniform by partnering with the Soldier for Life program. This includes taking care of the Soldier’s Families and assisting with job opportunities for transition Soldiers, veterans and their spouses.
In keeping with the Army People strategy, “Our people are our greatest strength and our most important weapon system” CASAs should seek to build mutually beneficial relationships within all segments of the multicultural communities they serve. They should also seek opportunities to upskill their cultural agility and exposure as they assist our Army in building lasting community-based relationships within their assigned regions of responsibility.
CASAs are often asked to speak at similar events listed above, as well as military and veteran services organization events. These events provide an opportunity to disseminate information about the Army and its priorities. The CASA Program Office regularly distributes Army talking points, top line messages, the Secretary’s priorities, and other pertinent information. However, most information can easily be found online or through your local Army contacts.
CASAs use their extensive outreach to support Soldiers and civilians while they serve. As the eyes and ears in the community, CASAs keep a pulse of the Total Army and provide genuine feedback on Army decisions and actions that affect Soldiers and families.
Find a CASA
Click below to find the CASA for your geographic location.
Find A CASA
North - Kristen C. McBride
South - Michael D. Schmitz
North - Timothy A. Jones
South - Kevin L. Robinson
North - Mario E. Diaz
South - Ben Coronado
South - Linda L. Denno
North - G. Brynt Parmeter
South - Ronald S. Chastain
Territory-Wide - J. Toloa'i Ho Ching
Central - Lorenzo Parra Rios
Coastal-South - M. Janet Chin
Greater Los Angeles - Mario A. Guerra
Los Angeles - Sonki Hong
Pacific North Sierras - Gilbert W. Sanborn
Sacramento - Lance T. Izumi
Sacramento - Charles L. Pattillo
San Francisco - Mark K. Benton
North - William H. Hanzlik
North - Daryl Keithley
South - Terrance D. McWilliams
Territory-Wide - Michael Sablan
Statewide - John C. Stull
Statewide - Terry L. Wiley
District Wide - L. Anita Dixon
Central - Allie L. Braswell
Central - Landy D. Dunham
Northeast - James D. Tyre
North - Dr. Peter Tan
South - Jeraline M. Johnson
South - Victor S. Olshansky
Tampa Bay - Luis Martinez-Monfort
Coastal Region - Peter F. Hoffman
North - Angela M. Odom
North - John W. Phillips
West - John T. Hargrove
Territory Wide - Noel Molina Enriquez
Island of Hawaii - D. Noelani Kalipi
Oahu East - Gilbert K.T. Tam
Statewide - Thomas E. Shuler
North - James A. Bland
North - Steven N. Herman
South - John W. Moulton
West - Yves Fontaine
Statewide - Stan D. Soderstrom
East - C. Dana Waterman
East - Michael D. Hockley
Greater Kansas City - Patrick C. Warren
Stateside - D. Scott Stuckey
North - James T. Iacocca
West - Kelli N. Pendleton
North - Logan O. Morris
South - Peter D. Crean, Sr.
Statewide - Brenda M. Pennels
Central - Guy L. Filippelli
South - Bobby G. Henry
Statewide - Mary Jane Jernigan
Statewide - Brian P. Concannon
Statewide - Nicole R. Gilmore
Statewide - Tammy J. Carnrike
North - Jason Allen
Statewide - Donald Mark Ritchie
Statewide - A. Leon Collins
Missouri (East) - E. Tracy Beckette
Missouri (West) - Keith W. Pritchard
Statewide -Julie Vacura
Statewide - James A. Cada
Statewide -Susan L. Malone
Statewide - Peter S. Burdett
North - Richard W. Eastman
Statewide - Erica Jeffries Purdo
North - Donna A. White
Statewide - Richard M. Jackson
Midstate - Elizabeth G. Kubala
North - Joseph M. Butler
South - Steven A. Castleton
South - Dr. Pamela J. Newman
East - Danny D. Dederick
West - Mabry E. Martin
West - Blair D. Shwedo
Statewide - Shelly Sizer
Central - Susan K. Green
North - Babe D. Kwasniak
North - Eric S. Mansfield
South - Stephen R. Lee
North - Jill A. Castilla
North - Kevin Offel
South - Michael B. Brown
Statewide - Craig A. Wilhelm
Central - Carol Eggert
East - Doc Parghi
East - Kenneth Wong
West - Rory A. Cooper
West - Paul M. Urban
Territory-Wide Luis A. Soto
Statewide - Laurie Ludovici
Statewide - Kevin A. Shwedo
Statewide - Ray Carpenter
North - J. Phil Harpel
South - Ralph Schulz
East - Leslie Purser
Brazos Valley - Daniel J. Pugh
Capital Region - Abdul B. Subhani
Central - Kendall (Ken) P. Cox
Central - Edgar (Ed) Fuentes
East - Timothy L. Kopra
East - Myrna Saldana-Trevino
North - Darcy G. Anderson
North - Joseph M. DePinto
South - Joseph D. Bray
West - Gus J. Rodriguez
Statewide - Jennie A. Taylor
Statewide: Keith A. Baranow
Territory-Wide - Beresford F. Edwards
North - Nancy W. Jean-Louis
South - Michael P. Flanagan
East - David A. Condon
West - Tay Yoshitani
West - David A. Zeeck
Army Regulation 1-15 - January 31, 2017 [PDF - 207.7 KB]
CASA Overview [PDF - 145 KB]
Typical Duties of a CASA - June 7, 2021 [PDF - 265.2 KB]
INSTRUCTIONS
CASA Nomination and Selection Process [PDF - 12 KB]
CASA 100th Proclamation
100th Anniversary Proclamation.pdf
History
Just before World War I, the Military Training Camps Association (MTCA), a private group, began a training program to train leaders for the Army. In helping the Army select and train candidates for what was to become known as the Plattsburgh Camps, the MTCA suggested that an inner group of "Civilian Aides to the Secretary of War" could benefit both the Army and the Association.
In 1922, the Army formally recognized the training program and the Civilian Aide concept. Interaction with the Army was broad; with specific duties left to each Aide's own discretion. Then, as now, Aides served without pay or compensation.
In 1950, Secretary of the Army Frank Pace, Jr. redesigned the program to meet the Army's growing need for contact with grass roots opinion throughout the country. Secretary Pace also changed the policy of selecting Civilian Aides solely from the ranks of the MTCA and reduced their terms to two years. The Aides' primary mission has become promoting good relations between the Army and the public by acting as spokespersons and advisors.
Since its reorganization in the early 1950s, the program has undergone few changes. Since 1950, more than 500 persons have served as Civilian Aides.
About Us
Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASAs) are business and community leaders appointed by the Secretary to advise and support Army leaders across the country. CASAs come from many professions including business, education, finance, industry, law, the media, medicine and public service. Each is proactively involved in the community and brings to the position an interest in the Army, a high degree of business and civic leadership and an ability to influence the public. CASAs are Special Government Employees who agree to serve as representatives of the Secretary of the Army without salary, wages or related benefits, and are afforded a 3-star protocol status.
CASAs bridge the gap between the Army and civilian community by disseminating information about the Army's objectives and major programs to the public through speeches, personal contact and participation in Army and community events. CASAs assist with recruiting by increasing the positive image of the Army and connecting Army recruiters to key influencers in the community.
CASAs provide individual advice to the Secretary of the Army on public sentiments toward the Army. CASAs work closely with Army leaders and installation commanders and serve as the Secretary' s liaison for Army National Guard and Army Reserve matters. They also engage with local, regional, and state officials, Federal Agencies, Members of Congress and their staff.
Each CASA is committed to supporting all Department of Army Civilians, Soldiers and their Families. In particular, CASAs partner with the Soldier for Life program to assist Soldiers as they transition from the Army.
Appointee Criteria
To serve as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, the appointee:
Is a United States citizen of outstanding character, integrity, and patriotism.
Has a deep interest in military affairs.
Is a leader in community affairs.
Is in a position to disseminate information about the Army to a broad cross section of the public and to other prominent citizens in his or her area.
Is able to interpret and affect public attitude toward the Army.
Is able and willing to devote a reasonable amount of time to the activities of a Civilian Aide.
Will reside in the State or Territory the Civilian Aide is appointed to represent.
Will not be an employee of the Department of Defense as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 2105.
Will not be an active member of the National Guard or a member of the Ready Reserve (Selected), Individual Ready Reserve, or Standby Reserve.
Will not be a paid employee of any political party.
Will not be a Federal, state, or local elected or appointed official or employee, if such position would present a conflict of interest.
Will not hold financial interests or positions that conflict with the performance of his or her duties as a Civilian Aide. For the purposes of analyzing whether a nominee holds an interest, the interests of the nominee's spouse and dependent children are attributed to the nominee.
Partnerships
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
On 15 April, 2014, CASA became a commemorative partner in the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Partner Program which is designed for federal, state and local communities, veterans' organizations and other nongovernmental organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam Veterans and their families. Commemorative Partners are encouraged to participate in the Commemoration of the Vietnam War by planning and conducting events and activities that will recognize the Vietnam Veterans and their families' service, valor and sacrifice.
Read the President's Proclamation of the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War (pdf).
Read the Thank You Letter to CASA from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (pdf).
Commemoration Objectives
To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their esrvice and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces.
To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.
View Objectives Poster (pdf)
CASA Vietnam War Commemoration Activities
Kentucky (North) September 2014 - Jerry Cecil, CASA for Kentucky (North), helps kick off Kentucky's 10-year effort to honor Vietnam veterans. Read Article
War Commemoration SITREPs - 2015
Issue 6, Thursday, June 18 (pdf)
Related Links
U.S. Army Recruiting Command
Soldier for Life
U.S. National Guard
U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador Program
Contact
Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army
105 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0105
Email: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-oaa.mbx.casa@mail.mil