TAG Talks

In this episode of TAG Talks, The Adjutant General of the Army, Brig. Gen. Gregory Johnson ("TAG 63") had a conversation with Mr. John Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies for the Modern War Institute at West Point. This episode delves into Mr. Spencer's book, "Connected Soldiers" and how Soldiers and their connections on the Battlefield continue to change.

In this episode of TAG Talks, The Adjutant General of the Army, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) sits down to discuss aspects of the GI Bill with Soldier Programs and Services Division Chief Col. Carlos Oquendo and Education Incentives Branch GI Bill Team Lead Mr. Erik Lohof.

In an effort to #TakeCareOfPeople, the GI Bill provides financing options for Soldier higher education. Learn about the three different parts of the GI Bill along with their intricacies including: eligibility, requirements, transferring education benefits, and more.

In this edition of The Adjutant General (TAG) Talks Podcast, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) sits down to discuss the Army Service Center and how their customer service initiatives #TakeCareOfPeople. This episode features Army Service Center Deputy Director, Parnell Plessl, and Customer Service Branch Chief, Shelly Dezelich.
Providing excellent customer service is what drives the Army Service Center. They have created a Veterans S1, automated iPerms to cut down “perm” time... read more

In this edition of The Adjutant General (TAG) Talks Podcast, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) sits down to discuss the Army Service Center and how their customer service initiatives #TakeCareOfPeople. This episode features Army Service Center Deputy Director, Parnell Plessl, and Customer Service Branch Chief, Shelly Dezelich. Providing excellent customer service is what drives the Army Service Center. They have created a Veterans S1, automated iPerms to cut down “perm” time for records from weeks to mere hours, and they continue to innovate with AI and data for the future- modernizing on the fly. Their data suggests that someone researching a problem independently could take hours; Calling the Army Service Center Helpdesk can resolve a problem within minutes. Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families are encouraged to reach out to the Helpdesk, 1-888-276-9472, to receive assistance with any number of issues they may be experiencing.   show less

From boards to promotions, Officer Promotions are an integral part of a Soldier’s Career. Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) sat down with Officer Promotions Chief, Major Brian Johnston and Colonel Mike Miller, the DA Secretariat Chief, to discuss all things Officer Promotions. This episode discusses the importance of keeping your IPPS-A data current, demystifying common misconceptions about boards, and how the Officer Promotions team is working to streamline the promotion process.

In this edition of The Adjutant General (TAG) Talks Podcast, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) discusses the Military Pay transition from the legacy system to IPPS-A with COL Keith Toler and SGM Dimas Fonseca.

Putting Soldiers First, especially when it comes to their livelihood, is of utmost importance. Military Pay is currently a hybrid environment; transitioning to IPPS-A is the modern pay solution. COL Toler and SGM Fonseca detail improving this environment and the operationalization of IPPS-A training. Listen to them discuss overcoming challenging elements of this transition and the “Back to Basics” approach.

In this inaugural edition of the The Adjutant General’s Book Club, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) discusses the book Be Data Literate with author Jordan Morrow.
We operate in a world flooded with data, artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics. A world with a ton of buzz words, business jargon, and advanced terminology. Listen to them discuss how to make people comfortable and confident using data. Morrow describes the four characteristics of data literacy as the ability to... read more

In this inaugural edition of the The Adjutant General’s Book Club, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (“TAG 63”) discusses the book Be Data Literate with author Jordan Morrow. We operate in a world flooded with data, artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics. A world with a ton of buzz words, business jargon, and advanced terminology. Listen to them discuss how to make people comfortable and confident using data. Morrow describes the four characteristics of data literacy as the ability to read, work with, analyze and communicate effectively with data. He concludes with the need to upskill people and evolve an organization’s culture to have a more data-driven mindset. Lastly, listen as TAG 63 and Morrow uncover the #1 roadblock to understanding data and achieving analytic success.   show less

Are you data literate? Can you read, work with, analyze and communicate with data? How do you use data as a support tool to make decisions? In this episode, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson, “TAG 63” talks with Jordan Morrow, author of “Be Data Driven: How Organizations Can Harness the Power of Data,” who is also known as the “godfather of data literacy.” They discuss the various uses of data and artificial intelligence (AI) to make decisions. Listen as they demystify AI, what it means to be data literate, and remove the fear of the unknown that creates comfort and confidence to make decisions that lead to outcomes.

This episode celebrates the one-year anniversary since the Release 3 launch of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) for active component Soldiers. With IPPS-A, now every Soldier has one record that stays with them for their entire military career, regardless of unit, location, or component. Listen as Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson (TAG 63), IPPS-A Director Col. Rebecca Lust and CW5 Maria Martinez, Warrant Officer Advisor to the Adjutant General, share their observations on the immediate impacts and lessons learned as well as the way forward for Commanders, HR professionals and Soldiers. This anniversary episode has something for everyone!

Sgt. Maj. Nephoteria S. O’Meally, Enlisted Promotions Branch manager, joins Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson, The 63rd Adjutant General of the Army, to discuss enlisted promotions and detail what Soldiers can do to proactively ensure their rank advancements are not delayed. Joining the conversation are Sgt. 1st Class Albert G. Thomas, junior enlisted promotions noncommissioned officer in charge, and Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer D. Buckley, senior enlisted promotions NCOIC. For more information, visit the Enlisted Promotions page at www.hrc.army.mil.

Ever wonder how the HQDA Board Process works at HRC? Beyond the release of a MILPER announcing the board and the Memorandum of Instruction to board members; this episode describes how board members are selected, the information visible to them while the board is in session and the laws and rules they must follow. Along the way, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson, “TAG 63” dispels some board myths, addresses the importance of the My Board File review and details the impact of adverse actions with guests Maj. John Barry and Maj. Rebecca Miller, board recorders for the DA Secretariat. For more information, visit the Selection Board page on www.hrc.army.mil.

Verifying the accuracy of your Board File is an essential task prior to a Centralized Promotion Selection Board. If you’re scheduled for a FY23 board, you might want to know how your records will appear to board members now that IPPS-A is live. On this episode of TAG Talks, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson hosts Capt. Adrienn Halland and Capt. Sean Truczinskas, board recorders for the DA Secretariat. Listen as these subject matter experts discuss the four phases of transition and their interaction with promotion board members to ensure every candidate gets a fair chance for school selection or promotion. For more information, visit the Selection Board page on www.hrc.army.mil.

From Unit Awards to Foreign Badges, the Awards & Decorations Branch Chief Maj. Grekii Fielder, and policy specialists CW4 Detricia Wikstrom and Mr. Dennis Christensen provide some insight on key awards functions. On this TAG Talks episode, listen as Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson discusses Unit Awards for Afghanistan; foreign badges/awards, and recognition for service under Named/Unnamed Operations with the Army Awards Team. For more information, visit the Awards & Decorations page on www.hrc.army.mil.

Want to know how to prepare for your next NCO Evaluation Board? Ever wonder what happens once board members recess or how HRC uses the Order of Merit List (OML)? Take charge of your career and listen to TAG Talks Episode 2. Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson, Sgt. Maj. Ramell Boyd (Acting TAG Sergeant Major) and Master Sgt. David Little (Chief, DA Secretariat) explain the NCO Evaluation Board Process and dispel some common myths along the way.

Voting absentee is a very simple process and every ballot, every vote counts. That’s the message U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Johnson, the 63rd Adjutant General of the Army wants Soldiers and family members stationed in the continental United States and overseas to understand as the 2022 U.S. mid-term elections rapidly approach.