The Army Should Restore the CASA Program to Maintain Its Link to Grassroots America
Source: "The Army made a mistake by ending its civilian link to the American people | Fox News." September 26, 2026. www.foxnews.com
The Gist
The author argues the Army was wrong to shut down its century-old CASA program, which used local volunteer leaders to connect the military with everyday Americans, help with recruiting, and support veterans transitioning to civilian life. He says the Army can invest in new technology while still maintaining this grassroots community connection—it doesn't have to be one or the other.
Conclusion
The Army made a mistake in terminating the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) program in June 2025, and should restore its traditional community-based role, because building a technologically advanced Army should not come at the cost of losing its connection to the American people.
Premises
- For over 100 years, the CASA program served as the Army's primary link between the military and grassroots Americans in local communities.
- CASAs historically helped tell the 'Army story' in schools, especially in rural America, instilling patriotism in youth.
- CASAs assisted Army recruiters in addressing recruiting challenges at the local level.
- CASAs supported the 'Soldier for Life' program by connecting transitioning soldiers with local employers and guiding civilian transition decisions.
- CASAs provided volunteer support to military families facing particular needs.
- Army leadership terminated the entire CASA Corps in June 2025 to focus more on technology rather than community engagement, implying a false choice between the two.
- Meeting recruiting goals in the short term does not eliminate the ongoing need to earn the trust of the next generation of soldiers and families.
Assumptions
- Technology-focused modernization and grassroots community engagement are not mutually exclusive and can be pursued simultaneously without diverting significant resources from one another.
- Community engagement programs like CASA meaningfully contribute to recruiting success and military-public relations beyond what current recruiters and other programs already accomplish.
- The 'Forgotten Americans'—a specific demographic characterized by patriotism, religious faith, and civic duty—are essential to military recruitment and require dedicated outreach distinct from general public engagement.
- Historical continuity and tradition (100+ years of the program) is itself a reason to maintain a program, absent from a full cost-benefit re-evaluation.
- Current recruiting success is somewhat fragile or contingent, and community trust-building must continue as an ongoing investment rather than a one-time achievement.