Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army has direct line to top
The U.S. Department of the Army is no slouch when it comes to red tape and bureaucracy, something that has been a topic of conversation since the Army formed during the Revolutionary War.
But systems have been established to cut through the red tape. One of them is the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) program that involves the selection of qualified civilians to gather information to pass directly to the Secretary of the Army. Every state in the union boasts at least one CASA.
Dr. Randy Groth, who lives in Tucson, has functioned as Arizona’s CASA for many years. In January, a second CASA position was established in the state and one more seems likely for later this year. A CASA serves two-year terms for up to 10 years. Once appointed, the rank of a CASA is equivalent to that of a three star general.
Though serving without pay, a CASA has many responsibilities. One of the most important is to bridge the gap between the Army and civilian communities by sharing the Army message and assisting with matters affecting the Army. CASAs disseminate information about the Army’s objectives, the Secretary of the Army’s priorities, and major programs to the public through speeches, personal contacts and other means. He or she provides personal advice and recommendations directly to the Secretary of the Army.
Arizona’s newest CASA, Mario Diaz, took his oath Jan. 9 in a Pentagon ceremony to which he brought his wife, two children and mother. He has been busy in the ensuing several months — meeting with local officials, visiting military installations throughout the state and collecting proclamations from city mayors recognizing the Army’s upcoming 242nd birthday (June 14).
“I report directly to the Secretary of the Army, who reports directly to the Secretary of Defense, who reports directly to the president,” said Diaz. “That’s a nice, succinct chain of command.”
On the date of the Army’s birthday in June, he plans to participate in a march in downtown Phoenix made up of active and veteran soldiers that will conclude at city hall where a birthday cake will be sliced and shared.
Though an Arizona resident for the past 28 years and involved in government for 10, Diaz had never had the opportunity to visit U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground. That is, until midApril, when he devoted most of a day to touring the proving ground. He attended a detailed briefing in which he discussed issues with YPG Commander Col. Randy Murray and Yuma Test Center Commander Lt. Col. James DeBoer. The highlight of his visit was overflying the proving ground on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
“This was an eye opening experience,” he said, “for I see a great lack of understanding in our state for the important work that takes place at YPG. The proving ground seems a well-kept secret despite the major impact YPG testing has on the effectiveness of our military on the battlefield.”
He said he was particularly impressed by the commitment and dedication he witnessed by the civilian and soldier workforce, particularly their intellectual capacity and skill.
After departing YPG, he spent one night in downtown Yuma then met the next day with Mayor Doug Nicholls, members of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors and conducted a television interview. He looks forward to returning to YPG again in late June.