A-State Professor Selected as Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army for Arkansas
Dr. Ed Salo was sworn in by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
JONESBORO – Dr. Ed Salo, professor of history at Arkansas State University, has been selected as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for the state of Arkansas.
“I bring my skills from academia, teaching, business, industry, and politics along with a love of the nation and its military to this post. I know the Army is evolving to meet the current threats of the world and still healing and changing from the past 20 years of continued combat operations,” said Salo, who serves as associate chair in the Department of History.
CASAs, which are selected by the secretary of the Army, are considered special government employees who earn no wages or benefits but are provided a three-star protocol status.
"Our CASAs are instrumental in building and maintaining relationships between the Army and communities across the country," said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth in the U.S. Army's announcement of the appointment of Salo and four other individuals.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to work with the greatest Army in the world, its soldiers, and its veterans. A large part of a CASA’s job is to help bridge the gap between the Army and civilian community,” Salo said.
He has worked at various military bases where he interacted with both civilians and military personnel.
“I witnessed the professionalism and dedication they had in fulfilling the mission of protecting the nation as well as preserving its history,” added Salo.
In his role at A-State, he also teaches military history classes to ROTC cadets. He also attended the military history instructors course at Fort Leavenworth.
“I have the opportunity to shape the future leaders of the Army and to remind them that the Army does not just battle, but has been in the vanguard of exploration, engineering and medical breakthroughs, as well as social changes in the nation,” he said.
“Salo’s dedication to the Army and its community is evident in his role as a CASA, where he works tirelessly to protect its values. He considers it the highest honor to strengthen the bonds between our Army, our citizens and our democratic institutions,” said Roger D. Combs, of the CASA program office. “I am confident all of you will find Salo to be a huge asset in your state,” he added.
Salo said he grew up in a military family, with his father serving in the Army for more than 20 years. His siblings have also served in the military.
“Arkansas has a long history of always being there to serve when the nation calls, and A-State has always been welcoming to the Army and its veterans,” he added.
“I am very proud of our university. I see this as a continuation of our mission at the university, but I will be working across the entire state, not just here.”
In addition to his duties on campus at A-State, Salo is also a host of the “Sea Control Podcast” for the Center for International Maritime Security, serves on the New America’s Nuclear Security Futures Group, and is a research fellow for the Modern War Institute at West Point and the Joint Special Operations University.
